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PROSPECTUS MARCH 1, 1997
AS REVISED, SEPTEMBER 15, 1997
DREYFUS SHORT-INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT FUND
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Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund (the "Fund") is an
open-end, diversified, management investment company, known as a mutual fund.
The Fund's investment objective is to provide you with as high a level of
current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. Under
normal market conditions, the Fund will invest in a portfolio of securities
that has an effective duration of approximately three years.
You can invest, reinvest or redeem shares at any time without
charge or penalty.
The Fund provides free redemption checks, which you can use in
amounts of $500 or more for cash or to pay bills. You continue to earn income
on the amount of the check until it clears. You can purchase or redeem shares
by telephone using Dreyfus TELETRANSFER.
The Dreyfus Corporation professionally manages the Fund's
portfolio.
This Prospectus sets forth concisely information about the Fund
that you should know before investing. It should be read and retained for
future reference.
THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MARCH 1, 1997 AS
REVISED JULY 1, 1997, WHICH MAY BE REVISED FROM TIME TO TIME, PROVIDES A
FURTHER DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN AREAS IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND OTHER MATTERS
WHICH MAY BE OF INTEREST TO SOME INVESTORS. IT HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION MAINTAINS A WEB SITE
(HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV) THAT CONTAINS THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION,
MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, AND OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND.
FOR A FREE COPY OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WRITE TO THE FUND
AT 144 GLENN CURTISS BOULEVARD, UNIONDALE, NEW YORK 11556-0144, OR CALL
1-800-645-6561. WHEN TELEPHONING, ASK FOR OPERATOR 144.
Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or
guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank, and are not federally insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any
other agency. The net asset value of funds of this type will fluctuate from
time to time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Annual Fund Operating Expenses.................... 3
Condensed Financial Information................... 4
Description of the Fund........................... 5
Management of the Fund............................ 6
How to Buy Shares................................. 7
Shareholder Services.............................. 9
How to Redeem Shares.............................. 12
Shareholder Services Plan......................... 14
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes................ 15
Performance Information........................... 16
General Information............................... 17
Appendix.......................................... 19
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
Page 3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average daily net assets)
<S> <C>
Management Fees ...................................................................... .50%
Other Expenses........................................................................ .24%
Total Fund Operating Expenses......................................................... .74%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Example: 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
You would pay the following expenses on
a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5%
annual return and (2) redemption at the
end of each time period: $8 $24 $41 $92
</TABLE>
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The amounts listed in the example should not be considered as
representative of past or future expenses and actual expenses may be greater
or less than those indicated. Moreover, while the example assumes a 5% annual
return, the Fund's actual performance will vary and may result in an actual
return greater or less than 5%.
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The purpose of the foregoing table is to assist you in
understanding the costs and expenses borne by the Fund, the payment of which
will reduce investors' annual return. You can purchase Fund shares without a
sales charge directly from the Fund's distributor; you may be charged a fee
if you effect transactions in Fund shares through a securities dealer, bank
or other financial institution. See "Management of the Fund," "How to Buy
Shares" and "Shareholder Services Plan."
Page 3
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The information in the following table has been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, the Fund's independent auditors, whose report thereon appears in
the Statement of Additional Information. Further financial data and related
notes are included in the Statement of Additional Information, available upon
request.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share
of beneficial interest outstanding, total investment return, ratios to
average net assets and other supplemental data for each year indicated. This
information has been derived from the Fund's financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE DATA: 1987(1) 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning
of year............ $12.00 $11.35 $11.10 $11.24 $11.23 $11.71 $11.58 $11.45 $10.57 $11.06
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Investment income-net .77 .96 1.02 .99 .85 .82 .78 .76 .73 .65
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments (.65) (.25) .14 (.01) .47 .09 .14 (.82) .49 (.11)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS......... .12 .71 1.16 .98 1.32 .91 .92 (.06) 1.22 .54
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
DISTRIBUTIONS:
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
Dividends from investment
income-net......... (.77) (.96) (1.02) (.99) (.84) (.83) (.78) (.76) (.73) (.65)
Dividends from net realized
gain on investments _ _ _ _ _ (.21) (.27) (.06) _ _
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (.77) (.96) (1.02) (.99) (.84) (1.04) (1.05) (.82) (.73) (.65)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of year $11.35 $11.10 $11.24 $11.23 $11.71 $11.58 $11.45 $10.57 $11.06 $10.95
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN 1.83%(2) 6.40% 10.99% 9.20% 12.25% 8.05% 8.29% (.57%) 11.91% 5.08%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets. _ _ _ _ .49% .35% .40% .47% .66% .74%
Ratio of net investment
income to average
net assets......... 9.50%(2) 8.56% 9.24% 8.90% 7.41% 7.00% 6.75% 6.91% 6.73% 5.99%
Decrease reflected in above
expense ratios due to
undertakings by The
Dreyfus Corporation
(limited to the expense
limitation provision of the
Management Agreement) 1.50%(2) 1.50% 1.05% .92% .30% .42% .35% .30% .09% _
Portfolio Turnover Rate 22.44%(3) 88.75% 17.39% 25.46% 131.69% 225.52% 317.00% 695.60% 387.60% 594.44%
Net Assets, end of year
(000's omitted).... $6,435 $17,943 $31,970 $63,419 $144,215 $333,646 $551,543 $496,513 $573,681 $569,319
(1) From April 6, 1987 (commencement of operations) through November 30, 1987.
(2) Annualized.
(3) Not annualized.
</TABLE>
Page 4
Further information about the Fund's performance is contained in
the Fund's annual report, which may be obtained without charge by writing to
the address or calling the number set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund's investment objective is to provide you with as high a
level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. It
cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the
Fund's outstanding voting shares. There can be no assurance that the Fund's
investment objective will be achieved.
MANAGEMENT POLICIES
The Fund invests in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements in
respect thereof. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in
mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies
or instrumentalities, including those with fixed, floating or variable
interest rates, those with interest rates that change based on multiples of
changes in a specified index of interest rates and those with interest rates
that change inversely to changes in interest rates, as well as stripped
mortgage-backed securities which do not bear interest. See "Appendix _
Certain Portfolio Securities."
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest in a portfolio
of securities that has an effective duration of approximately three years. As
a measure of a fixed-income security's cash flow, duration is an alternative
to the concept of "term to maturity" in assessing the price volatility
associated with changes in interest rates. Generally, the longer the
duration, the more volatility an investor should expect. For example, the
market price of a bond with a duration of three years would be expected to
decline 3% if interest rates rose 1%. Conversely, the market price of the
same bond would be expected to increase 3% if interest rates fell 1%. The
market price of a bond with a duration of six years would be expected to
increase or decline twice as much as the market price of a bond with a
three-year duration. Duration is a way of measuring a security's maturity in
terms of the average time required to receive the present value of all
interest and principal payments as opposed to its term to maturity. The
maturity of a security measures only the time until final payment is due; it
does not take account of the pattern of a security's cash flows over time,
which would include how cash flow is affected by prepayments and by changes
in interest rates. Incorporating a security's yield, coupon interest
payments, final maturity and option features into one measure, duration is
computed by determining the weighted average maturity of a bond's cash flows,
where the present values of the cash flows serve as weights. In computing the
duration of the Fund, The Dreyfus Corporation will estimate the duration of
obligations that are subject to features such as prepayment or redemption by
the issuer, put options retained by the investor or other imbedded options,
taking into account the influence of interest rates on prepayments and coupon
flows. See "Appendix_Certain Portfolio Securities_Mortgage-Related
Securities."
