MASSMUTUAL PARTICIPATION INVESTORS
PRE 14A, 1997-02-14
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<PAGE>

 
                                 SCHEDULE 14A
                    Information Required in Proxy Statement

 
                           Schedule 14A Information

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                               (Amendment No.__)
        
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_] 
Check the appropriate box:
[X]  Preliminary Proxy Statement        
[_]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-
     6(e)(2))
[_]  Definitive Proxy Statement 
[_]  Definitive Additional Materials 
[_]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S)240.14a-11(c) or (S)240.14a-12

                      MassMutual Participation Investors
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

   
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X]  No fee required.
[_]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
      1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
         pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
         filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      5) Total fee paid:

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

[_]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
     
      1) Amount Previously Paid:
 
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      3) Filing Party:
      
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      4) Date Filed:

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



<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      MassMutual Participation Investors
                       Springfield, Massachusetts 01111

           [LOGO OF MASSMUTUAL PARTICIPATION INVESTORS APPEARS HERE]

                           NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
                                OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                      AND
                                PROXY STATEMENT



                                     TIME
                           Thursday, April 24, 1997
                                 at 1:00 p.m.



                                     PLACE
                                   Oak Room
                             Massachusetts Mutual
                            Life Insurance Company
                               1295 State Street
                       Springfield, Massachusetts 01111




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please date, fill in and sign the enclosed form of proxy and mail it in the 
enclosed return envelope which requires no postage if mailed in the United 
States.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                      MassMutual Participation Investors
                          Springfield, Massachusetts

Dear Shareholder:

     The 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held in the Oak Room of
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1295 State Street, Springfield,
Massachusetts 01111, at 1:00 p.m., Springfield time, on Thursday, April 24,
1997.  A Notice and a Proxy Statement regarding the meeting, a proxy card for
your vote at the meeting and a postage prepaid envelope in which to return your
proxy card are enclosed.

     By promptly returning the enclosed proxy card, you as a shareholder can
help management avoid the necessity and expense of sending follow-up letters to
obtain the attendance of a majority of the outstanding shares. You are earnestly
requested to sign and return the proxy card in order that the necessary quorum
may be represented at the meeting. If you find you can be present in person, you
may, if you wish, revoke your proxy then and vote your shares in person.

     At the meeting, shareholders will elect three Trustees of the Trust,
approve or disapprove the selection of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as auditors, and
approve or disapprove the continuance of the current Investment Advisory and
Administrative Services Contract between the Trust and its investment adviser,
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. In order to provide management with
greater flexibility in managing the Trust's portfolio, shareholders will also be
asked to approve changes in the Trust's investment policies to permit not more
than 75% of its total assets to be invested in non-investment grade securities.
The Trustees of the Trust have recommended that the shareholders vote for
election of the nominated Trustees, ratify the selection of Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P., approve the continuance of the Investment Advisory and Administrative
Services Contract, and approve the proposed changes in investment policies.

     I look forward to your attendance at this meeting because it will provide
us with an opportunity to hold an informal discussion with you concerning the
progress of MassMutual Participation Investors.

                                       Sincerely,

                                       /s/  Gary E. Wendlandt
                                       
                                       Gary E. Wendlandt
                                       Chairman

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
                      MassMutual Participation Investors

                   Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

To the Shareholders of
MassMutual Participation Investors:

     Please take notice that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of MASSMUTUAL
PARTICIPATION INVESTORS (the "Trust") has been called to be held in the Oak
Room of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1295 State Street,
Springfield, Massachusetts 01111, on Thursday, April 24, 1997, at 1:00 p.m.,
Springfield time, for the following purposes:

     (1) To re-elect Gary E. Wendlandt, Milton Cooper and Martin T. Hart as
Trustees for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and
qualified;

     (2) To consider and ratify or reject the action taken by the Board of
Trustees in selecting Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as auditors for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 1997;

     (3) To consider and approve or disapprove continuance of the Trust's
current Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Contract dated October
7, 1988;

     (4) To consider and approve or disapprove an amendment to the Trust's
investment policies to permit not more than 75% of its total assets to be
invested in non-investment grade securities; and

     (5) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

     Holders of record of the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust at the
close of business on February 24, 1997, are entitled to vote at the meeting or
any adjournment thereof.
                                       By order of the
                                       Board of Trustees,
                                       /s/ Stephen L. Kuhn
                                       
                                       Stephen L. Kuhn
                                       Vice President and Secretary

Springfield, Massachusetts
March 4, 1997

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT

                                    GENERAL

     This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Trustees of MASSMUTUAL PARTICIPATION INVESTORS (the
"Trust") for use at the Annual Meeting of its Shareholders, to be held in the
Oak Room of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (the "Insurance
Company"), 1295 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111, on Thursday,
April 24, 1997, at 1:00 p.m., Springfield time.

     Any person giving a proxy has power to revoke it by mail or in person at
any time prior to its exercise by executing a superseding proxy or by submitting
a notice of revocation to the Trust. All properly executed and unrevoked proxies
received in time for the meeting will be voted in accordance with the
instructions contained therein.

     Holders of the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust ("shares"), of
record at the close of business on February 24, 1997, will be entitled to one
vote per share on all business of the meeting and any adjournments.  There were
9,216,665 shares outstanding on the record date.

     The mailing address of the principal executive offices of the Trust is 1295
State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111.  This Proxy Statement and the
accompanying letter to shareholders from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees,
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and proxy card are being mailed on or
about March 4, 1997 to shareholders of record on the record date.

     Pursuant to the Trust's By-Laws, the presence at the Annual Meeting, in
person or by proxy, of Shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes
shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. A plurality of the votes cast
is required to elect Trustees. Thus, the three nominees for re-election as
Trustees at the

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     Annual Meeting who receive the greatest number of votes properly cast for
the election of trustees shall be elected Trustees. Under the Trust's
Declaration of Trust a majority of the shares voted is required to ratify the
selection of independent accountants.

