PIMCO FUNDS
497, 1998-04-06
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<PAGE>
 
                   PIMCO Funds Prospectus
                     
                               
Pacific            SHORTER-TERM BOND FUNDS   
Investment         Money Market Fund                         
Management         Short-Term Fund
Series Class       Low Duration Fund          
A, B, C Shares              
                   INTERMEDIATE-TERM BOND FUNDS
April 1, 1998      Real Return Bond Fund
                   Total Return Fund
                   High Yield Fund
                                      

                   LONG-TERM BOND FUND
                   Municipal Bond Fund
                   Long-Term U.S. Government Fund 


                   INTERNATIONAL BOND FUNDS
                   Global Bond Fund II
                   Foreign Bond Fund
                   Emerging Markets Bond Fund

               
                   STOCK FUNDS 
                   StocksPLUS Fund

                                              [LOGO OF PIMCO FUNDS APPEARS HERE]

<PAGE>
 
            PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
            Prospectus
            April 1, 1998
 
            PIMCO Funds (the "Trust") is an open-end series management invest-
            ment company offering twelve separate investment portfolios (each
            a "Fund") in this Prospectus, each with different investment ob-
            jectives and strategies. The Trust is designed to provide access
            to the professional investment management services offered by Pa-
            cific Investment Management Company ("Pacific Investment Manage-
            ment"), which serves as investment adviser (the "Advisor") to the
            Funds. The address of PIMCO Funds is 840 Newport Center Drive,
            Suite 360, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
 
            Each Fund offers three classes of shares in this Prospectus: Class
            A shares (generally sold subject to an initial sales charge),
            Class B shares (sold subject to a contingent deferred sales
            charge) and Class C shares (sold subject to an asset based sales
            charge). Through separate prospectuses, certain Funds and other
            series of the Trust may offer up to three additional classes of
            shares, Class D, Institutional Class and Administrative Class
            shares. See "Alternative Purchase Arrangements."
 
            This Prospectus concisely describes the information investors
            should know before investing in Class A, Class B or Class C shares
            of the Funds. Please read this Prospectus carefully and keep it
            for further reference. Information about the investment objective
            of each Fund, along with a detailed description of the types of
            securities in which each Fund may invest and of investment poli-
            cies and restrictions applicable to each Fund, are set forth in
            this Prospectus. There can be no assurance that the investment ob-
            jective of any Fund will be achieved. Because the market value of
            each Fund's investments will change, the investment returns and
            net asset value per share of each Fund will vary.
 
            A Statement of Additional Information, dated April 1, 1998, as
            amended or supplemented from time to time, is available free of
            charge by writing to PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC (the "Distribu-
            tor"), 2187 Atlantic Street, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, or by
            telephoning 800-426-0107. The Statement of Additional Information,
            which contains more detailed information about the Trust, has been
            filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorpo-
            rated by reference in this Prospectus. The Securities and Exchange
            Commission maintains an Internet World Wide Web site (at
            http://www.sec.gov) which contains the Statement of Additional In-
            formation, materials that are incorporated by reference into this
            Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information, and other
            information about the Funds.
 
            THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SE-
            CURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMIS-
            SION, 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 OF-
            FENSE.
 
            SHARES OF THE FUNDS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARAN-
            TEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, AND THE SHARES ARE
            NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORA-
            TION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY, AND ENTAIL
            RISK, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
 
            INVESTMENT IN THE MONEY MARKET FUND (OR IN ANY OTHER FUND) IS NEI-
            THER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. THERE CAN BE
            NO ASSURANCE THAT THE MONEY MARKET FUND WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A
            STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER SHARE.
 
            EACH OF THE FUNDS, EXCEPT THE MONEY MARKET FUND AND THE MUNICIPAL
            BOND FUND, MAY INVEST ALL OF ITS ASSETS IN DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS,
            SOME OF WHICH MAY BE PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN PREVAIL-
            ING INTEREST RATES. UNEXPECTED CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES MAY AD-
            VERSELY AFFECT THE VALUE OF A FUND'S INVESTMENTS IN PARTICULAR DE-
            RIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS.
 
            THE HIGH YIELD AND EMERGING MARKETS BOND FUNDS MAY INVEST ALL OF
            THEIR ASSETS IN JUNK BONDS, WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO HIGH RISK, AND
            SPECULATIVE WITH REGARD TO PAYMENT OF INTEREST AND RETURN OF PRIN-
            CIPAL. INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THESE RISKS BEFORE IN-
            VESTING IN THE HIGH YIELD FUND. SEE "CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF
            SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES--HIGH YIELD SECURITIES ("JUNK
            BONDS")."
 
 
              TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>
PIMCO Funds Overview..............   3
Schedule of Fees..................   4
Financial Highlights..............   8
Investment Objectives and
Policies..........................  12
Investment Risks and
Considerations....................  19
Characteristics and Risks of
 Securities and Investment 
 Techniques.......................  20
Performance Information...........  35
How to Buy Shares.................  36
Alternative Purchase Arrangements.  40
Exchange Privilege................  48
How to Redeem.....................  49
Distributor and Distribution and
Servicing Plans...................  53
How Net Asset Value Is Determined.  56
Distributions.....................  57
Taxes.............................  57
Management of the Trust...........  59
Description of the Trust..........  62
Mailings to Shareholders..........  63
Appendix A--Description of
 Duration.........................  64
Appendix B--Description of
 Securities Ratings...............  65
</TABLE>

 
2  PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
 
            PIMCO Funds Overview
            Pacific Investment Management, a subsidiary partnership of PIMCO
            Advisors L.P., is the investment adviser of all the Funds. Pacific
            Investment Management is one of the premier fixed income invest-
            ment management firms in the U.S. As of December 31, 1997, Pacific
            Investment Management had approximately $118 billion in assets un-
            der management. Pacific Investment Management invests in all sec-
            tors of the fixed income market, using its total return philoso-
            phy--seeking capital appreciation as well as yield.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            PIMCO                     PRIMARY
                            FUND NAME                 OBJECTIVE                              DURATION          CREDIT QUALITY(/1/)
           -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>              <C>                       <C>                                    <C>               <C>
FUND       SHORT-TERM BOND  Money Market              Maximum current income, consistent     less than or      Min 95% Aaa or
PROFILES    FUNDS                                     with preservation of capital and       equal to 90 days  Prime 1; less   
                                                      daily liquidity                        dollar-weighted   than or equal to
                                                                                             average maturity  5% Aa or Prime 2
                            -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Short-Term                Maximum current income, consistent     0-1 year          B to Aaa;max-
                                                      with preservation of capital and                         10% below Baa
                                                      daily liquidity
                            -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Low Duration              Maximum total return consistent        1-3 years         B to Aaa;max
                                                      with preservation of real capital                        10% below Baa
                                                      and prudent investment management
           -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           INTERMEDIATE-    Real Return Bond          Maximum real return, consistent        Not applicable,   A to Aaa
           TERM                                       with preservation of real capital      but see Fund
           BOND FUNDS                                 and prudent investment management      description
                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Total Return              Maximum total return, consistent       3-6 years         B to Aaa; max
                                                      with preservation of capital                             10% below Baa
                                                      and prudent investment management
                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            High Yield                Maximum total return, consistent       2-6 years         B to Aaa; min
                                                      with preservation of capital                             65% below Baa
                                                      and prudent investment management
           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           LONG-TERM BOND   Municipal Bond            High current income exempt from        3-10 years        Ba to Aaa; max
            FUNDS                                     federal income tax, consistent with                      10% below Baa
                                                      preservation of capital
                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Long-Term U.S. Government Maximum total return, consistent       greater than or   A to Aaa
                                                      with preservation of capital           equal to 8 years  
                                                      and prudent investment management
           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           INTERNATIONAL    Global Bond II            Maximum total return, consistent       3-6 years         B to Aaa; max
           BOND FUNDS                                 with preservation of capital                             10% below Baa
                                                      (U.S. and non-U.S.)
                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Foreign Bond              Maximum total return, consistent       3-6 years         B to Aaa; max
                                                      with preservation of capital                             10% below Baa
                                                      and prudent investment management
                                                      (non-U.S.)
                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Emerging Markets Bond     Maximum total return, consistent       0-8 years         B to Aaa
                                                      with preservation of capital
                                                      and prudent investment management
                                                      (non-U.S.)
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           STOCK FUND       StocksPLUS(/2/)           Total return which exceeds that of the 0-1 year          B to Aaa; max
                                                      S&P 500                                                  10% below Baa
</TABLE>

            1. As rated by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or if unrated, de-
            termined to be of comparable quality. For specific information
            concerning the credit quality of the securities in each Fund's
            portfolio, see "Investment Objectives and Policies."
            2. The StocksPLUS Fund may invest all of its assets in stock index
            futures backed by short-term bonds.

                                                    April 1, 1998 Prospectus  3
                                                                               
<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           CLASS A     CLASS B     CLASS C
                                           SHARES      SHARES      SHARES
              ------------------------------------------------------------
              <S>                          <C>         <C>         <C>
SHAREHOLDER   MAXIMUM INITIAL SALES
TRANSACTION    CHARGE IMPOSED ON
EXPENSES       PURCHASES
               (as a percentage of
               offering price at time
               of purchase)
                TOTAL RETURN, HIGH
                 YIELD, LONG-TERM U.S.
                 GOVERNMENT, GLOBAL
                 BOND II, FOREIGN BOND
                 AND EMERGING MARKETS
                 BOND FUNDS                4.50%       None        None
                LOW DURATION, REAL
                 RETURN BOND, MUNICIPAL
                 BOND AND STOCKSPLUS
                 FUNDS                     3.00%       None        None
                SHORT-TERM FUND            2.00%       None        None
                MONEY MARKET FUND           None(/1/)  None        None
              ---------------------------------------------------------
              MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE
              IMPOSED ON REINVESTED
              DIVIDENDS
              (as a percentage of net
              asset value at time of
              purchase)                    None       None        None
              ---------------------------------------------------------
              MAXIMUM CONTINGENT
              DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
              ("CDSC")
              (as a percentage of
              original purchase price)     1%(/2/)    5%(/3/)     1%(/4/)
              ---------------------------------------------------------
              EXCHANGE FEE                 None(/1/)  None        None
</TABLE>
 
            1. Regular sales charges apply when Class A shares of the Money
            Market Fund (on which no sales charge was paid at time of pur-
            chase) are exchanged for shares of any other Fund.
            2. Imposed only in certain circumstances where Class A shares are
            purchased without a front-end sales charge at the time of pur-
            chase. See "Alternative Purchase Arrangements" in this Prospectus.
            3. The maximum CDSC is imposed on shares redeemed in the first
            year. For shares held longer than one year, the CDSC declines ac-
            cording to the schedule set forth under "Alternative Purchase Ar-
            rangements--Deferred Sales Charge Alternative--Class B Shares" in
            this Prospectus.
            4. The CDSC on Class C shares is imposed only on shares redeemed
            in the first year.
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            EXAMPLE: You would EXAMPLE: You would
                                                                            pay the            pay the
                                                                            following expenses
                                                                            on a $1,000        following expenses
                                                                            investment         on a $1,000
                                                                            assuming (1) 5%    investment
                                                                            annual return and  assuming (1) 5%
                                                                            (2) redemption at  annual return and
                                  ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES            the end of each    (2) no redemption:
                                  (As a percentage of average net assets):  time period:
                                                                 TOTAL
                                            ADMINI-              FUND
                                  ADVISORY  STRATIVE  12B-1      OPERATING  YEAR               YEAR
           FUND                   FEE       FEE       FEES(/1/)  EXPENSES   1    3   5    10   1    3   5    10
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A    <S>                    <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>  <C> <C>  <C>  <C>  <C> <C>  <C>
SHARES     MONEY MARKET           .15%      .35%      .10%(/2/)   .60%(/3/) $ 6  $19 $ 33 $ 75 $ 6  $19 $ 33 $ 75
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           SHORT-TERM             .25       .35       .25         .85        29   47   66  123  29   47   66  123
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           LOW DURATION           .25       .40       .25         .90        39   58   78  137  39   58   78  137
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           REAL RETURN BOND       .25       ,40       .25         .90        39   58   78  137  39   58   78  137
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           TOTAL RETURN           .25       .40       .25         .90        54   72   93  151  54   72   93  151
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           HIGH YIELD             .25       .40       .25         .90        54   72   93  151  54   72   93  151
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           MUNICIPAL BOND         .25       .35       .25         .85        38   56  N/A  N/A  38   56  N/A  N/A
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           LONG-TERM U.S.
           GOVERNMENT             .25       .40       .25         .90        54   72   93  151  54   72   93  151
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           GLOBAL BOND II         .25       .45       .25         .95        54   74   95  156  54   74   95  156
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           FOREIGN BOND           .25       .45       .25         .95        54   74   95  156  54   74   95  156
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           EMERGING MARKETS BOND  .45       .55       .25        1.25        57   83  111  189  57   83  111  189
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           STOCKSPLUS             .40       .40       .25        1.05        40   62   86  154  40   62   86  154
           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
            1. 12b-1 fees represent servicing fees which are paid to the Dis-
            tributor and repaid to participating brokers, certain banks and
            other financial intermediaries. See "Distributor and Distribution
            and Servicing Plans."
            2. The Distributor has voluntarily undertaken to reduce the 12b-1
            fee it receives with respect to the Money Market Fund to .10% of
            the Fund's average daily net assets until further notice. Absent
            such undertaking, the 12b-1 fee would be .20% of the Fund's aver-
            age daily net assets.
            3. Absent the undertaking noted, the "Total Fund Operating Ex-
            penses" for the Money Market Fund would be .70% of the Fund's av-
            erage daily net assets.
 
4 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series

<PAGE>
 
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                EXAMPLE: You would EXAMPLE: You would
                                                                                pay the following  pay the following
                                                                                expenses on a      expenses on a
                                                                                $1,000 investment  $1,000 investment
                                                                                assuming (1) 5%    assuming (1) 5%
                                                                                annual return and  annual return and
                                                                                (2) redemption at  (2) no redemption:
                                  ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES                the end of each
                                  (As a percentage of average net assets):      time period:
                                                                    TOTAL
                                             ADMINI-                FUND
                                  ADVISORY   STRATIVE   12B-1       OPERATING   YEAR               YEAR
           FUND                   FEE        FEE        FEES(/1/)   EXPENSES    1    3   5    10   1    3   5    10
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                    <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>  <C> <C>  <C>  <C>  <C> <C>  <C>
           MONEY MARKET                 .15%       .35%       1.00%       1.50% $65  $77 $102 $143 $15  $47 $ 82 $143
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           SHORT-TERM                   .25        .35        1.00        1.60   66   80  107  160  16   50   87  160
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           LOW DURATION                 .25        .40        1.00        1.65   67   82  110  166  17   52   90  166
CLASS B       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES     REAL RETURN BOND             .25        .40        1.00        1.65   67   82  110  166  17   52   90  166
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           TOTAL RETURN                 .25        .40        1.00        1.65   67   82  110  166  17   52   90  166
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           HIGH YIELD                   .25        .40        1.00        1.65   67   82  110  166  17   52   90  166
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           MUNICIPAL BOND               .25        .35        1.00        1.60   66   80  N/A  N/A  16   50  N/A  N/A
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           LONG-TERM U.S.
           GOVERNMENT                   .25        .40        1.00        1.65   67   82  110  166  17   52   90  166
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           GLOBAL BOND II               .25        .45        1.00        1.70   67   84  112  171  17   54   92  171
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           FOREIGN BOND                 .25        .45        1.00        1.70   67   84  112  171  17   54   92  171
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           EMERGING MARKETS BOND        .45        .55        1.00        2.00   70   93  128  204  20   63  108  204
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           STOCKSPLUS                   .40        .40        1.00        1.80   68   87  117  182  18   57   97  182
              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
            1. 12b-1 fees which equal or are less than .25% represent servic-
            ing fees which are paid to the Distributor and repaid to partici-
            pating brokers, certain banks and other financial intermediaries.
            12b-1 fees which exceed .25% represent aggregate distribution and
            servicing fees. See "Distributor and Distribution and Servicing
            Plans."
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                               5
<PAGE>
 
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          EXAMPLE: You would EXAMPLE: You would 
                                                                                          pay the following  pay the following
                                                                                          expenses on a      expenses on a
                                                                                          $1,000 investment  $1,000 investment
                                                                                          assuming (1) 5%    assuming (1) 5%
                                                                                          annual return and  annual return and
                                                                                          (2) redemption at  (2) no
                                  ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES                          the end of each    redemption:
                                  (As a percentage of average net assets):                time period:
                                                                         TOTAL
                                             ADMINI-                     FUND
                                  ADVISORY   STRATIVE   12B-1            OPERATING        YEAR               YEAR
           FUND                   FEE        FEE        FEES(/1/)        EXPENSES         1    3   5    10   1    3   5   10
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                    <C>        <C>        <C>              <C>              <C>  <C> <C>  <C>  <C>  <C> <C> <C>
           MONEY MARKET                 .15%       .35%        .10(/2/)%        .60(/3/)% $16  $19 $ 33 $ 75 $ 6  $19 $33 $ 75
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           SHORT-TERM                   .25        .35         .55(/2/)        1.15(/3/)   22   37   63  140  12   37  63  140
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           LOW DURATION                 .25        .40         .75             1.40        24   44   77  168  14   44  77  168
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           REAL RETURN BOND             .25        .40         .75(/2/)        1.40(/3/)   24   44   77  168  14   44  77  168
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           TOTAL RETURN                 .25        .40        1.00             1.65        27   52   90  195  17   52  90  195
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           HIGH YIELD                   .25        .40        1.00             1.65        27   52   90  195  17   52  90  195
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           MUNICIPAL BOND               .25        .35         .75(/2/)        1.35(/3/)   24   43  N/A  N/A  14   43 N/A  N/A
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           LONG-TERM U.S.
           GOVERNMENT                   .25        .40        1.00             1.65        27   52   90  195  17   52  90  195
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           GLOBAL BOND II               .25        .45        1.00             1.70        27   54   92  201  17   54  92  201
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           FOREIGN BOND                 .25        .45        1.00             1.70        27   54   92  201  17   54  92  201
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           EMERGING MARKETS BOND        .45        .55        1.00             2.00        30   63  108  233  20   63 108  233
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           STOCKSPLUS                   .40        .40         .75(/2/)        1.55(/3/)   26   49   84  185  16   49  84  185
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
CLASS C
SHARES
            1. 12b-1 fees which equal or are less than .25% represent servic-
            ing fees which are paid to the Distributor and repaid to partici-
            pating brokers, certain banks and other financial intermediaries.
            12b-1 fees which exceed .25% represent aggregate distribution and
            servicing fees. See "Distributor and Distribution and Servicing
            Plans."
            2. The Distributor has voluntarily undertaken to reduce the 12b-1
            fee it may receive with respect to each of the Money Market,
            Short-Term, Real Return Bond, Municipal Bond and StocksPLUS Funds
            to the following annual rates based on the Fund's average daily
            net assets until further notice: Money Market--.10%; Short-Term--
            .55%; Real Return Bond--.75%; Municipal Bond--.75%; and
            StocksPLUS--.75%. Absent such undertakings, the 12b-1 fee for each
            such Fund would be as follows: Money Market--.20%; Short-Term--
            1.00%; Real Return Bond--1.00%; Municipal Bond--1.00%; and
            StocksPLUS--1.00%.
            3. Absent the undertakings noted, the "Total Fund Operating Ex-
            penses" for the Money Market, Short-Term, Real Return Bond, Munic-
            ipal Bond and StocksPLUS Funds would be as follows (based on aver-
            age daily net assets): Money Market--.70%; Short-Term--1.60%; Real
            Return Bond--1.65%; Municipal Bond--1.60%; and StocksPLUS--1.80%.
 
            The purpose of the foregoing tables is to assist investors in un-
            derstanding the various costs and expenses of the Trust that are
            borne directly or indirectly by Class A, Class B and Class C
            shareholders of the Funds. The information is based upon each
            Funds' current fees and expenses. The Examples for Class A shares
            assume payment of the current maximum applicable sales load. Due
            to the 12b-1 distribution fee imposed on Class B and Class C
            shares, a Class B or Class C shareholder of the Trust may, depend-
            ing on the length of time the shares are held, pay more than the
            economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charges permit-
            ted by relevant rules of the National Association of Securities
            Dealers, Inc.
 
            NOTE: THE FIGURES SHOWN IN THE EXAMPLES ARE ENTIRELY HYPOTHETICAL.
            THEY ARE NOT REPRESENTATIONS OF PAST OR FUTURE PERFORMANCE OR EX-
            PENSES; ACTUAL PERFORMANCE AND/OR EXPENSES MAY BE MORE OR LESS
            THAN SHOWN.
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
6
<PAGE>
 
                      (This page left blank intentionally)
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                               7
<PAGE>
 
 
Financial Highlights
The following information regarding selected per share data and ratios for
shares of certain of the Funds is part of the Trust's audited financial state-
ments, which are included in the Trust's Annual Report dated March 31, 1997,
and the Trust's unaudited financial statements, which are included in the
Trust's Semiannual Report dated September 30, 1997, both of which are incorpo-
rated by reference in the Statement of Additional Information. The Trust's au-
dited financial statements and selected per share data and ratios appearing be-
low have been examined by Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, whose
opinion thereon is also included in the Annual Report, which may be obtained
without charge. The Trust's Semiannual Report also may be obtained without
charge. Information is presented for each Fund described herein which had in-
vestment operations during the reporting periods. Information regarding the
Global Bond Fund II reflects the operational history of the Global Income Fund,
a former series of PIMCO Advisors Funds that was reorganized as a series of the
Trust on January 17, 1997. Information for the Global Bond Fund II for the pe-
riod ended September 30, 1996, has been audited by that Fund's former indepen-
dent accountants.
 
               Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 NET ASSET                 NET REALIZED  TOTAL INCOME DIVIDENDS  DIVIDENDS IN  DISTRIBUTIONS DISTRIBUTIONS
        YEAR OR    VALUE      NET         AND UNREALIZED (LOSS) FROM   FROM NET  EXCESS OF NET   FROM NET    IN EXCESS OF
         PERIOD  BEGINNING INVESTMENT     GAIN (LOSS) ON  INVESTMENT  INVESTMENT  INVESTMENT     REALIZED    NET REALIZED
         ENDED   OF PERIOD   INCOME        INVESTMENTS    OPERATIONS    INCOME      INCOME     CAPITAL GAINS CAPITAL GAINS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>              <C>       <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>
MONEY MARKET FUND
 Class A
   09/30/97(*)      $ 1.00     $0.03(+)(b)      $ 0.00 (+)    $0.03       $(0.03)     $ 0.00         $0.00         $0.00
   03/31/97(a)        1.00      0.01              0.00         0.01        (0.01)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class B
   09/30/97(*)        1.00      0.02(+)           0.00 (+)     0.02        (0.02)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/97(a)        1.00      0.01              0.00         0.01        (0.01)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class C
   09/30/97(*)        1.00      0.03(+)(c)        0.00 (+)     0.03        (0.03)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/96(a)        1.00      0.01              0.00         0.01        (0.01)       0.00          0.00          0.00
SHORT-TERM FUND
 Class A
   09/30/97(*)      $10.00     $0.29(+)         $ 0.08 (+)    $0.37       $(0.29)     $ 0.00         $0.00         $0.00
   03/31/97(d)       10.04      0.10             (0.03)        0.07        (0.10)      (0.01)         0.00          0.00
 Class B
   09/30/97(*)       10.00      0.26(+)           0.08 (+)     0.34        (0.26)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/97(d)       10.04      0.09             (0.03)        0.06        (0.10)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class C
   09/30/97(*)       10.00      0.27(+)(e)        0.08 (+)     0.35        (0.27)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/97(d)       10.04      0.09             (0.03)        0.06        (0.10)       0.00          0.00          0.00
LOW DURATION FUND
 Class A
   09/30/97(*)      $ 9.98     $0.29(+)         $ 0.22 (+)    $0.51       $(0.29)     $ 0.00         $0.00         $0.00
   03/31/97(a)       10.02      0.12             (0.03)        0.09        (0.12)      (0.01)         0.00          0.00
 Class B
   09/30/97(*)        9.98      0.25(+)           0.22 (+)     0.47        (0.25)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/97(a)       10.02      0.10             (0.03)        0.07        (0.11)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class C
   09/30/97(*)        9.98      0.27(+)           0.21 (+)     0.48        (0.26)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/97(a)       10.02      0.11             (0.03)        0.08        (0.11)      (0.01)         0.00          0.00
HIGH YIELD FUND
 Class A
   9/30/97(*)       $11.10     $0.48(+)         $ 0.52 (+)    $1.00       $(0.48)     $ 0.00         $0.00         $0.00
   3/31/97(a)        11.18      0.17             (0.05)        0.12        (0.20)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class B
   9/30/97(*)        11.10      0.44(+)           0.52 (+)     0.96        (0.44)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   3/31/97(a)        11.18      0.15             (0.05)        0.10        (0.18)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class C
   9/30/97(*)        11.10      0.44(+)           0.52 (+)     0.96        (0.44)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   3/31/97(a)        11.18      0.15             (0.05)        0.10        (0.18)       0.00          0.00          0.00
</TABLE>
- -------
(+)Per share amounts based on average number of shares outstanding during the
period.
(*)Unaudited.
(a)From commencement of operations, January 13, 1997.
(b)Reflects voluntary waiver of distribution fee of $14,946 (.00 per share) by
the Distributor.
(c)Reflects voluntary waiver of distribution fee of $30,556 (.00 per share) by
the Distributor.
(d)From commencement of operations, January 20, 1997.
(e)Reflects voluntary waiver of distribution fee of $5,771 (.02 per share) by
the Distributor.
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
8
<PAGE>
 
 
                        FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
 
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    RATIO OF NET
                          NET ASSET        NET ASSETS  RATIO OF      INVESTMENT
TAX BASIS                   VALUE             END     EXPENSES TO    INCOME TO    PORTFOLIO
  RETURN        TOTAL        END    TOTAL  OF PERIOD    AVERAGE       AVERAGE     TURNOVER
OF CAPITAL  DISTRIBUTIONS OF PERIOD RETURN  (000'S)   NET ASSETS     NET ASSETS     RATE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>           <C>       <C>    <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>
  $0.00        $(0.03)     $ 1.00    2.52%  $ 44,690     0.60%+(f)      5.05%+(g)    N/A
   0.00         (0.01)       1.00    1.01     43,589     0.57+          4.44+        N/A

   0.00         (0.02)       1.00    2.09      2,584     1.50+          4.12+        N/A
   0.00         (0.01)       1.00    0.83      3,143     1.41+          3.62+        N/A

   0.00         (0.03)       1.00    2.52     59,700     0.60+(f)       5.04+(h)     N/A
   0.00         (0.01)       1.00    1.02     85,398     0.58+          4.47+        N/A


  $0.00        $(0.29)     $10.08    3.71%  $  7,554     0.85%+         5.57%+        24%
   0.00         (0.11)      10.00    0.66      2,533     0.86+          5.07+         77

   0.00         (0.26)      10.08    3.44        609     1.60+          4.95+         24
   0.00         (0.10)      10.00    0.58        114     1.62+          4.83+         77

   0.00         (0.27)      10.08    3.56      3,721     1.15+(i)       5.31+(j)      24
   0.00         (0.10)      10.00    0.63      1,359     1.14+          4.78+         77


  $0.00        $(0.29)     $10.20    5.17%  $ 72,176     0.90%+         5.66%+       132%
   0.00         (0.13)       9.98    0.85     59,348     0.91+          5.84+        240

   0.00         (0.25)      10.20    4.77      8,487     1.65+          4.95+        132
   0.00         (0.11)       9.98    0.68      6,296     1.67+          5.03+        240

   0.00         (0.26)      10.20    4.91     59,625     1.40+          5.32+        132
   0.00         (0.12)       9.98    0.75     63,606     1.42+          5.36+        240

  $0.00        $(0.48)     $11.62    9.18%  $ 49,258     0.90%+         8.43%+        17%
   0.00         (0.20)      11.10    1.06     28,873     0.92+          8.28+         67

   0.00         (0.44)      11.62    8.77    100,636     1.65+          7.68+         17
   0.00         (0.18)      11.10    0.86     60,269     1.67+          7.52+         67

   0.00         (0.44)      11.62    8.78    242,856     1.65+          7.71+         17
   0.00         (0.18)      11.10    0.88    205,297     1.68+          7.56+         67
</TABLE>
- -------
 +Annualized.
(f)The Ratio of Expenses to Average Net assets without the waiver would have
been 0.70%.
(g)The Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net assets without the waiver
would have been 4.95%.
(h)The Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net assets without the waiver
would have been 4.94%.
(i)The Ratio of Expenses to Average Net assets without the waiver would have
been 1.60%.
(j)The Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net assets without the waiver
would have been 4.86%.
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus 9
<PAGE>
 
 
                        FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    NET ASSET                  NET REALIZED  TOTAL INCOME DIVIDENDS  DIVIDENDS IN  DISTRIBUTIONS DISTRIBUTIONS
        YEAR OR       VALUE      NET          AND UNREALIZED (LOSS) FROM   FROM NET  EXCESS OF NET   FROM NET    IN EXCESS OF
         PERIOD     BEGINNING INVESTMENT      GAIN (LOSS) ON  INVESTMENT  INVESTMENT  INVESTMENT     REALIZED    NET REALIZED
         ENDED      OF PERIOD   INCOME         INVESTMENTS    OPERATIONS    INCOME      INCOME     CAPITAL GAINS CAPITAL GAINS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C>       <C>             <C>            <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>           
TOTAL RETURN FUND
 Class A
   09/30/97(*)         $10.27     $ 0.30 (+)        $ 0.46 (+)    $ 0.76      $(0.30)      $0.00        $ 0.00         $0.00
   03/31/97(a)          10.40       0.12             (0.12)         0.00       (0.13)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class B
   09/30/97(*)          10.27       0.26 (+)          0.46 (+)      0.72       (0.26)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/97(a)          10.40       0.11             (0.12)        (0.01)      (0.12)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class C
   09/30/97(*)          10.27       0.26 (+)          0.46 (+)      0.72       (0.26)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/97(a)          10.40       0.11             (0.12)        (0.01)      (0.12)       0.00          0.00          0.00
REAL RETURN BOND FUND
 Class A
   09/30/97(*)         $ 9.93     $ 0.21 (+)        $ 0.02 (+)    $ 0.23      $(0.21)      $0.00        $ 0.00         $0.00
   03/31/97(k)          10.00       0.11 (+)         (0.10)(+)      0.01       (0.08)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class B
   09/30/97(*)           9.93       0.18 (+)          0.02 (+)      0.20       (0.18)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/97(k)          10.00       0.09             (0.10)        (0.01)      (0.06)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class C
   09/30/97(*)           9.93       0.19 (+)(l)       0.02 (+)      0.21       (0.19)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/97(k)          10.00       0.09             (0.10)        (0.01)      (0.06)       0.00          0.00          0.00
LONG-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND
 Class A
   9/30/97(*)          $ 9.39     $ 0.29 (+)        $ 0.75 (+)    $ 1.04      $(0.29)      $0.00        $ 0.00         $0.00
   3/31/97(d)            9.67       0.32             (0.47)        (0.15)      (0.13)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class B
   9/30/97(*)            9.39       0.25 (+)          0.75 (+)      1.00       (0.25)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   3/31/97(d)            9.67       0.29             (0.47)        (0.18)      (0.10)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class C
   9/30/97(*)            9.39       0.25 (+)          0.75 (+)      1.00       (0.25)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   3/31/97(d)            9.67       0.29             (0.47)        (0.18)      (0.10)       0.00          0.00          0.00
FOREIGN BOND FUND
 Class A
   9/30/97(*)          $10.41     $ 0.22 (+)        $ 0.47 (+)    $ 0.69      $(0.21)      $0.00        $ 0.00         $0.00
   3/31/97(d)           10.59       0.59             (0.72)        (0.13)      (0.05)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class B
   9/30/97(*)           10.41       0.18 (+)          0.47 (+)      0.65       (0.17)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   3/31/97(d)           10.59       0.58             (0.72)        (0.14)      (0.04)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class C
   9/30/97(*)           10.41       0.18 (+)          0.46 (+)      0.64       (0.16)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   3/31/97(d)           10.59       0.58             (0.72)        (0.14)      (0.14)       0.00          0.00          0.00
GLOBAL BOND FUND II
 Class A
   09/30/97(*)         $10.84     $ 0.26 (+)        $ 0.54 (+)    $ 0.80      $(0.25)      $0.00        $ 0.00         $0.00
   10/01/96--03/31/97   10.96       0.66             (0.16)         0.50       (0.22)       0.00         (0.40)         0.00
   09/30/96(m)          10.00       0.32 (n)          0.95          1.27       (0.31)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class B
   09/30/97(*)          10.84       0.21 (+)          0.55 (+)      0.76       (0.21)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   10/01/96--03/31/97   10.96       0.62             (0.16)         0.46       (0.18)       0.00         (0.40)         0.00
   09/30/96(m)          10.00       0.30 (n)          0.92          1.22       (0.26)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class C
   09/30/97(*)          10.84       0.20 (+)          0.56 (+)      0.76       (0.21)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   10/01/96--03/31/97   10.96       0.62             (0.16)         0.46       (0.18)       0.00         (0.40)         0.00
   09/30/96(m)          10.00       0.30 (n)          0.92          1.22       (0.26)       0.00          0.00          0.00
EMERGING MARKETS BOND FUND
 Class A
   9/30/97(*)(o)       $10.00     $ 0.11 (+)        $ 0.04 (+)    $ 0.15      $(0.11)      $0.00        $ 0.00         $0.00
 Class B
   9/30/97(*)(o)        10.00       0.09 (+)          0.04 (+)      0.13       (0.09)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class C
   9/30/97(*)(o)        10.00       0.09 (+)          0.04 (+)      0.13       (0.09)       0.00          0.00          0.00
STOCKSPLUS FUND
 Class A
   09/30/97(*)         $11.46     $ 1.12 (+)        $ 1.89 (+)    $ 3.01      $(0.30)      $0.00        $ 0.00         $0.00
   03/31/97(d)          11.91      (0.10)            (0.20)        (0.30)      (0.15)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class B
   09/30/97(*)          11.44       1.08 (+)          1.89 (+)      2.97       (0.27)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/97(d)          11.91      (0.13)            (0.20)        (0.33)      (0.14)       0.00          0.00          0.00
 Class C
   09/30/97(*)          11.45       1.09 (+)(p)       1.89 (+)      2.98       (0.28)       0.00          0.00          0.00
   03/31/97(d)          11.91      (0.12)            (0.20)        (0.32)      (0.14)       0.00          0.00          0.00
</TABLE>
- -------
(k)From commencement of operations, January 29, 1997.
(l)Reflects voluntary waiver of distribution fee of $586 (.01 per share) by the
Distributor.
(m)From commencement of operations, October 2, 1995.
(n)Reflects voluntary waiver of investment advisory fee of $12,041 (.01 per
share) by the Advisor.
(o)From commencement of operations, July 31, 1997.
(p)Reflects voluntary waiver of distribution fee of $40,185 (.02 per share) by
the Distributor.
 
