TEMPLETON VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND
485BPOS, 1996-04-12
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                                                     Registration No. 33-20313

      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 1996

=============================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-1A

         REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933            X

                  Pre-Effective Amendment No.

                  Post-Effective Amendment No.  13                          X

                                     and/or

         REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940    X

                  Amendment No.   16                                        X

                        (Check appropriate box or boxes)

                     TEMPLETON VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                              700 CENTRAL AVENUE, P.O. BOX 33030, 
                       ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33733-8030
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

                  Registrant's Telephone Number: (813) 823-8712

                                Thomas M. Mistele
                               700 Central Avenue
                                 P.O. Box 33030
                       ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33733-8030
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

         immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

X         on    MAY 1, 1996    pursuant to paragraph (b)

         60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

         on    (DATE)    pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

         75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

         on    (DATE)    pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485

         this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a 
         previously filed post-effective amendment


- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The  Registrant  has  registered  an  indefinite  number of shares of beneficial
interest  under the  Securities  Act of 1933  pursuant  to Rule 24f-2  under the
Investment  Company Act of 1940,  and filed its Rule 24f-2 Notice for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1995 on February 28, 1996.


<PAGE>




                     TEMPLETON VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND

                              CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
                              REQUIRED BY RULE 495
                        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                 PART A (FOR TEMPLETON DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND)

The  prospectus  for Templeton  Developing  Markets Fund is not affected by this
Post-Effective  Amendment and is included in Post-Effective  Amendment No. 12 as
filed with the SEC on February 16, 1996.

                    PART A (FOR TEMPLETON MONEY MARKET FUND)

ITEM NO.                              CAPTION

1                                     Cover Page

2                                     Not Applicable

3                                     Financial Highlights

4                                     Investment Objective and Policies;
                                      Description of Securities and
                                      Investment Techniques

5                                     Management of the Trust

6                                     Dividends and Distributions; Other 
                                      Information

7                                     Purchase of Shares; Net Asset Value

8                                     Redemption of Shares

9                                     Not Applicable


                        PART A (FOR TEMPLETON BOND FUND)

ITEM NO.                            CAPTION

1                                   Cover Page

2                                   Not Applicable

3                                   Financial Highlights

4                                   Investment Objective and Policies;
                                    Description of Securities and 
                                    Investment Techniques

5                                   Management of the Trust

6                                   Dividends and Distributions; Other 
                                    Information

7                                   Purchase of Shares; Net Asset Value



<PAGE>


                   PART A (FOR TEMPLETON BOND FUND)- CONTINUED

ITEM NO.                           CAPTION

8                                  Redemption of Shares

9                                  Not Applicable


                        PART A (FOR TEMPLETON STOCK FUND)

ITEM NO.                          CAPTION

1                                 Cover Page

2                                 Not Applicable

3                                 Financial Highlights

4                                 Investment Objective and Policies;
                                  Description of Securities and
                                  Investment Techniques

5                                 Management of the Trust

6                                 Dividends and Distributions; Other Information

7                                 Purchase of Shares; Net Asset Value

8                                 Redemption of Shares

9                                 Not Applicable


                    PART A (FOR TEMPLETON INTERNATIONAL FUND)

ITEM NO.                          CAPTION

1                                 Cover Page

2                                 Not Applicable

3                                 Financial Highlights

4                                 Investment Objective and Policies; 
                                  Description of Securities and 
                                  Investment Techniques

5                                 Management of the Trust

6                                 Dividends and Distributions; Other Information

7                                 Purchase of Shares; Net Asset Value

8                                 Redemption of Shares

9                                 Not Applicable



<PAGE>



                  PART A (FOR TEMPLETON ASSET ALLOCATION FUND)

ITEM NO.                         CAPTION

1                                Cover Page

2                                Not Applicable

3                                Financial Highlights

4                                Investment Objective and Policies;
                                 Description of Securities and 
                                 Investment Techniques

5                                Management of the Trust

6                                Dividends and Distributions; Other Information

7                                Purchase of Shares; Net Asset Value

8                                Redemption of Shares

9                                Not Applicable


           PART B (STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL SERIES)

ITEM NO.                       CAPTION

10                             Cover Page

11                             Table of Contents

12                             General Information and History

13                             Investment Objectives and Policies

14                             Management of the Trust

15                             Principal Shareholders

16                             Investment Management and Other Services

17                             Brokerage Allocation

18                             Description of Shares; Other Information, Part A

19                            Purchase and Redemption of Shares; Net Asset Value

20                             Tax Status

21                             Purchase of Shares (Prospectus)

22                             Yield and Performance Information

23                             Not Applicable



<PAGE>
[INSERT LOGO] 
TEMPLETON VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND              PROSPECTUS -- May 1, 1996 

Templeton Money Market Fund 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                  <C>
                     Templeton Money Market Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Templeton 
                     Variable Products Series Fund (the "Trust"), an open-end, management investment 
                     company. Shares of the Fund are currently sold only to insurance company 
                     separate accounts ("Separate Accounts") to serve as the investment vehicle 
                     for both variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts (the 
                     "Contracts"). The Separate Accounts invest in shares of the Fund and other 
                     series of the Trust in accordance with allocation instructions received from 
                     owners of the Contracts. Such allocation rights are described further in 
                     the accompanying prospectus for the Separate Accounts. Certain series of 
                     the Trust are not available as an investment vehicle for all Contracts. A 
                     purchaser of a Contract should refer to his or her Contract or policy for 
INVESTMENT           information as to which series of the Trust are available for investment. 
 OBJECTIVE AND       This Prospectus sets forth concisely information about the Fund that a 
 POLICIES            prospective investor ought to know before investing. 
                       AN INVESTMENT IN TEMPLETON MONEY MARKET FUND IS NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED 
                     BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE FUND WILL BE 
                     ABLE TO MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER SHARE. 

                     SHARES OF THE FUND ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE 
                     ACCOUNTS AS AN INVESTMENT VEHICLE FOR VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACTS. THIS 
                     PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS OFFERING THE 
PURCHASE             VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACT. BOTH PROSPECTUSES SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY AND 
 OF SHARES           RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. 

                     A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI") DATED MAY 1, 1996 HAS BEEN 
                     FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND IS INCORPORATED IN 
                     ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE IN AND MADE A PART OF THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS SAI 
                     IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO FRANKLIN TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, 
PROSPECTUS           INC., P.O. BOX 33030, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33733-8030 OR BY CALLING THE 
 INFORMATION         FUND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-774-5001 OR 1-813-823-8712. 

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 TABLE OF CONTENTS                          PAGE 
- ---------------------------------------  --------- 
<S>                                      <C>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ..................     T-2 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES  ....     T-2 
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES 
AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES .............     T-3 
PURCHASE OF SHARES ....................     T-4 
NET ASSET VALUE .......................     T-5 
REDEMPTION OF SHARES ..................     T-5 
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      PAGE 
                                   --------- 
<S>                                <C>
EXCHANGES .......................     T-5 
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST .........     T-5 
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS ...........     T-6 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS  ....     T-6 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS  ......     T-6 
OTHER INFORMATION ...............     T-7 
</TABLE>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SHARES OF THE FUNDS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR 
ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK; FURTHER, SUCH SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE 
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY 
OTHER AGENCY. SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE 
POSSIBLE LOSS OF CAPITAL. 

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND 
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES 
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE 
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY 
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 


<PAGE>
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
            FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED
 
The following table of financial highlights has been audited by McGladrey &
Pullen, LLP, independent certified public accountants, for the periods indicated
in their report which is incorporated by reference and which appears in the
Fund's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders. This statement should be read in
conjunction with the other financial statements and notes thereto included in
the Fund's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, which contains further
information about the Funds' performance, and which is available to shareholders
upon request and without charge.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>
                                            1995       1994       1993       1992       1991       1990       1989     1988*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE (for a
  share outstanding throughout the year)
NET ASSET VALUE,
  BEGINNING OF YEAR....................... $  1.00    $  1.00    $  1.00    $  1.00    $  1.00    $  1.00    $ 1.00    $ 1.00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME.....................     .05        .03        .02        .03        .05        .07       .08       .02
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS FROM NET
  INVESTMENT INCOME.......................    (.05)      (.03)      (.02)      (.03)      (.05)      (.07)     (.08)     (.02)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in net asset value
  for the year............................   --         --         --         --         --         --         --        --
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ------    ------
NET ASSET VALUE,
  END OF YEAR............................. $  1.00    $  1.00    $  1.00    $  1.00    $  1.00    $  1.00    $ 1.00    $ 1.00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN..............................    5.35%      3.48%      2.41%      3.10%      5.59%      7.51%     8.13%     1.95%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000)........... $20,723    $33,090    $16,992    $21,454    $22,046    $17,982    $5,984    $  679
Ratio of expenses to average
  net assets..............................     .63%      0.71%       .75%       .69%       .70%       .84%     1.82%    12.95%**
Ratio of expenses, net of reimbursement,
  to average
  net assets..............................     .63%      0.71%       .75%       .69%       .70%       .84%     1.00%     1.50%**
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets......................    5.29%      3.56%      2.38%      3.02%      5.28%      7.19%     7.79%     5.83%**
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 

        *  For the period August 31, 1988 (commencement of operations) to 
           December 31, 1988.
       **  Annualized.
           Total return figures do not include charges applied under the 
           Contracts. Inclusion of such charges would reduce the total
           return figures for all periods shown.
 
                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
The investment objective of the Fund is current income, stability of principal,
and liquidity, which it seeks to achieve by investing in money market
instruments with maturities not exceeding 397 days, consisting primarily of
short term U.S. Government securities, certificates of deposit, time deposits,
bankers' acceptances, commercial paper, and repurchase agreements with banks or
broker-dealers with respect to these securities. As a fundamental policy, the
Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in these securities. There can be
no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be attained.
 
    The Fund intends to use its best efforts to maintain its net asset value at
$1.00 per Share, although there can be no assurance that this will be achieved.
The Fund values all of its portfolio securities using the amortized cost method,
which involves valuing a security at cost on the date of acquisition and
thereafter assuming a constant accretion of discount or amortization of premium.
See 'Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares' in the SAI for a description of
certain conditions and procedures followed by the Fund in connection with
amortized cost valuation. Certain of those conditions and procedures are
summarized below.
 
    In accordance with Rule 2a-7, the Fund is required to (i) maintain a
dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or less; (ii) purchase
only instruments having remaining maturities of 397 days or less; and (iii)
invest only in U.S. dollar denominated securities determined in accordance with
procedures established by the Board of Trustees to present minimal credit risks
and which are rated in one of the two highest rating categories for debt
obligations by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations (or one rating organization if the instrument was rated by only
one such organization, subject to ratification of the investment by the Board of
Trustees). If a security is unrated, it must be of
                                      T-2
<PAGE>
comparable quality as determined in accordance with procedures established by
the Board of Trustees, including approval or ratification of the security by the
Board except in the case of U.S. Government securities.
 
    In addition, the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in
the securities (including the securities collateralizing a repurchase agreement)
of, or subject to puts issued by, a single issuer, except that (i) the Fund may
invest in U.S. Government securities or repurchase agreements that are fully
collateralized by U.S. Government securities without any such limitation, and
(ii) the limitation with respect to puts does not apply to unconditional puts if
no more than 10% of the Fund's total assets is invested in securities issued or
guaranteed by the issuer of the unconditional put. Investments in rated
securities not rated in the highest category by at least two rating
organizations (or one rating organization if the instrument was rated by only
one such organization), and unrated securities not determined by the Board of
Trustees to be comparable to those rated in the highest category, will be
limited to 5% of the Fund's total assets, with the investment in any one such
issuer being limited to no more than the greater of 1% of the Fund's total
assets or $1,000,000.
 
    Commercial paper must be issued by domestic corporations or foreign
corporations affiliated with domestic corporations and must meet the quality
standards described under 'Description of Securities and Investment Techniques.'
The Fund may also enter into repurchase agreements, invest in short term
corporate debt obligations, purchase securities on a 'when-issued' basis, lend
its portfolio securities, and borrow money for emergency purposes. The Fund will
not invest more than 10% of its assets in time deposits maturing in more than
seven days which do not have secondary trading markets and which are subject to
early withdrawal penalties. (See 'Description of Securities and Investment
Techniques.')
 
    The Fund is subject to investment restrictions that are described under the
heading 'Investment Restrictions' in the SAI. Those investment restrictions so
designated and the investment objective of the Fund are 'fundamental policies'
of the Fund, which means that they may not be changed without a majority vote of
Shareholders of the Fund. With the exception of the Fund's investment objectives
and those restrictions specifically identified as fundamental, all investment
policies and practices described in this Prospectus and in the SAI are not
fundamental, meaning that the Board of Trustees may change them without
Shareholder approval.
 
    Certain types of investments and investment techniques are described in
greater detail under 'Description of Securities and Investment Techniques' in
this Prospectus and also in the SAI.
              DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
 
The Fund is authorized to invest in securities and use the various investment
techniques described below. Although these strategies are regularly used by some
investment companies and other institutional investors in various markets, some
of these strategies cannot at the present time be used to a significant extent
by the Fund in some of the markets in which the Fund will invest and may not be
available for extensive use in the future.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
 
The Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities, which are obligations issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Some
U.S. Government securities, such as Treasury bills and bonds, which are direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury, and Government National Mortgage Association
('GNMA') certificates, the principal and interest of which the Treasury
guarantees, are supported by the full faith and credit of the Treasury; others,
such as those of Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the
issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal
National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of
the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's obligations; still others are
supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. GNMA certificates represent
part ownership of a pool of mortgage loans on which interest and principal
payments are guaranteed by the Treasury. Principal is repaid monthly over the
term of the loan. Expected payments may be delayed due to the delays in
registering newly traded certificates. The mortgage loans will be subject to
normal principal amortization and may be prepaid prior to maturity. Reinvestment
of prepayments may occur at higher or lower rates than the original yield on the
certificates.
BANK OBLIGATIONS
 
The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit, which are negotiable
certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite
period of time and earning a specified return. The Fund may invest in bankers'
acceptances, which are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange normally drawn by
an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise and which are 'accepted'
by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the
face value of the instrument on maturity. The Fund may invest in
dollar-denominated certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances of foreign
and domestic banks having total assets in excess of $1 billion. The Fund may
also invest in certificates of deposit of federally insured savings and loan
associations having total assets in excess of $1 billion.
COMMERCIAL PAPER
 
The Fund may invest in commercial paper. Investments in commercial paper are
limited to obligations rated Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. ('Moody's') or A-1 or A-2 by Standard & Poor's Corporation ('S&P') or, if
not rated by Moody's or S&P, issued by companies having an outstanding debt
issue currently rated Aaa or Aa by Moody's or AAA or AA by S&P. See the Appendix
in the SAI for a description of these ratings.
 
                                      T-3
<PAGE>
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. When the Fund acquires a security
from a bank or a registered broker-dealer, it may simultaneously enter into a
repurchase agreement, wherein the seller agrees to repurchase the security at a
specified time and price. The repurchase price is in excess of the purchase
price by an amount which reflects an agreed upon rate of return, which is not
tied to the coupon rate on the underlying security. The term of such an
agreement is generally quite short, possibly overnight or for a few days,
although it may extend over a number of months (up to one year) from the date of
delivery. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the '1940 Act'), repurchase
agreements are considered to be loans collateralized by the underlying security
and therefore will be fully collateralized. However, if the seller should
default on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security, the Fund may
experience delay or difficulty in exercising its rights to realize upon the
security and might incur a loss if the value of the security should decline, as
well as incur disposition costs in liquidating the security.
BORROWING
 
The Fund may borrow up to 5% of its total assets for temporary or emergency
purposes. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may borrow from banks only, and is
required to maintain continuous asset coverage of 300% with respect to such
borrowings and to sell (within three days) sufficient portfolio holdings to
restore such coverage if it should decline to less than 300% due to market
fluctuations or otherwise, even if disadvantageous from an investment
standpoint.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES
 
The Fund may purchase securities on a 'when-issued' basis. New issues of certain
debt securities are often offered on a when-issued basis, meaning that the
payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters
into the commitment, but delivery and payment for the securities normally takes
place after the date of the commitment to purchase. The value of when-issued
securities may vary prior to and after delivery depending on market conditions
and changes in interest rate levels. However, the Fund will not accrue any
income on these securities prior to delivery. The Fund will maintain in a
segregated account with its Custodian an amount of cash or high quality debt
securities equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the amount of its
commitment to purchase the when-issued securities.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
 
The Fund may lend to broker-dealers or U.S. banks portfolio securities with an
aggregate market value of up to one-third of its total assets. Such loans must
be secured by collateral (consisting of any combination of cash, U.S. Government
securities, or irrevocable letters of credit) in an amount at least equal (on a
daily marked-to-market basis) to the current market value of the securities
loaned. The Fund may terminate the loans at any time and obtain the return of
the securities loaned within five business days. The Fund will continue to
receive any interest or dividends paid on the loaned securities and will
continue to have voting rights with respect to the securities. It should be
noted that in connection with the lending of its portfolio securities, the Fund
is exposed to the risk of delay in recovery of the securities loaned or possible
loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower become insolvent. In
determining whether to lend securities, the Investment Manager will consider all
relevant facts and circumstances including the creditworthiness of the borrower.
In the event that the borrower defaults on its obligation to return borrowed
securities, because of insolvency or otherwise, the Fund could experience delays
and costs in gaining access to the collateral and could suffer a loss to the
extent that the value of collateral falls below the market value of the borrowed
securities.
EURODOLLAR AND YANKEE OBLIGATIONS
 
The Fund may invest in dollar-denominated obligations of foreign branches of
domestic banks ('Eurodollar obligations') and dollar-denominated obligations of
domestic branches of foreign banks ('Yankee obligations'). These investments may
involve risks that are different in some respects from investments in
obligations of domestic branches of domestic banks. Such investment risks may
include future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of
withholding taxes on interest income payable on the Eurodollar and Yankee
obligations held by the Fund, possible seizure or nationalization, and the
possible establishment of exchange controls or the adoption of other foreign
government laws and restrictions applicable to the payment of Eurodollar and
Yankee obligations which might adversely affect the payment of principal and
interest.
                               PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis at the net asset value only
to separate accounts of insurance companies to serve as the underlying
investment vehicle for both variable annuity and variable life insurance
contracts. Individuals may not purchase shares directly from the Fund. Please
read the prospectus of the insurance company Separate Account for more
information on the purchase of Fund Shares.
 
    In the event that the Trust serves as investment vehicle for both variable
annuity and variable life insurance contracts, or for both variable life
insurance contracts of an insurer and other variable contracts of an
unaffiliated insurer, the Trust's Board of Trustees will monitor events in order
to identify any material conflicts between variable annuity contract owners and
variable life policy owners and/or between separate accounts of different
insurers, as the case may be, and will
                                      T-4
<PAGE>
determine what action, if any, should be taken in the event of such a conflict.
Although the Trust does not currently foresee any disadvantages to contract
owners, an irreconcilable material conflict may conceivably arise between
contract owners of different separate accounts investing in the Trust due to
differences in tax treatment, the management of investments, or other
considerations.
                                NET ASSET VALUE
 
The net asset value of the Shares of the Fund is determined as of the scheduled
closing time of the New York Stock Exchange ('NYSE') (generally 4:00 p.m., New
York time) on each day the NYSE is open for trading.
 
    The Fund uses the amortized cost method to determine the value of its
portfolio securities. This method involves valuing a security at cost and then
assuming a constant accretion of discount or premium over the period until
maturity, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market
value of the security. The Fund intends to use its best efforts to maintain its
net asset value at $1.00 per Share, although there can be no assurance that this
will be achieved. See 'Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares' in the SAI
for a description of certain conditions and procedures followed by the Fund in
connection with amortized cost valuation.
                              REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
The Trust will redeem all full and fractional Shares presented for redemption on
any business day. Redemptions are effected at the per Share net asset value next
determined after receipt of proper notice of the redemption. Redemption proceeds
normally will be paid to the insurance company within seven days following
receipt of instructions in proper form. The right of redemption may be suspended
by the Trust when the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings) or for any period during which trading thereon is restricted because
an emergency exists, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets not
reasonably practicable, and whenever the Securities and Exchange Commission has
by order permitted such suspension or postponement for the protection of
shareholders. The Trust will redeem Shares of the Fund solely in cash up to the
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net assets during any 90-day period for any one
Shareholder. In consideration of the best interests of the remaining
Shareholders, the Trust reserves the right to pay any redemption price exceeding
this amount in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of securities held by
the Fund in lieu of cash. It is highly unlikely that Shares would ever be
redeemed in kind. If Shares are redeemed in kind, however, the redeeming
Shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the
securities received in the distribution.
 
    Please refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's Separate Account
for information on how to redeem Shares of the Fund.
                                   EXCHANGES
 
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of any other fund available as an
investment option in a Separate Account. Exchanges are treated as a redemption
of shares of one fund and a purchase of shares of the other fund and are
effected at the respective net asset value per Share of each fund on the date of
the exchange. Please refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's
Separate Account for more information concerning exchanges.
                            MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
 
The Trust is managed by its Board of Trustees and all powers of the Trust are
exercised by or under authority of the Board. Information relating to the
Trustees and Officers is set forth under the heading 'Management of the Trust'
in the SAI.
INVESTMENT MANAGER
 
The Investment Manager of the Fund is Templeton Global Bond Managers, a division
of Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc. ('TICI'). TICI is a Florida corporation
with offices at Broward Financial Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33394-3091.
The Investment Manager manages the investment and reinvestment of the Fund's
assets. TICI is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc.
('Franklin'). Through its subsidiaries, Franklin is engaged in various aspects
of the financial services industry. The Investment Manager and its affiliates
serve as advisers for a wide variety of public investment mutual funds and
private clients in many nations. The Templeton organization has been investing
globally over the past 56 years and, with its affiliates, provides investment
management and advisory services to a worldwide client base, including over 4.3
million mutual fund shareholders, foundations, endowments, employee benefit
plans and individuals. The Investment Manager and its affiliates have
approximately 4,100 employees in the United States, Australia, Scotland,
Germany, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Bahamas, Singapore, Canada, Russia, France,
Poland, Italy, India, Vietnam, South America and South Africa.
 
    The Investment Manager has an extensive global network of investment
research sources. Many different selection methods are used for different funds
and clients and these methods are changed and improved by the Investment
Manager's research on superior selection methods.
 
                                      T-5
<PAGE>
    The Investment Manager performs similar services for other funds and
accounts and there may be times when the actions taken with respect to the
Fund's portfolio will differ from those taken by the Investment Manager on
behalf of other funds and accounts. Neither the Investment Manager and its
affiliates, its officers, directors or employees, nor the officers and Trustees
of the Trust are prohibited from investing in securities held by the Fund or
other funds and accounts which are managed or administered by the Investment
Manager to the extent such transactions comply with the Trust's Code of Ethics.
Please see 'Investment Management and Other Services--Investment Management
Agreements,' in the SAI for further information on securities transactions and a
summary of the Trust's Code of Ethics.
 
    The Investment Manager does not furnish any other services or facilities for
the Fund, although such expenses are paid by some investment advisers of other
investment companies. As compensation for these services, the Fund pays the
Investment Manager a fee equal on an annual basis to .35% of its average daily
net assets during the year.
 
    Further information concerning the Investment Manager, including the
services it renders and its selection of brokers to execute portfolio
transactions, is included under the heading 'Investment Management and Other
Services' in the SAI.
BUSINESS MANAGER
 
Templeton Funds Annuity Company, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida
33733-8030, telephone (800) 774-5001 or (813) 823-8712, provides certain
administrative facilities and services for the Trust, including payment of
salaries of officers, preparation and maintenance of books and records, daily
pricing of the Fund's investment portfolio, preparation of tax reports,
preparation of financial reports, and monitoring compliance with regulatory
requirements. For its services, the Business Manager receives a fee equivalent
on an annual basis to 0.15% of the combined average daily net assets of the Fund
and other funds of the Trust, reduced to 0.135% of such assets in excess of
$200,000,000, to 0.10% of such assets in excess of $700,000,000, and to 0.075%
of such assets in excess of $1,200,000,000.
EXPENSES
 
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, expenses amounted to .63% of the
Fund's average daily net assets.
DISTRIBUTOR
 
Shares of the Trust are distributed through Franklin Templeton Distributors,
Inc., P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida 33733-8030, toll free telephone
(800) 292-9293.
                             BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
 
The Trust's brokerage policies are described under the heading 'Brokerage
Allocation' in the SAI. The Trust's brokerage policies provide that the receipt
of research services from a broker is a factor which may be taken into account
in allocating securities transactions as long as the prices and execution
provided by the broker equal the best available within the scope of the Trust's
brokerage policies.
                          DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The Fund's net investment income (consisting principally of interest accrued or
discount earned less amortization of premium and estimated expenses) is declared
as a dividend daily, including weekends and holidays, immediately prior to the
determination of net asset value, and is paid monthly. Any distributions made by
the Fund will be automatically reinvested in additional Shares of the Fund,
unless an election is made on behalf of a Shareholder to receive distributions
in cash.
                           FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
 
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the 'Code'). If the Fund so
qualifies, it generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on amounts
distributed to Shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment
company, the Fund must, among other things, meet certain source of income
requirements. In addition, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the
end of each quarter of the taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of
the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. Government securities, the
securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with
such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this
calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not
more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities of
any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other
regulated investment companies).
 
    Amounts not distributed by the Fund on a timely basis in accordance with a
calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise
tax. See the SAI for more information about this tax and its applicability to
the Fund.
 
    Distributions of any net investment income and of any net realized
short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses are
treated as ordinary income for tax purposes in the hands of the Shareholder (the
Separate Account). The excess of any net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses will, to the extent distributed and designated by the
Fund as a capital gain dividend, be treated as long-term capital gains in the
hands of the Separate Account regardless
                                      T-6
<PAGE>
of the length of time the Separate Account may have held the Shares. Any
distributions that are not from the Fund's investment company taxable income or
net capital gain may be characterized as a return of capital to shareholders or,
in some cases, as capital gain. Reference is made to the prospectus for the
applicable Contract for information regarding the federal income tax treatment
of distributions to an owner of a Contract.
 
    To comply with regulations under Section 817(h) of the Code the Fund is
required to diversify its investments so that on the last day of each quarter of
a calendar year no more than 55% of the value of its assets is represented by
any one investment, no more than 70% is represented by any two investments, no
more than 80% is represented by any three investments, and no more than 90% is
represented by any four investments. Generally, all securities of the same
issuer are treated as a single investment. For this purpose, in the case of U.S.
Government securities, each U.S. Government agency or instrumentality is treated
as a separate issuer. Any securities issued, guaranteed, or insured (to the
extent so guaranteed or insured) by the U.S. Government or an instrumentality of
the U.S. Government are treated as a U.S. Government security for this purpose.
 
    The Treasury Department has indicated that it may issue future
pronouncements addressing the circumstances in which a variable contract owner's
control of the investments of a separate account may cause the contract owner,
rather than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets held
by the separate account. If the contract owner is considered the owner of the
securities underlying the separate account, income and gains produced by those
securities would be included currently in the contract owner's gross income. It
is not known what standards will be set forth in such pronouncements or when, if
at all, these pronouncements may be issued.
 
    In the event that rules or regulations are adopted, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will be able to operate as currently described in the
Prospectus, or that the Trust will not have to change the Fund's investment
objective or investment policies. While the Fund's investment objective is
fundamental and may be changed only by a vote of a majority of its outstanding
Shares, the Trustees have reserved the right to modify the investment policies
of the Fund as necessary to prevent any such prospective rules and regulations
from causing the contract owners to be considered the owners of the Shares of
the Fund underlying the Separate Account.
                               OTHER INFORMATION
CAPITALIZATION
 
The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on February 25, 1988
and currently consists of six separately managed funds. The Board of Trustees
may establish additional Funds in the future. The capitalization of the Trust
consists solely of an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest with a
par value of $0.01 each. When issued, Shares of the Trust are fully paid,
non-assessable by the Trust and freely transferable.
 
    Unlike the stockholder of a corporation, Shareholders could under certain
circumstances 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. The Declaration of
Trust provides for indemnification out of Trust property for all loss and
expense of any Shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Trust. The risk of a Shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself
would be unable to meet its obligations and thus should be considered remote.
VOTING RIGHTS
 
Shareholders of the Trust are given certain voting rights. Each Share of the
Fund will be given one vote, unless a different allocation of voting rights is
required under applicable law for a mutual fund that is an investment medium for
variable life insurance or annuity contracts. In accordance with current
applicable law, the Separate Account, as Shareholder of the Trust, is required
to vote the Shares of the Trust at any regular and special meeting of the
Shareholders of the Trust in accordance with instructions received from owners
of the variable contracts. See the prospectus for the Variable Contract for more
information regarding the pass-through of these voting rights.
 
    Massachusetts business trust law does not require the Trust to hold annual
shareholder meetings, although special meetings may be called for a specific
fund of the Trust, or for the Trust as a whole, for purposes such as electing or
removing Trustees, changing fundamental policies or approving an investment
management contract. In addition, the Trust will be required to hold a meeting
to elect Trustees to fill any existing vacancies on the Board if, at any time,
fewer than a majority of the Trustees have been elected by the Shareholders of
the Trust. In addition, the holders of not less than two-thirds of the
outstanding Shares or other voting interests 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 or other
voting interests of the Trust. The Trust is required to assist in Shareholders'
communications. In accordance with current laws, an insurance company issuing a
variable life insurance or annuity contract that participates in the Trust will
request voting instructions from contract owners and will vote Shares or other
voting interests in the separate account in proportion to the voting
instructions received.
 
                                      T-7
<PAGE>
    For more information on the Trust and the Fund, an SAI may be obtained
without charge upon request to Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., P.O. Box
33030, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33733-8030 -- toll free telephone (800) 774-5001
or (813) 823-8712.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
The Fund may include its yield and effective yield and total return in
advertisements or reports to Shareholders or prospective investors. Performance
information for the Fund will not be advertised unless accompanied by comparable
performance information for a separate account to which the Fund offer its
Shares.
 
    The Fund calculates current yield by annualizing the dividend for the most
recent seven-day period and dividing by the net asset value on the last day of
the period for which yield is presented. The Fund's effective yield is
calculated similarly but assumes that income earned from the investment is
reinvested. The Fund's effective yield will be slightly higher than its yield
because of the compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment. Quotations of
average annual total return for the Fund will be expressed in terms of the
average annual compounded rate of return on a hypothetical investment in the
Fund over a period of 1, 5 and 10 years (or up to the life of the Fund), will
reflect the deduction of a proportional share of Fund expenses (on an annual
basis), and will assume that all dividends and distributions are reinvested when
paid. Total return may be expressed in terms of the cumulative value of an
investment in the Fund at the end of a defined period of time. Quotations of
yield or total return for the Fund will not take into account charges and
deductions against any separate account to which the Fund's Shares are sold or
charges and deductions against variable insurance contracts, although comparable
performance information for a separate account will take such charges into
account. For a description of the methods used to determine total return for the
Fund, see 'Performance Information' in the SAI.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
 
The Trust's fiscal year ends on December 31. Annual reports (containing
financial statements audited by independent auditors and additional information
regarding the Fund's performance) and semi-annual reports (containing unaudited
financial statements) are sent to Shareholders each year. Additional copies may
be obtained, without charge, upon request to the Business Manager.
 
                                      T-8


<PAGE>
[INSERT LOGO] 
TEMPLETON VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND              PROSPECTUS -- May 1, 1996 

Templeton Bond Fund 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                  <C>
                     Templeton Bond Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Templeton Variable 
                     Products Series Fund (the "Trust"), an open-end, management investment company. 
                     Shares of the Fund are currently sold only to insurance company separate 
                     accounts ("Separate Accounts") to serve as the investment vehicle for both 
                     variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts (the "Contracts"). 
                     The Separate Accounts invest in shares of the Fund and other series of the 
                     Trust in accordance with allocation instructions received from owners of 
                     the Contracts. Such allocation rights are described further in the accompanying 
                     Prospectus for the Separate Accounts. Certain series of the Trust are not 
                     available as an investment vehicle for all Contracts. A purchaser of a Contract 
                     should refer to the prospectus for his or her Contract or policy for information 
INVESTMENT           as to which series of the Trust are available for investment. This Prospectus 
 OBJECTIVE AND       sets forth concisely information about the Fund that a prospective investor 
 POLICIES            ought to know before investing. 

                     SHARES OF THE FUND ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE 
                     ACCOUNTS AS AN INVESTMENT VEHICLE FOR VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACTS. THIS 
                     PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS OFFERING THE 
PURCHASE             VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACT. BOTH PROSPECTUSES SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY AND 
 OF SHARES           RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. 

                     A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI") DATED MAY 1, 1996 HAS BEEN 
                     FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND IS INCORPORATED IN 
                     ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE IN AND MADE A PART OF THIS PROSPECTUS. THE SAI 
                     IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO FRANKLIN TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, 
PROSPECTUS           INC., P.O. BOX 33030, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33733-8030 OR BY CALLING THE 
 INFORMATION         FUND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-774-5001 OR 1-813-823-8712. 

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 TABLE OF CONTENTS                          PAGE 
- ---------------------------------------  --------- 
<S>                                      <C>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ..................     T-2 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES  ....     T-2 
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES 
AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES .............     T-3 
RISK FACTORS ..........................     T-6 
PURCHASE OF SHARES ....................     T-7 
NET ASSET VALUE .......................     T-8 
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      PAGE 
                                   --------- 
<S>                                <C>
REDEMPTION OF SHARES ............      T-8 
EXCHANGES .......................      T-8 
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST .........      T-8 
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS ...........     T-10 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS  ....     T-10 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS  ......     T-10 
OTHER INFORMATION ...............     T-11 
</TABLE>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR 
ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK; FURTHER, SUCH SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE 
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY 
OTHER AGENCY. SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE 
POSSIBLE LOSS OF CAPITAL. 

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND 
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES 
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE 
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY 
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 



<PAGE>
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
            FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED
 
The following table of financial highlights has been audited by McGladrey &
Pullen, LLP, independent certified public accountants, for the periods indicated
in their report which is incorporated by reference and which appears in the
Fund's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders. This statement should be read in
conjunction with the other financial statements and notes thereto included in
the Fund's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, which contains further
information about the Fund's performance, and which is available to shareholders
upon request and without charge.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>
                                            1995       1994       1993       1992       1991       1990       1989     1988*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE (for a
  share outstanding throughout the year)
NET ASSET VALUE,
  BEGINNING OF YEAR....................... $ 10.86    $ 12.15    $ 10.91    $ 10.99     $10.35     $10.32    $10.19    $10.00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations
  Net investment income...................     .80        .71        .60        .58        .61        .60       .83       .20
  Net realized and unrealized
    gain (loss)...........................     .76      (1.28)       .65        .03       1.02        .05      (.07)     (.01)
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ------    ------
    TOTAL FROM
       INVESTMENT OPERATIONS..............    1.56       (.57)      1.25        .61       1.63        .65       .76       .19
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions:
  Dividends from net
    investment income.....................    (.54)      (.55)     (.005)      (.57)      (.64)      (.62)     (.63)     --
  Distributions from net
    realized gains........................   --          (.17)     (.005)      (.12)      (.35)     --         --        --
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ------    ------
    TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS...................    (.54)      (.72)      (.01)      (.69)      (.99)      (.62)     (.63)     --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in net asset value
  for the year............................    1.02      (1.29)      1.24       (.08)       .64        .03       .13       .19
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ------    ------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF YEAR.............. $ 11.88    $ 10.86    $ 12.15    $ 10.91     $10.99     $10.35    $10.32    $10.19
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN..............................   14.92%     (4.88)%    11.46%      5.53%     15.86%      6.33%     7.65%     1.90%
 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000)........... $32,910    $29,343    $29,347    $15,674     $8,142     $4,076    $2,349    $  254
Ratio of expenses to average
  net assets..............................     .78%      0.90%       .83%      1.00%      1.06%      1.56%     3.67%    15.44%**
Ratio of expenses, net of reimbursement,
  to average
  net assets..............................     .78%      0.90%       .83%      1.00%      1.00%      1.00%     1.00%     1.50%**
Ratio of net investment income to average
  net assets..............................    7.14%      6.80%      6.50%      6.93%      7.63%      7.65%     8.12%     5.94%**
Portfolio turnover rate...................  188.11%    203.91%    170.33%    147.77%    551.45%    107.58%    48.87%     --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 

        *  For the period August 31, 1988 (commencement of operations) to 
           December 31, 1988.
       **  Annualized.
           Total return figures do not include charges applied under the 
           Contracts. Inclusion of such charges would reduce the total
           return figures for all periods shown.

 
                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
The Fund's investment objective is high current income. The Fund seeks to
achieve its objective through a flexible policy of investing primarily in debt
securities of companies, governments and government agencies of various nations
throughout the world, and in debt securities which are convertible into common
stock of such companies. In pursuit of its investment objective, the Fund will
invest at least 65% of its assets in bonds and debentures of such issuers. The
Fund may invest in debt securities rated in any category by Standard & Poor's
Corporation ('S&P') or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ('Moody's') and
securities which are unrated by any rating agency. See 'Risk Factors' and the
Appendix in the Statement of Additional Information for a description of the S&P
and Moody's ratings. The Fund and its investment manager, Templeton Global Bond
Managers ('TGBM' or the 'Investment Manager'), a division of Templeton
Investment Counsel, Inc. ('TICI'), may, from time to time, use various methods
of selecting securities for the Fund's portfolio, and may also employ and rely
on
                                      T-2
<PAGE>
independent or affiliated sources of information and ideas in connection with
management of the Fund's portfolio. There can be no assurance that the Fund will
achieve its investment objective.
 
    The average maturity of debt securities in the Fund's portfolio will
fluctuate depending upon TGBM's judgment as to future interest rate changes.
Debt securities in which the Fund may also invest include various corporate debt
obligations, structured investments, commercial paper, certificates of deposit,
bankers' acceptances, and repurchase agreements with respect to these
securities.
 
    The Fund may also buy and sell financial futures contracts, bond index
futures contracts, and foreign currency futures contracts. The Fund may purchase
and sell any of these futures contracts for hedging purposes only and not for
speculation. It may engage in such transactions only if the total contract value
of the futures contracts does not exceed 20% of the Fund's total assets. In
addition, the Fund may invest in forward foreign currency exchange contracts,
options on foreign currencies, depositary receipts, 'when-issued' securities and
collateralized mortgage obligations, lend its portfolio securities, and borrow
money for investment purposes (i.e., 'leverage' its portfolio). These investment
techniques are discussed under 'Description of Securities and Investment
Techniques.'
 
    The Fund is subject to investment restrictions that are described under the
heading 'Investment Restrictions' in the Statement of Additional Information.
Those investment restrictions so designated and the investment objective of the
Fund are 'fundamental policies' of the Fund, which means that they may not be
changed without a majority vote of Shareholders of the Fund. With the exception
of the Fund's investment objective and those restrictions specifically
identified as fundamental, all investment policies and practices described in
this Prospectus and in the SAI are not fundamental, meaning that the Board of
Trustees may change them without Shareholder approval.
 