     An affirmative "majority vote" of the Trust's shares is required to
approve the continuance of the Trust's Investment Advisory and Administrative
Services Contract and to approve changes in the Trust's investment policies to
permit not more than 75% of its total assets to be invested in non-investment
grade securities. A "majority vote" means either (1) the holders of at least
67% of the Trust's shares present in person or by proxy, if more than 50% of the
Trust's outstanding shares are present or represented by proxy, or (2) a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust, whichever is less.

     Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be counted by
persons appointed by the Trust to act as election inspectors for the meeting.
The election inspectors will count the total number of votes cast "for"
approval of the proposals for purposes of determining whether sufficient
affirmative votes have been cast.  The election inspectors will count shares
represented by proxies that withhold authority to vote for a nominee for
election as a Trustee or that reflect abstentions or "broker non-votes" (i.e.,
shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been
received from the beneficial owners or the persons entitled to vote, and (ii)
the broker or nominee does not have the discretionary voting power on a
particular matter) as shares that are present and entitled to vote on the matter
for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.  As to the continuance of
the Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Contract and the approval of
the proposed change to the Trust's investment policies, abstentions or broker
non-votes have the effect of a negative vote.  With respect to the election of
Trustees and the ratification of the selection of an independent accountants,
abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the proposal.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                             ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

     The Board of Trustees is currently comprised of nine Trustees with terms
expiring in 1997, 1998, and 1999. The terms of Messrs. Wendlandt, Cooper and
Hart expire this year and the Board has nominated them for three-year terms.
Thus, following the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Board will be comprised
of nine Trustees, having various terms expiring in 1998, 1999 and 2000. All
nominees, if elected, are to serve their respective terms, and until each of
their successors is duly elected and qualified.

Information Concerning Nominees

     Set forth below as to each nominee for Trustee, and for each Trustee whose
term will continue after this meeting, is his present office with the Trust, his
age, his principal occupation or employment during the past five years, the
organization by which he is employed and its principal business, and certain
other directorships held by him.

                               GARY E. WENDLANDT*
                              (Term expires 1997)

     Nominee for election. Trustee since 1988, Chairman (since 1995) and
President (1988-1995) of the Trust. Chief Investment Officer (since 1993),
Executive Vice President (since 1992), Senior Vice President (1983-1992) of the
Insurance Company; Director (since 1991), Merrill Lynch Derivative Products,
Inc. (swap dealer); Director, Oppenheimer Acquisition Corporation (holding
company for investment advisers); Supervisory Director (since 1991),
MassMutual/Carlson CBO N.V. (collateralized bond fund); Chairman and Director
(since 1996), Antares Leveraged Capital Corp.; Director and President (since
1995), DLB Acquisition Corporation (holding company for investment advisers);
President and Chief Executive Officer

- -----------------------
* Mr. Wendlandt is an "interested person" of the Trust (as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) because of his position as an
officer of the Trust and of the Insurance Company.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
(1994-1996), Director (1992-1996), Concert Capital Management, Inc. (indirect
investment advisory subsidiary of the Insurance Company); Director (since 1994),
MassMutual Corporate Value Partners Ltd. (investor in debt and equity securities
advised by the Insurance Company) and MassMutual Corporate Value Ltd. (parent of
MassMutual Corporate Value Partners Ltd.); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(since 1994), MassMutual Institutional Funds (open-end investment company
advised by the Insurance Company); Chairman (since 1995), Trustee (since 1993),
Vice Chairman (1993-1995) and President (1988-1993), MML Series Investment Fund
(open-end investment company advised by the Insurance Company); Chairman (since
1995), Trustee (since 1986) and President (1983-1995), MassMutual Corporate
Investors (closed-end investment company advised by the Insurance Company);
Director of various subsidiaries of the Insurance Company. Age: 46.

                               DONALD E. BENSON
                              (Term expires 1998)

     Trustee since 1986.  Executive Vice President and Director (since 1992),
Marquette Bancshares (bank holding company); Executive Vice President and
Director (1968-1992), Bank Shares Inc. (bank holding company); President and
Director (1986-1994), MEI Diversified Inc. (medical product manufacturer);
Partner, Benson, Pinckney, Oates Partnership (building partnership); Director
(1988-1994), IJ Holding Corporation; Director (1984-1993), Athens Bancorp, Inc.;
Trustee (since 1986), MassMutual Corporate Investors (closed-end investment
company advised by the Insurance Company).  Age: 66.

                              MARSHALL D. BUTLER
                              (Term expires 1999)

     Trustee since 1990.  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AVX Corporation
(manufacturer of multilayer ceramic capacitors); Director, Kyocera Corp.;
Director (since 1993), Synercom Technology, Incorporated (computer software);
Trustee (since 1990), 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
MassMutual Corporate Investors (closed-end investment company advised by the
Insurance Company). Age: 70.

                                 MILTON COOPER
                              (Term expires 1997)

     Nominee for election.  Trustee since 1990. Chairman (since 1992), President
(1971-1992), Kimco Realty Corp. (shopping center ownership and management); Vice
President (1971-1992) and Director, Getty Petroleum Corp. (petroleum marketing);
Director, Blue Ridge Real Estate; Trustee (since 1990), MassMutual Corporate
Investors (closed-end investment company advised by the Insurance Company). Age:
67.