10  PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
 
                        FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    RATIO OF NET
                          NET ASSET         NET ASSETS  RATIO OF     INVESTMENT
TAX BASIS                   VALUE              END     EXPENSES TO   INCOME TO    PORTFOLIO
  RETURN        TOTAL        END    TOTAL   OF PERIOD    AVERAGE      AVERAGE     TURNOVER
OF CAPITAL  DISTRIBUTIONS OF PERIOD RETURN   (000'S)   NET ASSETS    NET ASSETS     RATE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>           <C>       <C>     <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>
  $0.00        $(0.30)     $10.73    7.52%   $241,075     0.90%+         5.68%+        85%
   0.00         (0.13)      10.27    0.02     115,742     0.91+          6.08+        173

   0.00         (0.26)      10.73    7.11     107,136     1.65+          4.95+         85
   0.00         (0.12)      10.27   (0.10)     74,130     1.67+          5.28+        173

   0.00         (0.26)      10.73    7.12     342,949     1.65+          5.00+         85
   0.00         (0.12)      10.27   (0.11)    329,104     1.67+          5.32+        173


  $0.00        $(0.21)     $ 9.95    2.33%   $    652     0.91%+         4.20%+       341%
   0.00         (0.08)       9.93    0.15           1     0.90+          6.14+        160

   0.00         (0.18)       9.95    2.07         926     1.66+          3.59+        341
   0.00         (0.06)       9.93   (0.08)        509     1.59+          3.43+        160

   0.00         (0.19)       9.95    2.17         508     1.41+(q)       3.85+(r)     341
   0.00         (0.06)       9.93   (0.07)        148     1.62+          5.13+        160

  $0.00        $(0.29)     $10.14   11.19%   $  2,720     0.90%+         5.78%+       150%
   0.00         (0.13)       9.39   (1.72)      1,204     1.12+          6.91+        402

   0.00         (0.25)      10.14   10.76       1,994     1.65+          4.93+        150
   0.00         (0.10)       9.39   (1.92)        454     1.87+          4.95+        402

   0.00         (0.25)      10.14   10.77       1,499     1.65+          4.93+        150
   0.00         (0.10)       9.39   (1.83)        275     1.88+          5.52+        402


  $0.00        $(0.21)     $10.89    6.65%   $  3,309     0.95%+         4.12%+        64%
   0.00         (0.05)      10.41   (1.21)        704     0.97+          4.95+        984

   0.00         (0.17)      10.89    6.23       6,205     1.70+          3.39+         64
   0.00         (0.04)      10.41   (1.34)      1,221     1.75+          3.73+        984

   0.00         (0.16)      10.89    6.23       9,572     1.70+          3.33+         64
   0.00         (0.04)      10.41   (1.32)      1,788     1.76+          4.09+        984


  $0.00        $(0.25)     $11.39    7.44%   $  8,761     0.95%+         4.51%+       133%
   0.00         (0.62)      10.84    4.55       7,652     2.05+          5.60+        307
   0.00         (0.31)      10.96   15.01       7,360     1.27(s)        4.88(t)    1,246

   0.00         (0.21)      11.39    7.04       4,474     1.70+          3.70+        133
   0.00         (0.58)      10.84    4.17       3,925     2.57+          4.22+        307
   0.00         (0.26)      10.96   14.54       3,240     2.49(s)        4.09(t)    1,246

   0.00         (0.21)      11.39    7.05       5,550     1.70+          3.67+        133
   0.00         (0.58)      10.84    4.17       5,323     2.43+          4.14+        307
   0.00         (0.26)      10.96   14.54       3,459     2.49(s)        4.09(t)    1,246

  $0.00        $(0.11)     $10.04    1.50%   $    144     1.25%+         5.81%+       312%

   0.00         (0.09)      10.04    1.34          58     2.00+          4.70+        312

   0.00         (0.09)      10.04    1.35          80     2.00+          4.11+        312


  $0.00        $(0.30)     $14.17   26.38%   $ 34,474     1.05%+         5.21%+        14%
   0.00         (0.15)      11.46   (2.59)      5,790     1.10+        (10.69)+        47

   0.00         (0.27)      14.14   26.01      44,617     1.80+         13.95 +        14
   0.00         (0.14)      11.44   (2.81)      8,281     1.88+        (15.13)+        47

   0.00         (0.28)      14.15   26.08      51,686     1.55+(u)      14.27+(v)      14
   0.00         (0.14)      11.45   (2.71)     11,254     1.65+        (12.79)+        47
</TABLE>
- -------
 +Annualized.
(q)The Ratio of Expenses to Average Net assets without the waiver would have
been 1.66%.
(r)The Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets without the waiver
would have been 3.60%.
(s)The Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets without the waiver would have
been 1.57%.
(t)The Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets without the waiver
would have been 4.58%.
(u)The Ratio of Expenses to Average Net assets without the waiver would have
been 1.80%.
(v)The Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net assets without the waiver
would have been 14.02%.
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                              11
<PAGE>
 
            Investment Objectives and Policies
            The investment objective and general investment policies of each
            Fund are described below. There can be no assurance that the in-
            vestment objective of any Fund will be achieved. For temporary,
            defensive or emergency purposes, a Fund may invest without limit
            in U.S. debt securities, including short-term money market securi-
            ties, when in the opinion of the Advisor it is appropriate to do
            so. It is impossible to predict for how long such alternative
            strategies will be utilized. The value of all securities and other
            instruments held by the Funds will vary from time to time in re-
            sponse to a wide variety of market factors. Consequently, the net
            asset value per share of each Fund will vary, except that the
            Money Market Fund will attempt to maintain a net asset value of
            $1.00 per share, although there can be no assurance that the Fund
            will be successful in doing so.
               The investment objective of the Global Bond Fund II described
            in this Prospectus may be changed by the Board of Trustees without
            shareholder approval. The investment objective of each other Fund
            is fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval
            by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund. If
            there is a change in a Fund's investment objective, including a
            change approved by a shareholder vote, shareholders should con-
            sider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment in light
            of their then current financial position and needs.
               Specific portfolio securities eligible for purchase by the
            Funds, investment techniques that may be used by the Funds, and
            the risks associated with these securities and techniques are de-
            scribed more fully under "Characteristics and Risks of Securities
            and Investment Techniques" in this Prospectus and "Investment Ob-
            jectives and Policies" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
 
FIXED       With the exception of the StocksPLUS Fund, each remaining Fund
INCOME FUND (together, the "Fixed Income Funds") differs from the others pri-
DES-        marily in the length of the Fund's duration or the proportion of
CRIPTIONS   its investments in certain types of fixed income securities. For a
            discussion of the concept of duration, see "Appendix A--Descrip-
            tion of Duration."
               The investment objective of the Money Market and Short-Term
            Funds is to seek to obtain maximum current income consistent with
            preservation of capital and daily liquidity. The Money Market Fund
            also attempts to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per
            share, although there can be no assurance that it will be success-
            ful in doing so. The investment objective of the Real Return Bond
            Fund is to seek to realize maximum real return, consistent with
            the preservation of real capital and prudent investment manage-
            ment. For a discussion of "real return," see "Total Return and
            Real Return," below. The investment objective of the Municipal
            Bond Fund is to seek high current income exempt from federal in-
            come tax, consistent with preservation of capital. Capital appre-
            ciation is a secondary objective of the Municipal Bond Fund. The
            investment objective of the Global Bond Fund II is to seek maximum
            total return, consistent with the preservation of capital. Each of
            the remaining Fixed Income Funds seeks to maximize total return,
            consistent with preservation of capital and prudent investment
            management.
               In selecting securities for each Fixed Income Fund, the Advisor
            utilizes economic forecasting, interest rate anticipation, credit
            and call risk analysis, foreign currency exchange rate forecast-
            ing, and other security selection techniques. The proportion of
            each Fund's assets committed to investment in securities with par-
            ticular characteristics (such as maturity, type and coupon rate)
            will vary based on the Advisor's outlook for the U.S. and foreign
            economies, the financial markets, and other factors.
               Each of the Fixed Income Funds will invest at least 65% of its
            assets in the following types of securities, which, unless specif-
            ically provided otherwise in the descriptions of the Funds that
            follow, may be issued by domestic or foreign entities and denomi-
            nated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies: securities issued or
            guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentali-
            ties ("U.S. Government securities"); corporate debt securities,
            including convertible securities and corporate commercial paper;
            mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities; inflation-in-
            dexed bonds issued by both governments and corporations; struc-
            tured notes, including hybrid or "indexed" securities, and loan
            participations; delayed funding loans and revolving credit facili-
            ties; bank certificates of deposit, fixed time deposits and bank-
            ers' acceptances; repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase
            agreements; debt securities issued by states or local governments
            and their agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities; obli-
            gations of foreign governments or their subdivi-
 
12   PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            sions, agencies and instrumentalities; and obligations of interna-
            tional agencies or supranational entities. Fixed income securities
            may have fixed, variable, or floating rates of interest, including
            rates of interest that vary inversely at a multiple of a desig-
            nated or floating rate, or that vary according to changes in rela-
            tive values of currencies. Each of the Fixed Income Funds may hold
            different percentages of its assets in these various types of se-
            curities, and each Fund, except the Money Market Fund and the Mu-
            nicipal Bond Fund, may invest all of its assets in derivative in-
            struments or in mortgage- or asset-backed securities. Each of the
            Fixed Income Funds, except the Money Market Fund, may adhere to
            its investment policy by entering into a series of purchase and
            sale contracts or utilizing other investment techniques by which
            it may obtain market exposure to the securities in which it pri-
            marily invests.
               In addition, each of the Fixed Income Funds may lend its port-
            folio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institu-
            tions in order to earn income. Each of the Fixed Income Funds may
            purchase and sell options and futures subject to the limits dis-
            cussed below, engage in credit spread trades and enter into for-
            ward foreign currency contracts.
               Each of the Real Return Bond, Global Bond II, Foreign Bond, and
            Emerging Markets Bond Funds will normally invest at least 80% of
            its total assets in "bonds." For this purpose, each of these Funds
            considers the various types of debt or fixed income securities in
            which it invests, as specifically described elsewhere in this Pro-
            spectus, to be "bonds" as referenced in that Fund's name. The use
            of this name is not meant to restrict a Fund's investment to the
            narrow category of debt securities that are formally called
            "bonds."
               As a non-fundamental, operating policy, the Advisor intends to
            use foreign currency-related derivative instruments (currency
            futures and related options, currency options, forward contracts
            and swap agreements) in an effort to hedge foreign currency risk
            with respect to at least 75% of the assets of the Fixed Income
            Funds (other than the Emerging Markets Bond Fund) denominated in
            currencies other than the U.S. dollar. There can be no assurance
            that the Advisor will be successful in doing so. The active use of
            currency derivatives involves transaction costs which may ad-
            versely effect yield and return.
 
            The compositions of the Fixed Income Funds differ as follows:
 
            MONEY MARKET FUND seeks maximum current income consistent with the
            preservation of capital and daily liquidity. It attempts to
            achieve this objective by investing at least 95% of its total as-
            sets, measured at the time of investment, in a diversified portfo-
            lio of the highest quality money market securities. The Fund may
            also invest up to 5% of its total assets, measured at the time of
            investment, in money market securities that are in the second-
            highest rating category for short-term obligations. The Fund's in-
            vestments in securities will be limited to U.S. dollar-denominated
            securities that mature in 397 days or less from the date of pur-
            chase. The dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of the Fund
            will not exceed 90 days. The Fund may invest in the following: ob-
            ligations of the U.S. Government (including its agencies and in-
            strumentalities); short-term corporate debt securities of domestic
            and foreign corporations; obligations of domestic and foreign com-
            mercial banks, savings banks, and savings and loan associations;
            and commercial paper. The Fund may invest more than 25% of its to-
            tal assets in securities or obligations issued by U.S. banks.
               The Fund may invest only in securities that comply with the
            quality, maturity and diversification requirements of Rule 2a-7
            under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which regulates money
            market funds.
 
            SHORT-TERM FUND invests in a diversified portfolio of fixed income
            securities of varying maturities. The average portfolio duration
            of this Fund will normally not exceed one year. The Fund may in-
            vest up to 10% of its assets in fixed income securities that are
            rated below investment grade (rated below Baa by Moody's Investors
            Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB by Standard and Poor's Ratings
            Services ("S&P")) but rated B or higher by Moody's or S&P (or, if
            unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality).
            For information on the risks associated with investments in secu-
            rities rated below investment grade, see "Appendix B--Description
            of Securities Ratings." The Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets
            in securities denominated in foreign currencies, and may invest
            beyond this limit in U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign
            issuers.
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                              13
<PAGE>
 
 
            LOW DURATION FUND invests in a diversified portfolio of fixed in-
            come securities of varying maturities. The average portfolio dura-
            tion of this Fund will normally vary within a one- to three-year
            time frame based on the Advisor's forecast for interest rates. The
            Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in fixed income securities
            that are rated below investment grade but rated B or higher by
            Moody's or S&P (or, if unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of
            comparable quality). For information on the risks associated with
            investments in securities rated below investment grade, see "Ap-
            pendix B--Description of Securities Ratings." The Fund may invest
            up to 20% of its assets in securities denominated in foreign cur-
            rencies, and may invest beyond this limit in U.S. dollar-denomi-
            nated securities of foreign issuers. The total rate of return for
            this Fund is expected to exhibit less volatility than that of the
            Total Return Fund because its duration will be shorter.
 
            REAL RETURN BOND FUND invests under normal circumstances at least
            65% of its total assets in inflation-indexed bonds issued by U.S.
            and foreign governments, their agencies or instrumentalities. All
            securities purchased by the Fund must be rated at least A by
            Moody's or S&P (or, if unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of
            comparable quality), and the Fund will maintain a minimum average
            quality of Aa. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in
            other types of fixed income instruments, including securities de-
            nominated in foreign currencies, (and the Fund may also invest be-
            yond this limit in U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign
            issuers).
               Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed income securities whose prin-
            cipal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of in-
            flation. Such bonds generally are issued at an interest rate lower
            than non-inflation related bonds, but are expected to retain their
            value against inflation over time. For a more complete discussion
            of inflation-indexed bonds, including the risks associated with
            investing in such securities, see "Characteristics and Risks of
            Securities and Investment Techniques--Inflation-Indexed Bonds."
            See "Taxes" for information about the possible tax consequences of
            investing in the Fund and in inflation-indexed bonds.
               In managing fixed income securities, one of the principal tools
            generally used by the Advisor is "duration," which is a measure of
            the expected life of a fixed income security on a present value
            basis, incorporating a bond's yield, coupon interest payments, fi-
            nal maturity and call features. See "Appendix A--Description of
            Duration." Because of the unique features of inflation-indexed
            bonds, the Advisor utilizes a modified form of duration for the
            Real Return Bond Fund ("modified real duration") which measures
            price changes in such bonds as a result of changes in real, rather
            than nominal, interest rates. Although there is no limit on the
            modified real duration of the Real Return Bond Fund, it is ex-
            pected that the average modified real duration of the Fund will
            normally vary approximately with the range of the average modified
            real duration of all inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S.
            Treasury in the aggregate.
 
            TOTAL RETURN FUND invests under normal circumstances at least 65%
            of its assets in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securi-
            ties of varying maturities. The average portfolio duration of this
            Fund will normally vary within a three- to six-year time frame
            based on the Advisor's forecast for interest rates. The Fund may
            invest up to 10% of its assets in fixed income securities that are
            rated below investment grade but rated B or higher by Moody's or
            S&P (or, if unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of comparable
            quality). For information on the risks associated with investments
            in securities rated below investment grade, see "Appendix B--De-
            scription of Securities Ratings." The Fund may also invest up to
            20% of its assets in securities denominated in foreign currencies,
            and may invest beyond this limit in U.S. dollar-denominated secu-
            rities of foreign issuers. Portfolio holdings will be concentrated
            in areas of the bond market (based on quality, sector, coupon or
            maturity) which the Advisor believes to be relatively undervalued.
            The total rate of return for this Fund is expected to exhibit less
            volatility than that of the Long-Term U.S. Government Fund because
            its duration will normally be shorter.
 
            HIGH YIELD FUND invests under normal circumstances at least 65% of
            its assets in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities
            rated lower than Baa by Moody's or lower than BBB by S&P but rated
            at least B by Moody's or S&P (or, if unrated, determined by the
            Advisor to be of comparable quality). The remainder of the Fund's
            assets may be invested in
 
14
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            investment grade fixed income securities (i.e., securities rated
            at least Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P, or, if unrated, deemed by
            the Advisor to be of comparable quality). The average portfolio
            duration of this Fund will normally vary within a two- to six-year
            time frame depending on the Advisor's view of the potential for
            total return offered by a particular duration strategy. The Fund
            may invest in securities of foreign issuers, but only those that
            are U.S. dollar-denominated. The Fund may also engage in hedging
            strategies involving equity options.
               Investments in high yield securities, while generally providing
            greater potential opportunity for capital appreciation and higher
            yields than investments in higher rated securities, also entail
            greater risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy
            of the issuer of such securities. Risk of default or bankruptcy
            may be greater in periods of economic uncertainty or recession, as
            the issuers of high yield securities may be less able to withstand
            general economic downturns. The Advisor seeks to reduce risk
            through diversification, credit analysis and attention to current
            developments and trends in both the economy and financial markets.
            The value of all fixed income securities, including those held by
            the Fund, can be expected to change inversely with interest rates.
            For a further discussion of the special risks of investing in
            lower rated securities, see "Characteristics and Risks of Securi-
            ties and Investment Techniques--High Yield Securities ("Junk
            Bonds")."
 
            MUNICIPAL BOND FUND seeks high current income exempt from federal
            income tax, consistent with preservation of capital. Capital ap-
            preciation is a secondary objective. The Fund seeks its objectives
            by investing in debt securities whose interest is, in the opinion
            of bond counsel for the issuer at the time of issuance, exempt
            from federal income tax ("Municipal Bonds"). Municipal Bonds gen-
            erally are issued by states and local governments and their agen-
            cies, authorities and other instrumentalities. It is a policy of
            the Fund that, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its
            net assets will be invested in Municipal Bonds. The Fund may in-
            vest up to 20% of its net assets in U.S. Government securities,
            money market instruments and/or "private activity" bonds. Under
            normal circumstances, the average portfolio duration of the Munic-
            ipal Bond Fund will vary within a three- to ten-year time frame,
            based on the Advisor's forecast for interest rates.
               The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in Municipal
            Bonds or "private activity" bonds which are rated below Baa by
            Moody's or BBB by S&P but which are rated at least Ba by Moody's
            or BB by S&P (or, if unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of
            comparable quality). For information on the risks associated with
            investments in securities rated below investment grade, see "Ap-
            pendix B--Description of Securities Ratings."
 
            LONG-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND invests in a diversified portfolio
            of primarily U.S. Government securities, which may be represented
            by futures contracts (including related options) with respect to
            such securities, and options on such securities, when the Advisor
            deems it appropriate to do so. The Fund will have a minimum aver-
            age portfolio duration of eight years. For point of reference, the
            dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of the Fund is normally
            expected to be more than ten years. The total rate of return is
            expected to exhibit more volatility than that of the other Fixed
            Income Funds due to the greater investment risk normally associ-
            ated with longer duration investments. The Long-Term U.S. Govern-
            ment Fund's investments in fixed income securities are limited to
            those of U.S. dollar-denominated securities of domestic (U.S.) is-
            suers that are rated at least A by Moody's or S&P (or, if unrated,
            determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality). In addi-
            tion, the Fund will not acquire a security if, as a result, more
            than 10% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in securi-
            ties rated below Aa by Moody's or below AA by S&P, or if more than
            25% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in securities
            rated Aa by Moody's or AA by S&P.
 
            GLOBAL BOND FUND II invests in a portfolio of fixed income securi-
            ties denominated in major currencies, baskets of foreign curren-
            cies (such as the ECU), and the U.S. dollar. Under normal circum-
            stances, at least 65% of the Fund's assets will be invested in
            fixed income securities of issuers located in at least three coun-
            tries (one of which may be the United States), which may be repre-
            sented by futures contracts (including related options) with re-
            spect to such securities, and options on such securities, when the
            Advisor deems it appropriate to do so. Depending on the Advisor's
            current opinion
 
                                                                             15
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
            as to the proper allocation of assets among domestic and foreign
            issuers, investments in the securities of issuers located outside
            the United States will normally vary between 25% and 75% of the
            Fund's assets. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in
            fixed income securities that are rated below investment grade but
            rated B or higher by Moody's or S&P (or, if unrated, determined by
            the Advisor to be of comparable quality). For information on the
            risks associated with investments in securities rated below in-
            vestment grade, see "Appendix B--Description of Securities Rat-
            ings." The average portfolio duration of this Fund will normally
            vary within a three- to six-year time frame.
              The Foreign Bond Fund differs from the Global Bond Fund II pri-
            marily in the extent to which assets are invested in the securi-
            ties of issuers located outside the United States. The Advisor
            will select these Funds' foreign country and currency compositions
            based on an evaluation of relative interest rates, exchange rates,
            monetary and fiscal policies, trade and current account balances,
            and any other specific factors the Advisor believes to be rele-
            vant.
 
            FOREIGN BOND FUND invests in a portfolio of fixed income securi-
            ties primarily denominated in major foreign currencies and baskets
            of foreign currencies (such as the European Currency Unit, or
            "ECU"). The Advisor will invest the assets of the Fund in a number
            of international bond markets so that, under normal circumstances,
            the Fund will invest at least 85% of its assets in securities of
            issuers located outside the United States, representing at least
            three foreign countries, which may be represented by futures con-
            tracts (including related options) with respect to such securi-
            ties, and options on such securities, when the Advisor deems it
            appropriate to do so. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets
            in fixed income securities that are rated below investment grade
            but rated B or higher by Moody's or S&P (or, if unrated, deter-
            mined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality). Securities
            rated below investment grade may be referred to colloquially as
            "junk bonds." For information on the risks associated with invest-
            ments in securities rated below investment grade, see "Appendix
            B--Description of Securities Ratings." The average portfolio dura-
            tion of this Fund will normally vary within a three- to six-year
            time frame.
 
            EMERGING MARKETS BOND FUND invests in a portfolio of fixed income
            securities denominated in foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar.
            Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80%
            of its assets in fixed income securities of issuers that economi-
            cally are tied to countries with emerging securities markets. The
            Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in other types of fixed
            income instruments, including securities of issuers located in, or
            securities denominated in currencies of, countries with developed
            foreign securities markets. The Fund also may invest up to 10% of
            its assets in shares of investment companies that invest primarily
            in emerging market debt securities. The average portfolio duration
            of the Fund will vary based on the Advisor's view of the potential
            for total return offered by a particular duration strategy and,
            under normal market conditions, is not expected to exceed eight
            years.
               The Advisor has broad discretion to identify and invest in
            countries that it considers to qualify as emerging securities mar-
            kets. However, the Advisor generally considers an emerging securi-
            ties market to be one located in any country that is defined as an
            emerging or developing economy by any of the following: the Inter-
            national Bank for Reconstruction and Development (i.e., the World
            Bank), including its various offshoots, such as the International
            Finance Corporation, or the United Nations or its authorities. The
            Fund's investments in emerging market fixed income securities may
            be represented by futures contracts (including related options)
            with respect to such securities, options on such securities, eq-
            uity securities (including common stocks) upon the conversion of
            convertible securities, or securities the return on which is de-
            rived primarily from emerging securities markets, when the Advisor
            deems it appropriate to do so.
               The Fund emphasizes countries with relatively low gross na-
            tional product per capita and with the potential for rapid eco-
            nomic growth. The Advisor will select the Fund's country and cur-
            rency composition based on its evaluation of relative interest
            rates, inflation rates, exchange rates, monetary and fiscal poli-
            cies, trade and current account balances, and any other specific
            factors the Advisor believes to be relevant. The Fund likely will
            concentrate its investments in Asia, Africa, the Middle East,
            Latin America and the developing countries of Europe. Accordingly,
            the Fund will be particularly susceptible to the effects of polit-
            ical and economic developments in these regions. This effect may
            be
 
16
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            exacerbated by a relative scarcity of issuers in certain of these
            markets, which may result in the Fund being highly concentrated in
            a small number of issuers. For a further discussion of the special
            risks of investing in foreign and emerging market countries, see
            "Characteristics and Risks of Securities and Investment Tech-
            niques--Foreign Securities."
               The Fund may invest substantially all of its assets in securi-
            ties rated below investment grade but rated B or higher by Moody's
            or S&P (or, if unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of compa-
            rable quality). Such securities are colloquially referred to as
            "junk bonds." While these securities generally provide greater po-
            tential opportunity for capital appreciation and higher yields
            than investments in higher rated securities, they also entail
            greater risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy
            of the issuer of the securities. Risk of default or bankruptcy may
            be greater in periods of economic uncertainty or recession, as the
            issuers may be less able to withstand general economic downturns
            affecting the regions in which the Fund invests. The Advisor seeks
            to reduce risk through diversification, credit analysis and atten-
            tion to current developments and trends in emerging market econo-
            mies and markets. The value of all fixed income securities, in-
            cluding those held by the Fund, can be expected to change in-
            versely with interest rates. For a further discussion of the spe-
            cial risks of investing in lower rated securities, see "Character-
            istics and Risks of Securities and Investment Techniques--High
            Yield Securities ("Junk Bonds")."
 