The Fund may engage in various investment techniques, such as lending
portfolio securities and short-selling. For a discussion of the investment
techniques and their related risks, see "Appendix _ Investment Techniques"
below and "Investment Objective and Management Policies_Management Policies"
in the Statement of Additional Information.
INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS
General _ The Fund's net asset value per share should be expected to
fluctuate. The value of the portfolio securities held by the Fund will vary
inversely to changes in prevailing interest rates. Thus, if interest rates
have increased from the time a security was purchased, such security, if
sold, might be sold at a price less than its cost. Similarly, if interest
rates have declined from the time a security was purchased,
Page 5
such security, if sold, might be sold at a price greater than its purchase
cost. In either instance, if the security was purchased at face value and
held to maturity, no gain or loss would be realized.
Mortgage-Related Securities _ Mortgage-related securities are complex
derivative instruments, subject to both credit and prepayment risk, and may
be more volatile and less liquid than more traditional debt securities.
Mortgage-related securities are subject to credit risks associated with the
performance of the underlying mortgage properties. Adverse changes in
economic conditions and circumstances are more likely to have an adverse
impact on mortgage-related securities secured by loans on certain types of
commercial properties than on those secured by loans on residential
properties. In addition, these securities are subject to prepayment risk,
although commercial mortgages typically have shorter maturities than
residential mortgages and prepayment protection features. Some mortgage
- -related securities have structures that make their reactions to interest
rate changes and other factors difficult to predict, making their value
highly volatile. See "Appendix _ Certain Portfolio Securities _ Mortgage-
Related Securities."
Simultaneous Investments _ Investment decisions for the Fund are made
independently from those of the other investment companies advised by The
Dreyfus Corporation. If, however, such other investment companies desire to
invest in, or dispose of, the same securities as the Fund, available
investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated equitably to each
investment company. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the
size of the position obtained for or disposed of by the Fund or the price
paid or received by the Fund.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISER _ The Dreyfus Corporation, located at 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166, was formed in 1947 and serves as the Fund's
investment adviser. The Dreyfus Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Mellon Bank, N.A., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank
Corporation ("Mellon"). As of August 31, 1997, The Dreyfus Corporation
managed or administered approximately $93 billion in assets for approximately
1.7 million investor accounts nationwide.
The Dreyfus Corporation supervises and assists in the overall
management of the Fund's affairs under a Management Agreement with the Fund,
subject to the authority of the Fund's Board in accordance with
Massachusetts law. The Fund's primary portfolio manager is Gerald E.
Thunelius. He has held that position since June 1994 and has been employed by
The Dreyfus Corporation since May 1989. The Fund's other portfolio managers
are identified in the Statement of Additional Information. The Dreyfus
Corporation also provides research services for the Fund and for other funds
advised by The Dreyfus Corporation through a professional staff of portfolio
managers and securities analysts.
Mellon is a publicly owned multibank holding company incorporated
under Pennsylvania law in 1971 and registered under the Federal Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended. Mellon provides a comprehensive range of
financial products and services in domestic and selected international
markets. Mellon is among the twenty-five largest bank holding companies in
the United States based on total assets. Mellon's principal wholly-owned
subsidiaries are Mellon Bank, N.A., Mellon Bank (DE) National Association,
Mellon Bank (MD), The Boston Company, Inc., AFCO Credit Corporation and a
number of companies known as Mellon Financial Services Corporations. Through
its subsidiaries, including The Dreyfus Corporation, Mellon managed more than
$286 billion in assets as of June 30, 1997, including approximately $94
billion in proprietary mutual fund assets. As of June 30, 1997, Mellon,
through various subsidiaries, provided non-investment services, such as
custodial or administration services, for more than $1.306 trillion in
assets, including approximately $63 billion in mutual fund assets.
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996, the Fund paid The
Dreyfus Corporation a monthly management fee at the annual rate of .50 of 1%
of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets. From time to time, The
Dreyfus Corporation may waive receipt of its fees and/or voluntarily assume
certain expenses of the Fund, which would have the effect of lowering the
expense ratio of the Fund and increas-
Page 6
ing yield to investors. The Fund will not pay The Dreyfus Corporation at a
later time for any amounts it may waive, nor will the Fund reimburse The
Dreyfus Corporation for any amounts it may assume.
In allocating brokerage transactions for the Fund, The Dreyfus
Corporation seeks to obtain the best execution of orders at the most
favorable net price. Subject to this determination, The Dreyfus Corporation
may consider, among other things, the receipt of research services and/or the
sale of shares of the Fund or other funds managed, advised or administered by
The Dreyfus Corporation as factors in the selection of broker-dealers to
execute portfolio transactions for the Fund. See "Portfolio Transactions" in
the Statement of Additional Information.
The Dreyfus Corporation may pay the Fund's distributor for
shareholder services from The Dreyfus Corporation's own assets, including
past profits but not including the management fee paid by the Fund. The
Fund's distributor may use part or all of such payments to pay securities
dealers, banks or other financial institutions in respect of these services.
DISTRIBUTOR _ The Fund's distributor is Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
(the "Distributor"), located at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
The Distributor's ultimate parent is Boston Institutional Group, Inc.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND CUSTODIAN _ Dreyfus Transfer,
Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dreyfus Corporation, P.O. Box 9671,
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, is the Fund's Transfer and Dividend
Disbursing Agent (the "Transfer Agent"). Mellon Bank, N.A., located at One
Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258, serves as the Fund's
Custodian.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
Fund shares are sold without a sales charge. You may be charged a
fee if you effect transactions in Fund shares through a securities dealer,
bank or other financial institution. Share certificates are issued only upon
your written request. No certificates are issued for fractional shares. The
Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order.
The minimum initial investment is $2,500, or $1,000 if you are a
client of a securities dealer, bank or other financial institution which
maintains an omnibus account in the Fund and has made an aggregate minimum
initial purchase for its customers of $2,500. Subsequent investments must be
at least $100. However, the minimum initial investment for Dreyfus-sponsored
Keogh Plans, IRAs, SEP-IRAs and 403(b)(7) Plans with only one participant is
$750, with no minimum for subsequent purchases. Individuals who open an IRA
also may open a non-working spousal IRA with a minimum initial investment of
$250. Subsequent investments in a spousal IRA must be at least $250. The
initial investment must be accompanied by the Account Application. For
full-time or part-time employees of The Dreyfus Corporation or any of its
affiliates or subsidiaries, directors of The Dreyfus Corporation, Board
members of a fund advised by The Dreyfus Corporation, including members of
the Fund's Board, or the spouse or minor child of any of the foregoing, the
minimum initial investment is $1,000. For full-time or part-time employees of
The Dreyfus Corporation or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries who elect to
have a portion of their pay directly deposited into their Fund account, the
minimum initial investment is $50. The Fund reserves the right to offer Fund
shares without regard to minimum purchase requirements to employees
participating in certain qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans
where contributions or account information may be transmitted in a manner and
form acceptable to the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to vary further the
initial and subsequent minimum investment requirements at any time. Fund
shares also are offered without regard to the minimum initial investment
requirements through Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset BuilderRegistration Mark,
Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan
pursuant to the Dreyfus Step Program described under "Shareholder Services."