                               RICHARD G. DOOLEY*
                              (Term expires 1998)

     Trustee since 1988, Vice Chairman (since 1995) and Chairman (1988-1995) of
the Trust. Consultant (since 1993), Executive Vice President and Chief
Investment Officer (1978-1993) of the Insurance Company; Director, The Advest
Group, Inc. (financial services holding company), Hartford Steam Boiler
Inspection and Insurance Co., New England Education Loan Marketing Corporation;
Director (1993-1995), Luxonen S.A. (Swedish investment fund); Director and Vice
President, Oppenheimer Acquisition Corporation (holding company for investment
advisers); Supervisory Director, (1991-1995), MassMutual/Carlson CBO N.V.
(collateralized bond fund); Director (1992-1996), Concert Capital Management,
Inc. (indirect investment advisory subsidiary of the Insurance Company); Trustee
(since 1992), Kimco Realty Corp. (shopping center ownership and management);
Director (since 1993), Jefferies Group, Inc. (financial services holding
company); Chairman (1988-1995), Vice Chairman (since 1995) and Trustee, MML
Series Investment

- --------------------
* Mr. Dooley is an "interested person" of the Trust (as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) because of his position as an
officer of the Trust.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
Fund (open-end investment company advised by the Insurance Company); Vice
Chairman (since 1995), Chairman (1982-1995) and Trustee (since 1974), MassMutual
Corporate Investors (closed-end investment company advised by the Insurance
Company). Age: 67.

                              SUMNER L. FELDBERG
                              (Term expires 1998)

     Trustee since 1977. Chairman of the Board, Waban, Inc. (wholesale clubs and
home improvement warehouses); Chairman of the Board (1989-1995), The TJX
Companies, Inc. (off-price apparel specialty stores); Trustee (since 1977),
MassMutual Corporate Investors (closed-end investment company advised by the
Insurance Company). Age: 72.

                                DONALD GLICKMAN
                              (Term Expires 1998)

     Trustee since 1992. Chairman (since 1992), Donald Glickman and Company,
Inc. (investment banking); Partner (1989-1992), Peter J. Solomon Invest-ment
Co.; Chairman and Director, CalTex Industries, Inc. (manufacturer of windows);
Director, Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.; Director (since 1993), Steerage Corp.
(navigation equipment manufacturer); Director (1991-1994), Food Barn Stores,
Inc.; Director (1992-1993), Astra Holdings, Inc. (ordnance materials
manufacturer); Trustee (since 1992), MassMutual Corporate Investors (closed-end
investment company advised by the Insurance Company). Age: 63.

                                MARTIN T. HART
                              (Term expires 1997)

     Nominee for election. Trustee since 1991. President and Director, H
Corporation; Co-Manager, Lake Catamount Joint Venture (ski resort); Partner,
Consolidated Nursery Properties (wholesale nursery and garden center); Director,
Optical Security Group Inc. (product security), Schuler Homes, Inc. (housing),
and PNB Financial Group (bank holding company);

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
Director (since 1992), PJVA, Inc. and PJV, Inc. (pizza restaurants); Director
(since 1993), PJNC, Inc. (pizza restaurant); Director (since 1994), Unidata,
Inc. (computers), Houston Pizza Venture (pizza restaurant), and The Bagel Group
(bagel restaurant); Director (1993-1995), Inco Homes (housing); Director (1992-
1994), Morris Air Corp. (airline); Director (1991-1994), Capital Bancorp;
Director (1991-1992), American Banco Corporation (collections); Director (1982-
1992), First National Bank of Leadville; Director (1979-1993), Valley State
Bank; Director (1980-1993), Little Valley Nurseries, Inc. (wholesale nursery);
Trustee (since 1991), MassMutual Corporate Investors (closed-end investment
company advised by the Insurance Company). Age: 61.

                                JACK A. LAUGHERY
                              (Term expires 1999)

     Trustee since 1996. Chairman (since 1994), The Bagel Group (bagel
restaurant); Consultant (since 1994), Heartland Foods (food service); Director
(since 1993), Corral America and Papa John's International (food service
companies); Consultant (since 1996), Papa John's Iowa (food service); Director,
Sprint Mid-Atlantic (telecommunications) and First Union National Bank; Partner
(since 1992), Papa John's V and Papa John's VA (food service); Partner (since
1994), Houston Pizza Venture (pizza restaurant); Partner, Atlantic Beach
Sheraton and Coastal Lodging (hotels); Consultant (1989-1994), Hardee's Food
Systems, Inc. (fast food restaurants); Director (1981-1995), Imasco Ltd. (food
service, banking, tobacco and drug stores); Trustee (since 1996), MassMutual
Corporate Investors (closed-end investment company advised by the Insurance
Company). Age: 62.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
Share Ownership of Trustees, Nominees and Officers

     The following table sets forth information concerning beneficial ownership,
as of February 14, 1997, of the Trust's shares by each Trustee, and by the
Trust's nominees for Trustee and officers as a group.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

       Name                     Shares           Percentage of 
    Individual               Beneficially         Outstanding  
     or Group                   Owned*           Shares Owned  
     --------                ------------        -------------  
  <S>                        <C>                      <C> 
  Gary E. Wendlandt                                   **
  
  Donald E. Benson                                    **
  
  Marshall D. Butler                                  **
  
  Milton Cooper                                       **
  
  Richard G. Dooley                                   **
  
  Sumner L. Feldberg                                  **
  
  Donald Glickman                                     **
  
  Martin T. Hart                                       %
  
  Jack A. Laughery                                    **
  
  All Trustees, Nominees                                
  and Officers as a Group                              % 
</TABLE> 


Information Concerning Committees and Meetings of the Board of Trustees

     The Board of Trustees of the Trust has an Audit Committee, whose present
members are Messrs. Benson and Hart, neither of whom is an "interested person"
of the Trust.  The Audit Committee makes recommendations to the Board of
Trustees as to the engagement or discharge of the Trust's independent
accountants, supervises investigations into matters relating to audit functions,
reviews with the Trust's independent accountants the results of the audit
engagement and considers the audit fees.

- -----------------------
* This information, not being within the knowledge of the Trust, has been
furnished by each nominee, Trustee and officer.  Beneficial ownership is as
defined under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Fractional shares are not reported.

** Less than one-tenth of one percent is not listed.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
     During the past fiscal year, the Board of Trustees held six regular
meetings (one of which was a telephone conference call meeting), and the Audit
Committee met once. The Trust does not have a standing nominating or
compensation committee.