 
 
STOCK FUND  STOCKSPLUS FUND, as its investment objective, seeks to achieve to-
DESCRIPTION tal return which exceeds the total return performance of the Stan-
            dard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index ("S&P 500").
            StocksPLUS is the name of a proprietary portfolio management
            strategy which utilizes S&P 500 derivatives in addition to or in
            place of S&P 500 stocks to equal or exceed the performance of the
            S&P 500. The Advisor expects that under normal market conditions,
            the Fund will invest substantially all of its assets in S&P 500
            derivatives, backed by a portfolio of fixed income securities. The
            Advisor will actively manage the fixed income assets serving as
            cover for derivatives, as well as any other fixed income assets
            held by the Fund, with a view toward enhancing the Fund's total
            return investment performance, subject to an overall portfolio du-
            ration which is normally not expected to exceed one year. See "Ap-
            pendix A--Description of Duration."
               The S&P 500 is composed of 500 selected common stocks, most of
            which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. S&P chooses the
            stocks to be included in the S&P 500 solely on a statistical ba-
            sis. The weightings of stocks in the index are based on each
            stock's relative total market value, that is, its market price per
            share times the number of shares outstanding. Stocks represented
            currently in the S&P 500 represent approximately two-thirds of the
            total market value of all U.S. common stocks. The Fund is neither
            sponsored by nor affiliated with S&P. The Fund will seek to remain
            invested in S&P 500 derivatives or S&P 500 stocks even when the
            S&P 500 is declining.
               When S&P 500 derivatives appear to be overvalued relative to
            the S&P 500, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in a
            "basket" of S&P 500 stocks. The composition of this basket will be
            determined by standard statistical techniques that analyze the
            historical correlation between the return of every stock currently
            in the S&P 500 and the return on the S&P 500 itself. The Advisor
            may employ fundamental stock analysis only to choose among stocks
            that have already satisfied the statistical correlation tests.
            Stocks chosen for the Fund are not limited to those with any par-
            ticular weighting in the S&P 500.
               Positions in S&P 500 futures and options on futures will be en-
            tered into only to the extent they constitute permissible posi-
            tions for the Fund according to applicable rules of the Commodity
            Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"). From time to time, the Advi-
            sor may be constrained in its ability to use S&P 500 derivatives
            either by requirements of the Internal Revenue Code or by an unan-
            ticipated inability to close out positions when it would be most
            advantageous to do so. A large number of investors use S&P 500 de-
            rivatives for both hedging and speculative purposes, and although
            generally this helps guarantee a liquid market in those instru-
            ments, at times liquidity may be limited. For more information
            about S&P 500 derivatives, see "Characteristics and Risks of
            Securities and Investment Techniques--Derivative Instruments."
                                          
                                                    April 1, 1998 Prospectus 17
                                                                             
<PAGE>
 
               Assets of the StocksPLUS Fund not invested in equity securities
            may be invested in securities eligible for purchase by the Fixed
            Income Funds. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in fixed
            income securities that are below "investment grade," i.e., rated
            below Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P, but at least B (or, if
            unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality).
            In addition, the StocksPLUS Fund may lend its portfolio securities
            to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions in order to
            earn income. The Fund may also invest all of its assets in deriva-
            tive instruments, as described under "Characteristics of Securi-
            ties and Investment Techniques--Derivative Instruments." In addi-
            tion, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in securities of
            foreign issuers, may purchase and sell options and futures on for-
            eign currencies, and may enter into forward foreign currency con-
            tracts.
 
 
TOTAL       The "total return" sought by certain of the Funds will consist of
RETURN AND  interest and dividends from underlying securities, capital appre-
REAL RETURN ciation reflected in unrealized increases in value of portfolio
            securities (realized by the shareholder only upon selling shares),
            or realized from the purchase and sale of securities and use of
            futures and options, or gains from favorable changes in foreign
            currency exchange rates. Generally, over the long term, the total
            return obtained by a portfolio investing primarily in fixed income
            securities is not expected to be as great as that obtained by a
            portfolio that invests primarily in equity securities. At the same
            time, the market risk and price volatility of a fixed income port-
            folio is expected to be less than that of an equity portfolio, so
            that a fixed income portfolio is generally considered to be a more
            conservative investment. The change in market value of fixed in-
            come securities (and therefore their capital appreciation or de-
            preciation) is largely a function of changes in the current level
            of interest rates. Generally, when interest rates are falling, a
            portfolio with a shorter duration will not generate as high a
            level of total return as a portfolio with a longer duration. Con-
            versely, when interest rates are rising, a portfolio with a
            shorter duration will generally outperform longer duration portfo-
            lios. When interest rates are flat, shorter duration portfolios
            generally will not generate as high a level of total return as
            longer duration portfolios (assuming that long-term interest rates
            are higher than short-term rates, which is commonly the case).
            With respect to the composition of any fixed income portfolio, the
            longer the duration of the portfolio, the greater the anticipated
            potential for total return, with, however, greater attendant mar-
            ket risk and price volatility than for a portfolio with a shorter
            duration. The market value of fixed income securities denominated
            in currencies other than the U.S. dollar also may be affected by
            movements in foreign currency exchange rates.
               The change in market value of equity securities (and therefore
            their capital appreciation or depreciation) may depend upon a num-
            ber of factors, including: conditions in the securities markets,
            the business success of the security's issuer, changing interest
            rates, real or perceived economic and competitive industry condi-
            tions, and foreign currency exchange rates. Historically, the to-
            tal return performance of equity-oriented portfolios has generally
            been greater over the long term than fixed income portfolios. How-
            ever, the market risk and price volatility of an equity portfolio
            is generally greater than that of a fixed income portfolio, and is
            generally considered to be a more aggressive investment.
               "Real Return," or "Inflation Adjusted Return," as referenced in
            the name and investment objective of the Real Return Bond Fund, is
            a measure of the change in purchasing power of money invested in a
            particular instrument after adjusting for inflation. An investment
            in a security generating a high nominal return (such as a typical
            U.S. Government Treasury bond) may not generate a high real return
            once inflation is considered. For example, an instrument generat-
            ing a 9% nominal return at a time when inflation is 6% has a real
            return of approximately 3%; that is, the purchasing power of the
            money invested in that instrument would only increase by approxi-
            mately 3%. On the other hand, an inflation-indexed instrument gen-
            erating a 5% real return would generate a 5% increase in purchas-
            ing power regardless of the rate of inflation. As stated above,
            the investment objective of the Fund is to seek to achieve maximum
            real return. The total return (not adjusted for inflation) at-
            tained by this Fund may be less than the total return attained by
            other of the Funds that do not invest primarily in inflation-in-
            dexed securities.
               In the case of inflation-indexed bonds, changes in market value
            are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and
            the rate of inflation. If inflation were to rise at a faster rate
            than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline,
            leading to an increase in value of inflation-indexed bonds. In
            contrast, if nominal interest rates
 
18
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates
            might increase, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-
            indexed bonds.
 
            Investment Risks and Considerations
 
            The following are some of the principal risks of investing in the
            Funds. Investors should read this Prospectus carefully for a more
            complete discussion of the risks relating to an investment in the
            Funds. The net asset value per share of any Fund may be less at
            the time of redemption than it was at the time of investment. Gen-
            erally, the value of fixed income securities can be expected to
            vary inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates, i.e., as
            interest rates rise, market value tends to decrease, and vice
            versa, although this may not be true in the case of inflation-
            indexed bonds. In addition, certain of the Funds may invest in se-
            curities rated lower than Baa by Moody's or S&P. Such securities
            carry a high degree of credit risk and are considered speculative
            by the major rating agencies.
               Certain Funds may invest in securities of foreign issuers,
            which may be subject to additional risk factors, including foreign
            currency and political risks, not applicable to securities of U.S.
            issuers. Certain of the Funds' investment techniques may involve a
            form of borrowing, which may tend to exaggerate the effect on net
            asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of a
            Fund's portfolio and may require liquidation of portfolio posi-
            tions when it is not advantageous to do so. Certain Funds may sell
            securities short, which exposes the Fund to a risk of loss if the
            value of the security sold short should increase.
               All Funds (except the Money Market Fund) may use derivative in-
            struments, consisting of futures, options, options on futures, and
            swap agreements, for hedging purposes or as part of their invest-
            ment strategies. Use of these instruments may involve certain
            costs and risks, including the risk that a Fund could not close
            out a position when it would be most advantageous to do so, the
            risk of an imperfect correlation between the value of the securi-
            ties being hedged and the value of the particular derivative in-
            strument, and the risk that unexpected changes in interest rates
            may adversely affect the value of a Fund's investments in particu-
            lar derivative instruments. Unless otherwise indicated, all limi-
            tations applicable to Fund investments (as stated in this Prospec-
            tus and in the Statement of Additional Information) apply only at
            the time a transaction is entered into. Any subsequent change in a
            rating assigned by any rating service to a security (or, if
            unrated, deemed to be of comparable quality), or change in the
            percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other
            instruments, or change in the average duration of a Fund's invest-
            ment portfolio, resulting from market fluctuations or other
            changes in a Fund's total assets, will not require a Fund to dis-
            pose of an investment until the Advisor determines that is practi-
            cable to sell or close out the investment without undue market or
            tax consequences to the Fund. In the event that ratings services
            assign different ratings to the same security, the Advisor will
            determine which rating it believes best reflects the security's
            quality and risk at that time, which may be the higher of the sev-
            eral assigned ratings.
               Investors should carefully consider the possible tax conse-
            quences from investing in the Real Return Bond Fund. The Fund in-
            vests primarily in securities that for tax purposes may be consid-
            ered to have been issued originally at a discount. Accordingly,
            the Fund may be required to make annual distributions to share-
            holders in excess of the cash received by the Fund in a given pe-
            riod from those investments. See "Characteristics and Risks of Se-
            curities and Investment Techniques--Inflation-Indexed Bonds" and
            "Taxes" for additional information.
               The Real Return Bond, Global Bond II, Foreign Bond and Emerging
            Market Bond Funds are "non-diversified" for purposes of the In-
            vestment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), meaning that they may
            invest a greater percentage of their assets in the securities of
            one issuer than the other Funds. The Funds are still, however,
            subject to diversification requirements imposed by the Internal
            Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which means that as of the end
            of each calendar quarter, a Fund may have no more than 25% of its
            assets invested in the securities of a single issuer, and may,
            with respect to 50% of its assets, have no more than 5% of its as-
            sets invested in the securities of a single issuer. As "non-diver-
            sified" portfolios, these Funds may be more susceptible to risks
            associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occur-
            rence than a diversified portfolio might be.
 
                                                                             19
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
               The Funds offer their shares to both retail and institutional
            investors. Institutional shareholders, some of whom also may be
            investment advisory clients of Pacific Investment Management, may
            hold large positions in certain of the Funds. Such shareholders
            may on occasion make large redemptions of their holdings in the
            Funds to meet their liquidity needs, in connection with strategic
            adjustments to their overall portfolio of investments, or for
            other purposes. Large redemptions from some Funds could require
            the Advisor to liquidate portfolio positions when it is not most
            desirable to do so. Liquidation of portfolio holdings also may
            cause a Fund to realize taxable capital gains.
 
            Characteristics and Risks of
            Securities and Investment Techniques
 
            The following describes in greater detail different types of secu-
            rities and investment techniques used by the individual Funds, and
            discusses certain concepts relevant to the investment policies of
            the Funds. Additional information about the Funds' investments and
            investment practices may be found in the Statement of Additional
            Information.
 
 
U.S.        U.S. Government securities are obligations of, or guaranteed by,
GOVERNMENT  the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. The U.S.
SECURITIES  Government does not guarantee the net asset value of the Funds'
            shares. Some U.S. Government securities, such as Treasury bills,
            notes and bonds, and securities guaranteed by the Government Na-
            tional Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), are supported by the full
            faith and credit of the United States; others, such as those of
            the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the is-
            suer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of
            the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), are supported
            by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase
            the agency's obligations; and still others, such as those of the
            Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported only by the
            credit of the instrumentality. U.S. Government securities include
            securities that have no coupons, or have been stripped of their
            unmatured interest coupons, individual interest coupons from such
            securities that trade separately, and evidences of receipt of such
            securities. Such securities may pay no cash income, and are pur-
            chased at a deep discount from their value at maturity. Because
            interest on zero coupon securities is not distributed on a current
            basis but is, in effect, compounded, zero coupon securities tend
            to be subject to greater market risk than interest-paying securi-
            ties of similar maturities. Custodial receipts issued in connec-
            tion with so-called trademark zero coupon securities, such as CATs
            and TIGRs, are not issued by the U.S. Treasury, and are therefore
            not U.S. Government securities, although the underlying bond rep-
            resented by such receipt is a debt obligation of the U.S. Trea-
            sury. Other zero coupon Treasury securities (STRIPs and CUBEs) are
            direct obligations of the U.S. Government.
 
 
CORPORATE   Corporate debt securities include corporate bonds, debentures,
DEBT        notes and other similar corporate debt instruments, including con-
SECURITIES  vertible securities. Debt securities may be acquired with warrants
            attached. Corporate income-producing securities may also include
            forms of preferred or preference stock. The rate of interest on a
            corporate debt security may be fixed, floating or variable, and
            may vary inversely with respect to a reference rate. See "Variable
            and Floating Rate Securities" below. The rate of return or return
            of principal on some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to
            the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign
            currency or currencies.
               Investments in corporate debt securities that are rated below
            investment grade (rated below Baa (Moody's) or BBB (S&P)) are de-
            scribed as "speculative" both by Moody's and S&P. Such securities
            are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," and may be subject to
            greater market fluctuations, less liquidity and greater risk of
            loss of income or principal, including a greater possibility of
            default or bankruptcy of the issuer of such securities, than are
            more highly rated debt securities. Moody's also describes securi-
            ties rated Baa as having speculative characteristics. The Advisor
            seeks to minimize these risks through diversification, in-depth
            credit analysis and attention to current developments in interest
            rates and market conditions. See "Appendix B--Description of Secu-
            rities Ratings." Investments in high yield securities are dis-
            cussed separately below under "High Yield Securities ("Junk
            Bonds")."
 
20
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
 
 
CONVERTIBLE Each Fund (except the Municipal Bond Fund) may invest in convert-
SECURITIES  ible securities, which may offer higher income than the common
            stocks into which they are convertible. Typically, convertible se-
            curities are callable by the company, which may, in effect, force
            conversion before the holder would otherwise choose.
               The convertible securities in which the Funds may invest con-
            sist of bonds, notes, debentures and preferred stocks which may be
            converted or exchanged at a stated or determinable exchange ratio
            into underlying shares of common stock. A Fund may be required to
            permit the issuer of a convertible security to redeem the securi-
            ty, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a
            third party. Thus, a Fund may not be able to control whether the
            issuer of a convertible security chooses to convert that security.
            If the issuer chooses to do so, this action could have an adverse
            effect on a Fund's ability to achieve its investment objectives.
               While the Fixed Income Funds intend to invest primarily in
            fixed income securities, each may invest in convertible securities
            or equity securities. While some countries or companies may be re-
            garded as favorable investments, pure fixed income opportunities
            may be unattractive or limited due to insufficient supply, legal
            or technical restrictions. In such cases, a Fund may consider eq-
            uity securities or convertible bonds to gain exposure to such in-
            vestments.
          
LOAN        Certain Funds may invest in fixed- and floating-rate loans ar-
PARTICI-    ranged through private negotiations between an issuer of debt in-
PATIONS     struments and one or more financial institutions ("lenders"). Gen-
AND         erally, the Funds' investments in loans are expected to take the
ASSIGN-     form of loan participations and assignments of portions of loans
MENTS       from third parties.
               Large loans to corporations or governments may be shared or
            syndicated among several lenders, usually banks. The Funds may
            participate in such syndicates, or can buy part of a loan, becom-
            ing a direct lender. Participations and assignments involve spe-
            cial types of risk, including limited marketability and the risks
            of being a lender. See "Illiquid Securities" for a discussion of
            the limits on a Fund's investments in loan participations and as-
            signments with limited marketability. If a Fund purchases a par-
            ticipation, it may only be able to enforce its rights through the
            lender, and may assume the credit risk of the lender in addition
            to the borrower. In assignments, the Funds' rights against the
            borrower may be more limited than those held by the original lend-
            er.
 
DELAYED     The Funds (except the PIMCO Money Market and Municipal Bond Funds)
FUNDING     may also enter into, or acquire participations in, delayed funding
LOANS AND   loans and revolving credit facilities. Delayed funding loans and
REVOLVING   revolving credit facilities are borrowing arrangements in which
CREDIT      the lender agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand
FACILITIES  by the borrower during a specified term. A revolving credit facil-
            ity differs from a delayed funding loan in that as the borrower
            repays the loan, an amount equal to the repayment may be borrowed
            again during the term of the revolving credit facility. These com-
            mitments may have the effect of requiring a Fund to increase its
            investment in a company at a time when it might not otherwise de-
            cide to do so (including at a time when the company's financial
            condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid).
               The Funds may acquire a participation interest in delayed fund-
            ing loans or revolving credit facilities from a bank or other fi-
            nancial institution. See "Loan Participations and Assignments."
            The terms of the participation require the Fund to make a pro rata
            share of all loans extended to the borrower and entitles the Fund
            to a pro rata share of all payments made by the borrower. Delayed
            funding loans and revolving credit facilities usually provide for
            floating or variable rates of interest. To the extent that a Fund
            is committed to advance additional funds, it will at all times
            segregate assets, determined to be liquid by the Advisor in accor-
            dance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, in an
            amount sufficient to meet such commitments.
 
           
VARIABLE    Variable and floating rate securities provide for a periodic ad-
AND         justment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. The terms
FLOATING    of such obligations must provide that interest rates are adjusted
RATE        periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index as pro-
SECURITIES  vided in the respective obligations. The adjustment intervals may
            be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be event
            based, such as based on a change in the prime rate. The Money Mar-
            ket Fund may invest
                                                   April 1, 1998 Prospectus  21
<PAGE>
 
            in a variable rate security having a stated maturity in excess of
            397 calendar days if the interest rate will be adjusted, and the
            Fund may demand payment of principal from the issuer, within the
            period.
               Each of the Fixed Income Funds may invest in floating rate debt
            instruments ("floaters") and (except the Money Market and Munici-
            pal Bond Funds) engage in credit spread trades. The interest rate
            on a floater is a variable rate which is tied to another interest
            rate, such as a money-market index or Treasury bill rate. The in-
            terest rate on a floater resets periodically, typically every six
            months. While, because of the interest rate reset feature, float-
            ers provide a Fund with a certain degree of protection against
            rises in interest rates, a Fund will participate in any declines
            in interest rates as well. A credit spread trade is an investment
            position relating to a difference in the prices or interest rates
            of two securities or currencies, where the value of the investment
            position is determined by movements in the difference between the
            prices or interest rates, as the case may be, of the respective
            securities or currencies.
               Each of the Fixed Income Funds (except the Money Market Fund
            and the Municipal Bond Fund) may also invest in inverse floating
            rate debt instruments ("inverse floaters"). The interest rate on
            an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the mar-
            ket rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An
            inverse floating rate security may exhibit greater price volatil-
            ity than a fixed rate obligation of similar credit quality. The
            Funds have adopted a policy under which no Fund will invest more
            than 5% of its net assets in any combination of inverse floater,
            interest only ("IO"), or principal only ("PO") securities. See
            "Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities" for a discus-
            sion of IOs and POs.
 
 
INFLATION-  Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed income securities whose princi-
INDEXED     pal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of infla-
BONDS       tion. The interest rate on these bonds is generally fixed at issu-
            ance at a rate lower than typical bonds. Over the life of an in-
            flation-indexed bond, however, interest will be paid based on a
            principal value which is adjusted for inflation.
               Inflation-indexed securities issued by the U.S. Treasury will
            initially have maturities of five or ten years, although it is an-
            ticipated that securities with other maturities will be issued in
            the future. The securities will pay interest on a semi-annual ba-
            sis, equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted princi-
            pal amount. For example, if an investor purchased an inflation-in-
            dexed bond with a par value of $1,000 and a 3% real rate of return
            coupon (payable 1.5% semi-annually), and inflation over the first
            six months were 1%, the mid-year par value of the bond would be
            $1,010 and the first semi-annual interest payment would be $15.15
            ($1,010 times 1.5%). If inflation during the second half of the
            year reached 3%, the end-of-year par value of the bond would be
            $1,030 and the second semi-annual interest payment would be $15.45
            ($1,030 times 1.5%).
               If the periodic adjustment rate measuring inflation falls, the
            principal value of inflation-indexed bonds will be adjusted down-
            ward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities
            (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be
            reduced. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity
            (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S.
            Treasury inflation-indexed bonds, even during a period of defla-
            tion. However, the current market value of the bonds is not guar-
            anteed, and will fluctuate. The Funds may also invest in other in-
            flation related bonds which may or may not provide a similar guar-
            antee. If such a guarantee of principal is not provided, the ad-
            justed principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less
            than the original principal.
               The value of inflation-indexed bonds is expected to change in
            response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates in
            turn are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates
            and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at
            a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates
            might decline, leading to an increase in value of inflation-in-
            dexed bonds. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a
            faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, lead-
            ing to a decrease in value of inflation-indexed bonds.
               While these securities are expected to be protected from long-
            term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may
            lead to a decline in value. If interest rates rise due to reasons
            other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency ex-
            change rates), investors in these securities may not be protected
            to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bond's in-
            flation measure.
 
22
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
               The U.S. Treasury has only recently begun issuing inflation-in-
            dexed bonds. As such, there is no trading history of these securi-
            ties, and there can be no assurance that a liquid market in these
            instruments will develop, although one is expected. Lack of a liq-
            uid market may impose the risk of higher transaction costs and the
            possibility that a Fund may be forced to liquidate positions when
            it would not be advantageous to do so. There also can be no assur-
            ance that the U.S. Treasury will issue any particular amount of
            inflation-indexed bonds. Certain foreign governments, such as the
            United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, have a longer history of is-
            suing inflation-indexed bonds, and there may be a more liquid mar-
            ket in certain of these countries for these securities.
               The periodic adjustment of U.S. inflation-indexed bonds is tied
            to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers ("CPI-U"), which
            is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The
            CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up
            of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy.
            Inflation-indexed bonds issued by a foreign government are gener-
            ally adjusted to reflect a comparable inflation index, calculated
            by that government. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or
            any foreign inflation index will accurately measure the real rate
            of inflation in the prices of goods and services. Moreover, there
            can be no assurance that the rate of inflation in a foreign coun-
            try will be correlated to the rate of inflation in the United
            States.
               Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed
            bond will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though in-
            vestors do not receive their principal until maturity. See "Taxes"
            for information about the possible tax consequences of investing
            in the Real Return Bond Fund and in inflation-indexed bonds.
 
MORTGAGE-   Each of the Funds (except the Money Market Fund and the Municipal
RELATED AND Bond Fund) may invest all of its assets in mortgage- or other as-
OTHER       set-backed securities. The value of some mortgage- or asset-backed
ASSET-      securities in which the Funds invest may be particularly sensitive
BACKED      to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other in-
SECURITIES  vestments of the Funds, the ability of a Fund to successfully uti-
            lize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the
            Advisor to forecast interest rates and other economic factors cor-
            rectly.
 
            MORTGAGE-PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES are securities representing in-
            terests in "pools" of mortgage loans secured by residential or
            commercial real property in which payments of both interest and
            principal on the securities are generally made monthly, in effect
            "passing through" monthly payments made by the individual borrow-
            ers on the mortgage loans which underlie the securities (net of
            fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities). Early re-
            payment of principal on some mortgage-related securities (arising
            from prepayments of principal due to sale of the underlying prop-
            erty, refinancing, or foreclosure, net of fees and costs which may
            be incurred) may expose a Fund to a lower rate of return upon re-
            investment of principal. Also, if a security subject to prepayment
            has been purchased at a premium, the value of the premium would be
            lost in the event of prepayment. Like other fixed income securi-
            ties, when interest rates rise, the value of a mortgage-related
            security generally will decline; however, when interest rates are
            declining, the value of mortgage-related securities with prepay-
            ment features may not increase as much as other fixed income secu-
            rities. The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages will af-
            fect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security, and
            may have the effect of shortening or extending the effective matu-
            rity of the security beyond what was anticipated at the time of
            purchase. To the extent that unanticipated rates of prepayment on
            underlying mortgages increase the effective maturity of a mort-
            gage-related security, the volatility of such security can be ex-
            pected to increase.
               Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage pass-through
            securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves)
            may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Govern-
            ment (in the case of securities guaranteed by GNMA); or guaranteed
            by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (in the
            case of securities guaranteed by FNMA or the Federal Home Loan
            Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), which are supported only by the
            discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the
            agency's obligations). Mortgage-related securities created by non-
            governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan
            institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bank-
            ers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by vari-
            ous forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan,
            title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit, which may
            be issued by governmental entities, private insurers or the mort-
            gage poolers.
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                              23
<PAGE>
 
 
            COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS ("CMOs") are hybrid mortgage-
            related instruments. Interest and pre-paid principal on a CMO are
            paid, in most cases, on a monthly basis. CMOs may be collateral-
            ized by whole mortgage loans but are more typically collateralized
            by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by
            GNMA, FHLMC, or FNMA. CMOs are structured into multiple classes,
            with each class bearing a different stated maturity. Monthly pay-
            ments of principal, including prepayments, are first returned to
            investors holding the shortest maturity class; investors holding
            the longer maturity classes receive principal only after the first
            class has been retired. CMOs that are issued or guaranteed by the
            U.S. Government or by any of its agencies or instrumentalities
            will be considered U.S. Government securities by the Funds, while
            other CMOs, even if collateralized by U.S. Government securities,
            will have the same status as other privately issued securities for
            purposes of applying a Fund's diversification tests.
 
            COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES include securities that re-
            flect an interest in, and are secured by, mortgage loans on com-
            mercial real property. The market for commercial mortgage-backed
            securities developed more recently and in terms of total outstand-
            ing principal amount of issues is relatively small compared to the
            market for residential single-family mortgage-backed securities.
            Many of the risks of investing in commercial mortgage-backed secu-
            rities reflect the risks of investing in the real estate securing
            the underlying mortgage loans. These risks reflect the effects of
            local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the
            ability of tenants to make loan payments, and the ability of a
            property to attract and retain tenants. Commercial mortgage-backed
            securities may be less liquid and exhibit greater price volatility
            than other types of mortgage-related or asset-backed securities.
 
            MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES include securities other than those
            described above that directly or indirectly represent a participa-
            tion in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans on
            real property, such as mortgage dollar rolls (see "Reverse Repur-
            chase Agreements, Dollar Rolls, and Borrowings"), CMO residuals or
            stripped mortgage-backed securities ("SMBS"), and may be struc-
            tured in classes with rights to receive varying proportions of
            principal and interest.
               A common type of SMBS will have one class receiving some of the
            interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while
            the other class will receive most of the interest and the remain-
            der of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will re-
            ceive all of the interest (the interest-only, or "IO" class),
            while the other class will receive all of the principal (the prin-
            cipal-only, or "PO" class). The yield to maturity on an IO class
            is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (includ-
            ing prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a
            rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse ef-
            fect on a Fund's yield to maturity from these securities. The
            Funds have adopted a policy under which no Fund will invest more
            than 5% of its net assets in any combination of IO, PO, or inverse
            floater securities. The Funds may invest in other asset-backed se-
            curities that have been offered to investors. For a discussion of
            the characteristics of some of these instruments, see the State-
            ment of Additional Information.
 
MUNICIPAL   The Municipal Bond Fund invests in Municipal Bonds which are gen-
BONDS       erally issued by states and local governments and their agencies,
            authorities and other instrumentalities. The Municipal Bonds which
            the Municipal Bond Fund may purchase include general obligation
            bonds and limited obligation bonds (or revenue bonds), including
            industrial development bonds issued pursuant to former federal tax
            law. General obligation bonds are obligations involving the credit
            of an issuer possessing taxing power and are payable from such is-
            suer's general revenues and not from any particular source. Lim-
            ited obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived
            from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some
            cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific
            revenue source. Tax-exempt "private activity" bonds and industrial
            development bonds generally are also revenue bonds and thus are
            not payable from the issuer's general revenues. The Municipal Bond
            Fund may invest in Municipal Bonds with credit enhancements such
            as letters of credit, municipal bond insurance and Standby Bond
            Purchase Agreements. The Municipal Bond Fund may also invest in
            municipal lease obligations, as well as securities derived from
            Municipal Bonds, such as residual interest bonds and participation
            interests.
 
24
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
              Municipal Bonds are subject to credit and market risk. Credit
            risk relates to the ability of the issuer to make payments of
            principal and interest. The ability of an issuer to make such pay-
            ments could be affected by litigation, legislation or other polit-
            ical events or the bankruptcy of the issuer. Market risk relates
            to changes in a security's value as a result of changes in inter-
            est rates. Lower rated Municipal Bonds generally provide higher
            yields but are subject to greater credit and market risk than
            higher quality Municipal Bonds.
 
REPURCHASE  For the purpose of achieving income, each of the Funds may enter
AGREEMENTS  into repurchase agreements, which entail the purchase of a portfo-
            lio-eligible security from a bank or broker-dealer that agrees to
            repurchase the security at the Fund's cost plus interest within a
            specified time (normally one day). If the party agreeing to repur-
            chase should default, as a result of bankruptcy or otherwise, the
            Fund will seek to sell the securities which it holds, which action
            could involve procedural costs or delays in addition to a loss on
            the securities if their value should fall below their repurchase
            price. No Fund will invest more than 15% of its net assets (10% in
            the case of the Money Market Fund) (taken at current market value)
            in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days.
 
 
REVERSE     A reverse repurchase agreement involves the sale of a security by
REPURCHASE  a Fund and its agreement to repurchase the instrument at a speci-
AGREEMENTS, fied time and price. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the
DOLLAR      Fund continues to receive any principal and interest payments on
ROLLS, AND  the underlying security during the term of the agreement. The Fund
BORROWINGS  generally will maintain a segregated account consisting of assets
            determined to be liquid by the Advisor in accordance with proce-
            dures established by the Board of Trustees to cover its obliga-
            tions under reverse repurchase agreements and, to this extent, a
            reverse repurchase agreement (or economically similar transaction)
            will not be considered a "senior security" subject to the 300% as-
            set coverage requirements otherwise applicable to borrowings by a
            Fund.
               A Fund may enter into dollar rolls, in which the Fund sells
            mortgage-backed or other securities for delivery in the current
            month and simultaneously contracts to purchase substantially simi-
            lar securities on a specified future date. In the case of dollar
            rolls involving mortgage-backed securities, the mortgage-backed
            securities that are purchased will be of the same type and will
            have the same interest rate as those sold, but will be supported
            by different pools of mortgages. The Fund forgoes principal and
            interest paid during the roll period on the securities sold in a
            dollar roll, but the Fund is compensated by the difference between
            the current sales price and the lower price for the future pur-
            chase as well as by any interest earned on the proceeds of the se-
            curities sold. The Fund also could be compensated through the re-
            ceipt of fee income equivalent to a lower forward price. The Fund
            will maintain a segregated account consisting of assets determined
            to be liquid by the Advisor in accordance with procedures estab-
            lished by the Board of Trustees to cover its obligations under
            dollar rolls.
               To the extent that positions in reverse repurchase agreements,
            dollar rolls or similar transactions are not covered through the
            maintenance of a segregated account consisting of liquid assets at
            least equal to the amount of any forward purchase commitment, such
            transactions would be subject to the Funds' limitations on
            borrowings, which would restrict the aggregate of such transac-
            tions (plus any other borrowings) to 33 1/3% (for each Fund except
            the Global Bond Fund II) of such Fund's total assets. Apart from
            such transactions, a Fund will not borrow money, except for tempo-
            rary administrative purposes. The Global Bond Fund II may not bor-
            row in excess of 10% of the value of its total assets and then
            only from banks as a temporary measure to facilitate the meeting
            of redemption requests (not for leverage) or for extraordinary or
            emergency purposes.
 