These services enable you to make regularly scheduled investments and may
provide you with a convenient way to invest for long-term financial goals.
Page 7
You should be aware, however, that periodic investment plans do not guarantee
a profit and will not protect an investor against loss in a declining market.
You may purchase Fund shares by check or wire, or through the
Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege described below. Checks should be made payable
to "The Dreyfus Family of Funds," or, if for Dreyfus retirement plan
accounts, to "The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian." Payments to open new
accounts which are mailed should be sent to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O.
Box 9387, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9387, together with your Account
Application. For subsequent investments, your Fund account number should
appear on the check and an investment slip should be enclosed and sent to The
Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 105, Newark, New Jersey 07101-0105. For
Dreyfus retirement plan accounts, both initial and subsequent investments
should be sent to The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian, P.O. Box 6427,
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-6427. Neither initial nor subsequent
investments should be made by third party check. Purchase orders may be
delivered in person only to a Dreyfus Financial Center. THESE ORDERS WILL BE
FORWARDED TO THE FUND AND WILL BE PROCESSED ONLY UPON RECEIPT THEREBY. For
the location of the nearest Dreyfus Financial Center, please call one of the
telephone numbers listed under "General Information."
Wire payments may be made if your bank account is in a commercial
bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System or any other bank having
a correspondent bank in New York City. Immediately available funds may be
transmitted by wire to The Bank of New York, DDA #8900052139/Dreyfus
Short-Intermediate Government Fund, for purchase of Fund shares in your name.
The wire must include your Fund account number (for new accounts, your
Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") should be included instead), account
registration and dealer number, if applicable. If your initial purchase of
Fund shares is by wire, please call 1-800-645-6561 after completing your wire
payment to obtain your Fund account number. Please include your Fund account
number on the Account Application and promptly mail the Account Application
to the Fund, as no redemptions will be permitted until the Account
Application is received. You may obtain further information about remitting
funds in this manner from your bank. All payments should be made in U.S.
dollars and, to avoid fees and delays, should be drawn only on U.S. banks. A
charge will be imposed if any check used for investment in your account does
not clear. The Fund makes available to certain large institutions the ability
to issue purchase instructions through compatible computer facilities.
Subsequent investments also may be made by electronic transfer of
funds from an account maintained in a bank or other domestic financial
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. You must direct the
institution to transmit immediately available funds through the Automated
Clearing House to The Bank of New York with instructions to credit your Fund
account. The instructions must specify your Fund account registration and
your Fund account number PRECEDED BY THE DIGITS "1111."
Fund shares are sold on a continuous basis at the net asset value
per share next determined after an order in proper form is received by the
Transfer Agent or other agent. Net asset value per share is determined as of
the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (currently
4:00 p.m., New York time), on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open
for business. Net asset value per share is computed by dividing the value of
the Fund's net assets (i.e., the value of its assets less liabilities) by the
total number of shares outstanding. The Fund's investments are valued by an
independent pricing service approved by the Fund's Board and are valued at
fair value as determined by the pricing service under the general supervision
of the Board. For further information regarding the methods employed in
valuing Fund investments, see "Determination of Net Asset Value" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
The Distributor may pay dealers a fee of up to .5% of the amount
invested through such dealers in Fund shares by employees participating in
qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans or other programs where
(i) the employers or affiliated employers maintaining such plans or programs
have a minimum of 250 employees eligible for participation in such plans or
programs, or (ii) such plan's or
Page 8
program's aggregate investment in the Dreyfus Family of Funds or certain other
Distributor to such plans or programs exceeds $1,000,000 ("Eligible Benefits
Plans"). Shares of funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds then held by Eligible
Benefit Plans will be aggregated to determine the fee payable. The
Distributor reserves the right to cease paying these fees at any time. The
Distributor will pay such fees from its own funds, other than amounts
received from the Fund, including past profits or any other source available
to it.
Federal regulations require that you provide a certified TIN upon
opening or reopening an account. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" and
the Account Application for further information concerning this requirement.
Failure to furnish a certified TIN to the Fund could subject you to a $50
penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS").
DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE
You may purchase shares (minimum $500, maximum $150,000 per day) by
telephone if you have checked the appropriate box and supplied the necessary
information on the Account Application or have filed a Shareholder Services
Form with the Transfer Agent. The proceeds will be transferred between the
bank account designated in one of these documents and your Fund account. Only
a bank account maintained in a domestic financial institution which is an
Automated Clearing House member may be so designated. The Fund may modify or
terminate this Privilege at any time or charge a service fee upon notice to
shareholders. No such fee currently is contemplated.
If you have selected the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, you may
request a Dreyfus TELETRANSFER purchase of shares by calling 1-800-645-6561
or, if you are calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452.
PROCEDURES FOR MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS
Special procedures have been designed for banks and other
institutions that wish to open multiple accounts. The institutions may open a
single master account by filing one application with the Transfer Agent, and
may open individual sub-accounts at the same time or at some later date. For
further information, please refer to "Purchase of Shares" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
FUND EXCHANGES _ You may purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund,
shares of certain other funds managed or administered by The Dreyfus
Corporation, to the extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of
residence. These funds have different investment objectives which may be of
interest to you. If you desire to use this service, please call
1-800-645-6561 to determine if it is available and whether any conditions are
imposed on its use.
To request an exchange, you must give exchange instructions to the
Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone. Before any exchange, you must
obtain and should review a copy of the current prospectus of the fund into
which the exchange is being made. Prospectuses may be obtained by calling
1-800-645-6561. Except in the case of personal retirement plans, shares being
exchanged must have a current value of at least $500; furthermore, when
establishing a new account by exchange, the shares being exchanged must have
a value of at least the minimum initial investment required for the Fund into
which the exchange is being made. The ability to issue exchange instructions
by telephone is given to all Fund shareholders automatically, unless you
check the applicable "No" box on the Account Application indicating that you
specifically refuse this privilege. The Telephone Exchange Privilege may be
established for an existing account by written request signed by all
shareholders on the account, by a separate signed Shareholder Services Form,
available by calling 1-800-645-6561, or by oral request from any of the
authorized signatories on the account by calling 1-800-645-6561. If you have
established the Telephone Exchange Privilege, you may telephone exchange
instructions (including over The Dreyfus TouchRegistration Mark automated
telephone system) by calling 1-800-645-6561. If you are calling from
overseas, call 516-794-5452. See "How to Redeem Shares _ Procedures." Upon an
exchange into a new account, the following shareholder services and
privileges, as
Page 9
applicable and where available, will be automatically carried over to the fund
into which the exchange is made: Telephone Exchange Privilege, Check
Redemption Privilege, Wire Redemption Privilege, Telephone Redemption
Privilege, Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege and the dividend/capital
gain distribution option (except for Dreyfus Dividend Sweep)selected by the
investor.