Transactions with and Remuneration of Officers and Trustees

     Pursuant to the Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Contract
with the Trust, the Insurance Company pays the salaries and fees of all officers
of the Trust and of all Trustees of the Trust who are "interested persons" of
the Trust or of the Insurance Company. Thus, during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996, the Trust did not pay any compensation to any of its officers
or to any of its Trustees who were "interested persons" of the Trust or of the
Insurance Company.

     Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust or of the Insurance
Company receive fees of $600 for each Trustees' meeting which they attend (other
than the organizational meeting of the Board following the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders for which no fees are paid) and annual Trustees' fees of $5,000.
No meeting fees are paid for meetings conducted by telephone conference call or
by unanimous written consent. Members of the Audit Committee receive an
additional annual fee of $600.  Pursuant to a deferred compensation plan,
Trustees may defer receipt of their fees until their retirement from the Board
or some other time at their election.  The aggregate direct remuneration of
these Trustees paid by the Trust during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
was approximately $55,690.

     The following table discloses the compensation paid to the Trust's non-
interested Trustees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. All of the non-
interested Trustees also serve as Trustees of one other investment company
managed by MassMutual.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Total          
                               Aggregate                Compensation       
       Name of               Compensation                 from Fund        
       Trustee                 from Fund                   Complex         
       -------               -------------              -------------      
                                                                           
<S>                          <C>                        <C>                
  Donald E. Benson               $8,000                    $23,400         
                                                                           
  Sumner L. Feldberg              6,800                     20,400         
                                                                           
  Marshall D. Butler              6,800                     20,400         
                                                                           
  Milton Cooper                   6,800                     20,400         
                                                                           
  Martin T. Hart                  7,400                     21,600         
                                                                           
  Donald Glickman                 7,400                     22,200         
                                                                           
  Jack A. Laughery                4,300                     12,900          
</TABLE>

               RATIFICATION OR REJECTION OF APPROVAL OF AUDITORS

     The Board of Trustees of the Trust, including all of the Trustees who are
not "interested persons" of the Trust, have selected Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. to
act as auditors for the Trust for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. are independent public accountants and have no direct
or material indirect interest in the Trust. The selection is subject to the
approval of the shareholders of the Trust at the forthcoming Annual Meeting. The
enclosed proxy card provides space for instructions directing the proxies named
therein to vote for or against ratification of that selection.

     A representative of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. is expected to be present at
the forthcoming Annual Meeting. He shall have the opportunity to make a
statement if he desires to do so, and it is expected that he will be available
to respond to appropriate questions which may be posed by shareholders.

                   APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF CONTINUANCE OF
           INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES CONTRACT

     The Trust has an Investment Advisory and Administrative Services Contract,
dated October 7, 1988 (the ``Contract") with the Insurance Company which
entitles the Trust to certain investment adviso-

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
ry and administrative services from the Insurance Company. Under the Contract,
the aggregate fee payable to the Insurance Company for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996 was $885,454.

     At its meeting on January 13, 1997, the Board of Trustees approved, and
voted to recommend that the shareholders approve, the continuance of the
Contract. Prior to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 24, 1997, the
Trustees (including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons"
of the Trust or of the Insurance Company) will meet again to review their
approval and recommendation. Subject to such further review by the Board of
Trustees, the Contract will be submitted to the Trust's shareholders for their
approval or disapproval at the forthcoming Annual Meeting.

Summary of the Contract

     Under the Contract, the Insurance Company has agreed to use its best
efforts to present to the Trust a continuing and suitable investment program
consistent with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the
Trust. The Insurance Company has further agreed that it will request each issuer
of securities which the Insurance Company is prepared to purchase at direct
placement, and which would be consistent with the investment policies of the
Trust, to offer such securities also to the Trust and that it will use its best
efforts to insure that such issuer accedes to such request.

     The Insurance Company, at its expense, investigates and conducts relations
with the issuers of securities purchased or to be purchased directly by the
Trust and represents the Trust in any negotiations with issuers, investment
banking firms, securities brokers or dealers and other institutions or investors
relating to the Trust's investments.  The Insurance Company provides
administration of the day-to-day investment operations of the Trust and provides
the Trust with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the
Trust's investments, and will pay the salaries and

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
fees of all officers of the Trust, of all Trustees who are "interested persons"
of the Trust or of the Insurance Company, and of all personnel of the Trust or
of the Insurance Company performing services relating to research, statistical
and investment activities.

     In addition, the Insurance Company, subject to the supervision of the
Trustees of the Trust, will, at its expense, furnish (or make provision for) the
management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the Trust.
These services include providing facilities for maintaining the Trust's
organization, supervising relations with the Trust's custodian, transfer agent,
accountants and other persons dealing with the Trust, providing for pricing of
the Trust's portfolio securities, coordinating the preparation of shareholder
communications and conducting shareholder relations, maintaining the Trust's
records, developing management services for the Trust and furnishing reports,
evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects for the Trustees of the Trust.

     The Trust pays the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not "interested
persons" of the Trust or of the Insurance Company.   The Trust also pays the
fees and expenses of independent advisers, independent contractors, consultants,
managers and other agents which it employs other than through the Insurance
Company.  In addition, the Trust is responsible for the payment of legal fees
and expenses; the fees and disbursements of transfer agents, dividend disbursing
agents, registrars, independent accountants, and custodians and depositories of
its assets; out-of-pocket business travel expenses incurred by Trustees,
officers or employees of the Trust; taxes and governmental fees; the cost of
preparing and mailing share certificates, dividends, reports, notices and proxy
materials to shareholders; brokers' commissions or underwriting fees; and
insurance as may be required by its Board of Trustees.