LOANS OF    For the purpose of achieving income, each Fund may lend its port-
PORTFOLIO   folio securities to brokers, dealers, and other financial institu-
SECURITIES  tions, provided:
                (i)   the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting
                      of U.S. Government securities, cash or cash equivalents
                      (negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances
                      or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market
                      basis in an amount at least equal to the current market
                      value of the securities loaned;
                (ii)  the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the re-
                      turn of the securities loaned;
 
                                                                             25
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
                (iii) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends paid on
                      the loaned securities; and
                (iv)  the aggregate market value of securities loaned will not
                      at any time exceed 33 1/3% (25% in the case of the Global
                      Bond Fund II) of the total assets of the Fund.
            Each Fund's performance will continue to reflect changes in the
            value of the securities loaned and will also reflect the receipt
            of either interest, through investment of cash collateral by the
            Fund in permissible investments, or a fee, if the collateral is
            U.S. Government securities. Securities lending involves the risk
            of loss of rights in the collateral or delay in recovery of the
            collateral should the borrower fail to return the security loaned
            or become insolvent. The Funds may pay lending fees to the party
            arranging the loan.
 
 
WHEN-       Each of the Funds may purchase or sell securities on a when-is-
ISSUED,     sued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis. These trans-
DELAYED     actions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase or sell secu-
DELIVERY    rities for a predetermined price or yield, with payment and deliv-
AND FORWARD ery taking place more than seven days in the future, or after a
COMMITMENT  period longer than the customary settlement period for that type
TRANS-      of security. When such purchases are outstanding, the Fund will
ACTIONS     set aside and maintain until the settlement date in a segregated
            account, assets determined to be liquid by the Advisor in accor-
            dance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, in an
            amount sufficient to meet the purchase price. Typically, no income
            accrues on securities a Fund has committed to purchase prior to
            the time delivery of the securities is made, although a Fund may
            earn income on securities it has deposited in a segregated ac-
            count. When purchasing a security on a when-issued, delayed deliv-
            ery, or forward commitment basis, the Fund assumes the rights and
            risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price
            and yield fluctuations, and takes such fluctuations into account
            when determining its net asset value. Because the Fund is not re-
            quired to pay for the security until the delivery date, these
            risks are in addition to the risks associated with the Fund's
            other investments. If the Fund remains substantially fully in-
            vested at a time when when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward
            commitment purchases are outstanding, the purchases may result in
            a form of leverage. When the Fund has sold a security on a when-
            issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis, the Fund
            does not participate in future gains or losses with respect to the
            security. If the other party to a transaction fails to deliver or
            pay for the securities, the Fund could miss a favorable price or
            yield opportunity or could suffer a loss. A Fund may dispose of or
            renegotiate a transaction after it is entered into, and may sell
            when-issued or forward commitment securities before they are de-
            livered, which may result in a capital gain or loss. There is no
            percentage limitation on the extent to which the Funds may pur-
            chase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or
            forward commitment basis.
 
 
SHORT SALES Each of the Funds (except the High Yield and StocksPLUS Funds) may
            from time to time effect short sales as part of their overall
            portfolio management strategies, including the use of derivative
            instruments, or to offset potential declines in value of long po-
            sitions in similar securities as those sold short. A short sale
            (other than a short sale against the box) is a transaction in
            which a Fund sells a security it does not own at the time of the
            sale in anticipation that the market price of that security will
            decline. To the extent that a Fund engages in short sales, it must
            (except in the case of short sales "against the box") maintain as-
            set coverage in the form of assets determined to be liquid by the
            Advisor in accordance with procedures established by the Board of
            Trustees, in a segregated account, or otherwise cover its position
            in a permissible manner. A short sale is "against the box" to the
            extent that the Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to
            obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short.
            The Global Bond Fund II may only engage in short sales that are
            "against the box."
 
 
FOREIGN
SECURITIES  Each of the Funds (except the Municipal Bond Fund and the Long-
            Term U.S. Government Fund) may invest directly in fixed income se-
            curities of non-U.S. issuers. The Money Market and High Yield
            Funds may only invest in U.S. dollar-denominated fixed income se-
            curities of non-U.S. issuers. The StocksPLUS Fund may invest di-
            rectly in foreign equity securities.
               Except for the Emerging Markets Bond Fund, each of the Funds
            will concentrate its foreign investments in securities of issuers
            based in developed countries. However, the Short-Term and Low Du-
            ration Funds may each invest
 
26
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            up to 5% of its assets in securities of issuers based in the
            emerging market countries in which the Emerging Markets Bond Fund
            may invest, and each of the remaining Fixed Income Funds that may
            invest in foreign securities may invest up to 10% of its assets in
            such securities.
               Individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavor-
            ably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross do-
            mestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, re-
            sources, self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. The
            securities markets, values of securities, yields, and risks asso-
            ciated with securities markets in different countries may change
            independently of each other. Investing in the securities of is-
            suers in any foreign country involves special risks and considera-
            tions not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies.
            Shareholders should consider carefully the substantial risks in-
            volved in investing in securities issued by companies and govern-
            ments of foreign nations. These risks include: differences in ac-
            counting, auditing and financial reporting standards; generally
            higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions; the
            possibility of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory tax-
            ation; adverse changes in investment or exchange control regula-
            tions (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer
            currency from a country); and political instability which could
            affect U.S. investments in foreign countries. Additionally, for-
            eign securities and dividends and interest payable on those secu-
            rities may be subject to foreign taxes, including taxes withheld
            from payments on those securities. Foreign securities often trade
            with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and there-
            fore may exhibit greater price volatility. Additional costs asso-
            ciated with an investment in foreign securities may include higher
            custodial fees than apply to domestic custodial arrangements and
            transaction costs of foreign currency conversions. Changes in for-
            eign exchange rates also will affect the value of securities de-
            nominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
               Certain of the Funds, and particularly the Emerging Markets
            Bond Fund, will invest in the securities of issuers based in coun-
            tries with developing economies. Investing in developing (or
            "emerging market") countries involves certain risks not typically
            associated with investing in U.S. securities, and imposes risks
            greater than, or in addition to, risks of investing in foreign,
            developed countries. A number of emerging market countries re-
            strict, to varying degrees, foreign investment in securities. Re-
            patriation of investment income, capital, and the proceeds of
            sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration
            and/or approval in some emerging market countries. A number of the
            currencies of emerging market countries have experienced signifi-
            cant declines against the U.S. dollar in recent years, and devalu-
            ation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by a
            Fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have
            had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies
            and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. Many
            of the emerging securities markets are relatively small, have low
            trading volumes, suffer periods of relative illiquidity, and are
            characterized by significant price volatility. There is a risk in
            emerging market countries that a future economic or political cri-
            sis could lead to price controls, forced mergers of companies, ex-
            propriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or
            creation of government monopolies, any of which may have a detri-
            mental effect on a Fund's investment.
               Additional risks of investing in emerging market countries may
            include: currency exchange rate fluctuations; greater social, eco-
            nomic and political uncertainty and instability (including the
            risk of war); more substantial governmental involvement in the
            economy; less governmental supervision and regulation of the secu-
            rities markets and participants in those markets; unavailability
            of currency hedging techniques in certain emerging market coun-
            tries; the fact that companies in emerging market countries may be
            newly organized and may be smaller and less seasoned companies;
            the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting
            standards, which may result in unavailability of material informa-
            tion about issuers; the risk that it may be more difficult to ob-
            tain and/or enforce a judgment in a court outside the United
            States; and significantly smaller market capitalization of securi-
            ties markets. Also, any change in the leadership or policies of
            Eastern European countries, or the countries that exercise a sig-
            nificant influence over those countries, may halt the expansion of
            or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment policies now
            occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities.
               In addition, emerging securities markets may have different
            clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep
            pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make
            it difficult to engage in such transac-
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                              27
<PAGE>
 
            tions. Settlement problems may cause a Fund to miss attractive in-
            vestment opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pend-
            ing investment, or delay in disposing of a portfolio security.
            Such a delay could result in possible liability to a purchaser of
            the security.
               Each of the Fixed Income Funds (except the Municipal Bond and
            Long-Term U.S. Government Funds) may invest in Brady Bonds. Brady
            Bonds are securities created through the exchange of existing com-
            mercial bank loans to sovereign entities for new obligations in
            connection with debt restructurings under a debt restructuring
            plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Nicholas
            F. Brady. Brady Bonds have been issued only recently, and for that
            reason do not have a long payment history. Brady Bonds may be col-
            lateralized or uncollateralized, are issued in various currencies
            (but primarily the U.S. dollar), and are actively traded in the
            over-the-counter secondary market. Brady Bonds are not considered
            to be U.S. Government securities. In light of the residual risk of
            Brady Bonds and, among other factors, the history of defaults with
            respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities in
            countries issuing Brady Bonds, investments in Brady Bonds may be
            viewed as speculative. There can be no assurance that Brady Bonds
            acquired by a Fund will not be subject to restructuring arrange-
            ments or to requests for new credit, which may cause the Fund to
            suffer a loss of interest or principal on any of its holdings. For
            further information, see the Statement of Additional Information.
               Certain of the Funds also may invest in sovereign debt (other
            than Brady Bonds) issued by governments, their agencies or instru-
            mentalities, or other government-related entities located in
            emerging market countries. Holders of sovereign debt may be re-
            quested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to ex-
            tend further loans to governmental entities. In addition, there is
            no bankruptcy proceeding by which defaulted sovereign debt may be
            collected.
               A Fund's investments in foreign currency denominated debt obli-
            gations and hedging activities will likely produce a difference
            between its book income and its taxable income. This difference
            may cause a portion of the Fund's income distributions to consti-
            tute returns of capital for tax purposes or require the Fund to
            make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated
            investment company for federal tax purposes.
 
 
FOREIGN     Foreign currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over
CURRENCY    short periods of time. They generally are determined by the forces
TRANS-      of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the rela-
ACTIONS     tive merits of investments in different countries, actual or per-
            ceived changes in interest rates and other complex factors, as
            seen from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates
            also can be affected unpredictably by intervention (or the failure
            to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, by
            currency controls or political developments in the U.S. or abroad.
            For example, significant uncertainty surrounds the proposed intro-
            duction of the euro (a common currency for the European Union) in
            January 1999 and its effect on the value of securities denominated
            in local European currencies. These and other currencies in which
            the Funds' assets are denominated may be devalued against the U.S.
            dollar, resulting in a loss to the Funds.
               All Funds that may invest in securities denominated in foreign
            currencies may buy and sell foreign currencies on a spot and for-
            ward basis to reduce the risks of adverse changes in foreign ex-
            change rates. A forward foreign currency exchange contract in-
            volves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a
            future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date
            of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the
            time of the contract. By entering into a forward foreign currency
            exchange contract, the Fund "locks in" the exchange rate between
            the currency it will deliver and the currency it will receive for
            the duration of the contract. As a result, a Fund reduces its ex-
            posure to changes in the value of the currency it will deliver and
            increases its exposure to changes in the value of the currency it
            will exchange into. The effect on the value of a Fund is similar
            to selling securities denominated in one currency and purchasing
            securities denominated in another. Contracts to sell foreign cur-
            rency would limit any potential gain which might be realized by a
            Fund if the value of the hedged currency increases. A Fund may en-
            ter into these contracts for the purpose of hedging against for-
            eign exchange risk arising from the Fund's investment or antici-
            pated investment in securities denominated in foreign currencies.
            A Fund also may enter into these contracts for purposes of in-
            creasing exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to
            foreign currency fluctuations from one country to
 
28
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            another. A Fund may use one currency (or a basket of currencies)
            to hedge against adverse changes in the value of another currency
            (or a basket of currencies) when exchange rates between the two
            currencies are positively correlated. Each Fund will segregate as-
            sets determined to be liquid by the Advisor in accordance with
            procedures established by the Board of Trustees, in a segregated
            account to cover its obligations under forward foreign currency
            exchange contracts entered into for non-hedging purposes.
               All Funds that may invest in securities denominated in foreign
            currencies may invest in options on foreign currencies and foreign
            currency futures and options thereon. The Funds also may invest in
            foreign currency exchange-related securities, such as foreign cur-
            rency warrants and other instruments whose return is linked to
            foreign currency exchange rates. Each Fund that may invest in se-
            curities denominated in foreign currencies, except the Emerging
            Markets Bond Fund, will use these techniques to hedge at least 75%
            of its exposure to foreign currency. For a description of these
            instruments, see "Derivative Instruments" below and the Statement
            of Additional Information.
 
 
HIGH YIELD  The High Yield Fund invests at least 65% of its assets, and the
SECURITIES  Emerging Markets Bond Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets, in
("JUNK      fixed income securities rated lower than Baa by Moody's or lower
BONDS")     than BBB by S&P but rated at least B by Moody's or S&P (or, if not
            rated, determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality). In
            addition, each of the Short-Term, Low Duration, Total Return,
            Global Bond II, Foreign Bond and StocksPLUS Funds may invest up to
            10% of its assets in such securities. The Municipal Bond Fund may
            invest up to 10% of its assets in securities rated lower than Baa
            by Moody's or BBB by S&P but rated at least Ba by Moody's or BB by
            S&P. Securities rated lower than Baa by Moody's or lower than BBB
            by S&P are sometimes referred to as "high yield" or "junk" bonds.
            Securities rated Baa are considered by Moody's to have some specu-
            lative characteristics. Investors should consider the following
            risks associated with high yield securities before investing in
            these Funds.
               Investing in high yield securities involves special risks in
            addition to the risks associated with investments in higher rated
            fixed income securities. High yield securities may be regarded as
            predominately speculative with respect to the issuer's continuing
            ability to meet principal and interest payments. Analysis of the
            creditworthiness of issuers of high yield securities may be more
            complex than for issuers of higher quality debt securities, and
            the ability of a Fund to achieve its investment objective may, to
            the extent of its investments in high yield securities, be more
            dependent upon such creditworthiness analysis than would be the
            case if the Fund were investing in higher quality securities.
               High yield securities may be more susceptible to real or per-
            ceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than
            higher grade securities. The prices of high yield securities have
            been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than more
            highly rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic
            downturns or individual corporate developments. A projection of an
            economic downturn or of a period of rising interest rates, for ex-
            ample, could cause a decline in high yield security prices because
            the advent of a recession could lessen the ability of a highly
            leveraged company to make principal and interest payments on its
            debt securities. If the issuer of high yield securities defaults,
            a Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. In the case
            of high yield securities structured as zero coupon or payment-in-
            kind securities, the market prices of such securities are affected
            to a greater extent by interest rate changes, and therefore tend
            to be more volatile than securities which pay interest periodi-
            cally and in cash.
               The secondary markets on which high yield securities are traded
            may be less liquid than the market for higher grade securities.
            Less liquidity in the secondary trading markets could adversely
            affect and cause large fluctuations in the daily net asset value
            of a Fund's shares. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions,
            whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the
            values and liquidity of high yield securities, especially in a
            thinly traded market.
               The use of credit ratings as the sole method of evaluating high
            yield securities can involve certain risks. For example, credit
            ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments,
            not the market value risk of high yield securities. Also, credit
            rating agencies may fail to change credit ratings in a timely
            fashion to reflect events since the security was last rated. The
            Advisor does not rely solely on credit ratings when selecting se-
            curities for the Funds, and develops its own independent analysis
            of issuer credit quality. If a credit rating agency changes the
            rating of a portfolio security held by a Fund, the Fund may retain
            the portfolio security if the Advisor deems it in the best inter-
            est of shareholders.
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                              29
<PAGE>
 
               During the year ended March 31, 1997, based upon the dollar-
            weighted average ratings of the Funds' portfolio holdings at the
            end of each month in the Funds' fiscal year, each operational Fund
            that may invest greater than 5% of its assets in securities rated
            below investment grade had the following percentages of its net
            assets invested in securities rated in the categories indicated as
            rated by Moody's (or, if unrated, determined by the Advisor to be
            of comparable quality). See "Appendix B--Description of Securities
            Ratings," for further information.
 
 
              FIXED INCOME SECURITIES RATINGS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   BELOW
           FUND            PRIME 1 Aaa  Aa    A   PRIME 1 Baa  Ba    B
           -------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>             <C>     <C>  <C>   <C> <C>     <C>  <C>   <C>
           SHORT-TERM         31%   26%   3%  12%     0%   20%   7%   1%
           -------------------------------------------------------------
           LOW DURATION       24    55    1    3      0    13    4    0
           -------------------------------------------------------------
           TOTAL RETURN       13    66    2    4      0     9    5    1
           -------------------------------------------------------------
           HIGH YIELD          6     1    0    0      0     3   48   42
           -------------------------------------------------------------
           GLOBAL BOND II     21    58   15    1      0     4    1    0
           -------------------------------------------------------------
           FOREIGN BOND       21    58   14    0      0     3    4    0
           -------------------------------------------------------------
           STOCKSPLUS         32    29    5    7      0    17    9    1
</TABLE>
 
               These figures are intended solely to provide disclosure about
            each Fund's asset composition during its most recent fiscal year.
            The asset composition after this time may or may not be approxi-
            mately the same as represented by such figures. In addition, the
            categories reflect ratings by Moody's, and ratings assigned by S&P
            may not be consistent with ratings assigned by Moody's or other
            credit ratings services, and the Advisor may not necessarily agree
            with a rating assigned by any credit rating agency.
 
 
DERIVATIVE  To the extent permitted by the investment objectives and policies
INSTRUMENTS of the Funds, the Funds may (except the Money Market Fund) pur-
            chase and write call and put options on securities, securities in-
            dexes and foreign currencies, and enter into futures contracts and
            use options on futures contracts as further described below. The
            Funds (except the Money Market Fund and the Municipal Bond Fund)
            also may enter into swap agreements with respect to foreign cur-
            rencies, interest rates, and securities indexes. The Funds may use
            these techniques to hedge against changes in interest rates, for-
            eign currency exchange rates or securities prices or as part of
            their overall investment strategies. The Funds (except the Money
            Market Fund and the Municipal Bond Fund) may also purchase and
            sell options relating to foreign currencies for purposes of in-
            creasing exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to
            foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. Each
            Fund will maintain a segregated account consisting of assets de-
            termined to be liquid by the Advisor in accordance with procedures
            established by the Board of Trustees (or, as permitted by applica-
            ble regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover
            its obligations under options, futures, and swaps to limit
            leveraging of the Fund.
               Derivative instruments are considered for these purposes to
            consist of securities or other instruments whose value is derived
            from or related to the value of some other instrument or asset,
            and not to include those securities whose payment of principal
            and/or interest depends upon cash flows from underlying assets,
            such as mortgage-related or asset-backed securities. Each Fund
            (except the Money Market Fund and the Municipal Bond Fund) may in-
            vest all of its assets in derivative instruments, subject only to
            the Fund's investment objective and policies. The value of some
            derivative instruments in which the Funds invest may be particu-
            larly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like
            the other investments of the Funds, the ability of a Fund to suc-
            cessfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the
            ability of the Advisor to forecast interest rates and other eco-
            nomic factors correctly. If the Advisor incorrectly forecasts such
            factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary
            to prevailing market trends, the Funds could be exposed to the
            risk of loss.
 
30  PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
               The Funds might not employ any of the strategies described be-
            low, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will
            succeed. If the Advisor incorrectly forecasts interest rates, mar-
            ket values or other economic factors in utilizing a derivatives
            strategy for a Fund, the Fund might have been in a better position
            if it had not entered into the transaction at all. The use of
            these strategies involves certain special risks, including a pos-
            sible imperfect correlation, or
            even no correlation, between price movements of derivative instru-
            ments and price movements of related investments. While some
            strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of
            loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result
            in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in related in-
            vestments or otherwise, due to the possible inability of a Fund to
            purchase or sell a portfolio security at a time that otherwise
            would be favorable or the possible need to sell a portfolio secu-
            rity at a disadvantageous time because the Fund is required to
            maintain asset coverage or offsetting positions in connection with
            transactions in derivative instruments, and the possible inability
            of a Fund to close out or to liquidate its derivatives positions.
 
            OPTIONS ON SECURITIES, SECURITIES INDEXES, AND CURRENCIES A Fund
            may purchase put options on securities and indexes. One purpose of
            purchasing put options is to protect holdings in an underlying or
            related security against a substantial decline in market value. A
            Fund may also purchase call options on securities and indexes. One
            purpose of purchasing call options is to protect against substan-
            tial increases in prices of securities the Fund intends to pur-
            chase pending its ability to invest in such securities in an or-
            derly manner. An option on a security (or index) is a contract
            that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the
            right to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case
            of a put) the writer of the option the security underlying the op-
            tion (or the cash value of the index) at a specified exercise
            price at any time during the term of the option. The writer of an
            option on a security has the obligation upon exercise of the op-
            tion to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exer-
            cise price or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the un-
            derlying security. Upon exercise, the writer of an option on an
            index is obligated to pay the difference between the cash value of
            the index and the exercise price multiplied by the specified mul-
            tiplier for the index option. An index is designed to reflect
            specified facets of a particular financial or securities market, a
            specific group of financial instruments or securities, or certain
            economic indicators.
               A Fund may sell put or call options it has previously pur-
            chased, which could result in a net gain or loss depending on
            whether the amount realized on the sale is more or less than the
            premium and other transaction costs paid on the put or call option
            which is sold. A Fund may write a call or put option only if the
            option is "covered" by the Fund holding a position in the under-
            lying securities or by other means which would permit immediate
            satisfaction of the Fund's obligation as writer of the option.
            Prior to exercise or expiration, an option may be closed out by an
            offsetting purchase or sale of an option of the same series.
               The Funds may write covered straddles consisting of a combina-
            tion of a call and a put written on the same underlying security.
            A straddle will be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to
            meet the Funds' immediate obligations. The Funds may use the same
            liquid assets to cover both the call and put options where the ex-
            ercise price of the call and put are the same, or the exercise
            price of the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases,
            the Funds will also segregate liquid assets equivalent to the
            amount, if any, by which the put is "in the money."
               The purchase and writing of options involves certain risks.
            During the option period, the covered call writer has, in return
            for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity to profit
            from a price increase in the underlying security above the exer-
            cise price, but, as long as its obligation as a writer continues,
            has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying
            security decline. The writer of an option has no control over the
            time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer
            of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise no-
            tice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to
            terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the un-
            derlying security at the exercise price. If a put or call option
            purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and
            if the market price of the underlying security remains equal to or
            greater than the exercise price (in the case of a put), or remains
            less than or equal to the exercise price (in the case of a call),
            the Fund will lose its entire investment in the option. Also,
            where a put or call option on a particular security is purchased
            to hedge against price movements in a related security,
 
                                                                             31
                                                     April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
            the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the
            price of the related security. There can be no assurance that a
            liquid market will exist when a Fund seeks to close out an option
            position. Furthermore, if trading restrictions or suspensions are
            imposed on the options markets, a Fund may be unable to close out
            a position.
               Funds that invest in foreign currency-denominated securities
            may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies. Cur-
            rency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to
            position limits which may limit the ability of a Fund to reduce
            foreign currency risk using such options.
               Over-the-counter options in which certain Funds may invest dif-
            fer from traded options in that they are two-party contracts, with
            price and other terms negotiated between buyer and seller, and
            generally do not have as much market liquidity as exchange-traded
            options. The Funds may be required to treat as illiquid over-the-
            counter options purchased and securities being used to cover cer-
            tain written over-the-counter options.
 
            SWAP AGREEMENTS The Funds (except the Money Market Fund and the
            Municipal Bond Fund) may enter into interest rate, index, equity
            and currency exchange rate swap agreements. These transactions
            would be entered into in an attempt to obtain a particular return
            when it is considered desirable to do so, possibly at a lower cost
            to the Fund than if the Fund had invested directly in the asset
            that yielded the desired return. Swap agreements are two-party
            contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for
            periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a stan-
            dard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns
            (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on par-
            ticular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be ad-
            justed for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged
            or "swapped" between the parties are generally calculated with re-
            spect to a "notional amount," i.e., the return on or increase in
            value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular in-
            terest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a "basket" of
            securities representing a particular index. Forms of swap agree-
            ments include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a
            premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the ex-
            tent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or "cap"; inter-
            est rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party
            agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest
            rates fall below a specified level, or "floor"; and interest rate
            collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or
            vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate
            movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.
               Most swap agreements entered into by the Funds calculate the
            obligations of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis." Con-
            sequently, a Fund's current obligations (or rights) under a swap
            agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be
            paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values
            of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the "net
            amount"). A Fund's current obligations under a swap agreement will
            be accrued daily (offset against amounts owed to the Fund), and
            any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty
            will be covered by the maintenance of a segregated account con-
            sisting of assets determined to be liquid by the Advisor in accor-
            dance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, to
            limit any potential leveraging of the Fund's portfolio. Obliga-
            tions under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be
            "senior securities" for purposes of the Funds' investment restric-
            tion concerning senior securities. A Fund will not enter into a
            swap agreement with any single party if the net amount owed or to
            be received under existing contracts with that party would exceed
            5% of the Fund's assets.
               Whether a Fund's use of swap agreements will be successful in
            furthering its investment objective will depend on the Advisor's
            ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments
            are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Be-
            cause they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms
            of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to
            be illiquid investments. Moreover, a Fund bears the risk of loss
            of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in
            the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement
            counterparty. The Funds will enter into swap agreements only with
            counterparties that meet certain standards for creditworthiness
            (generally, such counterparties would have to be eligible
            counterparties under the terms of the Funds' repurchase agreement
            guidelines). Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the In-
            ternal Revenue Code may limit the Funds' ability to use swap
            agreements. The swaps market is a relatively new market and is
            largely unregulated. It is
 
32
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            possible that developments in the swaps market, including poten-
            tial government regulation, could adversely affect a Fund's abil-
            ity to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to
            be received under such agreements.
 
            FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS Each of the
            Fixed Income Funds (except the Money Market Fund and the Municipal
            Bond Fund) may invest in interest rate futures contracts and op-
            tions thereon ("futures options"), and to the extent it may invest
            in foreign currency-denominated securities, may also invest in
            foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon. The Munic-
            ipal Bond Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts on U.S.
            Government securities and Municipal Bonds, as well as purchase put
            and call options on such futures contracts. The StocksPLUS Fund
            may invest in interest rate, stock index and foreign currency
            futures contracts and options thereon.
               There are several risks associated with the use of futures and
            futures options for hedging purposes. There can be no guarantee
            that there will be a correlation between price movements in the
            hedging vehicle and in the portfolio securities being hedged. An
            incorrect correlation could result in a loss on both the hedged
            securities in a Fund and the hedging vehicle, so that the portfo-
            lio return might have been greater had hedging not been attempted.
            There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a
            time when a Fund seeks to close out a futures contract or a
            futures option position. Most futures exchanges and boards of
            trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures con-
            tract prices during a single day; once the daily limit has been
            reached on a particular contract, no trades may be made that day
            at a price beyond that limit. In addition, certain of these in-
            struments are relatively new and without a significant trading
            history. As a result, there is no assurance that an active second-
            ary market will develop or continue to exist. Lack of a liquid
            market for any reason may prevent a Fund from liquidating an unfa-
            vorable position, and the Fund would remain obligated to meet mar-
            gin requirements until the position is closed.
               The Funds may write covered straddles consisting of a call and
            a put written on the same underlying futures contract. A straddle
            will be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet the
            Funds' immediate obligations. A Fund may use the same liquid as-
            sets to cover both the call and put options where the exercise
            price of the call and put are the same, or the exercise price of
            the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases, the Funds
            will also segregate liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if
            any, by which the put is "in the money."
               The Funds will only enter into futures contracts or futures op-
            tions which are standardized and traded on a U.S. or foreign ex-
            change or board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an auto-
            mated quotation system. Each Fund will use financial futures con-
            tracts and related options only for "bona fide hedging" purposes,
            as such term is defined in applicable regulations of the CFTC or,
            with respect to positions in financial futures and related options
            that do not qualify as "bona fide hedging" positions, will enter
            such positions only to the extent that aggregate initial margin
            deposits plus premiums paid by it for open futures option posi-
            tions, less the amount by which any such positions are "in-the-
            money," would not exceed 5% of the Fund's net assets.
 
 
HYBRID      A hybrid instrument can combine the characteristics of securities,
INSTRUMENTS futures, and options. For example, the principal amount or
            interest rate of a hybrid could be tied (positively or negatively)
            to the price of some commodity, currency or securities index or
            another interest rate (each a "benchmark"). The interest rate or
            (unlike most fixed income securities) the principal amount payable
            at maturity of a hybrid security may be increased or decreased,
            depending on changes in the value of the benchmark.
               Hybrids can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety
            of investment goals, including currency hedging, duration manage-
            ment, and increased total return. Hybrids may not bear interest or
            pay dividends. The value of a hybrid or its interest rate may be a
            multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and
            move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark.
            These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political
            events, such as commodity shortages and currency devaluations,
            which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Un-
            der certain conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid could be
            zero. Thus, an investment in a hybrid may entail significant mar-
            ket risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a
            traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that
 
                                                                             33
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
            has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating
            rate of interest. The purchase of hybrids also exposes a Fund to
            the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may
            cause significant fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund.
            Accordingly, no Fund will invest more than 5% of its assets in hy-
            brid instruments.
               Certain issuers of structured products such as hybrid instru-
            ments may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the
            1940 Act. As a result, the Funds' investments in these products
            will be subject to limits applicable to investments in investment
            companies and may be subject to restrictions contained in the 1940
            Act.
 
 
INVESTMENT  Each of the Funds may invest in securities of other investment
IN          companies, such as closed-end management investment companies, or
INVESTMENT  in pooled accounts or other investment vehicles. As a shareholder
COMPANIES   of an investment company, a Fund may indirectly bear service and
            other fees which are in addition to the fees the Fund pays its
            service providers.
 
 
PORTFOLIO   The length of time a Fund has held a particular security is not
TURNOVER    generally a consideration in investment decisions. The investment
            policies of a Fund may lead to frequent changes in the Fund's in-
            vestments, particularly in periods of volatile market movements.
            High portfolio turnover (e.g., over 100%) involves correspondingly
            greater expenses to a Fund, including commissions or dealer mark-
            ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and
            reinvestments in other securities. See "Management of the Trust--
            Portfolio Transactions." Such sales may result in realization of
            taxable capital gains. See "Taxes." The portfolio turnover rate
            for certain of the Funds is set forth under "Financial High-
            lights." The portfolio turnover rate for certain of the Funds,
            which offer Institutional or Administrative Class shares, is in-
            corporated by reference in the Statement of Additional Informa-
            tion.
 