Shares will be exchanged at the next determined net asset value;
however, a sales load may be charged with respect to exchanges into funds
sold with a sales load. If you are exchanging into a fund that charges a
sales load, you may qualify for share prices which do not include the sales
load or which reflect a reduced sales load, if the shares you are exchanging
were: (a) purchased with a sales load, (b) acquired by a previous exchange
from shares purchased with a sales load, or (c) acquired through reinvestment
of dividends or distributions paid with respect to the foregoing categories
of shares. To qualify, at the time of the exchange you must notify the
Transfer Agent. Any such qualification is subject to confirmation of the
holdings through a check of appropriate records. See "Shareholder Services"
in the Statement of Additional Information. No fees currently are charged
shareholders directly in connection with exchanges, although the Fund
reserves the right, upon not less than 60 days' written notice, to charge
shareholders a nominal administrative fee in accordance with rules
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Fund reserves the
right to reject any exchange request in whole or in part. The availability of
Fund Exchanges may be modified or terminated at any time upon notice to
shareholders. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
DREYFUS AUTO-EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE _ Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege enables
you to invest regularly (on a semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly or annual
basis), in exchange for shares of the Fund, in shares of certain other funds
in the Dreyfus Family of Funds of which you are a shareholder. The amount you
designate, which can be expressed either in terms of a specific dollar or
share amount ($100 minimum), will be exchanged automatically on the first
and/or fifteenth of the month according to the schedule you have selected.
Shares will be exchanged at the then-current net asset value; however, a
sales load may be charged with respect to exchanges into funds sold with a
sales load. See "Shareholder Services" in the Statement of Additional
Information. The right to exercise this Privilege may be modified or
cancelled by the Fund or the Transfer Agent. You may modify or cancel your
exercise of this Privilege at any time by mailing written notification to The
Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671.
The Fund may charge a service fee for the use of this Privilege. No such fee
currently is contemplated. For more information concerning this Privilege and
the funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds eligible to participate in this
Privilege, or to obtain a Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Authorization Form, please
call toll free 1-800-645-6561. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDERRegistration Mark _ Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset
Builder permits you to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 and maximum of
$150,000 per transaction) at regular intervals selected by you. Fund shares
are purchased by transferring funds from the bank account designated by you.
At your option, the bank account designated by you will be debited in the
specified amount, and Fund shares will be purchased, once a month, on either
the first or fifteenth day, or twice a month, on both days. Only an account
maintained at a domestic financial institution which is an Automated Clearing
House member may be so designated. To establish a Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset
Builder account, you must file an authorization form with the Transfer Agent.
You may obtain the necessary authorization form by calling 1-800-645-6561.
You may cancel your participation in this Privilege or change the amount of
purchase at any time by mailing written notification to The Dreyfus Family of
Funds, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, or, if for Dreyfus
retirement plan accounts, to The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian, P.O. Box
6427, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-6427. The notification will be effective
three business days following receipt. The Fund may modify or terminate this
Privilege at any time or charge a service fee. No such fee currently is
contemplated.
DREYFUS GOVERNMENT DIRECT DEPOSIT PRIVILEGE _ Dreyfus Government Direct
Deposit Privilege enables you to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 and
maximum of $50,000 per transaction) by
Page 10
having Federal salary, Social Security, or certain veterans', military or
other payments from the Federal government automatically deposited into your
Fund account. You may deposit as much of such payments as you elect. To enroll
in Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit, you must file with the Transfer Agent a
completed Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form for each type of payment that you desire
to include in this Privilege. The appropriate form may be obtained by calling
1-800-645-6561. Death or legal incapacity will terminate your participation in
this Privilege. You may elect at any time to terminate your participation by
notifying in writing the appropriate Federal agency. The Fund may terminate
your participation upon 30 days' notice to you.
DREYFUS PAYROLL SAVINGS PLAN _ Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan permits you to
purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 per transaction) automatically on a
regular basis. Depending upon your employer's direct deposit program, you may
have part or all of your paycheck transferred to your existing Dreyfus
account electronically through the Automated Clearing House system at each
pay period. To establish a Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan account, you must
file an authorization form with your employer's payroll department. Your
employer must complete the reverse side of the form and return it to The
Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671.
You may obtain the necessary authorization form by calling 1-800-645-6561.
You may change the amount of purchase or cancel the authorization only by
written notification to your employer. It is the sole responsibility of your
employer, not the Distributor, The Dreyfus Corporation, the Fund, the
Transfer Agent or any other person, to arrange for transactions under the
Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan. The Fund may modify or terminate this Privilege
at any time or charge a service fee. No such fee currently is contemplated.
DREYFUS STEP PROGRAM _ Dreyfus Step Program enables you to purchase Fund
shares without regard to the Fund's minimum initial investment requirements
through Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset Builder, Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit
Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan. To establish a Dreyfus Step
Program account, you must supply the necessary information on the Account
Application and file the required authorization form(s) with the Transfer
Agent. For more information concerning this Program, or to request the
necessary authorization form(s), please call toll free 1-800-782-6620. You
may terminate your participation in this Program at any time by discontinuing
your participation in Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset BuilderRegistration Mark,
Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan,
as the case may be, as provided under the terms of such Privilege(s). The
Fund may modify or terminate this Program at any time. Investors who wish to
purchase Fund shares through the Dreyfus Step Program in conjunction with a
Dreyfus-sponsored retirement plan may do so only for IRAs, SEP-IRAs and IRA
"Rollover Accounts."
DREYFUS DIVIDEND OPTIONS _ Dreyfus Dividend Sweep enables you to invest
automatically dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions, if any,
paid by the Fund in shares of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds of
which you are a shareholder. Shares of the other fund will be purchased at
the then-current net asset value; however, a sales load may be charged with
respect to investments in shares of a fund sold with a sales load. If you are
investing in a fund that charges a sales load, you may qualify for share price
s which do not include the sales load or which reflect a reduced sales load.
If you are investing in a fund or class that charges a contingent deferred
sales charge, the shares purchased will be subject on redemption to the
contingent deferred sales charge, if any, applicable to the purchased shares.
See "Shareholder Services" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Dreyfus Dividend ACH permits you to transfer electronically dividends or
dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, from the Fund to a
designated bank account. Only an account maintained at a domestic financial
institution which is an Automated Clearing House member may be so designated.
Banks may charge a fee for this service.
For more information concerning these privileges or to request a
Dividend Options Form, please call toll free 1-800-645-6561. You may cancel
these privileges by mailing written notification to The Dreyfus Family of
Funds, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671. To select a new
fund after cancellation, you must submit a new Dividend Options Form.