    Certain types of investments and investment techniques are described in
greater detail under 'Description of Securities and Investment Techniques' in
this Prospectus and in the SAI.
              DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
 
The Fund is authorized to invest in the securities and use the various
investment techniques described below. Although these strategies are regularly
used by some investment companies and other institutional investors in various
markets, some of these strategies cannot at the present time be used to a
significant extent by the Fund in some of the markets in which the Fund will
invest and may not be available for extensive use in the future.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
 
The Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities, which are obligations issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Some
U.S. Government securities, such as Treasury bills and bonds, which are direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury, and Government National Mortgage Association
('GNMA') certificates, the principal and interest of which the Treasury
guarantees, are supported by the full faith and credit of the Treasury; others,
such as those of Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the
issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal
National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of
the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's obligations; still others are
supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. GNMA certificates are
securities representing part ownership of a pool of mortgage loans on which
interest and principal payments are guaranteed by the Treasury. Principal is
repaid monthly over the term of the loan. Expected payments may be delayed due
to the delays in registering newly traded certificates. The mortgage loans will
be subject to normal principal amortization and may be prepaid prior to
maturity. Reinvestment of prepayments may occur at higher or lower rates than
the original yield on the certificates.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS ('CMOS')
 
The Fund may invest in CMOs, which are fixed-income securities collateralized by
pools of mortgage loans created by commercial banks, savings and loan
institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers, and other
issuers in the United States. In effect, CMOs 'pass-through' the monthly
payments made by individual borrowers on their mortgage loans. Timely payment of
interest and principal (but not the market value) of these pools is supprted by
various forms of insurance or guarantees issued by U.S. Government agencies,
private issuers, and mortgage poolers; however, the obligation itself is not
guaranteed. If the collateral securing the obligations is insufficient to make
payment on the obligation, a holder could sustain a loss. In addition, the Fund
may buy CMOs without insurance or guarantees if, in the opinion of the
Investment Manager, the sponsor is creditworthy. The ratings of the CMOs will be
consistent with the ratings criteria of the Fund. Prepayments of the mortgages
included in the mortgage pool may influence the yield of the CMO. Prepayments
usually increase when interest rates are decreasing, thereby decreasing the life
of the pool. Reinvestment of prepayments may be at a lower rate than that on the
original CMO. As a result, the value of CMOs decrease like other debt securities
when interest rates rise, but when interest rates decline, they may not increase
as much as other debt securities, due to the prepayment feature.
 
                                      T-3
<PAGE>
BANK OBLIGATIONS
 
The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit, which are negotiable
certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite
period of time and earning a specified return. The Fund may invest in bankers'
acceptances, which are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange normally drawn by
an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise and which are 'accepted'
by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the
face value of the instrument on maturity. The Fund may invest in
dollar-denominated certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances of foreign
and domestic banks having total assets in excess of $1 billion. The Fund may
also invest in certificates of deposit of federally insured savings and loan
associations having total assets in excess of $1 billion.
COMMERCIAL PAPER
 
The Fund may invest in commercial paper. Investments in commercial paper are
limited to obligations rated Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's or A-1 or A-2 by S&P
or, if not rated by Moody's or S&P, issued by companies having an outstanding
debt issue currently rated Aaa or Aa by Moody's or AAA or AA by S&P. See the
Appendix in the SAI for a description of these ratings.
DEBT SECURITIES
 
Debt securities in which the Fund may invest consistent with its investment
objective and policies may include many types of debt obligations of both
domestic and foreign issuers such as bonds, debentures, notes, commercial paper,
structured investments and obligations issued or guaranteed by governments or
government agencies or instrumentalities. The market value of debt securities
generally varies in response to changes in interest rates and the financial
condition of each issuer. During periods of declining interest rates, the value
of debt securities generally increases. Conversely, during periods of rising
interest rates, the value of such securities generally declines. These changes
in market value will be reflected in the Fund's net asset value.
 
    The Fund may invest in medium and lower quality debt securities that are
rated between BBB and as low as CC by S&P, and between Baa and as low as Ca by
Moody's or, if unrated, are of equivalent investment quality as determined by
the Investment Manager. Bonds rated BB or Ba or lower, commonly referred to as
'junk bonds,' are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's
capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the
obligation and may be in default. Issues of bonds rated CC or Ca may often be in
default. The Board may consider a change in this operating policy if, in its
judgment, economic conditions change such that a higher level of investment in
high risk, lower quality debt securities would be consistent with the interests
of the Fund and its Shareholders. Regardless of rating levels, all debt
securities considered for purchase (whether rated or unrated) will be carefully
analyzed by the Investment Manager to insure, to the extent possible, that the
planned investment is sound. Unrated debt securities are not necessarily of
lower quality than rated securities but they may not be attractive to as many
buyers. The Fund may, from time to time, purchase defaulted debt securities if,
in the opinion of the Investment Manager, the issuer may resume interest
payments in the near future. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total
assets in defaulted debt securities.
 
    Debt securities with similar maturities may have different yields, depending
upon several factors, including the relative financial condition of the issuers.
For example, higher yields are generally available from securities in the lower
rating categories of S&P or Moody's. However, the values of lower rated
securities generally fluctuate more than those of higher rated securities. As a
result, lower rated securities involve greater risk of loss of income and
principal than higher rated securities. A full discussion of the risks of
investing in lower quality debt securities is contained under the caption 'Risk
Factors.' For a description of debt securities ratings, see the Appendix to the
SAI.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. When the Fund acquires a security
from a bank or a registered broker-dealer, it may simultaneously enter into a
repurchase agreement, wherein the seller agrees to repurchase the security at a
specified time and price. The repurchase price is in excess of the purchase
price by an amount which reflects an agreed upon rate of return, which is not
tied to the coupon rate on the underlying security. The term of such an
agreement is generally quite short, possibly overnight or for a few days,
although it may extend over a number of months (up to one year) from the date of
delivery. Repurchase agreements will be fully collateralized. However, if the
seller should default on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security,
the Fund may experience delay or difficulty in exercising its rights to realize
upon the security and might incur a loss if the value of the security should
decline, as well as incur disposition costs in liquidating the security.
BORROWING
 
The Fund may borrow up to 30% of the value of its net assets to increase its
holdings of portfolio securities. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may borrow from
banks only, and is required to maintain continuous asset coverage of 300% with
respect to such borrowings and to sell (within three days) sufficient portfolio
holdings to restore such coverage if it should decline to less than 300% due to
market fluctuations or otherwise, even if disadvantageous from an investment
standpoint. Leveraging by means of borrowing will exaggerate the effect of any
increase or decrease in the value of portfolio securities on the Fund's net
asset value, and money borrowed will be subject to interest and other costs
(which may include commitment fees
                                      T-4
<PAGE>
and/or the cost of maintaining minimum average balances) which may or may not
exceed the income received from the securities purchased with borrowed funds.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES
 
The Fund may purchase securities on a 'when-issued' basis. New issues of certain
debt securities are often offered on a when-issued basis, meaning that the
payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters
into the commitment, but delivery and payment for the securities normally takes
place after the date of the commitment to purchase. The value of when-issued
securities may vary prior to and after delivery depending on market conditions
and changes in interest rate levels. However, the Fund will not accrue any
income on these securities prior to delivery. The Fund will maintain in a
segregated account with its Custodian an amount of cash or high quality debt
securities equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the amount of its
commitment to purchase the when-issued securities.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
 
The Fund may lend to broker-dealers or U.S. banks portfolio securities with an
aggregate market value of up to one-third of its total assets to generate
income. Such loans must be secured by collateral (consisting of any combination
of cash, U.S. Government securities, or irrevocable letters of credit) in an
amount at least equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the current market
value of the securities loaned. The Fund may terminate the loans at any time and
obtain the return of the securities loaned within five business days. The Fund
will continue to receive any interest or dividends paid on the loaned securities
and will continue to have voting rights with respect to the securities. In the
event that the borrower defaults on its obligation to return borrowed
securities, because of insolvency or otherwise, the Fund could experience delays
and costs in gaining access to the collateral and could suffer a loss to the
extent that the value of collateral falls below the market value of the borrowed
securities.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
 
The Fund may purchase sponsored or unsponsored American Depositary Receipts
('ADRs'), European Depositary Receipts ('EDRs') and Global Depositary Receipts
('GDRs') (collectively, 'Depositary Receipts'). ADRs are Depositary Receipts
typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company which evidence ownership of
underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs and GDRs are
typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they also may be
issued by U.S. banks or trust companies, and evidence ownership of underlying
securities issued by either a foreign or a United States corporation. Generally,
Depositary Receipts in registered form are designed for use in the U.S.
securities market and Depositary Receipts in bearer form are designed for use in
securities markets outside the United States. Depositary Receipts may not
necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities
into which they may be converted. Depositary Receipts may be issued pursuant to
sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made
arrangements to have its securities traded in the form of Depositary Receipts.
In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation
of the program. Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and
unsponsored programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to
obtain financial information from an issuer that has participated in the
creation of a sponsored program. Accordingly, there may be less information
available regarding issuers of securities underlying unsponsored programs and
there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of
the Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts also involve the risks of other
investments in foreign securities, as discussed below. For purposes of the
Fund's investment policies, the Fund's investments in Depositary Receipts will
be deemed to be investments in the underlying securities.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
 
For hedging purposes only, the Fund may buy and sell financial futures contracts
and foreign currency futures contracts. Also, for hedging purposes only, the
Fund may purchase and sell bond index futures contracts. A financial futures
contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specified debt
security at a set price on a future date. An index futures contract is an
agreement to take or make delivery of an amount of cash based on the difference
between the value of the index at the beginning and at the end of the contract
period. A futures contract on a foreign currency is an agreement to buy or sell
a specified amount of a currency for a set price on a future date.
 
    When the Fund enters into a futures contract, it must make an initial
deposit, known as 'initial margin,' as a partial guarantee of its performance
under the contract. As the value of the security, index or currency fluctuates,
either party to the contract is required to make additional margin payments,
known as 'variation margin,' to cover any additional obligation it may have
under the contract. The Fund may not commit more than 5% of its total assets to
initial margin deposits on futures contracts. In addition, the Fund must deposit
in a segregated account additional cash or high quality debt securities to
ensure the futures contracts are unleveraged. The value of assets held in the
segregated account must be equal to the daily market value of all outstanding
futures contracts less any amounts deposited as margin.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES.
 
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts ('forward
contracts') to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in
the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. A forward
contract is an
                                      T-5
<PAGE>
obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price at a
future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by currency
traders and their customers. The Fund may enter into a forward contract, for
example, when it enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security
denominated in a foreign currency in order to 'lock in' the U.S. dollar price of
the security or, when the Investment Manager believes that the currency of a
particular foreign country may suffer or enjoy a substantial movement against
another currency, it may enter into a forward contract to sell or buy the former
foreign currency (or another currency which acts as a proxy for that currency)
approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities
denominated in such foreign currency. This latter investment practice is
generally referred to as 'cross-hedging.' The Fund has no specific limitation on
the percentage of assets it may commit to forward contracts, except that the
Fund will not enter into a forward contract if the amount of assets set aside to
cover the contract would impede portfolio management or the Fund's ability to
meet redemption requests. The Fund may also purchase and write put and call
options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in
the dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the
U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired.
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
Shareholders should understand that all investments involve risk and there can
be no guarantee against loss resulting from an investment in the Fund; nor can
there be any assurance that the Fund's investment objectives will be attained.
As with any investment in securities, the value of, and income from, an
investment in the Fund can decrease as well as increase, depending on a variety
of factors which may affect the values and income generated by the Fund's
portfolio securities, including general economic conditions and market factors.
In addition to the factors which affect the value of individual securities, a
Shareholder may anticipate that the value of the Shares of the Fund will
fluctuate with movements in the broader equity and bond markets, as well.
Changes in the prevailing rates of interest in any of the countries in which the
Fund is invested in fixed income securities will likely affect the value of such
holdings and thus the value of Fund Shares. Increased rates of interest, which
frequently accompany inflation and/or a growing economy, are likely to have a
negative effect on the value of Fund Shares. In addition, changes in currency
valuations will also affect the price of the Shares of the Fund. History
reflects both decreases and increases in stock markets and interest rates in
individual countries and throughout the world, and in currency valuations, and
these may reoccur unpredictably in the future. Additionally, investment
decisions made by the Investment Manager will not always be profitable or prove
to have been correct. The Fund is not intended as a complete investment program.
 
    The Fund is authorized to purchase securities in any foreign country,
developed or underdeveloped. An investor should consider carefully the risks
involved in investing in securities issued by companies and governments of
foreign nations, which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic
investments. These risks are often heightened for investments in developing
markets, including certain Eastern European countries. See 'Investment
Objectives and Policies--Risk Factors' in the SAI. There is the possibility of
expropriation, nationalization or confiscatory taxation, taxation of income
earned in foreign nations (including, for example, withholding taxes on interest
and dividends) or other taxes imposed with respect to investments in foreign
nations, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability
to transfer currency from a given country), foreign investment controls on daily
stock movements, default in foreign government securities, political or social
instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect investments in
securities of issuers in foreign nations. Some countries may withhold portions
of interest and dividends at the source. In addition, in many countries there is
less publicly available information about issuers than is available in reports
about companies in the United States. Foreign companies are not generally
subject to uniform accounting and auditing and financial reporting standards,
and auditing practices and requirements may not be comparable to those
applicable to United States companies. The Fund may encounter difficulties or be
unable to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, pursue legal remedies, and
obtain judgments in foreign courts. These considerations generally are more of a
concern in developing countries, where the possibility of political instability
(including revolution) and dependence on foreign economic assistance may be
greater than in developed countries. Investments in companies domiciled in
developing countries therefore may be subject to potentially higher risks than
investments in developed countries.
 
    Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to
investment in foreign countries are generally more expensive than in the United
States. Foreign securities markets also have different clearance and settlement
procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have
been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it
difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in
temporary periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned
thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to
settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment
opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement
problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in
value of the portfolio security or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to
sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.
 
    In many foreign countries there is less government supervision and
regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and
listed companies than in the United States. There is an increase risk,
therefore, of uninsured loss due to lost, stolen or counterfeit stock
certificates. In addition, the foreign securities markets of many of the
countries in which the Fund may invest may also be smaller, less liquid, and
subject to greater price volatility than those in the United States.
                                      T-6
<PAGE>
The Fund may invest in Eastern European countries, which involves special risks
that are described under 'Investment Objectives and Policies--Risk Factors' in
the SAI.
 
    Prior governmental approval of foreign investments may be required under
certain circumstances in some developing countries, and the extent of foreign
investment in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other
developing countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the
charters of individual companies in developing countries to prevent, among other
concerns, violation of foreign investment limitations.
 
    Repatriation of investment income, capital and proceeds of sales by foreign
investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some
developing countries. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in or a
refusal to grant any required governmental registration or approval for such
repatriation.
 
    Further, the economies of developing countries generally are heavily
dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue
to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed
adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed
or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have
been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the
countries with which they trade.
 
    Although they may offer higher yields than do higher rated securities, low
rated and unrated securities generally involve greater volatility of price and
risk of principal and income, including the possibility of default by, or
bankruptcy of, the issuers of the securities. In addition, the markets in which
low rated and unrated securities are traded are more limited than those in which
higher rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets for
particular securities may diminish a Fund's ability to sell the securities at
fair value either to meet redemption requests or to respond to a specific
economic event such as a deterioration in creditworthiness of the issuer.
Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain low rated or unrated debt
securities may also make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain accurate market
quotations for the purpose of valuing the Fund's portfolio. Market quotations
are generally available on many low rated or unrated securities only from a
limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of such
dealers or prices for actual sales.
 
    Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on
fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of low rated
securities, especially in a thinly traded market. Analysis of the
creditworthiness of issuers of debt securities that are low rated securities may
be more complex than for issuers of higher rated securities, and the ability of
a Fund to achieve its investment objective may, to the extent of investment in
low rated securities, be more dependent upon such creditworthiness analysis than
would be the case if the Fund were investing in higher rated securities.
 
    Low rated securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse
economic and competitive industry conditions than investment grade securities.
The prices of low rated securities have been found to be less sensitive to
interest rate changes than higher 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 example, could
cause a decline in low rated securities 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 low rated securities
defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. The low rated
bond market is relatively new, and many of the outstanding low rated bonds have
not endured a major business recession.
 
    The Fund will usually effect currency exchange transactions on a spot (i.e.,
cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign exchange market. However,
some price spread on currency exchange (to cover service charges) will be
incurred when the Fund converts assets from one currency to another.
 
    Successful use of forward contracts, options and futures contracts is
subject to special risk considerations and transaction costs. A liquid secondary
market for forward contracts, options and futures contracts may not be available
when a position is sought to be closed. In addition, there may be an imperfect
correlation between movements in the securities or foreign currency on which the
contract or option is based and movements in the securities in the Fund's
portfolio or the currencies in which they are denominated. Successful use of
forward contracts, options and futures contracts is further dependent on the
ability of the Fund's Investment Manager to correctly predict movements in the
securities or foreign currency markets and no assurance can be given that its
judgment will be correct. Successful use of options on securities or stock
indices is subject to similar risk considerations. In addition, by writing
covered call options, the Fund gives up the opportunity, while the option is in
effect, to profit from any price increase in the underlying security above the
option exercise price.
 
    There are further risk factors, including possible losses through the
holding of securities in domestic and foreign custodian banks and depositories,
described elsewhere in the Prospectus and in the SAI.
                               PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis only to separate accounts
of insurance companies to serve as the underlying investment vehicle for both
variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts. Individuals may not
purchase shares directly from the Fund. Please read the prospectus of the
insurance company Separate Account for more information on the purchase of Fund
Shares.
 
                                      T-7
<PAGE>
    In the event that the Trust serves as investment vehicle for both variable
annuity and variable life insurance contracts, or for both variable life
insurance contracts of an insurer and other variable contracts of an
unaffiliated insurer, the Trust's Board of Trustees will monitor events in order
to identify any material conflicts between variable annuity contract owners and
variable life policy owners and/or between separate accounts of different
insurers, as the case may be, and will determine what action, if any, should be
taken in the event of such a conflict. Although the Trust does not currently
foresee any disadvantages to contract owners, an irreconcilable material
conflict may conceivably arise between contract owners of different separate
accounts investing in the Trust due to differences in tax treatment, the
management of investments, or other considerations.
                                NET ASSET VALUE
 
The net asset value of the Shares of the Fund is determined as of the scheduled
closing time of the New York Stock Exchange ('NYSE') (generally 4:00 p.m., New
York time) on each day the NYSE is open for trading, computed by dividing the
value of the Fund's securities plus any cash and other assets (including accrued
interest and dividends receivable) less all liabilities (including accrued
expenses) by the number of shares outstanding, adjusted to the nearest whole
cent. A security listed or traded on a recognized stock exchange or NASDAQ is
valued at its last sale price on the principal exchange on which the security is
traded. The value of a foreign security is determined in its national currency
as of the close of trading on the foreign exchange on which it is traded, or as
of the scheduled closing time of the NYSE if that is earlier, and that value is
then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at foreign exchange rates in
effect at noon, New York time, on the day the value of the foreign security is
determined. If no sale is reported at that time, the mean between the current
bid and asked price is used. Occasionally, events which affect the values of
such securities and such exchange rates may occur between the times at which
they are determined and the close of the NYSE, and will therefore not be
reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If events materially
affecting the value of such securities occur during such period, then these
securities will be valued at fair value as determined by the management and
approved in good faith by the Board of Trustees. All other securities for which
over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean
between the current bid and asked price. Securities for which market quotations
are not readily available and other assets are valued at fair value as
determined by management and approved in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
                              REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
The Trust will redeem all full and fractional Shares presented for redemption on
any business day. Redemptions are effected at the per Share net asset value next
determined after receipt of proper notice of the redemption. Redemption proceeds
normally will be paid to the insurance company within seven days following
receipt of instructions in proper form. The right of redemption may be suspended
by the Trust when the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings) or for any period during which trading thereon is restricted because
an emergency exists, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets not
reasonably practicable, and whenever the Securities and Exchange Commission has
by order permitted such suspension or postponement for the protection of
shareholders. The Trust will redeem Shares of the Fund solely in cash up to the
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net assets during any 90-day period for any one
Shareholder. In consideration of the best interests of the remaining
Shareholders, the Trust reserves the right to pay any redemption price exceeding
this amount in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of securities held by
the Fund in lieu of cash. It is highly unlikely that Shares would ever be
redeemed in kind. If Shares are redeemed in kind, however, the redeeming
Shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the
securities received in the distribution.
 
    Please refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's Separate Account
for information on how to redeem Shares of the Fund.
                                   EXCHANGES
 
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Shares of any other fund available as an
investment option in a Separate Account. Exchanges are treated as a redemption
of Shares of one fund and a purchase of Shares of the other fund and are
effected at the respective net asset value per Share of each fund on the date of
the exchange. Please refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's
Separate Account for more information concerning exchanges.
                            MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
 
The Trust is managed by its Board of Trustees and all powers of the Trust are
exercised by or under authority of the Board. Information relating to the
Trustees and officers is set forth under the heading 'Management of the Trust'
in the SAI.
INVESTMENT MANAGER
 
The Investment Manager of the Fund is Templeton Global Bond Managers ('TGBM'), a
division of Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc. ('TICI'). TICI is a Florida
corporation with offices at Broward Financial Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
33394-3091. The Investment Manager manages the investment and reinvestment of
the Fund's assets. TICI is an indirect
                                      T-8
<PAGE>
wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. ('Franklin'). Through its
subsidiaries, Franklin is engaged in various aspects of the financial services
industry. The Investment Manager and its affiliates serve as advisers for a wide
variety of public investment mutual funds and private clients in many nations.
The Templeton organization has been investing globally over the past 56 years
and, with its affiliates, provides investment management and advisory services
to a worldwide client base, including over 4.3 million mutual fund shareholders,
foundations, endowments, employee benefit plans and individuals. The Investment
Manager and its affiliates have approximately 4,100 employees in the United
States, Australia, Scotland, Germany, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Bahamas, Singapore,
Canada, Russia, France, Poland, Italy, India, Vietnam, South America and South
Africa.
 
    The Investment Manager uses a disciplined, long-term approach to value
oriented global and international investing. It has an extensive global network
of investment research sources. Securities are selected for the Fund's portfolio
on the basis of fundamental company-by-company analysis. Many different
selection methods are used for different funds and clients and these methods are
changed and improved by the Investment Manager's research on superior selection
methods.
 
    The Investment Manager performs similar services for other funds and
accounts and there may be times when the actions taken with respect to the
Fund's portfolio will differ from those taken by the Investment Manager on
behalf of other funds and accounts. Neither the Investment Manager and its
affiliates, its officers, directors or employees, nor the officers and Trustees
of the Trust are prohibited from investing in securities held by the Fund or
other funds and accounts which are managed or administered by the Investment
Manager to the extent such transactions comply with the Trust's Code of Ethics.
Please see 'Investment Management and Other Services--Investment Management
Agreements,' in the SAI for further information on securities transactions and a
summary of the Trust's Code of Ethics.
 
    The Investment Manager does not furnish any other services or facilities for
the Fund, although such expenses are paid by some investment advisers of other
investment companies. As compensation for these services, the Fund pays its
Investment Manager a monthly fee equal on an annual basis to .50% of its average
daily net assets during the year.
 
    The lead portfolio manager of the Fund since 1993 is Thomas Latta, Vice
President of TGBM. Mr. Latta joined the Templeton organization in 1991. He is
the senior portfolio manager for developed markets fixed income and has research
responsibilities for the core European markets. Mr. Latta is also responsible
for internal fixed income systems development. Mr. Latta began working in the
securities industry in 1981. His experience includes seven years with Merrill
Lynch where he was part of an investment team to the Saudi Arabian Monetary
Authority in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While at Merrill Lynch, Mr. Latta also acted
as an advisor to investment managers concerning the modeling and application of
interest rate strategies in fixed income portfolios. Mr. Latta attended the
University of Missouri and New York University. Neil Devlin and Ronald A.
Johnson exercise secondary portfolio management responsibilities with respect to
the Fund. Mr. Devlin, Executive Vice President of the Investment Manager, joined
the Templeton organization in 1987. Prior to that time, he was a portfolio
manager and bond analyst with Constitutional Capital Management of Boston, where
he managed a portion of the Bank of New England's pension money, a number of
trust and corporate pension accounts, and began and managed a mortgage-backed
securities fund for the Bank. Before that, Mr. Devlin was a bond trader and
research analyst for the Bank of New England. Mr. Devlin holds a BA from
Brandeis University. Dr. Johnson, Vice President of TGBM, joined the Templeton
organization in 1995 and is responsible for investment strategies in emerging
fixed income markets and sovereign risk research. Prior to joining the Templeton
organization, Dr. Johnson was chief strategist and head of research for JPBT
Advisers, Inc. in Miami, Florida. Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. and MA in economics
from Stanford University and a MBA in finance and BA in economics from Adelphi
University.
 
    Further information concerning the Investment Manager, including the
services it renders and its selection of brokers to execute portfolio
transactions, is included under the heading 'Investment Management and Other
Services' in the SAI.
BUSINESS MANAGER
 
Templeton Funds Annuity Company, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida
33733-8030, telephone (800) 774-5001 or (813) 823-8712, provides certain
administrative facilities and services for the Trust, including payment of
salaries of officers, preparation and maintenance of books and records, daily
pricing of the Fund's investment portfolio, preparation of tax reports,
preparation of financial reports, and monitoring compliance with regulatory
requirements. For its services, the Business Manager receives a fee equivalent
on an annual basis to 0.15% of the combined average daily net assets of the Fund
and other funds of the Trust, reduced to 0.135% of such assets in excess of
$200,000,000, to 0.10% of such assets in excess of $700,000,000, and to 0.075%
of such assets in excess of $1,200,000,000.
EXPENSES
 
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, expenses amounted to .78% of the
Fund's average daily net assets.
DISTRIBUTOR
 
Shares of the Trust are distributed through Franklin Templeton Distributors,
Inc., P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida 33733-8030, toll free telephone
(800) 292-9293.
 
                                      T-9
<PAGE>
                             BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
 
The Trust's brokerage policies are described under the heading 'Brokerage
Allocation' in the SAI. The Trust's brokerage policies provide that the receipt
of research services from a broker is a factor which may be taken into account
in allocating securities transactions as long as the prices and execution
provided by the broker equal the best available within the scope of the Trust's
brokerage policies.
                          DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The Fund normally intends to pay annual dividends representing substantially all
of its net investment income and to distribute annually any net realized capital
gains.
 
    Any distributions made by the Fund will be automatically reinvested in
additional Shares of the Fund, unless an election is made on behalf of a
Shareholder to receive distributions in cash. Dividends or distributions by the
Fund will reduce the per share net asset value by the per share amount so paid.
                           FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
 
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the 'Code'). If the Fund so
qualifies, it generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on amounts
distributed to Shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment
company, the Fund must, among other things, meet certain source of income
requirements. In addition, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the
end of each quarter of the taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of
the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. Government securities, the
securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with
such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this
calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not
more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities of
any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other
regulated investment companies).
 
    Amounts not distributed by the Fund on a timely basis in accordance with a
calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise
tax. See the SAI for more information about this tax and its applicability to
the Fund.
 
    Distributions of any net investment income and of any net realized
short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses are
treated as ordinary income for tax purposes in the hands of the Shareholder (the
Separate Account). The excess of any net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses will, to the extent distributed and designated by the
Fund as a capital gain dividend, be treated as long-term capital gains in the
hands of the Separate Account regardless of the length of time the Separate
Account may have held the Shares. Any distributions that are not from the Fund's
investment company taxable income or net capital gain may be characterized as a
return of capital to shareholders or, in some cases, as capital gain. Reference
is made to the prospectus for the applicable Contract for information regarding
the federal income tax treatment of distributions to an owner of a Contract.
 
    To comply with regulations under Section 817(h) of the Code the Fund is
required to diversify its investments so that on the last day of each quarter of
a calendar year no more than 55% of the value of its assets is represented by
any one investment, no more than 70% is represented by any two investments, no
more than 80% is represented by any three investments, and no more than 90% is
represented by any four investments. Generally, all securities of the same
issuer are treated as a single investment. For this purpose, in the case of U.S.
Government securities, each U.S. Government agency or instrumentality is treated
as a separate issuer. Any securities issued, guaranteed, or insured (to the
extent so guaranteed or insured) by the U.S. Government or an instrumentality of
the U.S. Government are treated as a U.S. Government security for this purpose.
 
    The Treasury Department has indicated that it may issue future
pronouncements addressing the circumstances in which a variable contract owner's
control of the investments of a separate account may cause the contract owner,
rather than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets held
by the separate account. If the contract owner is considered the owner of the
securities underlying the separate account, income and gains produced by those
securities would be included currently in the contract owner's gross income. It
is not known what standards will be set forth in such pronouncements or when, if
at all, these pronouncements may be issued.
 
    In the event that rules or regulations are adopted, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will be able to operate as currently described in the
Prospectus, or that the Trust will not have to change the Fund's investment
objective or investment policies. While the Fund's investment objective is
fundamental and may be changed only by a vote of a majority of its outstanding
Shares, the Trustees have reserved the right to modify the investment policies
of the Fund as necessary to prevent any such prospective rules and regulations
from causing the contract owners to be considered the owners of the Shares of
the Fund underlying the Separate Account.
 
                                      T-10
<PAGE>
                               OTHER INFORMATION
CAPITALIZATION
 
The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on February 25, 1988
and currently consists of six separately managed funds. The Board of Trustees
may establish additional funds in the future. The capitalization of the Trust
consists solely of an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest with a
par value of $0.01 each. When issued, Shares of the Trust are fully paid,
non-assessable by the Trust and freely transferable.
 
    Unlike the stockholder of a corporation, Shareholders could under certain
circumstances 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. The Declaration of
Trust provides for indemnification out of Trust property for all loss and
expense of any Shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Trust. The risk of a Shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself
would be unable to meet its obligations and thus should be considered remote.
VOTING RIGHTS
 
Shareholders of the Trust are given certain voting rights. Each Share of the
Fund will be given one vote, unless a different allocation of voting rights is
required under applicable law for a mutual fund that is an investment medium for
variable life insurance or annuity contracts. In accordance with current
applicable law, the Separate Account, as Shareholder of the Trust, is required
to vote the Shares of the Trust at any regular and special meeting of the
Shareholders of the Trust in accordance with instructions received from owners
of the variable contracts. See the Prospectus for the Separate Account for more
information regarding the pass-through of these voting rights.
 
    Massachusetts business trust law does not require the Trust to hold annual
shareholder meetings, although special meetings may be called for a specific
fund of the Trust, or for the Trust as a whole, for purposes such as electing or
removing Trustees, changing fundamental policies or approving an investment
management contract. In addition, the Trust will be required to hold a meeting
to elect Trustees to fill any existing vacancies on the Board if, at any time,
fewer than a majority of the Trustees have been elected by the Shareholders of
the Trust. In addition, the holders of not less than two-thirds of the
outstanding Shares or other voting interests 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 or other
voting interests of the Trust. The Trust is required to assist in Shareholders'
communications. In accordance with current laws, an insurance company issuing a
variable life insurance or annuity contract that participates in the Trust will
request voting instructions from contract owners and will vote Shares or other
voting interests in the separate account in proportion to the voting
instructions received.
 
    For more information on the Trust, the Fund, and its investment activity and
concurrent risks, a Statement of Additional Information may be obtained without
charge upon request to Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., P.O. Box 33030,
St. Petersburg, Florida, 33733-8030 -- toll free telephone (800) 774-5001 or
(813) 823-8712.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
The Fund may include its total return in advertisements or reports to
Shareholders or prospective investors. Performance information for the Fund will
not be advertised unless accompanied by comparable performance information for a
separate account to which the Fund offers its Shares.
 
    Quotations of average annual total return for the Fund will be expressed in
terms of the average annual compounded rate of return on a hypothetical
investment in the Fund over a period of 1, 5 and 10 years (or up to the life of
the Fund), will reflect the deduction of a proportional share of Fund expenses
(on an annual basis), and will assume that all dividends and distributions are
reinvested when paid. Total return may be expressed in terms of the cumulative
value of an investment in the Fund at the end of a defined period of time.
Quotations of yield or total return for the Fund will not take into account
charges and deductions against any separate account to which the Fund's Shares
are sold or charges and deductions against variable insurance contracts,
although comparable performance information for a separate account will take
such charges into account. For a description of the methods used to determine
total return for the Fund, see 'Performance Information' in the Statement of
Additional Information.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
 
The Trust's fiscal year ends on December 31. Annual reports (containing
financial statements audited by independent auditors and additional information
regarding the Fund's performance) and semi-annual reports (containing unaudited
financial statements) are sent to Shareholders each year. Additional copies may
be obtained, without charge, upon request to the Business Manager.
 
                                      T-11


<PAGE>
[INSERT LOGO] 
TEMPLETON VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND              PROSPECTUS -- May 1, 1996 

Templeton Stock Fund 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                  <C>
                     Templeton Stock Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Templeton Variable 
                     Products Series Fund (the "Trust"), an open-end, management investment company. 
                     Shares of the Fund are currently sold only to insurance company separate 
                     accounts ("Separate Accounts") to serve as the investment vehicle for both 
                     variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts (the "Contracts"). 
                     The Separate Accounts invest in shares of the Fund and other series of the 
                     Trust in accordance with allocation instructions received from owners of 
                     the Contracts. Such allocation rights are described further in the accompanying 
                     prospectus for the Separate Accounts. Certain series of the Trust are not 
                     available as an investment vehicle for all Contracts. A purchaser of a Contract 
                     should refer to the prospectus for his or her Contract or policy for information 
INVESTMENT           as to which series of the Trust are available for investment. This Prospectus 
 OBJECTIVE AND       sets forth concisely information about the Fund that a prospective investor 
 POLICIES            ought to know before investing. 

                     SHARES OF THE FUND ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE 
                     ACCOUNTS AS AN INVESTMENT VEHICLE FOR VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACTS. THIS 
                     PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS OFFERING THE 
PURCHASE             VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACT. BOTH PROSPECTUSES SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY AND 
 OF SHARES           RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. 

                     A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI") DATED MAY 1, 1996, HAS BEEN 
                     FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND IS INCORPORATED IN 
                     ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE IN AND MADE A PART OF THIS PROSPECTUS. THE SAI 
                     IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO FRANKLIN TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, 
PROSPECTUS           INC., P.O. BOX 33030, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33733-8030 OR BY CALLING THE 
 INFORMATION         FUND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-774-5001 OR 1-813-823-8712. 

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 TABLE OF CONTENTS                          PAGE 
- ---------------------------------------  --------- 
<S>                                      <C>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ..................     T-2 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES  ....     T-2 
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES 
AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES .............     T-3 
RISK FACTORS ..........................     T-5 
PURCHASE OF SHARES ....................     T-6 
NET ASSET VALUE .......................     T-7 
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      PAGE 
                                   --------- 
<S>                                <C>
REDEMPTION OF SHARES ............      T-7 
EXCHANGES .......................      T-7 
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST .........      T-7 
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS ...........      T-9 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS  ....      T-9 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS  ......      T-9 
OTHER INFORMATION ...............     T-10 
</TABLE>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR 
ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK; FURTHER, SUCH SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE 
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY 
OTHER AGENCY. SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE 
POSSIBLE LOSS OF CAPITAL. 

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND 
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES 
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE 
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY 
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 

<PAGE>
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
            FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED
 
The following table of financial highlights has been audited by McGladrey &
Pullen, LLP, independent certified public accountants, for the periods indicated
in their report which is incorporated by reference and which appears in the
Fund's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders. This statement should be read in
conjunction with the other financial statements and notes thereto included in
the Fund's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, which contains further
information about the Fund's performance, and which is available to shareholders
upon request and without charge.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
                                     1995        1994        1993        1992        1991       1990       1989      1988*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
  (for a share outstanding
  throughout
  the year)
NET ASSET VALUE,
  BEGINNING OF YEAR............... $  16.94    $  17.53    $  13.33    $  12.72    $  10.29    $ 11.75    $ 10.25    $10.00
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income                 .40         .26         .23         .25         .27        .32        .18       .18
  Net realized and unrealized
    gain (loss)...................     3.80        (.64)       4.23         .64        2.49      (1.57)      1.34      .071
                                   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    -------    -------    ------
    TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
       OPERATIONS.................     4.20        (.38)       4.46         .89        2.76      (1.25)      1.52       .25
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions:
  Dividends from net
    investment income.............     (.27)       (.21)       (.25)       (.28)       (.33)      (.19)      (.02)     --
  Distributions from
    net realized gains............     (.04)      --           (.01)      --          --          (.02)     --         --
                                   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    -------    -------    ------
    TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS...........     (.31)       (.21)       (.26)       (.28)       (.33)      (.21)      (.02)     --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in net asset value
  for the year....................     3.89        (.59)       4.20         .61        2.43      (1.46)      1.50       .25
                                   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    -------    -------    ------
NET ASSET VALUE
  END OF YEAR..................... $  20.83    $  16.94    $  17.53    $  13.33    $  12.72    $ 10.29    $ 11.75    $10.25
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN......................    25.24%      (2.20)%     34.00%       7.12%      27.93%    (10.23)%    14.85%     2.50%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets
  end of year (000)............... $498,777    $378,849    $298,392    $166,219    $116,943    $74,264    $49,787    $3,037
Ratio of expenses to average net
  assets..........................      .66%        .73%        .73%        .75%        .82%       .85%      1.08%     4.39%**
Ratio of expenses, net of
  reimbursement,
  to average
  net assets......................      .66%        .73%        .73%        .75%        .82%       .85%       .99%     1.50%**
Ratio of net investment income to
  average
  net assets......................     2.18%       1.81%       1.88%       2.36%       2.82%      3.78%      3.63%     5.55%**
Portfolio turnover rate...........    33.93%       5.10%       4.88%       8.10%      41.24%     17.94%      5.27%     --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
        *  Period from August 31, 1988 (commencement of operations) to 
           December 31, 1988.
       **  Annualized.
           Total return figures do not include charges applied under the 
           Contracts. Inclusion of such charges would reduce the total
           return figures for all periods shown.

 
                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
The Fund's investment objective is capital growth through a policy of investing
primarily in common stocks issued by companies, large and small, in various
nations throughout the world. In the pursuit of its investment objective, the
Fund will normally maintain at least 65% of its assets in common and preferred
stocks. The Fund may also invest in securities convertible into common stocks
rated in any category by Standard & Poor's Corporation ('S&P') or Moody's
Investors
                                      T-2
<PAGE>
Service, Inc. ('Moody's') and securities which are unrated by any rating agency.
See the Appendix in the Statement of Additional Information for a description of
the S&P and Moody's ratings. Current income will usually be a less significant
factor in selecting investments for the Fund. The Fund and its investment
manager, Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc. ('TICI' or the 'Investment
Manager'), may, from time to time, use various methods of selecting securities
for the Fund's portfolio, and may also employ and rely on independent or
affiliated sources of information and ideas in connection with management of the
Fund's portfolio. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
investment objective.
 
    For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest without limit in
commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, U.S. Government
securities, corporate debt obligations, and repurchase agreements with respect
to these securities. The Fund may also enter into firm commitment agreements,
purchase securities on a 'when-issued' basis, invest in restricted securities,
such as private placements, borrow money for investment purposes and lend its
portfolio securities. (See 'Description of Securities and Investment
Techniques.')
 
    The Fund may also purchase and sell stock index futures contracts for
hedging purposes only and not for speculation. It may engage in such
transactions only if the total contract value of the futures contracts does not
exceed 20% of the Fund's total assets. (See 'Description of Securities and
Investment Techniques.')
 