     Expenses incurred jointly by the Trust, the Insurance Company, MassMutual
Corporate Investors (another closed-end investment company advised by the
Insurance Company), MassMutual Corporate 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
Value Partners Limited (an unregistered investment fund) or any of them which
are directly associated with the joint purchase or sale of securities by any
such parties are shared by such parties in proportion to the relative amounts of
such securities each is purchasing or selling.

     For its services under the Contract, the Insurance Company is paid a
quarterly fee equal to 0.225% of the value of the net assets of the Trust as of
the last business day of each fiscal quarter, an amount approximately equivalent
to 0.90% on an annual basis. A majority of the Trustees of the Trust, including
a majority of Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" of the
Trust or of the Insurance Company, must approve each valuation of the Trust's
net assets used to calculate the Insurance Company's fee.

     At a meeting on January 13, 1997, the Board of Trustees of the Trust
approved the valuations being made as of the close of business on December 31,
1996, and arrived at a value for the net assets of the Trust at that date of
$97,153,859.

     The Contract provides that the Insurance Company will reimburse the Trust
for any amount, not exceeding the Insurance Company's entire fee for any year,
by which the aggregate annual expenses (including the management fee, but
excluding interest, taxes, brokerage expenses and extraordinary expenses)
incurred by the Trust in such year exceed any expense limitation imposed by any
state securities law or regulations thereunder applicable to the Trust. This
requirement for reimbursement of expenses may be amended or rescinded with the
approval of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested
persons" of the Trust or of the Insurance Company in response to changes in the
requirements of state law, provided that no amendment or rescission shall be
given retroactive effect unless required by the change in state law.

     Under the Contract, the Trust may use the name "MassMutual" or any name
derived from or similar to the name "Massachusetts Mutual" or "Massachusetts

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
Mutual Life Insurance Company" only for so long as the Contract or any
extension, renewal or amendment thereof remains in effect. When it is no longer
in effect, the Trust will (to the extent that it lawfully can) cease to use such
a name or any other name indicating that it is advised by or otherwise connected
with the Insurance Company.

     The Contract also provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the
Insurance Company is not liable to the Trust or any of its shareholders for any
act or omission or for any loss suffered by the Trust or its shareholders.

     The Contract is terminable on 60 days' written notice by the Trust's Board
of Trustees, by vote of the majority of the Trust's outstanding voting
securities or by the Insurance Company. It will terminate automatically in the
event of its assignment. Until terminated, the Contract will remain in force
from year to year to the extent approved at least annually (a) by vote of a
majority of Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" of the Trust
or of the Insurance Company, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval, and (b) specifically either by the Trust's Board of
Trustees or by vote of a majority of the Trust's outstanding voting securities.

     Shareholder approval of the continuance of the Contract is not a
requirement of law. The Board of Trustees, however, believes it is desirable for
the Trust's shareholders to have an opportunity to give or withhold such
approval. If such approval is withheld the Contract will not automatically
terminate but the Trustees will determine what action to take in the best
interests of shareholders of the Trust. Approval of continuance of the Contract
will require the affirmative "majority vote" of the shareholders.

Sub-Administrative Contract

     The Insurance Company has entered into a sub-administrative contract with
Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc. ("DWR"), through DWR's Intercapital Division

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
("Intercapital") under which Intercapital will perform, subject to the Insurance
Company's supervision, certain administrative services for the Trust. These
services include coordinating the printing and distribution of reports to
shareholders of the Trust; arranging for the distribution of proxy materials to
shareholders of the Trust, and overseeing the tabulation of proxies by the
Trust's transfer agent; evaluating the terms under which custodian, transfer
agency, dividend disbursing and registrar services will be provided to the
Trust; assisting and consulting with the Insurance Company with respect to the
payment of dividends and distributions by the Trust; making economic and market
research prepared by DWR available to the Trust and the Insurance Company; and
making reports to the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The Insurance Company,
however, remains legally obligated to provide such services to the Trust.
Pursuant to the sub-administrative contract, the Insurance Company pays
Intercapital a quarterly fee equal to 0.0375% of the value of the net assets of
the Trust as of the last business day of each fiscal quarter, an amount
approximately equal to 0.15% on an annual basis.

Allocation of Portfolio Brokerage

     Transactions in direct placement securities are on a negotiated basis.
Brokers and dealers who execute any portfolio transaction for the Trust will be
selected primarily on the basis of obtaining the best price and execution of
each transaction. In seeking the best price and execution for securities traded
only in the over-the-counter market, the Trust will normally deal directly with
the principal market-makers unless a more favorable price may be obtained
through other brokers or dealers.

     When it can be done consistent with the policy of obtaining best price and
execution, it is the Insurance Company's practice to place orders with brokers
and dealers who supply market quotations to the Trust or its agents for
portfolio evaluation purposes, or who supply research, market and statistical
information to the Trust or the Insurance Company. Except for imple-

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
menting the policy stated above, there is no intention to place portfolio
transactions with particular brokers or dealers or groups thereof. Although
certain research, market and statistical information from brokers and dealers
can be useful to the Trust and the Insurance Company, it is the opinion of the
Insurance Company that such information is only supplementary to the Insurance
Company's own research effort since the information must still be analyzed,
weighed and reviewed by the Insurance Company's staff. Such information may be
useful to the Insurance Company in providing services to clients other than the
Trust, and not all such information will be used by the Insurance Company in
connection with the Trust. Conversely, such information provided to the
Insurance Company by brokers and dealers through whom other clients of the
Insurance Company effect securities transactions may be useful to the Insurance
Company in providing services to the Trust.

     The Trust paid $25,489 in brokerage commissions for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996. Portfolio turnover for the fiscal year was 68.48%.

Investment Adviser

     The names and addresses of each director of the Insurance Company and his
or her principal occupations are set forth below.

                               THOMAS B. WHEELER
                               1295 State Street
                       Springfield, Massachusetts 01111

     Chairman of Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance
Company.

                               ROGER G. ACKERMAN
                             One Riverfront Plaza
                            Corning, New York 14831

     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Corning Incorporated (manufacturer of
speciality materials, communications equipment, and consumer products).