 
ILLIQUID    Each of the Funds may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiq-
SECURITIES  uid securities (10% in the case of the Money Market Fund). Certain
            illiquid securities may require pricing at fair value as deter-
            mined in good faith under the supervision of the Board of Trust-
            ees. The Advisor may be subject to significant delays in disposing
            of illiquid securities, and transactions in illiquid securities
            may entail registration expenses and other transaction costs that
            are higher than those for transactions in liquid securities. The
            term "illiquid securities" for this purpose means securities that
            cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of
            business at approximately the amount at which a Fund has valued
            the securities. Illiquid securities are considered to include,
            among other things, written over-the-counter options, securities
            or other liquid assets being used as cover for such options, re-
            purchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days, cer-
            tain loan participation interests, fixed time deposits which are
            not subject to prepayment or provide for withdrawal penalties upon
            prepayment (other than overnight deposits), securities that are
            subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and other
            securities which legally or in the Advisor's opinion may be deemed
            illiquid (not including securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A
            under the Securities Act of 1933 and certain commercial paper that
            Pacific Investment Management has determined to be liquid under
            procedures approved by the Board of Trustees).
               Illiquid securities may include privately placed securities,
            which are sold directly to a small number of investors, usually
            institutions. Unlike public offerings, such securities are not
            registered under the federal securities laws. Although certain of
            these securities may be readily sold, for example, under Rule
            144A, others may be illiquid, and their sale may involve substan-
            tial delays and additional costs.

SERVICE     Many of the services provided to the Funds depend on the smooth
SYSTEMS--   functioning of computer systems. Many systems in use today cannot
YEAR 2000   distinguish between the year 1900 and the year 2000. Should any of
PROBLEM     the service systems fail to process information properly, that
            could have an adverse impact on the Funds' operations and services
            provided to shareholders. The Advisor, Distributor, Shareholder
            Servicing and Transfer Agent, Custodian, and certain other service
            providers to the Funds have reported that each is working toward
            mitigating the risks associated with the so-called "year 2000
            problem." However, there can be no assurance that the problem will
            be corrected in all respects and that the Funds' operations and
            services provided to shareholders will not be adversely affected.
 
34
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
 
            Performance Information
 
            From time to time the Trust may make available certain information
            about the performance of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares
            of some or all of the Funds. Performance information is computed
            separately for each Fund's Class A,
            Class B and Class C shares in accordance with the formulas de-
            scribed below. Because Class B and Class C shares bear the expense
            of the distribution fee attending the deferred sales charge (Class
            B) and asset based sales charge (Class C) alternatives and certain
            other expenses, it is expected that, under normal circumstances,
            the yield and the level of performance of a Fund's Class B and
            Class C shares will be lower than that of the Fund's Class A
            shares although an investment in Class B or Class C shares is not
            reduced by the front-end sales charge generally applicable to an
            investment in Class A shares.
               From time to time, the yield and total return for each class of
            shares of the Funds may be included in advertisements or reports
            to shareholders or prospective investors. Yield quotations for the
            Money Market Fund may include current yield and effective yield.
            Current yield will be based on income received by a hypothetical
            investment over a given seven-day period (less expenses accrued
            during the period) and "annualized" (i.e., assuming that the sev-
            en-day yield would be received for 52 weeks, stated in terms of an
            annual percentage return on the investment). Effective yield for
            the Fund is calculated in the manner similar to that used to cal-
            culate current yield, but reflects the compounding effect on earn-
            ings of reinvested dividends. For the remaining Funds, quotations
            of yield for a Fund or class will be based on the investment in-
            come per share (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commis-
            sion) during a particular 30-day (or one-month) period (including
            dividends and interest), less expenses accrued during the period
            ("net investment income"), and will be computed by dividing net
            investment income by the maximum public offering price per share
            on the last day of the period. The tax equivalent yield of the Mu-
            nicipal Bond Fund's Class A, Class B and Class C shares may also
            be advertised, calculated like yield except that, for any given
            tax bracket, net investment income will be calculated as the sum
            of (i) any taxable income of the class plus (ii) the tax exempt
            income of the class divided by the difference between 1 and the
            effective federal income tax rates for taxpayers in that tax
            bracket.
               The total return of Class A, Class B and/or Class C shares of
            all Funds may be included in advertisements or other written mate-
            rial. When a Fund's total return is advertised with respect to its
            Class A, Class B and Class C shares, it will be calculated for the
            past year, the past five years, and the past ten years (or if the
            Fund has been offered for a period shorter than one, five or ten
            years, that period will be substituted) since the establishment of
            the Fund (or its predecessor series of PIMCO Advisors Funds for
            the Global Bond Fund II), as more fully described in the Statement
            of Additional Information. Consistent with Securities and Exchange
            Commission rules and informal guidance, for periods prior to the
            initial offering date of a particular class, total return presen-
            tations for the class will be based on the historical performance
            of an older class of the Fund (the older class to be used in each
            case is set forth in the Statement of Additional Information) re-
            stated to reflect current sales charges (if any) of the newer
            class, but not reflecting any higher operating expenses (such as
            12b-1 distribution and servicing fees and administrative fee
            charges) associated with the newer class. All other things being
            equal, such higher expenses would have adversely affected (i.e.,
            reduced) total return for a newer class (i.e., if the newer class
            had been issued since the inception of the Fund) by the amount of
            such higher expenses, compounded over the relevant period. Total
            return for each class is measured by comparing the value of an in-
            vestment in the Fund at the beginning of the relevant period (in
            the case of Class A shares, giving effect to the maximum initial
            sales charge) to the redemption value of the investment in the
            Fund at the end of the period (assuming immediate reinvestment of
            any dividends or capital gains distributions at net asset value
            and giving effect to the deduction of the maximum CDSC which would
            be payable). Total return may be advertised using alternative
            methods that reflect all elements of return, but that may be ad-
            justed to reflect the cumulative impact of alternative fee and ex-
            pense structures, such as the currently effective advisory and ad-
            ministrative fees for the Funds.
               The Funds may also provide current distribution information to
            its shareholders in shareholder reports or other shareholder com-
            munications, or in certain types of sales literature provided to
            prospective investors. Current distribution information for a par-
            ticular class of a Fund will be based on distributions for a spec-
            ified period (i.e., total dividends from
 
                                                                             35
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
            net investment income), divided by the relevant class net asset
            value per share on the last day of the period and annualized. The
            rate of current distributions does not reflect deductions for
            unrealized losses from transactions in derivative instruments such
            as options and futures, which may reduce total return. Current
            distribution rates differ from standardized yield rates in that
            they represent what a class of a Fund has declared and paid to
            shareholders as of the end of a specified period rather than the
            Fund's actual net investment income for that period.
               Performance information for the Trust may also be compared to
            various unmanaged indexes, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Com-
            posite Stock Price Index, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond In-
            dex, the Lehman Brothers Mortgage-Backed Securities Index, the
            Merrill Lynch 1 to 3 Year Treasury Index, the Lehman Intermediate
            and 20+ Year Treasury Blend Index, the Lehman BB Intermediate Cor-
            porate Index, indexes prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, the
            J.P. Morgan Global Index, the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond
            Index Plus, the Salomon Brothers World Government Bond Index-10
            Non U.S.-Dollar Hedged and the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index
            Non U.S.-Dollar Hedged, and other entities or organizations which
            track the performance of investment companies or investment advis-
            ers. Unmanaged indexes (i.e., other than Lipper) generally do not
            reflect deductions for administrative and management costs and ex-
            penses. The Advisor may also report to shareholders or to the pub-
            lic in advertisements concerning the performance of the Advisor as
            adviser to clients other than the Trust, and on the comparative
            performance or standing of the Advisor in relation to other money
            managers. Such comparative information may be compiled or provided
            by independent ratings services or by news organizations. Any per-
            formance information, whether related to the Funds or to the Advi-
            sor, should be considered in light of the Funds' investment objec-
            tives and policies, characteristics and quality of the Funds'
            portfolios, and the market conditions during the time period indi-
            cated, and should not be considered to be representative of what
            may be achieved in the future. For a description of the methods
            used to determine yield and total return for the Funds, see the
            Statement of Additional Information.
               Investment results of the Funds will fluctuate over time, and
            any presentation of the Funds' total return or yield for any prior
            period should not be considered as a representation of what an in-
            vestor's total return or yield may be in any future period.
 
            How to Buy Shares
 
            Class A, Class B and Class C shares of each Fund of the Trust are
            continuously offered through the Trust's principal underwriter,
            PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC (the "Distributor"), and through
            other firms which have dealer agreements with the Distributor
            ("participating brokers") or which have agreed to act as introduc-
            ing brokers for the Distributor ("introducing brokers").
               There are two ways to purchase Class A, Class B or Class C
            shares: either 1) through your dealer or broker which has a dealer
            agreement with the Distributor; or 2) directly by mailing a PIMCO
            Funds account application (the "account application") with pay-
            ment, as described below under the heading Direct Investment, to
            the Distributor (if no dealer is named in the account application,
            the Distributor may act as dealer).
               Each Fund currently offers and sells three classes of shares in
            this Prospectus (Class A, Class B and Class C). Shares may be pur-
            chased at a price equal to their net asset value per share next
            determined after receipt of an order, plus a sales charge which,
            at the election of the purchaser, may be imposed either (i) at the
            time of the purchase in the case of Class A shares (the "initial
            sales charge alternative"), (ii) on a contingent deferred basis in
            the case of Class B shares (the "deferred sales charge alterna-
            tive"), or (iii) by the deduction of an ongoing asset based sales
            charge in the case of Class C shares (the "asset based sales
            charge alternative"). In certain circumstances, Class A and Class
            C shares are also subject to a CDSC. See "Alternative Purchase Ar-
            rangements." Purchase payments for Class B and Class C shares are
            fully invested at the net asset value next determined after ac-
            ceptance of the trade. Purchase payments for Class A shares, less
            the applicable sales charge, are invested at the net asset value
            next determined after acceptance of the trade.
 
36
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
               All purchase orders received by the Distributor prior to the
            close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the
            New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange"), on a regular business
            day, are processed at that day's offering price. However, orders
            received by the Distributor from dealers or brokers after the of-
            fering price is determined that day will receive such offering
            price if the orders were received by the dealer or broker from its
            customer prior to such determination and were transmitted to and
            received by the Distributor prior to its close of business that
            day (normally 5:00 p.m., Eastern time) or, in the case of certain
            retirement plans, received by the Distributor prior to 9:30 a.m.,
            Eastern time on the next business day. Purchase orders received on
            other than a regular business day will be executed on the next
            succeeding regular business day. The Distributor, in its sole dis-
            cretion, may accept or reject any order for purchase of Fund
            shares. The sale of shares will be suspended during any period in
            which the Exchange is closed for other than weekends or holidays,
            or if permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Com-
            mission, when trading on the Exchange is restricted or during an
            emergency which makes it impracticable for the Funds to dispose of
            their securities or to determine fairly the value of their net as-
            sets, or during any other period as permitted by the Securities
            and Exchange Commission for the protection of investors.
               Except for purchases through the PIMCO Funds Auto-Invest plan,
            the PIMCO Funds Auto-Exchange plan, investments pursuant to the
            Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, and tax-qualified and wrap programs
            referred to below under "Tax-Qualified Retirement Plans" and
            "Sales at Net Asset Value", the minimum initial investment in
            Class A, Class B or Class C shares of any Fund of the Trust or any
            series of PIMCO Funds: Multi-Manager Series is $2,500, and the
            minimum additional investment is $100 per Fund. For information
            about dealer commissions, see "Alternative Purchase Arrangements"
            below. Persons selling Fund shares may receive different compensa-
            tion for selling Class A, Class B or Class C shares. Normally,
            Fund shares purchased through participating brokers are held in
            the investor's account with that broker. No share certificates
            will be issued unless specifically requested in writing by an in-
            vestor or broker-dealer.
 
 
DIRECT      Investors who wish to invest in Class A, Class B or Class C shares
INVESTMENT  of the Trust directly, rather than through a participating broker,
            may do so by opening an account with the Distributor. To open an
            account, an investor should complete the account application. All
            shareholders who open direct accounts with the Distributor will
            receive from the Distributor individual confirmations of each pur-
            chase, redemption, dividend reinvestment, exchange or transfer of
            Trust shares, including the total number of Trust shares owned as
            of the confirmation date, except that purchases which result from
            the reinvestment of daily-accrued dividends and/or distributions
            will be confirmed once each calendar quarter. See "Distributions"
            below. Information regarding direct investment or any other fea-
            tures or plans offered by the Trust may be obtained by calling the
            Distributor at 800-426-0107 or by calling your broker.
 
 
PURCHASE BY Investors who wish to invest directly may send a check payable to
MAIL        PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC, along with a completed application
            form to:
 
               PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC
               P.O. Box 5866
               Denver, CO 80217-5866
 
               Purchases are accepted subject to collection of checks at full
            value and conversion into federal funds. Payment by a check drawn
            on any member of the Federal Reserve System can normally be con-
            verted into federal funds within two business days after receipt
            of the check. Checks drawn on a non-member bank may take up to 15
            days to convert into federal funds. In all cases, the purchase
            price is based on the net asset value next determined after the
            purchase order and check are accepted, even though the check may
            not yet have been converted into federal funds.
 
 
SUBSEQUENT  Subsequent purchases of Class A, Class B or Class C shares can be
PURCHASES   made as indicated above by mailing a check with a letter describ-
OF SHARES   ing the investment or with the additional investment portion of a
            confirmation statement. Except for subsequent purchases through
            the PIMCO Funds Auto-Invest plan, the PIMCO Funds Auto-Exchange
            plan, tax-quali-
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                              37
<PAGE>
 
            fied programs and PIMCO Funds Fund Link referred to below, and ex-
            cept during periods when an Automatic Withdrawal plan is in ef-
            fect, the minimum subsequent purchase is $100 in any Fund. All
            payments should be made payable to PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC
            and should clearly indicate the shareholder's account number.
            Checks should be mailed to the address above under "Purchase by
            Mail."
 
 
TAX-        The Distributor makes available retirement plan services and docu-
QUALIFIED   ments for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), including Roth
RETIREMENT  IRAs, for which First National Bank of Boston serves as trustee
PLANS       and for IRA accounts established with Form 5305-SIMPLE under the
            Internal Revenue Code. These accounts include Simplified Employee
            Pension Plan (SEP) and Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pen-
            sion Plan (SAR/SEP) IRA accounts and prototype documents. In addi-
            tion, prototype documents are available for establishing 403(b)(7)
            Custodial Accounts with First National Bank of Boston as custodi-
            an. This type of plan is available to employees of certain non-
            profit organizations.
               The Distributor also makes available prototype documents for
            establishing Money Purchase and/or Profit Sharing Plans and 401(k)
            Retirement Savings Plans. Investors should call the Distributor at
            800-426-0107 for further information about these plans and should
            consult with their own tax advisers before establishing any re-
            tirement plan. Investors who maintain their accounts with partici-
            pating brokers should consult their broker about similar types of
            accounts that may be offered through the broker. The minimum ini-
            tial investment for all tax qualified plans (except for employer-
            sponsored plans, SIMPLE IRAs, SEPs and SAR/SEPs) is $1,000 per
            Fund and the minimum subsequent investment is $100 and the minimum
            initial investment for employer-sponsored plans, SIMPLE IRAs, SEPs
            and SAR/SEPs and the minimum subsequent investment per Fund for
            all such plans is $50.
 
 
PIMCO FUNDS The PIMCO Funds Auto-Invest plan provides for periodic investments
AUTO-INVEST into the shareholder's account with the Trust by means of auto-
            matic transfers of a designated amount from the shareholder's bank
            account. The minimum investment for eligibility in the PIMCO Funds
            Auto-Invest plan is $1,000 per Fund. Subsequent investments may be
            made monthly or quarterly, and may be in any amount subject to a
            minimum of $50 per month for each Fund in which shares are pur-
            chased through the plan. Further information regarding the PIMCO
            Funds Auto-Invest plan is available from the Distributor or par-
            ticipating brokers. You may enroll by completing the appropriate
            section on the account application, or you may obtain an Auto-In-
            vest application by calling the Distributor or your broker.
 
 
PIMCO FUNDS The PIMCO Funds Auto-Exchange plan establishes regular, periodic
AUTO-       exchanges from one Fund to another Fund or a series of PIMCO
EXCHANGE    Funds: Multi-Manager Series which offers Class A, Class B or Class
            C shares. The plan provides for regular investments into a share-
            holder's account in a specific Fund by means of automatic ex-
            changes of a designated amount from another Fund account of the
            same class of shares and with identical account registration.
               Exchanges may be made monthly or quarterly, and may be in any
            amount subject to a minimum of $50 for each Fund whose shares are
            purchased through the plan. Further information regarding the
            PIMCO Funds Auto-Exchange plan is available from the Distributor
            at 800-426-0107 or participating brokers. You may enroll by com-
            pleting an application which may be obtained from the Distributor
            or by telephone request at 800-426-0107. For more information on
            exchanges, see "Exchange Privilege."
 
 
PIMCO FUNDS PIMCO Funds Fund Link ("Fund Link") connects your Fund account
FUND LINK   with a bank account. Fund Link may be used for subsequent pur-
            chases and for redemptions and other transactions described under
            "How to Redeem." Purchase transactions are effected by electronic
            funds transfers from the shareholder's account at a U.S. bank or
            other financial institution that is an Automated Clearing House
            ("ACH") member. Investors may use Fund Link to make subsequent
            purchases of shares in amounts from $50 to $10,000. To initiate
            such purchases, call 800-426-0107. All such calls will be record-
            ed. Fund Link is normally established within 45 days of receipt of
            a Fund Link application by Shareholder Services, Inc. (the "Trans-
            fer Agent"). The minimum investment by Fund Link is $50 per Fund.
            Shares will be pur-
 
38  PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            chased on the regular business day the Distributor receives the
            funds through the ACH system, provided the funds are received be-
            fore the close of regular trading on the Exchange. If the funds
            are received after the close of regular trading, the shares will
            be purchased on the next regular business day.
               Fund Link privileges must be requested on the account applica-
            tion. To establish Fund Link on an existing account, complete a
            Fund Link application, which is available from the Distributor or
            your broker, with signatures guaranteed from all shareholders of
            record for the account. See "Signature Guarantee" below. Such
            privileges apply to each shareholder of record for the account un-
            less and until the Distributor receives written instructions from
            a shareholder of record canceling such privileges. Changes of bank
            account information must be made by completing a new Fund Link ap-
            plication signed by all owners of record of the account, with all
            signatures guaranteed. The Distributor, the Transfer Agent and the
            Fund may rely on any telephone instructions believed to be genuine
            and will not be responsible to shareholders for any damage, loss
            or expenses arising out of such instructions. The Fund reserves
            the right to amend, suspend or discontinue Fund Link privileges at
            any time without prior notice. Fund Link does not apply to shares
            held in broker "street name" accounts.
 
 
SIGNATURE   When a signature guarantee is called for, the shareholder should
GUARANTEE   have "Signature Guaranteed" stamped under his signature and guar-
            anteed by any of the following entities: U.S. banks, foreign banks
            having a U.S. correspondent bank, credit unions, savings associa-
            tions, U.S. registered dealers and brokers, municipal securities
            dealers and brokers, government securities dealers and brokers,
            national securities exchanges, registered securities associations
            and clearing agencies (each an "Eligible Guarantor Institution").
            The Distributor reserves the right to reject any signature guaran-
            tee pursuant to its written signature guarantee standards or pro-
            cedures, which may be revised in the future to permit it to reject
            signature guarantees from Eligible Guarantor Institutions that do
            not, based on credit guidelines, satisfy such written standards or
            procedures. The Trust may change the signature guarantee require-
            ments from time to time upon notice to shareholders, which may be
            given by means of a new or supplemented Prospectus.
 
 
ACCOUNT     Changes in registration or account privileges may be made in writ-
REGISTRA-   ing to the Transfer Agent. Signature guarantees may be required.
TION        See "Signature Guarantee" above. All correspondence must include
CHANGES     the account number and must be sent to:
 
                PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC
                P.O. Box 5866
                Denver, CO 80217-5866
 
 
SMALL       Because of the disproportionately high costs of servicing accounts
ACCOUNT FEE with low balances, a fee at an annual rate of $16, paid to Pacific
            Investment Management, the Funds' administrator, will automati-
            cally be deducted from direct accounts with balances falling below
            a minimum level. The valuation of accounts and the deduction are
            expected to take place during the last five days of each calendar
            quarter. The fee will be deducted in quarterly installments from
            accounts with balances below $2,500 except for Uniform Gift to Mi-
            nors, IRA, Roth IRA and Auto-Invest accounts, for which the limit
            is $1,000. The fee will not apply to employer-sponsored retirement
            accounts or 403(b)(7) custodial accounts. (A separate custodial
            fee may apply to IRAs, Roth IRAs and other retirement accounts.)
            No fee will be charged on any account of a shareholder if the ag-
            gregate value of all of the shareholder's accounts is at least
            $50,000. No small account fee will be charged to employee and em-
            ployee-related accounts of PIMCO Advisors and/or its affiliates.
 
 
MINIMUM     Due to the relatively high cost to the Funds of maintaining small
ACCOUNT     accounts, you are asked to maintain an account balance of at least
SIZE        the amount necessary to open the type of account involved. If your
            balance is below such minimum for three months or longer, the
            Fund's administrator shall have the right (except in the case of
            employer-sponsored retirement accounts) to close your account af-
            ter giving you 60 days in which to increase your balance. Your ac-
            count will not be liquidated if the reduction in size is due
            solely to market decline in the value of your Fund shares or if
            the aggregate value of all your accounts in PIMCO Funds exceeds
            $50,000.
 
                                                    April 1, 1998 Prospectus 39
<PAGE>
 
            Alternative Purchase Arrangements
 
            The Trust offers investors three classes of shares in this Pro-
            spectus (Class A, Class B and Class C) which bear sales charges in
            different forms and amounts and which bear different levels of ex-
            penses. Through separate prospectuses, certain of the Funds offer
            up to three additional classes of shares, Class D, Institutional
            Class and Administrative Class shares. During the second quarter
            of 1998, it is anticipated that Class D shares will be offered,
            primarily through financial intermediaries. Institutional Class
            and Administrative Class shares are offered to pension and profit
            sharing plans, employee benefit plans, endowments, foundations,
            corporations and other high net worth individuals. Class D, Insti-
            tutional Class and Administrative Class shares are sold without
            sales charges and have different expenses than Class A, Class B
            and Class C shares. As a result of lower sales charges and/or op-
            erating expenses, Class D, Administrative Class and Institutional
            Class shares are generally expected to achieve higher investment
            returns than Class A, Class B or Class C shares. To obtain more
            information about the other classes of shares, please call the
            Distributor at 800-927-4648 (for Institutional and Administrative
            Classes) or 888-87-PIMCO (for Class D).
               The alternative purchase arrangements offered in this Prospec-
            tus are designed to enable a retail investor to choose the method
            of purchasing Fund shares that is most beneficial to the investor
            based on all factors to be considered, which include: the amount
            and intended length of the investment; the particular Fund; and
            whether the investor intends to exchange shares for shares of
            other Funds. Generally, when making an investment decision, in-
            vestors should consider the anticipated life of an intended in-
            vestment in the Funds, the accumulated distribution and servicing
            fees plus CDSCs on Class B or Class C shares, the initial sales
            charge plus accumulated servicing fees on Class A shares (plus a
            CDSC in certain circumstances), the possibility that the antici-
            pated higher return on Class A shares due to the lower ongoing
            charges will offset the initial sales charge paid on such shares,
            the automatic conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares and
            the difference in the CDSCs applicable to Class A, Class B and
            Class C shares.
 
            CLASS A The initial sales charge alternative (Class A) might be
            preferred by investors purchasing shares of sufficient aggregate
            value to qualify for reductions in the initial sales charge appli-
            cable to such shares. Similar reductions are not available on the
            contingent deferred sales charge alternative (Class B) or the as-
            set based sales charge alternative (Class C). Class A shares are
            subject to a servicing fee but are not subject to a distribution
            fee and, accordingly, such shares are expected to pay correspond-
            ingly higher dividends on a per share basis. However, because ini-
            tial sales charges are deducted at the time of purchase, not all
            of the purchase payment for Class A shares is invested initially.
            Class B and Class C shares might be preferable to investors who
            wish to have all purchase payments invested initially, although
            remaining subject to higher distribution and servicing fees and,
            for certain periods, being subject to a CDSC. An investor who
            qualifies for an elimination of the Class A initial sales charge
            should also consider whether he or she anticipates redeeming
            shares in a time period which will subject such shares to a CDSC
            as described below. See "Initial Sales Charge Alternative--Class A
            Shares--Class A Deferred Sales Charge" below.
 
            CLASS B Class B shares might be preferred by investors who intend
            to invest in the Funds for longer periods and who do not intend to
            purchase shares of sufficient aggregate value to qualify for sales
            charge reductions applicable to Class A shares. Both Class B and
            Class C shares can be purchased at net asset value without an ini-
            tial sales charge. However, unlike Class C shares, Class B shares
            convert into Class A shares after the shares have been held for
            seven years. After the conversion takes place, the shares will no
            longer be subject to a CDSC, and will be subject to the servicing
            fees charged for Class A shares which are lower than the distribu-
            tion and servicing fees charged on either Class B or Class C
            shares. See "Deferred Sales Charge Alternative--Class B Shares"
            below. Class B shares are not available for purchase by employer
            sponsored retirement plans.
 
40
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
 
            CLASS C Class C shares might be preferred by investors who intend
            to purchase shares which are not of sufficient aggregate value to
            qualify for Class A sales charges of 1% or less and who wish to
            have all purchase payments invested initially. Class C shares are
            preferable to Class B shares for investors who intend to maintain
            their investment for intermediate periods and therefore may also
            be preferable for investors who are unsure of the intended length
            of their investment. Unlike Class B shares, Class C shares are not
            subject to a CDSC after they have been held for one year and are
            subject to only a 1% CDSC during the first year. However, because
            Class C shares do not convert into Class A shares, Class B shares
            are preferable to Class C shares for investors who intend to main-
            tain their investment in the Funds for long periods. See "Asset
            Based Sales Charge Alternative--Class C Shares" below.
               In determining which class of shares to purchase, an investor
            should always consider whether any waiver or reduction of a sales
            charge or a CDSC is available. See generally "Initial Sales Charge
            Alternative--Class A Shares" and "Waiver of Contingent Deferred
            Sales Charges" below.
               The maximum single purchase of Class B shares of the Trust and
            series of PIMCO Funds: Multi-Manager Series accepted is $249,999.
            The maximum single purchase of Class C shares of the Trust and se-
            ries of PIMCO Funds: Multi-Manager Series accepted is $999,999.
            The Funds may refuse any order to purchase shares.
               For a description of the Distribution and Servicing Plans and
            distribution and servicing fees payable thereunder with respect to
            Class A, Class B and Class C shares, see "Distributor and Distri-
            bution and Servicing Plans" below.
 
            WAIVER OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES The CDSC applicable to
            Class A and Class C shares is currently waived for (i) any partial
            or complete redemption in connection with any of the following
            distributions from a retirement plan, including a 403(b)(7) custo-
            dial account or an IRA (with the exception of a Roth IRA), that
            qualify for exemption from the additional tax on early distribu-
            tions under Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
            amended (the "Code"): (a) upon attaining age 59 1/2, (b) on ac-
            count of death or disability, (c) as part of a series of substan-
            tially equal periodic payments, (d) in the case of an IRA (with
            the exception of a Roth IRA), attributable to qualified higher ed-
            ucation expenses or to qualified first-time home-buyer expenses,
            or (e) in the case of a retirement plan other than an IRA, upon
            separation from service after attaining age 55; (ii) any partial
            or complete redemption in connection with a qualifying loan or
            hardship withdrawal from an employer sponsored retirement plan;
            (iii) any complete redemption in connection with a distribution
            from a qualified employer retirement plan in connection with ter-
            mination of employment or termination of the employer's plan and
            the transfer to another employer's plan or to an IRA (with the ex-
            ception of a Roth IRA); (iv) any partial or complete redemption
            following death or disability (as defined in the Code) of a share-
            holder (including one who owns the shares as joint tenant with his
            or her spouse) from an account in which the deceased or disabled
            is named, provided the redemption is requested within one year of
            the death or initial determination of disability; (v) any redemp-
            tion resulting from a return of an excess contribution to a quali-
            fied employer retirement plan or an IRA (with the exception of a
            Roth IRA); (vi) up to 10% per year of the value of an account
            which (a) has the value of at least $10,000 at the start of such
            year and (b) is subject to an Automatic Withdrawal Plan; (vii) re-
            demptions by Trustees, officers and employees of the Trust, and by
            directors, officers and employees of the Distributor and the Advi-
            sor; (viii) redemptions effected pursuant to a Fund's right to in-
            voluntarily redeem a shareholder's account if the aggregate net
            asset value of shares held in such shareholder's account is less
            than a minimum account size specified in such Fund's prospectus;
            (ix) involuntary redemptions caused by operation of law;
            (x) redemption of shares of any Fund that is combined with another
            Fund, investment company, or personal holding company by virtue of
            a merger, acquisition or other similar reorganization transaction;
            (xi) redemptions by a shareholder who is a participant making pe-
            riodic purchases of not less than $50 through certain employer
            sponsored savings plans that are clients of a broker-dealer with
            which the Distributor has an agreement with respect to such pur-
            chases; (xii) redemptions effected by trustees or other fiducia-
            ries who have purchased shares for employer sponsored plans, the
            trustee, administrator, fiduciary, broker, trust company or regis-
            tered investment adviser for which has an agreement with the Dis-
            tributor with respect to such purchases; or (xiii) redemptions in
            connection with IRA accounts established with Form 5305-SIMPLE un-
            der the Code for which the Trust is the designated financial
            institution.
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                              41
<PAGE>
 
               The CDSC applicable to Class B shares is currently waived for
            any partial or complete redemption in each of the following cases:
            (a) in connection with a distribution without penalty under Sec-
            tion 72(t) of the Code from a 403(b)(7) plan or an IRA (with the
            exception of a Roth IRA) upon attaining age 59 1/2; (b) following
            death or disability (as defined in the Code) of a shareholder (in-
            cluding one who owns the shares as joint tenant with his or her
            spouse) from an account in which the deceased or disabled is
            named, provided the redemption is requested within one year of the
            death or initial determination of disability; and (c) up to 10%
            per year of the value of an account which (i) has a value of at
            least $100,000 at the start of such year and (ii) is subject to an
            Automatic Withdrawal Plan. See "How to Redeem--Automatic With-
            drawal Plan."
               The Distributor may require documentation prior to waiver of
            the CDSC for any class, including distribution letters, certifica-
            tion by plan administrators, applicable tax forms, death certifi-
            cates, physicians' certificates, etc.

