KEMPER TARGET EQUITY FUND
N-30D, 1997-09-08
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<PAGE>   1
KEMPER TARGET EQUITY FUND
KEMPER RETIREMENT FUND
SERIES VII

REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE MONTH ENDED JULY 31, 1997 AND FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 

Provides a Guaranteed Return Of Investment On the Designated Maturity Date
To Investors Who Reinvest All Dividends And Hold Their Shares To The Maturity
Date, And Seeks To Provide Long-Term Growth Of Capital

                   " . . .It's in volatile markets that our
                  scrupulous attention to price targets can
                           really add value . . ."
 
                                                        [KEMPER FUNDS LOGO]
<PAGE>   2
CONTENTS                          
3                                 
Economic Overview                 
5                                 
Performance Update                
7                                 
Largest Stock Holdings            
8                                 
Portfolio of Investments          
14                                
Report of Independent Auditors    
15                                
Financial Statements              
17                                
Notes to Financial Statements     
19                                
Financial Highlights              

AT A GLANCE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
KEMPER RETIREMENT FUND SERIES VII
TOTAL RETURN*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 1997
 

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
SERIES VII             8.67% (UNADJUSTED FOR ANY SALES
                              CHARGE)
                       3.27% (ADJUSTED FOR MAXIMUM
                              5% SALES CHARGE)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
Returns are historical and do not represent future performance. Returns and net
asset value fluctuate. Shares are redeemable at current net asset value, which
may be more or less than original cost.
 
*Total return measures net investment income and capital gain or loss from
portfolio investments, assuming reinvestment of all dividends. During the period
noted, securities prices fluctuated. For additional information, see the
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and the Financial Highlights
at the end of this report.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NET ASSET VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                  AS OF     AS OF
                                 7/31/97   5/01/97
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                              <C>       <C>
SERIES VII                        $9.78     $9.00
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>
 
TERMS TO KNOW 

VOLATILITY Characteristic of a security, commodity or market to rise or fall
sharply in price within a short period of time. A stock may be volatile because
the outlook for the company is particularly uncertain or because of various
other reasons.
 
ZERO-COUPON BOND A bond that makes no periodic interest payments but instead is
sold at a deep discount from its face value. The buyer of such a bond receives
the rate of return by the gradual appreciation of the security due to accrual of
interest. The security is redeemed at face value at maturity.
 



<PAGE>   3
ECONOMIC OVERVIEW
 
[TIMBERS PHOTO]

STEPHEN B. TIMBERS IS PRESIDENT, CHIEF INVESTMENT AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
ZURICH KEMPER INVESTMENTS, INC. (ZKI). ZKI AND ITS AFFILIATES MANAGE
APPROXIMATELY $80 BILLION IN ASSETS, INCLUDING $45 BILLION IN RETAIL MUTUAL
FUNDS. TIMBERS IS A GRADUATE OF YALE UNIVERSITY AND HOLDS AN M.B.A. FROM HARVARD
UNIVERSITY.

DEAR SHAREHOLDER,
 
A self-regulating economy, a balanced budget agreement and a positive stock
market all have contributed to another excellent year for investors. Given the
extended length of today's bull market (which celebrated its 15th anniversary on
August 12), it is prudent to wonder whether the end is near. Our position is
that while there is a certain precariousness to today's environment, which we
will elaborate on below, we see little to suggest that there will be more than
occasional market corrections.

  Bipartisan agreement to balance the federal budget by the year 2002 represents
significant progress that should benefit investors over the long term. By
reducing the burden of capital gains and eliminating certain tax loopholes, the
Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 and the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 have the
potential to meaningfully affect behavior. Now that the ceiling has been raised
on capital gains from the sale of a home, empty nesters will be more inclined to
move out of homes and into smaller condominiums. Added investment and savings
options should help boost the country's sagging savings rate. From a social
perspective, government's action to widen the difference between the taxation
rate on capital gains and on income reflects a conscious effort to encourage
capital investment. The more people and businesses can do for themselves, the
less likely they are to rely on the government, which should help restrain
federal spending.