    The Fund is subject to investment restrictions that are described under the
heading 'Investment Restrictions' in the Statement of Additional Information.
Those investment restrictions so designated and the investment objective of the
Fund are 'fundamental policies' of the Fund, which means that they may not be
changed without a majority vote of Shareholders of the Fund. With the exception
of the Fund's investment objective and those restrictions specifically
identified as fundamental, all investment policies and practices described in
this Prospectus and in the SAI are not fundamental, meaning that the Board of
Trustees may change them without Shareholder approval.
 
    Certain types of investments and investment techniques are described in
greater detail under 'Description of Securities and Investment Techniques' in
this Prospectus and also in the SAI.
              DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
 
The Fund is authorized to invest in securities and use the various investment
techniques described below. Although these strategies are regularly used by some
investment companies and other institutional investors in various markets, some
of these strategies cannot at the present time be used to a significant extent
by the Fund in some of the markets in which the Fund will invest and may not be
available for extensive use in the future.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
 
The Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities, which are obligations issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Some
U.S. Government securities, such as Treasury bills and bonds, which are direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury, and Government National Mortgage Association
('GNMA') certificates, the principal and interest of which the Treasury
guarantees, are supported by the full faith and credit of the Treasury; others,
such as those of Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the
issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal
National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of
the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's obligations; still others are
supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. GNMA certificates represent
part ownership of a pool of mortgage loans on which interest and principal
payments are guaranteed by the Treasury. Principal is repaid monthly over the
term of the loan. Expected payments may be delayed due to the delays in
registering newly traded certificates. The mortgage loans will be subject to
normal principal amortization and may be prepaid prior to maturity. Reinvestment
of prepayments may occur at higher or lower rates than the original yield on the
certificates.
BANK OBLIGATIONS
 
The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit, which are negotiable
certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite
period of time and earning a specified return. The Fund may invest in bankers'
acceptances, which are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange normally drawn by
an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise and which are 'accepted'
by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the
face value of the instrument on maturity. The Fund may invest in
dollar-denominated certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances of foreign
and domestic banks having total assets in excess of $1 billion. The Fund may
also invest in certificates of deposit of federally insured savings and loan
associations having total assets in excess of $1 billion.
COMMERCIAL PAPER
 
The Fund may invest in commercial paper. Investments in commercial paper are
limited to obligations rated Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's or A-1 or A-2 by S&P
or, if not rated by Moody's or S&P, issued by companies having an outstanding
debt issue currently rated Aaa or Aa by Moody's or AAA or AA by S&P. See the
Appendix in the SAI for a description of these ratings.
 
                                      T-3
<PAGE>
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. When the Fund acquires a security
from a bank or a registered broker-dealer, it may simultaneously enter into a
repurchase agreement, wherein the seller agrees to repurchase the security at a
specified time and price. The repurchase price is in excess of the purchase
price by an amount which reflects an agreed upon rate of return, which is not
tied to the coupon rate on the underlying security. The term of such an
agreement is generally quite short, possibly overnight or for a few days,
although it may extend over a number of months (up to one year) from the date of
delivery. Repurchase agreements will be fully collateralized. However, if the
seller should default on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security,
the Fund may experience delay or difficulty in exercising its rights to realize
upon the security and might incur a loss if the value of the security should
decline, as well as incur disposition costs in liquidating the security.
BORROWING
 
The Fund may borrow up to 30% of the value of its net assets to increase its
holdings of portfolio securities. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may borrow from
banks only, and is required to maintain continuous asset coverage of 300% with
respect to such borrowings and to sell (within three days) sufficient portfolio
holdings to restore such coverage if it should decline to less than 300% due to
market fluctuations or otherwise, even if disadvantageous from an investment
standpoint. Leveraging by means of borrowing will exaggerate the effect of any
increase or decrease in the value of portfolio securities on the Fund's net
asset value, and money borrowed will be subject to interest and other costs
(which may include commitment fees and/or the cost of maintaining minimum
average balances) which may or may not exceed the income received from the
securities purchased with borrowed funds.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES
 
The Fund may purchase securities on a 'when-issued' basis. New issues of certain
debt securities are often offered on a when-issued basis, meaning that the
payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters
into the commitment, but delivery and payment for the securities normally takes
place after the date of the commitment to purchase. The value of when-issued
securities may vary prior to and after delivery depending on market conditions
and changes in interest rate levels. However, the Fund will not accrue any
income on these securities prior to delivery. The Fund will maintain in a
segregated account with its Custodian an amount of cash or high quality debt
securities equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the amount of its
commitment to purchase the when-issued securities.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
 
The Fund may lend to broker-dealers or U.S. banks portfolio securities with an
aggregate market value of up to one-third of its total assets to generate
income. Such loans must be secured by collateral (consisting of any combination
of cash, U.S. Government securities, or irrevocable letters of credit) in an
amount at least equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the current market
value of the securities loaned. The Fund may terminate the loans at any time and
obtain the return of the securities loaned within five business days. The Fund
will continue to receive any interest or dividends paid on the loaned securities
and will continue to have voting rights with respect to the securities. In the
event that the borrower defaults on its obligation to return borrowed
securities, because of insolvency or otherwise, the Fund could experience delays
and costs in gaining access to the collateral and could suffer a loss to the
extent that the value of collateral falls below the market value of the borrowed
securities.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
 
The Fund may invest in restricted securities, which are securities subject to
legal or contractual restrictions on their resale, such as private placements.
Such restrictions might prevent the sale of restricted securities at a time when
sale would otherwise be desirable. No restricted securities and no securities
for which there is not a readily available market ('illiquid assets') will be
acquired by the Fund if such acquisition would cause the aggregate value of
illiquid assets and restricted securities to exceed 15% of the Fund's total
assets. Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated
transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration
statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933. Where registration is
required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration
expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision
to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an
effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market
conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than
prevailed when it decided to sell. Restricted securities will be priced at fair
value as determined by the management and approved in good faith by the Board of
Trustees.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
 
The Fund may purchase sponsored or unsponsored American Depositary Receipts
('ADRs'), European Depositary Receipts ('EDRs') and Global Depositary Receipts
('GDRs') (collectively, 'Depositary Receipts'). ADRs are Depositary Receipts
typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company which evidence ownership of
underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs and GDRs are
typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they also may be
issued by U.S. banks or trust companies, and evidence ownership of underlying
securities issued by either a foreign or a U.S.
                                      T-4
<PAGE>
corporation. Generally, Depositary Receipts in registered form are designed for
use in the U.S. securities market and Depositary Receipts in bearer form are
designed for use in securities markets outside the United States. Depositary
Receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the
underlying securities into which they may be converted. Depositary Receipts may
be issued pursuant to sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs,
an issuer has made arrangements to have its securities traded in the form of
Depositary Receipts. In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly
involved in the creation of the program. Although regulatory requirements with
respect to sponsored and unsponsored programs are generally similar, in some
cases it may be easier to obtain financial information from an issuer that has
participated in the creation of a sponsored program. Accordingly, there may be
less information available regarding issuers of securities underlying
unsponsored programs and there may not be a correlation between such information
and the market value of the Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts also
involve the risks of other investments in foreign securities, as discussed
below. For purposes of each Fund's investment policies, the Fund's investments
in Depositary Receipts will be deemed to be investments in the underlying
securities.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
 
Also, for hedging purposes only, the Fund may purchase and sell stock index
futures contracts. An index futures contract is an agreement to take or make
delivery of an amount of cash based on the difference between the value of the
index at the beginning and at the end of the contract period.
 
    When the Fund enters into a futures contract, it must make an initial
deposit, known as 'initial margin,' as a partial guarantee of its performance
under the contract. As the value of the security, index or currency fluctuates,
either party to the contract is required to make additional margin payments,
known as 'variation margin,' to cover any additional obligation it may have
under the contract. The Fund may not commit more than 5% of its total assets to
initial margin deposits on futures contracts. In addition, the Fund must deposit
in a segregated account additional cash or high quality debt securities to
ensure the futures contracts are unleveraged. The value of assets held in the
segregated account must be equal to the daily market value of all outstanding
futures contracts less any amounts deposited as margin.
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
Shareholders should understand that all investments involve risk and there can
be no guarantee against loss resulting from an investment in the Fund; nor can
there be any assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be attained. As
with any investment in securities, the value of, and income from, an investment
in the Fund can decrease as well as increase, depending on a variety of factors
which may affect the values and income generated by the Fund's portfolio
securities, including general economic conditions and market factors. In
addition to the factors which affect the value of individual securities, a
Shareholder may anticipate that the value of the Shares of the Fund will
fluctuate with movements in the broader equity and bond markets, as well. A
decline in the stock market of any country in which the Fund is invested in
equity securities may also be reflected in declines in the price of the Shares
of the Fund. Changes in currency valuations will affect the price of the Shares
of the Fund. History reflects both decreases and increases in stock markets, the
prevailing rate of interest, and currency valuations, and these may reoccur
unpredictably in the future. Additionally, investment decisions made by the
Investment Manager will not always be profitable or prove to have been correct.
The Fund is not intended as a complete investment program.
 
    The Fund is authorized to purchase securities in any foreign country,
developed or underdeveloped. An investor should consider carefully the risks
involved in investing in securities issued by companies and governments of
foreign nations, which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic
investments. These risks are often heightened for investments in developing
markets, including certain Eastern European countries. See 'Investment
Objectives and Policies--Risk Factors' in the SAI. There is the possibility of
expropriation, nationalization or confiscatory taxation, taxation of income
earned in foreign nations (including, for example, withholding taxes on interest
and dividends) or other taxes imposed with respect to investments in foreign
nations, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability
to transfer currency from a given country), foreign investment controls on daily
stock movements, default in foreign government securities, political or social
instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect investments in
securities of issuers in foreign nations. Some countries may withhold portions
of interest and dividends at the source. In addition, in many countries there is
less publicly available information about issuers than is available in reports
about companies in the United States. Foreign companies are not generally
subject to uniform accounting and auditing and financial reporting standards,
and auditing practices and requirements may not be comparable to those
applicable to United States companies. The Fund may encounter difficulties or be
unable to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, pursue legal remedies, and
obtain judgments in foreign courts. These considerations generally are more of a
concern in developing countries, where the possibility of political instability
(including revolution) and dependence on foreign economic assistance may be
greater than in developed countries. Investments in companies domiciled in
developing countries therefore may be subject to potentially higher risks than
investments in developed countries.
 
    Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to
investment in foreign countries are generally more expensive than in the United
States. Foreign securities markets also have different clearance and settlement
procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have
been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities
                                      T-5
<PAGE>
transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in
settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of the Fund are
uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make
intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to
miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio
securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund
due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or, if the Fund
has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible
liability to the purchaser.
 
    In many foreign countries there is less government supervision and
regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and
listed companies than in the United States. There is an increased risk,
therefore, of uninsured loss due to lost, stolen or counterfeit stock
certificates. In addition, the foreign securities markets of many of the
countries in which the Fund may invest may also be smaller, less liquid, and
subject to greater price volatility than those in the United States. The Fund
may invest in Eastern European countries, which involves special risks that are
described under 'Investment Objectives and Policies--Risk Factors' in the SAI.
 
    Prior governmental approval of foreign investments may be required under
certain circumstances in some developing countries, and the extent of foreign
investment in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other
developing countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the
charters of individual companies in developing countries to prevent, among other
concerns, violation of foreign investment limitations.
 
    Repatriation of investment income, capital and proceeds of sales by foreign
investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some
developing countries. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in or a
refusal to grant any required governmental registration or approval for such
repatriation.
 
    Further, the economies of developing countries generally are heavily
dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue
to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed
adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed
or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have
been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the
countries with which they trade.
 
    The Fund is authorized to invest in medium quality or high-risk, lower
quality debt securities that are rated between BBB and as low as CC by S&P, and
between Baa and as low as Ca by Moody's or, if unrated, are of equivalent
investment quality as determined by the Investment Manager. As an operating
policy, which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without Shareholder
approval, the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in debt
securities rated lower than BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody's. The Board may consider
a change in this operating policy if, in its judgment, economic conditions
change such that a higher level of investment in high-risk, lower quality debt
securities would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its
Shareholders. See 'Investment Objectives and Policies--Debt Securities' in the
SAI for descriptions of debt securities rated BBB by S&P and Baa by Moody's.
High-risk, lower quality debt securities commonly referred to as 'junk bonds,'
are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation and may be in default. Unrated debt securities are not
necessarily of lower quality than rated securities but they may not be
attractive to as many buyers. Regardless of rating levels, all debt securities
considered for purchase (whether rated or unrated) will be carefully analyzed by
the Investment Manager to insure, to the extent possible, that the planned
investment is sound. The Fund may, from time to time, purchase defaulted debt
securities if, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, the issuer may resume
interest payments in the near future. As a fundamental policy, the Fund will not
invest more than 10% of its total assets (at the time of purchase) in defaulted
debt securities, which may be illiquid.
 
    The Fund will usually effect currency exchange transactions on a spot (i.e.,
cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign exchange market. However,
some price spread on currency exchange (to cover service charges) will be
incurred when the Fund converts assets from one currency to another.
 
    Successful use of stock index futures contracts is subject to special risk
considerations and transaction costs. A liquid secondary market for futures
contracts may not be available when a position is sought to be closed.
Successful use of futures contracts is further dependent on the ability of the
Fund's Investment Manager to correctly predict movements in the securities
markets and no assurance can be given that its judgment will be correct.
 
    There are further risk factors, including possible losses through the
holding of securities in domestic and foreign custodian banks and depositories,
described elsewhere in the Prospectus and in the SAI.
                               PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis at the respective net asset
value of the Fund only to separate accounts of insurance companies to serve as
the underlying investment vehicle for both variable annuity and variable life
insurance contracts. Individuals may not purchase shares directly from the Fund.
Please read the prospectus of the insurance company Separate Account for more
information on the purchase of Fund Shares.
 
    In the event that the Trust serves as investment vehicle for both variable
annuity and variable life insurance contracts, or for both variable life
insurance contracts of an insurer and other variable contracts of an
unaffiliated insurer, the Trust's Board of Trustees will monitor events in order
to identify any material conflicts between variable annuity contract owners
                                      T-6
<PAGE>
and variable life policy owners and/or between separate accounts of different
insurers, as the case may be, and will determine what action, if any, should be
taken in the event of such a conflict. Although the Trust does not currently
foresee any disadvantages to contract owners, an irreconcilable material
conflict may conceivably arise between contract owners of different separate
accounts investing in the Trust due to differences in tax treatment, the
management of investments, or other considerations.
                                NET ASSET VALUE
 
The net asset value of the Shares of the Fund is determined as of the scheduled
closing time of the New York Stock Exchange ('NYSE') (generally 4:00 p.m., New
York time) on each day the NYSE is open for trading, computed by dividing the
value of the Fund's securities plus any cash and other assets (including accrued
interest and dividends receivable) less all liabilities (including accrued
expenses) by the number of shares outstanding, adjusted to the nearest whole
cent. A security listed or traded on a recognized stock exchange or NASDAQ is
valued at its last sale price on the principal exchange on which the security is
traded. The value of a foreign security is determined in its national currency
as of the close of trading on the foreign exchange on which it is traded, or as
of the scheduled closing time of the NYSE, if that is earlier, and that value is
then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at foreign exchange rate in
effect at noon, New York time, on the day the value of the foreign security is
determined. If no sale is reported at that time, the mean between the current
bid and asked price is used. Occasionally, events which affect the values of
such securities and such exchange rates may occur between the times at which
they are determined and the close of the NYSE, and will therefore not be
reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If events materially
affecting the value of such securities occur during such period, then these
securities will be valued at fair value as determined by the management and
approved in good faith by the Board of Trustees. All other securities for which
over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean
between the current bid and asked price. Securities for which market quotations
are not readily available and other assets are valued at fair value as
determined by the management and approved in good faith by the Board of
Trustees.
                              REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
The Trust will redeem all full and fractional Shares presented for redemption on
any business day. Redemptions are effected at the per Share net asset value next
determined after receipt of proper notice of the redemption. Redemption proceeds
normally will be paid to the insurance company within seven days following
receipt of instructions in proper form. The right of redemption may be suspended
by the Trust when the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings) or for any period during which trading thereon is restricted because
an emergency exists, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets not
reasonably practicable, and whenever the Securities and Exchange Commission has
by order permitted such suspension or postponement for the protection of
shareholders. The Trust will redeem Shares of the Fund solely in cash up to the
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net assets during any 90-day period for any one
Shareholder. In consideration of the best interests of the remaining
Shareholders, the Trust reserves the right to pay any redemption price exceeding
this amount in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of securities held by
the Fund in lieu of cash. It is highly unlikely that Shares would ever be
redeemed in kind. If Shares are redeemed in kind, however, the redeeming
Shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the
securities received in the distribution.
 
    Please refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's Separate Account
for information on how to redeem Shares of the Fund.
                                   EXCHANGES
 
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Shares of any other fund available as an
investment option in a Separate Account. Exchanges are treated as a redemption
of Shares of one fund and a purchase of Shares of the other fund and are
effected at the respective net asset value per Share of each fund on the date of
the exchange. Please refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's
Separate Account for more information concerning exchanges.
                            MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
 
The Trust is managed by its Board of Trustees and all powers of the Trust are
exercised by or under authority of the Board. Information relating to the
Trustees and Officers is set forth under the heading 'Management of the Trust'
in the Statement of Additional Information.
INVESTMENT MANAGER
 
The Investment Manager of the Fund is Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc.
('TICI'). TICI is a Florida corporation with offices at Broward Financial
Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33394-3091. The Investment Manager manages the
investment and reinvestment of the Fund's assets. TICI is an indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. ('Franklin'). Through its
subsidiaries, Franklin is engaged in various aspects of the financial services
industry. The Investment Manager and its affiliates serve as advisers for a wide
variety of public investment mutual funds and private clients in many nations.
                                      T-7
<PAGE>
The Templeton organization has been investing globally over the past 56 years
and, with its affiliates, provides investment management and advisory services
to a worldwide client base, including over 4.3 million mutual fund shareholders,
foundations, endowments, employee benefit plans and individuals. The Investment
Manager and its affiliates have approximately 4,100 employees in the United
States, Australia, Scotland, Germany, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Bahamas, Singapore,
Canada, Russia, France, Poland, Italy, India, Vietnam, South America and South
Africa.
 
    The Investment Manager uses a disciplined, long-term approach to value
oriented global and international investing. It has an extensive global network
of investment research sources. Securities are selected for the Fund's portfolio
on the basis of fundamental company-by-company analysis. Many different
selection methods are used for different funds and clients and these methods are
changed and improved by the Investment Manager's research on superior selection
methods.
 
    The Investment Manager performs similar services for other funds and
accounts and there may be times when the actions taken with respect to the
Fund's portfolio will differ from those taken by the Investment Manager on
behalf of other funds and accounts. Neither the Investment Manager and its
affiliates, its officers, directors or employees, nor the officers and Trustees
of the Trust are prohibited from investing in securities held by the Fund or
other funds and accounts which are managed or administered by the Investment
Manager to the extent such transactions comply with the Trust's Code of Ethics.
Please see 'Investment Management and Other Services--Investment Management
Agreements,' in the SAI for further information on securities transactions and a
summary of the Trust's Code of Ethics.
 
    The Investment Manager does not furnish any other services or facilities for
the Fund, although such expenses are paid by some investment advisers of other
investment companies. As compensation for these services, the Fund pays the
Investment Manager a monthly fee equal on an annual basis to .50% of its average
daily net assets during the year.
 
    The lead portfolio manager for the Fund since 1995 is Mark R. Beveridge. Mr.
Beveridge, Vice President of TICI, joined the Templeton organization in 1985. He
has responsibility for the industrial component appliances/household durables
industries, and has market coverage of Argentina, Denmark and Thailand. Prior to
joining the Templeton organization, Mr. Beveridge was a principal with a
financial accounting software firm based in Miami, Florida. He has a Bachelors
Degree in Business Administration with emphasis in finance from the University
of Miami. Lauretta A. Reeves, Vice President of TICI, and Howard J. Leonard,
Senior Vice President of TICI, exercise secondary portfolio management
responsibilities. Ms. Reeves joined the Templeton organization in 1987 as an
equity trader and moved into the research group in 1989. She has research
responsibility for the chemical, medical supply and European banking sectors, as
well as the coverage of the Phillipines market. Prior to joining the Templeton
organization, Ms. Reeves was manager of equity trading for First Equity
Corporation of Florida, a regional brokerage firm. Previously, she worked in
similar positions with two other brokerage houses. She received her Masters in
Business Administration from Nova University and a B.A. in Business
Administration with high honors from Florida International University. Mr.
Leonard has research responsibilities for the global forest products, money
management and airline industries, and coverage of Indonesia, Switzerland,
Brazil and India. Prior to joining the Templeton organization in 1989, Mr.
Leonard was director of investment research at First Pennsylvania Bank, where he
was responsible for equity and fixed income research activities and its proxy
voting service for large pension plan sponsors. He also previously worked at
Provident National Bank as a security analyst. Mr. Leonard holds a B.B.A. in
Finance and Economics from Temple University.
 
    Further information concerning the Investment Manager, including the
services it renders and its selection of brokers to execute portfolio
transactions, is included under the heading 'Investment Management and Other
Services' in the SAI.
BUSINESS MANAGER
 
Templeton Funds Annuity Company, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida
33733-8030, telephone (800) 774-5001 or (813) 823-8712, provides certain
administrative facilities and services for the Trust, including payment of
salaries of officers, preparation and maintenance of books and records, daily
pricing of the Fund's investment portfolio, preparation of tax reports,
preparation of financial reports, and monitoring compliance with regulatory
requirements. For its services, the Business Manager receives a fee equivalent
on an annual basis to 0.15% of the combined average daily net assets of the Fund
and other funds of the Trust, reduced to 0.135% of such assets in excess of
$200,000,000, to 0.10% of such assets in excess of $700,000,000, and to 0.075%
of such assets in excess of $1,200,000,000.
EXPENSES
 
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, expenses amounted to .66% of the
Fund's average daily net assets.
DISTRIBUTOR
 
Shares of the Trust are distributed through Franklin Templeton Distributors,
Inc., P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida 33733-8030, toll free telephone
(800) 292-9293.
 
                                      T-8
<PAGE>
                             BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
 
The Trust's brokerage policies are described under the heading 'Brokerage
Allocation' in the SAI. The Trust's brokerage policies provide that the receipt
of research services from a broker is a factor which may be taken into account
in allocating securities transactions as long as the prices and execution
provided by the broker equal the best available within the scope of the Trust's
brokerage policies.
                          DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The Fund normally intends to pay annual dividends representing substantially all
of its net investment income and to distribute annually any net realized capital
gains.
 
    Any distributions made by the Fund will be automatically reinvested in
additional Shares of the Fund, unless an election is made on behalf of a
Shareholder to receive distributions in cash. Dividends or distributions by the
Fund will reduce the per share net asset value by the per share amount so paid.
                           FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
 
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the 'Code'). If the Fund so
qualifies, it generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on amounts
distributed to Shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment
company, the Fund must, among other things, meet certain source of income
requirements. In addition, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the
end of each quarter of the taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of
the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. Government securities, the
securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with
such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this
calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not
more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities of
any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other
regulated investment companies).
 
    Amounts not distributed by the Fund on a timely basis in accordance with a
calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise
tax. See the SAI for more information about this tax and its applicability to
the Fund.
 
    Distributions of any net investment income and of any net realized
short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses are
treated as ordinary income for tax purposes in the hands of the Shareholder (the
Separate Account). The excess of any net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses will, to the extent distributed and designated by the
Fund as a capital gain dividend, be treated as long-term capital gains in the
hands of the Separate Account regardless of the length of time the Separate
Account may have held the Shares. Any distributions that are not from the Fund's
investment company taxable income or net capital gain may be characterized as a
return of capital to shareholders or, in some cases, as capital gain. Reference
is made to the prospectus for the applicable Contract for information regarding
the federal income tax treatment of distributions to an owner of a Contract.
 
    To comply with regulations under Section 817(h) of the Code the Fund is
required to diversify its investments so that on the last day of each quarter of
a calendar year no more than 55% of the value of its assets is represented by
any one investment, no more than 70% is represented by any two investments, no
more than 80% is represented by any three investments, and no more than 90% is
represented by any four investments. Generally, all securities of the same
issuer are treated as a single investment. For this purpose, in the case of U.S.
Government securities, each U.S. Government agency or instrumentality is treated
as a separate issuer. Any securities issued, guaranteed, or insured (to the
extent so guaranteed or insured) by the U.S. Government or an instrumentality of
the U.S. Government are treated as a U.S. Government security for this purpose.
 
    The Treasury Department has indicated that it may issue future
pronouncements addressing the circumstances in which a variable contract owner's
control of the investments of a separate account may cause the contract owner,
rather than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets held
by the separate account. If the contract owner is considered the owner of the
securities underlying the separate account, income and gains produced by those
securities would be included currently in the contract owner's gross income. It
is not known what standards will be set forth in such pronouncements or when, if
at all, these pronouncements may be issued.
 
    In the event that rules or regulations are adopted, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will be able to operate as currently described in the
Prospectus, or that the Trust will not have to change the Fund's investment
objective or investment policies. While the Fund's investment objective is
fundamental and may be changed only by a vote of a majority of its outstanding
Shares, the Trustees have reserved the right to modify the investment policies
of the Fund as necessary to prevent any such prospective rules and regulations
from causing the contract owners to be considered the owners of the Shares of
the Fund underlying the Separate Account.
 
                                      T-9
<PAGE>
                               OTHER INFORMATION
CAPITALIZATION
 
The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on February 25, 1988
and currently consists of six separately managed funds. The Board of Trustees
may establish additional funds in the future. The capitalization of the Trust
consists solely of an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest with a
par value of $0.01 each. When issued, Shares of the Trust are fully paid,
non-assessable by the Trust and freely transferable.
 
    Unlike the stockholder of a corporation, Shareholders could under certain
circumstances 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. The Declaration of
Trust provides for indemnification out of Trust property for all loss and
expense of any Shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Trust. The risk of a Shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself
would be unable to meet its obligations and thus should be considered remote.
VOTING RIGHTS
 
Shareholders of the Trust are given certain voting rights. Each Share of the
Fund will be given one vote, unless a different allocation of voting rights is
required under applicable law for a mutual fund that is an investment medium for
variable life insurance or annuity contracts. In accordance with current
applicable law, the Separate Account, as Shareholder of the Trust, is required
to vote the Shares of the Trust at any regular and special meeting of the
Shareholders of the Trust in accordance with instructions received from owners
of the variable contracts. See the prospectus for the Separate Account for more
information regarding the pass-through of these voting rights.
 
    Massachusetts business trust law does not require the Trust to hold annual
shareholder meetings, although special meetings may be called for a specific
fund of the Trust, or for the Trust as a whole, for purposes such as electing or
removing Trustees, changing fundamental policies or approving an investment
management contract. In addition, the Trust will be required to hold a meeting
to elect Trustees to fill any existing vacancies on the Board if, at any time,
fewer than a majority of the Trustees have been elected by the Shareholders of
the Trust. In addition, the holders of not less than two-thirds of the
outstanding Shares or other voting interests 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 or other
voting interests of the Trust. The Trust is required to assist in Shareholders'
communications. In accordance with current laws, an insurance company issuing a
variable life insurance or annuity contract that participates in the Trust will
request voting instructions from contract owners and will vote Shares or other
voting interests in the separate account in proportion to the voting
instructions received.
 
    For more information on the Trust, the Fund, and its investment activity and
concurrent risks, a Statement of Additional Information may be obtained without
charge upon request to Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., P.O. Box 33030,
St. Petersburg, Florida, 33733-8030 -- toll free telephone (800) 774-5001 or
(813) 823-8712.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
The Fund may include its total return in advertisements or reports to
Shareholders or prospective investors. Performance information for the Fund will
not be advertised unless accompanied by comparable performance information for a
separate account to which the Fund offers its Shares.
 
    Quotations of average annual total return for the Fund will be expressed in
terms of the average annual compounded rate of return on a hypothetical
investment in the Fund over a period of 1, 5 and 10 years (or up to the life of
the Fund), will reflect the deduction of a proportional share of Fund expenses
(on an annual basis), and will assume that all dividends and distributions are
reinvested when paid. Total return may be expressed in terms of the cumulative
value of an investment in the Fund at the end of a defined period of time.
Quotations of yield or total return for the Fund will not take into account
charges and deductions against any separate account to which the Fund's Shares
are sold or charges and deductions against variable insurance contracts,
although comparable performance information for a separate account will take
such charges into account. For a description of the methods used to determine
total return for the Fund, see 'Performance Information' in the Statement of
Additional Information.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
 
The Trust's fiscal year ends on December 31. Annual reports (containing
financial statements audited by independent auditors and additional information
regarding the Fund's performance) and semi-annual reports (containing unaudited
financial statements) are sent to Shareholders each year. Additional copies may
be obtained, without charge, upon request to the Business Manager.
 
                                      T-10


<PAGE>
[INSERT LOGO] 
TEMPLETON VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND              PROSPECTUS -- May 1, 1996 

Templeton International Fund 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                  <C>
                     Templeton International Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Templeton 
                     Variable Products Series Fund (the "Trust"), an open-end, management investment 
                     company. Shares of the Fund are currently sold only to insurance company 
                     separate accounts ("Separate Accounts") to serve as the investment vehicle 
                     for both variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts (the 
                     "Contracts"). The Separate Accounts invest in shares of the Fund in accordance 
                     with allocation instructions received from owners of the Contracts. Such 
                     allocation rights are described further in the accompanying prospectus for 
                     the Separate Accounts. Certain series of the Trust are not available as an 
                     investment vehicle for all Contracts. A purchaser of a Contract should refer 
                     to the prospectus for his or her Contract or policy for information as to 
INVESTMENT           which series of the Trust are available for investment. This Prospectus sets 
 OBJECTIVE AND       forth concisely information about the Trust that a prospective investor ought 
 POLICIES            to know before investing. 

                     SHARES OF THE FUND ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE 
                     ACCOUNTS AS AN INVESTMENT VEHICLE FOR VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACTS. THIS 
                     PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS OFFERING THE 
PURCHASE             VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACT. BOTH PROSPECTUSES SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY AND 
 OF SHARES           RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. 

                     A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI") DATED MAY 1, 1996, HAS BEEN 
                     FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND IS INCORPORATED IN 
                     ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE IN AND MADE A PART OF THIS PROSPECTUS. THE SAI 
                     IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO FRANKLIN TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, 
PROSPECTUS           INC., P.O. BOX 33030, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33733-8030 OR BY CALLING THE 
 INFORMATION         FUND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-774-5001 OR 1-813-823-8712. 

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 TABLE OF CONTENTS                          PAGE 
- ---------------------------------------  --------- 
<S>                                      <C>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ..................     T-2 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES  ....     T-2 
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES 
AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES .............     T-3 
RISK FACTORS ..........................     T-5 
PURCHASE OF SHARES ....................     T-7 
NET ASSET VALUE .......................     T-7 
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      PAGE 
                                   --------- 
<S>                                <C>
REDEMPTION OF SHARES ............      T-7 
EXCHANGES .......................      T-8 
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST .........      T-8 
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS ...........      T-9 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS  ....      T-9 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS  ......      T-9 
OTHER INFORMATION ...............     T-10 
</TABLE>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR 
ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK; FURTHER, SUCH SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE 
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY 
OTHER AGENCY. SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE 
POSSIBLE LOSS OF CAPITAL. 

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND 
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES 
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE 
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY 
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 


<PAGE>
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
            FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED
 
The following table of financial highlights has been audited by McGladrey &
Pullen, LLP, independent certified public accountants, for the periods indicated
in their report which is incorporated by reference and which appears in the
Fund's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders. This statement should be read in
conjunction with the other financial statements and notes thereto included in
the Fund's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, which contains further
information about the Fund's performance, and which is available to shareholders
upon request and without charge.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 -------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                              <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                                                   1995        1994        1993       1992*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
  (for a share outstanding throughout the period)
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD............................................ $  13.22     $ 13.83     $  9.39     $10.00
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income.........................................................      .23         .12         .10        .06
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss).......................................     1.83        (.42)       4.34       (.67)
                                                                                 --------     -------     -------     ------
    TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS............................................     2.06        (.30)       4.44       (.61)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions:
  Dividends from net investment income..........................................     (.10)       (.08)      --          --
  Distributions from net realized gain..........................................     (.05)       (.23)      --          --
                                                                                 --------     -------     -------     ------
    TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS.........................................................     (.15)       (.31)      --          --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in net asset value for the year..........................................     1.91        (.61)       4.44       (.61)
                                                                                 --------     -------     -------     ------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF YEAR.................................................... $  15.13     $ 13.22     $ 13.83     $ 9.39
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN....................................................................    15.78%      (2.22)%     47.28%     (6.10)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000)................................................. $353,141     150,090     $43,877     $7,050
Ratio of expenses to average net assets.........................................      .71%        .83%        .95%      1.40%**
Ratio of expenses, net of reimbursement, to average net assets..................      .71%        .83%        .95%      1.00%**
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets............................     2.36%       1.89%       1.62%      1.76%**
Portfolio turnover rate.........................................................     5.19%       6.32%      15.65%      4.50%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 

        *  Period from May 1, 1992 (commencement of operations) to 
           December 31, 1992.
       **  Annualized.
           Total return figures do not include charges applied under the 
           Contracts. Inclusion of such figures would reduce the total
           return figures for all periods shown.

 
                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital growth through a flexible
policy of investing in stocks and debt obligations of companies and governments
outside the United States. In pursuit of its investment objective, the Fund will
invest at least 65% of its assets in securities of issuers in at least three
countries outside the United States. Any income realized will be incidental.
Although the Fund generally invests in common stock, it may also invest in
preferred stocks and certain debt securities such as convertible bonds which are
rated in any category by Standard & Poor's Corporation ('S&P') or Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. ('Moody's') or which are unrated by any rating agency.
See the Appendix in the Statement of Additional Information for a description of
the S&P and Moody's ratings. The Fund and its investment manager, Templeton
Investment Counsel, Inc. ('TICI' or the 'Investment Manager'), may, from time to
time, use various methods of selecting securities for the Fund's portfolio, and
may also employ and rely on independent or affiliated sources of information and
ideas in connection with management of the Fund's portfolio. There can be no
assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
    For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest without limit in
commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bank time deposits in the currency of
any nation, bankers' acceptances, U.S. Government securities, corporate debt
obligations, and repurchase agreements with respect to these securities. The
Fund may also enter into firm commitment agreements, purchase securities on a
'when-issued' basis, invest in restricted securities, such as private
placements, lend its portfolio securities and borrow money for investment
purposes. (See 'Description of Securities and Investment Techniques.')
 
    The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts, stock index
futures contracts, and foreign currency futures contracts for hedging purposes
only and not for speculation. It may engage in such transactions only if the
total contract value of the futures contracts does not exceed 20% of the Fund's
total assets. (See 'Description of Securities and Investment Techniques.')
 
                                      T-2
<PAGE>
    The Fund is subject to investment restrictions that are described under the
heading 'Investment Restrictions' in the Statement of Additional Information.
Those investment restrictions so designated and the investment objective of the
Fund are 'fundamental policies' of the Fund, which means that they may not be
changed without a majority vote of Shareholders of the Fund. With the exception
of the Fund's investment objective and those restrictions specifically
identified as fundamental, all investment policies and practices described in
this Prospectus and in the SAI are not fundamental, meaning that the Board of
Trustees may change them without Shareholder approval.
 
    Certain types of investments and investment techniques are described in
greater detail under 'Description of Securities and Investment Techniques' in
this Prospectus and in the SAI.
              DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
 
The Fund is authorized to invest in the various securities and use the various
investment techniques described below. Although these strategies are regularly
used by some investment companies and other institutional investors in various
markets, some of these strategies cannot at the present time be used to a
significant extent by the Fund in some of the markets in which the Fund will
invest and may not be available for extensive use in the future.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
 
The Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities, which are obligations issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Some
U.S. Government securities, such as Treasury bills and bonds, which are direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury, and Government National Mortgage Association
('GNMA') certificates, the principal and interest of which the Treasury
guarantees, are supported by the full faith and credit of the Treasury; others,
such as those of Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the
issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal
National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of
the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's obligations; still others are
supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. GNMA certificates represent
part ownership of a pool of mortgage loans on which interest and principal
payments are guaranteed by the Treasury. Principal is repaid monthly over the
term of the loan. Expected payments may be delayed due to the delays in
registering newly traded certificates. The mortgage loans will be subject to
normal principal amortization and may be prepaid prior to maturity. Reinvestment
of prepayments may occur at higher or lower rates than the original yield on the
certificates.
BANK OBLIGATIONS
 
The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit, which are negotiable
certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite
period of time and earning a specified return. The Fund may invest in bankers'
acceptances, which are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange normally drawn by
an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise and which are 'accepted'
by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the
face value of the instrument on maturity. The Fund may invest in
dollar-denominated certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances of foreign
and domestic banks having total assets in excess of $1 billion. The Fund may
also invest in certificates of deposit of federally insured savings and loan
associations having total assets in excess of $1 billion. The Fund may hold cash
and time deposits with banks in the currency of any major nation.
COMMERCIAL PAPER
 
The Fund may invest in commercial paper. Investments in commercial paper are
limited to obligations rated Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's or A-1 or A-2 by S&P
or, if not rated by Moody's or S&P, issued by companies having an outstanding
debt issue currently rated Aaa or Aa by Moody's or AAA or AA by S&P. See the
Appendix in the SAI for a description of these ratings.
DEBT SECURITIES
 
Debt securities in which the Fund may invest consistent with its investment
objective and policies may include many types of debt obligations of both
domestic and foreign issuers such as bonds, debentures, notes, commercial paper,
structured investments and obligations issued or guaranteed by governments or
government agencies or instrumentalities. The market value of debt securities
generally varies in response to changes in interest rates and the financial
condition of each issuer. During periods of declining interest rates, the value
of debt securities generally increases. Conversely, during periods of rising
interest rates, the value of such securities generally declines. These changes
in market value will be reflected in the Fund's net asset value.
 
    The Fund may invest in medium and lower quality debt securities that are
rated between BBB and as low as CC by S&P, and between Baa and as low as Ca by
Moody's, or if unrated, are of equivalent investment quality as determined by
the Investment Manager. As an operating policy, which may be changed by the
Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, the Fund will not invest more
than 5% of its total assets in debt securities rated below BBB by S&P or Baa by
Moody's. Bonds rated BB or lower, commonly referred to as 'junk bonds,' are
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation and may be in
default. Issues of bonds rated Ca may often be in default. The Board may
consider a change in this operating policy if, in its judgment, economic
conditions change such that a higher level of investment in high risk, lower
quality debt securities would be
                                      T-3
<PAGE>
consistent with the interests of the Fund and its Shareholders. Regardless of
rating levels, all debt securities considered for purchase (whether rated or
unrated) will be carefully analyzed by the Investment Manager to insure, to the
extent possible, that the planned investment is sound. For temporary defensive
purposes, the Fund may invest in short-term corporate debt obligations similarly
rated. Unrated debt securities are not necessarily of lower quality than rated
securities but they may not be attractive to as many buyers.
 