Enrollment in or cancellation of
Page 11
these privileges is effective three business days following receipt. These
privileges are available only for existing accounts and may not be used to
open new accounts. Minimum subsequent investments do not apply to Dreyfus
Dividend Sweep. The Fund may modify or terminate these privileges at any time
or charge a service fee. No such fee currently is contemplated. Shares held
under Keogh Plans, IRAs or other retirement plans are not eligible for Dreyfus
Dividend Sweep.
MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTION PLANS _ The Distribution Plans permit you
to receive monthly or quarterly payments from the Fund consisting of proceeds
from the redemption of shares purchased for your account through the
automatic reinvestment of dividends declared on your account during the
preceding month or calendar quarter.
You may open a Monthly or Quarterly Distribution Plan by submitting
a request to the Transfer Agent. A Plan may be ended at any time by you, the
Fund or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which certificates have been issued
must be presented before redemption under the Plans.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN _ The Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits you to
request withdrawal of a specified dollar amount (minimum of $50) on either a
monthly or quarterly basis if you have a $5,000 minimum account. An
application for the Automatic Withdrawal Plan can be obtained by calling
1-800-645-6561. The Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be ended at any time by
you, the Fund or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which certificates have been
issued may not be redeemed through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
RETIREMENT PLANS _ The Fund offers a variety of pension and profit-sharing
plans, including Keogh Plans, IRAs, SEP-IRAs and IRA "Rollover Accounts,"
401(k) Salary Reduction Plans and 403(b)(7) Plans. Plan support services also
are available. You can obtain details on the various plans by calling the
following numbers toll free: for Keogh Plans, please call 1-800-358-5566; for
IRAs and IRA "Rollover Accounts," please call 1-800-645-6561; or for SEP-IRAs,
401(k) Salary Reduction Plans and 403(b)(7) Plans, please call 1-800-322-7880.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
GENERAL
You may request redemption of your shares at any time. Redemption
requests should be transmitted to the Transfer Agent as described below. When
a request is received in proper form, the Fund will redeem the shares at the
next determined net asset value.
The Fund imposes no charges when shares are redeemed. Securities
dealers, banks and other financial institutions may charge their clients a
fee for effecting redemptions of Fund shares. Any certificates representing
Fund shares being redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request. The
value of the shares redeemed may be more or less than their original cost,
depending upon the Fund's then-current net asset value.
The Fund ordinarily will make payment for all shares redeemed
within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a redemption request
in proper form, except as provided by the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE PURCHASED FUND SHARES BY CHECK, BY
DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE OR THROUGH DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET
BUILDERRegistration Mark AND SUBSEQUENTLY SUBMIT A WRITTEN REDEMPTION REQUEST
TO THE TRANSFER AGENT, THE REDEMPTION PROCEEDS WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO YOU
PROMPTLY UPON BANK CLEARANCE OF YOUR PURCHASE CHECK, DREYFUS TELETRANSFER
PURCHASE OR DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDER ORDER, WHICH MAY TAKE UP TO EIGHT
BUSINESS DAYS OR MORE. IN ADDITION, THE FUND WILL NOT HONOR REDEMPTION CHECKS
UNDER THE CHECK REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE, AND WILL REJECT REQUESTS TO REDEEM
SHARES BY WIRE OR TELEPHONE OR PURSUANT TO THE DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE,
FOR A PERIOD OF EIGHT BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIPT BY THE TRANSFER AGENT OF THE
PURCHASE CHECK, THE DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PURCHASE OR THE DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC
ASSET BUILDER ORDER AGAINST WHICH SUCH REDEMPTION IS REQUESTED.
Page 12
THESE PROCEDURES WILL NOT APPLY IF YOUR SHARES WERE PURCHASED BY WIRE PAYMENT,
OR IF YOU OTHERWISE HAVE A SUFFICIENT COLLECTED BALANCE IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO
COVER THE REDEMPTION REQUEST. PRIOR TO THE TIME ANY REDEMPTION IS EFFECTIVE,
DIVIDENDS ON SUCH SHARES WILL ACCRUE AND BE PAYABLE, AND YOU WILL BE ENTITLED
TO EXERCISE ALL OTHER RIGHTS OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP. Fund shares will not be
redeemed until the Transfer Agent has received your Account Application.
The Fund reserves the right to redeem your account at its option
upon not less than 30 days' written notice if your account's net asset value
is $500 or less and remains so during the notice period.
PROCEDURES
You may redeem shares by using the regular redemption procedure
through the Transfer Agent, or through the Telephone Redemption Privilege
which is granted automatically unless you specifically refuse it by checking
the applicable "No" box on the Account Application. The Telephone Redemption
Privilege may be established for an existing account by a separate signed
Shareholder Services Form or by oral request from any of the authorized
signatories on the account by calling 1-800-645-6561. You also may redeem
shares through the Check Redemption Privilege, the Wire Redemption Privilege
or the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege. The Fund makes available to certain
large institutions the ability to issue redemption instructions through
compatible computer facilities. The Fund reserves the right to refuse any
request made by wire or telephone, including requests made shortly after a
change of address, and may limit the amount involved or the number of such
requests. The Fund may modify or terminate any redemption Privilege at any
time or charge a service fee upon notice to shareholders. No such fee
currently is contemplated. Shares held under Keogh Plans, IRAs or other
retirement plans, and shares for which certificates have been issued, are not
eligible for the Check Redemption, the Wire Redemption, the Telephone
Redemption or the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege.
The Telephone Redemption Privilege or Telephone Exchange Privilege
authorizes the Transfer Agent to act on telephone instructions (including
over The Dreyfus TouchRegistration Mark automated telephone system) from any
person representing himself or herself to be you and reasonably believed by
the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Fund will require the Transfer Agent to
employ reasonable procedures, such as requiring a form of personal
identification, to confirm that instructions are genuine and, if it does not
follow such procedures, the Fund or the Transfer Agent may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Neither the Fund nor
the Transfer Agent will be liable for following telephone instructions
reasonably believed to be genuine.
During times of drastic economic or market conditions, you may
experience difficulty in contacting the Transfer Agent by telephone to
request a redemption or exchange of Fund shares. In such cases, you should
consider using the other redemption procedures described herein. Use of these
other redemption procedures may result in your redemption request being
processed at a later time than it would have been if telephone redemption had
been used. During the delay, the Fund's net asset value may fluctuate.
REGULAR REDEMPTION _ Under the regular redemption procedure, you may redeem
shares by written request mailed to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box
9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, or, if for Dreyfus retirement plan
accounts, to The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian, P.O. Box 6427, Providence,
Rhode Island 02940-6427. Redemption requests may be delivered in person only
to a Dreyfus Financial Center. THESE REQUESTS WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE FUND
AND WILL BE PROCESSED ONLY UPON RECEIPT THEREBY. For the location of the
nearest Dreyfus Financial Center, please call one of the telephone numbers
listed under "General Information." Redemption requests must be signed by
each shareholder, including each owner of a joint account, and each signature
must be guaranteed. The Transfer Agent has adopted standards and procedures
pursuant to which signature-guarantees in proper form generally will be
accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national
securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies
and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New York Stock
Exchange Medallion Signature Program, the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program
Page 13
("STAMP"), and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program. If you have any
questions with respect to signature-guarantees, please call one of the
telephone numbers listed under "General Information."