  The maximum tax on long-term capital gains is now 20 percent versus a maximum
of approximately 40 percent on ordinary income earned by Americans in the
highest income tax brackets. This dramatic difference could have some influence
on the management of mutual funds in the future. Although few investment
decisions are based on their tax consequences, the legislation supports a "buy
and hold" approach to investing, by which a mutual fund generates investment
returns through gains on investments held 18 months or longer. Such gains are
taxed at the reduced capital gains rate. On the margin, portfolio managers
should focus on long-term investing -- the strategy that we have always
supported.

  In addition, mutual funds will gain investment flexibility with the new law's
repeal of what has been called the "short/short rule." Previously, investment
companies had been subject to a 30 percent limitation on total income arising
from the sale of securities held less than three months -- or face severe tax
consequences. The lifting of this limitation provides newer funds, in
particular, with much needed maneuvering ability.

  You can expect to hear more from Kemper about the implications of the new
legislation, and specifically about the tax reporting changes, over the next
several weeks and months. Overall, we believe that this legislation is something
the country can be proud of. It represents years of a commitment on the part of
the federal government to hold spending in check and refrain from creating new
programs. Expanding corporate revenues and profits in an extended period of low
inflation also contributed to making this investor-friendly environment
possible.

  As we look toward the end of the year, we see little to trouble us. The
economy appears to be in excellent condition. Continuing the alternatingly
fast/slow pace that we have experienced for several months, the fast-growing
first quarter was followed by a slower second quarter. Such self-regulation has
minimized any need for the Federal Reserve Board to raise interest rates again.
We don't rule out the possibility of another hike in the fourth quarter,
however.

  Inflation is very low. In spite of unemployment being the lowest we have seen
in decades, wage pressures are still manageable. For example, the United Parcel
Service strike and the earlier steel and airlines work actions represent the
most union activity we have seen in 10 years. Encouraged by the low unemployment
(and therefore high demand for workers), the unions are becoming bolder but in
the end seem ready to resolve disputes sensibly. As a consequence, wage
increases remain moderate.




 
                                                                               3
 

<PAGE>   4
ECONOMIC OVERVIEW
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ECONOMIC GUIDPOSTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Economic activity is a key influence on investment performance and shareholder
decision-making.  Periods of recession or boom, inflation or deflation, credit
expansion or credit crunch have a significant impact on mutual fund performance.
     The following are some significant economic guideposts and their investment
rationale that may help your investment decision-making.  The 10-year Treasury
rate and the prime rate are prevailing interest rates.  The other data report
year-to-year percentage changes.


                                  [BAR GRAPH]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   NOW (07/31/97)       6 MONTHS AGO        1 YEAR AGO          2 YEARS AGO
<S>                                  <C>                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>
10-YEAR TREASURY RATE(1)                6.22                6.42                6.64                6.49    
PRIME RATE(2)                           8.5                 8.25                8.25                8.75
INFLATION RATE(3)                       2.23                3.03                2.88                2.62
THE U.S. DOLLAR(4)                      7.32                7.67                4.26               -4.11
CAPITAL GOODS ORDERS(5)*                7.11                3.61               16.26                1.75
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION(5)*               3.84                4.84                3.38                2.36 
EMPLOYMENT GROWTH(6)                    2.24                2.2                 2.14                2.42 
</TABLE>

(1)  Falling interest rates in recent years have been a big plus for financial
     assets.

(2)  The interest rate that commercial lenders charge their best borrowers.

(3)  Inflation reduces an investor's real return.  In the last five years,
     inflation has been as high as 6%.  The low, moderate inflation of the last 
     few years has meant high real returns.

(4)  Changes in the exchange value of the dollar impact U.S. exporters and the
     value of U.S. firms' foreign profits.

(5)  These influence corporate profits and equity performance.

(6)  An influence on family income and retail sales.

*    Data as of June 30, 1997.