INITIAL     Class A shares are sold at a public offering price equal to their
SALES       net asset value per share plus a sales charge, as set forth below.
CHARGE      As indicated below under "Class A Deferred Sales Charge," certain
ALTER-      investors that purchase $1,000,000 ($250,000 in the case of the
NATIVE --   Short-Term Fund) or more of any Fund's Class A shares (and thus
CLASS A     pay no initial sales charge) may be subject to a 1% CDSC if they
SHARES      redeem such shares during the first 18 months after their pur-
            chase.
 
 
              TOTAL RETURN, HIGH YIELD, LONG-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT, GLOBAL BOND
              II, FOREIGN BOND AND EMERGING MARKETS BOND FUNDS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                SALES CHARGE                    DISCOUNT OR
                                AS % OF NET  SALES CHARGE       COMMISSION TO
           AMOUNT OF            AMOUNT       AS % OF THE PUBLIC DEALERS AS % OF
           PURCHASE             INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE     PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                  <C>          <C>                <C>
           $0 - $49,999         4.71%        4.50%              4.00%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $50,000 - $99,999    4.17%        4.00%              3.50%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $100,000 - $249,999  3.63%        3.50%              3.00%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $250,000 - $499,999  2.56%        2.50%              2.00%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $500,000 - $999,999  2.04%        2.00%              1.75%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $1,000,000+          0.00%/(1)/   0.00%/(1)/         0.50%/(2)/
</TABLE>
 
 
              LOW DURATION, REAL RETURN BOND, MUNICIPAL BOND AND STOCKSPLUS
              FUNDS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                SALES CHARGE                    DISCOUNT OR
                                AS % OF NET  SALES CHARGE       COMMISSION TO
           AMOUNT OF            AMOUNT       AS % OF THE PUBLIC DEALERS AS % OF
           PURCHASE             INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE     PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                  <C>          <C>                <C>
           $0 - $49,999         3.09%        3.00%              2.50%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $50,000 - $99,999    2.56%        2.50%              2.00%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $100,000 - $249,999  2.04%        2.00%              1.75%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $250,000 - $499,999  1.52%        1.50%              1.25%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $500,000 - $999,999  1.27%        1.25%              1.00%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $1,000,000+          0.00%/(1)/   0.00%/(1)/         0.50%/(2)/
</TABLE>
 
 
 
              SHORT-TERM FUND
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                SALES CHARGE                    DISCOUNT OR
                                AS % OF NET  SALES CHARGE       COMMISSION TO
           AMOUNT OF            AMOUNT       AS % OF THE PUBLIC DEALERS AS % OF
           PURCHASE             INVESTED     OFFERING PRICE     PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           <S>                  <C>          <C>                <C>
           $0 - $49,999         2.04%        2.00%              1.75%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $50,000 - $99,999    1.78%        1.75%              1.50%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $100,000 - $249,999  1.52%        1.50%              1.25%
           --------------------------------------------------------------------------
           $250,000+            0.00%/(1)/   0.00%/(1)/         0.25%/(2)/
</TABLE>
 
 
42
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            1. As shown, investors that purchase more than $1,000,000 of any
            Fund's Class A shares ($250,000 in the case of the Short-Term
            Fund) will not pay any initial sales charge on such purchase. How-
            ever, except with regard to purchases of Class A shares of the
            Money Market Fund, purchasers of $1,000,000 ($250,000 in the case
            of the Short-Term Fund) or more of Class A shares (other than
            those purchasers described below under "Sales at Net Asset Value"
            where no commission is paid) will be subject to a CDSC of 1% if
            such shares are redeemed during the first 18 months after such
            shares are purchased unless such purchaser is eligible for a
            waiver of the CDSC as described under "Waiver of Contingent De-
            ferred Sales Charges" above. See "Class A Deferred Sales Charge"
            below.
 
            2. The Distributor will pay a commission to dealers who sell
            amounts of $1,000,000 ($250,000 in the case of the Short-Term
            Fund) or more of Class A shares (or who sell Class A shares at net
            asset value to certain employer-sponsored plans as outlined in
            "Sales at Net Asset Value") of each of the Funds except for the
            Money Market Fund (for which no payment is made) and the Short-
            Term Fund, according to the following schedule: 0.50% of the first
            $2,000,000 and 0.25% of amounts over $2,000,000; and 0.25% of
            sales of Class A shares of the Short-Term Fund in excess of
            $250,000.
 
               No initial sales charge applies to purchases of Class A shares
            of the Money Market Fund. However, if a shareholder exchanges
            Class A shares of the Money Market Fund, for which no sales load
            was paid at the time of purchase, for Class A shares of any other
            Fund, the sales charge shown above for the other Fund applies at
            the time of the exchange.
               Each Fund receives the entire net asset value of its Class A
            shares purchased by investors. The Distributor receives the sales
            charge shown above less any applicable discount or commission
            "reallowed" to participating brokers in the amounts indicated in
            the table above. The Distributor may, however, elect to reallow
            the entire sales charge to participating brokers for all sales
            with respect to which orders are placed with the Distributor for
            any particular Fund during a particular period. During such peri-
            ods as may from time to time be designated by the Distributor, the
            Distributor will pay an additional amount of up to .50% of the
            purchase price on sales of Class A shares of all or selected Funds
            purchased to each participating broker which obtains purchase or-
            ders in amounts exceeding thresholds established from time to time
            by the Distributor. From time to time, the Distributor, its parent
            and/or its affiliates may make additional payments to one or more
            participating brokers based upon factors such as the level of
            sales or the length of time clients' assets have remained in the
            Trust.
               Shares issued pursuant to the automatic reinvestment of income
            dividends or capital gains distributions are issued at net asset
            value and are not subject to any sales charges.
               Under the circumstances described below, investors may be enti-
            tled to pay reduced sales charges for Class A shares.
 
            COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE Investors may qualify for a reduced
            sales charge by combining purchases of the Class A shares of one
            or more Funds or series of PIMCO Funds: Multi-Manager Series which
            offer Class A shares (together, "eligible PIMCO Funds") into a
            "single purchase," if the resulting purchase totals at least
            $50,000. The term single purchase refers to:
                (i) a single purchase by an individual, or concurrent
                    purchases, which in the aggregate are at least equal to
                    the prescribed amounts, by an individual, his or her
                    spouse and their children under the age of 21 years
                    purchasing Class A shares of the eligible PIMCO Funds for
                    his, her or their own account;
                (ii) a single purchase by a trustee or other fiduciary
                     purchasing shares for a single trust, estate or fiduciary
                     account although more than one beneficiary is involved;
                     or
                (iii) a single purchase for the employee benefit plans of a
                      single employer.
            For further information, call the Distributor at 800-426-0107 or
            your broker.
 
            CUMULATIVE QUANTITY DISCOUNT (RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION) A purchase of
            additional Class A shares of any eligible PIMCO Fund may qualify
            for a Cumulative Quantity Discount at the rate applicable to the
            discount bracket obtained by adding:
                (i) the investor's current purchase;
                (ii) the value (at the close of business on the day of the
                     current purchase) of all Class A shares of any eligible
                     PIMCO Fund (other than the Money Market Fund) held by the
                     investor computed at the maximum offering price; and
                (iii) the value of all shares described in paragraph (ii)
                      owned by another shareholder eligible to be combined
                      with the investor's purchase into a "single purchase" as
                      defined above under "Combined Purchase Privilege."
 
                                                                             43
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
              For example, if you owned Class A shares of the Total Return
            Fund worth $25,000 at the current maximum offering price and
            wished to purchase Class A shares of the Global Bond Fund II worth
            an additional $30,000, the sales charge for the $30,000 purchase
            would be at the 4.00% rate applicable to a single $55,000 purchase
            of shares of the Global Bond Fund II, rather than the 4.50% rate.
 
            LETTER OF INTENT An investor may also obtain a reduced sales
            charge by means of a written Letter of Intent, which expresses an
            intention to invest not less than $50,000 within a period of 13
            months in Class A shares of any eligible PIMCO Fund(s) (other than
            the Money Market Fund). Each purchase of shares under a Letter of
            Intent will be made at the public offering price or prices appli-
            cable at the time of such purchase to a single transaction of the
            dollar amount indicated in the Letter. At the investor's option, a
            Letter of Intent may include purchases of Class A shares of any
            eligible PIMCO Fund (other than the Money Market Fund) made not
            more than 90 days prior to the date the Letter of Intent is
            signed; however, the 13-month period during which the Letter is in
            effect will begin on the date of the earliest purchase to be in-
            cluded and the sales charge on any purchases prior to the Letter
            will not be adjusted.
               Investors qualifying for the Combined Purchase Privilege de-
            scribed above may purchase shares of the eligible PIMCO Funds un-
            der a single Letter of Intent. For example, if at the time you
            sign a Letter of Intent to invest at least $100,000 in Class A
            shares of any Fund (other than the Money Market Fund), you and
            your spouse each purchase Class A shares of the Global Bond Fund
            II worth $30,000 (for a total of $60,000), it will only be neces-
            sary to invest a total of $40,000 during the following 13 months
            in Class A shares of any of the Funds (other than the Money Market
            Fund) to qualify for the 3.50% sales charge on the total amount
            being invested (the sales charge applicable to an investment of
            $100,000 in any of the Funds other than the Money Market, Short-
            Term, Low Duration, Real Return Bond, Municipal Bond and
            StocksPLUS Funds).
               A Letter of Intent is not a binding obligation to purchase the
            full amount indicated. The minimum initial investment under a Let-
            ter of Intent is 5% of such amount. Shares purchased with the
            first 5% of such amount will be held in escrow (while remaining
            registered in your name) to secure payment of the higher sales
            charge applicable to the shares actually purchased in the event
            the full intended amount is not purchased. If the full amount in-
            dicated is not purchased, a sufficient amount of such escrowed
            shares will be involuntarily redeemed to pay the additional sales
            charge applicable to the amount actually purchased, if necessary.
            Dividends on escrowed shares, whether paid in cash or reinvested
            in additional eligible PIMCO Fund shares, are not subject to es-
            crow. When the full amount indicated has been purchased, the es-
            crow will be released.
               If you wish to enter into a Letter of Intent in conjunction
            with your initial investment in Class A shares of a Fund, you
            should complete the appropriate portion of the account
            application. If you are a current Class A shareholder desiring to
            do so you can obtain a form of Letter of Intent by contacting the
            Distributor at 800-426-0107 or any broker participating in this
            program.
 
            REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE A Class A shareholder who has caused any
            or all of his shares (other than Money Market Fund shares that
            were not acquired by exchanging Class A shares of another Fund) to
            be redeemed may reinvest all or any portion of the redemption pro-
            ceeds in Class A shares of any eligible PIMCO Fund at net asset
            value without any sales charge, provided that such reinvestment is
            made within 120 calendar days after the redemption or repurchase
            date. Shares are sold to a reinvesting shareholder at the net as-
            set value next determined. See "How Net Asset Value is Deter-
            mined." A reinstatement pursuant to this privilege will not cancel
            the redemption transaction and, consequently, any gain or loss so
            realized may be recognized for federal tax purposes except that no
            loss may be recognized to the extent that the proceeds are rein-
            vested in shares of the same Fund within 30 days. The reinstate-
            ment privilege may be utilized by a shareholder only once, irre-
            spective of the number of shares redeemed, except that the privi-
            lege may be utilized without limit in connection with transactions
            whose sole purpose is to transfer a shareholder's interest in a
            Fund to his Individual Retirement Account or other qualified re-
            tirement plan account. An investor may exercise the reinstatement
            privilege by written request sent to the Distributor or to the in-
            vestor's broker.
 
44
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
 
            SALES AT NET ASSET VALUE Each Fund may sell its Class A shares at
            net asset value without a sales charge to (a) current or retired
            officers, trustees, directors or employees of the Trust, the Advi-
            sor or the Distributor, a parent, brother or sister of any such
            officer, trustee, director or employee or a spouse or child of any
            of the foregoing persons, or any trust, profit sharing or pension
            plan for the benefit of any such person and to any other person if
            the Distributor anticipates that there will be minimal sales ex-
            penses associated with the sale, (b) current or retired trustees
            of PIMCO Funds: Multi-Manager Series, a registered investment com-
            pany for which PIMCO Advisors L.P., an affiliate of the Advisor,
            acts as investment adviser, (c) current registered representatives
            and other full-time employees of participating brokers or such
            persons' spouses or for trust or custodial accounts for their mi-
            nor children, (d) trustees or other fiduciaries purchasing shares
            for certain employer sponsored plans that have at least 100 eligi-
            ble participants or at least $1 million in total plan assets,
            (e) trustees or other fiduciaries purchasing shares for certain
            plans sponsored by employers, professional organizations or asso-
            ciations, or charitable organizations, the trustee, administrator,
            fiduciary, broker, trust company or registered investment adviser
            for which has an agreement with the Distributor with respect to
            such purchases, and to participants in such plans and their
            spouses purchasing for their accounts(s) or IRAs (with the excep-
            tion of Roth IRAs), (f) participants investing through accounts
            known as "wrap accounts" established with brokers or dealers ap-
            proved by the Distributor where such brokers or dealers are paid a
            single, inclusive fee for brokerage and investment management
            services, (g) client accounts of broker-dealers or registered in-
            vestment advisers affiliated with such broker-dealers with which
            the Distributor has an agreement for the use of PIMCO Funds in
            particular investment products or programs, and (h) accounts for
            which a trust company affiliated with the Trust or the Advisor
            serves as trustee or custodian. As described above, the Distribu-
            tor will not pay any initial commission to dealers upon the sale
            of Class A shares to the purchasers described in this paragraph
            except for sales to purchasers described under (d) or (e) in this
            paragraph.
 
            NOTIFICATION OF DISTRIBUTOR An investor or participating broker
            must notify the Distributor whenever a quantity discount or re-
            duced sales charge is applicable to a purchase and must provide
            the Distributor with sufficient information at the time of pur-
            chase to verify that each purchase qualifies for the privilege or
            discount. Upon such notification, the investor will receive the
            lowest applicable sales charge. The quantity discounts described
            above may be modified or terminated at any time.
 
            CLASS A DEFERRED SALES CHARGE For all Funds except the Money Mar-
            ket Fund, investors who purchase $1,000,000 ($250,000 in the case
            of the Short-Term Fund) or more of Class A shares (and, thus, pur-
            chase such shares without any initial sales charge) may be subject
            to a 1% CDSC (the "Class A CDSC") if such shares are redeemed
            within 18 months of their purchase. The Class A CDSC does not ap-
            ply to investors purchasing $1,000,000 or more of any Fund's Class
            A shares ($250,000 in the case of the Short-Term Fund) if such in-
            vestors are otherwise eligible to purchase Class A shares without
            any sales charge because they are described under "Sales at Net
            Asset Value" above.
               For purchases subject to the Class A CDSC, a 1% CDSC will apply
            for any redemption of such Class A shares that occurs within 18
            months of their purchase. No CDSC will be imposed if the shares
            redeemed have been acquired through the reinvestment of dividends
            or capital gains distributions or if the amount redeemed is de-
            rived from increases in the value of the account above the amount
            of purchase payments subject to the CDSC. In determining whether a
            CDSC is payable, it is assumed that Class A shares acquired
            through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions are re-
            deemed first, and thereafter that Class A shares that have been
            held by an investor for the longest period of time are redeemed
            first.
               The Class A CDSC does not apply to Class A shares of the Money
            Market Fund but, if Money Market Fund Class A shares are purchased
            in a transaction that, for any other Fund, would be subject to the
            CDSC (i.e., a purchase of $1,000,000 ($250,000 in the case of the
            Short-Term Fund) or more) and are subsequently exchanged for Class
            A shares of any other Fund, a Class A CDSC will apply to the
            shares of the Fund acquired by exchange for a period of 18 months
            from the date of the exchange.
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                              45
<PAGE>
 
               The Class A CDSC is currently waived in connection with certain
            redemptions as described above under "Alternative Purchase Ar-
            rangements--Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges." For more
            information about the Class A CDSC, call the Distributor at 800-
            426-0107.
 
            PARTICIPATING BROKERS Investment dealers and other financial in-
            termediaries provide varying arrangements for their clients to
            purchase and redeem Fund shares. Some may establish higher minimum
            investment requirements than set forth above. Firms may arrange
            with their clients for other investment or administrative services
            and may independently establish and charge transaction fees and/or
            other additional amounts to their clients for such services, which
            charges would reduce clients' return. Firms also may hold Fund
            shares in nominee or street name as agent for and on behalf of
            their customers. In such instances, the Trust's transfer agent
            will have no information with respect to or control over accounts
            of specific shareholders. Such shareholders may obtain access to
            their accounts and information about their accounts only from
            their broker. In addition, certain privileges with respect to the
            purchase and redemption of shares or the reinvestment of dividends
            may not be available through such firms. Some firms may partici-
            pate in a program allowing them access to their clients' accounts
            for servicing including, without limitation, transfers of regis-
            tration and dividend payee changes; and may perform functions such
            as generation of confirmation statements and disbursement of cash
            dividends. This Prospectus should be read in connection with such
            firms' material regarding their fees and services.

DEFERRED    Class B shares are sold at their current net asset value without
SALES       any initial sales charge. The full amount of an investor's pur-
CHARGE      chase payment will be invested in shares of the Fund(s) selected.
ALTERNATIVE A CDSC will be imposed on Class B shares of all Funds if an in-
- -- CLASS B  vestor redeems an amount which causes the current value of the in-
SHARES      vestor's account for a Fund to fall below the total dollar amount
            of purchase payments subject to the CDSC, except that no CDSC is
            imposed if the shares redeemed have been acquired through the re-
            investment of dividends or capital gains distributions or if the
            amount redeemed is derived from increases in the value of the ac-
            count above the amount of purchase payments subject to the CDSC.
               Class B shares of the Short-Term Fund and the Money Market Fund
            are not offered for initial purchase but may be obtained through
            exchanges of Class B shares of other Funds. See "Exchange Privi-
            lege" below. Class B shares are not available for purchase by em-
            ployer sponsored retirement plans.                   
               Whether a CDSC is imposed and the amount of the CDSC will de-
            pend on the number of years since the investor made a purchase
            payment from which an amount is being redeemed. Purchases are sub-
            ject to the CDSC according to the following schedule: 
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           YEAR SINCE PURCHASE   PERCENTAGE CONTINGENT
           PAYMENT WAS MADE      DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
           -------------------------------------------
           <S>                   <C>
           First                   5%
           -------------------------------------------
           Second                  4
           -------------------------------------------
           Third                   3
           -------------------------------------------
           Fourth                  3
           -------------------------------------------
           Fifth                   2
           -------------------------------------------
           Sixth                   1
           -------------------------------------------
           Seventh                 0*
</TABLE>
 
            *After the seventh year,
            Class B shares convert into
            Class A shares as described
            below.
 
               In determining whether a CDSC is payable, it is assumed that
            the purchase payment from which a redemption is made is the earli-
            est purchase payment from which a redemption or exchange has not
            already been fully effected.
 
46
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
                         The following example will illustrate the operation of
                      the Class B CDSC:
                         Assume that an individual opens an account and makes a
                      purchase payment of $10,000 for Class B shares of a Fund
                      (except the Money Market and Short-Term Funds) and that
                      six months later the value of the investor's account for
                      that Fund has grown through invest-ment performance and
                      reinvestment of distributions to $11,000. The investor
                      then may redeem up to $1,000 from that Fund ($11,000 mi-
                      nus $10,000) without incurring a CDSC. If the investor
                      should re-deem $3,000, a CDSC would be imposed on $2,000
                      of the redemption (the amount by which the investor's
                      account for the Fund was re-duced below the amount of the
                      purchase payment). At the rate of 5%, the Class B CDSC
                      would be $100.
                         In determining whether an amount is available for
                      redemption without incurring a CDSC, the purchase payments
                      made for all Class B shares in the shareholder's account
                      with the particular Fund are aggregated, and the current
                      value of all such shares is aggregat-ed. Any CDSC imposed
                      on a redemption of Class B shares is paid to the
                      Distributor.
                         Class B shares are subject to higher distribution fees
                      than Class A shares for a fixed period after their
                      purchase, after which they automatically convert to Class
                      A shares and are no longer subject to such higher
                      distribution fees. Class B shares of each Fund
                      automatically convert into Class A shares after they have
                      been held for seven years.
                         For sales of Class B shares made and services rendered
                      to Class B shareholders, the Distributor intends to make
                      payments to par-ticipating brokers, at the time a
                      shareholder purchases Class B shares, of 4% of the
                      purchase amount for each of the Funds. During such periods
                      as may from time to time be designated by the Dis-
                      tributor, the Distributor will pay selected participating
                      brokers an additional amount of up to .50% of the purchase
                      price on sales of Class B shares of all or selected Funds
                      purchased to each par-ticipating broker which obtains
                      purchase orders in amounts exceed-ing thresholds
                      established from time to time by the Distributor.
                         The Class B CDSC is currently waived in connection with
                      certain redemptions as described above under "Alternative
                      Purchase Ar-rangements--Waiver of Contingent Deferred
                      Sales Charges." For more information about the Class B
                      CDSC, call the Distributor at 800-426-0107.
 

ASSET BASED           Class C shares are sold at their current net asset value
SALES                 without any initial sales charge. A CDSC is imposed on
CHARGE                Class C shares of all Funds if an investor redeems an
ALTERNATIVE --        which causes the current value of the investor's
CLASS C               account for a Fund to fall below the total dollar amount
SHARES                of purchase payments subject to the CDSC, except that no
                      CDSC is imposed if the shares redeemed have been acquired
                      through the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
                      distributions or if the amount redeemed is derived from
                      increases in the value of the account above the amount of
                      purchase payments subject to the CDSC. All of an
                      investor's purchase payments are invested in shares of the
                      Fund(s) selected.
                         Whether a CDSC is imposed and the amount of the CDSC
                      will depend on the number of years since the investor
                      made a purchase payment from which an amount is being
                      redeemed. Purchases are subject to the CDSC according to
                      the following schedule:
           
           
          <TABLE>
          <CAPTION>
                      YEAR SINCE PURCHASE   PERCENTAGE CONTINGENT
                      PAYMENT WAS MADE      DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
                      -------------------------------------------
                      <S>                   <C>                  
                      First                   1                  
                      -------------------------------------------
                      Thereafter              0                   
          </TABLE>
           
           
                         In determining whether a CDSC is payable, it is assumed
                      that the purchase payment from which the redemption is
                      made is the earliest purchase payment (from which a
                      redemption or exchange has not already been effected).
                         The following example will illustrate the operation of
                      the Class C CDSC:
                         Assume that an individual opens an account and makes a
                      purchase payment of $10,000 for Class C shares of a Fund
                      and that six months later the value of the investor's
                      account for that Fund has grown through investment
                      performance and reinvestment of distributions to $11,000.
                      The investor then may redeem up to $1,000 from that Fund

                                                        April 1, 1998 Prospectus

                                                                              47
<PAGE>
 
            ($11,000 minus $10,000) without incurring a CDSC. If the investor
            should redeem $3,000, a CDSC would be imposed on $2,000 of the re-
            demption (the amount by which the investor's account for the Fund
            was reduced below the amount of the purchase payment). At the rate
            of 1%, the Class C CDSC would be $20.
               In determining whether an amount is available for redemption
            without incurring a CDSC, the purchase payments made for all Class
            C shares in the shareholder's account with the particular Fund are
            aggregated, and the current value of all such shares is aggregat-
            ed. Any CDSC imposed on a redemption of Class C shares is paid to
            the Distributor. Unlike Class B shares, Class C shares do not au-
            tomatically convert to any other class of shares of the Funds.
               Except as described below, for sales of Class C shares made and
            services rendered to Class C shareholders, the Distributor expects
            to make payments to participating brokers, at the time the share-
            holder purchases Class C shares, of 1.00% (representing .75% dis-
            tribution fees and .25% servicing fees) of the purchase amount for
            all Funds except the Money Market, Short-Term, Low Duration, Real
            Return Bond, Municipal Bond and StocksPLUS Funds. For the Low Du-
            ration, Real Return Bond, Municipal Bond and StocksPLUS Funds, the
            Distributor expects to make payments of .75% (representing .50%
            distribution fees and .25% service fees); for the Short-Term Fund,
            the Distributor expects to make payments of .55% (representing
            .30% distribution fees and .25% service fees); and for the Money
            Market Fund, the Distributor expects to make no payment. For sales
            of Class C shares made to participants making periodic purchases
            of not less than $50 through certain employer sponsored savings
            plans which are clients of a broker-dealer with which the Distrib-
            utor has an agreement with respect to such purchases, no payments
            are made at the time of purchase. During such periods as may from
            time to time be designated by the Distributor, the Distributor
            will pay an additional amount of up to .50% of the purchase price
            on sales of Class C shares of all or selected Funds purchased to
            each participating broker which obtains purchase orders in amounts
            exceeding thresholds established from time to time by the Distrib-
            utor.
               The Class C CDSC is currently waived in connection with certain
            redemptions as described above under "Alternative Purchase Ar-
            rangements--Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges." For more
            information about the Class C CDSC, contact the Distributor at
            800-426-0107.
 
            Exchange Privilege
 
            A shareholder may exchange Class A, Class B and Class C shares of
            any Fund for the same Class of shares of any other Fund in an ac-
            count with identical registration on the basis of their respective
            net asset values (except that a sales charge will apply on ex-
            changes of Class A shares of the Money Market Fund on which no
            sales charge was paid at the time of purchase). Class A, Class B
            and Class C shares of each Fund may also be exchanged for shares
            of the same class of a series which offers such classes (except
            for the Opportunity Fund if a restriction applies) of PIMCO Funds:
            Multi-Manager Series, an affiliated mutual fund family comprised
            primarily of equity portfolios managed by the subsidiary partner-
            ships of PIMCO Advisors L.P. Class A shares of the Money Market
            Fund may be exchanged for Class A shares of any other Fund, but
            the usual sales charges applicable to investments in such other
            Fund apply on shares for which no sales load was paid at the time
            of purchase. There are currently no exchange fees or charges. Ex-
            cept with respect to tax- qualified programs and exchanges ef-
            fected through the PIMCO Funds Auto-Exchange plan, exchanges are
            subject to the $2,500 minimum initial purchase requirement for
            each Fund. An exchange will constitute a taxable sale for federal
            income tax purposes.
               Investors who maintain their account with the Distributor may
            exchange shares by a written exchange request sent to PIMCO Funds
            Distributors LLC, P.O. Box 5866, Denver, CO 80217-5866 or, unless
            the investor has specifically declined telephone exchange privi-
            leges on the account application or elected in writing not to uti-
            lize telephone exchanges, by a telephone request to the Transfer
            Agent at 800-426-0107. The Trust will employ reasonable procedures
            to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genu-
            ine, and may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or
            fraudulent instructions if it fails to employ such procedures. The
            Trust will require a form of personal identification prior to act-
            ing on a caller's telephone instructions, will provide written
            confirmations of such transactions and will record telephone in-
            structions. Exchange forms are available from the Distributor at
            800-426-0107 and may be used if
 
48
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            there will be no change in the registered name or address of the
            shareholder. Changes in registration information or account privi-
            leges may be made in writing to the Transfer Agent, Shareholder
            Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5866, Denver, Colorado 80217-5866, or by
            use of forms which are available from the Distributor. A signature
            guarantee is required. See "How to Buy Shares--Signature Guaran-
            tee." Telephone exchanges may be made between 9:00 a.m., Eastern
            time and the close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern
            time) on the Exchange on any day the Exchange is open (generally
            weekdays other than normal holidays). The Trust reserves the right
            to refuse exchange purchases if, in the judgment of the Advisor,
            the purchase would adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders.
            In particular, a pattern of exchanges characteristic of "market-
            timing" strategies may be deemed by the Advisor to be detrimental
            to the Trust or a particular Fund. Although the Trust has no cur-
            rent intention of terminating or modifying the exchange privilege,
            it reserves the right to do so at any time. Except as otherwise
            permitted by Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, the
            Trust will give 60 days' advance notice to shareholders of any
            termination or material modification of the exchange privilege.
            For further information about exchange privileges, contact your
            participating broker or call the Transfer Agent at 800-426-0107.
               With respect to Class B and Class C shares, or Class A shares
            subject to a CDSC, if less than all of an investment is exchanged
            out of a Fund, any portion of the investment attributable to capi-
            tal appreciation and/or reinvested dividends or capital gains dis-
            tributions will be exchanged first, and thereafter any portions
            exchanged will be from the earliest investment made in the Fund
            from which the exchange was made. Shareholders should take into
            account the effect of any exchange on the applicability of any
            CDSC that may be imposed upon any subsequent redemption. Although
            the Class A CDSC does not apply to Class A shares of the Money
            Market Fund, Class A shares purchased in a transaction that would
            otherwise be subject to the Class A CDSC (i.e., most purchases of
            $1,000,000 or more) are subsequently exchanged for Class A shares
            of any other Fund, a Class A CDSC will apply to the shares of the
            Fund acquired by exchange for a period of 18 months from the date
            of the exchange. See "Initial Sales Charge Alternative--Class A
            Shares--Class A Deferred Sales Charge" above.
               Investors may also select the PIMCO Funds Auto-Exchange plan
            which establishes automatic periodic exchanges. For further infor-
            mation on automatic exchanges see "How to Buy Shares--PIMCO Funds
            Auto-Exchange" above.
 
            How to Redeem
 
            Class A, Class B or Class C shares may be redeemed through a par-
            ticipating broker, by telephone, by submitting a written redemp-
            tion request directly to the Transfer Agent (for non-broker ac-
            counts), or through an Automatic Withdrawal Plan or PIMCO Funds
            Fund Link.
               A CDSC may apply to a redemption of Class A, Class B or Class C
            shares. See "Alternative Purchase Arrangements" above. Shares are
            redeemed at their net asset value next determined after a proper
            redemption request has been received, less any applicable CDSC.
            There is no charge by the Distributor (other than an applicable
            CDSC) with respect to a redemption; however, a participating bro-
            ker who processes a redemption for an investor may charge custom-
            ary commissions for its services. Dealers and other financial
            services firms are obligated to transmit orders promptly. Requests
            for redemption received by dealers or other firms prior to the
            close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the
            Exchange on a regular business day and received by the Distributor
            prior to the close of the Distributor's business day will be con-
            firmed at the net asset value effective as of the closing of the
            Exchange on that day, less any applicable CDSC.
 