Redemption proceeds of at least $1,000 will be wired to any member
bank of the Federal Reserve System in accordance with a written
signature-guaranteed request.
CHECK REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE _ You may write Redemption Checks drawn on your
Fund account. Redemption Checks may be made payable to the order of any
person in the amount of $500 or more. Potential fluctuations in the net asset
value of Fund shares should be considered in determining the amount of the
check. Redemption Checks should not be used to close your account. Redemption
Checks are free, but the Transfer Agent will impose a fee for stopping
payment of a Redemption Check upon your request or if the Transfer Agent
cannot honor the Redemption Check due to insufficient funds or other valid
reason. You should date your Redemption Checks with the current date when you
write them. Please do not postdate your Redemption Checks. If you do, the
Transfer Agent will honor, upon presentment, even if presented before the
date of the check, all postdated Redemption Checks which are dated within six
months of presentment for payment, if they are otherwise in good order. This
Privilege will be terminated immediately, without notice, with respect to any
account which is, or becomes, subject to backup withholding on redemptions
(see "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes"). Any Redemption Check written on
an account which has become subject to backup withholding on redemptions will
not be honored by the Transfer Agent. If you hold shares in a Dreyfus
sponsored IRA account, you may be permitted to make withdrawals from your IRA
account using checks furnished to you by The Dreyfus Trust Company.
WIRE REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE _ You may request by wire or telephone that
redemption proceeds (minimum $1,000) be wired to your account at a bank which
is a member of the Federal Reserve System, or a correspondent bank if your
bank is not a member. Holders of jointly registered Fund or bank accounts may
have redemption proceeds of not more than $250,000 wired within any 30-day
period. You may telephone redemption requests by calling 1-800-645-6561 or,
if you are calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452. The Statement of
Additional Information sets forth instructions for transmitting redemption
requests by wire.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE _ You may request by telephone that
redemption proceeds (maximum $150,000 per day) be paid by check and mailed to
your address. You may telephone redemption instructions by calling
1-800-645-6561 or, if you are calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452. The
Telephone Redemption Privilege is granted automatically unless you refuse it.
DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE _ You may request by telephone that
redemption proceeds (minimum $500 per day) be transferred between your Fund
account and your bank account. Only a bank account maintained in a domestic
financial institution which is an Automated Clearing House member may be
designated. Redemption proceeds will be on deposit in your account at an
Automated Clearing House member bank ordinarily two days after receipt of the
redemption request. Holders of jointly registered Fund or bank accounts may
redeem through the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege for transfer to their bank
account not more than $250,000 within any 30-day period.
If you have selected the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, you may
request a Dreyfus TELETRANSFER redemption of shares by calling 1-800-645-6561
or, if you are calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452.
Shareholder Services Plan
The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan pursuant to which
the Fund reimburses Dreyfus Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
The Dreyfus Corporation, an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25 of 1%
of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets for certain allocated
expenses of providing personal services and/or maintaining shareholder
accounts. The services provided may include personal services relating to
shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries
Page 14
regarding the Fund and providing reports and other information, and services
related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The Fund ordinarily declares dividends from net investment income
on each day the Fund is open for business. Shares begin accruing dividends on
the day following the date of purchase. The Fund's earnings for Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays are declared as dividends on the following business day.
Dividends usually are paid on the last day of each month, and are
automatically reinvested in additional Fund shares at net asset value or, at
your option, paid in cash. If you redeem all shares in your account at any
time during the month, all dividends to which you are entitled will be paid
to you along with the proceeds of the redemption. If you are an omnibus
accountholder and indicate in a partial redemption request that a portion of
any accrued dividends to which such account is entitled belongs to an
underlying accountholder who has redeemed all shares in his or her account,
such portion of the accrued dividends will be paid to you along with the
proceeds of the redemption. Distributions from net realized securities gains,
if any, generally are declared and paid once a year but the Fund may make
distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
in all events in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act. The Fund will not
make distributions from net realized securities gains unless capital loss
carryovers, if any, have been utilized or have expired. You may choose
whether to receive distributions in cash or to reinvest in additional Fund
shares at net asset value. All expenses are accrued daily and deducted before
declaration of dividends to investors.
Dividends derived from net investment income, together with
distributions from any net realized short-term securities gains and all or a
portion of any gains realized from the sale or other disposition of certain
market discount bonds, paid by the Fund will be taxable to U.S. shareholders
as ordinary income whether received in cash or reinvested in additional Fund
shares. No dividend paid by the Fund will qualify for the dividends received
deduction allowable to certain U.S. corporations. Distributions from net
realized long-term securities gains of the Fund are taxable to U.S.
shareholders as long-term capital gains for Federal income tax purposes,
regardless of how long shareholders have held their Fund shares and whether
such distributions are received in cash or reinvested in additional Fund
shares. The Code provides that the net capital gains of an individual
generally will not be subject to Federal income tax at a rate in excess of
28%. Dividends and distributions may be subject to certain state and local
taxes.
Dividends derived from net investment income, together with
distributions from net realized short-term securities gains and all or a
portion of any gains realized from the sale or other disposition of certain
market discount bonds, paid by the Fund to a foreign investor generally are
subject to U.S. nonresident withholding taxes at the rate of 30%, unless the
foreign investor claims the benefit of a lower rate specified in a tax
treaty. Distributions from net realized long-term securities gains paid by the
Fund to a foreign investor, as well as the proceeds of any redemptions from
a foreign investor's account, regardless of the extent to which gain or loss
may be realized, generally will not be subject to U.S. nonresident
withholding tax. However, such distributions may be subject to backup
withholding, as described below, unless the foreign investor certifies his
non-U.S. residency status.
Dividends and distributions attributable to interest from direct
obligations of the United States and paid by the Fund to individuals
currently are not subject to tax in most states. Dividends and distributions
attributable to interest from other securities in which the Fund may invest
may be subject to state tax. The Fund intends to provide shareholders with a
statement which sets forth the percentage of dividends and distributions paid
by the Fund that is attributable to interest income from direct obligations
of the United States.
Notice as to the tax status of your dividends and distributions
will be mailed to you annually. You also will receive periodic summaries of
your account which will include information as to dividends and distributions
from securities gains, if any, paid during the year.
Page 15
The exchange of shares of one fund for shares of another is treated
for Federal income tax purposes as a sale of the shares given in exchange by
the shareholder and, therefore, an exchanging shareholder may realize a
taxable gain or loss.
Federal regulations generally require the Fund to withhold ("backup
withholding") and remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of dividends, distributions
from net realized securities gains of the Fund and the proceeds of any
redemption, regardless of the extent to which gain or loss may be realized,
paid to a shareholder if such shareholder fails to certify either that the
TIN furnished in connection with opening an account is correct, or that such
shareholder has not received notice from the IRS of being subject to backup
withholding as a result of a failure to properly report taxable dividend or
interest income on a Federal income tax return. Furthermore, the IRS may
notify the Fund to institute backup withholding if the IRS determines that a
shareholder's TIN is incorrect or if a shareholder has failed to properly
report dividend and interest income on a Federal income tax return.