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
                                JAMES R. BIRLE
                               2 Greenwich Plaza
                                   Suite 100
                         Greenwich, Connecticut 06830

     President, Resolute Partners, LLC.

                             FRANK C. CARLUCCI III
                         1001 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
                                  Suite 220S
                            Washington, D.C. 20004

     Chairman, The Carlyle Group.

                                 GENE Q. CHAO
                             733 S.W. Vista Avenue
                          Portland, Oregon 97205-1203

     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Computer Projections, Inc.

                             PATRICIA DIAZ DENNIS
                               175 East Houston
                           San Antonio, Texas 78205

     Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, SBC Communications,
Inc.

                                 ANTHONY DOWNS
                        1775 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
                           Washington, DC 20036-2188

     Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution (non-profit research center).

                                JAMES L. DUNLAP
                          1201 Louisiana, Suite 1400
                           Houston, Texas 77002-5603

     President and Chief Operating Officer, United Meridian Corporation (oil
exploration).

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
                               WILLIAM B. ELLIS
                             31 Pound Foolish Lane
                        Glastonbury, Connecticut 06033

     Retired; former Chairman, Northeast Utilities (electric utility).

                                ROBERT M. FUREK
                               100 Pearl Street
                       Hartford, Connecticut 06103-4506

     Retired; former President and Chief Executive Officer, Heublein, Inc.
(beverage distributor).

                              CHARLES K. GIFFORD
                              100 Federal Street
                          Boston, Massachusetts 02110

     Chief Executive Officer, The First National Bank of Boston and Bank of
Boston Corporation.
                                       
                               WILLIAM N. GRIGGS
                           75 Wall Street, 20th Floor
                           New York, New York 10005

     Managing Director, Griggs & Santow, Inc. (business consultant).

                               GEORGE G. HARVEY
                                663 Ponus Ridge
                         New Canaan, Connecticut 06840

     Retired; former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pitney
Bowes, Inc. (office machines manufacturer).

                          BARBARA BARNES HAUPTFUHRER
                              1700 Old Welsh Road
                     Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania 19006

     Director: The Vanguard Group of Investment Companies, The Great Atlantic
and Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (operator of retail food stores), Knight-Ridder
Inc. (publisher of daily newspapers and operator of cable television and
business information systems), 

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
Raytheon Company (electronics), Alco Standard Corporation (diversified
manufacturer and distributor).

                               SHELDON B. LUBAR
                     777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 3380
                          Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

     Chairman, Lubar & Co. Incorporated (investment management and advisory
company).

                              WILLIAM B. MARX, JR.
                              600 Mountain Avenue
                                  Room 6A-502
                         Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974

     Consultant, Lucent Technologies Inc. (public telecommunications systems and
software).

                                JOHN F. MAYPOLE
                                 P.O. Box 1223
                             Toccoa, Georgia 30577

     Managing Partner, Peach State Real Estate Holding Company (real estate).

                             DONALD F. McCULLOUGH
                              210 Madison Avenue
                           New York, New York 10016

     Retired; former Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Collins &
Aikman Corp.  (manufacturer of textile products).

                                 JOHN J. PAJAK
                               1295 State Street
                       Springfield, Massachusetts 01111

     President, Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Insurance Company.

                            BARBARA SCOTT PREISKEL
                        60 East 42nd Street, Suite 3125
                           New York, New York 10165

     Attorney-at-law.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
                                ALFRED M. ZEIEN
                               Prudential Tower
                          Boston, Massachusetts 02199

     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Gillette Company (manufacturer of
personal care products).

     Executive Officers of the Trust (other than Trustees) who are officers of
the Insurance Company are listed below with their current titles.

                                STUART H. REESE

     President (since 1995), Executive Vice President  (1993-1995) of the Trust.
Executive Director (since 1997), Senior Vice President (1993-1997) of the
Insurance Company. Age: 41.

                                ROBERT E. JOYAL

     Senior Vice President (since 1989) of the Trust. Senior Managing Director
(since 1996), Vice President and Managing Director (1989-1996) of the Insurance
Company. Age: 52.

                               HAMLINE C. WILSON

     Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (since 1988) of the Trust.
Senior Managing Director (since 1996), Vice President and Managing Director
(1989-1996) of the Insurance Company. Age: 59.

                               CLIFFORD M. NOREEN

     Vice President (since 1993) of the Trust. Managing Director (since 1996),
Vice President (1995-1996), Second Vice President (1992-1994),
Director/Investments (1989-1992) of the Insurance Company. Age: 39.

                                STEPHEN L. KUHN

     Vice President and Secretary (since 1988) of the Trust. Vice President and
Associate General Counsel (since 1992), Second Vice President and Associate
General Counsel (1988-1992) of the Insurance Company. Age: 50.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
                              RAYMOND B. WOOLSON

     Treasurer (since 1992) of the Trust. Managing Director (since 1996), Second
Vice President (1992-1996), Director/Fund Account Administration (1989-1992) of
the Insurance Company. Age: 38.

     Other officers of the Trust who are officers or employees of the Insurance
Company are: John B. Joyce, Richard C. Morrison, Mary E. Wilson, Thomas J.
Finnegan, Jr., Mark A. Ahmed, Roger W. Crandall, Andrew C. Dickey, Walter T.
Dwyer, Michael L. Hermsen, William H. Jefferis, Michael L. Klofas, Thomas S. Li,
Kathleen Lynch, Mary Ann Z. McCarthy, Richard E. Spencer II, Lawrence D.
Stillman, John B. Wheeler, Lisa J. Yoerg, Mark B. Ackerman, Norman B. Flebotte,
Bruno R. Umbro, Elizabeth Kelliher and Lisa M. Kusek.