 
DIRECT
REDEMPTION  A shareholder's original account application permits the share-
            holder to redeem by written request and by telephone (unless the
            shareholder specifically elects not to utilize telephone redemp-
            tions) and to elect one or more of the additional redemption pro-
            cedures described below. A shareholder may change the instructions
            indicated on his original account application, or may request ad-
            ditional redemption options, only by transmitting a written direc-
            tion to the
 
                                                                             49
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
            Transfer Agent. Requests to institute or change any of the addi-
            tional redemption procedures will require a signature guarantee.
               Redemption proceeds will normally be mailed to the redeeming
            shareholder within seven days or, in the case of wire transfer or
            Fund Link redemptions, sent to the designated bank account within
            one business day. Fund Link redemptions may be received by the
            bank on the second or third business day. In cases where shares
            have recently been purchased by personal check, redemption pro-
            ceeds may be withheld until the check has been collected, which
            may take up to 15 days. To avoid such withholding, investors
            should purchase shares by certified or bank check or by wire
            transfer.
 
 
WRITTEN     To redeem shares in writing (whether or not represented by certif-
REQUESTS    icates), a shareholder must send the following items to the Trans-
            fer Agent, Shareholder Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5866, Denver, Col-
            orado 80217-5866:
                (1) a written request for redemption signed by all registered
                    owners exactly as the account is registered on the
                    Transfer Agent's records, including fiduciary titles, if
                    any, and specifying the account number and the dollar
                    amount or number of shares to be redeemed;
                (2) for certain redemptions described below, a guarantee of
                    all signatures on the written request or on the share
                    certificate or accompanying stock power, if required, as
                    described under "How to Buy Shares--Signature Guarantee";
                (3) any share certificates issued for any of the shares to be
                    redeemed (see "Certificated Shares" below); and
                (4) any additional documents which may be required by the
                    Transfer Agent for redemption by corporations,
                    partnerships or other organizations, executors,
                    administrators, trustees, custodians or guardians, or if
                    the redemption is requested by anyone other than the
                    shareholder(s) of record.
               Transfers of shares are subject to the same requirements. A
            signature guarantee is not required for redemptions of $50,000 or
            less, requested by and payable to all shareholders of record for
            the account, to be sent to the address of record for that account.
            To avoid delay in redemption or transfer, shareholders having any
            questions about these requirements should contact the Transfer
            Agent in writing or by calling 1-800-426-0107 before submitting a
            request. Redemption or transfer requests will not be honored until
            all required documents in the proper form have been received by
            the Transfer Agent. This redemption option does not apply to
            shares held in broker "street name" accounts.
               If the proceeds of the redemption (i) exceed $50,000, (ii) are
            to be paid to a person other than the record owner, (iii) are to
            be sent to an address other than the address of the account on the
            Transfer Agent's records, or (iv) are to be paid to a corporation,
            partnership, trust or fiduciary, the signature(s) on the redemp-
            tion request and on the certificates, if any, or stock power must
            be guaranteed as described above, except that the Distributor may
            waive the signature guarantee requirement for redemptions up to
            $2,500 by a trustee of a qualified retirement plan, the adminis-
            trator for which has an agreement with the Distributor.
 
 
TELEPHONE   The Trust accepts telephone requests for redemption of shares for
REDEMPTIONS amounts up to $50,000 within any 7 calendar day period, except for
            investors who have specifically declined telephone redemption
            privileges on the account application or elected in writing not to
            utilize telephone redemptions. The proceeds of a telephone redemp-
            tion will be sent to the record shareholder at his record address.
            Changes in account information must be made in a written authori-
            zation with a signature guarantee. See "How to Buy Shares--Signa-
            ture Guarantee". Telephone redemptions will not be accepted during
            the 30-day period following any change in an account's record ad-
            dress. This redemption option does not apply to shares held in
            broker "street name" accounts.
               By completing an account application, an investor agrees that
            the Trust, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent shall not be li-
            able for any loss incurred by the investor by reason of the Trust
            accepting unauthorized telephone redemption requests for his ac-
            count if the Trust reasonably believes the instructions to be gen-
            uine. Thus, shareholders risk possible losses in the event of a
            telephone redemption not authorized by them. The Trust may accept
            telephone redemption instructions from any person identifying him-
            self as the owner of an account or the owner's broker where the
            owner has not declined in writing to utilize this service. The
            Trust will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that
 
50   PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            instructions communicated by telephone are genuine, and may be li-
            able for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions
            if it fails to employ such procedures. The Trust will require a
            form of personal identification prior to acting on a caller's tel-
            ephone instructions, will provide written confirmations of such
            transactions and will record telephone instructions.
               A shareholder making a telephone redemption should call the
            Transfer Agent at 800-426-0107 and state (i) the name of the
            shareholder as it appears on the Transfer Agent's records, (ii)
            his account number with the Trust, (iii) the amount to be with-
            drawn and (iv) the name of the person requesting the redemption.
            Usually the proceeds are sent to the investor on the next Trust
            business day after the redemption is effected, provided the re-
            demption request is received prior to the close of regular trading
            (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the Exchange that day. If
            the redemption request is received after the close of the Ex-
            change, the redemption is effected on the following Trust business
            day at that day's net asset value and the proceeds are usually
            sent to the investor on the second following Trust business day.
            The Trust reserves the right to terminate or modify the telephone
            redemption service at any time. During times of severe disruptions
            in the securities markets, the volume of calls may make it diffi-
            cult to redeem by telephone, in which case a shareholder may wish
            to send a written request for redemption as described under "Writ-
            ten Requests" above. Telephone communications may be recorded by
            the Distributor or the Transfer Agent.
 
 
FUND LINK   If a shareholder has established Fund Link, the shareholder may
REDEMPTIONS redeem shares by telephone and have the redemption proceeds sent
            to a designated account at a financial institution. Fund Link is
            normally established within 45 days of receipt of a Fund Link ap-
            plication by the Transfer Agent. To use Fund Link for redemptions,
            call the Transfer Agent at 800-426-0107. Subject to the limita-
            tions set forth above under "Telephone Redemptions," the Distribu-
            tor, the Trust and the Transfer Agent may rely on instructions by
            any registered owner believed to be genuine and will not be re-
            sponsible to any shareholder for any loss, damage or expense aris-
            ing out of such instructions. Requests received by the Transfer
            Agent prior to the close of regular trading (normally 4:00 p.m.,
            Eastern time) on the Exchange on a business day will be processed
            at the net asset value on that day and the proceeds (less any
            CDSC) will normally be sent to the designated bank account on the
            following business day and received by the bank on the second or
            third business day. If the redemption request is received after
            the close of regular trading on the Exchange, the redemption is
            effected on the following business day. Shares purchased by check
            may not be redeemed through Fund Link until such shares have been
            owned (i.e., paid for) for at least 15 days. Fund Link may not be
            used to redeem shares held in certificated form. Changes in bank
            account information must be made by completing a new Fund Link ap-
            plication, signed by all owners of record of the account, with all
            signatures guaranteed. See "How to Buy Shares--Signature Guaran-
            tee." See "How to Buy Shares-- PIMCO Funds Fund Link" for informa-
            tion on establishing the Fund Link privilege. The Trust may termi-
            nate the Fund Link program at any time without notice to share-
            holders. This redemption option does not apply to shares held in
            broker "street name" accounts.
 
 
PIMCO FUNDS PIMCO Funds Automated Telephone System ("ATS") is an automated
AUTOMATED   telephone system that enables shareholders to perform a number of
TELEPHONE   account transactions automatically using a touch-tone telephone.
SYSTEM      ATS may be used on already-established Fund accounts after you ob-
            tain a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by calling the special
            ATS number: 1-800-223-2413.
            PURCHASING SHARES. You may purchase shares in amounts up to
            $100,000 by telephone by calling 1-800-223-2413. You must have es-
            tablished ATS privileges to link your bank account with the Fund
            to pay for these purchases.
            EXCHANGING SHARES. With the PIMCO Funds Exchange Privilege, you
            can exchange shares automatically by telephone from your Fund Link
            Account to another PIMCO Funds account you have already estab-
            lished by calling 1-800-223-2413. Please refer to "Exchange Privi-
            lege" below for details.
            REDEMPTIONS. You may redeem shares by telephone automatically by
            calling 1-800-223-2413 and the Fund will send the proceeds di-
            rectly to your Fund bank account. Please refer to "How to Redeem"
            below for details.
 
                                                                             51
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
 
 
EXPEDITED      
WIRE        If a shareholder has given authorization for expedited wire re-
TRANSFER    demption, shares can be redeemed and the proceeds sent by federal
REDEMPTIONS wire transfer to a single previously designated bank account. Re-
            quests received by the Trust prior to the close of the Exchange
            will result in shares being redeemed that day at the next deter-
            mined net asset value (less any CDSC) and normally the proceeds
            being sent to the designated bank account the following business
            day. The bank must be a member of the Federal Reserve wire system.
            Delivery of the proceeds of a wire redemption request may be de-
            layed by the Trust for up to 7 days if the Distributor deems it
            appropriate under then current market conditions. Once authoriza-
            tion is on file, the Trust will honor requests by any person iden-
            tifying himself as the owner of an account or the owner's broker
            by telephone at 800-426-0107 or by written instructions. The Trust
            cannot be responsible for the efficiency of the Federal Reserve
            wire system or the shareholder's bank. The Trust does not cur-
            rently charge for wire transfers. The shareholder is responsible
            for any charges imposed by the shareholder's bank. The minimum
            amount that may be wired is $2,500. The Trust reserves the right
            to change this minimum or to terminate the wire redemption privi-
            lege. Shares purchased by check may not be redeemed by wire trans-
            fer until such shares have been owned (i.e., paid for) for at
            least 15 days. Expedited wire transfer redemptions may be autho-
            rized by completing a form available from the Distributor. Wire
            redemptions may not be used to redeem shares in certificated form.
            To change the name of the single bank account designated to re-
            ceive wire redemption proceeds, it is necessary to send a written
            request with signatures guaranteed to PIMCO Funds Distributors
            LLC, P.O. Box 5866, Denver, CO 80217-5866. See "How to Buy
            Shares-- Signature Guarantee." This redemption option does not ap-
            ply to shares held in broker "street name" accounts.     
 
 
CER-        To redeem shares for which certificates have been issued, the cer-
TIFICATED   tificates must be mailed to or deposited with the Trust, duly en-
SHARES      dorsed or accompanied by a duly endorsed stock power or by a writ-
            ten request for redemption. Signatures must be guaranteed as de-
            scribed under "How to Buy Shares--Signature Guarantee." Further
            documentation may be requested from institutions or fiduciary ac-
            counts, such as corporations, custodians (e.g., under the Uniform
            Gifts to Minors Act), executors, administrators, trustees or
            guardians ("institutional account owners"). The redemption request
            and stock power must be signed exactly as the account is regis-
            tered, including indication of any special capacity of the regis-
            tered owner.
 
 
AUTOMATIC   An investor who owns or buys shares of a Fund having a net asset
WITHDRAWAL  value of $10,000 or more may open an Automatic Withdrawal Plan and
PLAN        have a designated sum of money (not less than $100 per Fund) paid
            monthly (or quarterly) to the investor or another person. Such a
            plan may be established by completing the appropriate section of
            the Account Application or you may obtain an Automatic Withdrawal
            Plan Application from the Distributor or your broker. If an Auto-
            matic Withdrawal Plan is set up after the account is established
            providing for payment to a person other than the record share-
            holder or to an address other than the address of record, a signa-
            ture guarantee is required. See "How to Buy Shares--Signature
            Guarantee." Class A, Class B and Class C shares of any Fund are
            deposited in a plan account and all distributions are reinvested
            in additional shares of that class of the Fund at net asset value.
            Shares in a plan account are then redeemed at net asset value
            (less any applicable CDSC) to make each withdrawal payment. Any
            applicable CDSC may be waived for certain redemptions under an Au-
            tomatic Withdrawal Plan. See "Alternative Purchase Arrangements--
            Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges."
               Redemptions for the purpose of withdrawals are ordinarily made
            on the business day preceding the day of payment at that day's
            closing net asset value and checks are mailed on the day of pay-
            ment selected by the shareholder. The Transfer Agent may acceler-
            ate the redemption and check mailing date by one day to avoid
            weekend delays. Payment will be made to any person the investor
            designates; however, if the shares are registered in the name of a
            trustee or other fiduciary, payment will be made only to the fidu-
            ciary, except in the case of a profit-sharing or pension plan
            where payment will be made to the designee. As withdrawal payments
            may include a return of principal, they cannot be considered a
            guaranteed annuity or actual yield of income to the investor. The
            redemption of shares in connection with an Automatic Withdrawal
            Plan may result in a gain or loss for tax purposes. Continued
            withdrawals in excess of income will reduce and possibly exhaust
            invested principal, especially in the event of a market decline.
            The maintenance of an
 
52
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            Automatic Withdrawal Plan concurrently with purchases of addi-
            tional shares of the Fund would be disadvantageous to the investor
            because of the CDSC that may become payable on such withdrawals in
            the case of Class A, Class B or Class C shares and because of the
            initial sales charge in the case of Class A shares. For this rea-
            son, the minimum investment accepted for a Fund while an Automatic
            Withdrawal Plan is in effect for that Fund is $1,000, and an in-
            vestor may not maintain a plan for the accumulation of shares of
            the Fund (other than through reinvestment of distributions) and an
            Automatic Withdrawal Plan at the same time. The Trust or the Dis-
            tributor may terminate or change the terms of the Automatic With-
            drawal Plan at any time.
               Because the Automatic Withdrawal Plan may involve invasion of
            capital, investors should consider carefully with their own finan-
            cial advisers whether the plan and the specified amounts to be
            withdrawn are appropriate in their circumstances. The Trust and
            the Distributor make no recommendations or representations in this
            regard.
 
            Distributor and Distribution and Servicing Plans
 
            The Distributor, a wholly owned subsidiary of PIMCO Advisors L.P.,
            is the principal underwriter of the Trust's shares and in that
            connection makes distribution and servicing payments to partici-
            pating brokers and servicing payments to certain banks and other
            financial intermediaries in connection with the sale of Class B
            and Class C shares and servicing payments to participating bro-
            kers, certain banks and other financial intermediaries in connec-
            tion with the sale of Class A shares. In the case of Class A
            shares, these parties are also compensated based on the amount of
            the front-end sales charge reallowed by the Distributor, except in
            cases where Class A shares are sold without a front-end sales
            charge. In the case of Class B shares, participating brokers and
            other financial intermediaries are compensated by an advance of a
            sales commission by the Distributor. In the case of Class C
            shares, part or all of the first year's distribution and servicing
            fee is generally paid at the time of sale. Pursuant to a Distribu-
            tion Contract with the Trust, with respect to each Fund's Class A,
            Class B and Class C shares, the Distributor bears various other
            promotional and sales related expenses, including the cost of
            printing and mailing prospectuses to persons other than current
            shareholders. The Distributor, located at 2187 Atlantic Street,
            Stamford, Connecticut 06902, is a broker-dealer registered with
            the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
            CLASS A SERVICING FEES As compensation for services rendered and
            expenses borne by the Distributor in connection with personal
            services rendered to Class A shareholders of the Trust and the
            maintenance of Class A shareholder accounts, the Trust pays the
            Distributor servicing fees up to the annual rates set forth below
            (calculated as a percentage of each Fund's average daily net as-
            sets attributable to Class A shares):
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  SERVICING
           FUND                   FEE
              -----------------------------
           <S>                    <C>
           All Funds except the
            Money Market Fund     .25%
              -----------------------------
           Money Market Fund*     .10%
</TABLE>
 
 
            *Subject to increase by action of the Trust's Trustees to a rate
            not exceeding .25% per annum. Also, subject to increase to a rate
            not exceeding .20% if the Distributor ceases to voluntarily waive
            any portion of the fee.
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                              53
<PAGE>
 
 
            CLASS B DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICING FEES As compensation for serv-
            ices rendered and expenses borne by the Distributor in connection
            with the distribution of Class B shares of the Trust and, in con-
            nection with personal services rendered to Class B shareholders of
            the Trust and the maintenance of Class B shareholder accounts, the
            Trust pays the Distributor servicing fees and distribution fees up
            to the annual rates set forth below (calculated as a percentage of
            each Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class B
            shares):
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SERVICING DISTRIBUTION
           FUND       FEE       FEE
              ------------------------------
           <S>        <C>       <C>
           All Funds  .25%      .75%
</TABLE>
 
            CLASS C DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICING FEES As compensation for serv-
            ices rendered and expenses borne by the Distributor in connection
            with the distribution of Class C shares of the Trust and, in con-
            nection with personal services rendered to Class C shareholders of
            the Trust and the maintenance of Class C shareholder accounts, the
            Trust pays the Distributor servicing fees and distribution fees up
            to the annual rates set forth below (calculated as a percentage of
            each Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class C
            shares):
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             SERVICING DISTRIBUTION
           FUND              FEE       FEE
              -------------------------------------
           <S>               <C>       <C>
           Total Return,
            High Yield,
            Municipal Bond,
            Long-Term U.S.
            Government,
            Global Bond II,
            Foreign Bond
            and Emerging
            Markets Bond
            Funds            .25%      .75%
              -------------------------------------
           Low Duration,
            Real Return
            Bond, Municipal
            Bond and
            StocksPLUS
            Funds*           .25%      .50%
              -------------------------------------
           Short-Term Fund*  .25%      .30%
              -------------------------------------
           Money Market
            Fund*            .10%      .00%
</TABLE>
 
            *Subject to increase by action of the Trust's Trustees to a rate
            not exceeding .75% per annum with respect to the distribution fee
            on shares of the Low Duration and Money Market Funds, and .25% per
            annum with respect to the servicing fee on shares of the Money
            Market Fund. With respect to the servicing fee on shares of the
            Money Market Fund, such fee is subject to increase to a rate of
            .20% if the Distributor ceases to voluntarily waive any portion of
            the fee. With respect to the distribution fee on shares of each of
            the Short-Term, Real Return Bond and StocksPLUS Funds, such fee is
            subject to an increase to a rate of .75% if the Distributor ceases
            to voluntarily waive any portion of the fee.
 
               The Class A servicing fees and Class B and Class C distribution
            and servicing fees paid to the Distributor are made under Distri-
            bution and Servicing Plans adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-l under
            the 1940 Act and are of the type known as "compensation" plans.
            This means that, although the Trustees of the Trust are expected
            to take into account the expenses of the Distributor and its pred-
            ecessors in their periodic review of the Distribution and Servic-
            ing Plans, the fees are payable to compensate the Distributor for
            services rendered even if the amount paid exceeds the Distribu-
            tor's expenses.
               The distribution fee applicable to Class B and Class C shares
            may be spent by the Distributor on any activities or expenses pri-
            marily intended to result in the sale of Class B or Class C
            shares, respectively, including compensation to, and expenses (in-
            cluding overhead and telephone expenses) of, financial consultants
            or other employees of the Distributor or of participating or in-
            troducing brokers who engage in distribution of Class B or Class C
            shares, printing of prospectuses and reports for other than exist-
            ing Class B or Class C shareholders, advertising, and preparation,
            printing and distribution of sales literature. The servicing fee,
            applicable to Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Trust,
            may be spent by the Distributor on personal services rendered to
            shareholders of the Trust and the maintenance of shareholder ac-
            counts, including compensation to, and expenses (including tele-
            phone and overhead expenses) of, financial consultants or other
            employees of participating or introducing brokers, certain banks
            and other financial intermediaries who aid in the processing of
            purchase or redemption requests or the processing of dividend pay-
            ments, who provide
 
54
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            information periodically to shareholders showing their positions
            in a Fund's shares, who forward communications from the Trust to
            shareholders, who render ongoing advice concerning the suitability
            of particular investment opportunities offered by the Trust in
            light of the shareholders' needs, who respond to inquiries from
            shareholders relating to such services, or who train personnel in
            the provision of such services. Distribution and servicing fees
            may also be spent on interest relating to unreimbursed distribu-
            tion or servicing expenses from prior years.
               Many of the Distributor's sales and servicing efforts involve
            the Trust as a whole, so that fees paid by Class A, Class B or
            Class C shares of any Fund may indirectly support sales and ser-
            vicing efforts relating to the other Funds' shares of the same
            class. In reporting its expenses to the Trustees, the Distributor
            itemizes expenses that relate to the distribution and/or servicing
            of a single Fund's shares, and allocates other expenses among the
            Funds based on their relative net assets. Expenses allocated to
            each Fund are further allocated among its classes of shares annu-
            ally based on the relative sales of each class, except for any ex-
            penses that relate only to the sale or servicing of a single
            class. The Distributor may make payments to brokers (and with re-
            spect to servicing fees only, to certain banks and other financial
            intermediaries) of up to the following percentages annually of the
            average daily net assets attributable to shares in the accounts of
            their customers or clients:
 
 
              CLASS A SHARES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  SERVICING
                                  FEE(/1/)
              -----------------------------
           <S>                    <C>
           All Funds except the
            Money Market Fund     .25%
              -----------------------------
           Money Market Fund      .10%
</TABLE>
 
 
 
              CLASS B SHARES(/2/)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SERVICING
                      FEE
              -----------------
           <S>        <C>
           All Funds  .25%
</TABLE>
 
 
 
              CLASS C SHARES--
              PURCHASED ON OR AFTER
              7/1/91(/3/)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            SERVICING DISTRIBUTION
                            FEE(/1/)  FEE(/1/)
              ------------------------------------
           <S>              <C>       <C>
           Total Return,
            High Yield,
            Long-Term U.S.
            Government,
            Global Bond II,
            Foreign Bond
            and Emerging
            Markets Bond
            Funds           .25%      .65%
              ------------------------------------
           Low Duration,
            Real Return
            Bond, Municipal
            Bond and
            StocksPLUS
            Funds           .25%      .45%
              ------------------------------------
           Short-Term Fund  .25%      .25%
              ------------------------------------
           Money Market
            Fund            .10%      .00%
</TABLE>
 
 
 
              CLASS C SHARES--
              PURCHASED BEFORE 7/1/91
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  SERVICING
                                  FEE(/1/)
              -----------------------------
           <S>                    <C>
           All Funds except the
            Money Market Fund     .25%
              -----------------------------
           Money Market Fund      .10%
</TABLE>
 
            1. Applies, in part, to Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the
            Trust issued to former shareholders of PIMCO Advisors Funds in
            connection with the reorganizations/mergers of series of PIMCO Ad-
            visors Funds as/with Funds of the Trust in a transaction which
            took place on January 17, 1997.
            2. Payable only with respect to shares outstanding for one year or
            more.
            3. Payable only with respect to shares outstanding for one year or
            more except in the case of shares for which no payment is made to
            the party at the time of sale.
                                                    April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                              55
<PAGE>
 
 
               The Distributor may from time to time pay additional cash bo-
            nuses or other incentives to selected participating brokers in
            connection with the sale or servicing of Class A, Class B and
            Class C shares of the Funds. On some occasions, such bonuses or
            incentives may be conditioned upon the sale of a specified minimum
            dollar amount of the shares of a Fund and/or all of the Funds to-
            gether or a particular class of shares, during a specific period
            of time. The Distributor currently expects that such additional
            bonuses or incentives will not exceed .50% of the amount of any
            sale. Pacific Investment Management (in its capacity as adminis-
            trator) may also pay participating brokers and other intermediar-
            ies for transfer agency and other services.
               If in any year the Distributor's expenses incurred in connec-
            tion with the distribution of Class B and Class C shares and, for
            Class A, Class B and Class C Shares, in connection with the ser-
            vicing of shareholders and the maintenance of shareholder ac-
            counts, exceed the distribution and/or servicing fees paid by the
            Trust, the Distributor would recover such excess only if the Dis-
            tribution and Servicing Plan with respect to such class of shares
            continues to be in effect in some later year when the distribution
            and/or servicing fees exceed the Distributor's expenses. The Trust
            is not obligated to repay any unreimbursed expenses that may exist
            at such time, if any, as the relevant Distribution and Servicing
            Plan terminates.
               From time to time, expenses of principal underwriters incurred
            in connection with the sale of shares of the Funds and in connec-
            tion with the servicing of shareholders of the Funds and the main-
            tenance of shareholder accounts may exceed the distribution and
            servicing fees collected by the Distributor. As of March 31, 1997,
            such expenses were approximately $430,000 in excess of payments
            under the Funds' Class A Distribution and Servicing Plan and
            $1,192,000 in excess of payments under the Funds' Class B Distri-
            bution and Servicing Plan. Expenses did not exceed payments under
            the Funds' Class C Distribution and Servicing Plan.
 
            How Net Asset Value Is Determined
 
            The net asset value per share of Class A, Class B and Class C
            shares of each Fund will be determined once on each day on which
            the Exchange is open as of the close of regular trading (normally
            4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the Exchange by dividing the total
            market value of a Fund's portfolio investments and other assets
            attributable to that class, less any liabilities, by the number of
            total outstanding shares of that class. Net asset value will not
            be determined on days on which the Exchange is closed.
               The Money Market Fund's securities are normally valued using
            the amortized cost method of valuation. This involves valuing a
            security at cost on the date of acquisition and thereafter assum-
            ing a constant accretion of a discount or amortization of a pre-
            mium to maturity. See the Statement of Additional Information for
            a description of certain conditions and procedures followed by the
            Money Market Fund in connection with amortized cost valuation. For
            all other Funds, portfolio securities and other assets for which
            market quotations are readily available are stated at market val-
            ue. Market value is determined on the basis of last reported sales
            prices, or if no sales are reported, as is the case for most secu-
            rities traded over-the-counter, at the mean between representative
            bid and asked quotations obtained from a quotation reporting sys-
            tem or from established market makers. Fixed income securities,
            including those to be purchased under firm commitment agreements
            (other than obligations having a maturity of 60 days or less), are
            normally valued on the basis of quotations obtained from brokers
            and dealers or pricing services, which take into account appropri-
            ate factors such as institutional-sized trading in similar groups
            of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of is-
            sue, trading characteristics, and other market data.
               Quotations of foreign securities in foreign currency are con-
            verted to U.S. dollar equivalents using foreign exchange quota-
            tions received from independent dealers. Short-term investments
            having a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost,
            when the Board of Trustees determines that amortized cost is their
            fair value. Certain fixed income securities for which daily market
            quotations are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to
            guidelines established by the Board of Trustees, with reference to
            fixed income securities whose prices are more readily obtainable
            and whose durations are comparable to the securities being valued.
            Subject to the foregoing, other securities for which market quota-
            tions are not readily available are valued at fair value as deter-
            mined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
 
56
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
               Each Fund's liabilities are allocated among its classes. The
            total of such liabilities allocated to a class plus that class's
            distribution and/or servicing fees and any other expenses spe-
            cially allocated to that class are then deducted from the class's
            proportionate interest in the Fund's assets, and the resulting
            amount for each class is divided by the number of shares of that
            class outstanding to produce the class's "net asset value" per
            share. Under certain circumstances, the per share net asset value
            of the Class B and Class C shares of the Funds that do not declare
            regular income dividends on a daily basis may be lower than the
            per share net asset value of the Class A shares as a result of the
            daily expense accruals of the distribution fee applicable to the
            Class B and Class C shares. Generally, for Funds that pay income
            dividends, those dividends are expected to differ over time by ap-
            proximately the amount of the expense accrual differential between
            a particular Fund's classes.
 
            Distributions
 
            Each Fund pays out as dividends substantially all of its net in-
            vestment income (which comes from dividends and interest it re-
            ceives or is deemed to receive from its investments) and net real-
            ized short-term capital gains. For these purposes and for federal
            income tax purposes, a portion of the premiums from certain ex-
            pired call or put options written by the Fund, net gains from
            closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such op-
            tions, and net gains from futures transactions are treated as
            short-term capital gains. Each Fund distributes substantially all
            of its net realized capital gains, if any, after giving effect to
            any available capital loss carry-over.
               Shares begin earning dividends on the day after the date that
            funds are received by the Trust for the purchase of shares. For
            the Fixed Income Funds, dividends are declared daily from net in-
            vestment income to shareholders of record at the close of the pre-
            vious business day, and distributed to shareholders monthly. The
            StocksPLUS Fund intends to declare and pay as a dividend substan-
            tially all of its net investment income on a quarterly basis. Any
            net realized capital gains from the sale of portfolio securities
            will be distributed no less frequently than once yearly. Dividend
            and capital gain distributions of a Fund will be reinvested in ad-
            ditional shares of that Fund unless the shareholder elects to have
            them paid in cash. There are no sales charges on reinvested divi-
            dends. If a shareholder has elected to receive dividends and/or
            capital gain distributions in cash and the postal or other deliv-
            ery service is unable to deliver checks to the shareholder's ad-
            dress of record, such shareholder's distributions will automati-
            cally be invested in the Money Market Fund until such shareholder
            is located. Dividends from net investment income with respect to
            Class B and Class C shares are expected to be lower than those
            paid with respect to Class A shares as a result of the distribu-
            tion fees applicable to Class B and C shares.
               Shareholders may elect to invest dividends and/or distributions
            paid by any Fund in shares of the same class of any other Fund of
            the Trust at net asset value. The shareholder must have an account
            existing in the Fund selected for investment with the identical
            registered name and address and must elect this option on the ac-
            count application, on a form provided for that purpose or by a
            telephone request to the Transfer Agent at 800-426-0107. For fur-
            ther information on this option, contact your broker or call the
            Distributor at 800-426-0107.
 