  Our primary concern is the very high valuations of the stock market. All
things considered, it is difficult to see where we can go from here. With prices
at such heady levels, the market can be expected to react negatively to even
minor earnings disappointments, as we have seen in August. Kemper's response to
this market is to remain fully invested and to reduce exposure by diversifying
across a wider group of investment opportunities. Research, the first step in
stock selection, is key in this kind of a market.

  Bond markets are obviously cheered by recent events, and prospects for income
investors continue to be positive. Interest rates are stable and credit quality
has not been an issue. A dwindling supply of municipal bonds has enabled
municipal investments to outperform U.S. Treasuries.

  In such a fully valued domestic market, it can make sense to look to
international markets for their growth potential. The strength of the dollar
thus far this year has diminished returns but international opportunities look
bright.

  With this commentary as an economic backdrop, we encourage you to read the
following detailed report of your fund, including an interview with your fund's
portfolio management. Thank you for your continued support. We appreciate the
opportunity to serve your investment needs.
 
Sincerely,
 
/s/ Stephen B. Timbers
 
STEPHEN B. TIMBERS
PRESIDENT, CHIEF INVESTMENT AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Zurich Kemper Investments, Inc.
 
August 14, 1997
 
 4
 

<PAGE>   5
PERFORMANCE UPDATE

[McCORMICK PHOTO]

TRACY MCCORMICK CHESTER JOINED ZURICH KEMPER INVESTMENTS, INC. (ZKI) IN 1994 AND
IS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ZKI AND VICE PRESIDENT AND PORTFOLIO MANAGER OF
KEMPER RETIREMENT FUND SERIES VII. MCCORMICK CHESTER RECEIVED BOTH HER B.A. AND
M.B.A. DEGREES FROM MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS REPORT REFLECT THOSE OF THE PORTFOLIO MANAGER ONLY
THROUGH THE END OF THE PERIOD OF THE REPORT, AS STATED ON THE COVER. THE
MANAGER'S VIEWS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME, BASED ON MARKET AND OTHER 
CONDITIONS.
 
DESPITE A VOLATILE MARKET THAT RALLIED OVERALL BUT EXPERIENCED PERIODIC
SHARP DECLINES, THE STOCK PORTION OF KEMPER RETIREMENT SERIES VII PROVIDED
GROWTH POTENTIAL, WHILE THE ZERO-COUPON TREASURIES PROVIDED A CUSHION ON THE
DAYS THE MARKET DECLINED.
 
Q   HOW DID LARGE COMPANY STOCKS PERFORM DURING THE PERIOD?
 
A   As reflected in the S&P 500's return, large capitalization stocks performed
fairly well overall. However, that strong return doesn't reflect the underlying
volatility in specific areas of the market--finance and technology stocks in
particular--which experienced sharp corrections. Because the market has come a
long way in the last two years, investors are wary of any earnings shortfall
that might signal the rally is running out of steam. Often, problems with
individual stocks would tarnish a whole group, regardless of the fundamentals.
So even if your stock picking was good, you sometimes still got caught in the
crossfire.
 
Q   HOW DID YOU RESPOND TO THESE CONDITIONS?
 
A   There's not a lot you can do to counter a market which is rotating
quickly--that is, when sectors are being built up and then torn down again in
succession. All you can do is try to use the rotations to pick up good quality
companies at low prices once they've come down. That's where our scrupulous
attention to price targets can really add value.

    Our philosophy has always been "bottom-up" stock selection. Rather than
focus on economic conditions or entire sectors, we tend to choose stocks based
on their individual merits and seek those that offer above-average growth
prospects, but are selling at what we believe to be attractive prices. To do
that we set upper and lower price targets on stocks. If a stock falls below a
certain price level, we normally buy. If it rallies above a certain price level,
we normally sell. In this way we hope to benefit from most of the ride up but
avoid most of the ride down.
 
Q   WERE THERE ANY AREAS WHERE THE STRATEGY DIDN'T WORK?
 