     In addition to acting as investment adviser and administrator to the Trust,
the Insurance Company also acts as investment adviser to MML Series Investment
Fund, an open-end management investment company consisting of MML Equity Fund,
MML Money Market Fund, MML Managed Bond Fund, and MML Blend Fund (referred to
collectively as the "MML Investment Funds"), organized for the purpose of
providing vehicles for the investment of assets of various separate investment
accounts of the Insurance Company and life insurance company subsidiaries of the
Insurance Company. At December 31, 1996 the net assets of MML Equity Fund were
$1.702 billion; the net assets of MML Money Market Fund were $145.2 million; the
net assets of MML Managed Bond Fund were $181.6 million; and the net assets of
MML Blend Fund were $2.094 billion. The Insurance Company's Investment Advisory
Agreements with each of the MML Investment Funds provide that the Insurance
Company is to be paid a quarterly fee at the annual rate of .50% of the first
$100 million of average daily net asset value, .45% of the next $200 million,
 .40% of the next $200 million and .35% of any excess over $500 million.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
     The Insurance Company also acts as the investment adviser to MassMutual
Institutional Funds, an open-end management investment company consisting of
seven series: MassMutual Prime Fund with assets of $259.1 million as of 
December 31, 1996; MassMutual Short-Term Bond Fund with assets of $145.5 million
as of December 31, 1996; MassMutual Core Bond Fund with assets of $357.1 million
as of December 31, 1996; MassMutual Balanced Fund with assets of $563.7 million
as of December 31, 1996; MassMutual Value Equity Fund with assets of $2.486
billion as of December 31, 1996; MassMutual Small Cap Value Equity Fund with
assets of $457.4 million as of December 31, 1996, and MassMutual International
Equity Fund with assets of $356.7 million as of December 31, 1996. The Insurance
Company's Investment Advisory Agreements with these seven funds provide that the
Insurance Company will be paid a monthly fee at an annual rate of the average of
the daily net assets of that fund as follows: (a) .45% for the Prime Fund, the
Short-Term Bond Fund; the Core Bond Fund, the Balanced Fund and the Value Equity
Fund; (b) .55% for the Small Cap Value Equity Fund, and (c) .85% for the
International Equity Fund.

     The Insurance Company also advises MassMutual Corporate Investors
("Corporate Investors"), a closed-end, non-diversified management investment
company, having net assets of $172.3 million as of December 31, 1996. The
Insurance Company's Investment Services Contract with Corporate Investors
provides that the Insurance Company is to be paid a base rate (the "Base Fee
Rate") of 5/16 of 1% of the net asset value of Corporate Investors
(approximately equivalent to 1.25% on an annual basis), plus or minus a
performance adjustment (the "Performance Adjustment"). The Performance
Adjustment is based on Corporate Investors' performance as compared to a
benchmark rate of return (the "Target Rate") equal to 5.0 percentage points
plus an unweighted, arithmetic average of the rates of return on the Standard &
Poor's Industrials Stock Price Index (the "S&P Industrials") and the Lehman
Brothers Intermediate Corporate Bond Index (the "Intermediate Bond Index") over
a rolling three-year period (the "Measure-

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
ment Period") comprising the twelve quarters ending on the last day of each
quarter (the "Valuation Date"). The Performance Adjustment is equal to 5% of the
difference between Corporate Investors' actual rate of return over the
Measurement Period and the Target Rate. If Corporate Investors' actual rate of
return exceeds the Target Rate, the Base Fee Rate is increased by an amount
equal to the Performance Adjustment; if Corporate Investors' actual rate of
return is less than the Target Rate, the Base Fee Rate is reduced by the
Performance Adjustment. The Performance Adjustment is subject to a maximum and
minimum range of 1/16 of 1% of the net asset value of Corporate Investors
(approximately equivalent to .25% on an annual basis). The advisory fee payable
by Corporate Investors is equal to the Base Fee Rate (as adjusted by the
Performance Adjustment) times the net asset value of Corporate Investors as of
the Valuation Date.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, Clifford N. Noreen and 
Raymond B. Woolson inadvertently failed to timely file a Form 3 upon becoming 
executive officers of the Trust. Hamline C. Wilson also inadvertently failed to 
timely filed one Form 4, relating to two transactions in shares of the Trust.

                           APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF
                         CHANGES TO INVESTMENT POLICIES
                            REGARDING NON-INVESTMENT
                                GRADE SECURITIES

     The Trust has an investment restriction that prevents it from purchasing
any additional non-investment grade securities ("Non-Investment Grade
Securities") if, after giving effect to the purchase of such securities,
more than 66 2/3% of the Trust's net assets would be invested in Non-Investment
Grade Securities. Non-Investment Grade Securities are debt securities that are
rated, at the time of acquisition, BB or B by Standard & Poor's Corporation
("S&P") or Ba or B by Moody's Investors Service Inc. ("Moody's") or, if unrated,
are believed by the Insurance Company to be of a quality equivalent to a rating
of BB or B by S&P or Ba or B by Moody's. This investment restriction is
fundamental and may not be changed without an affirmative "majority vote" of the
Trust's shares.

     At their meeting on January 13, 1997, the Trustees approved, and voted to
recommend that the shareholders approve, an amendment to the Trust's investment
policies to increase the maximum portion of its assets permitted to be invested
in Non-Investment Grade 

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
Securities. Specifically, the current investment restriction would be amended to
prohibit the Trust from purchasing Non-Investment Grade Securities if, after
giving effect to the purchase of such securities, more than 75% of the Trust's
total assets would be invested in Non-Investment Grade Securities. If this
percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of an investment, subsequent
changes in asset values will not constitute a violation of such restriction.