A TIN is either the Social Security number or employer
identification number of the record owner of the account. Any tax withheld as
a result of backup withholding does not constitute an additional tax imposed
on the record owner of the account, and may be claimed as a credit on the
record owner's Federal income tax return.
Management of the Fund believes that the Fund has qualified for the
fiscal year ended November 30, 1996 as a "regulated investment company" under
the Code. The Fund intends to continue to so qualify if such qualification is
in the best interests of its shareholders. Such qualification relieves the
Fund of any liability for Federal income tax to the extent its earnings are
distributed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code. The Fund is
subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax, imposed with respect to certain
undistributed amounts of taxable investment income and capital gains.
You should consult your tax adviser regarding specific questions as
to Federal, state or local taxes.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
For purposes of advertising, performance may be calculated on
several bases, including current yield, average annual return and/or total
return.
Current yield refers to the Fund's annualized net investment income
per share over a 30-day period, expressed as a percentage of the net asset
value per share at the end of the period. For purposes of calculating current
yield, the amount of net investment income per share during that 30-day
period, computed in accordance with regulatory requirements, is compounded by
assuming that it is reinvested at a constant rate over a six-month period. An
identical result is then assumed to have occurred during a second six-month
period which, when added to the result for the first six months, provides an
"annualized" yield for an entire one-year period. Calculations of the Fund's
current yield may reflect absorbed expenses pursuant to any undertaking that
may be in effect. See "Management of the Fund."
Average annual total return is calculated pursuant to a
standardized formula which assumes that an investment in the Fund was
purchased with an initial payment of $1,000 and that the investment was
redeemed at the end of a stated period of time, after giving effect to the
reinvestment of dividends and distributions during the period. The return is
expressed as a percentage rate which, if applied on a compounded annual
basis, would result in the redeemable value of the investment at the end of
the period. Advertisements of the Fund's performance will include the Fund's
average annual total return for one, five and ten year periods, or for
shorter time periods depending upon the length of time during which the Fund
has operated.
Total return is computed on a per share basis and assumes the
reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Total return generally is
expressed as a percentage rate which is calculated by combining the income
and principal changes for a specified period and dividing by the net asset
value per share at the
Page 16
beginning of the period. Advertisements may include the percentage rate of
total return or may include the value of a hypothetical investment at the end
of the period which assumes the application of the percentage rate of total
return.
Performance will vary from time to time and past results are not
necessarily representative of future results. You should remember that
performance is a function of portfolio management in selecting the type and
quality of portfolio securities and is affected by operating expenses.
Performance information, such as that described above, may not provide a
basis for comparison with other investments or other investment companies
using a different method of calculating performance. The Fund's yield
generally should be higher than comparable money market funds (the Fund,
however, does not seek to maintain a stable price per share and may not be
able to return an investor's principal), and its price per share should
fluctuate less than comparable long-term bond funds (which generally have
higher yields).
Comparative performance information may be used from time to time
in advertising or marketing the Fund's shares, including data from Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., Bank Rate Monitortrademark, N. Palm Beach, Fla.
33408, Moody's Bond Survey Bond Index, Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index,
Salomon Brothers Corporate Bond Rate-of-Return Index, Bond Buyer's 20-Bond
Index and other publications.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund was organized as an unincorporated business trust under
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pursuant to an Agreement and
Declaration of Trust (the "Trust Agreement") dated September 19, 1986, and
commenced operations on April 6, 1987. The Fund is authorized to issue an
unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $.001 per share.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund.
However, the Trust Agreement disclaims shareholder liability for acts or
obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given
in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the
Fund or a Board member. The Trust Agreement provides for indemnification from
the Fund's property for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held
personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder's incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its
obligations, a possibility which management believes is remote. Upon payment
of any liability incurred by the Fund, the shareholder paying such liability
will be entitled to reimbursement from the general assets of the Fund. The
Fund intends to conduct its operations in such a way so as to avoid, as far
as possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders for liabilities of the
Fund. As discussed under "Management of the Fund" in the Statement of
Additional Information, the Fund ordinarily will not hold shareholder
meetings; however, shareholders under certain circumstances may have the
right to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting to remove
Board members.
The Transfer Agent maintains a record of your ownership and sends
confirmations and statements of account.
Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Fund at 144
Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, or by calling toll
free 1-800-645-6561. In New York City, call
1-718-895-1206; outside the U.S. and Canada, call 516-794-5452.
Page 17
APPENDIX
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES _ The Fund may lend securities from its
portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to
borrow securities to complete certain transactions. The Fund continues to be
entitled to payments in amounts equal to the interest or other distributions
payable on the loaned securities which affords the Fund an opportunity to
earn interest on the amount of the loan and on the loaned securities'
collateral. Loans of portfolio securities may not exceed 331/3% of the value
of the Fund's total assets, and the Fund will receive collateral consisting
of cash, U.S. Government securities or irrevocable letters of credit which
will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the
current market value of the loaned securities. Such loans are terminable by
the Fund at any time upon specified notice. The Fund might experience risk of
loss if the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan
transaction breaches its agreement with the Fund.
BORROWING MONEY _ The Fund is permitted to borrow to the extent permitted
under the 1940 Act, which permits an investment company to borrow an amount
up to 331/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund currently intends to
borrow money only for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes, in an
amount up to 15% of the value of its total assets (including the amount
borrowed) valued at the lesser of cost or market, less liabilities (not
including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. While
borrowings exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets, the Fund will
not make any additional investments.
SHORT-SELLING _ In these transactions, the Fund sells a security it does not
own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security. To
complete the transaction, the Fund must borrow the security to make delivery
to the buyer. The Fund is obligated to replace the security borrowed by
purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at
such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold
by the Fund, which would result in a loss or gain, respectively.
Securities will not be sold short if, after effect is given to any
such short sale, the total market value of all securities sold short by the
Fund would exceed 25% of the value of the Fund's net assets. The Fund may not
sell short the securities of any single issuer listed on a national
securities exchange to the extent of more than 5% of the value of its net
assets. The Fund may not make a short sale which results in the Fund having
sold short in the aggregate more than 5% of the outstanding securities of any
class of an issuer.
The Fund may also make short sales "against the box," in which the
Fund enters into a short sale of a security it owns in order to hedge an
unrealized gain on the security. At no time will more than 15% of the value
of the Fund's net assets be in deposits on short sales against the box.
CERTAIN PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES _ Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or its agencies or instrumentalities include U.S. Treasury
securities, which differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of
issuance. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies
and instrumentalities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Treasury; others by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury;
others by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain
obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and others only by the credit
of the agency or instrumentality. These securities bear fixed, floating or
variable rates of interest. While the U.S. Government currently provides
financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or
instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it will always do so, since
it is not so obligated by law.
U.S Treasury securities include Treasury Inflation-Protection
Securities ("TIPS"), which are newly created securities issued by the U.S.