A   One area that we usually like to overweight is consumer nondurables--that
is, products that people use on a regular basis, such as soft drinks, soap, and
other household products. We usually try to have at least 20 percent of the
portfolio in such stocks, but we had lightened up on them for valuation
reasons--they were just too expensive. Consumer nondurables are usually thought
of as defensive-type stocks, since demand for them tends to be fairly constant.
The market's uncertainty caused investors to favor these types of stocks and
their prices continued to climb. We participated in some of that increase, but
not as much as we normally would have.
 
                                                                               5
<PAGE>   6
PERFORMANCE UPDATE

Q    HAS THE MODEST BUT STEADY RISE IN INTEREST RATES INFLUENCED YOUR MANAGEMENT
STYLE?
 
A    Only indirectly. The bonds are a relatively fixed part of the portfolio.
They will fluctuate on a day to day basis but they continue to do their job.
However, because of the bonds we tend to underweight financial stocks because we
don't want to increase the exposure to interest rates. However, we believe the
sector remains attractive due to industry consolidations, still-reasonable
valuations overall, and a lack of major loan problems. We purchased BankBoston,
a very high quality name, and broadened our financial stock exposure beyond
banks and brokerages to include more insurance companies. In particular, we
bought American General and Jefferson-Pilot, due to our belief that
consolidation within the life insurance industry will result in increased
earning power for the companies who are doing the consolidating.
 
Q    CONVENTIONAL WISDOM SAYS THAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE MOST OFTEN OVERLOOKED WITH
SMALL COMPANY STOCKS BECAUSE THEY'RE LESS WIDELY FOLLOWED. DOES THAT MEAN
OPPORTUNITIES WITH LARGE COMPANY STOCKS ARE LESS COMMON?
 
A    That hasn't been our experience. We've found that opportunities with big
companies can be just as overlooked. But to find those opportunities, we have to
do our homework. Our usual strategy is to look for catalysts like new
management, consolidation, or new product cycles. That has enabled us to find
good values in large company stocks like R.R. Donnelley and Stanley Works, which
stand to benefit from the fresh vision of their new managements.
 
Q    AS YOU MENTIONED, LARGE COMPANY STOCKS HAVE ENJOYED A FAIRLY PROLONGED
RALLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. ARE YOU CONSIDERING ANY MID-CAP PURCHASES
TO ENHANCE THE FUND'S RETURN POTENTIAL?
 
A    Right now, we're looking at a few companies in the upper mid-cap area of
the market, but we're doing so selectively. We're not about to become a mid-cap
fund ... whenever we buy relatively smaller companies, we take smaller positions
so we can quickly reduce our exposure if needed.
 
     Regardless of the size of the company we're researching, our
price-conscious approach will remain in place. Making sure we're getting a
solid company at a good price is the most important consideration for us.
 
ABOUT YOUR REPORT                

CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR
 
The fiscal year end for Kemper Retirement Fund Series VII has been changed to
July 31 from June 30. Therefore, this report contains information about the fund
covering the 3-month period ended July 31, 1997. Your next shareholder report
will be a semiannual report dated January 31.
 
 6
 

<PAGE>   7
LARGEST STOCK HOLDINGS

THE FUND'S 10 LARGEST STOCK HOLDINGS*
 
REPRESENTING 19.9% OF THE FUND'S TOTAL COMMON STOCKS ON JULY 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      HOLDINGS                                                                    PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>                          <C>                                                      <C>
1           MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER   Principally involved in credit services, securities       2.3%
                                         and investment banking.

2           NORFOLK SOUTHERN             A holding company that owns all the common stock of       2.2%
                                         the major freight railroad, Norfolk Southern Railway
                                         Co., and a motor carrier, North American Van Lines,
                                         Inc.

3           SEARS, ROEBUCK               A leading retailer of apparel, home and automotive        2.2%
                                         products and related services for families throughout
                                         North America. In addition, it is the nation's number
                                         one credit provider among retailers.

4           MOBIL                        Produces, transports, refines and markets petroleum       2.1%
                                         and natural gas and related products.