    Debt securities with similar maturities may have different yields, depending
upon several factors, including the relative financial condition of the issuers.
For example, higher yields are generally available from securities in the lower
rating categories of S&P or Moody's. However, the values of lower rated
securities generally fluctuate more than those of higher rated securities. As a
result, lower rated securities involve greater risk of loss of income and
principal than higher rated securities. A full discussion of the risks of
investing in lower quality debt securities is contained under the caption 'Risk
Factors in the SAI.' For a description of debt securities ratings, see the
Appendix to the SAI.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. When the Fund acquires a security
from a bank or a registered broker-dealer, it may simultaneously enter into a
repurchase agreement, wherein the seller agrees to repurchase the security at a
specified time and price. The repurchase price is in excess of the purchase
price by an amount which reflects an agreed upon rate of return, which is not
tied to the coupon rate on the underlying security. The term of such an
agreement is generally quite short, possibly overnight or for a few days,
although it may extend over a number of months (up to one year) from the date of
delivery. Repurchase agreements will be fully collateralized. However, if the
seller should default on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security,
the Fund may experience delay or difficulty in exercising its rights to realize
upon the security and might incur a loss if the value of the security should
decline, as well as incur disposition costs in liquidating the security.
BORROWING
 
The Fund may borrow up to 30% of the value of its net assets to increase its
holdings of portfolio securities. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may borrow from
banks only, and is required to maintain continuous asset coverage of 300% with
respect to such borrowings and to sell (within three days) sufficient portfolio
holdings to restore such coverage if it should decline to less than 300% due to
market fluctuations or otherwise, even if disadvantageous from an investment
standpoint. Leveraging by means of borrowing will exaggerate the effect of any
increase or decrease in the value of portfolio securities on the Fund's net
asset value, and money borrowed will be subject to interest and other costs
(which may include commitment fees and/or the cost of maintaining minimum
average balances) which may or may not exceed the income received from the
securities purchased with borrowed funds.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES
 
The Fund may purchase securities on a 'when-issued' basis. New issues of certain
debt securities are often offered on a when-issued basis, meaning that the
payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters
into the commitment, but delivery and payment for the securities normally takes
place after the date of the commitment to purchase. The value of when-issued
securities may vary prior to and after delivery depending on market conditions
and changes in interest rate levels. However, the Fund will not accrue any
income on these securities prior to delivery. The Fund will maintain in a
segregated account with its Custodian an amount of cash or high quality debt
securities equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the amount of its
commitment to purchase the when-issued securities.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
 
The Fund may lend to broker-dealers or U.S. banks portfolio securities with an
aggregate market value of up to one-third of its total assets to generate
income. Such loans must be secured by collateral (consisting of any combination
of cash, U.S. Government securities, or irrevocable letters of credit) in an
amount at least equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the current market
value of the securities loaned. The Fund may terminate the loans at any time and
obtain the return of the securities loaned within five business days. The Fund
will continue to receive any interest or dividends paid on the loaned securities
and will continue to have voting rights with respect to the securities. In the
event that the borrower defaults on its obligation to return borrowed
securities, because of insolvency or otherwise, the Fund could experience delays
and costs in gaining access to the collateral and could suffer a loss to the
extent that the value of collateral falls below the market value of the borrowed
securities.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
 
The Fund may invest in restricted securities, which are securities subject to
legal or contractual restrictions on their resale, such as private placements.
Such restrictions might prevent the sale of restricted securities at a time when
sale would otherwise be desirable. No restricted securities and no securities
for which there is not a readily available market ('illiquid assets') will be
acquired by the Fund if such acquisition would cause the aggregate value of
illiquid assets and restricted securities to exceed 15% of the Fund's total
assets. Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated
transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration
statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933. Where
                                      T-4
<PAGE>
registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the
registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of
the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security
under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse
market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price
than prevailed when it decided to sell. Restricted securities will be priced at
fair value as determined by the management and approved in good faith by the
Board of Trustees.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
 
The Fund may purchase sponsored or unsponsored American Depositary Receipts
('ADRs'), European Depositary Receipts ('EDRs') and Global Depositary Receipts
('GDRs') (collectively, 'Depositary Receipts'). ADRs are Depositary Receipts
typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company which evidence ownership of
underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs and GDRs are
typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they also may be
issued by U.S. banks or trust companies, and evidence ownership of underlying
securities issued by either a foreign or a U.S. corporation. Generally,
Depositary Receipts in registered form are designed for use in the U.S.
securities market and Depositary Receipts in bearer form are designed for use in
securities markets outside the United States. Depositary Receipts may not
necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities
into which they may be converted. Depositary Receipts may be issued pursuant to
sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made
arrangements to have its securities traded in the form of Depositary Receipts.
In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation
of the program. Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and
unsponsored programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to
obtain financial information from an issuer that has participated in the
creation of a sponsored program. Accordingly, there may be less information
available regarding issuers of securities underlying unsponsored programs and
there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of
the Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts also involve the risks of other
investments in foreign securities, as discussed below. For purposes of the
Fund's investment policies, the Fund's investments in Depositary Receipts will
be deemed to be investments in the underlying securities.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
 
For hedging purposes only, the Fund may buy and sell financial futures contracts
and foreign currency futures contracts. Also, for hedging purposes only, the
Fund may purchase and sell stock index futures contracts. A financial futures
contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specified debt
security at a set price on a future date. An index futures contract is an
agreement to take or make delivery of an amount of cash based on the difference
between the value of the index at the beginning and at the end of the contract
period. A futures contract on a foreign currency is an agreement to buy or sell
a specified amount of a currency for a set price on a future date.
 
    When the Fund enters into a futures contract, it must make an initial
deposit, known as 'initial margin,' as a partial guarantee of its performance
under the contract. As the value of the security, index or currency fluctuates,
either party to the contract is required to make additional margin payments,
known as 'variation margin,' to cover any additional obligation it may have
under the contract. The Fund may not commit more than 5% of its total assets to
initial margin deposits on futures contracts. In addition, the Fund must deposit
in a segregated account additional cash or high quality debt securities to
ensure the futures contracts are unleveraged. The value of assets held in the
segregated account must be equal to the daily market value of all outstanding
futures contracts less any amounts deposited as margin.
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
Shareholders should understand that all investments involve risk and there can
be no guarantee against loss resulting from an investment in the Fund; nor can
there be any assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be attained. As
with any investment in securities, the value of, and income from, an investment
in the Fund can decrease as well as increase, depending on a variety of factors
which may affect the values and income generated by the Fund's portfolio
securities, including general economic conditions and market factors. In
addition to the factors which affect the value of individual securities, a
Shareholder may anticipate that the value of the Shares of the Fund will
fluctuate with movements in the broader equity and bond markets, as well. A
decline in the stock market of any country in which the Fund is invested in
equity securities may also be reflected in declines in the price of the Shares
of the Fund. Changes in currency valuations will also affect the price of the
Shares of the Fund. History reflects both decreases and increases in stock
markets and currency valuations, and these may reoccur unpredictably in the
future. Additionally, investment decisions made by the Investment Managers will
not always be profitable or prove to have been correct. The Fund is not intended
as a complete investment program.
 
    The Fund is authorized to purchase securities in any foreign country,
developed or underdeveloped. An investor should consider carefully the risks
involved in investing in securities issued by companies and governments of
foreign nations, which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic
investments. These risks are often heightened for investments in developing
markets, including certain Eastern European countries. See 'Investment
Objectives and Policies--Risk Factors' in the SAI. There is the possibility of
expropriation, nationalization or confiscatory taxation, taxation of income
earned in foreign nations (including, for example, withholding taxes on interest
and dividends) or other taxes imposed with respect to investments in foreign
nations, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability
to transfer currency
                                      T-5
<PAGE>
from a given country), foreign investment controls on daily stock movements,
default in foreign government securities, political or social instability, or
diplomatic developments which could affect investments in securities of issuers
in foreign nations. Some countries may withhold portions of interest and
dividends at the source. In addition, in many countries there is less publicly
available information about issuers than is available in reports about companies
in the United States. Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform
accounting and auditing and financial reporting standards, and auditing
practices and requirements may not be comparable to those applicable to United
States companies. Further, the Fund may encounter difficulties or be unable to
vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, pursue legal remedies, and obtain
judgments in foreign courts. These considerations generally are more of a
concern in developing countries, where the possibility of political instability
(including revolution) and dependence on foreign economic assistance may be
greater than in developed countries. Investments in companies domiciled in
developing countries therefore may be subject to potentially higher risks than
investments in developed countries.
 
    Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to
investment in foreign countries are generally more expensive than in the United
States. Foreign securities markets also have different clearance and settlement
procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have
been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it
difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in
temporary periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned
thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to
settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment
opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement
problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in
value of the portfolio security of, if the Fund has entered into a contract to
sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.
 
    In many foreign countries there is less government supervision and
regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and
listed companies than in the United States. There is an increased risk,
therefore, of uninsured loss due to lost, stolen or counterfeit stock
certificates. In addition, the foreign securities markets of many of the
countries in which the Fund may invest may also be smaller, less liquid, and
subject to greater price volatility than those in the United States. The Fund
may invest in Eastern European countries, which involves special risks that are
described under 'Investment Objectives and Policies--Risk Factors' in the SAI.
 
    Prior governmental approval of foreign investments may be required under
certain circumstances in some developing countries, and the extent of foreign
investment in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other
developing countries. Foreign ownership limitations may also be imposed by the
charters of individual companies in developing countries to prevent, among other
concerns, violation of foreign investment limitations.
 
    Repatriation of investment income, capital and proceeds of sales by foreign
investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some
developing countries. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in or a
refusal to grant any required governmental registration or approval for such
repatriation.
 
    Further, the economies of developing countries generally are heavily
dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue
to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed
adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed
or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have
been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the
countries with which they trade.
 
    The Fund will usually effect currency exchange transactions on a spot (i.e.,
cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign exchange market. However,
some price spread on currency exchange (to cover service charges) will be
incurred when the Fund converts assets from one currency to another.
 
    The Fund is authorized to invest in medium quality or high-risk, lower
quality debt securities that are rated between BBB and as low as CC by S&P, and
between Baa and as low as Ca by Moody's or, if unrated, are of equivalent
investment quality as determined by the Investment Manager. As an operating
policy, which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without Shareholder
approval, the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in debt
securities rated lower than BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody's. The Board may consider
a change in this operating policy if, in its judgment, economic conditions
change such that a higher level of investment in high-risk, lower quality debt
securities would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its
Shareholders. See 'Investment Objectives and Policies--Debt Securities' in the
SAI for descriptions of debt securities rated BBB by S&P and Baa by Moody's.
High-risk, lower quality debt securities, commonly referred to as 'junk bonds,'
are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation and may be in default. Unrated debt securities are not
necessarily of lower quality than rated securities but they may not be
attractive to as many buyers. Regardless of rating levels, all debt securities
considered for purchase (whether rated or unrated) will be carefully analyzed by
the Investment Manager to insure, to the extent possible, that the planned
investment is sound. The Fund may, from time to time, purchase defaulted debt
securities if, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, the issuer may resume
interest payments in the near future. As a fundamental policy, the Fund will not
invest more than 10% of its total assets (at the time of purchase) in defaulted
debt securities, which may be illiquid.
 
    Successful use of futures contracts is subject to special risk
considerations and transaction costs. A liquid secondary market for futures
contracts may not be available when a position is sought to be closed. In
addition, there may be an
                                      T-6
<PAGE>
imperfect correlation between movements in the securities or foreign currency on
which the contract is based and movements in the securities in the Fund's
portfolio or the currencies in which they are denominated. Successful use of
forward contracts, options and futures contracts is further dependent on the
ability of the Fund's Investment Manager to correctly predict movements in the
securities or foreign currency markets and no assurance can be given that its
judgment will be correct.
 
    There are further risk factors, including possible losses through the
holding of securities in domestic and foreign custodian banks and depositories,
described elsewhere in the Prospectus and in the SAI.
                               PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis at the net asset value of
the Fund only to separate accounts of insurance companies to serve as the
underlying investment vehicle for both variable annuity and variable life
insurance contracts. Individuals may not purchase shares directly from the Fund.
Please read the prospectus of the insurance company Separate Account for more
information on the purchase of Fund Shares.
 
    In the event that the Trust serves as investment vehicle for both variable
annuity and variable life insurance contracts, or for both variable life
insurance contracts of an insurer and other variable contracts of an
unaffiliated insurer, the Trust's Board of Trustees will monitor events in order
to identify any material conflicts between variable annuity contract owners and
variable life policy owners and/or between separate accounts of different
insurers, as the case may be, and will determine what action, if any, should be
taken in the event of such a conflict. Although the Trust does not currently
foresee any disadvantages to contract owners, an irreconcilable material
conflict may conceivably arise between contract owners of different separate
accounts investing in the Trust due to differences in tax treatment, the
management of investments, or other considerations.
                                NET ASSET VALUE
 
The net asset value of the Shares of the Fund is determined as of the scheduled
closing time of the New York Stock Exchange ('NYSE') (generally 4:00 p.m., New
York time) on each day the NYSE is open for trading by dividing the value of the
Fund's securities plus any cash and other assets (including accrued interest and
dividends receivable) less all liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the
number of shares outstanding, adjusted to the nearest whole cent. A security
listed or traded on a recognized stock exchange or NASDAQ is valued at its last
sale price on the principal exchange on which the security is traded. The value
of a foreign security is determined in its national currency as of the close of
trading on the foreign exchange on which it is traded, or as of the scheduled
closing time of the NYSE, if that is earlier, and that value is then converted
into its U.S. dollar equivalent at foreign exchange rate in effect at noon, New
York time, on the day the value of the foreign security is determined. If no
sale is reported at that time, the mean between the current bid and asked price
is used. Occasionally, events which affect the values of such securities and
such exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined and
the close of the NYSE, and will therefore not be reflected in the computation of
the Fund's net asset value. If events materially affecting the value of such
securities occur during such period, then these securities will be valued at
fair value as determined by the management and approved in good faith by the
Board of Trustees. All other securities for which over-the-counter market
quotations are readily available are valued at the mean between the current bid
and asked price. Securities for which market quotations are not readily
available and other assets are valued at fair value as determined by the
management and approved in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
                              REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
The Trust will redeem all full and fractional Shares presented for redemption on
any business day. Redemptions are effected at the per Share net asset value next
determined after receipt of proper notice of the redemption. Redemption proceeds
normally will be paid to the insurance company within seven days following
receipt of instructions in proper form. The right of redemption may be suspended
by the Trust when the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings) or for any period during which trading thereon is restricted because
an emergency exists, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets not
reasonably practicable, and whenever the Securities and Exchange Commission has
by order permitted such suspension or postponement for the protection of
shareholders. The Trust will redeem Shares of the Fund solely in cash up to the
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net assets during any 90-day period for any one
Shareholder. In consideration of the best interests of the remaining
Shareholders, the Trust reserves the right to pay any redemption price exceeding
this amount in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of securities held by
the Fund in lieu of cash. It is highly unlikely that Shares would ever be
redeemed in kind. If Shares are redeemed in kind, however, the redeeming
Shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the
securities received in the distribution.
 
    Please refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's Separate Account
for information on how to redeem Shares of the Fund.
 
                                      T-7
<PAGE>
                                   EXCHANGES
 
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of any other fund available as an
investment option in a Separate Account. Exchanges are treated as a redemption
of shares of one fund and a purchase of shares of the other fund and are
effected at the respective net asset value per share of each fund on the date of
the exchange. Please refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's
Separate Account for more information concerning exchanges.
                            MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
 
The Trust is managed by its Board of Trustees and all powers of the Trust are
exercised by or under authority of the Board. Information relating to the
Trustees and officers is set forth under the heading 'Management of the Trust'
in the SAI.
INVESTMENT MANAGER
 
The Investment Manager of the Fund is Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc.
('TICI'). TICI is a Florida corporation with offices at Broward Financial
Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33394-3091. The Investment Manager manages the
investment and reinvestment of the Fund's assets. TICI is an indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. ('Franklin'). Through its
subsidiaries, Franklin is engaged in various aspects of the financial services
industry. The Investment Manager and its affiliates serve as advisers for a wide
variety of public investment mutual funds and private clients in many nations.
The Templeton organization has been investing globally over the past 56 years
and, with its affiliates, provides investment management and advisory services
to a worldwide client base, including over 4.3 million mutual fund shareholders,
foundations, endowments, employee benefit plans and individuals. The Investment
Manager and its affiliates have approximately 4,100 employees in the United
States, Australia, Scotland, Germany, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Bahamas, Singapore,
Canada, Russia, France, Poland, Italy, India, Vietnam, South America and South
Africa.
 
    The Investment Manager uses a disciplined, long-term approach to value
oriented global and international investing. It has an extensive global network
of investment research sources. Securities are selected for the Fund's portfolio
on the basis of fundamental company-by-company analysis. Many different
selection methods are used for different funds and clients and these methods are
changed and improved by the Investment Managers' research on superior selection
methods.
 
    The Investment Manager performs similar services for other funds and
accounts and there may be times when the actions taken with respect to the
Fund's portfolio will differ from those taken by the Investment Manager on
behalf of other funds and accounts. Neither the Investment Manager and its
affiliates, its officers, directors or employees, nor the officers and Trustees
of the Trust are prohibited from investing in securities held by the Fund or
other funds and accounts which are managed or administered by the Investment
Manager to the extent such transactions comply with the Trust's Code of Ethics.
Please see 'Investment Management and Other Services--Investment Management
Agreements,' in the SAI for further information on securities transactions and a
summary of the Trust's Code of Ethics.
 
    The Investment Manager does not furnish any other services or facilities for
the Fund, although such expenses are paid by some investment advisers of other
investment companies. As compensation for these services, the Fund pays its
Investment Manager a monthly fee equal on an annual basis to .50% of its average
daily net assets during the year.
 
    The lead portfolio manager for the Fund since 1995 is Lauretta A. Reeves.
Ms. Reeves, Vice President of TICI, joined the Templeton organization in 1987 as
an equity trader and moved into the research group in 1989. She has research
responsibility for the chemical, medical and European banking sectors and the
Philippines market. Prior to joining the Templeton organization, she was manager
of equity trading for First Equity Corporation of Florida, a regional brokerage
firm. Ms. Reeves received a Masters in Business Administration from Nova
University and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with high honors
from Florida International University. She is also a Chartered Financial
Analyst. Peter Nori and Gary Motyl exercise secondary portfolio management
responsibility. Mr. Nori is a research analyst whose current responsibilities
include covering data processing/software, textile and apparel stocks. Mr. Nori
completed Franklin's management training program before moving into portfolio
research in 1990 as an equity analyst and co-portfolio manager of the Franklin
Convertible Securities Fund. He holds a B.S. degree in Finance and an M.B.A.
with an emphasis in finance from the University of San Francisco and is a
Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Motyl has been a security analyst and portfolio
manager with TICI since 1981. His research responsibilities include the global
automobile industry. Prior to joining the Templeton organization, Mr. Motyl
worked from 1974 to 1979 as a security analyst at Standard & Poor's Corporation,
and then worked as a research analyst and portfolio manager from 1979 to 1981
with Landmark First National Bank. He holds a B.S. in Finance from Lehigh
University and an M.B.A. from Pace University.
 
    Further information concerning the Investment Manager, including the
services it renders and its selection of brokers to execute portfolio
transactions, is included under the heading 'Investment Management and Other
Services' in the SAI.
BUSINESS MANAGER
 
Templeton Funds Annuity Company, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida
33733-8030, telephone (800) 774-5001 or (813) 823-8712, provides certain
administrative facilities and services for the Trust, including payment of
salaries of officers, preparation and maintenance of books and records, daily
pricing of the Fund's investment portfolio, preparation of tax reports,
preparation of financial reports, and monitoring compliance with regulatory
requirements. For its services, the Business Manager receives a fee equivalent
on an annual basis to 0.15% of the combined average daily net assets of the Fund
                                      T-8
<PAGE>
and other funds of the Trust, reduced to 0.135% of such assets in excess of
$200,000,000, to 0.10% of such assets in excess of $700,000,000, and to 0.075%
of such assets in excess of $1,200,000,000.
EXPENSES
 
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, expenses amounted to .71% of the
Fund's average daily net assets.
DISTRIBUTOR
 
Shares of the Trust are distributed through Franklin Templeton Distributors,
Inc., P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida 33733-8030, toll free telephone
(800) 292-9293.
 
                             BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
 
The Trust's brokerage policies are described under the heading 'Brokerage
Allocation' in the SAI. The Trust's brokerage policies provide that the receipt
of research services from a broker is a factor which may be taken into account
in allocating securities transactions as long as the prices and execution
provided by the broker equal the best available within the scope of the Trust's
brokerage policies.
 
                          DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The Fund normally intends to pay annual dividends representing substantially all
of its net investment income and to distribute annually any net realized capital
gains.
 
    Any distributions made by the Fund will be automatically reinvested in
additional Shares of the Fund, unless an election is made on behalf of a
Shareholder to receive distributions in cash. Dividends or distributions by the
Fund will reduce the per share net asset value by the per share amount so paid.
 
                           FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
 
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the 'Code'). If the Fund so qualifies
it generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on amounts distributed
to Shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund
must, among other things, meet certain source of income requirements. In
addition, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each
quarter of the taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's
assets is represented by cash, U.S. Government securities, the securities of
other regulated investment companies and other securities, with such other
securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this calculation to an
amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and 10% of
the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of
the value of its total assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer
(other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other regulated
investment companies).
 
    Amounts not distributed by the Fund on a timely basis in accordance with a
calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise
tax. See the SAI for more information about this tax and its applicability to
the Fund.
 
    Distributions of any net investment income and of any net realized
short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses are
treated as ordinary income for tax purposes in the hands of the Shareholder (the
Separate Account). The excess of any net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses will, to the extent distributed and designated by the
Fund as a capital gain dividend, be treated as long-term capital gains in the
hands of the Separate Account regardless of the length of time the Separate
Account may have held the Shares. Any distributions that are not from the Fund's
investment company taxable income or net capital gain may be characterized as a
return of capital to shareholders or, in some cases, as capital gain. Reference
is made to the prospectus for the applicable Contract for information regarding
the federal income tax treatment of distributions to an owner of a Contract.
 
    To comply with regulations under Section 817(h) of the Code the Fund is
required to diversify its investments so that on the last day of each quarter of
a calendar year no more than 55% of the value of its assets is represented by
any one investment, no more than 70% is represented by any two investments, no
more than 80% is represented by any three investments, and no more than 90% is
represented by any four investments. Generally, all securities of the same
issuer are treated as a single investment. For this purpose, in the case of U.S.
Government securities, each U.S. Government agency or instrumentality is treated
as a separate issuer. Any securities issued, guaranteed, or insured (to the
extent so guaranteed or insured) by the U.S. Government or an instrumentality of
the U.S. Government are treated as a U.S. Government security for this purpose.
 
    The Treasury Department has indicated that it may issue future
pronouncements addressing the circumstances in which a variable contract owner's
control of the investments of a separate account may cause the contract owner,
rather than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets held
by the separate account. If the contract owner is considered the owner of the
securities underlying the separate account, income and gains produced by those
securities would be included currently in the contract owner's gross income. It
is not known what standards will be set forth in such pronouncements or when, if
at all, these pronouncements may be issued.
 
    In the event that rules or regulations are adopted, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will be able to operate as currently described in the
Prospectus, or that the Trust will not have to change the Fund's investment
objective or investment policies. While the Fund's investment objective is
fundamental and may be changed only by a vote of a majority
                                      T-9
<PAGE>
of its outstanding Shares, the Trustees have reserved the right to modify the
investment policies of the Fund as necessary to prevent any such prospective
rules and regulations from causing the contract owners to be considered the
owners of the Shares of the Fund underlying the Separate Account.
 
                               OTHER INFORMATION
CAPITALIZATION
 
The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on February 25, 1988
and currently consists of six separately managed funds. The Board of Trustees
may establish additional funds in the future. The capitalization of the Trust
consists solely of an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest with a
par value of $0.01 each. When issued, Shares of the Trust are fully paid,
non-assessable by the Trust and freely transferable.
 
    Unlike the stockholder of a corporation, Shareholders could under certain
circumstances 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. The Declaration of
Trust provides for indemnification out of Trust property for all loss and
expense of any Shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Trust. The risk of a Shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself
would be unable to meet its obligations and thus should be considered remote.
VOTING RIGHTS
 
Shareholders of the Trust are given certain voting rights. Each Share of the
Fund will be given one vote, unless a different allocation of voting rights is
required under applicable law for a mutual fund that is an investment medium for
variable life insurance or annuity contracts. In accordance with current
applicable law, the Separate Account, as Shareholder of the Trust, is required
to vote the Shares of the Trust at any regular and special meeting of the
Shareholders of the Trust in accordance with instructions received from owners
of the variable contracts. See the prospectus for the Separate Account for more
information regarding the pass-through of these voting rights.
 
    Massachusetts business trust law does not require the Trust to hold annual
shareholder meetings, although special meetings may be called for a specific
fund of the Trust, or for the Trust as a whole, for purposes such as electing or
removing Trustees, changing fundamental policies or approving an investment
management contract. In addition, the Trust will be required to hold a meeting
to elect Trustees to fill any existing vacancies on the Board if, at any time,
fewer than a majority of the Trustees have been elected by the Shareholders of
the Trust. In addition, the holders of not less than two-thirds of the
outstanding Shares or other voting interests 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 or other
voting interests of the Trust. The Trust is required to assist in Shareholders'
communications. In accordance with current laws, an insurance company issuing a
variable life insurance or annuity contract that participates in the Trust will
request voting instructions from contract owners and will vote Shares or other
voting interests in the separate account in proportion to the voting
instructions received.
 
    For more information on the Trust, the Fund, and its investment activity and
concurrent risks, a Statement of Additional Information may be obtained without
charge upon request to Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., P.O. Box 33030,
St. Petersburg, Florida, 33733-8030 -- toll free telephone (800) 774-5001 or
(813) 823-8712.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
The Fund may include its total return in advertisements or reports to
Shareholders or prospective investors. Performance information for the Fund will
not be advertised unless accompanied by comparable performance information for a
separate account to which the Fund offer its Shares.
 
    Quotations of average annual total return for the Fund will be expressed in
terms of the average annual compounded rate of return on a hypothetical
investment in the Fund over a period of 1, 5 and 10 years (or up to the life of
the Fund), will reflect the deduction of a proportional share of Fund expenses
(on an annual basis), and will assume that all dividends and distributions are
reinvested when paid. Total return may be expressed in terms of the cumulative
value of an investment in the Fund at the end of a defined period of time.
Quotations of yield or total return for the Fund will not take into account
charges and deductions against any separate account to which the Fund's Shares
are sold or charges and deductions against variable insurance contracts,
although comparable performance information for a separate account will take
such charges into account. For a description of the methods used to determine
total return for the Fund, see 'Performance Information' in the SAI.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
 
The Trust's fiscal year ends on December 31. Annual reports (containing
financial statements audited by independent auditors and additional information
regarding the Fund's performance) and semi-annual reports (containing unaudited
financial statements) are sent to Shareholders each year. Additional copies may
be obtained, without charge, upon request to the Business Manager.
 
                                      T-10


<PAGE>
[INSERT LOGO] 
TEMPLETON VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND              PROSPECTUS -- May 1, 1996 

Templeton Asset Allocation Fund 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                  <C>
                     Templeton Asset Allocation Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Templeton 
                     Variable Products Series Fund (the "Trust"), an open-end, management investment 
                     company. Shares of the Fund are currently sold only to insurance company 
                     separate accounts ("Separate Accounts") to serve as the investment vehicle 
                     for both variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts (the 
                     "Contracts"). The Separate Accounts invest in shares of the Fund in accordance 
                     with allocation instructions received from owners of the Contracts. Such 
                     allocation rights are described further in the accompanying prospectus for 
                     the Separate Accounts. Certain series of the Trust are not available as an 
                     investment vehicle for all Contracts. A purchaser of a Contract should refer 
                     to the prospectus for his or her Contract or policy for information as to 
INVESTMENT           which series of the Trust are available for investment. This Prospectus sets 
 OBJECTIVE AND       forth concisely information about the Fund that a prospective investor ought 
 POLICIES            to know before investing. 

                     SHARES OF THE FUND ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE 
                     ACCOUNTS AS AN INVESTMENT VEHICLE FOR VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACTS. THIS 
                     PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS OFFERING THE 
PURCHASE             VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACT. BOTH PROSPECTUSES SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY AND 
 OF SHARES           RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. 

                     A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI") DATED MAY 1, 1996, HAS BEEN 
                     FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND IS INCORPORATED IN 
                     ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE IN AND MADE A PART OF THIS PROSPECTUS. THE SAI 
                     IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO FRANKLIN TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, 
PROSPECTUS           INC., P.O. BOX 33030, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33733-8030 OR BY CALLING THE 
 INFORMATION         FUND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-774-5001 OR 1-813-823-8712. 

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 TABLE OF CONTENTS                          PAGE 
- ---------------------------------------  --------- 
<S>                                      <C>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ..................     T-2 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES  ....     T-2 
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES 
AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES .............     T-3 
RISK FACTORS ..........................     T-6 
PURCHASE OF SHARES ....................     T-8 
NET ASSET VALUE .......................     T-8 
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      PAGE 
                                   --------- 
<S>                                <C>
REDEMPTION OF SHARES ............      T-8 
EXCHANGES .......................      T-8 
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST .........      T-9 
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS ...........     T-10 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS  ....     T-10 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS  ......     T-10 
OTHER INFORMATION ...............     T-11 
</TABLE>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR 
ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK; FURTHER, SUCH SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE 
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY 
OTHER AGENCY. SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE 
POSSIBLE LOSS OF CAPITAL. 

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND 
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES 
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE 
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY 
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. 


<PAGE>
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
            FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED
 
The following table of financial highlights has been audited by McGladrey &
Pullen, LLP, independent certified public accountants, for the periods indicated
in their report which is incorporated by reference and which appears in the
Fund's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders. This statement should be read in
conjunction with the other financial statements and notes thereto included in
the Fund's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, which contains further
information about the Fund's performance, and which is available to shareholders
upon request and without charge.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                        1995        1994        1993       1992       1991       1990       1989      1988*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE (for
  a share outstanding throughout the
  year)
NET ASSET VALUE,
  BEGINNING OF YEAR.................. $  15.69    $  16.55    $  13.49    $ 12.85    $ 10.45    $ 11.62    $ 10.28    $10.00
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income..............      .57         .44         .42        .39        .40        .34        .25       .07
  Net realized and unrealized
    gain (loss)......................     2.87        (.92)       3.03        .66       2.38      (1.23)      1.11       .21
                                      --------    --------    --------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ------
    TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
       OPERATIONS....................     3.44        (.48)       3.45       1.05       2.78       (.89)      1.36       .28
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributions:
  Dividends from net
    investment income................     (.41)       (.31)       (.35)      (.41)      (.38)      (.25)      (.02)     --
  Distributions from
    net realized gains...............    --           (.07)       (.04)     --         --          (.03)     --         --
                                      --------    --------    --------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ------
    TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS..............     (.41)       (.38)       (.39)      (.41)      (.38)      (.28)      (.02)     --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in net asset value
  for the year.......................     3.03        (.86)       3.06        .64       2.40      (1.17)      1.34       .28
                                      --------    --------    --------    -------    -------    -------    -------    ------
NET ASSET VALUE,
  END OF YEAR........................ $  18.72    $  15.69    $  16.55    $ 13.49    $ 12.85    $ 10.45    $ 11.62    $10.28
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN.........................    22.48%      (2.96)%     26.12%      8.42%     27.05%     (7.80)%    13.25%     2.80%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets,
  end of year (000).................. $406,123    $288,172    $183,360    $79,242    $35,821    $22,702    $13,150    $  388
Ratio of expenses to average
  net assets.........................      .66%        .75%        .77%       .80%       .89%      1.03%      1.41%    14.92%**
Ratio of expenses, net of
  reimbursement, to average
  net assets.........................      .66%        .75%        .77%       .80%       .89%      1.00%      1.00%     1.50%**
Ratio of net investment income to
  average net assets.................     3.73%       4.02%       4.16%      4.47%      3.99%      4.56%      4.81%     2.86%**
Portfolio turnover rate..............    43.02%      51.36%      81.50%    120.53%     76.65%      8.46%     10.68%     --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 

        *  Period from August 31, 1988 (commencement of operations) to 
           December 31, 1988.
       **  Annualized.
           Total return figures do not include charges applied under the 
           Contracts. Inclusion of such figures would reduce the total
           return figures for all periods shown.

 
                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
 
The Fund seeks a high level of total return through a flexible policy of
investing in the following market segments: stocks of companies in any nation,
debt securities of companies and governments of any nation, and money market
instruments. The mix of investments among these three market segments will be
adjusted in an attempt to capitalize on total return potential produced by
changing economic conditions throughout the world. The Fund and its investment
manager, Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc. ('TICI' or the 'Investment Manager')
may, from time to time, use various methods of selecting securities for the
Fund's portfolio, and may also employ and rely on independent or affiliated
sources of information and
                                      T-2
<PAGE>
ideas in connection with the management of the Fund's portfolio. There can be no
assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
 
    There are no minimum or maximum percentages as to the amount of the Fund's
assets which may be invested in each of the market segments. Except as noted
below and under 'Investment Restrictions' in the SAI, the Fund's Investment
Manager has complete flexibility in determining the amount and nature of stock,
debt securities or money market instruments in which the Fund may invest.
 
    The Fund seeks investment opportunities in all types of securities issued by
companies or governments of any nation. It has the flexibility to invest in
preferred stocks and certain debt securities, rated or unrated, such as
convertible bonds and bonds selling at a discount. The Fund may invest in
collateralized mortgage obligations and restricted securities, lend its
portfolio securities, and borrow money for investment purposes.
 
    The Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts, stock index
futures contracts, and foreign currency futures contracts for hedging purposes
only and not for speculation. It may engage in such transactions only if the
total contract value of the futures contracts does not exceed 20% of the Fund's
total assets. The Fund may also invest in forward foreign currency exchange
contracts and options on foreign currencies. (See 'Description of Securities and
Investment Techniques.')
 
    The Fund is subject to investment restrictions that are described under the
heading 'Investment Restrictions' in the SAI. Those investment restrictions so
designated and the investment objective of the Fund are 'fundamental policies'
of the Fund, which means that they may not be changed without a majority vote of
Shareholders of the Fund. With the exception of the Fund's investment objective
and those restrictions specifically identified as fundamental, all investment
policies and practices described in this Prospectus and in the SAI are not
fundamental, meaning that the Board of Trustees may change them without
Shareholder approval.
 
    Certain types of investments and investment techniques are described in
greater detail under 'Description of Securities and Investment Techniques' in
this Prospectus and in the SAI.
              DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
 
The Fund is authorized to invest in securities and use the various investment
techniques described below. Although these strategies are regularly used by some
investment companies and other institutional investors in various markets, some
of these strategies cannot at the present time be used to a significant extent
by the Fund in some of the markets in which the Fund will invest and may not be
available for extensive use in the future.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
 
The Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities, which are obligations issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Some
U.S. Government securities, such as Treasury bills and bonds, which are direct
obligations of the U.S. Treasury, and Government National Mortgage Association
('GNMA') certificates, the principal and interest of which the Treasury
guarantees, are supported by the full faith and credit of the Treasury; others,
such as those of Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the
issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal
National Mortgage Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of
the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's obligations; still others are
supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. GNMA certificates represent
part ownership of a pool of mortgage loans on which interest and principal
payments are guaranteed by the Treasury. Principal is repaid monthly over the
term of the loan. Expected payments may be delayed due to the delays in
registering newly traded certificates. The mortgage loans will be subject to
normal principal amortization and may be prepaid prior to maturity. Reinvestment
of prepayments may occur at higher or lower rates than the original yield on the
certificates.
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS ('CMOS')
 
The Fund may invest in CMOs, which are fixed-income securities collateralized by
pools of mortgage loans created by commercial banks, savings and loan
institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers, and other
issuers in the United States. In effect, CMOs 'pass-through' the monthly
payments made by individual borrowers on their mortgage loans. Timely payment of
interest and principal (but not the market value) of these pools is supported by
various forms of insurance or guarantees issued by U.S. Government agencies,
private issuers, and mortgage poolers; however, the obligation itself is not
guaranteed. If the collateral securing the obligations is insufficient to make
payment on the obligation, a holder could sustain a loss. In addition, the Fund
may buy CMOs without insurance or guarantees if, in the opinion of the
Investment Manager, the sponsor is creditworthy. The ratings of the CMOs will be
consistent with the ratings criteria of the Fund. Prepayments of the mortgages
included in the mortgage pool may influence the yield of the CMO. Prepayments
usually increase when interest rates are decreasing, thereby decreasing the life
of the pool. Reinvestment of prepayments may be at a lower rate than that on the
original CMO. As a result, the value of CMOs decrease like other debt securities
when interest rates rise, but when interest rates decline, they may not increase
as much as other debt securities, due to the prepayment feature.
 
                                      T-3
<PAGE>
BANK OBLIGATIONS
 
The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit, which are negotiable
certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite
period of time and earning a specified return. The Fund may invest in
dollar-denominated certificates of deposit of foreign and domestic banks having
total assets in excess of $1 billion. The Fund may also invest in certificates
of deposit of federally insured savings and loan associations having total
assets in excess of $1 billion. The Fund may hold cash and time deposits with
banks in the currency of any major nation.
COMMERCIAL PAPER
 
The Fund may invest in commercial paper. Investments in commercial paper are
limited to obligations rated Prime-1 or Prime-2 by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. ('Moody's') or A-1 or A-2 by Standard & Poor's Corporation ('S&P') or, if
not rated by Moody's or S&P, issued by companies having an outstanding debt
issue currently rated Aaa or Aa by Moody's or AAA or AA by S&P. See the Appendix
in the SAI for a description of these ratings.
DEBT SECURITIES
 
Debt securities in which the Fund may invest consistent with its investment
objective and policies may include many types of debt obligations of both
domestic and foreign issuers such as bonds, debentures, notes, commercial paper,
structured investments and obligations issued or guaranteed by governments or
government agencies or instrumentalities. The market value of debt securities
generally varies in response to changes in interest rates and the financial
condition of each issuer. During periods of declining interest rates, the value
of debt securities generally increases. Conversely, during periods of rising
interest rates, the value of such securities generally declines. These changes
in market value will be reflected in the Fund's net asset value.
 
    The Fund may invest in medium and lower quality debt securities that are
rated between BBB and as low as CC by S&P, and between Baa and as low as Ca by
Moody's or, if unrated, are of equivalent investment quality as determined by
the Investment Manager. As an operating policy, which may be changed by the
Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, the Fund will not invest more
than 5% of its total assets in debt securities rated below BBB by S&P or Baa by
Moody's. Bonds rated BB or lower, commonly referred to as 'junk bonds,' are
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest
and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation and may be in
default. The Board may consider a change in this operating policy if, in its
judgment, economic conditions change such that a higher level of investment in
high risk, lower quality debt securities would be consistent with the interests
of the Fund and its Shareholders. Regardless of rating levels, all debt
securities considered for purchase (whether rated or unrated) will be carefully
analyzed by the Fund's Investment Manager to insure, to the extent possible,
that the planned investment is sound. Unrated debt securities are not
necessarily of lower quality than rated securities but they may not be
attractive to as many buyers. The Fund may, from time to time, purchase
defaulted debt securities if, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, the
issuer may resume interest payments in the near future. The Fund will not invest
more than 10% of its total assets in defaulted debt securities.
 