Treasury designed to provide investors a long term investment vehicle that is
not vulnerable to inflation. The interest rate paid by TIPS is fixed, while
the principal value
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rises or falls semi-annually based on changes in a published Consumer Price
Index. Thus, if inflation occurs, the principal and interest payments on the
TIPS are adjusted according to protect investors from inflationary loss.
During a deflationary period, the principal and interest payments decrease,
although the TIPS' principal will not drop below its face amount at maturity.
In exchange for the inflation protection, TIPS generally pay lower
interest rates than typical Treasury securities. Only if inflation occurs
will TIPS offer a higher real yield than a conventional Treasury bond of the
same maturity. In addition, it is not possible to predict with assurance how
the market for TIPS will develop; initially, the secondary market for these
securities may not be as active or liquid as the secondary market for
conventional Treasury securities. Principal appreciation and interest
payments on TIPS will be taxed annually as ordinary interest income for
Federal income tax calculations. As a result, any appreciation in principal
must be counted as interest income in the year the increase occurs, even
though the investor will not receive such amounts until the TIPS are sold or
mature. Principal appreciation and interest payments will be exempt from
state and local income taxes.
MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES _ Mortgage-related securities are a form of
Derivative collateralized by pools of commercial or residential mortgages.
Pools of mortgage loans are assembled as securities for sale to investors by
various governmental, government-related and private organizations. These
securities may include complex instruments such as collateralized mortgage
obligations, stripped mortgage-backed securities, mortgage pass-through
securities, interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits ("REMICs"),
and adjustable rate mortgages.
In certain instances, the credit risk associated with
mortgage-related securities can be reduced by third party guarantees or other
forms of credit support. Improved credit risk does not reduce prepayment risk
which is unrelated to the rating assigned to the mortgage-related security.
Prepayment risk can lead to fluctuations in value of the mortgage-related
security which may be pronounced. If a mortgage-related security is purchased
at a premium, all or part of the premium may be lost if there is a decline in
the market value of the security, whether resulting from changes in interest
rates or prepayments on the underlying mortgage collateral. Certain
mortgage-related securities that may be purchased by the Fund, such as
inverse floating rate collateralized mortgage obligations, have coupons that
move inversely to a multiple of a specific index which may result in a form
of leverage. As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of certain
mortgage-related securities are inversely affected by changes in interest
rates. However, although the value of a mortgage-related security may decline
when interest rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true, since in
periods of declining interest rates the mortgages underlying the security are
more likely to be prepaid. For this and other reasons, a mortgage-related
security's stated maturity may be shortened by unscheduled prepayments on the
underlying mortgages, and, therefore, it is not possible to predict
accurately the security's return to the Fund. Moreover, with respect to
certain stripped mortgage-backed securities, if the underlying mortgage
securities experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the
Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment even if the securities
are rated in the highest rating category by a nationally recognized
statistical rating organization. During periods of rapidly rising interest
rates, prepayments of mortgage-related securities may occur at slower than
expected rates. Slower prepayments effectively may lengthen a
mortgage-related security's expected maturity which generally would cause the
value of such security to fluctuate more widely in response to changes in
interest rates. Were the prepayments on the Fund's mortgage-related securities
to decrease broadly, the Fund's effective duration, and thus sensitivity to
interest rate fluctuations, would increase.
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES _ The Fund may invest in
mortgage-related securities representing participation interests in pools of
one- to four-family residential mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by
governmental agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Government National
Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), the Federal National Mortgage Association
("FNMA"), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), or issued
by private entities. Similar to commercial mort-
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gage-related securities, residential mortgage-related securities have been
issued using a variety of structures, including multi-class structures
featuring senior and subordinated classes.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS AND MULTI-CLASS PASS-THROUGH
SECURITIES _ Collateralized mortgage obligations or "CMOs" are multiclass
bonds backed by pools of mortgage pass-through certificates or mortgage
loans. CMOs in which the Fund may invest may be collateralized by (a)
pass-through certificates issued or guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC, (b)
unsecuritized mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration or
guaranteed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs or (c) any combination
thereof.
Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a "tranche," is issued at a
specific coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date.
Principal prepayments on collateral underlying a CMO may cause it to be
retired substantially earlier than the stated maturities or final
distribution dates. The principal and interest on the underlying mortgages
may be allocated among the several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways.
One or more tranches of a CMO may have coupon rates which reset periodically
at a specified increment over an index, such as the London Interbank Offered
Rate ("LIBOR") (or sometimes more than one index). These floating rate CMOs
typically are issued with lifetime caps on the coupon rate thereon. The Fund
also may invest in inverse floating rate CMOs. Inverse floating rate CMOs
constitute a tranche of a CMO with a coupon rate that moves in the reverse
direction to an applicable index such as the LIBOR. Accordingly, the coupon
rate thereon will increase as interest rates decrease. Inverse floating rate
CMOs are typically more volatile than fixed or floating rate tranches of
CMOs.
STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES _ The Fund also may invest in
stripped mortgage-backed securities which are created by segregating the cash
flows from underlying mortgage loans or mortgage securities to create two or
more new securities, each with a specified percentage of the underlying
security's principal or interest payments. Mortgage securities may be
partially stripped so that each investor class received some interest and
some principal. When securities are completely stripped, however, all of the
interest is distributed to holders of one type of security, known as an
interest-only security, or IO, and all of the principal is distributed to
holders of another type of security known as a principal-only security, or
PO. Strips can be created in a pass-through structure or as tranches of a
CMO. The yields to maturity on IOs and POs are very sensitive to the rate of
principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage
assets. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated
prepayments of principal, the Fund may not fully recoup its initial
investment in IOs. Conversely, if the underlying mortgage assets experience
less than anticipated prepayments of principal, the yield on POs could be
materially and adversely affected.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS _ In a repurchase agreement, the Fund buys, and the
seller agrees to repurchase, a security at a mutually agreed upon time and
price (usually within seven days). The repurchase agreement thereby
determines the yield during the purchaser's holding period, while the
seller's obligation to repurchase is secured by the value of the underlying
security. Repurchase agreements could involve risks in the event of a default
or insolvency of the other party to the agreement, including possible delays
or restrictions upon the Fund's ability to dispose of the underlying
securities. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with certain banks
or non-bank dealers.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES _ The Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its net
assets in securities as to which a liquid trading market does not exist,
provided such investments are consistent with the Fund's investment
objective. Such securities may include securities that are not readily
marketable, such as certain securities that are subject to legal or
contractual restrictions on resale, repurchase agreements providing for
settlement in more than seven days after notice, and certain privately
negotiated, non-exchange traded options and securities used to cover such
options. As to these securities, the Fund is subject to a risk that should
the Fund desire to sell them when a ready buyer is not available at a price
the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund's net
assets could be adversely affected.
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NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE
ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE
FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OF THE FUND'S
SHARES, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND. THIS PROSPECTUS
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM,
SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
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Short-Intermediate
Government Fund
Prospectus
Registration Mark
Copy Rights 1997, Dreyfus Service Corporation
542p0997
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