5           AMOCO                        Engaged in the exploration, development and production    1.9%
                                         of crude oil and natural gas, and in the refining and
                                         marketing of petroleum products and petrochemicals.

6           BANC ONE                     Operates 65 banks with 1400 offices throughout the        1.9%
                                         United States. The bank offers depository and lending
                                         services to individual and commercial customers. It
                                         also provides data processing, venture capital and
                                         merchant banking, trust, brokerage, investment
                                         management and equipment leasing services.

7           MAY DEPARTMENT STORES        Owns and operates retail department stores and self       1.9%
                                         service shoe stores.

8           AMERICAN GENERAL             One of the nation's largest consumer financial            1.8%
                                         services organizations. It is a leading provider of
                                         retirement annuities, consumer loans and life
                                         insurance.

9           STANLEY WORKS                A world-wide producer of tools, hardware and specialty    1.8%
                                         hardware for consumer, home improvement, industrial
                                         and professional use.

10          AIR PRODUCTS & CHEMICALS     An international supplier of industrial gases and         1.8%
                                         related equipment.

</TABLE>
 
*The fund's holdings are subject to change.
 
7


<PAGE>   8
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

KEMPER RETIREMENT FUND SERIES VII
 
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AT JULY 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            PRINCIPAL
                                                                                              AMOUNT         VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                                                <C>           <C>
U.S. GOVERNMENT                          U.S. Treasury, zero coupon, 2008
OBLIGATIONS--52.1%                       (Cost: $2,282,000)                                 $4,600,000    $2,371,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               NUMBER OF
COMMON STOCKS                                                                                    SHARES       VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC INDUSTRIES--2.2%                   
                                         Air Products & Chemicals                                  300        26,000
                                         Betz Dearborn Inc.                                        300        20,000
                                         Crown Cork & Seal Co.                                     300        15,000
                                         E.I. DuPont De Nemours                                    200        13,000
                                         W.R. Grace & Co.                                          200        12,000
                                         Temple-Inland Inc.                                        200        13,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              99,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL GOODS--3.1%                      Emerson Electric Co.                                      300        18,000
                                         General Electric Co.                                      200        14,000
                                         B.F. Goodrich Co.                                         300        14,000
                                         Honeywell                                                 300        22,000
                                         Raytheon Co.                                              300        17,000
                                      (a)U.S. Industries                                           300        12,000
                                         United Technologies                                       250        21,000
                                         WMX Technologies Inc.                                     700        22,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             140,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSUMER CYCLICALS--5.0%                 CVS Corp.                                                 300        17,000
                                      (a)Clear Channel Communications                              400        25,000
                                         Dillard Department Stores                                 600        23,000
                                         R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.                                 400        16,000
                                         Harcourt General                                          500        24,000
                                         May Department Stores Co.                                 500        28,000
                                         Sears, Roebuck & Co.                                      500        32,000
                                         Stanley Works                                             600        27,000
                                         Time Warner Inc.                                          400        22,000
                                         Tribune Co.                                               100         5,000
                                         Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.                                       100         8,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             227,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSUMER STAPLES--1.5%
                                         CPC International                                         100        10,000
                                         H.J. Heinz Co.                                            100         5,000
                                         International Flavors & Fragrances                        400        21,000
                                         PepsiCo                                                   300        12,000
                                         Sara Lee Corp.                                            500        22,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              70,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENERGY--2.5%                             AMOCO Corp.                                               300        28,000
                                         Mobil Corp.                                               400        31,000
                                         Pennzoil Co.                                              100         8,000
                                         Unocal Corp.                                              600        24,000
                                      (a)Western Atlas                                             300        24,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             115,000
</TABLE>
 