    Debt securities with similar maturities may have different yields, depending
upon several factors, including the relative financial condition of the issuers.
For example, higher yields are generally available from securities in the lower
rating categories of S&P or Moody's. However, the values of lower rated
securities generally fluctuate more than those of higher rated securities. As a
result, lower rated securities involve greater risk of loss of income and
principal than higher rated securities. A full discussion of the risks of
investing in lower quality debt securities is contained under the caption 'Risk
Factors' in the SAI. For a description of debt securities ratings, see the
Appendix to the SAI.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. When the Fund acquires a security
from a bank or a registered broker-dealer, it may simultaneously enter into a
repurchase agreement, wherein the seller agrees to repurchase the security at a
specified time and price. The repurchase price is in excess of the purchase
price by an amount which reflects an agreed upon rate of return, which is not
tied to the coupon rate on the underlying security. The term of such an
agreement is generally quite short, possibly overnight or for a few days,
although it may extend over a number of months (up to one year) from the date of
delivery. Repurchase agreements will be fully collateralized. However, if the
seller should default on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security,
the Fund may experience delay or difficulty in exercising its rights to realize
upon the security and might incur a loss if the value of the security should
decline, as well as incur disposition costs in liquidating the security.
BORROWING
 
The Fund may borrow up to 30% of the value of its net assets to increase its
holdings of portfolio securities. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may borrow from
banks only, and is required to maintain continuous asset coverage of 300% with
respect to such borrowings and to sell (within three days) sufficient portfolio
holdings to restore such coverage if it should decline to less than 300% due to
market fluctuations or otherwise, even if disadvantageous from an investment
standpoint. Leveraging by means of borrowing will exaggerate the effect of any
increase or decrease in the value of portfolio securities on the Fund's net
asset value, and money borrowed will be subject to interest and other costs
(which may include commitment fees
                                      T-4
<PAGE>
and/or the cost of maintaining minimum average balances) which may or may not
exceed the income received from the securities purchased with borrowed funds.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES
 
The Fund may purchase securities on a 'when-issued' basis. New issues of certain
debt securities are often offered on a when-issued basis, meaning that the
payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters
into the commitment, but delivery and payment for the securities normally takes
place after the date of the commitment to purchase. The value of when-issued
securities may vary prior to and after delivery depending on market conditions
and changes in interest rate levels. However, the Fund will not accrue any
income on these securities prior to delivery. The Fund will maintain in a
segregated account with its Custodian an amount of cash or high quality debt
securities equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the amount of its
commitment to purchase the when-issued securities.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
 
The Fund may lend to broker-dealers or U.S. banks portfolio securities with an
aggregate market value of up to one-third of its total assets. Such loans must
be secured by collateral (consisting of any combination of cash, U.S. Government
securities, or irrevocable letters of credit) in an amount at least equal (on a
daily marked-to-market basis) to the current market value of the securities
loaned. The Fund may terminate the loans at any time and obtain the return of
the securities loaned within five business days. The Fund will continue to
receive any interest or dividends paid on the loaned securities and will
continue to have voting rights with respect to the securities. In the event that
the borrower defaults on its obligation to return borrowed securities, because
of insolvency or otherwise, the Fund could experience delays and costs in
gaining access to the collateral and could suffer a loss to the extent that the
value of collateral falls below the market value of the borrowed securities.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
 
The Fund may invest in restricted securities, which are securities subject to
legal or contractual restrictions on their resale, such as private placements.
Such restrictions might prevent the sale of restricted securities at a time when
sale would otherwise be desirable. No restricted securities and no securities
for which there is not a readily available market ('illiquid assets') will be
acquired by the Fund if such acquisition would cause the aggregate value of
illiquid assets and restricted securities to exceed 15% of the Fund's total
assets. Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated
transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration
statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933. Where registration is
required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration
expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision
to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an
effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market
conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than
prevailed when it decided to sell. Restricted securities will be priced at fair
value as determined by the management and approved in good faith by the Board of
Trustees.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
 
The Fund may purchase sponsored or unsponsored American Depositary Receipts
('ADRs'), European Depositary Receipts ('EDRs') and Global Depositary Receipts
('GDRs') (collectively, 'Depositary Receipts'). ADRs are Depositary Receipts
typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company which evidence ownership of
underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs and GDRs are
typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they also may be
issued by U.S. banks or trust companies, and evidence ownership of underlying
securities issued by either a foreign or a U.S. corporation. Generally,
Depositary Receipts in registered form are designed for use in the U.S.
securities market and Depositary Receipts in bearer form are designed for use in
securities markets outside the United States. Depositary Receipts may not
necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities
into which they may be converted. Depositary Receipts may be issued pursuant to
sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made
arrangements to have its securities traded in the form of Depositary Receipts.
In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation
of the program. Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and
unsponsored programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to
obtain financial information from an issuer that has participated in the
creation of a sponsored program. Accordingly, there may be less information
available regarding issuers of securities underlying unsponsored programs and
there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of
the Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts also involve the risks of other
investments in foreign securities, as discussed below. For purposes of the
Fund's investment policies, the Fund's investments in Depositary Receipts will
be deemed to be investments in the underlying securities.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
 
For hedging purposes only, the Fund may buy and sell financial futures contracts
and foreign currency futures contracts. Also, for hedging purposes only, the
Fund may purchase and sell stock index futures contracts. A financial futures
contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specified debt
security at a set price on a future date. An index futures contract is an
agreement to take or make delivery of an amount of cash based on the difference
between the value of the index at the beginning and at the end of the contract
period. A futures contract on a foreign currency is an agreement to buy or sell
a specified amount of a currency for a set price on a future date.
 
                                      T-5
<PAGE>
    When the Fund enters into a futures contract, it must make an initial
deposit, known as 'initial margin,' as a partial guarantee of its performance
under the contract. As the value of the security, index or currency fluctuates,
either party to the contract is required to make additional margin payments,
known as 'variation margin,' to cover any additional obligation it may have
under the contract. The Fund may not commit more than 5% of its total assets to
initial margin deposits on futures contracts. In addition, the Fund must deposit
in a segregated account additional cash or high quality debt securities to
ensure the futures contracts are unleveraged. The value of assets held in the
segregated account must be equal to the daily market value of all outstanding
futures contracts less any amounts deposited as margin.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES.
 
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts ('forward
contracts') to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in
the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. A forward
contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed
price at a future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by
currency traders and their customers. The Fund may enter into a forward
contract, for example, when it enters into a contract for the purchase or sale
of a security denominated in a foreign currency in order to 'lock in' the U.S.
dollar price of the security or, when the Investment Manager believes that the
currency of a particular foreign country may suffer or enjoy a substantial
movement against another currency, it may enter into a forward contract to sell
or buy the former foreign currency (or another currency which acts as a proxy
for that currency) approximating the value of some or all of the Fund's
portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency. This later investment
practice is generally referred to as 'cross-hedging.' The Fund has no specific
limitation on the percentage of assets they may commit to forward contracts,
except that the Fund will not enter into a forward contract if the amount of
assets set aside to cover the contract would impede portfolio management or the
Fund's ability to meet redemption requests. The Fund may also purchase and write
put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against
declines in the dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against
increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired.
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
Shareholders should understand that all investments involve risk and there can
be no guarantee against loss resulting from an investment in the Fund; nor can
there be any assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be attained. As
with any investment in securities, the value of, and income from, an investment
in the Fund can decrease as well as increase, depending on a variety of factors
which may affect the values and income generated by the Fund's portfolio
securities, including general economic conditions and market factors. In
addition to the factors which affect the value of individual securities, a
Shareholder may anticipate that the value of the Shares of the Fund will
fluctuate with movements in the broader equity and bond markets, as well. A
decline in the stock market of any country in which the Fund is invested in
equity securities may also be reflected in declines in the price of the Shares
of the Fund. Changes in prevailing rates of interest in any of the countries in
which the Fund is invested in fixed income securities will likely affect the
value of such holdings and thus the value of Fund Shares. Increased rates of
interest which frequently accompany inflation and/or a growing economy are
likely to have a negative effect on the value of the Fund's Shares. In addition,
changes in currency valuations will affect the price of the Shares of the Fund.
History reflects both decreases and increases in stock markets and interest
rates in individual countries and throughout the world, and in currency
valuations, and these may reoccur unpredictably in the future. Additionally,
investment decisions made by the Investment Manager will not always be
profitable or prove to have been correct. The Fund is not intended as a complete
investment program.
 
    The Fund is authorized to purchase securities in any foreign country,
developed or underdeveloped. An investor should consider carefully the risks
involved in investing in securities issued by companies and governments of
foreign nations, which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic
investments. These risks are often heightened for investments in developing
markets, including certain Eastern European countries. See 'Investment
Objectives and Policies--Risk Factors' in the SAI. There is the possibility of
expropriation, nationalization or confiscatory taxation, taxation of income
earned in foreign nations (including, for example, withholding taxes on interest
and dividends) or other taxes imposed with respect to investments in foreign
nations, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability
to transfer currency from a given country), foreign investment controls on daily
stock movements, default in foreign government securities, political or social
instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect investments in
securities of issuers in foreign nations. Also, some countries may withhold
portions of interest and dividends at the source. In addition, in many countries
there is less publicly available information about issuers than is available in
reports about companies in the United States. Foreign companies are not
generally subject to uniform accounting and auditing and financial reporting
standards, and auditing practices and requirements may not be comparable to
those applicable to United States companies. Further, the Fund may encounter
difficulties or be unable to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, pursue
legal remedies, and obtain judgments in foreign courts. These considerations
generally are more of a concern in developing countries, where the possibility
of political instability (including revolution) and dependence on foreign
economic assistance may be greater than in developed countries. Investments in
companies domiciled in developing countries therefore may be subject to
potentially higher risks than investments in developed countries.
 
    Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to
investment in foreign countries are generally more expensive than in the United
States. Foreign securities markets also have different clearance and settlement
procedures, and
                                      T-6
<PAGE>
in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to
keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to
conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary
periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned thereon.
The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement
problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities.
Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could
result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the
portfolio security of, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the
security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.
 
    In many foreign countries there is less government supervision and
regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and
listed companies than in the United States. There is an increase risk,
therefore, of uninsured loss due to lost, stolen or counterfeit stock
certificates. In addition, the foreign securities markets of many of the
countries in which the Fund may invest may also be smaller, less liquid, and
subject to greater price volatility than those in the United States. The Fund
may invest in Eastern European countries, which involves special risks that are
described under 'Investment Objectives and Policies--Risk Factors' in the SAI.
 
    Prior governmental approval of foreign investments may be required under
certain circumstances in some developing countries, and the extent of foreign
investment in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other
developing countries. Foreign ownership limitations may also be imposed by the
charters of individual companies in developing countries to prevent, among other
concerns, violation of foreign investment limitations.
 
    Repatriation of investment income, capital and proceeds of sales by foreign
investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some
developing countries. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in or a
refusal to grant any required governmental registration or approval for such
repatriation.
 
    Further, the economies of developing countries generally are heavily
dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue
to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed
adjustment in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed
or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have
been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the
countries with which they trade.
 
    The Fund will usually effect currency exchange transactions on a spot (i.e.,
cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign exchange market. However,
some price spread on currency exchange (to cover service charges) will be
incurred when the Fund converts assets from one currency to another.
 
    The Fund is authorized to invest in medium quality or high-risk, lower
quality debt securities that are rated between BBB and as low as CC by S&P, and
between Baa and as low as Ca by Moody's or, if unrated, are of equivalent
investment quality as determined by the Investment Manager. As an operating
policy, which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without Shareholder
approval, the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in debt
securities rated lower than BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody's. The Board may consider
a change in this operating policy if, in its judgment, economic conditions
change such that a higher level of investment in high-risk, lower quality debt
securities would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its
Shareholders. See 'Investment Objectives and Policies--Debt Securities' in the
SAI for descriptions of debt securities rated BBB by S&P and Baa by Moody's.
High-risk, lower quality debt securities commonly referred to as 'junk bonds,'
are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation and may be in default. Unrated debt securities are not
necessarily of lower quality than rated securities but they may not be
attractive to as many buyers. Regardless of rating levels, all debt securities
considered for purchase (whether rated or unrated) will be carefully analyzed by
the Investment Manager to insure, to the extent possible, that the planned
investment is sound. The Fund may, from time to time, purchase defaulted debt
securities if, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, the issuer may resume
interest payments in the near future. As a fundamental policy, the Fund will not
invest more than 10% of its total assets (at the time of purchase) in defaulted
debt securities, which may be illiquid.
 
    Successful use of forward contracts, options and futures contracts are
subject to special risk considerations and transaction costs. A liquid secondary
market for forward contracts, options and futures contracts may not be available
when a position is sought to be closed. In addition, there may be an imperfect
correlation between movements in the securities or foreign currency on which the
contract or option is based and movements in the securities or currency in the
Fund's portfolio or the currencies in which they are denominated. Successful use
of forward contracts, options and futures contracts is further dependent on the
ability of the Fund's Investment Manager to correctly predict movements in the
securities or foreign currency markets and no assurance can be given that its
judgment will be correct. Successful use of options on securities or stock
indices is subject to similar risk considerations. In addition, by writing
covered call options, the Fund gives up the opportunity, while the option is in
effect, to profit from any price increase in the underlying security above the
option exercise price.
 
    There are further risk factors, including possible losses through the
holding of securities in domestic and foreign custodian banks and depositories,
described elsewhere in the Prospectus and in the SAI.
 
                                      T-7
<PAGE>
                               PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis at net asset value only to
separate accounts of insurance companies to serve as the underlying investment
vehicle for both variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts.
Individuals may not purchase shares directly from the Fund. Please read the
prospectus of the insurance company Separate Account for more information on the
purchase of Fund Shares.
 
    In the event that the Trust serves as investment vehicle for both variable
annuity and variable life insurance contracts, or for both variable life
insurance contracts of an insurer and other variable contracts of an
unaffiliated insurer, the Trust's Board of Trustees will monitor events in order
to identify any material conflicts between variable annuity contract owners and
variable life policy owners and/or between separate accounts of different
insurers, as the case may be, and will determine what action, if any, should be
taken in the event of such a conflict. Although the Trust does not currently
foresee any disadvantages to contract owners, an irreconcilable material
conflict may conceivably arise between contract owners of different separate
accounts investing in the Trust due to differences in tax treatment, the
management of investments, or other considerations.
                                NET ASSET VALUE
 
The net asset value of the Shares of the Fund is determined as of the scheduled
closing time of the New York Stock Exchange ('NYSE') (generally 4:00 p.m., New
York time) on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The net asset value is
computed by dividing the value of the Fund's securities plus any cash and other
assets (including accrued interest and dividends receivable) less all
liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the number of shares outstanding,
adjusted to the nearest whole cent. A security listed or traded on a recognized
stock exchange or NASDAQ is valued at its last sale price on the principal
exchange on which the security is traded. The value of a foreign security is
determined in its national currency as of the close of trading on the foreign
exchange on which it is traded, or as of the scheduled closing time of the NYSE,
if that is earlier, and that value is then converted into its U.S. dollar
equivalent at foreign exchange rate in effect at noon, New York time, on the day
the value of the foreign security is determined. If no sale is reported at that
time, the mean between the current bid and asked price is used. Occasionally,
events which affect the values of such securities and such exchange rates may
occur between the times at which they are determined and the close of the NYSE,
and will therefore not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset
value. If events materially affecting the value of such securities occur during
such period, then these securities will be valued at fair value as determined by
the management and approved in good faith by the Board of Trustees. All other
securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available
are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked price. Securities for
which market quotations are not readily available and other assets are valued at
fair value as determined by the management and approved in good faith by the
Board of Trustees.
                              REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
The Trust will redeem all full and fractional Shares presented for redemption on
any business day. Redemptions are effected at the per Share net asset value next
determined after receipt of proper notice of the redemption. Redemption proceeds
normally will be paid to the insurance company within seven days following
receipt of instructions in proper form. The right of redemption may be suspended
by the Trust when the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings) or for any period during which trading thereon is restricted because
an emergency exists, as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets not
reasonably practicable, and whenever the Securities and Exchange Commission has
by order permitted such suspension or postponement for the protection of
shareholders. The Trust will redeem Shares of the Fund solely in cash up to the
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net assets during any 90-day period for any one
Shareholder. In consideration of the best interests of the remaining
Shareholders, the Trust reserves the right to pay any redemption price exceeding
this amount in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of securities held by
the Fund in lieu of cash. It is highly unlikely that Shares would ever be
redeemed in kind. If Shares are redeemed in kind, however, the redeeming
Shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the
securities received in the distribution.
 
    Please refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's Separate Account
for information on how to redeem Shares of the Fund.
                                   EXCHANGES
 
Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of any other fund available as an
investment option in a Separate Account. Exchanges are treated as a redemption
of shares of one fund and a purchase of shares of the other fund and are
effected at the respective net asset value per share of each fund on the date of
the exchange. Please refer to the prospectus of your insurance company's
Separate Account for more information concerning exchanges.
 
                                      T-8
<PAGE>
                            MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
 
The Trust is managed by its Board of Trustees and all powers of the Trust are
exercised by or under authority of the Board. Information relating to the
Trustees and officers is set forth under the heading 'Management of the Trust'
in the SAI.
INVESTMENT MANAGERS
 
The Investment Manager of the Fund is Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc.
('TICI'). TICI is a Florida corporation with offices at Broward Financial
Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33394-3091. The Investment Manager manages the
investment and reinvestment of the Fund's assets. TICI is an indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. ('Franklin'). Through its
subsidiaries, Franklin is engaged in various aspects of the financial services
industry. The Investment Manager and its affiliates serve as advisers for a wide
variety of public investment mutual funds and private clients in many nations.
The Templeton organization has been investing globally over the past 56 years
and, with its affiliates, provides investment management and advisory services
to a worldwide client base, including over 4.3 million mutual fund shareholders,
foundations, endowments, employee benefit plans and individuals. The Investment
Manager and its affiliates have approximately 4,100 employees in the United
States, Australia, Scotland, Germany, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Bahamas, Singapore,
Canada, Russia, France, Poland, Italy, India, Vietnam, South America and South
Africa.
 
    The Investment Manager uses a disciplined, long-term approach to value
oriented global and international investing. It has an extensive global network
of investment research sources. Securities are selected for the Fund's portfolio
on the basis of fundamental company-by-company analysis. Many different
selection methods are used for different funds and clients and these methods are
changed and improved by the Investment Manager's research on superior selection
methods.
 
    The Investment Manager performs similar services for other funds and
accounts and there may be times when the actions taken with respect to the
Fund's portfolio will differ from those taken by the Investment Manager on
behalf of other funds and accounts. Neither the Investment Manager and its
affiliates, its officers, directors or employees, nor the officers and Trustees
of the Trust are prohibited from investing in securities held by the Fund or
other funds and accounts which are managed or administered by the Investment
Manager to the extent such transactions comply with the Trust's Code of Ethics.
Please see 'Investment Management and Other Services--Investment Management
Agreements,' in the SAI for further information on securities transactions and a
summary of the Trust's Code of Ethics.
 
    The Investment Manager does not furnish any other services or facilities for
the Fund, although such expenses are paid by some investment advisers of other
investment companies. As compensation for these services, the Fund pays its
Investment Manager a monthly fee equal on an annual basis to .50% of its average
daily net assets during the year.
 
    The lead portfolio manager of the fixed income portion of the Fund since
1993 is Thomas Latta, Vice President of Templeton Global Bond Managers ('TGBM'),
a division of TICI. Mr. Latta joined the Templeton organization in 1991. He is
the senior portfolio manager for developed markets fixed income and has research
responsibilities for the core European markets. Mr. Latta is also responsible
for internal fixed income systems development. Mr. Latta began working in the
securities industry in 1981. His experience includes seven years with Merrill
Lynch where he was part of an investment team to the Saudi Arabian Monetary
Authority in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While at Merrill Lynch, Mr. Latta also acted
as an advisor to investment managers concerning the modeling and application of
interest rate strategies in fixed income portfolios. Neil Devlin and Tom
Wilkinson exercise secondary portfolio management responsibilities with respect
to the fixed income portion of the Fund. Mr. Devlin, Executive Vice President of
TGBM, joined the Templeton organization in 1987. Prior to that time, he was a
portfolio manager and bond analyst with Constitutional Capital Management of
Boston, where he managed a portion of the Bank of New England's pension money, a
number of trust and corporate pension accounts, and began and managed a
mortgage-backed securities fund for the Bank. Before that, Mr. Devlin was a bond
trader and research analyst for the Bank of New England. Mr. Wilkinson, Vice
President of TGBM, joined the Templeton organization in 1985 and is the senior
portfolio manager for Franklin Templeton's emerging markets fixed income group
with research responsibilities covering East Asia.
 
    The lead portfolio manager for the equity portion of the Fund since 1995 is
Gary Clemons, Vice President of TICI. He is a research analyst with
responsibility for the financial services and telecommunications industry, as
well as country coverage of Argentina and Sweden. Prior to joining the Templeton
organization in 1993, Mr. Clemons worked as a research analyst for Structured
Asset Management in New York, a subsidiary of Templeton International, where his
duties included management of a small capitalization fund. He holds an M.B.A.
with an emphasis on finance/investment banking from the University of Wisconsin
and a B.S. from the University of Nevada-Reno. Peter Nori and James Chaney
exercise secondary portfolio management responsibilities for the equity portion
of the Fund. Mr. Nori, Vice President of the Investment Manager, is a research
analyst whose current responsibilities include covering data
processing/software, textile and apparel stocks. Mr. Nori completed Franklin's
management training program before moving into portfolio research in 1990 as an
equity analyst and co-portfolio manager of the Franklin Convertible Securities
Fund. He holds a B.S. degree in Finance and an M.B.A. with an emphasis in
finance from the University of San Francisco. Mr. Chaney, Senior Vice President
of TICI, has global research responsibility for merchandising, regional banks
and environmental companies. Prior to joining the Templeton organization in
1991, Mr. Chaney spent six years with GE Investments, where he was vice
president of international equities. He also has seven years experience as an
international consulting engineer and project manager. Mr. Chaney holds an
M.B.A.
                                      T-9
<PAGE>
with high honors from Columbia University, an M.S. in Engineering from
Northeastern University and a B.S. in Engineering from the University of
Massachusetts-Amherst.
 
    Further information concerning the Investment Manager, including the
services it renders and its selection of brokers to execute portfolio
transactions, is included under the heading 'Investment Management and Other
Services' in the SAI.
BUSINESS MANAGER
 
Templeton Funds Annuity Company, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida
33733-8030, telephone (800) 774-5001 or (813) 823-8712, provides certain
administrative facilities and services for the Trust, including payment of
salaries of officers, preparation and maintenance of books and records, daily
pricing of the Fund's investment portfolio, preparation of tax reports,
preparation of financial reports, and monitoring compliance with regulatory
requirements. For its services, the Business Manager receives a fee equivalent
on an annual basis to 0.15% of the combined average daily net assets of the Fund
and other funds of the Trust, reduced to 0.135% of such assets in excess of
$200,000,000, to 0.10% of such assets in excess of $700,000,000, and to 0.075%
of such assets in excess of $1,200,000,000.
EXPENSES
 
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, expenses amounted to .66% of the
Fund's average daily net assets.
DISTRIBUTOR
 
Shares of the Trust are distributed through Franklin Templeton Distributors,
Inc., P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida 33733-8030, toll free telephone
(800) 292-9293.
                             BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS
 
The Trust's brokerage policies are described under the heading 'Brokerage
Allocation' in the SAI. The Trust's brokerage policies provide that the receipt
of research services from a broker is a factor which may be taken into account
in allocating securities transactions as long as the prices and execution
provided by the broker equal the best available within the scope of the Trust's
brokerage policies.
                          DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The Fund normally intends to pay annual dividends representing substantially all
of its net investment income and to distribute annually any net realized capital
gains.
 
    Any distributions made by the Fund will be automatically reinvested in
additional Shares of the Fund, unless an election is made on behalf of a
Shareholder to receive distributions in cash. Dividends or distributions by the
Fund will reduce the per share net asset value by the per share amount so paid.
                           FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
 
The Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the 'Code'). If the Fund so
qualifies, it generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on amounts
distributed to Shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment
company, the Fund must, among other things, meet certain source of income
requirements. In addition, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the
end of each quarter of the taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of
the Fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. Government securities, the
securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities, with
such other securities of any one issuer limited for the purposes of this
calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not
more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities of
any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other
regulated investment companies).
 
    Amounts not distributed by the Fund on a timely basis in accordance with a
calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise
tax. See the SAI for more information about this tax and its applicability to
the Fund.
 
    Distributions of any net investment income and of any net realized
short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses are
treated as ordinary income for tax purposes in the hands of the Shareholder (the
Separate Account). The excess of any net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses will, to the extent distributed and designated by the
Fund as a capital gain dividend, be treated as long-term capital gains in the
hands of the Separate Account regardless of the length of time the Separate
Account may have held the Shares. Any distributions that are not from the Fund's
investment company taxable income or net capital gain may be characterized as a
return of capital to shareholders or, in some cases, as capital gain. Reference
is made to the prospectus for the applicable Contract for information regarding
the federal income tax treatment of distributions to an owner of a Contract.
 
    To comply with regulations under Section 817(h) of the Code the Fund is
required to diversify its investments so that on the last day of each quarter of
a calendar year no more than 55% of the value of its assets is represented by
any one investment, no more than 70% is represented by any two investments, no
more than 80% is represented by any three
                                      T-10
<PAGE>
investments, and no more than 90% is represented by any four investments.
Generally, all securities of the same issuer are treated as a single investment.
For this purpose, in the case of U.S. Government securities, each U.S.
Government agency or instrumentality is treated as a separate issuer. Any
securities issued, guaranteed, or insured (to the extent so guaranteed or
insured) by the U.S. Government or an instrumentality of the U.S. Government are
treated as a U.S. Government security for this purpose.
 
    The Treasury Department has indicated that it may issue future
pronouncements addressing the circumstances in which a variable contract owner's
control of the investments of a separate account may cause the contract owner,
rather than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets held
by the separate account. If the contract owner is considered the owner of the
securities underlying the separate account, income and gains produced by those
securities would be included currently in the contract owner's gross income. It
is not known what standards will be set forth in such pronouncements or when, if
at all, these pronouncements may be issued.
 
    In the event that rules or regulations are adopted, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will be able to operate as currently described in the
Prospectus, or that the Trust will not have to change the Fund's investment
objective or investment policies. While the Fund's investment objective is
fundamental and may be changed only by a vote of a majority of its outstanding
Shares, the Trustees have reserved the right to modify the investment policies
of the Fund as necessary to prevent any such prospective rules and regulations
from causing the contract owners to be considered the owners of the Shares of
the Fund underlying the Separate Account.
                               OTHER INFORMATION
CAPITALIZATION
 
The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on February 25, 1988
and currently consists of six separately managed Funds. The Board of Trustees
may establish additional funds in the future. The capitalization of the Trust
consists solely of an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest with a
par value of $0.01 each. When issued, Shares of the Trust are fully paid,
non-assessable by the Trust and freely transferable.
 
    Unlike the stockholder of a corporation, Shareholders could under certain
circumstances 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. The Declaration of
Trust provides for indemnification out of Trust property for all loss and
expense of any Shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Trust. The risk of a Shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself
would be unable to meet its obligations and thus should be considered remote.
VOTING RIGHTS
 
Shareholders of the Trust are given certain voting rights. Each Share of the
Fund will be given one vote, unless a different allocation of voting rights is
required under applicable law for a mutual fund that is an investment medium for
variable life insurance or annuity contracts. In accordance with current
applicable law, the Separate Account, as Shareholder of the Trust, is required
to vote the Shares of the Trust at any regular and special meeting of the
Shareholders of the Trust in accordance with instructions received from owners
of the variable contracts. See the prospectus for the Separate Account for more
information regarding the pass-through of these voting rights.
 
    Massachusetts business trust law does not require the Trust to hold annual
shareholder meetings, although special meetings may be called for a specific
fund of the Trust, or for the Trust as a whole, for purposes such as electing or
removing Trustees, changing fundamental policies or approving an investment
management contract. In addition, the Trust will be required to hold a meeting
to elect Trustees to fill any existing vacancies on the Board if, at any time,
fewer than a majority of the Trustees have been elected by the Shareholders of
the Trust. In addition, the holders of not less than two-thirds of the
outstanding Shares or other voting interests 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 or other
voting interests of the Trust. The Trust is required to assist in Shareholders'
communications. In accordance with current laws, an insurance company issuing a
variable life insurance or annuity contract that participates in the Trust will
request voting instructions from contract owners and will vote Shares or other
voting interests in the separate account in proportion to the voting
instructions received.
 
    For more information on the Trust, the Fund, and its investment activity and
concurrent risks, an SAI may be obtained without charge upon request to Franklin
Templeton Distributors, Inc., P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida,
33733-8030 -- toll free telephone (800) 774-5001 or (813) 823-8712.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
 
The Fund may include its total return in advertisements or reports to
Shareholders or prospective investors. Performance information for the Fund will
not be advertised unless accompanied by comparable performance information for a
separate account to which the Fund offers its Shares.
 
                                      T-11
<PAGE>
    Quotations of average annual total return for the Fund will be expressed in
terms of the average annual compounded rate of return on a hypothetical
investment in the Fund over a period of 1, 5 and 10 years (or up to the life of
the Fund), will reflect the deduction of a proportional share of Fund expenses
(on an annual basis), and will assume that all dividends and distributions are
reinvested when paid. Total return may be expressed in terms of the cumulative
value of an investment in the Fund at the end of a defined period of time.
Quotations of yield or total return for the Fund will not take into account
charges and deductions against any separate account to which the Fund's Shares
are sold or charges and deductions against variable insurance contracts,
although comparable performance information for a separate account will take
such charges into account. For a description of the methods used to determine
total return for the Fund, see 'Performance Information' in the SAI.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
 
The Trust's fiscal year ends on December 31. Annual reports (containing
financial statements audited by independent auditors and additional information
regarding the Fund's performance) and semi-annual reports (containing unaudited
financial statements) are sent to Shareholders each year. Additional copies may
be obtained, without charge, upon request to the Business Manager.
 
                                      T-12





                     TEMPLETON VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND

   
           THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATED MAY 1, 1996,
         IS NOT A PROSPECTUS. IT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE
        PROSPECTUSES OF TEMPLETON MONEY MARKET FUND, TEMPLETON BOND FUND,
    
            TEMPLETON STOCK FUND, TEMPLETON ASSET ALLOCATION FUND AND
   
       TEMPLETON INTERNATIONAL FUND DATED MAY 1, 1996, AND THE PROSPECTUS
        OF TEMPLETON DEVELOPING MARKETS FUND DATED FEBRUARY 16, 1996, AS
    
       EACH PROSPECTUS IS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED
      WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO FRANKLIN TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, INC.,
                       700 CENTRAL AVENUE, P.O. BOX 33030,
                       ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33733-8030
                       TOLL FREE TELEPHONE: (800) 292-9293

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Information and                    - Investment Management
   
History.......................... 1          Agreements...................  23
Investment Objectives and                  - Management Fees..............  24
Policies......................... 2        - The Investment Managers......  25
 - Investment Policies........... 2        - Business Manager.............  25
 - Debt Securities............... 2        - Custodian....................  26
 - Structured Investments........ 3        - Legal Counsel................  26
 - Futures Contracts............. 3        - Independent Accountants......  26
 - Foreign Currency Hedging                - Reports to Shareholders......  26
   Transactions.................. 4       Brokerage Allocation............
 - Options on Securities or                - Portfolio Turnover...........  27
   Indices....................... 5       Purchase, Redemption and Pricing
 - Stock Index Futures Contracts. 7       of Shares.......................  29
 - Risk Factors.................. 9        - Redemptions in Kind..........  30
Investment Restrictions.......... 14      Tax Status......................  31
Trading Policies................. 15      Description of Shares...........  34
    
 - Personal Securities                    Yield and Performance
   
   Transactions.................  16      Information.....................  34
Management of the Trust.......... 16      Financial Statements............  38
Trustee Compensation............. 21      Appendix - Corporate Bond, 
                                          Preferred Stock and
Principal Shareholders........... 22      Commercial Paper Ratings........   i
Investment Management and Other                                           
Services.........................23
    


                         GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

 .......Templeton  Variable Products Series Fund (the "Trust") was organized as a
Massachusetts  business  trust on February 25, 1988 and is registered  under the
Investment  Company  Act of 1940 (the  "1940  Act") as an  open-end  diversified
management  investment  company.  The Trust  currently has six series of Shares:
Templeton  Money  Market  Fund,  Templeton  Bond  Fund,  Templeton  Stock  Fund,
Templeton Asset Allocation Fund, Templeton Developing Markets Fund and Templeton
International  Fund  (collectively,  the "Funds").  Shares of the Funds are sold
only to insurance company separate  accounts to serve as the investment  vehicle
for certain variable annuity and life insurance contracts.  Not all of the Funds
are available as an investment  vehicle for all  contracts.  Please refer to the
contract prospectus for information concerning the availability of the Funds.


<PAGE>



                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

   
       INVESTMENT  POLICIES.  The  investment  objective and policies of each
Fund are  described  in each Fund's Prospectus under the heading "Investment
Objective and Policies."

       DEBT  SECURITIES.  Each Fund may invest in debt  securities to the extent
provided in the Fund's prospectus. The market value of debt securities generally
varies in response to changes in interest  rates and the financial  condition of
each issuer.  During  periods of  declining  interest  rates,  the value of debt
securities  general  increases.  Conversely,  during periods of rising  interest
rates, the value of such securities generally declines.  These changes in market
value will be reflected in a Fund's net asset value.

       Bonds rated Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or
BB  or  lower  by  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation  ("S&P")  are  predominantly
speculative  with  respect to the  issuer's  capacity to pay  interest and repay
principal in accordance  with the terms of the obligation and may be in default.
Bonds  which are rated C by Moody's  are the lowest  rated  class of bonds,  and
issues so rated can be  regarded  as having  extremely  poor  prospects  of ever
attaining any real investment standing.  Bonds rated C by S&P are obligations on
which no interest is being paid. For a full  description of each debt securities
rating, see the Appendix.

       Although  they may offer higher  yields than do higher rated  securities,
low rated and unrated debt securities  generally  involve greater  volatility of
price and risk of principal and income, including the possibility of default by,
or bankruptcy  of, the issuers of the  securities.  In addition,  the markets in
which low rated and unrated  debt  securities  are traded are more  limited than
those in which  higher rated  securities  are traded.  The  existence of limited
markets for  particular  securities  may  diminish a Fund's  ability to sell the
securities at fair value either to meet  redemption  requests or to respond to a
specific economic event such as a deterioration in the  creditworthiness  of the
issuer. Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain low rated or unrated debt
securities may also make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain  accurate market
quotations for the purposes of valuing a Fund's portfolio. Market quotations are
generally  available on many low rated or unrated securities only from a limited
number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of such dealers or
prices for actual sales.

       Adverse  publicity  and  investor  perceptions,  whether  or not based on
fundamental  analysis,  may decrease the values and  liquidity of low rated debt
securities,   especially   in  a  thinly   traded   market.   Analysis   of  the
creditworthiness  of issuers of low rated debt  securities  may be more  complex
than for  issuers  of higher  rated  securities,  and the  ability  of a Fund to
achieve its  investment  objective may, to the extent of investment in low rated
debt  securities,  be more  dependent upon such  creditworthiness  analysis than
would be the case if the Fund were investing in higher rated securities.

       Low rated debt  securities  may be more  susceptible to real or perceived
adverse  economic and competitive  industry  conditions  than  investment  grade
securities.  The prices of low rated debt  securities have been found to be less
sensitive  to interest  rate changes  than higher  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
example,  could cause a decline in low rated debt securities  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
low rated debt securities defaults, a Fund may incur additional expenses to seek
recovery.

       STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS.  Included among the issuers of debt securities in
which the Funds  (except  Templeton  Money  Market Fund) may invest are entities
organized and operated  solely for the purpose of  restructuring  the investment
characteristics of various securities. These entities are typically organized by
investment banking firms which receive fees in connection with establishing each
entity  and  arranging  for  the  placement  of its  securities.  This  type  of
restructuring  involves  the deposit  with or  purchase by an entity,  such as a
corporation or trust,  of specified  instruments and the issuance by that entity
of one or more classes of securities  ("Structured  Investments")  backed by, or
representing  interests  in, the  underlying  instruments.  The cash flow on the
underlying  instruments  may be  apportioned  among the newly issued  Structured
Investments to create securities with different investment  characteristics such
as varying  maturities,  payment  priorities  or interest rate  provisions;  the
extent of the payments made with respect to Structured  Investments is dependent
on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments. Because Structured
Investments  of the type in which  such  Funds  anticipate  investing  typically
involve no credit enhancement, their credit risk will generally be equivalent to
that of the underlying instruments.

       The Funds are  permitted to invest in a class of  Structured  Investments
that is either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of payment of another
class.  Subordinated  Structured  Investments  typically  have higher yields and
present greater risks than  unsubordinated  Structured  Investments.  Although a
Fund's  purchase of  subordinated  Structured  Investments  would have a similar
economic  effect to that of borrowing  against the  underlying  securities,  the
purchase  will not be deemed to be  leverage  for  purposes  of the  limitations
placed  on the  extent  of a  Fund's  assets  that  may be  used  for  borrowing
activities.

       Certain issuers of Structured Investments may be deemed to be "investment
companies" as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, a Fund's investment in these
Structured  Investments may be limited by the restrictions contained in the 1940
Act.   Structured   Investments   are  typically   sold  in  private   placement
transactions, and there currently is not an active trading market for Structured
Investments.  To the extent such investments are illiquid,  they will be subject
to a Fund's restrictions on investments in illiquid securities.
    

       FUTURES  CONTRACTS.  Templeton Bond, Asset Allocation, International  
and Developing Markets Funds may purchase and sell financial futures contracts. 
Currently,  futures  contracts are available on several types of fixed-income
securities including: U.S. reasury bonds, notes and bills, commercial paper, and
certificates of deposit.

       As long as required by  regulatory  authorities,  Templeton  Bond,  Asset
Allocation,  International and Developing  Markets Funds will limit their use of
futures  contracts to hedging  transactions  in order to avoid being a commodity
pool. For example, they might use futures contracts to hedge against anticipated
changes in interest  rates that might  adversely  affect either the value of the
Funds'  securities  or the price of the  securities  which  the Funds  intend to
purchase. The Funds' hedging may include sales of futures contracts as an offset
against the effect of expected  increases  in interest  rates and  purchases  of
futures  contracts  as an offset  against  the effect of  expected  declines  in
interest  rates.  Although other  techniques  could be used to reduce the Funds'
exposure to interest rate fluctuations, they may be able to hedge their exposure
more effectively and perhaps at a lower cost by using futures contracts.

       At the time a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract,  it is required
to deposit  with its  custodian  (or broker,  if legally  permitted) a specified
amount of cash or U.S.  Government  securities  ("initial  margin").  The margin
required  for a futures  contract  is set by the  exchange  or board of trade on
which  the  contract  is  traded  and may be  modified  during  the  term of the
contract.  The  initial  margin is in the nature of a  performance  bond or good
faith  deposit  on the  futures  contract  which is  returned  to the Fund  upon
termination  of the contract,  assuming all  contractual  obligations  have been
satisfied.  The Funds expect to earn interest income on initial margin deposits.
A futures  contract  held by a Fund is valued daily at the  official  settlement
price of the  exchange on which it is traded.  Each day the Funds pay or receive
cash,  called  "variation  margin,"  equal to the  daily  change in value of the
futures contract. This process is known as "marking to market." Variation margin
does not  represent  a  borrowing  or loan by a Fund but is  instead  settlement
between  the Fund and the  broker of the  amount  one would owe the other if the
futures contract  expired.  In computing daily net asset value, a Fund will mark
to market its open futures  positions.  In addition,  the Fund must deposit in a
segregated account additional cash or high quality debt securities to ensure the
futures  contracts are  unleveraged.  The value of assets held in the segregated
account  must be equal to the  daily  market  value of all  outstanding  futures
contracts less any amounts deposited as margin.