            Taxes
 
            Each Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company an-
            nually and to elect to be treated as a regulated investment com-
            pany under the Code. As such, a Fund generally will not pay fed-
            eral income tax on the income and gains it pays as dividends to
            its shareholders. In order to avoid a 4% federal excise tax, each
            Fund intends to distribute each year substantially all of its net
            income and gains.
               Shareholders subject to U.S. federal income tax will be subject
            to tax on dividends received from a Fund, regardless of whether
            received in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Distributions
            received by tax-exempt shareholders will
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
                                                                              57
<PAGE>
 
            not be subject to federal income tax to the extent permitted under
            applicable tax law. All shareholders must treat dividends, other
            than capital gain dividends or dividends that represent a return
            of capital to shareholders, as ordinary income.
               Dividends designated by a Fund as capital gain dividends de-
            rived from the Fund's net capital gain (that is, the excess of net
            long-term gain over net short-term loss) are taxable to sharehold-
            ers as long-term capital gain except as provided by an applicable
            tax exemption. Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, long-term
            capital gains will generally be taxed at a 28% or 20% rate, de-
            pending upon the holding period of the portfolio securities. Any
            distributions that are not from a Fund's net investment income,
            short-term capital gain, or net capital gain may be characterized
            as a return of capital to shareholders or, in some cases, as capi-
            tal gain. Certain dividends declared in October, November or De-
            cember of a calendar year are taxable to shareholders (who are
            subject to tax on dividends) as though received on December 31 of
            that year if paid to shareholders during January of the following
            calendar year. For state income tax purposes, interest on some
            federal obligations generally is not exempt from taxation, whether
            received directly by a shareholder or through distributions of in-
            vestment company taxable income (for example, interest on FNMA and
            GNMA Certificates). Each Fund will advise shareholders annually of
            the amount and nature of the dividends paid to them.
               Dividends paid to shareholders by the Municipal Bond Fund which
            are derived from interest on Municipal Bonds are expected to be
            designated by the Fund as "exempt-interest dividends," and share-
            holders may generally exclude such dividends from gross income for
            federal income tax purposes. However, if a shareholder receives
            social security or railroad retirement benefits, the shareholder
            may be taxed on a portion of those benefits as a result of receiv-
            ing tax-exempt income. In addition, certain exempt-interest divi-
            dends could, as discussed below, cause certain shareholders to be-
            come subject to the alternative minimum tax and may increase the
            alternative minimum tax liability of shareholders already subject
            to this tax.
               To the extent that dividends paid to shareholders by the Munic-
            ipal Bond Fund are derived from taxable interest or from capital
            gains, such dividends will be subject to federal income tax. Any
            gain realized on a redemption of shares will be taxable gain, sub-
            ject to any applicable tax exemption for which an investor may
            qualify.
               Dividends derived from interest on certain U.S. Government se-
            curities may be exempt from state and local taxes, although inter-
            est on mortgage-backed U.S. Government securities is generally not
            so exempt. The distributions of "exempt-interest dividends" paid
            by the Municipal Bond Fund may be exempt from state and local tax-
            ation when received by a shareholder to the extent that they are
            derived from interest on Municipal Bonds issued by the state or
            political subdivision in which such shareholder resides. The fed-
            eral exemption for "exempt-interest dividends" attributable to Mu-
            nicipal Bonds does not necessarily result in exemption of such
            dividends from income for the purpose of state and local taxes.
            The Trust will report annually on a state-by-state basis the
            source of income the Municipal Bond Fund receives on Municipal
            Bonds that was paid out as dividends during the preceding year.
               The Code also provides that exempt-interest dividends allocable
            to interest received from "private activity bonds" issued after
            August 7, 1986 are an item of tax preference for individual and
            corporate alternative minimum tax at the applicable rate for indi-
            viduals and corporations. Therefore, if the Municipal Bond Fund
            invests in such private activity bonds, certain of its sharehold-
            ers may become subject to the alternative minimum tax on that part
            of its distributions to them that are derived from interest income
            on such bonds, and certain shareholders already subject to such
            tax may have increased liability therefor. However, it is the
            present policy of the Municipal Bond Fund to invest no more than
            20% of its assets in such bonds. Other provisions of the Code af-
            fect the tax treatment of distributions from the Municipal Bond
            Fund for corporations, casualty insurance companies, and financial
            institutions. In particular, under the Code, for corporations, al-
            ternative minimum taxable income will be increased by a percentage
            of the amount by which the corporation's "adjusted current earn-
            ings" (which includes various items of tax exempt income) exceeds
            the amount otherwise determined to be alternative minimum taxable
            income. Accordingly, an investment in the Municipal Bond Fund may
            cause shareholders to be subject to (or result in an increased li-
            ability under) the alternative minimum tax.
 
58
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
               Dividends to shareholders of the Municipal Bond Fund derived
            from money market instruments and U.S. Government securities are
            generally taxable as ordinary income. The Fund may seek to reduce
            fluctuations in its net asset value by engaging in portfolio
            strategies involving options on securities, futures contracts, and
            options on futures contracts. Any gain derived by the Fund from
            the use of such instruments, including by reason of "marking to
            market," will be treated as a combination of short-term and long-
            term capital gain and, if not offset by realized capital losses
            incurred by the Fund, will be distributed to shareholders (possi-
            bly requiring the liquidation of other portfolio securities) and
            will be taxable to shareholders as a combination of ordinary in-
            come and long-term capital gain.
               Interest accrued by a Fund from inflation-indexed bonds will be
            includable in the Fund's gross income in the period in which they
            accrue. Periodic adjustments for inflation in the principal value
            of these securities also may give rise to original issue discount,
            which, likewise, will be includable in the Fund's gross income on
            a current basis, regardless of whether the Fund receives any cash
            payments. See "Taxation--Original Issue Discount" in the Statement
            of Additional Information. Amounts includable in a Fund's gross
            income become subject to tax-related distribution requirements.
            Accordingly, a Fund may be required to make annual distributions
            to shareholders in excess of the cash received in a given period
            from these investments. As a result, the Fund may be required to
            liquidate certain investments at a time when it is not advanta-
            geous to do so. If the principal value of an inflation-indexed
            bond is adjusted downward in any period as a result of deflation,
            the reduction may be treated as a loss to the extent the reduction
            exceeds coupon payments received in that period; in that case, the
            amount distributable by the Fund may be reduced and amounts dis-
            tributed previously in the taxable year may be characterized in
            some circumstances as a return of capital.
               Taxable shareholders should note that the timing of their in-
            vestment could have undesirable tax consequences. If shares are
            purchased on or just before the record date of a dividend, taxable
            shareholders will pay full price for the shares and may receive a
            portion of their investment back as a taxable distribution.
               The preceding discussion relates only to federal income tax;
            the consequences under other tax laws may differ. For additional
            information relating to the tax aspects of investing in a Fund,
            see the Statement of Additional Information.
 
            Management of the Trust
 
            The business affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction
            of the Board of Trustees. The Trustees are Guilford C. Babcock, R.
            Wesley Burns, Vern O. Curtis, Brent R. Harris, Thomas P. Kemp, and
            William J. Popejoy. Additional information about the Trustees and
            the Trust's executive officers may be found in the Statement of
            Additional Information under the heading "Management--Trustees and
            Officers."
 
 
INVESTMENT  Pacific Investment Management serves as investment adviser ("Advi-
ADVISOR     sor") to the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory contract.
            The Advisor is an investment counseling firm founded in 1971, and
            had approximately $118 billion in assets under management as of
            December 31, 1997. Pacific Investment Management is a subsidiary
            of PIMCO Advisors L.P. ("PIMCO Advisors"). The general partners of
            PIMCO Advisors are PIMCO Partners, G.P. and PIMCO Advisors Hold-
            ings L.P. PIMCO Partners, G.P. is a general partnership between
            PIMCO Holding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and indi-
            rect wholly-owned subsidiary of Pacific Life Insurance Company,
            and PIMCO Partners LLC, a California limited liability company
            controlled by the Managing Directors of Pacific Investment Manage-
            ment. PIMCO Partners, G.P. is the sole general partner of PIMCO
            Advisors Holdings L.P. Pacific Investment Management's address is
            840 Newport Center Drive, Suite 360, Newport Beach, California
            92660. Pacific Investment Management is registered as an invest-
            ment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as a
            commodity trading advisor with the CFTC.
               The Advisor manages the investment and reinvestment of the as-
            sets of each Fund. The Advisor is responsible for placing orders
            for the purchase and sale of each Fund's investments directly with
            brokers or dealers selected by it in its discretion. See "Portfo-
            lio Transactions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                                                             59
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
               Information about the individual portfolio managers responsible
            for management of the Trust's currently operational Funds offered
            in this Prospectus, including their occupations for the past five
            years, is provided below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          PORTFOLIO MANAGER AND BUSINESS
           FUND                           EXPERIENCE (PAST FIVE YEARS)
           --------------------------------------------------------------------
           <C>                            <S>
           MONEY MARKET FUND              Leslie Barbi, Senior Vice President,
                                          Pacific Investment Management. A
                                          Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Ms.
                                          Barbi has managed the Money Market
                                          Fund since November 1, 1995. Prior to
                                          joining Pacific Investment Management
                                          in 1993, Ms. Barbi was associated
                                          with Salomon Brothers as a proprie-
                                          tary Portfolio Manager.
           --------------------------------------------------------------------
           SHORT-TERM FUND                William H. Gross, Managing Director,
           LOW DURATION FUND              Pacific Investment Management. A
           TOTAL RETURN FUND              Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Mr.
           STOCKSPLUS FUND                Gross is one of the founders of Pa-
                                          cific Investment Management and has
                                          managed the Total Return and Low Du-
                                          ration Funds since their inception,
                                          May 11, 1987. Mr. Gross is the leader
                                          of the team which has managed the
                                          Short-Term and StocksPLUS Funds since
                                          January 6, 1998.
           ---------------------------------------------------------------------
           REAL RETURN BOND FUND          John Brynjolfsson, Vice President,
                                          Pacific Investment Management. A
                                          Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Mr.
                                          Brynjolfsson joined Pacific Invest-
                                          ment Management in 1989, and has man-
                                          aged the Real Return Bond Fund since
                                          its inception, January 29, 1997.
           --------------------------------------------------------------------
           HIGH YIELD FUND                Benjamin Trosky, Managing Director,
                                          Pacific Investment Management. A
                                          Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Mr.
                                          Trosky joined Pacific Investment
                                          Management in 1990 and has managed
                                          the High Yield Fund since its incep-
                                          tion, December 16, 1992.
           --------------------------------------------------------------------
           MUNICIPAL BOND FUND            Benjamin Ehlert, Executive Vice Pres-
                                          ident, PIMCO. A Fixed Income Portfo-
                                          lio Manager, Mr. Ehlert has been as-
                                          sociated with PIMCO for over 23
                                          years.
           --------------------------------------------------------------------
           LONG-TERM U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND Pasi Hamalainen, Executive Vice Pres-
                                          ident, Pacific Investment Management.
                                          A Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Mr.
                                          Hamalainen joined Pacific Investment
                                          Management in 1994 and has managed
                                          the Long-Term U.S. Government Fund
                                          since July 1, 1997.
           --------------------------------------------------------------------
           GLOBAL BOND FUND II            Lee R. Thomas, III, Managing Director
           FOREIGN BOND FUND              and Senior International Portfolio
                                          Manager, Pacific Investment Manage-
                                          ment. A Fixed Income Portfolio
                                          Manager, Mr. Thomas has managed the
                                          Foreign Bond Fund since July 13,
                                          1995, and the Global Bond Fund II
                                          since October 1, 1995. Prior to join-
                                          ing Pacific Investment Management in
                                          1995, Mr. Thomas was associated with
                                          Investcorp as a member of the manage-
                                          ment committee responsible for global
                                          securities and foreign exchange trad-
                                          ing. Prior to Investcorp, he was as-
                                          sociated with Goldman Sachs as an Ex-
                                          ecutive Director in foreign fixed in-
                                          come.
           --------------------------------------------------------------------
           EMERGING MARKETS BOND FUND     Michael J. Rosborough, Senior Vice
                                          President, Pacific Investment Manage-
                                          ment. A Fixed Income Portfolio Manag-
                                          er, Mr. Rosborough was associated
                                          with RBC Dominion in Tokyo as a Vice
                                          President and Manager in foreign
                                          fixed income prior to joining Pacific
                                          Investment Management in 1994.
</TABLE>
 
FUND        Pacific Investment Management also serves as administrator for the
ADMINIS-    Funds' Class A, Class B and Class C shares pursuant to an adminis-
TRATOR      tration agreement with the Trust. Pacific Investment Management
            provides administrative services for Class A, Class B and Class C
            shareholders of the Funds, which include clerical help and ac-
            counting, bookkeeping, internal audit services, and certain other
            services required by the Funds, preparation of reports to the
            Funds' shareholders and regulatory filings. Pacific Investment
            Management may also retain certain of its affiliates to provide
            certain of these services. In addition, Pacific Investment Manage-
            ment, at its own expense, arranges for the provision of legal, au-
            dit, custody, transfer agency (including sub-transfer agency and
            other administrative services) and other services for the Funds,
            and is responsible for the costs of registration of the Trust's
            shares and the printing of prospectuses and shareholder reports
            for current shareholders.
               The Funds (and not Pacific Investment Management) are responsi-
            ble for the following expenses: (i) salaries and other compensa-
            tion of any of the Trust's executive officers and employees who
            are not officers, directors, stockholders or
 
60  PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            employees of Pacific Investment Management or its subsidiaries or
            affiliates; (ii) taxes and governmental fees; (iii) brokerage fees
            and commissions and other portfolio transaction expenses; (iv) the
            costs of borrowing money, including interest expenses; (v) fees
            and expenses of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of
            Pacific Investment Management or the Trust, and any counsel re-
            tained exclusively for their benefit; (vi) extraordinary expenses,
            including costs of litigation and indemnification expenses; (vii)
            expenses, such as organizational expenses, which are capitalized
            in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and
            (viii) any expenses allocated or allocable to a specific class of
            shares, which include distribution and servicing fees payable with
            respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares, and may include
            certain other expenses as permitted by the Trust's Multi-Class
            Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, subject to
            review and approval by the Trustees.
 
 
ADVISORY    The Funds feature fixed advisory and administrative fee rates. For
AND         providing investment advisory and administrative services to the
ADMINIS-    Funds as described above, Pacific Investment Management receives
TRATIVE     monthly fees from each Fund at an annual rate (i) based on the av-
FEES        erage daily net assets of the Fund for advisory fees and, (ii) at-
            tributable in the aggregate to the Fund's Class A, Class B and
            Class C shares for administrative fees, as follows:
ADVISORY
AND
ADMINISTRATIVE
FEES
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  ADVISORY
           FUND                                   FEE RATE
           --------------------------------------------------
           <S>                                    <C>
           Money Market Fund                      .15%
           --------------------------------------------------
           StocksPLUS Fund                        .40%
           --------------------------------------------------
           Emerging Markets Bond Fund             .45%
           --------------------------------------------------
           All other Funds                        .25%
 
 
 
<CAPTION>
                                                  ADMINISTRATIVE
           FUND                                   FEE RATE
           --------------------------------------------------
           <S>                                    <C>
           Money Market, Short-Term and Munici-
            pal Bond Funds                        .35%
           --------------------------------------------------
           Global Bond II and Foreign Bond Funds  .45%
           --------------------------------------------------
           Emerging Markets Bond Fund             .55%
           --------------------------------------------------
           All other Funds                        .40%
</TABLE>
 
 
               Both the investment advisory contract and administration agree-
            ment with respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the
            Funds may be terminated by the Trustees at any time on 60 days'
            written notice. The investment advisory contract may be terminated
            by Pacific Investment Management on 60 days' written notice. Fol-
            lowing the expiration of the one-year period commencing with the
            effectiveness of the administration agreement, it may be
            terminated by Pacific Investment Management on 60 days' written
            notice. Following its initial two-year term, the investment advi-
            sory contract will continue from year to year if approved by the
            Trustees. Following its initial one-year term, the administration
            agreement with respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares of
            the Funds will continue from year-to-year if approved by the
            Trustees.
 
PORTFOLIO   Pursuant to the advisory contract, the Advisor places orders for
TRANS-      the purchase and sale of portfolio investments for the Funds' ac-
ACTIONS     counts with brokers or dealers selected by it in its discretion.
            In effecting purchases and sales of portfolio securities for the
            account of the Funds, the Advisor will seek the best price and ex-
            ecution of the Funds' orders. In doing so, a Fund may pay higher
            commission rates than the lowest available when the Advisor be-
            lieves it is reasonable to do so in light of the value of the bro-
            kerage and research services provided by the broker effecting the
            transaction.
                                                    April 1, 1998 Prospectus 61
                                                                         
<PAGE>
 
 
               The Advisor manages the Funds without regard generally to re-
            strictions on portfolio turnover, except those imposed on its
            ability to engage in short-term trading by provisions of the fed-
            eral tax laws. The use of certain derivative instruments with rel-
            atively short maturities may tend to exaggerate the portfolio
            turnover rate for some of the Funds. Trading in fixed income secu-
            rities does not generally involve the payment of brokerage commis-
            sions, but does involve indirect transaction costs. The use of
            futures contracts may involve the payment of commissions to
            futures commission merchants. The higher the rate of portfolio
            turnover of a Fund, the higher all these transaction costs borne
            by the Fund generally will be. The portfolio turnover rate for
            each Fund for which financial highlights are provided in this Pro-
            spectus is set forth under "Financial Highlights."
               Some securities considered for investments by the Funds may
            also be appropriate for other clients served by the Advisor. If a
            purchase or sale of securities consistent with the investment pol-
            icies of a Fund and one or more of these clients served by the Ad-
            visor is considered at or about the same time, transactions in
            such securities will be allocated among the Fund and clients in a
            manner deemed fair and reasonable by the Advisor. The Advisor may
            aggregate orders for the Funds with simultaneous transactions en-
            tered into on behalf of other clients of the Advisor so long as
            price and transaction expenses are averaged either for that trans-
            action or for the day.
 
            Description of the Trust
 
 


CAPITA-     The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on Feb-
LIZATION    ruary 19, 1987. The Board of Trustees may establish additional
            portfolios in the future. The capitalization of the Trust consists
            solely of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest
            with a par value of $0.0001 each. When issued, shares of the Trust
            are fully paid, non-assessable and freely transferable.
               Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain cir-
            cumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the
            Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims liability of
            the shareholders, Trustees or officers of the Trust for acts or
            obligations of the Trust, which are binding only on the assets and
            property of the Trust, and requires that notice of the disclaimer
            be given in each contract or obligation entered into or executed
            by the Trust or the Trustees. The Declaration of Trust also pro-
            vides for indemnification out of Trust property for all loss and
            expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the obliga-
            tions of the Trust. The risk of a shareholder incurring financial
            loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circum-
            stances in which such disclaimer is inoperative or the Trust it-
            self is unable to meet its obligations, and thus should be consid-
            ered remote.
 
 
MULTIPLE    In addition to Class A, Class B and Class C shares, certain Funds
CLASSES OF  also offer Institutional Class and Administrative Class shares
SHARES      through a separate prospectus. During the second quarter of 1998,
            it is anticipated that certain Funds will offer a new class of
            shares, Class D shares, through a separate prospectus. See "Alter-
            native Purchase Arrangements." These other classes of shares of
            the Funds may have different sales charges and expense levels,
            which will affect performance accordingly. This Prospectus relates
            only to the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of the Funds.
 
VOTING      Shareholders have the right to vote on the election of Trustees
            and on any and all matters on which the law or the Declaration of
            Trust states they may be entitled to vote. The Trust is not re-
            quired to hold regular annual meetings of Trust shareholders and
            does not intend to do so. Shareholders of a class of shares or
            Fund have separate voting rights with respect to matters that only
            affect that class or Fund. See "Other Information--Voting Rights"
            in the Statement of Additional Information.
               The Declaration of Trust provides that the holders of not less
            than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust may remove
            a person serving as Trustee either by declaration in writing or at
            a meeting called for such purpose. The Trustees are required to
            call a meeting for the purpose of considering the removal of a
            person serving as Trustee if requested in writing to do so by the
            holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of the
            Trust.
 
62  PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
 
               Shares entitle their holders to one vote per share (with
            proportionate voting for fractional shares). As of February 28,
            1998, the following were shareholders of record of at least 25% of
            the outstanding voting securities of the indicated Fund: Pacific
            Investment Management Company (Newport Beach, California) with
            respect to the Municipal Bond Fund; Canterbury/Uniform Code
            Council (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) with respect to the Global Bond
            Fund II; and National Financial Services Corporation (New York,
            New York) with respect to the Real Return Bond Fund. To the extent
            such shareholders are also the beneficial owners of those shares,
            they may be deemed to control (as that term is defined in the 1940
            Act) the relevant Fund. As used in this Prospectus, the phrase
            "vote of a majority of the outstanding shares" of a Fund (or the
            Trust) means the vote of the lesser of: (1) 67% of the shares of
            the Fund (or the Trust) present at a meeting, if the holders of
            more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or
            by proxy; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
            Fund (or the Trust).
 
            Mailings to Shareholders
 
            To reduce the volume of mail shareholders receive, it is antici-
            pated that only one copy of most Trust reports, such as the
            Trust's annual report, will be mailed to a shareholder's household
            (same surname, same address). A shareholder may call 800-227-7337
            if additional shareholder reports are desired.

                                                     April 1, 1998 Prospectus 63

<PAGE>
 
            Appendix A
            Description of Duration
 
            Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income secu-
            rity that was developed as a more precise alternative to the con-
            cept of "term to maturity." Traditionally, a fixed income
            security's "term to maturity" has been used as a proxy for the
            sensitivity of the security's price to changes in interest rates
            (which is the "interest rate risk" or "volatility" of the securi-
            ty). However, "term to maturity" measures only the time until a
            fixed income security provides its final payment, taking no ac-
            count of the pattern of the security's payments prior to maturity.
            In contrast, duration incorporates a bond's yield, coupon interest
            payments, final maturity and call features into one measure. Dura-
            tion management is one of the fundamental tools used by the Advi-
            sor.
               Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income
            security on a present value basis. Duration takes the length of
            the time intervals between the present time and the time that the
            interest and principal payments are scheduled or, in the case of a
            callable bond, expected to be received, and weights them by the
            present values of the cash to be received at each future point in
            time. For any fixed income security with interest payments occur-
            ring prior to the payment of principal, duration is always less
            than maturity. In general, all other things being equal, the lower
            the stated or coupon rate of interest of a fixed income security,
            the longer the duration of the security; conversely, the higher
            the stated or coupon rate of interest of a fixed income security,
            the shorter the duration of the security.
               Futures, options and options on futures have durations which,
            in general, are closely related to the duration of the securities
            which underlie them. Holding long futures or call option positions
            (backed by a segregated account of cash and cash equivalents) will
            lengthen a Fund's duration by approximately the same amount that
            holding an equivalent amount of the underlying securities would.
               Short futures or put option positions have durations roughly
            equal to the negative duration of the securities that underlie
            these positions, and have the effect of reducing portfolio dura-
            tion by approximately the same amount that selling an equivalent
            amount of the underlying securities would.
               There are some situations where even the standard duration cal-
            culation does not properly reflect the interest rate exposure of a
            security. For example, floating and variable rate securities often
            have final maturities of ten or more years; however, their inter-
            est rate exposure corresponds to the frequency of the coupon re-
            set. For inflation-indexed bonds, duration is calculated on the
            basis of modified real duration, which measures price changes of
            inflation-indexed bonds on the basis of changes in real, rather
            than nominal, interest rates. Another example where the interest
            rate exposure is not properly captured by duration is the case of
            mortgage pass-through securities. The stated final maturity of
            such securities is generally 30 years, but current prepayment
            rates are more critical in determining the securities' interest
            rate exposure. Finally, the duration of a fixed income security
            may vary over time in response to changes in interest rates and
            other market factors. In these and other similar situations, the
            Advisor will use more sophisticated analytical techniques that in-
            corporate the anticipated economic life of a security into the de-
            termination of its interest rate exposure.
 
64
 PIMCO Funds: Pacific Investment Management Series
<PAGE>
 
            Appendix B
            Description of Securities Ratings
 
            Certain of the Funds make use of average portfolio credit quality
            standards to assist institutional investors whose own investment
            guidelines limit their investments accordingly. In determining a
            Fund's overall dollar-weighted average quality, unrated securities
            are treated as if rated, based on the Advisor's view of their com-
            parability to rated securities. A Fund's use of average quality
            criteria is intended to be a guide for those institutional invest-
            ors whose investment guidelines require that assets be invested
            according to comparable criteria. Reference to an overall average
            quality rating for a Fund does not mean that all securities held
            by the Fund will be rated in that category or higher. A Fund's in-
            vestments may range in quality from securities rated in the lowest
            category in which the Fund is permitted to invest to securities
            rated in the highest category (as rated by Moody's or S&P or, if
            unrated, determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality).
            The percentage of a Fund's assets invested in securities in a par-
            ticular rating category will vary. Following is a description of
            Moody's and S&P's ratings applicable to fixed income securities.
 
 
MOODY'S     CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
INVESTORS      Aaa: Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best
SERVICE,    quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are
INC.        generally referred to as "gilt edge." Interest payments are pro-
            tected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and princi-
            pal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to
            change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to im-
            pair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
               Aa: Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality
            by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what
            are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than
            the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large
            as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be
            of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present that
            make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than with Aaa se-
            curities.
               A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment
            attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade obliga-
            tions. Factors giving security to principal and interest are con-
            sidered adequate but elements may be present that suggest a sus-
            ceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
               Baa: Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade
            obligations (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly
            secured). Interest payments and principal security appear adequate
            for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or
            may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of
            time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and
            in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
               Ba: Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative el-
            ements; their future cannot be considered as well-assured. Often
            the protection of interest and principal payments may be very mod-
            erate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad
            times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds
            in this class.
               B: Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of a
            desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments
            or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long pe-
            riod of time may be small.
               Caa: Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such is-
            sues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger
            with respect to principal or interest.
               Ca: Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are
            speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or
            have other marked shortcomings.
               C: Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds
            and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor pros-
            pects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
               Moody's applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 in each ge-
            neric rating classified from Aa through B in its corporate bond
            rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in
            the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 in-
            dicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the
            issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.
 
                                                                             65
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
 
            CORPORATE SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGS
            Moody's short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of is-
            suers to repay punctually senior debt obligations which have an
            original maturity not exceeding one year. Obligations relying upon
            support mechanisms such as letters of credit and bonds of indem-
            nity are excluded unless explicitly rated.
               Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to
            be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of
            rated issuers:
               PRIME-1: Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions)
            have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt
            obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by
            many of the following characteristics: leading market positions in
            well-established industries; high rates of return on funds em-
            ployed; conservative capitalization structure with moderate reli-
            ance on debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earnings
            coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash genera-
            tion; and well-established access to a range of financial markets
            and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
               PRIME-2: Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions)
            have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt ob-
            ligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the charac-
            teristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and
            coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation.
            Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be
            more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is
            maintained.
               PRIME-3: Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions)
            have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term ob-
            ligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market com-
            positions may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and
            profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protec-
            tion measurements and may require relatively high financial lever-
            age. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
               NOT PRIME: Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of
            the Prime rating categories.
 
 
STANDARD &  CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
POOR'S
RATINGS
SERVICES
 
            INVESTMENT GRADE
               AAA: Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Ca-
            pacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
               AA: Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest
            and repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only
            in small degree.
               A: Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
            principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
            effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
            debt in higher rated categories.
               BBB: Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity
            to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits
            adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions, or
            changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened ca-
            pacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this cate-
            gory than in higher-rated categories.
 
            SPECULATIVE GRADE
            Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C is regarded as having predomi-
            nantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay
            interest and repay principal. BB indicates the least degree of
            speculation and C the highest. While such debt will likely have
            some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed
            by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
               BB: Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default
            than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing un-
            certainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or eco-
            nomic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet
            timely interest and principal payments. The BB rating category is
            also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an
            actual or implied BBB- rating.
 
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               B: Debt rated B has a greater vulnerability to default but cur-
            rently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal
            repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions
            will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and re-
            pay principal. The B rating category is also used for debt subor-
            dinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or
            BB- rating.
               CCC: Debt rated CCC has a currently identifiable vulnerability
            to default and is dependent upon favorable business, financial,
            and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and re-
            payment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial
            or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to
            pay interest and repay principal. The CCC rating category is also
            used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an ac-
            tual or implied B or B- rating.
               CC: The rating CC is typically applied to debt subordinated to
            senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC rating.
               C: The rating C is typically applied to debt subordinated to
            senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied CCC- debt rat-
            ing. The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bank-
            ruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are con-
            tinued.
               CI: The rating CI is reserved for income bonds on which no in-
            terest is being paid.
               D: Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is
            used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on
            the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired,
            unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such
            grace period. The D rating will also be used upon the filing of a
            bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.
               Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modi-
            fied by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative
            standing within the major rating categories.
               Provisional ratings: The letter "p" indicates that the rating
            is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful com-
            pletion of the project being financed by the debt being rated and
            indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or
            entirely dependent upon the successful and timely completion of
            the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality
            subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the
            likelihood of, or the risk of default upon failure of, such com-
            pletion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with re-
            spect to such likelihood and risk.
               r: The "r" is attached to highlight derivative, hybrid, and
            certain other obligations that S&P believes may experience high
            volatility or high variability in expected returns due to non-
            credit risks. Examples of such obligations are: securities whose
            principal or interest return is indexed to equities, commodities,
            or currencies; certain swaps and options; and interest only and
            principal only mortgage securities.
               The absence of an "r" symbol should not be taken as an indica-
            tion that an obligation will exhibit no volatility or variability
            in total return.
               N.R.: Not rated.
               Debt obligations of issuers outside the United States and its
            territories are rated on the same basis as domestic corporate and
            municipal issues. The ratings measure the creditworthiness of the
            obligor but do not take into account currency exchange and related
            uncertainties.
 
            COMMERCIAL PAPER RATING DEFINITIONS
            An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
            likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity
            of no more than 365 days. Ratings are graded into several catego-
            ries, ranging from A for the highest quality obligations to D for
            the lowest. These categories are as follows:
               A-1: This highest category indicates that the degree of safety
            regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to
            possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a
            plus sign (+) designation.
               A-2: Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designa-
            tion is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is
            not as high as for issues designated A-1.
 
                                                                             67
                                                      April 1, 1998 Prospectus
<PAGE>
 
               A-3: Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity
            for timely payment. They are, however, more vulnerable to the ad-
            verse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carry-
            ing the higher designations.
               B: Issues rated B are regarded as having only speculative ca-
            pacity for timely payment.
               C: This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with
            a doubtful capacity for payment.
               D: Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is
            used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on
            the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired,
            unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such
            grace period.
               A commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to purchase,
            sell or hold a security inasmuch as it does not comment as to mar-
            ket price or suitability for a particular investor. The ratings
            are based on current information furnished to S&P by the issuer or
            obtained from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not
            perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occa-
            sion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be
            changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in or un-
            availability of such information.
 
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<TABLE> 
<C>                   <S>  
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIMCO Funds:          INVESTMENT ADVISOR AND ADMINISTRATOR
Pacific Investment    Pacific Investment Management Company, 840 Newport Center Drive, Suite 360,        
Management Series     Newport Beach, CA 92660                                                            
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                      DISTRIBUTOR                                                                        
                      PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC, 2187 Atlantic Street, Stamford,                  
                      CT 06902                                                                  
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                      CUSTODIAN                                                                          
                      Investors Fiduciary Trust Company, 127 West 10th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105         
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                      SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT AND TRANSFER AGENT                                     
                      Shareholder Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5866, Denver, CO 80217                  
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                      INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS                                                            
                      Price Waterhouse LLP, 1055 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64105                         
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                      LEGAL COUNSEL                                                                      
                      Dechert Price & Rhoads, 1775 Eye Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006-2401
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                      For further information about the PIMCO Funds, call 1-800-426-0107 or vist our Web site at
                      http://www.pimcofunds.com.
</TABLE> 


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