8
 

<PAGE>   9
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS 


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               NUMBER OF
                                                                                                SHARES        VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                                                <C>           <C>        
FINANCE--4.8%                            American Express Co.                                      100    $    8,000
                                         American General Corp.                                    500        27,000
                                         Banc One Corp.                                            500        28,000
                                         BankAmerica Corp.                                         200        15,000
                                         BankBoston                                                100         8,000
                                         First Bank System                                         200        18,000
                                         Fleet Financial Group, Inc.                               270        18,000
                                         ITT Hartford Group                                        200        17,000
                                         Jefferson-Pilot Corp.                                     300        21,000
                                         Mellon Bank Corp.                                         200        10,000
                                         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter                                650        34,000
                                         Washington Mutual                                         200        14,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             218,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEALTH CARE--5.0%                     (a)ALZA Corp.                                                700        23,000
                                         Abbott Laboratories                                       400        26,000
                                         American Home Products Corp.                              300        25,000
                                         C.R. Bard                                                 500        19,000
                                      (a)Biogen                                                    500        19,000
                                         Biomet, Inc.                                              200         4,000
                                      (a)HealthCare COMPARE Corp.                                  200        11,000
                                      (a)Healthsouth Corp.                                         300         8,000
                                         Eli Lilly & Co.                                           100        11,000
                                         McKesson Corp.                                            200        17,000
                                         Perkin-Elmer Corp.                                        200        16,000
                                         Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc.                                  400        15,000
                                      (a)Tenet Healthcare Corp.                                    700        21,000
                                         United Healthcare Corp.                                   200        11,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             226,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TECHNOLOGY--5.6%                         AMP Inc.                                                  300        16,000
                                      (a)Analog Devices                                            500        16,000
                                      (a)Cadence Design Systems                                    200         9,000
                                      (a)Cisco Systems                                             300        24,000
                                         Computer Associates International                         200        14,000
                                         Harris Corp.                                              200        17,000
                                         Hewlett-Packard Co.                                       300        21,000
                                         Intel Corp.                                               200        18,000
                                         Motorola                                                  300        24,000
                                      (a)Oracle Corp.                                              300        16,000
                                      (a)Parametric Technology Corp.                               200        10,000
                                      (a)PeopleSoft Inc.                                           100         6,000
                                         Pitney Bowes Inc.                                         300        23,000
                                      (a)Sun Microsystems                                          500        23,000
                                      (a)Tellabs, Inc.                                             200        12,000
                                      (a)Xilinx, Inc.                                              200         9,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             258,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSPORTATION--1.3%                     CSX Corp.                                                 400        25,000
                                         Norfolk Southern Corp.                                    300        33,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              58,000
</TABLE>
 
                                                                               9
 

<PAGE>   10
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               NUMBER OF
                                                                                                 SHARES        VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                                                      <C>        <C>
UTILITIES--1.4%                          AT&T                                                      400    $   15,000
                                      (a)AirTouch Communications                                   300        10,000
                                         Ameritech Corp.                                           300        20,000
                                         SBC Communications Inc.                                   300        18,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              63,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         TOTAL COMMON STOCKS--32.4%
                                         (Cost: $1,377,000)                                                1,474,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION> 
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            PRINCIPAL
                                                                                              AMOUNT        VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                                                      <C>        <C
MONEY MARKET                             Yield--5.42% to 5.43%
INSTRUMENTS--19.7%                       Due--August 1997
                                         Federal Home Loan Bank                             $  400,000       400,000
                                         Federal National Mortgage Association                 500,000       498,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         TOTAL MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS
                                         (Cost: $898,000)                                                    898,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         TOTAL INVESTMENTS--104.2%
                                         (Cost: $4,557,000)                                                4,743,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         LIABILITIES, LESS CASH
                                         AND OTHER ASSETS--(4.2)%                                          (193,000)
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         NET ASSETS--100%                                                 $4,550,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Non-income producing security.
 
Based on the cost of investments of $4,557,000 for federal income tax purposes
at July 31, 1997, the gross unrealized appreciation was $188,000, the gross
unrealized depreciation was $2,000 and the net unrealized appreciation on
investments was $186,000.
 
