<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO
VAN ECK WORLDWIDE INSURANCE TRUST PROSPECTUS
DATED APRIL 30, 1997
AMENDMENT TO THE PROSPECTUS--"MANAGEMENT--INVESTMENT ADVISER, MANAGER AND
ADMINISTRATOR"
Gary Greenberg, C.F.A., has joined Van Eck Associates Corporation, the
investment adviser (the "Adviser") to Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund (the
"Fund") and will continue to manage the Fund in that capacity. Mr. Greenberg
had previously managed the Fund as Chief Investment Officer of Peregrine Asset
Management (Hong Kong) Limited, which until January 13, 1998 was the sub-
investment adviser to the Fund.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 26, 1998
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO
VAN ECK WORLDWIDE EMERGING MARKETS FUND PROSPECTUS
DATED APRIL 30, 1997
AMENDMENT TO THE PROSPECTUS--"MANAGEMENT--INVESTMENT ADVISER, MANAGER AND
ADMINISTRATOR"
Gary Greenberg, C.F.A., has joined Van Eck Associates Corporation, the
investment adviser (the "Adviser") to Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund (the
"Fund") and will continue to manage the Fund in that capacity. Mr. Greenberg
had previously managed the Fund as Chief Investment Officer of Peregrine Asset
Management (Hong Kong) Limited, which until January 13, 1998 was the sub-
investment adviser to the Fund.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 26, 1998