       Although  some  financial  futures  contracts  call for  making or taking
delivery  of the  underlying  securities,  in most cases these  obligations  are
closed out before the settlement  date. The closing of a contractual  obligation
is  accomplished  by  purchasing  or selling  an  identical  offsetting  futures
contract.  Other  financial  futures  contracts  by  their  terms  call for cash
settlements.

       FOREIGN CURRENCY HEDGING TRANSACTIONS.  In order to hedge against foreign
currency  exchange rate risks,  Templeton Bond,  Asset Allocation and Developing
Markets Funds may enter into forward foreign  currency  exchange  contracts,  as
well as purchase put or call  options on foreign  currencies.  In addition,  for
hedging  purposes only,  Templeton Bond,  Asset  Allocation,  International  and
Developing Markets Funds may enter into foreign currency futures  contracts,  as
described  below.  The Funds may also conduct  their foreign  currency  exchange
transactions  on a spot (I.E.,  cash) basis at the spot rate  prevailing  in the
foreign currency exchange market.

       A Fund  may  enter  into  forward  foreign  currency  exchange  contracts
("forward  contracts")  to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse
changes in the relationship  between the U.S. dollar and foreign  currencies.  A
forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an
agreed price at a future date which is  individually  negotiated  and  privately
traded by currency traders and their customers.  A Fund may enter into a forward
contract,  for example,  when it enters into a contract for the purchase or sale
of a security  denominated in a foreign  currency in order to "lock in" the U.S.
dollar price of the  security.  In addition,  for example,  when a Fund believes
that a foreign  currency  may  suffer a  substantial  decline  against  the U.S.
dollar,  it may enter into a forward  contract to sell an amount of that foreign
currency  approximating  the  value  of  some  or all of  the  Fund's  portfolio
securities  denominated in such foreign  currency,  or when a Fund believes that
the U.S. dollar may suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency,  it
may enter  into a forward  contract  to buy that  foreign  currency  for a fixed
dollar  amount.  This second  investment  practice is  generally  referred to as
"cross-hedging."  Because in connection with a Fund's forward  foreign  currency
transactions  an amount of the Fund's assets equal to the amount of the purchase
will be held aside or  segregated to be used to pay for the  commitment,  a Fund
will  always  have  cash,  cash  equivalents  or high  quality  debt  securities
available  sufficient to cover any commitments under these contracts or to limit
any potential risk. The segregated account will be  marked-to-market  on a daily
basis.  While these  contracts  are not  presently  regulated  by the  Commodity
Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), the CFTC may in the future assert authority
to  regulate  forward  contracts.  In such  event,  a Fund's  ability to utilize
forward  contracts  in the manner  set forth  above may be  restricted.  Forward
contracts may limit  potential gain from a positive  change in the  relationship
between  the U.S.  dollar  and  foreign  currencies.  Unanticipated  changes  in
currency  prices may result in poorer overall  performance for a Fund than if it
had not engaged in such contracts.

       Templeton  Bond,  Asset  Allocation  and  Developing  Markets  Funds  may
purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of
protecting against declines in the dollar value of foreign portfolio  securities
and against  increases in the dollar cost of foreign  securities to be acquired.
As is the case with other kinds of options, however, the writing of an option on
foreign  currency will  constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the
premium  received,  and a Fund could be required  to  purchase  or sell  foreign
currencies at  disadvantageous  exchange rates,  thereby incurring  losses.  The
purchase of an option on foreign  currency may  constitute  an  effective  hedge
against fluctuation in exchange rates,  although, in the event of rate movements
adverse to a Fund's  position,  the Fund may  forfeit  the entire  amount of the
premium plus related  transaction  costs.  Options on foreign  currencies  to be
written or purchased  by a Fund will be traded on U.S. and foreign  exchanges or
over-the-counter.

       Templeton Bond, Asset Allocation,  International  and Developing  Markets
Funds may enter into  exchange-traded  contracts  for the  purchase  or sale for
future  delivery  of  foreign  currencies  ("foreign  currency  futures").  This
investment  technique  will be used  only to hedge  against  anticipated  future
changes in exchange rates which otherwise might adversely  affect the value of a
Fund's portfolio  securities or adversely affect the prices of securities that a
Fund intends to purchase at a later date. The successful use of foreign currency
futures will  usually  depend on the ability of a Fund's  Investment  Manager to
forecast currency exchange rate movements correctly.  Should exchange rates move
in an  unexpected  manner,  a Fund may not achieve the  anticipated  benefits of
foreign currency futures or may realize losses.

       OPTIONS ON SECURITIES OR INDICES.  Templeton  Developing Markets Fund may
write  covered  call  and put  options  and  purchase  call and put  options  on
securities  or stock  indices  that are  traded on  United  States  and  foreign
exchanges and in the over-the-counter markets.1

       An option on a security  is a contract  that gives the  purchaser  of the
option,  in return for the premium paid,  the right to buy a specified  security
(in the case of a call option) or to sell a specified security (in the case of a
put option) from or to the writer of the option at a designated price during the
term of the option.  An option on a securities  index gives the purchaser of the
option,  in return for the premium  paid,  the right to received from the seller
cash equal to the  difference  between  the  closing  price of the index and the
exercise price of the option.

       Templeton  Developing Markets Fund may write a call or put option only if
the option is  "covered".  A call  option on a  security  written by the Fund is
"covered" if the Fund owns the underlying security covered by the call or has an
absolute and immediate  right to acquire that security  without  additional cash
consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated account
by its custodian)  upon  conversion or exchange of other  securities held in its
portfolio.  A call  option on a security is also  "covered"  if the Fund holds a
call on the same security and in the same  principal  amount as the call written
where  the  exercise  price  of the call  held (1) is equal to or less  than the
exercise  price of the call written or (2) is greater than the exercise price of
the call written if the  difference  is  maintained  by the Fund in cash or high
grade U.S. Government  securities in a segregated account with its custodian.  A
put option on a security  written by the Fund is "covered" if the Fund maintains
cash or fixed income  securities  with a value equal to the exercise  price in a
segregated account with its custodian,  or else holds a put on the same security
and in the same principal  amount as the put written where the exercise price of
the put held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written.

   
       Templeton  Developing  Markets  Fund will  cover  call  options  on stock
indices that it writes by owning securities whose price changes,  in the opinion
of its Investment Manager,  are expected to be similar to those of the index, or
in such other manner as may be in  accordance  with the rules of the exchange on
which the option is traded and applicable  laws and  regulations.  Nevertheless,
where  the Fund  covers a call  option on a stock  index  through  ownership  of
securities,  such securities may not match the composition of the index. In that
event,  the Fund will not be fully  covered and could be subject to risk of loss
in the event of adverse  changes in the value of the index.  The Fund will cover
put options on stock indices that it writes by  segregating  assets equal to the
option's  exercise  price,  or in such other manner as may be in accordance with
the rules of the exchange on which the option is traded and applicable  laws and
regulations.
    

       Templeton  Developing  Markets Fund will receive a premium from writing a
put or call  option,  which  increases  the Fund's gross income in the event the
option  expires  unexercised  or is closed  out at a  profit.  If the value of a
security  or an index on which  the Fund  has  written  a call  option  falls or
remains  the  same,  the Fund will  realize a profit in the form of the  premium
received  (less  transaction  costs)  that could  offset all or a portion of any
decline in the value of the portfolio  securities being hedged.  If the value of
the underlying security or index rises, however, the Fund will realize a loss in
its call  option  position,  which  will  reduce the  benefit of any  unrealized
appreciation  in the  Fund's  investments.  By  writing a put  option,  the Fund
assumes the risk of a decline in the underlying security or index. To the extent
that the price changes of the portfolio  securities  being hedged correlate with
changes in the value of the underlying  security or index,  writing  covered put
options on indices or securities will increase the Fund's losses in the event of
a market  decline,  although  such  losses will be offset in part by the premium
received for writing the option.

       Templeton  Developing Markets Fund may also purchase put options to hedge
its investments against a decline in value. By purchasing a put option, the Fund
will seek to offset a decline  in the value of the  portfolio  securities  being
hedged  through  appreciation  of the put  option.  If the  value of the  Fund's
investments does not decline as anticipated,  or if the value of the option does
not increase, the Fund's loss will be limited to the premium paid for the option
plus related  transaction  costs.  The success of this strategy will depend,  in
part, on the correlation between the changes in value of the underlying security
or index and the changes in value of the Fund's security holdings being hedged.

       Templeton Developing Markets Fund may purchase call options on individual
securities to hedge against an increase in the price of securities that the Fund
anticipates  purchasing  in the future.  Similarly,  the Fund may purchase  call
options on a  securities  index to attempt to reduce the risk of missing a broad
market advance,  or an advance in an industry or market segment,  at a time when
the  Fund  holds   uninvested  cash  or  short-term  debt  securities   awaiting
investment.  When purchasing call options, the Fund will bear the risk of losing
all or a portion of the premium paid if the value of the underlying  security or
index does not rise.

       There can be no assurance  that a liquid  market will exist when the Fund
seeks to close  out an  option  position.  Trading  could  be  interrupted,  for
example,  because of supply and demand imbalances  arising from a lack of wither
buyers or sellers, or the options exchange could suspend trading after the price
has risen or fallen more than the maximum  specified by the  exchange.  Although
the Fund may be able to offset  to some  extent  any  adverse  effects  of being
unable to liquidate an option position,  the Fund may experience  losses in some
cases as a result of such inability.

       STOCK  INDEX  FUTURES  CONTRACTS.   Templeton  Stock,  Asset  Allocation,
Developing  Markets  and  International  Funds  may buy and sell  index  futures
contracts  with respect to any stock index,  and Templeton Bond Fund may buy and
sell  index  futures  contracts  with  respect  to any bond  index  traded  on a
recognized  stock  exchange  or board of trade.  The  Funds may  invest in index
futures contracts for hedging purposes only, and not for speculation. A Fund may
engage in such  transactions  only to an extent that the total contract value of
the futures  contracts  do not exceed 20% of the Fund's total assets at the time
when such  contracts are entered into.  Successful use of stock index futures is
subject to the ability of Templeton  Investment  Counsel,  Inc. (the  Investment
Manager of Templeton Stock Fund,  Templeton Asset Allocation Fund, and Templeton
International Fund),  Templeton Asset Management Ltd. (the Investment Manager of
Templeton  Developing  Markets  Fund) and the  Templeton  Global  Bond  Managers
division of  Templeton  Investment  Counsel,  Inc.  (the  Investment  Manager of
Templeton  Bond  Fund  and  Templeton  Money  Market   Fund)(collectively,   the
"Investment  Managers") to predict  correctly  movements in the direction of the
stock markets. No assurance can be given that the Investment  Manager's judgment
in this respect will be correct.

       A stock  index  futures  contract is a contract to buy or sell units of a
stock index at a specified  future date at a price agreed upon when the contract
is made.  The  value of a unit is the  current  value of the  stock  index.  For
example,  the  Standard & Poor's  Stock  Index  ("S&P 500 Index" or  "Index") is
composed of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York
Stock  Exchange.  The S&P 500 Index assigns a relative  weighing to the value of
one share of each of these 500 common  stocks  included  in the  Index,  and the
Index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the shares of those common
stocks.  In the  case of the S&P 500  Index,  contracts  are to buy or sell  500
units.  Thus, if the value of the S&P 500 Index were $150, one contract would be
worth  $75,000 (500 units x $150).  The stock index futures  contract  specifies
that no  delivery  of the actual  stocks  making up the index  will take  place.
Instead,  settlement  in cash must occur upon the  termination  of the contract,
with the  settlement  being the  difference  between the contract  price and the
actual level of the stock index at the expiration of the contract.  For example,
if a Fund enters  into a futures  contract to buy 500 units of the S&P 500 Index
at a specified  future date at a contract price of $150 and the S&P 500 Index is
at $154 on that future date, the Fund will gain $2,000 (500 units x gain of $4).
If a Fund enters into a futures contract to sell 500 units of the stock index at
a specified  future date at a contract price of $150 and the S&P 500 Index is at
$154 on the future date, the Fund will lose $2,000 (500 units x loss of $4).

       During or in anticipation of a period of market  appreciation,  Templeton
Stock Fund,  Templeton Asset Allocation Fund,  Templeton  International  Fund or
Templeton  Developing Markets Fund may enter into a "long hedge" of common stock
which it proposes to add to its portfolio by purchasing  stock index futures for
the purpose of reducing the effective  purchase  price of such common stock.  To
the extent that the securities which a Fund proposes to purchase change in value
in  correlation  with the stock index  contracted  for,  the purchase of futures
contracts  on that index would result in gains to the Fund which could be offset
against rising prices of such common stock.

       During or in anticipation of a period of market decline,  Templeton Stock
Fund, Templeton Asset Allocation Fund, Templeton International Fund or Templeton
Developing  Markets Fund may "hedge"  common  stock in its  portfolio by selling
stock index futures for the purpose of limiting the exposure of its portfolio to
such decline.  To the extent that a Fund's  portfolio of  securities  changes in
value in correlation with a given stock index, the sale of futures  contracts on
that index  could  substantially  reduce the risk to the  portfolio  of a market
decline  and,  by so  doing,  provide  an  alternative  to  the  liquidation  of
securities positions in the portfolio with resultant transaction costs.


       RISK FACTORS.  Templeton Bond Fund, Templeton Stock Fund, Templeton Asset
Allocation Fund,  Templeton  International Fund and Templeton Developing Markets
Fund have the right to purchase securities in any foreign country,  developed or
developing,  if they are listed on an  exchange,  as well as a limited  right to
purchase  such  securities  if they  are  unlisted.  Investors  should  consider
carefully  the risks  involved in securities  of companies  and  governments  of
foreign  nations,  which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic
investments.
   
     There may be less publicly available  information about foreign companies
comparable to the reports and ratings  published  about  companies in the United
States.  Foreign  companies  are not  generally  subject to uniform  accounting,
auditing  and  financial  reporting   standards,   and  auditing  practices  and
requirements  may  not be  comparable  to  those  applicable  to  United  States
companies.  Foreign  markets  have  substantially  less volume than the New York
Stock  Exchange  ("NYSE"),  and  securities  of some foreign  companies are less
liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable  United States companies.
A Fund,  therefore,  may encounter difficulty in obtaining market quotations for
purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating  its net asset value. Although
the Funds may invest uo to 15% of their total assets in unlisted securities or
securities with a limited trading market, in the opinion of management such
seurities do not present a significant liquidity problem. Commission rates in 
foreign countries,  which are generally  fixed rather than subject to
negotiation as in the United States,  are likely to be higher.  In many foreign
countries there is less  government  supervision  and  regulation of stock
exchanges,  brokers and listed companies than in the United States.
    
    
       Investments in companies domiciled in developing countries may be subject
to potentially higher risks than investments in developed countries. These risks
include  (i) less  social,  political  and  economic  stability;  (ii) the small
current  size of the  markets  for  such  securities  and the  currently  low or
nonexistent  volume  of  trading,  which  result in a lack of  liquidity  and in
greater price volatility; (iii) certain national policies which may restrict the
Funds' investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers
or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; (iv) foreign taxation; (v)
the absence of developed  structures  governing private or foreign investment or
allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property;  (vi) the absence,
until  recently  in certain  Eastern  European  countries,  of a capital  market
structure or  market-oriented  economy;  and (vii) the  possibility  that recent
favorable  economic  developments in Eastern Europe may be slowed or reversed by
unanticipated political or social events in such countries.

   
     In  addition,   many  countries  in  which  the  Funds  may  invest  have
experienced substantial,  and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation
for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and
may continue to have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of
certain  countries.  Moreover,  the economies of some  developing  countries may
differ  favorably or unfavorably from the United States economy in such respects
as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation,  currency  depreciation,
capital  reinvestment,   resource   self-sufficiency  and  balance  of  payments
position.

    
       Investments   in  Eastern   European   countries  may  involve  risks  of
nationalization,   expropriation  and  confiscatory   taxation.   The  communist
governments of a number of Eastern European countries expropriated large amounts
of private  property in the past, in many cases without  adequate  compensation,
and there can be no  assurance  that  such  expropriation  will not occur in the
future. In the event of such  expropriation,  the Funds could lose a substantial
portion of any investments it has made in the affected  countries.  Further,  no
accounting standards exist in Eastern European countries.  Finally,  even though
certain Eastern European  currencies may be convertible into U.S.  dollars,  the
conversion  rates may be  artificial  to the  actual  market  values  and may be
adverse to the Funds' Shareholders.

       Certain Eastern European  countries,  which do not have market economies,
are characterized by an absence of developed legal structures  governing private
and  foreign  investments  and  private  property.   Certain  countries  require
governmental  approval  prior to investments  by foreign  persons,  or limit the
amount of investment of foreign  persons in a particular  company,  or limit the
investment  of  foreign  persons  to only a specific  class of  securities  of a
company that may have less  advantageous  terms than  securities  of the company
available for purchase by nationals.

       Authoritarian  governments  in certain  Eastern  European  countries  may
require that a governmental or quasi-governmental  authority act as custodian of
a Fund's assets  invested in such country.  To the extent such  governmental  or
quasi-governmental  authorities do not satisfy the  requirements of the 1940 Act
to act as  foreign  custodians  of a Fund's  cash  and  securities,  the  Fund's
investment  in such  countries  may be limited or may be required to be effected
through intermediaries.  The risk of loss through governmental  confiscation may
be increased in such countries.

       
       Investing in Russian companies involves a high degree of risk and special
considerations  not  typically  associated  with  investing in the United States
securities  markets,  and should be considered  highly  speculative.  Such risks
include: (1) delays in settling portfolio  transactions and risk of loss arising
out of Russia's system of share  registration and custody;  (2) the risk that it
may be impossible  or more  difficult  than in other  countries to obtain and/or
enforce a judgment;  (3)  pervasiveness  of corruption  and crime in the Russian
economic system; (4) currency exchange rate volatility and the lack of available
currency hedging instruments;  (5) higher rates of inflation (including the risk
of social unrest  associated with periods of  hyper-inflation);  (6) controls on
foreign  investment  and  local  practices  disfavoring  foreign  investors  and
limitations on repatriation of invested capital, profits and dividends, and on a
Fund's ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars;  (7) the risk that
the government of Russia or other executive or legislative bodies may decide not
to  continue to support  the  economic  reform  programs  implemented  since the
dissolution of the Soviet Union and could follow radically  different  political
and/or   economic   policies   to  the   detriment   of   investors,   including
non-market-oriented  policies  such as the support of certain  industries at the
expense of other  sectors or  investors,  or a return to the  centrally  planned
economy that  existed  prior to the  dissolution  of the Soviet  Union;  (8) the
financial   condition  of  Russian   companies,   including   large  amounts  of
inter-company  debt which may create a payments crisis on a national scale;  (9)
dependency on exports and the corresponding  importance of international  trade;
(10) the risk that the  Russian  tax  system  will not be  reformed  to  prevent
inconsistent,   retroactive  and/or  exorbitant  taxation;   and  (11)  possible
difficulty in  identifying  a purchaser of securities  held by a Fund due to the
underdeveloped nature of the securities markets.

       There is little  historical  data on Russian  securities  markets because
they are relatively new and a substantial proportion of securities  transactions
in Russia are privately  negotiated  outside of stock exchanges.  Because of the
recent formation of the securities markets as well as the  underdeveloped  state
of  the  banking  and  telecommunications  systems,  settlement,   clearing  and
registration  of  securities  transactions  are  subject to  significant  risks.
Ownership of shares (except where shares are held through depositories that meet
the  requirements  of the 1940  Act) is  defined  according  to  entries  in the
company's share register and normally evidenced by extracts from the register or
by formal share certificates.  However,  there is no central registration system
for shareholders and these services are carried out by the companies  themselves
or by registrars located throughout Russia. These registrars are not necessarily
subject to effective state supervision and it is possible for a Fund to lose its
registration through fraud,  negligence or even mere oversight.  While each Fund
will endeavor to ensure that its interest continues to be appropriately recorded
either  itself or  through  a  custodian  or other  agent  inspecting  the share
register  and  by  obtaining   extracts  of  share  registers   through  regular
confirmations,  these extracts have no legal  enforceability  and it is possible
that subsequent  illegal amendment or other fraudulent act may deprive a Fund of
its ownership  rights or improperly  dilute its  interests.  In addition,  while
applicable  Russian  regulations  impose  liability  on  registrars  for  losses
resulting  from their  errors,  it may be  difficult  for a Fund to enforce  any
rights it may have  against the  registrar  or issuer of the  securities  in the
event of loss of share  registration.  Furthermore,  although  a Russian  public
enterprise with more than 1,000  shareholders is required by law to contract out
the maintenance of its shareholder  register to an independent entity that meets
certain  criteria,  in practice  this  regulation  has not always been  strictly
enforced.  Because of this lack of independence,  management of a company may be
able to  exert  considerable  influence  over  who can  purchase  and  sell  the
company's  shares by  illegally  instructing  the  registrar to refuse to record
transactions  in the  share  register.  This  practice  may  prevent a Fund from
investing in the securities of certain Russian  companies deemed suitable by the
Investment  Manager.  Further,  this  also  could  cause a delay  in the sale of
Russian  company  securities  by a  Fund  if a  potential  purchaser  is  deemed
unsuitable, which may expose the Fund to potential loss on the investment.

       The Funds  endeavor to buy and sell foreign  currencies on as favorable a
basis as practicable.  Some price spread on currency  exchange (to cover service
charges) may be incurred,  particularly when a Fund changes  investment from one
country to another or when  proceeds  of the sale of Shares in U.S.  dollars are
used for the purchase of securities in foreign  countries.  Also, some countries
may adopt policies which would prevent a Fund from  transferring cash out of the
country or withhold  portions of interest and dividends at the source, or impose
other taxes with respect to a Fund's  investments  in  securities  of issuers of
that country.  There is the  possibility of  expropriation,  nationalization  or
confiscatory  taxation,  foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension
of the ability to transfer  currency from a given  country),  default in foreign
government   securities,   political  or  social   instability,   or  diplomatic
developments  which could affect  investments  in securities of issuers in those
nations.

       Each Fund may be affected either unfavorably or favorably by fluctuations
in the relative rates of exchange  between the currencies of different  nations,
by  exchange  control  regulations  and by  indigenous  economic  and  political
developments.  Some  countries in which a Fund may invest may also have fixed or
managed  currencies  that are free floating  against the U.S.  dollar.  Further,
certain  currencies have experienced a steady  devaluation  relative to the U.S.
dollar.  Any  devaluations  in the  currencies in which a Fund's  securities are
denominated  may have a  detrimental  impact on the Fund.  Through  each  Fund's
flexible  policy,   the  Investment   Managers  endeavor  to  avoid  unfavorable
consequences  and to take  advantage of  favorable  developments  in  particular
nations where from time to time it places a Fund's investments.  The exercise of
this  flexible  policy  may  include  decisions  to  purchase   securities  with
substantial  risk  characteristics  and other  decisions  such as  changing  the
emphasis on investments from one nation to another and from one type of security
to another.  Some of these  decisions may later prove  profitable and others may
not. No assurance can be given that profits, if any, will exceed losses.

       The Trustees  consider at least annually the likelihood of the imposition
by any foreign  government of exchange control  restrictions  which would affect
the  liquidity  of the  Funds'  assets  maintained  with  custodians  in foreign
countries,  as well  as the  degree  of  risk  from  political  acts of  foreign
governments to which such assets may be exposed.  The Trustees also consider the
degree of risk involved through the holding of portfolio  securities in domestic
and  foreign  securities  depositories  (see  "Investment  Management  and Other
Services  --Custodian").  However,  in the absence of willful  misfeasance,  bad
faith or gross  negligence on the part of the Investment  Managers,  or reckless
disregard  of  the  obligations  and  duties  under  the  Investment  Management
Agreements,  any  losses  resulting  from  the  holding  of a  Fund's  portfolio
securities in foreign  countries and/or with securities  depositories will be at
risk of the Shareholders. No assurance can be given that the Trustees' appraisal
of the risks will always be correct or that such exchange  control  restrictions
or political acts of foreign governments might not occur.

       There are several risks associated with the use of futures  contracts and
stock index  futures  contracts as hedging  techniques.  A purchase or sale of a
futures  contract may result in losses in excess of the amount  invested.  There
can be significant  differences  between the securities and futures markets that
could result in an imperfect  correlation  between the markets,  causing a given
hedge not to achieve its  objectives.  The degree of imperfection of correlation
depends on  circumstances  such as variations in  speculative  market demand for
futures,  including  technical  influences in futures  trading,  and differences
between the financial  instruments  being hedged and the instruments  underlying
the standard  contracts  available for trading in such respects as interest rate
levels,  maturities,  and creditworthiness of issuers. A decision as to whether,
when, and how to hedge  involves the exercise of skill and judgment,  and even a
well-conceived  hedge  may be  unsuccessful  to some  degree  because  of market
behavior or unexpected interest rate trends.

       Futures  exchanges  may limit  the  amount of  fluctuation  permitted  in
certain  futures  contract  prices during a single  trading day. The daily limit
establishes  the maximum  amount that the price of a futures  contract  may vary
either up or down from the  previous  day's  settlement  price at the end of the
current  trading  session.  Once the daily  limit has been  reached in a futures
contract subject to the limit, no more trades may be made on that day at a price
beyond  that  limit.  The daily  limit  governs  only price  movements  during a
particular trading day and,  therefore,  does not limit potential losses because
the limit may work to prevent the  liquidation  of  unfavorable  positions.  For
example,  futures prices have occasionally  moved to the daily limit for several
consecutive  trading days with little or no trading,  thereby  preventing prompt
liquidation  of positions and  subjecting  some holders of futures  contracts to
substantial losses.

       There can be no assurance  that a liquid market will exist at a time when
a Fund seeks to close out a futures  position,  and it would remain obligated to
meet margin  requirements  until the position is closed.  Templeton Bond, Stock,
Asset Allocation,  Developing Markets and International Funds intend to purchase
or sell futures  only on exchanges or boards of trade where there  appears to be
an active  secondary  market,  but there is no assurance that a liquid secondary
market will exist for any  particular  contract or at any  particular  time.  In
addition,  many  of  the  futures  contracts  available  may be  relatively  new
instruments without a significant trading history. As a result,  there can be no
assurance that an active secondary market will develop or continue to exist.

       Use of stock index  futures for  hedging  may  involve  risks  because of
imperfect  correlations  between  movements  in the  prices of the  stock  index
futures  on the one hand and  movements  in the prices of the  securities  being
hedged or of the  underlying  stock index on the other.  Successful use of stock
index futures by a Fund for hedging  purposes  also depends upon the  Investment
Manager's ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the market,
as to which no assurance can be given.

       Templeton Bond, Asset Allocation,  International  and Developing  Markets
Funds  may  enter  into a  contract  for the  purchase  or  sale  of a  security
denominated in a foreign  currency and may enter into a forward foreign currency
contract ("forward contract") in order to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of the
security. In addition,  when an Investment Manager believes that the currency of
a particular foreign country may suffer or enjoy a substantial  movement against
another currency, it may enter into a forward contract to sell or buy the amount
of the former foreign  currency,  approximating  the value of some or all of the
Fund's portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency. The projection
of  short-term  currency  market  movement  is  extremely  difficult,   and  the
successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain.

       It is impossible to forecast with absolute  precision the market value of
portfolio securities at the expiration of the contract.  Accordingly,  it may be
necessary  for the Funds to  purchase  additional  foreign  currency on the spot
market  (and bear the  expense  of such  purchase)  if the  market  value of the
security  is less than the amount of foreign  currency  a Fund is  obligated  to
deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security and make  delivery of the
foreign  currency.  Conversely,  it may be  necessary to sell on the spot market
some of the foreign currency received upon the sale of the portfolio security if
its market value  exceeds the amount of foreign  currency a Fund is obligated to
deliver.

       If a Fund retains the  portfolio  security  and engages in an  offsetting
transaction,  the Fund will incur a gain or a loss to the extent  that there has
been  movement in forward  contract  prices.  If a Fund engages in an offsetting
transaction,  it may subsequently  enter into a new forward contract to sell the
foreign currency. Should forward prices decline during the period between a Fund
entering into a forward contract for the sale of a foreign currency and the date
it enters into an offsetting  contract for the purchase of the foreign currency,
the Fund will  realize a gain to the  extent  the price of the  currency  it has
agreed to sell  exceeds  the price of the  currency  it has agreed to  purchase.
Should  forward  prices  increase,  a Fund will  suffer a loss to the extent the
price of the  currency  it has  agreed  to  purchase  exceeds  the  price of the
currency it has agreed to sell.

                             INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

       The Funds have imposed upon themselves  certain  investment  restrictions
which,  together with their  investment  objectives,  are  fundamental  policies
except as otherwise  indicated.  No changes in a Fund's  investment  objectives,
policies or  investment  restrictions  (except  those which are not  fundamental
policies) can be made without the approval of the Shareholders of that Fund. For
this purpose, the provisions of the 1940 Act require the affirmative vote of the
lesser of either (a) 67% or more of the Fund's Shares present at a Shareholders'
meeting at which the holders more than 50% of the outstanding Shares are present
or  represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the  outstanding  Shares of the
Fund.

       In accordance with these restrictions, a Fund will not:

       1.   Invest in real estate or mortgages on real estate,  or purchase or
            sell  commodity  contracts,  except that Templeton Bond, Asset 
            Allocation and Developing Markets Funds may invest in marketable 
           securities secured by real estate or interests therein, such as CMOs,
            or issued by companies or investment trusts which invest in real 
            estate or interests therein and Templeton Bond, Asset Allocation,
            Developing Markets and International Funds may purchase and sell
            foreign currency futures and financial futures, and Templeton 
            Stock, Asset Allocation,  Developing  Markets and  International 
            Funds may purchase and sell stock index futures  contracts, and
            Templeotn Bond Fund may purchase and sell bond index futures
            contracts.

            Purchase or retain securities of any company in which  Trustees or
            officers   of  the  Trust  or  of  a  Fund's   Investment   Manager,
            individually  owning more than 1/2 of 1% of the  securities  of such
            company, in the aggregate own more than 5% of the securities of such
            company.

       2.   With respect to 75% of its total assets,  invest more than 5% of the
            total value of its assets in the  securities  of any one issuer,  or
            purchase  more  than  10% of any  class  of  securities  of any  one
            company,   including  more  than  10%  of  its  outstanding   voting
            securities   (except  for  investments  in  obligations   issued  or
            guaranteed   by   the   U.S.   Government   or   its   agencies   or
            instrumentalities).

       3.   Act as an underwriter, or issue senior securities except as set 
            forth in Investment  Restriction 6 below.

       4.   Lend money, except that all Funds may purchase publicly  distributed
            bonds, debentures, notes and other evidences of indebtedness and may
            buy from a bank or broker-dealer U.S. Government  obligations with a
            simultaneous  agreement  by the  seller  to  repurchase  them at the
            original  purchase price plus accrued  interest,  and may lend their
            portfolio securities.

       5.    Borrow  money for any purpose other than redeeming its Shares or 
            purchasing its Shares for cancellation, and then only as a temporary
            measure up to an amount not  exceeding  5% of the value of 
            its total assets,  except that Templeton Bond,  Stock,  Asset 
            Allocation and International Funds may borrow money in amounts up 
            to 30% of the value of its net assets.  Templeton  Developing 
            Markets Fund may borrow  money from banks in an amount up to 33 1/3%
            of such  Fund's  total  assets  (including  the amount  borrowed), 
            but may not pledge,  mortgage or hypothecate its assets for any
            purpose,  except to secure  borrowings  and then  only to an extent 
            not  greater  than 15% of the  Fund's total assets. Arrangements 
            with respect to margin for futures  contracts,  forward contracts 
            and related options are not deemed to be pledge of assets.

       6.   Invest  more  than 25% of its  total  assets  in a single  industry,
            except  that  this  limitation  will  not  apply to  investments  in
            securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies
            or  instrumentalities,  or repurchase agreements on such securities,
            and Templeton Money Market Fund may invest in obligations  issued by
            domestic  banks  (including  certificates  of  deposit,   repurchase
            agreements,   and  bankers'  acceptances)  without  regard  to  this
            limitation.

        Participate  on a joint or a joint  and  several  basis  in any  trading
            account in securities.  (see "Trading Policies" as to transaction in
            the same  securities  for the Funds and  other  Templeton  funds and
            clients.

       As non-fundamental investment policies, which may be changed by the Board
of Trustees without Shareholder  approval,  a Fund will not invest more than 15%
of its total assets in securities  of foreign  issuers which are not listed on a
recognized United States or foreign securities exchange, or more than 15% of its
total assets in (a) securities  with a limited  trading  market,  (b) securities
subject to legal or contractual  restrictions  as to resale,  and (c) repurchase
agreements not  terminable  within seven days. In addition,  as  non-fundamental
investment policies,  Templeton Stock, Asset Allocation,  Developing Markets and
International  Funds will not invest more than 5% of each Fund's  assets in debt
securities  rated lower than Baa by Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc. or BBB by
Standard & Poor's Corporation.

       Whenever any investment policy or investment restriction states a maximum
percentage  of a Fund's  assets  which may be invested in any  security or other
property,  it is intended that such maximum percentage  limitation be determined
immediately after and as a result of the Fund's  acquisition of such security or
property. The investment restrictions do not preclude a Fund from purchasing the
securities  of any  issuer  pursuant  to the  exercise  of  subscription  rights
distributed  to a Fund by the issuer,  unless such  purchase  would  result in a
violation of investment restriction number 7, or the non-fundamental  investment
policies discussed above.

                                TRADING POLICIES

       The  Investment   Managers  and  their  affiliated   companies  serve  as
investment   manager  to  other   investment   companies  and  private  clients.
Accordingly, the respective portfolios of certain of these funds and clients may
contain many or some of the same  securities.  When certain funds or clients are
engaged  simultaneously in the purchase or sale of the same security, the trades
may be aggregated  for execution and then  allocated in a manner  designed to be
equitable to each party. The larger size of the transaction may affect the price
of the security  and/or the quantity which may be bought or sold for each party.
If the  transaction  is large enough,  brokerage  commissions  may be negotiated
below those otherwise chargeable.

       Sale or purchase of securities, without payment of brokerage commissions,
fees  (except  customary  transfer  fees) or other  remuneration  in  connection
therewith,  may be effected  between any of these  funds,  or between  funds and
private clients,  under procedures adopted pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940
Act.

       PERSONAL  SECURITIES   TRANSACTIONS.   Access  persons  of  the  Franklin
Templeton  Group,  as defined in the SEC Rule 17(j) under the 1940 Act,  who are
employees of Franklin Resources,  Inc. or their  subsidiaries,  are permitted to
engage in personal  securities  transactions  subject to the  following  general
restrictions and procedures: (1) The trade must receive advance clearance from a
Compliance  Officer and must be completed  within 24 hours after this clearance;
(2) Copies of all brokerage confirmations must be sent to the Compliance Officer
and  within 10 days  after  the end of each  calendar  quarter,  a report of all
securities  transactions  must be provided  to the  Compliance  Officer;  (3) In
addition to items (1) and (2),  access persons  involved in preparing and making
investment  decisions must file annual reports of their securities holdings each
January and also inform the Compliance  Officer (or other designated  personnel)
if they own a  security  that is  being  considered  for a fund or other  client
transaction  or if they  are  recommending  a  security  in which  they  have an
ownership interest for purchase or sale by a fund or other client.

                             MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

       The name,  address,  principal  occupation during the past five years and
other  information with respect to each of the Trustees and Principal  Executive
Officers of the Trust are as follows:

       NAME, ADDRESS AND                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
       OFFICES WITH TRUST                          DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

HARRIS J. ASHTON          Chairman of the Board, president, and chief executive
Metro Center              officer of General Host Corporation (nursery and craft
1 Station Place          centers); and a director of RBC Holdings (U.S.A.) Inc. 
Stamford, Connecticut    (a bank holding company) and Bar-S Foods. Age 63.
Trustee



NICHOLAS F. BRADY*       Chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Investment Trust
102 East Dover Street    PLC, Templeton Latin America Investment Trust PLC;
Easton, Maryland         chairman of Darby Overseas Investments, Ltd. (an
Trustee                  investment firm)(1994-present); director of the Amerada
                         Hess Corporation, Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., Christiana
                         Companies, and the H.J. Heinz Company; Secretary of the
                         United States Department of the Treasury (1988-January
                         1993); and chairman of the board of Dillion, Read & Co.
                         Inc.(investment banking) prior thereto. Age 65.


<PAGE>


       NAME, ADDRESS AND                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
       OFFICES WITH TRUST                          DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

   
F. BRUCE CLARKE                  Retired; formerly, credit adviser for the Bank
19 Vista View Blvd.              of Canada, Toronto.  Age 86.
Thornhill, Ontario
    
Trustee



HASSO-G VON DIERGARDT-NAGLO    Farmer; and president of Clairhaven Investments, 
R.R. 3                          Ltd. andother private investment companies. 
Stouffville, Ontario            Age 79.
  Trustee



S. JOSEPH FORTUNATO             Member of the law firm of  Pitney,  Hardin, 
200 Campus Drive                Kipp & Szuch; and a director of.
Florham Park, New Jersey        General Host Corporation. Age 63
  Trustee



ANDREW H. HINES, JR.           Consultant for the Triangle Consulting Group;  
150 2nd Avenue N.             chairman of the board and chief executive officer 
St. Petersburg, Florida        of Florida Progress Corporation (1982-February  
  Trustee                      1990)and director of various of its subsidiaries;
                               chairman and director of Precise Power
                               Corporation; executive-in-residence of Eckerd
                               College (1991-present); and a director of
                               Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. Age 72.



CHARLES B. JOHNSON*           President and director of Franklin Resources, Inc.
777 Mariners Island Blvd.      chairman of the board and director of Franklin  
San Mateo, California          Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton 
  Chairman of the Board        Distributors,  Inc.; director of General Host  
  and Vice President          Corporation (nursery and craft centers),and  
                              Templeton Global Investors, Inc.; and officer and
   
                              director,  trustee or managing general partner,
                              as the case may be, of most other subsidiaries of
                              Franklin   Resources, Inc. Age 63.
    



BETTY P. KRAHMER             Director or trustee of various civic associations;
2201 Kentmere Parkway        formerly, economic analyst, U.S. Government. 
Wilmington, Delaware         Age 66.
   Trustee


<PAGE>

       NAME, ADDRESS AND                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
       OFFICES WITH TRUST                          DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

GORDON S. MACKLIN            Chairman of White River Corporation (information
8212 Burning Tree Road       services);  director of Fund America Enterprises 
Bethesda, Maryland  20817    Holdings, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, MCI  
Trustee                      Communications Corporation, Fusion  Systems
                             Corporation, Infovest Corporation, and Medimmune,
                             Inc.; formerly  chairman of Hambrecht and Quist
                             Group;  director, H&Q Healthcare Investors; and
                             president of the National  Association of
                             Securities Dealers, Inc. Age 67.



FRED R. MILLSAPS             Manager of personal investments  (1978-present); 
2665 NE 37th Drive           chairman and chief executive office of Landmark 
Fort Lauderdale, Florida     Banking Corporation (1969-1978); financia vice 
   Trustee                   president of Florida Power and Light (1965-1969);
                             vice president of The Federal Reserve Bank of
                             Atlanta (1958-1965); director of various other
                             business and nonprofit organizations.   Age 66.