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
10
 

<PAGE>   11
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

KEMPER RETIREMENT FUND SERIES VII
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AT JUNE 30, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             PRINCIPAL
                                                                                              AMOUNT        VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. GOVERNMENT                          U.S. Treasury, zero coupon, 2008
OBLIGATIONS--47.5%                       (Cost: $963,000)                                   $2,000,000    $  970,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               NUMBER OF
COMMON STOCKS                                                                                   SHARES        VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                                                   <C>          <C>        
BASIC INDUSTRIES--1.7%                   Air Products & Chemicals                                 200         16,000
                                         Betz Dearborn Inc.                                       100          7,000
                                         Crown Cork & Seal Co.                                    100          5,000
                                         W.R. Grace & Co.                                         100          6,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              34,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL GOODS--3.9%                      Emerson Electric Co.                                     100          5,000
                                         General Electric Co.                                     100          7,000
                                         B.F. Goodrich Co.                                        200          9,000
                                         Honeywell                                                200         15,000
                                         Raytheon Co.                                             200         10,000
                                         United Technologies                                      250         21,000
                                         WMX Technologies Inc.                                    400         13,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              80,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSUMER CYCLICALS--5.5%                 CVS Corp.                                                100          5,000
                                      (a)Clear Channel Communications                             100          6,000
                                         Dillard Department Stores                                200          7,000
                                         R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.                                200          7,000
                                         Harcourt General                                         300         14,000
                                         Hilton Hotels Corp.                                      100          3,000
                                      (a)MGM Grand                                                200          7,000
                                         May Department Stores Co.                                200          9,000
                                         Sears, Roebuck & Co.                                     300         16,000
                                         Stanley Works                                            400         16,000
                                         Time Warner Inc.                                         200         10,000
                                         Tribune Co.                                              100          5,000
                                         Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.                                      100          7,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             112,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONSUMER STAPLES--.9%                    CPC International                                        100          9,000
                                         H.J. Heinz Co.                                           100          5,000
                                         PepsiCo                                                  100          4,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              18,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENERGY--1.5%                             AMOCO Corp.                                              100          9,000
                                         Mobil Corp.                                              200         14,000
                                         Pennzoil Co.                                             100          8,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              31,000
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              11
 

<PAGE>   12
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               NUMBER OF
                                                                                                SHARES        VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                                                     <C>      <C>
FINANCE--4.5%                            American Express Co.                                     100     $    7,000
                                         American General Corp.                                   300         14,000
                                         Banc One Corp.                                           200         10,000
                                         BankBoston                                               100          7,000
                                         First Bank System                                        100          9,000
                                         Fleet Financial Group, Inc.                               70          4,000
                                         ITT Hartford Group                                       100          8,000
                                         Jefferson-Pilot Corp.                                    100          7,000
                                         Mellon Bank Corp.                                        200          9,000
                                         Morgan Stanley Dean Witter                               250         11,000
                                         Washington Mutual                                        100          6,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              92,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEALTH CARE--4.3%                     (a)ALZA Corp.                                               400         12,000
                                         Abbott Laboratories                                      100          7,000
                                         American Home Products Corp.                             100          8,000
                                         C.R. Bard                                                100          4,000
                                      (a)Biogen                                                   100          3,000
                                         Biomet, Inc.                                             200          4,000
                                      (a)HealthCare COMPARE Corp.                                 100          5,000
                                      (a)Healthsouth Corp.                                        300          7,000
                                         Eli Lilly & Co.                                          100         11,000
                                         McKesson Corp.                                           100          8,000
                                         Perkin-Elmer Corp.                                       100          8,000
                                      (a)Tenet Healthcare Corp.                                   200          6,000
                                         United Healthcare Corp.                                  100          5,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              88,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TECHNOLOGY--5.5%                      (a)Cadence Design Systems                                   100          3,000
                                      (a)Cisco Systems                                            200         13,000
                                         Computer Associates International                        100          6,000
                                         Harris Corp.                                             100          8,000
                                         Hewlett-Packard Co.                                      200         11,000
                                         Intel Corp.                                              100         14,000
                                         Motorola                                                 200         15,000
                                      (a)Oracle Corp.                                             100          5,000
                                      (a)Parametric Technology Corp.                              100          4,000
                                      (a)PeopleSoft Inc.                                          100          5,000
                                         Pitney Bowes Inc.                                        100          7,000
                                      (a)Sun Microsystems                                         300         11,000
                                      (a)Tellabs, Inc.                                            200         11,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             113,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSPORTATION--1.3%                     CSX Corp.                                                300         17,000
                                         Norfolk Southern Corp.                                   100         10,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              27,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UTILITIES--1.0%                          AT&T                                                     200          7,000
                                         Ameritech Corp.                                          100          7,000
                                         SBC Communications Inc.                                  100          6,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              20,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         TOTAL COMMON STOCKS--30.1%
                                         (Cost: $598,000)                                                    615,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
12
 