     Approval of the proposed investment restriction would permit the Trust to
significantly increase its investments in Non-Investment Grade Securities. For
example, under the current investment restriction, the Trust was only permitted
to invest up to $64,769,239 in Non-Investment Grade Securities based on the
Trust's net assets of $97,153,859 as of December 31, 1996. Under the proposed
investment restriction, the Trust would have been permitted to invest up to
$87,166,100 in Non-Investment Grade Securities based on the Trust's total assets
of $116,221,466 as of December 31, 1996. Moreover, if the Fund had further
leveraged itself as of December 31, 1996, by borrowing the maximum amount
permitted by law, the Trust would have been permitted to invest $109,298,092 in
Non-Investment Grade Securities under the proposed investment restriction based
on $145,738,789 of total assets.

     The Trust recommends approval of the proposed amendment in order to obtain
additional investment flexibility with respect to its portfolio. Increased
exposure to Non-Investment Grade Securities, particularly those with equity
features, would create an opportunity for an enhanced total return but, at the
same time, would increase the Trust's exposure to the risks associated with
those types of securities. Non-Investment Grade Securities involve greater
volatility of price and yield, and greater risk of loss of principal and
interest, and generally reflect a greater possibility of an adverse change in
financial condition which could affect the ability of the issuer to make
payments of principal and interest. The market price for Non-Investment Grade
Securities generally responds to short-term corporate 

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
and market developments to a greater extent than higher-rated securities.

     The Trust will increase its exposure to Non-Investment Grade Securities
only when the Insurance Company believes that doing so will benefit the Trust,
taking into account considerations such as general market conditions, the
financial condition of the issuer, and the spread between the rates of return of
investment grade securities and Non-Investment Grade Securities.

     There will be no change in the Trust's investment restriction against
investing in any debt security that is rated, at the time of acquisition, below
B by S&P or Moody's or, if unrated, is believed by the Insurance Company to be
of a quality below a B rating.

                           PROPOSALS BY SHAREHOLDERS

     Any shareholder intending to present a proposal at the Annual Meeting to be
held in 1998 who wishes to have such proposal included in the Trust's proxy
material for that meeting should forward the written proposal to the Trust,
Attention: Secretary. Proposals must be received on or before November 4, 1997,
to be considered for inclusion in the Trust's proxy material for its 1998 Annual
Meeting.

                                 OTHER MATTERS

     The Board of Trustees knows of no business to be brought before the meeting
other than as set forth above. If, however, any other matters properly come
before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed
proxy card to vote proxies on such matters in accordance with their best
judgment. Proxies will be solicited by mail and may be solicited in person or by
telephone or telegraph by officers of the Trust. The expenses connected with the
solicitation of these proxies and with any further proxies which may be
solicited by the Trust's officers in person, by telephone or by telegraph will
be borne by the Trust. In addition, the Trust may retain an outside firm to
solicit proxies, which would involve additional expenses, payable by the Trust.
If the Trust does re-

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
tain such an outside firm, the anticipated cost may be approximately $15,000.
The Trust will reimburse banks, brokers, and other persons holding the Trust's
shares registered in their names or in the names of their nominees, for their
expenses incurred in sending proxy material to and obtaining proxies from the
beneficial owners of such shares.

     If any shareholders desire additional information about the matters
proposed for action, the management will be glad to hear from them and to
provide further information.

                                 ANNUAL REPORT

     The Annual Report of the Trust for its fiscal year ended December 31, 1996,
including financial statements, a schedule of the Trust's investments as of such
date and other data, was mailed on or about February 28, 1997 to all
shareholders of record as of the record date. The financial statements included
in such Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference. Any shareholder may
request a copy of the Annual Report and the most recent quarterly report by
calling (toll-free) the Trust's transfer agent, Shareholder Financial Services,
Inc., at 1-800-647-7374.

                                       By order of the
                                       Board of Trustees,

                                       /s/ Stephen L. Kuhn

                                       Stephen L. Kuhn
                                       Vice President and Secretary

1295 State Street
Springfield, Massachusetts 01111
March 4, 1997

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
                                   APPENDIX
                                 FORM OF PROXY

                       

                      
                      MASSMUTUAL PARTICIPATION INVESTORS

           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

   The undersigned hereby appoints Stephen L. Kuhn and Hamline C. Wilson, and
each of them, attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with power of
substitution to vote all shares of MassMutual Participation Investors (the
``Trust'') which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of
shareholders of the Trust to be held in the Oak Room of Massachusetts Mutual
Life Insurance Company, 1295 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111, on
Thursday, April 24, 1997, at 1:00 p.m. Springfield time, and at any adjournment
thereof (the ``Annual Meeting'').

   THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED ON ITEMS (1), (2), (3) AND (4) IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN ON THIS CARD, AND IN THE ABSENCE OF INSTRUCTIONS THE
UNDERSIGNED HEREBY AUTHORIZES THE AFORESAID PROXY OR PROXIES TO VOTE FOR ITEMS
(1), (2), (3) AND (4).

                          PLEASE SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE

                                  SEE REVERSE
                                      SIDE

Please mark votes as in this example.

1. Election of Trustees

Nominees:  Gary E. Wendlandt, Milton Cooper and Martin T. Hart for the terms set
forth in the proxy statement.

FOR       WITHHELD

For all nominees except as noted above

2. Ratification of the selection of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as auditors for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.

FOR       AGAINST       ABSTAIN

3. Approval of continuances of the Trust's Investment Services Contract with
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, dated October 7, 1988.

FOR       AGAINST       ABSTAIN

4. Approval of an amendment to the Trust's investment policies to permit not
more than 75% of its total assets to be invested in non-investment grade
securities.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
FOR       AGAINST       ABSTAIN

5. In their election, the proxies are authorized to vote on any other business
that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

MARK HERE FOR
ADDRESS CHANGE AND
NOTE AT LEFT.

MARK HERE IF
YOU PLAN TO ATTEND
THE MEETING.

Signature:  Date:

Signature:  Date:

Please sign exactly as your name or names appear. When signing as joint tenant,
all parties to the joint tenancy should sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title as
such. Please mail the completed and signed proxy to SFSI, P.O. Box  173673,
Denver, CO 80217-3673.

                                       2


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