CHARLES E. JOHNSON          Senior vice president and director of Franklin  
777 Mariners Island Blvd.   Resources, Inc.; senior vice president of 
San Mateo, California       Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.; presiden and
   President                Director of Franklin Institutional Service Corp-
                            oration and Templeton  Worldwide, Inc.; chairman
                            of the board of Templeton Investment Counsel,
                            Inc.; vice president and/or director, as the case
                            may be, for some of the subsidiaries of Franklin  
                            Resources, Inc. Age 39.



MARK G. HOLOWESKO           President and director of Templeton Global Advisors
Lyford Cay                  Limited; chief investment officer of the global 
Nassau, Bahamas             equity group for Templeton Worldwide, Inc.;
  Vice President            president or vice president of the Templeton Funds;
                            formerly, investment administrator with Roy West
                            Trust Corporation (Bahamas) Limited  (1984-1985).
                            Age 36.
    

<PAGE>

       NAME, ADDRESS AND                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
       OFFICES WITH TRUST                          DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

MARTIN L. FLANAGAN           Senior  vice  president,  treasurer,  and chief  
777 Mariners Island Blvd.    financial officer of Franklin Resources,  Inc.;  
San Mateo, California        executive vice president and director of   
  Vice President             Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc.; director, 
                             president and chief executive officer of 
                             Templeton Global Investors, Inc.; director or 
                             trustee and president or vice  president of 
                             various  Templeton  Funds;
                             accountant with Arthur Andersen & Company 
                             (1982-1983); and a member of the International    
                             Society of Financial Analysts and the American 
                             Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Age 35.
                             



SAMUEL J. FORESTER, JR.     President of the Templeton  Global Bond Managers 
500 E Broward Blvd.         Division of Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc.; 
Fort Lauderdale, Florida    president or vice president of other Templeton 
  Vice President            Funds;  founder and partner of Forester,  Hairston
                            Investment Management (1989-1990); managing
                            director (Mid-East Region) of Merrill  Lynch,
                            Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. (1987-1988); and an 
                            advisor for Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency
                           (1982-1987). Age 47.



JOHN R. KAY                  Vice president of the Templeton Funds;  vice 
500 E Broward Blvd.          president and  treasurer of Templeton Global 
Fort Lauderdale, Florida     Investors, Inc. and Templeton Worldwide, Inc.; 
   Vice President            assistant vice president of President Franklin
                             Templeton Distributors, Inc.; formerly, vice
                             president and controller, the Keystone Group, Inc.
                             Age 55.                     
                                                          




<PAGE>


       NAME, ADDRESS AND                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
       OFFICES WITH TRUST                          DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

THOMAS J. LATTA             Vice president of the Templeton Global Bond Managers
500 East Broward Blvd.      division of Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc.;  
Fort Lauderdale, Florida    vice president of various Templeton Funds; formerly,
   Vice President           portfolio President manager, Forester & Hairston
                            (1988-1991); investment adviser, Merrill Lynch,
                            Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (1981-1988).
                            Age 35.                              
                                                         


   

RUPERT H. JOHNSON, JR.     Executive vice president, secretary and director,
777 Mariners Island Blvd.  Franklin Resources, Inc.; executive vice president 
San Mateo, California      and director, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.;
  Vice President           executive vice president, Franklin Advisers, Inc.;
                           director, Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc.:
                           officer and/or director, as the case may be,of other
                           subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. Age 55.




HARMON E. BURNS            Executive vice president, secretary and director,
777 Mariners Island Blvd.  Franklin Resources, Inc.; executive vice president 
San Mateo, California      and director, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.;
   Vice President          executive vice president, Franklin Advisers, Inc;  
                           director, Franklin Templeton Investor Services, 
                           Inc.; officer and/or director, as the case may be,
                           of other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. 
                           Age 51.                             
                                                           
                                                         
                                                          
                                                           
                                                           
                                                          
                                                         




DEBORAH R. GATZEK            Senior Vice President, Legal, Franklin Resources, 
777 Mariners Island Blvd.    Inc. and Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.;   
San Mateo, California        vice president, Franklin Advisers, Inc.  Age 47.
   Vice President
    




<PAGE>


       NAME, ADDRESS AND                           PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
       OFFICES WITH TRUST                          DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

THOMAS M. MISTELE           Senior vice president of Templeton Global Investors,
700 Central Avenue          Inc.; vice president of Franklin Templeton 
St. Petersburg, Florida     Distributors, Inc.; secretary of the Templeton ,
   Secretary                Funds; formerly attorney, Dechert Price & Rhoads   
                            (1985-1988) and Freehill, Hollingdale & Page(1988);
                            and judicial clerk, U.S. District Court (Eastern
                            District of Virginia) (1984-1985).  Age 42.



JAMES R. BAIO               Certified public accountant; treasurer of the 
500 East Broward Blvd.      Templeton Funds; senior vice president of Templeton
Fort Lauderdale, Florida    Worldwide, Inc., Templeton Global Investors, Inc., 
   Treasurer                and Templeton Funds Trust Company; formerly, senior
                            tax manager, Ernst & Young (certified public 
                            accountants) (1977-1989). Age 41.
                                                           




     --------------------------------------------------
*      THESE ARE  TRUSTEES WHO ARE  "INTERESTED  PERSONS" OF THE TRUST AS THAT
       TERM IS DEFINED IN THE 1940 ACT. MR. BRADY AND FRANKLIN RESOURCES,  INC.
       ARE  LIMITED  PARTNERS  OF DARBY  OVERSEAS  PARTNERS,  L.P.  ("DARBY
       OVERSEAS").  MR. BRADY  ESTABLISHED  DARBY OVERSEAS IN FEBRUARY,  1994,
       AND IS CHAIRMAN AND A SHAREHOLDER OF THE CORPORATE GENERAL PARTNER OF 
       DARBY OVERSEAS.IN ADDITION,DARBY OVERSEAS AND TEMPLETON GLOBAL ADVISORS
       LIMITED ARE LIMITED PARTNERS OF DARBY EMERGING MARKETS FUND, L.P.

       There are no family relationships between any of the Trustees.

                              TRUSTEE COMPENSATION

       All of the Trust's  Officers and Trustees also hold  positions with other
investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Group. No compensation is paid by
the Trust to any officer or trustee  who is an  officer,  trustee or employee of
the  Investment  Managers  or their  affiliates.  Each  Templeton  Fund pays its
independent  directors and trustees and Mr. Brady an annual retainer and/or fees
for attendance at Board and Committee meetings,  the amount of which is based on
the level of assets in each  fund.  Accordingly,  the Trust  currently  pays the
independent  Trustees and Mr. Brady an annual  retainer of $6000.00 and a fee of
$500.00 per meeting  attended of the Board and its  Committees.  The independent
Trustees and Mr.  Brady are  reimbursed  for any expenses  incurred in attending
meetings,  paid pro rata by each Franklin Templeton Fund in which they serve. No
pension or retirement benefits are accrued as part of Trust expenses.
       The following table shows the total  compensation paid to the Trustees by
the Trust and by all investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Group:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                          NUMBER OF FRANKLIN      TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM
                                             AGGREGATE             TEMPLETON FUND BOARDS   ALL FUNDS IN FRANKLIN
                                             COMPENSATION FROM     ON WHICH TRUSTEE        TEMPLETON GROUP*
                                             THE TRUST*            SERVES
NAME OF TRUSTEE
<S>                                          <C>                      <C>                 <C>

Harris J. Ashton                             $7,350                          56            $327,925
Nicholas F. Brady                             7,350                          24              98,225
F. Bruce Clarke                               7,697                          20              83,350
Hasso-G von Diergardt-Naglo                   7,697                          20              77,350
S. Joseph Fortunato                           7,350                          58             344,745
Andrew H. Hines, Jr.                          8,027                          24             106,325
Betty P. Krahmer                              7,350                          24              93,475
Gordon S. Macklin                             7,680                          53             321,525
Fred R. Millsaps                              7,697                          24             104,325

</TABLE>

*  FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995.

                             PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

   
       Shares  of the Fund  are  sold to and  owned  only by  insurance  company
separate  accounts to serve as the investment  vehicle for variable  annuity and
life insurance contracts.  As of March 18, 1996, there were 15,543,760 Shares of
Templeton  Money Market Fund  outstanding,  of which no Shares were owned by the
Trustees and  officers of the Trust;  3,019,923  Shares of  Templeton  Bond Fund
outstanding,  of which no Shares were owned by the  Trustees and officers of the
Trust; 27,074,495 Shares of Templeton Stock Fund outstanding, of which no Shares
were owned by the  Trustees  and  officers  of the Trust;  23,584,151  Shares of
Templeton Asset  Allocation Fund  outstanding,  of which no Shares were owned by
the  Trustees  and  officers of the Trust;  and  27,604,099  Shares of Templeton
International  Fund  outstanding,  of which no Shares were owned by the Trustees
and  officers  of the Trust.  As of March 18,  1996,  Phoenix  Home  Mutual Life
Insurance Company ("Phoenix Home Life") owned 100% of the outstanding  Shares of
Templeton  Money Market Fund,  59% of the  outstanding  Shares of Templeton Bond
Fund,  57% of  the  outstanding  Shares  of  Templeton  Stock  Fund,  34% of the
outstanding   Shares  of  Templeton  Asset  Allocation  Fund,  and  23%  of  the
outstanding  Shares of Templeton  International  Fund As of March 18, 1996,  The
Travelers  Insurance  Company  ("The  Travelers")  owned 41% of the  outstanding
Shares of Templeton Bond Fund, 43% of the outstanding  Shares of Templeton Stock
Fund, and 40% of the outstanding  Shares of Templeton Asset  Allocation Fund. As
of March 18, 1996, the Variable Annuity Life Insurance  Company  ("VALIC") owned
26% of the  outstanding  shares of Templeton  Asset  Allocation  Fund and 73% of
Templeton  International  Fund.  However,  Phoenix Home Life,  The Travelers and
VALIC will  exercise  voting rights  attributable  to these Shares in accordance
with voting  instructions  received by owners of the contracts issued by Phoenix
Home Life,  The  Travelers,  and VALIC.  To this extent,  Phoenix Home Life, The
Travelers  and  VALIC do not  exercise  control  over the Trust by virtue of the
voting  rights  from  their  ownership  of Trust  Shares.  To the  knowledge  of
management,  as  of  March  18,  1996,  no  other  person  owned  of  record  or
beneficially 5% or more of the Shares of any of the Funds.
    

                    INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES

   
       INVESTMENT  MANAGEMENT  AGREEMENTS.  The Investment  Manager of Templeton
Money Market Fund and Templeton Bond Fund is the Templeton  Global Bond Managers
division ("TGBM") of Templeton  Investment  Counsel,  Inc.  ("TICI"),  a Florida
corporation with offices in Fort Lauderdale,  Florida. The Investment Manager of
Templeton   Asset   Allocation   Fund,   Templeton  Stock  Fund,  and  Templeton
International  Fund is TICI.  The  Investment  Manager of  Templeton  Developing
Markets Fund is Templeton Asset  Management Ltd.  ("Templeton  Singapore").  The
Investment  Management  Agreements between TICI and TGBM and the Trust on behalf
of such Funds (the "Management Agreements"), dated October 30, 1992, and amended
and restated on February  25, 1994,  were  approved by the  Shareholders  of the
Funds on October 30,  1992,  and were last  approved  by the Board of  Trustees,
including a majority of the Trustees who were not parties to the  Agreements  or
interested  persons of any such party,  at a meeting  held on February 23, 1996,
and will continue  through April 30, 1997. The Investment  Management  Agreement
between  Templeton  Singapore  and the Trust on behalf of  Templeton  Developing
Markets Fund,  dated February 23, 1996, was approved by the sole  shareholder of
the Fund on March 1, 1996 and by the Board of Trustees,  including a majority of
the Trustees who were not parties to the Agreement or interested  persons of any
such party,  at a meeting held on February 23, 1996 and will  continue in effect
through April 30, 1997.  The  Management  Agreements  will continue from year to
year thereafter subject to approval annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote
of a majority  of the  outstanding  Shares of each Fund (as  defined in the 1940
Act) and also, in either event, the approval of a majority of those Trustees who
are not parties to the Management  Agreements or interested  persons of any such
party in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
    

       The Investment  Management  Agreements require the Investment Managers to
manage the investment  and  reinvestment  of each Fund's assets.  The Investment
Managers are not required to furnish any personnel, overhead items or facilities
for the Funds, including daily pricing or trading desk facilities, although such
expenses are paid by investment advisers of some other investment companies.

       The  Management  Agreements  provide that the  Investment  Managers  will
select brokers and dealers for execution of each Fund's  portfolio  transactions
consistent  with the Fund's  brokerage  policies (see  "Brokerage  Allocation").
Although  the  services  provided  by  broker-dealers  in  accordance  with  the
brokerage  policies  incidentally  may help reduce the  expenses of or otherwise
benefit the Investment  Managers and other investment  management clients of the
Investment Managers and of their affiliates,  as well as the Funds, the value of
such services is indeterminable and the Investment  Managers' fee is not reduced
by any offset arrangement by reason thereof.

   
       Under the Management Agreements, the Investment Managers are permitted to
provide investment  advisory services to other clients,  including clients which
may invest in the same types of securities  as the Funds and, in providing  such
services,  the  Investment  Managers  may use  information  furnished by others.
Conversely,  information  furnished  by others  to the  Investment  Managers  in
providing services to other clients may be useful to the Investment  Managers in
providing services to the Funds. When an Investment Manager determines to buy or
sell the same security for a Fund that the Investment  Manager or certain of its
affiliates  have  selected  for one or more of the  Investment  Manager's  other
clients or for  clients of its  affiliates,  the orders for all such  securities
trades  may be placed for  execution  by methods  determined  by the  Investment
Manager,  with  approval by the Board of Trustees,  to be impartial and fair, in
order to seek good results for all parties.  Records of securities  transactions
of  persons  who  know  when  orders  are  placed  by a Fund are  available  for
inspection at least four times annually by the  compliance  officer of the Trust
so that  the  non-interested  Trustees  (as  defined  in the  1940  Act)  can be
satisfied that the procedures are generally fair and equitable to all parties.

       The  Investment  Managers  also provide  management  services to numerous
other  investment  companies  or  funds  and  accounts  pursuant  to  management
agreements  with each fund or account.  The Investment  Managers may give advice
and take action with respect to any of the other funds and accounts they manage,
or for  their  own  accounts,  which  may  differ  from the  action  taken by an
Investment  Manager on behalf of a Fund.  Similarly,  with respect to a Fund, an
Investment  Manager is not  obligated  to  recommend,  purchase  or sell,  or to
refrain  from  recommending,   purchasing  or  selling  any  security  that  the
Investment Manager and access persons,  as defined by the 1940 Act, may purchase
or sell for its or their own  account or for the  accounts  of any other fund or
accounts. Furthermore, the Investment Managers are not obligated to refrain from
investing  in  securities  held by a Fund or other  funds  which they  manage or
administer.  Any  transactions  for the accounts of the Investment  Managers and
other access persons will be made in compliance  with the Trust's Code of Ethics
as  described   in  the  section   "Trading   Policies  -  Personal   Securities
Transactions."
    

       The Management Agreements provide that the Investment Managers shall have
no liability to the Trust, a Fund or any  Shareholder of a Fund for any error of
judgment, mistake of law, or any loss arising out of any investment or other act
or omission in the performance by the Investment Manager of its duties under the
Management Agreement, or for any loss or damage resulting from the imposition by
any government of exchange control restrictions which might affect the liquidity
of a Fund's  assets,  or from acts or  omissions  of  custodians  or  securities
depositories,  or from any wars or political acts of any foreign  governments to
which such assets might be exposed,  except any liability resulting from willful
misfeasance,  bad faith or gross negligence on the Investment Manager's part, or
reckless disregard of its duties under the Management Agreement.  The Management
Agreements will terminate  automatically in the event of their  assignment,  and
may be terminated  by the Trust on behalf of a Fund at any time without  payment
of any penalty on 60 days'  written  notice,  with the approval of a majority of
the  Trustees in office at the time or by vote of a majority of the  outstanding
voting securities of that Fund (as defined by the 1940 Act).

   
       MANAGEMENT  FEES. For its services,  Templeton Money Market Fund pays its
Investment  Manager  a  monthly  fee  equal on an  annual  basis to 0.35% of its
average daily net assets up to $200 million, reduced to 0.30% of such net assets
from $200 million up to $1,300 million and further  reduced to 0.25% of such net
assets in excess of $1,300 million.  Templeton Bond, Stock, Asset Allocation and
International  Funds each pay their Investment Manager a monthly fee equal on an
annual  basis to 0.50% of its  average  daily  net  assets  up to $200  million,
reduced to 0.45% of such net assets from $200  million up to $1,300  million and
further  reduced  to 0.40% of such net  assets  in  excess  of  $1,300  million.
Templeton  Developing  Markets  Fund pays its  Investment  Manager a monthly fee
equal on an annual  basis to 1.25% of its average  daily net assets.  During the
fiscal  years  ended  December  31,  1995,  1994 and 1993,  the  Funds  paid the
following investment management fees:
    


<PAGE>





   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       1995               1994          1993
                                       ----               ----          ----
<S>                               <C>                 <C>             <C>    
Templeton Money Market Fund           $74,375         $88,106          $55,445
Templeton Bond Fund                  $156,062        $149,843         $111,575
Templeton Stock Fund               $2,102,259      $1,686,602       $1,089,643
Templeton Asset Allocation Fund    $1,662,023      $1,186,540         $608,471
Templeton International Fund       $1,222,834        $404,532          $95,518
    

</TABLE>
       The Investment  Managers may determine in advance to limit the management
fees or to assume  responsibility  for the payment of certain operating expenses
relating to the  operation of any Fund,  which may have the effect of decreasing
the total expenses and increasing the total return of such Fund. Any such action
is voluntary and may be terminated by the Investment Managers at any time unless
otherwise indicated.  Templeton  Singapore,  the Investment Manager of Templeton
Developing  Markets Fund,  has agreed in advance to reduce its fee to the extent
necessary to limit the total  expenses  (excluding  interest,  taxes,  brokerage
commissions, and extraordinary expenses) of such Fund to an annual rate of 1.70%
of the Fund's  average daily net assets until May 1, 1997. If such fee reduction
is  insufficient  to limit such Fund's total  expenses to 1.70% of average daily
net assets, the Fund's Business Manager has agreed to reduce its fee and, to the
extent necessary, assume other Fund expenses, so as to so limit the Fund's total
expenses.

       THE INVESTMENT  MANAGERS.  The Investment  Managers are indirect wholly 
owned  subsidiaries  of Franklin,  a publicly  traded  company whose shares are
listed on the NYSE.  Charles B. Johnson (a Trustee and Vice President of the
Trust) and Rupert H.Johnson, Jr. are principal shareholders of Franklin and 
own, respectively,  approximately 20% and 16% of its outstanding shares.  
Messrs. Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. are brothers.

       BUSINESS  MANAGER.  Templeton Funds Annuity Company  performs certain 
administrative  functions as Business Manager for the Trust, including:

               providing office space, telephone,  office equipment and supplies
               for the Trust; 

               paying  compensation of the Trust's  officers for
               services rendered as such; authorizing expenditures and approving
               bills for payment on behalf of the Trust;

             supervising preparation of annual and semi-annual reports, 
             notices of dividends, capital gains distributions and tax credits;

              daily pricing of the Funds' investment portfolios and supervising
              publication of daily quotations of the bid and asked prices of the
              Funds' Shares, earnings reports and other financial data;

              providing trading desk facilities for the Funds;

              monitoring relationships with organizations serving the Trust,  
             including the Custodian and printers;

               supervising   compliance   by  the   Trust   with   recordkeeping
              requirements under the 1940 Act and regulations  thereunder,  with
              state regulatory  requirements,  maintaining books and records for
              the Trust  (other  than  those  maintained  by the  Custodian  and
              Transfer Agent),  and filing of tax reports on behalf of the Trust
              other than the Trust's income tax returns; and

              providing executive, clerical and secretarial help needed to
              carry out these responsibilities.

   
       For its services, the Business Manager receives a monthly fee equal on an
annual  basis to 0.15% of the  combined  average  daily net assets of the Funds,
reduced to 0.135% of the Funds'  aggregate net assets in excess of $200 million,
further  reduced to 0.10%  annually of such net assets in excess of $700 million
and  further  reduced to 0.075%  annually of such net assets in excess of $1,200
million.  The fee is allocated  among the Funds  according  to their  respective
average daily net assets. Since the Business Manager's fee covers services often
provided by investment advisers to other funds, the Funds' combined expenses for
management and administrative services together may be higher than those of some
other  investment  companies.  During the fiscal years ended  December 31, 1995,
1994, and 1993, the Business Manager received fees of $1,380,760, $1,006,867 and
$568,481, respectively.
    

       The Business Manager is relieved of liability to the Trust for any act or
omission  in the  course  of  its  performance  under  the  Business  Management
Agreement,  in the absence of willful misfeasance,  bad faith, gross negligence,
or reckless  disregard of its  obligations  and duties under the Agreement.  The
Business  Management  Agreement  may be  terminated  by a Fund at any time on 60
days' written notice without payment of penalty,  provided that such termination
shall be directed or approved by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust
in  office  at the  time or by  vote of a  majority  of the  outstanding  voting
securities of that Fund, and shall  terminate  automatically  and immediately in
the event of its assignment.

       Templeton Funds Annuity Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Franklin.

       CUSTODIAN.  The Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  N.A.  serves as Custodian of the
Trust's  assets,  which are  maintained  at the  Custodian's  principal  office,
MetroTech Center,  Brooklyn,  New York, New York 11245 and at the offices of its
branches and  agencies  throughout  the world.  The  Custodian  has entered into
agreements with foreign sub-custodians approved by the Trustees pursuant to Rule
17f-5  under the 1940 Act.  The  Custodian,  its  branches  and  sub-custodians,
generally  domestically and frequently abroad, do not actually hold certificates
for the securities in their custody, but instead have book records with domestic
and foreign  securities  depositories,  which in turn have book records with the
transfer agents of the issuers of the securities.  Compensation for the services
of the Custodian is based on a schedule of charges agreed on from time to time.

         LEGAL COUNSEL.  Dechert Price & Rhoads,  1500 K Street,  N.W., 
Washington,  D.C.  20005, is legal counsel for the Trust.

         INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, 555 Fifth Avenue, New
York, New York 10017, serves as independent accountants for the Trust. Its audit
services comprise examination of the Trust's financial statements, review of the
Trust's  filings  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  ("SEC")  and
preparation of the Trust's federal and state corporation tax returns.

         REPORTS TO  SHAREHOLDERS.  The Trust's fiscal year ends on December 31.
Shareholders are provided at least  semiannually with reports showing the Funds'
portfolios  and other  information,  including an annual  report with  financial
statements  audited by independent  accountants.  Shareholders who would like to
receive an interim quarterly report may phone the Fund Information Department at
1-800/DIAL BEN.

                              BROKERAGE ALLOCATION

       The  Management  Agreements  provide  that the  Investment  Managers  are
responsible for selecting members of securities  exchanges,  brokers and dealers
(such members,  brokers and dealers being hereinafter  referred to as "brokers")
for the execution of a Fund's portfolio transactions,  and, when applicable, the
negotiation  of  commissions  in  connection  therewith.   All  recommendations,
decisions and placements are made in accordance with the following principles:

         1.      Purchase  and sale  orders are  usually  placed with  brokers  
                 who are  selected by an  Investment Manager as able to achieve
                 "best  execution" of such orders. "Best  execution" means
                 prompt and reliable  execution  at the most  favorable  
                 securities price, taking into account the other provisions  
                 hereinafter set forth.  The  determination of what may 
                 constitute best execution and price in the execution of a 
                 securities  transaction by a  broker  involves  a  number  of
                 considerations,  including,  without limitation, the overall 
                 direct net economic result to a Fund (involving  both  price 
                 paid or received and any commissions and other costs paid),  
                 the efficiency with which the  transaction is effected,  the
                 ability to effect the transaction at all where a large block 
                 is involved, availability  of the broker to stand ready to 
                 execute  possibly difficult  transactions  in the future, 
                 and the financial strength and stability of the broker.
                 Such  considerations  are judgmental and are weighed by an
                 Investment  Manager in determining the overall reasonableness
                 of brokerage commissions.

         2.       In  selecting   brokers  for   portfolio   transactions,   the
                  Investment  Managers take into account its past  experience as
                  to brokers  qualified to achieve "best  execution,"  including
                  brokers who  specialize  in any foreign  securities  held by a
                  Fund.

         3.      The  Investment Managers are authorized to allocate brokerage 
                 business  to brokers who have provided  brokerage and research 
                 services,  as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the
                 Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), for a Fund 
                 and/or other accounts, if any, for which an Investment Manager 
                  exercises  investment  discretion (as defined in Section 3(a)
                  (35) of the 1934  Act)  and,  as to  transactions as to which 
                  fixed  minimum  commission  rates are not applicable,  to 
                  cause a Fund to pay a commission for effecting a securities
                  transaction in excess of the amount another broker would have
                  charged for effecting that transaction, if an Investment  
                  Manager in making the selection in question determines in 
                  good faith that such amount of commission  is  reasonable  in 
                  relation  to the value of the  brokerage  and  research
                  services  provided by such broker,  viewed in terms of either
                  that particular transaction or the Investment Manager's 
                  overall  responsibilities  with respect to the Fund and the
                  other accounts, if any, as to which it  exercises  investment 
                  discretion. In reaching such determination, anInvestment
                  Manager is not  required to place or to attempt to place a
                  pecific dollar value on the research or execution services of
                  a broker or on the portion of any  commission  reflecting
                  either of said  services.  In  demonstrating  that such  
                  determinations were made in good faith, the Investment Manager
                  shall be prepared to show that all commissions were allocated
                  and paid for purposes contemplated by the Trust's brokerage 
                  policy;  that the research services provide lawful and 
                  appropriate  assistance to an Investment Manager in the per-
                  formance of its investment decision-making responsibilities; 
                  and that the commissions  paid  were  within  a  reasonable
                  range.  The determination that commissions were within a
                  reasonable range shall be based on any available information
                  as to the level of  commissions  known to be charged by other 
                  brokers on comparable transactions, but there shall be taken  
                  into account the Trust's policies that (i) obtaining a low 
                  commission is deemed  secondary to obtaining a favorable  
                  securities price, since it is recognized  that usually it is
                  more  beneficial to a Fund to obtain a favorable price
                  than to pay the lowest  commission  and  (ii) the  quality,
                  comprehensiveness and frequency of research studies which are 
                  provided  for an  Investment  Manager are useful to the 
                  Investment Manager in performing its management services under
                  its Management Agreement with the Trust. Research services
                  provided by brokers to an Investment  Manager are considered
                  to be in addition to, and not in lieu of, services required to
                  be performed by the  Investment  Manager under its Management
                  Agreement with the Trust.  Research furnished by brokers
                  through whom a Fund effects securities transactions may be
                  used by an Investment Manager for any of its accounts, and 
                  not all such research may be used by the  Investment  Manager
                  for that Fund.  When execution of portfolio transactions is
                  allocated to brokers trading on exchanges with fixed
                  brokerage commission rates, account may be taken of various 
                  services provided by the broker, including quotations outside 
                  the United States for daily pricing of foreign securities
                  held in a Fund's portfolio.

         4.       Purchases and sales of portfolio  securities within the United
                  States other than on a securities  exchange are executed  with
                  primary  market makers acting as principal,  except where,  in
                  the  judgement of an  Investment  Manager,  better  prices and
                  execution may be obtained on a commission  basis or from other
                  sources.

         5.       Sales of shares of investment companies registered under the
                  1940 Act which have either the same investment adviser, or an
                  investment adviser affiliated with an Investment Manager, made
                  by a broker is one factor  among  others to be taken into 
                  account in deciding  to allocate  portfolio transactions
                  (including agency transactions,  principal transactions, 
                  purchases in underwritings or tenders in response  to tender 
                  offers) for the account of a Fund to that broker; provided
                  that the broker shall furnish "best  execution,"  as defined
                  in paragraph 1 above, and that such allocation  shall be 
                  within the scope of the Fund's other policies as stated 
                  above; and provided further, that in every allocation made
                  to abroker in which  such sale of shares is taken into account
                  there shall be no increase in the amount of the  commissions
                  or other compensation paid to such broker beyond a  reasonable
                  commission or other compensation  determined, as set forth in
                  paragraph  3  above,  on the  basis  of best  execution alone
                  or best execution plus research services, without taking
                  account of or placing any value upon such sale of shares.

   
       Insofar as known to management,  no Trustee or officer of the Trust,  nor
the Investment  Manager or Principal  Underwriter or any person  affiliated with
any of them, has any material direct or indirect interest in any broker employed
by or on behalf of the Trust. Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., the Trust's
Principal Underwriter, is a registered broker-dealer,  but it has never executed
any purchase or sale  transactions for the Funds'  portfolios or participated in
any  commissions on any such  transactions,  and has no intention of doing so in
the  future.   The  total  brokerage   commissions  on  the  Trust's   portfolio
transactions   (not   including   any  spreads  or   concessions   on  principal
transactions)  during the fiscal years ended  December 31, 1995,  1994, and 1993
were $1,525,000,$672,000 and $340,552,  respectively. All portfolio transactions
are allocated to  broker-dealers  only when their prices and  execution,  in the
good faith  judgment of management,  are equal to the best available  within the
scope of the Trust's  policies.  There is no fixed  method  used in  determining
which broker-dealers receive which order or how many orders.
    

       PORTFOLIO  TURNOVER.  For  reporting  purposes,   each  Fund's  portfolio
turnover  rate is calculated by dividing the value of the lesser of purchases or
sales of portfolio  securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the
value of the portfolio  securities  owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. In
determining such portfolio turnover,  short-term U.S. Government  securities and
all other  securities  whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year
or less are excluded.  A 100% portfolio  turnover rate would occur, for example,
if all of the  securities in the portfolio  (other than  short-term  securities)
were replaced once during the fiscal year. The portfolio  turnover rate for each
of the Funds will vary from year to year, depending on market conditions.

   
       It is  anticipated  that the rate of portfolio  turnover as defined above
for Templeton Stock,  Asset  Allocation,  International  and Developing  Markets
Funds will be less than 50%, and for Templeton Bond Fund, less than 100%,  under
normal  market  conditions.  Portfolio  turnover  could be greater in periods of
unusual market movement and volatility. Templeton Bond Fund's portfolio turnover
rates for the fiscal  years ended  December  31, 1995 and 1994 were  188.11% and
203.91%,  respectively.  These rates exceed the anticipated  portfolio  turnover
rate for Templeton Bond Fund as a result of changing interest rates and currency
exposure considerations.
    

                   PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

       The  Prospectus  describes the manner in which a Fund's  Shares may be
purchased  and redeemed.  See "How to Buy Shares of the Funds" and "How to Sell
Shares of the Funds."

       Net asset value per Share is  calculated  separately  for each Fund.  Net
asset value per Share is determined as of the scheduled closing time of the NYSE
(generally  4:00 p.m., New York time) every Monday through Friday  (exclusive of
national business  holidays).  The Trust's offices will be closed, and net asset
value will not be calculated,  on those days on which the NYSE is closed,  which
currently  are: New Year's Day,  Presidents'  Day,  Good Friday,  Memorial  Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

       Templeton  Money Market Fund uses the amortized  cost method to determine
the value of its portfolio  securities pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.
The amortized cost method involves valuing a security at its cost and amortizing
any discount or premium over the period until maturity, regardless of the impact
of fluctuating  interest  rates on the market value of the security.  While this
method  provides  certainty in valuation,  it may result in periods during which
the value,  as determined  by amortized  cost, is higher or lower than the price
which  Templeton  Money  Market Fund would  receive if the  security  were sold.
During these  periods the yield to a shareholder  may differ  somewhat from that
which could be obtained from a similar fund which utilizes a method of valuation
based upon market prices.  Thus, during periods of declining  interest rates, if
the use of the  amortized  cost  method  resulted in a lower value of the Fund's
portfolio on a particular day, a prospective  investor in the Fund would be able
to obtain a somewhat  higher yield than would result from  investment  in a fund
utilizing  solely  market  values,  and  existing   Shareholders  would  receive
corresponding  less income.  The converse  would apply during  periods of rising
interest rates.

       In  accordance  with Rule 2a-7,  the Fund is required  to (i)  maintain a
dollar-weighted  average  portfolio  maturity of 90 days or less;  (ii) purchase
only  instruments  having  remaining  maturities of 397 days or less;  and (iii)
invest only in U.S. dollar denominated  securities determined in accordance with
procedures  established by the Board of Trustees to present minimal credit risks
and  which  are  rated  in one of the two  highest  rating  categories  for debt
obligations  by  at  least  two   nationally   recognized   statistical   rating
organizations  (or one rating  organization  if the instrument was rated by only
one such organization, subject to ratification of the investment by the Board of
Trustees).  If a  security  is  unrated,  it must be of  comparable  quality  as
determined in accordance with  procedures  established by the Board of Trustees,
including  approval or  ratification  of the security by the Board except in the
case of U.S. Government securities.  Pursuant to the Rule, the Board is required
to  establish  procedures  designed  to  stabilize,  to  the  extent  reasonably
possible,  the Fund's  price per Share as computed  for the purpose of sales and
redemptions  at  $1.00.  Such  procedures  will  include  review  of the  Fund's
portfolio  holdings by the Board of Trustees,  at such  intervals as it may deem
appropriate, to determine whether the Fund's net asset value calculated by using
available  market  quotations  deviates  from $1.00 per Share based on amortized
cost. The extent of any deviation will be examined by the Board of Trustees.  If
such deviation  exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the Board will promptly consider what action,
if any, will be initiated.  In the event the Board  determines  that a deviation
exists  which  may  result in  material  dilution  or other  unfair  results  to
investors or existing  Shareholders,  the Board will take such corrective action
as it regards as  necessary  and  appropriate,  including  the sale of portfolio
instruments  prior to maturity to realize  capital gains or losses or to shorten
average portfolio  maturity,  withholding  dividends or establishing a net asset
value per Share by using available market quotations.

       The Board of Trustees  may  establish  procedures  under which a Fund may
suspend  the  determination  of net asset value for the whole or any part of any
period during which (1) the NYSE is closed other than for customary  weekend and
holiday  closings,  (2)  trading  on the NYSE is  restricted,  (3) an  emergency
exists,  as determined  by the SEC, as a result of which  disposal of securities
owned  by  the  Fund  is not  reasonably  practicable  or it is  not  reasonably
practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or (4)
for such other period as the SEC may by order permit for the  protection  of the
holders of a Fund's Shares.

   
       REDEMPTIONS  IN KIND.  Redemption  proceeds  are  normally  paid in cash;
however  each  Fund  may pay  the  redemption  price  in  whole  or in part by a
distribution  in kind of  securities  from the portfolio of the Fund, in lieu of
cash, in conformity with rules of the SEC. In such circumstances, the securities
distributed  would be valued at the price used to  compute  the Fund's net asset
value.  If Shares are redeemed in kind,  the redeeming  Shareholder  might incur
brokerage  costs in converting  the assets into cash.  Each Fund is obligated to
redeem  Shares  solely  in cash up to the  lesser of  $250,000  or 1% of its net
assets during any 90-day period for any one Shareholder.
    


<PAGE>



                                   TAX STATUS

   
       Templeton Money Market Fund intends to declare dividends daily and to pay
dividends monthly.  Templeton Stock, Bond, Asset Allocation,  Developing Markets
and International  Funds normally intend to pay an annual dividend  representing
substantially all of their net investment income and to distribute  annually any
net realized capital gains. By so doing and meeting certain  diversification  of
assets and other  requirements of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"),  and as described in the Prospectus,  each Fund intends to qualify
as a regulated  investment  company  under the Code.  The status of the Funds as
regulated  investment  companies  does not  involve  government  supervision  or
management of their investment practices or policies.  As a regulated investment
company,  each Fund will be  relieved of  liability  for United  States  federal
income tax on that portion of its net investment income and net realized capital
gains which it distributes to its Separate Account Shareholders.
    

       Amounts not  distributed on a timely basis in accordance  with a calendar
year distribution  requirement are also subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax
unless the exception  described below applies.  To avoid the tax if it otherwise
applies,  a Fund must distribute  during each calendar year, (i) at least 98% of
its ordinary  income (not taking into  account any capital  gains or losses) for
the  calendar  year,  (ii) at least  98% of its  capital  gains in excess of its
capital losses for the twelve-month  period ending on October 31 of the calendar
year (adjusted for certain ordinary  losses),  and (iii) all ordinary income and
capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during such years. To
avoid application of the excise tax, each Fund intends to make its distributions
in accordance with the calendar year  distribution  requirement.  A distribution
will be treated as paid on  December  31 of the  calendar if it is declared by a
Fund during  October,  November,  or December  of that year to  Shareholders  of
record  on a date in such a month  and paid by the Fund  during  January  of the
following  calendar year. Such  distributions will be taxable to Shareholders (a
Separate  Account) in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared,
rather than the  calendar  year in which the  distributions  are  received.  The
excise tax provisions described above will not apply in a given calendar year to
a Fund if all of its  shareholders  at all times  during the  calendar  year are
segregated asset accounts of life insurance  companies where the shares are held
in  connection  with  variable  contracts.  (For this  purpose,  any shares of a
regulated  investment  company  attributable  to  an  investment  not  exceeding
$250,000 made in connection  with the  organization  of the company is not taken
into account.) Accordingly,  if this condition regarding the ownership of Shares
of each of the Funds is met,  the excise tax will be  inapplicable  to that Fund
even if the calendar year distribution requirement is not met.

       The Funds may  invest in  shares  of  foreign  corporations  which may be
classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs").  In
general,  a foreign  corporation is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of
its assets constitute  investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income
is investment-type  income. If a Fund receives a so-called "excess distribution"
with  respect to PFIC stock,  the Fund itself may be subject to tax on a portion
of  the  excess  distribution,  whether  or  not  the  corresponding  income  is
distributed by the Fund to  Shareholders.  In general,  under the PFIC rules, an
excess  distribution is treated as having been realized  ratably over the period
during which a Fund held the PFIC  shares.  A Fund itself will be subject to tax
on the portion,  if any, of an excess distribution that is so allocated to prior
Fund  taxable  years and an interest  factor will be added to the tax, as if the
tax had been payable in such prior taxable years.  Certain  distributions from a
PFIC as well as gain  from  the  sale of  PFIC  shares  are  treated  as  excess
distributions.  Excess  distributions  are characterized as ordinary income even
though, absent application of the PFIC rules, certain excess distributions might
have been classified as capital gain.

       The Funds may be eligible to elect alternative tax treatment with respect
to  PFIC  shares.  Under  an  election  that  currently  is  available  in  some
circumstances, a Fund generally would be required to include in its gross income
its share of the earnings of a PFIC on a current  basis,  regardless  of whether
distributions  are received from the PFIC in a given year. If this election were
made, the special  rules,  discussed  above,  relating to the taxation of excess
distributions,  would not apply. In addition,  another election may be available
that would  involve  marking to market the Fund's PFIC shares at the end of each
taxable  year (and on certain  other  dates  prescribed  in the Code),  with the
result that unrealized  gains are treated as though they were realized.  If this
election were made,  tax at the Fund level under the PFIC rules would  generally
be eliminated, but the Fund could, in limited circumstances, incur nondeductible
interest  charges.  The Fund's  intention  to qualify  annually  as a  regulated
investment company may limit its elections with respect to PFIC shares.

       Because the application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things,
the  character  of  gains,  the  amount  of gain or loss and the  timing  of the
recognition  of income with  respect to PFIC  shares,  as well as subject a Fund
itself to tax on  certain  income  from PFIC  shares,  the  amount  that must be
distributed to Shareholders, and which will be taxed to Shareholders as ordinary
income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as
compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC shares.

       Income  received by a Fund from sources  within a foreign  country may be
subject  to  withholding  taxes and other  taxes  imposed by that  country.  Tax
conventions  between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such
taxes.

       Under the Code, gains or losses  attributable to fluctuations in exchange
rates which occur between the time a Fund accrues income or other receivables or
accrues expenses or other liabilities  denominated in a foreign currency and the
time that Fund  actually  collects  such  receivables  or pays such  liabilities
generally  are  treated as  ordinary  income or  ordinary  loss.  Similarly,  on
disposition  of  debt  securities  denominated  in a  foreign  currency  and  on
disposition  of certain  financial  contracts  and forward  contracts,  gains or
losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the
date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also
are treated as ordinary gain or loss.  These gains or losses,  referred to under
the Code as "Section  988" gains or losses,  may increase or decrease the amount
of a Fund's net  investment  income to be  distributed  to its  Shareholders  as
ordinary income.

       Debt securities purchased by a Fund may be treated for federal income tax
purposes as having original issue discount.  Original issue discount essentially
represents interest for federal income tax purposes and can be defined generally
as the excess of the stated  redemption  price at maturity over the issue price.
Original  issue  discount,  whether or not any income is actually  received by a
Fund, is treated for U.S.  federal income tax purposes as ordinary income earned
by the Fund, and therefore is subject to the  distribution  requirements  of the
Code. Generally, the amount of original issue discount included in the income of
a Fund each year is  determined  on the basis of a  constant  yield to  maturity
which takes into account the compounding of accrued but unpaid interest.

       Some of the debt  securities  may be  purchased by the Fund at a discount
which exceeds the original issue discount on such debt securities,  if any. This
additional  discount represents market discount for Federal income tax purposes.
The gain realized on the  disposition of any taxable debt security having market
discount will be treated as ordinary income to the extent it does not exceed the
accrued  market  discount  on such debt  security.  Generally,  market  discount
accrues on a daily basis for each day the debt security is held by the Fund at a
constant rate over the time remaining to the debt security's maturity or, at the
election of the Fund, at a constant  yield to maturity  which takes into account
the semiannual compounding of interest.

   
       Certain  options,  futures  contracts and forward  contracts in which the
Templeton Stock,  Bond, Asset Allocation,  Developing  Markets and International
Funds may invest are "section 1256  contracts."  Gains or losses on section 1256
contracts  generally are  considered  60% long-term and 40%  short-term  capital
gains or losses ("60-40"),  except for certain foreign currency gains and losses
which will be treated as ordinary in  character.  Also,  section 1256  contracts
held by a Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, in some cases, for purposes
of the 4% excise  tax, on October 31 of each year) are  "marked-to-market"  with
the  result  that  unrealized  gains or losses are  treated as though  they were
realized.
    

       The hedging transactions undertaken by certain of the Funds may result in
"straddles"  for federal income tax purposes.  The straddle rules may affect the
character of gains (or losses) realized by a Fund. In addition,  losses realized
by a Fund on  positions  that are part of a straddle  may be deferred  under the
straddle rules,  rather than being taken into account in calculating the taxable
income for the taxable  year in which such losses are  realized.  Because only a
few regulations  implementing the straddle rules have been promulgated,  the tax
consequences to the Funds of hedging  transactions  are not entirely clear.  The
hedging transactions may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized
by the Funds which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to Shareholders.

       Each Fund may make one or more of the elections  available under the Code
which are applicable to straddles.  If the Fund makes any of the elections,  the
amount,  character  and timing of the  recognition  of gains or losses  from the
affected  straddle  positions will be determined under rules that vary according
to the elections made. The rules  applicable  under certain of the elections may
operate to  accelerate  the  recognition  of gains or losses  from the  affected
straddle positions.

       Because  application  of the straddle  rules may affect the  character of
gains or losses,  defer losses and/or  accelerate  the  recognition  of gains or
losses  from  the  affected  straddle  positions,   the  amount  which  must  be
distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary
income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as
compared to a fund that did not engage in such hedging transactions.

       The requirements  under the Code relating to the  qualification of a Fund
as a  regulated  investment  company  may limit  the  extent to which a Fund may
engage in futures and forward currency contracts.

       Distributions of any net investment  income and of any net realized short
term capital gains are treated as ordinary  income for tax purposes in the hands
of the Separate  Account  Shareholder.  The excess of any net long-term  capital
gains over net  short-term  capital losses will, to the extent  distributed  and
designated by the  distributing  Fund as a capital gain dividend,  be treated as
long-term capital gains in the hands of the Shareholder regardless of the length
of time a Separate Account may have held the Shares.

       Reference  is made to the  Prospectus  for the  applicable  Contract  for
information  regarding  the federal  income tax  treatment of  distributions  to
owners of contracts.

                              DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

   
       The Shares of each Fund have the same  preferences,  conversion and other
rights,   voting  powers,   restrictions   and   limitations  as  to  dividends,
qualifications,  and terms and conditions of redemption,  except as follows: all
consideration  received  from the sale of  Shares of a Fund,  together  with all
income,  earnings,  profits and  proceeds  thereof,  belongs to that Fund and is
charged  with  liabilities  in respect to that Fund and of that  Fund's  part of
general  liabilities of the Trust in the proportion that the total net assets of
the Fund bear to the total net  assets of all  Funds.  The net asset  value of a
Share  of a Fund is  based  on the  assets  belonging  to  that  Fund  less  the
liabilities  charged to that Fund,  and  dividends  are paid on Shares of a Fund
only out of lawfully  available  assets  belonging to that Fund. In the event of
liquidation or dissolution of the Trust,  the  Shareholders of each Fund will be
entitled,  out of assets of the Fund available for distributions,  to the assets
belonging to that particular Fund.
    

       Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances,
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,  under the
terms of the  Declaration  of Trust,  are  binding  only on the  property of the
Trust,  which,  under the terms of the Declaration of Trust, are binding only on
the  property  of  the  Trust.   The  Declaration  of  the  Trust  provides  for
indemnification  out  of  Trust  property  for  all  loss  and  expense  of  any
Shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. The risk of
a Shareholder  incurring  financial loss on account of shareholder  liability is
limited to  circumstances  in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet its
obligations and, thus, should be considered remote.

                        YIELD AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

       The Trust may, from time to time,  include the yield and effective  yield
of   Templeton   Money  Market  Fund  or  the  total  return  of  all  Funds  in
advertisements or reports to Shareholders or prospective investors.  Performance
information  for  the  Funds  will  not  be  advertised  unless  accompanied  by
comparable  performance  information  for a separate  account to which the Funds
offer their Shares.

       Current yield for Templeton Money Market Fund will be based on the change
in the value of a hypothetical  investment (exclusive of capital changes) over a
particular  seven-day  period,  less a pro-rata share of Templeton  Money Market
Fund  expenses  accrued  over that period (the "base  period"),  and stated as a
percentage  of the  investment at the start of the base period (the "base period
return").  The base period return is then  annualized by  multiplying  by 365/7,
with the resulting yield figure carried to at least the nearest hundredth of one
percent.  "Effective  Yield" for  Templeton  Money  Market Fund assumes that all
dividends received during an annual period have been reinvested.  Calculation of
"effective  yield"  begins  with  the  same  "base  period  return"  used in the
calculation of yield,  which is then  annualized to reflect  weekly  compounding
pursuant to the following formula:

       EFFECTIVE YIELD = (1 + Base Period Return) 365/7 - 1

       YIELD = 2[(1 + A-B)6 - 1]
                      cd

WHERE  a =      dividend and interest earned during the period,

       b =      expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements),
       c =      the average  daily number of Shares outstanding during the
                period that were  entitled to receive dividends, and

      d =      the maximum offering price per Share on the last day of the 
               period.

   
       For the seven-day  period ending December 31, 1995, the 7-day  annualized
yield of Money  Market Fund was 5.29% and the  effective  yield of Money  Market
Fund was 5.36%.

       Quotations of average annual total return for the Funds will be expressed
in terms of the average annual  compounded  rate of return for periods in excess
of one year or the total return for periods less than one year of a hypothetical
investment in the Funds over periods of one,  five, or ten years (up to the life
of a Fund) calculated pursuant to the following formula:  P(1 + T)n = ERV (where
P = a  hypothetical  initial  payment of $1,000,  T = the average  annual  total
return for  periods of one year or more or the total  return for periods of less
than one year, n = the number of years, and ERV = the ending redeemable value of
a hypothetical  $1,000  payment made at the beginning of the period).  All total
return  figures  reflect the  deduction of the maximum  initial sales charge and
deduction  of a  proportional  share of Fund  expenses on an annual  basis,  and
assume that all  dividends  and  distributions  are  reinvested  when paid.  The
following  table shows the average  annual  total  returns for each Fund for the
periods indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

FUND                        1 YEAR PERIOD(1)     5 YEAR PERIOD(1)       SINCE INCEPTION
- ----                        -------------         -------------         ---------------
<S>                         <C>                   <C>                   <C>
Money Market Fund                 5.35%                3.98%                5.03%(2)
Bond Fund                        14.92%                8.30%                7.81%(2)
Stock Fund                       25.24%               17.48%               12.31%(2)
Asset Allocation Fund            22.48%               15.66%               11.44%(2)
International Fund               15.78%               13.00%(3)
    

</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------

   
(1)  For period ended December 31, 1995
(2)  Since inception on August 31, 1988
(3)  Since inception on May 1, 1992
    


       Performance  information  for a Fund  may be  compared,  in  reports  and
promotional literature,  to: (i) unmanaged indices so that investors may compare
the Fund's results with those of a group of unmanaged securities widely regarded
by investors as representative  of the securities market in general;  (ii) other
groups of mutual funds  tracked by Lipper  Analytical  Services,  Inc., a widely
used independent  research firm which ranks mutual funds by overall performance,
investment  objectives  and  assets,  or tracked by other  services,  companies,
publications,  or persons who rank mutual funds on overall  performance or other
criteria;  and (iii) the Consumer  Price Index (measure for inflation) to assess
the real rate of return  from an  investment  in a Fund.  Unmanaged  indices may
assume the reinvestment of dividends but generally do not reflect deductions for
administrative and management costs and expenses.

       Quotations of yield or total return for a Fund will not take into account
charges and deductions  against any separate  account to which the Funds' Shares
are  sold or  charges  and  deductions  against  variable  insurance  contracts,
although  comparable  performance  information for a separate  account will take
such charges into account.  Performance information for a Fund reflects only the
performance  of a hypothetical  investment in a Fund during the particular  time
period on which the calculations are based.  Performance  information  should be
considered   in  light  of  a  Fund's   investment   objective   and   policies,
characteristics  and quality of the portfolio and the market  conditions  during
the given time period,  and should not be considered as a representation of what
may be achieved in the future.

       From time to time,  each Fund and the Investment  Managers may also refer
to the following information:

       (1)      The Investment  Managers' and their affiliates'  market share of
                international  equities  managed  in mutual  funds  prepared  or
                published  by  Strategic   Insight  or  a  similar   statistical
                organization.

       (2)      The performance of U.S. equity and debt markets  relative to
                foreign markets  prepared or published by Morgan Stanley 
                Capital International or a similar financial organization.

       (3)      The capitalization of U.S. and  foreign  stock  markets  as  
                prepared  or  published  by  the International  Finance  
                Corporation,  Morgan Stanley Capital  International or a 
                similar financial organization.

   
       (4)      The geographic distribution of the Fund's portfolio and the 
                Fund's top ten holdings.
    

       (5)      The  gross  national  product  and  populations,  including  age
                characteristics, literacy rates, foreign investment improvements
                due to a  liberalization  of securities  laws and a reduction of
                foreign   exchange   controls,   and   improving   communication
                technology,   of  various  countries  as  published  by  various
                statistical organizations.

       (6)      To assist investors in understanding  the different  returns and
                risk characteristics of various  investments,  the Fund may show
                historical returns of various  investments and published indices
                (E.G., Ibbotson Associates,  Inc. Charts and Morgan Stanley EAFE
                - Index).

       (7)      The major industries located in various jurisdictions as
                published by the Morgan Stanley Index.

       (8)      Rankings by DALBAR Surveys, Inc. with respect to mutual fund 
                shareholder services.

       (9)      Allegorical stories illustrating the importance of persistent 
                long-term investing.

       (10)     The Fund's portfolio  turnover rate and its ranking relative to 
                industry  standards as published by Lipper Analytical Services,
                Inc. or Morningstar, Inc.

       (11)     A  description  of  the  Templeton   organization's   investment
                management  philosophy  and  approach,  including  its worldwide
                search  for   undervalued   or  "bargain"   securities  and  its
                diversification by industry,  nation and type of stocks or other
                securities.

   
       (12)     The number of Shareholders  in the Fund or the aggregate  number
                of  shareholders  of the Franklin  Templeton Funds or the dollar
                amount of fund and private  account  assets under  management in
                advertising materials.

       (13)     Quotations from the Templeton  organization's  founder, Sir John
                Templeton,**  advocating  the  virtues  of  diversification  and
                long-term investing, including the following:
    

                o         "Never follow the crowd.  Superior performance   
                           is possible only  if  you  invest differently from
                           the crowd."

                o         "Diversify by company, by industry and by country."

                o         "Always maintain a long-term perspective."

                o         "Invest for maximum total real return."

                o         "Invest - don't trade or speculate."

                o         "Remain flexible and open-minded about types of 
                           investment."

                o         "Buy low."

                o         "When buying stocks, search for bargains among 
                           quality stocks."

                o         "Buy value, not market trends or the economic 
                           outlook."

                o         "Diversify.  In stocks and bonds, as in much else, 
                           there is safety in numbers."

                o         "Do your homework or hire wise experts to help you."

                o         "Aggressively monitor your investments."

                o         "Don't panic."

                o         "Learn from your mistakes."

                o         "Outperforming the market is a difficult task."

                o         "An investor who has all the answers doesn't even
                           understand all the questions."

                o         "There's no free lunch."

                o         "And now the last principle: Do not be fearful or 
                           negative too often."


                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
       The  financial  statements  contained  in the  Trust's  Annual  Report to
Shareholders dated December 31, 1995 are incorporated herein by reference.
    



<PAGE>


                                    APPENDIX

                           DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
                            MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE

       Aaa:  Bonds  which  are  rated  Aaa by  Moody's  Investors  Service  Inc.
("Moody's") are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree
of  investment  risk and are  generally  referred  to as "gilt  edge."  Interest
payments  are  protected  by a large or by an  exceptionally  stable  margin and
principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change,
such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair 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 a 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
which make the long-term risks appear somewhat greater than the Aaa securities.

       A: Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable  investment  attributes
and are to be  considered  as  upper-medium-grade  obligations.  Factors  giving
security to principal and interest are considered adequate,  but elements may be
present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time 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  elements;
their future  cannot be  considered  as well  assured.  Often the  protection of
interest and  principal  payments may be very moderate  and,  thereby,  not well
safeguarded  during  other 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 the 
desirable  investment.  Assurance of interest and principal  payments or of  
maintenance of other terms of the security over any long period of time may
be small.

       Caa:     Bonds  which are rated Caa are of poor  standing.  Such
securities  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 are 
regarded as having  extremely  poor prospects of ever attaining any real 
investment standing.

       Absence of Rating:  Where no rating has been  assigned  or where a rating
has been suspended or withdrawn,  it may be for reasons unrelated to the quality
of the issue.

       Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:

       1.       An application for rating was not received or accepted.

       2.       The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities that are
                not rated as a matter of policy.

       3.       There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or
                issuer.

       4.       The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not
                 published in Moody's publications.

       Suspension  or  withdrawal  may occur if new and  material  circumstances
arise,  the  effects of which  preclude  satisfactory  analysis;  if there is no
longer available  reasonable  up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed;
if a bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.

       Note:  Moody's  applies  numerical  modifiers  1, 2 and 3 in each generic
ratings  classification  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 indicates a mid-range ranking;  and the
modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.

                          STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION

       AAA:  Debt rated "AAA" by Standard & Poor's  Corporation  ("S&P")  has
the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity 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 higher rated issues only in a small degree.

       A: Debt rated "A" has a very 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 the highest 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  capacity to pay interest and repay  principal  for
debt in this category than in higher rated categories.

       BB, B, CCC, CC, C:  Debt rated "BBB", "B", "CCC", "CC" and
"C" are  regarded,  on balance,  as  predominantly  speculative  with respect to
capacity to pay interest and repay  principal  in  accordance  with the terms of
this  obligation.  "BB" indicates that the lowest degree of speculation  and "C"
the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality
and protective  characteristics,  these are outweighed by large uncertainties or
major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

       BB:  Debt rated "BB" has less  near-term  vulnerability  to default  than
other  speculative  issues.  However,  it faces major ongoing  uncertainties  or
exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic 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.

       B: Debt rated "B" has a greater  vulnerability  to default but  currently
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 repay principal. The "B" rating category is also
used for debt  subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied
"BB" or "BB-" rating.

       CCC:  Debt  rated  "CCC" has a  currently  indefinable  vulnerability  to
default,  and is  dependent  upon  favorable  business,  financial  and economic
conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the
event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to
have to capacity to pay interest and repay principal.  The "CCC" rating category
is also used for debt  subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual 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 which is assigned an actual or implied  "CCC-" debt rating.  The "C" rating
may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but
debt service payments are continued.

       CI:      The rating "CI" is reserved for income bonds on which no
interest is being paid.

       D: Debt  rated "D" is in  payment  default.  The "D"  rating is used when
interest  payments  are not made on the date  due even if the  applicable  grace
periods has not  expired,  unless S&P believe  that such  payments  will be made
during such grace period.  The "D" rating also will 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 modified by
the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative  standing within the major
rating categories.

       NR:  Indicates  that  no  rating  has  been  requested,   that  there  is
insufficient  information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a
particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.

                     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS
                            MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE

       aaa:     considered to be a top-quality  preferred  stock.  This rating 
indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment 
within the universe of preferred stocks.

       aa:      considered  a  high-grade  preferred  stock.  This  rating 
indicates  that  there is a  reasonable assurance that earnings and asset
protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.

       a:       considered  to be an  upper-medium-grade  preferred  stock.
 While  risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the aaa and aa 
classifications,  earnings and asset protection are,  nevertheless,  expected
 to be maintained at adequate levels.

       baa:     considered to be  medium-grade,  neither highly  protected nor
poorly  secured.  Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but 
may be questionable over any great length of time.

       ba:      considered  to have  speculative  elements  and its  future 
cannot  be  considered  well  assured. Earnings and asset  protection may be
very moderate and not well safeguarded  during adverse  periods.  Uncertainty
of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

       b:       generally  lacks the characteristics of a desirable investment. 
Assurance of dividend  payments and maintenance of other terms of the issue
over any long period of time may be small.

       caa:     likely to be in  arrears  on  dividend  payments.  This  rating
designation does not purport to indicate the future status of payments.

       ca:      speculative in a high degree and is likely to be in arrears on 
dividends  with little  likelihood of eventual payments.

       c:       lowest  rated class of preferred or preference stock. Issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any 
real investment standing.

       Moody's  applies   numerical   modifiers  1,  2  and  3  in  each  rating
classification:  the modifier 1 indicates  that the security ranks in the higher
end of its  generic  rating  category;  the  modifier 2  indicates  a  mid-range
ranking;  and the modifier 3 indicates  that the issue ranks in the lower end of
its generic rating category.

                          STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION

       "AAA":  This is the highest  rating that may be assigned by S&P to a
preferred  stock issue and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the
preferred stock obligations.

       "AA":  A preferred  stock issue rated "AA" also  qualifies  as a 
high-quality  fixed-income  security.  The capacity to pay  preferred  stock 
obligations  is very strong,  although not as  overwhelming  as for issues
rated "AAA."
       "A": An issue rated "A" is backed by a sound capacity to pay the
preferred  stock  obligations,  although it is somewhat more susceptible to the
 adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

       "BBB": An issue rated "BBB" is regarded as backed by an adequate capacity
to pay the preferred stock  obligations.  Whereas it normally  exhibits adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened  capacity to make payments for preferred stock
in this category than for issues in the "A" category.

       "BB",  "B",  "CCC":  Preferred  stock  rated  "BB",  "B",  and  "CCC" are
regarded, on balance, as predominantly  speculative with respect to the issuer's
capacity to pay preferred stock obligations. "BB" indicates the lowest degree of
speculation and "CCC" the highest degree of speculation.  While such issues will
likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by
large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

       "CC":  The rating "CC" is reserved  for a preferred  stock  issue in 
arrears on  dividends  or sinking  fund payments but that is currently paying.

       "C": The preferred stock rated "C" is a non-paying issue.

       "D": A preferred stock rated "D" is a non-paying issue with the issuer
in default on debt instruments.

       NR  indicates  that  no  rating  has  been   requested,   that  there  is
insufficient  information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a
particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.

       Plus (+) or Minus(-):  To provide more detailed  indications of preferred
stock quality, the ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of
a plus  or  minus  sign  to show  relative  standing  within  the  major  rating
categories.

                     DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
                            MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE

       The  term  "commercial   paper"  as  used  by  Moody's  means  promissory
obligations not having an original maturity in excess of nine months.

       Moody's  employs  the  following  three  designations,  all  judged to be
investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated issuers:

       Issuers  rated  PRIME-1  (or  related  supporting  institutions)  have  a
superior capacity for repayment of short-term  promissory  obligations.  PRIME-1
repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:

       -        Leading market positions in well-established industries.

       -        High rates of return on funds employed.

       -        Conservative capitalization structures with moderate  reliance
                on debt and ample asset protection.

       -        Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial  charges
                and high internal cash generation.

       -        Well-established  ccess to a range of financial  markets and 
                assured sources of alternate liquidity.

       Issuers rated PRIME-2 (or related supporting  institutions) have a strong
capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations.  This will normally
be evidenced by many of the characteristics  cited above but to a lesser degree.
Earnings  trends and  coverage  ratios,  while  sound,  will be more  subject to
variation. Capitalization characteristics,  while still appropriate, may be more
affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

       Issuers rated  PRIME-3 (or  supporting  institutions)  have an acceptable
capacity  for  repayment of  short-term  promissory  obligations.  The effect of
industry   characteristics  and  market  composition  may  be  more  pronounced.
Variability in earnings and  profitability may result in changes in the level of
debt protection  measurements  and the requirement for relatively high financial
leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

       Issuers  rated  NOT  PRIME do not fall  within  any of the  Prime  rating
categories.

                          STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION

       S&P's 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 four categories ranging from "A" for the highest quality
obligations to "D" for the lowest. The four categories are as follows:

       A:       Commercial  paper  rated "A" is  regarded  as having the 
                greatest  capacity  for  timely  payment. Issues in this
                category  are  delineated  with the  numbers 1, 2 and 3 to  
                indicate  the  relative degree of safety.

       A-1:     Commercial paper rated "A-1" is regarded as having a very strong
                degree of safety regarding timely payment.  A "+" designation is
                applied  to  those   issues   rated  "A-1"   which   possess  an
                overwhelming degree of safety.

       A-2:     Commercial  paper  rated  "A-2" is  regarded  as having a strong
                capacity for timely  payment;  however,  the relative  degree of
                safety is not as high as for issues designated "A-1".

       A-3:     Commercial   paper   rated   "A-3"  is   regarded  as  having  a
                satisfactory  capacity for timely  payment.  They are,  however,
                somewhat more  vulnerable  to the adverse  effects of changes in
                circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.

       B:       Commercial  paper rated "B" is regarded as having only an 
                adequate  capacity for timely payment and such capacity may be 
                damaged by changing conditions or short-term adversities.

       C:       Commercial paper rated "C" is regarded as having a doubtful
                capacity for repayment.

       D:       Commercial  paper  rated "D" is for a payment  default.  The "D"
                rating 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.


<PAGE>


   
                                     PART C

                                OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

         (a)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                  Part A: (for Templeton Money Market Fund, Templeton Bond Fund,
                  Templeton Stock Fund,  Templeton Asset Allocation Fund and 
                  Templeton International Fund):

                  (1)      Financial Highlights

                  Part A: (for Templeton Developing Markets Fund):

                  (1)      Financial Highlights not applicable because Templeton
                           Developing Markets Fund had not commenced  operations
                           as of December 31, 1995.
                  Part B:

                  Audited  financial  statements  dated  December  31,  1995 are
                  incorporated by reference from the Trust's Annual Report dated
                  as of December  31,  1995.  Information  is not  included  for
                  Templeton Developing Markets Fund because it had not commenced
                  operations as of December 31, 1995.

                  Audited financial statements  incorporated herein by reference
include:

                  (1)      Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants

                  (2)      Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December
                           31, 1995

                  (3)      Statement of Operations for fiscal period ended 
                           December 31, 1995

                  (4)      Statement of Changes in Net Assets

                  (5)      Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 1995

                  (6)      Notes to Financial Statements

         (b)      EXHIBITS

                  (1)      Declaration of Trust2

                  (2)      By-Laws1

                  (3)      N/A

                  (4)      N/A

                  (5)      (a)      Amended and Restated Investment  Management 
                                    Agreement for Templeton Stock Fund,
                                    Templeton International Fund and Templeton
                                    Asset Allocation Fund3

                           (b)      Amended and Restated Investment Management  
                                    Agreement  for  Templeton  Money
                                    Market Fund and Templeton Bond Fund 2

                           (c)      Form of Investment Management Agreement for
                                    Templeton Developing Markets Fund 4

                  (6)      Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement5

                  (7)      N/A

                  (8)      Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement4

                  (9)      Form of Amended and Restated Business Management 
                              Agreement3

                  (10)     Opinion and consent of counsel - filed with Rule 
                           24f-2 Notice on February 28, 1996

                  (11)     Consent of independent certified public accountants

                  (12)     N/A

                  (13)     Letter concerning initial capital6

                  (14)     N/A

                  (15)     N/A

                  (16)     Previously filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 9
                           to Registration Statement filed
                           on April 27, 1995.
    


<PAGE>



   
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT

                  As of March  18,  1996,  Phoenix  Home Life  Mutual  Insurance
                  Company, a Connecticut  corporation  ("Phoenix Home Life"), on
                  its  own  behalf  and  on  behalf  of  its  Phoenix   Variable
                  Accumulation  Account,  owned of record 57% of the outstanding
                  shares of Templeton Stock Fund, 34% of the outstanding  shares
                  of Templeton  Asset  Allocation  Fund, 59% of the  outstanding
                  shares of Templeton Bond Fund, 100% of the outstanding  shares
                  of  Templeton  Money  Market  Fund and 23% of the  outstanding
                  shares of Templeton  International Fund. As of March 18, 1996,
                  The Travelers  Insurance Company ("The Travelers"),  on behalf
                  of The  Travelers  Fund U for  Variable  Annuities,  owned  of
                  record 43% of the outstanding  shares of Templeton Stock Fund,
                  40% of the outstanding  shares of Templeton  Asset  Allocation
                  Fund,  and 41% of the  outstanding  shares of  Templeton  Bond
                  Fund.  As of March  18,  1996,  The  Variable  Life  Insurance
                  company  ("VALIC"),  a Texas  Corporation,  on  behalf  of The
                  Variable Life Insurance  Company  Separate Account A, owned of
                  record  27% of  the  outstanding  shares  of  Templeton  Asset
                  Allocation  Fund  and  73% of  Templeton  International  Fund.
                  Phoenix   Home   Life,   The   Travelers   and   VALIC,   (the
                  "Participating  Insurance  Companies")  will  vote  shares  in
                  accordance with the voting instructions of holders of variable
                  annuity  contracts issued by the  Participating  Companies for
                  which the Registrant serves as the investment vehicle.

ITEM 26. NUMBER OF RECORD HOLDERS
                                                     NUMBER OF RECORD HOLDERS
            TITLE OF CLASS                             AS OF MARCH 18, 1996
            --------------                          --------------------

 Templeton Stock Fund                                           2
 Templeton Bond Fund                                            2
 Templeton Asset Allocation Fund                                3
 Templeton Money Market Fund                                    1
 Templeton International Fund                                   5
 Templeton Developing Markets Fund                              1

ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION

                  Reference   is  made  to  Article   IV  of  the   Registrant's
                  Declaration  of  Trust,   which  is  incorporated   herein  by
                  reference.

                  Insofar as indemnification  for liabilities  arising under the
                  Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees,  officers
                  and  controlling  persons of the  Registrant by the Registrant
                  pursuant  to  the  Declaration  of  Trust  or  otherwise,  the
                  Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the  Securities and
                  Exchange  Commission,  such  indemnification is against public
                  policy   as   expressed   in  the  Act  and,   therefore,   is
                  unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for  indemnification
                  against  such  liabilities  (other  than  the  payment  by the
                  Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by trustees,  officers
                  or controlling  persons of the  Registrant in connection  with
                  the  successful  defense of any act,  suit or  proceeding)  is
                  asserted by such trustees,  officers or controlling persons in
                  connection  with the shares being  registered,  the Registrant
                  will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
                  settled  by  controlling  precedent,  submit  to  a  court  of
                  appropriate    jurisdiction    the   question   whether   such
                  indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
                  the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
                  issues.

ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ITS OFFICERS
 AND DIRECTORS

                  The business and other connections of Registrant's  Investment
                  Managers  are  described  in  Part  B  of  this   Registration
                  Statement.

                  For information  relating to the Investment Managers' officers
                  and directors,  reference is made to Forms ADV filed under the
                  Investment  Advisers  Act  of  1940  by  Templeton  Investment
                  Counsel, Inc. and Templeton Asset Management Ltd.

ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

                  Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. also acts as principal 
                  underwriter of shares of the following investment companies:

                  AGE High Income Fund, Inc. 
                  Franklin  Balance Sheet Investment Fund   
                  Franklin California  Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc. 
                  Franklin California  Tax-Free  Trust 
                  Franklin  Custodian  Funds,  Inc.
                  Franklin  Equity Fund 
                  Franklin  Federal  Money Fund 
                  Franklin Federal  Tax-Free  Income  Fund 
                  Franklin  Gold Fund 
                  Franklin Investors  Securities Trust 
                  Franklin  Managed Trust
                  Franklin Money Fund 
                  Franklin  Municipal  Securities  Trust 
                  Franklin New York Tax-Free  Income Fund
                  Franklin New York  Tax-Free  Trust
                  Franklin  Premier Return Fund 
                  Franklin Real Estate  Securities Trust
                  Franklin Strategic Series 
                  Franklin  Tax-Advantaged High Yield Securities Fund
                  Franklin Tax-Advantaged International Bond Fund
                  Franklin Tax-Advantaged U.S. Government Securities Fund
                  Franklin Tax Exempt Money Fund
                  Franklin Tax-Free Trust
                  Franklin Templeton Global Trust
                  Franklin Templeton International Trust
                  Franklin Templeton Japan Fund
                  Franklin Templeton Money Fund Trust
                  Franklin Value Investors Trust
                  Institutional Fiduciary Trust
                  Templeton American Trust, Inc.
                  Templeton Capital Accumulator Fund, Inc.
                  Templeton Developing Markets Trust
                  Templeton Funds, Inc.
                  Templeton Global Investment Trust
                  Templeton Global Opportunities Trust
                  Templeton Growth Fund, Inc.
                  Templeton Income Trust
                  Templeton Institutional Funds, Inc.
                  Templeton Real Estate Securities Fund
                  Templeton Smaller Companies Growth, Inc.

         (b)      The directors and officers of FTD, located at 700 Central
                  Avenue, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida 33733, are as
                 follows:

 <TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    POSITION WITH UNDERWRITER             POSITION WITH REGISTRANT
                    NAME
                    <S>                              <C>                                   <C>  
                    Charles B. Johnson               Chairman of the Board                 Chairman, Trustee and
                                                                                             Vice President                  

                    Gregory E. Johnson               President                             None

                    Rupert H. Johnson                Executive Vice President              Vice President

                    Harmon E. Burns                  Executive Vice President and          Vice President
                                                         Director

                    Edward V. McVey                  Senior Vice President                 None

                    Kenneth V. Domingues             Senior Vice President                 None

                    Kenneth A. Lewis                 Treasurer                             None

                    William J. Lippman               Senior Vice President                 None

                    Deborah R. Gatzek                Senior Vice President and Assistant   Vice President
                                                        Secretary

                    Richard C. Stoker                Senior Vice President                 None

                    Charles E. Johnson               Senior Vice President                 President

                    Loretta Fry                      Vice President                        None

                    James K. Blinn                   Vice President                        None

                    Richard O. Conboy                Vice President                        None

                    James A. Escobedo                Vice President                        None

                    Robert N. Geppner                Vice President                        None

                    Mike Hackett                     Vice President                        None

                    Peter Jones                      Vice President                        None

                    Philip J. Kearns                 Vice President                        None
    


<PAGE>



   
                                                     POSITION WITH UNDERWRITER             POSITION WITH REGISTRANT
                    NAME
                    Ken Leder                        Vice President                        None

                    Jack Lemein                      Vice President                        None

                    John R. McGee                    Vice President                        None

                    Thomas M. Mistele                Vice President                        Secretary

                    Harry G. Mumford                 Vice President                        None

                    Vivian J. Palmieri               Vice President                        None

                    Kent P. Strazza                  Vice President                        None

                    Leslie M. Kratter                Secretary                             None

                    John R. Kay                      Assistant Vice President              Vice President

                    Karen DeBellis                   Assistant Treasurer                   Assistant Treasurer

                    Philip A. Scatena                Assistant Treasurer                   None

</TABLE>

         (c)      Not Applicable (Information on unaffiliated underwriters).

ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

                  The  accounts,  books,  and  other  documents  required  to be
                  maintained  by  Registrant  pursuant  to Section  31(a) of the
                  Investment   Company   Act  of  1940  and  rules   promulgated
                  thereunder are in the possession of Templeton Funds Annuity
                  Company,   700  Central  Avenue,   St. Petersburg, Florida
                  33733-3080.

ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

                  Not applicable.


ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS

                  (a)      Not applicable.

                  (b)      Not applicable.

                  (c)      Registrant  undertakes  to furnish to each  person to
                           whom a  Prospectus  is  provided a copy of its latest
                           Annual Report, upon request and without charge.
    


<PAGE>


   
                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933 and the
Investment  Company Act of 1940,  the  Registrant  certifies that it has met the
requirements for  effectiveness of the Registration  Statement  pursuant to Rule
485(b) under the  Securities  Act of 1933 and has duly caused this  Amendment to
this  Registration  Statement  to be  signed on its  behalf by the  undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of St. Petersburg, Florida on the 12th 
day of April, 1996.

                                  TEMPLETON VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND



                               By:
                                     Charles E. Johnson*
                                      President


                              *By:/s/THOMAS M. MISTELE
                                      Thomas M. Mistele
                                      as attorney-in-fact**


         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
Post-Effective Amendment to this Registration Statement has been signed below by
the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SIGNATURE                                               TITLE                              DATE

<S>                                                    <C>                                 <C>

__________________________________                      President (Chief Executive         April 12, 1996
Charles E. Johnson*                                     Officer)


__________________________________                      Trustee                            April 12, 1996
Hasso-G von Diergardt-Naglo*


__________________________________                      Trustee                            April 12, 1996
Fred R. Millsaps*


__________________________________                      Trustee                            April 12, 1996
F. Bruce Clarke*


__________________________________                      Trustee                            April 12, 1996
Betty P. Krahmer*


__________________________________                      Trustee                            April 12, 1996
Charles B. Johnson*
    




<PAGE>



   
SIGNATURE                                               TITLE                              DATE



__________________________________                      Trustee                            April 12, 1996
Harris J. Aston*


__________________________________                      Trustee                            April 12, 1996
S. Joseph Fortunato*


__________________________________                      Trustee                            April 12, 1996
Andrew H. Hines, Jr.*


__________________________________                      Trustee                            April 12, 1996
Gordon S. Macklin*


__________________________________                      Trustee                            April 12, 1996
Nicholas F. Brady*


__________________________________                      Trustee                            April 12, 1996
James R. Baio*


</TABLE>


*By:/s/THOMAS M. MISTELE
             Thomas M. Mistele**
             as attorney-in-fact





















- ---------------------
**       POWERS  OF  ATTORNEY  WERE  PREVIOUSLY  FILED  WITH  REGISTRATION  
         STATEMENT  NO.  33-20313  AND ARE
         INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OR FILED HEREWITH.
    




1.       ALL OPTION  TRANSACTIONS  ENTERED  INTO BY THE FUND WILL BE TRADED ON A
         RECOGNIZED  EXCHANGE,  OR WILL BE CLEARED  THROUGH A RECOGNIZED  FORMAL
         CLEARING ARRANGEMENT.
*        SIR JOHN TEMPLETON SOLD THE TEMPLETON ORGANIZATION TO FRANKLIN 
         RESOURCES, INC. IN OCTOBER, 1992 AND RESIGNED FROM THE TRUST'S BOARD
         ON APRIL 16, 1995.  HE IS NO LONGER INVOLVED WITH THE INVESTMENT
         MANAGEMENT PROCESS.
2        REFERENCE IS MADE TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 33-20313, FILED ON 
         FEBRUARY 25, 1988.
3        REFERENCE IS MADE TO POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO 9 TO THE REGISTRATION
         STATEMENT, FILE ON APRIL 27, 1995.

4        REFERENCE IS MADE TO POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 12 TO THE 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT, FILED ON FEBRUARY 16, 1996.

5        REFERENCE IS MADE TO POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 10 TO THE 
         REGISTRATION STATEMENT, FILED ON DECEMBER 22, 1995.

6        REFERENCE IS MADE TO PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE REGISTRATION
         STATEMENT, FILED ON AUGUST 26, 1988.



                             MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP
                  CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTS






                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



         We hereby  consent to the use of our report  dated  January 31, 1996 on
the financial statements of Templeton Stock Fund, Templeton  International Fund,
Templeton Asset Allocation Fund,  Templeton Money Market Fund and Templeton Bond
Fund series of Templeton Variable Products Series Fund referred to therein which
appears in the 1995 Annual  Report to  Shareholders,  and which is  incorporated
herein by reference,  in  Post-Effective  Amendment  No. 13 to the  Registration
Statement on Form N-1A,  File No.  33-20313,  as filed with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission.

         We also consent to the  reference to our firm in the  Prospectus  under
the  caption   "Financial   Highlights"  and  in  the  Statement  of  Additional
Information under the caption "Independent Accountants".



                                    /s/ McGladrey & Pullen, L.L.P.



New York, New York
April 4, 1996



April 12, 1996



Securities and Exchange Commission 450 - 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

Re:      Templeton Variable Products Series Fund
         (File No. 33-20313 and 811-5479)

Dear Sirs:

On behalf of  Templeton  Variable  Products  Series Fund (the  "Fund")  attached
hereto for electronic filing pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 is Amendment
No. 13 to the Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, with exhibits,  marked
to indicate changes from  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 12. Also attached is the
financial data schedule required by Rule 483(e) under the 1933 Act.

This  amendment is being filed  pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act. This
Post-Effective  does not contain any disclosure  that would render it ineligible
to become effective  pursuant to Rule 485(b).  It is being filed for the purpose
of updating the Fund's financial information pursuant to Section 10(a)(3) of the
1933 Act and to separate the prospectuses for each series of the Fund.

Please  direct  any  comments  or  questions  regarding  this  filing  to  me at
(813)823-8712, extension 7642.

Sincerely,

/s/Ellen Stoutamire

Ellen Stoutamire
Associate Counsel




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