<PAGE>   13
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             PRINCIPAL
                                                                                              AMOUNT        VALUE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                                                 <C>          <C>
MONEY MARKET                             Yield--5.50%
INSTRUMENT--17.1%                        Due--July 1997
                                         Federal Home Loan Bank
                                         (Cost: $350,000)                                    $350,000     $  350,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         TOTAL INVESTMENTS--94.7%
                                         (Cost: $1,911,000)                                                1,935,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
                                         LESS LIABILITIES--5.3%                                              108,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         NET ASSETS--100%                                                 $2,043,000
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
NOTES TO PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
(a) Non-income producing security.
 
Based on the cost of investments of $1,911,000 for federal income tax purposes
at June 30, 1997, the gross unrealized appreciation was $30,000, the gross
unrealized depreciation was $6,000 and the net unrealized appreciation on
investments was $24,000.
 
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                                                              13


<PAGE>   14
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS 

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS
KEMPER TARGET EQUITY FUND--
KEMPER RETIREMENT FUND SERIES VII
 
  We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities,
including the portfolios of investments, of Kemper Target Equity Fund--Kemper
Retirement Fund Series VII as of July 31, 1997 and June 30, 1997, the related
statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights
for the month ended July 31, 1997 and the period from May 1, 1997 (commencement
of operations) to June 30, 1997. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights
based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of investments owned as of July
31, 1997 and June 30, 1997, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Kemper
Target Equity Fund--Kemper Retirement Fund Series VII at July 31, 1997 and June
30, 1997, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the
financial highlights for the periods referred to above in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
                                          Chicago, Illinois
                                          August 20, 1997
 
 14
 
<PAGE>   15
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 JULY 31,               JUNE 30,
                                                                   1997                   1997
<S>                                                             <C>                    <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments, at value
(Cost: $4,557,000 and $1,911,000, respectively)                 $4,743,000              1,935,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash                                                               189,000                 49,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receivable for:
  Investments sold                                                   4,000                  5,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Fund shares sold                                                 389,000                108,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TOTAL ASSETS                                                 5,325,000              2,097,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Payable for:
  Investments purchased                                            772,000                 52,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Management fee and other                                           3,000                  2,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total liabilities                                              775,000                 54,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS                                                      $4,550,000              2,043,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paid-in capital                                                 $4,353,000              2,016,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated net realized loss on investments                        (3,000)                (2,000)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net unrealized appreciation on investments                         186,000                 24,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undistributed net investment income                                 14,000                  5,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO SHARES OUTSTANDING                     $4,550,000              2,043,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 THE PRICING OF SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Shares outstanding                                                 465,000                221,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value and redemption price per share                  $     9.78                   9.23
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE
(net asset value, plus 5.26% of
net asset value or 5.00% of offering price)                     $    10.29                   9.72
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                                                              15
 

<PAGE>   16
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     ONE MONTH
                                                                       ENDED            MAY 1(A) TO
                                                                      JULY 31,           JUNE 30,
                                                                        1997               1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>                <C>         <C>
 NET INVESTMENT INCOME
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Interest and dividend income                                       $  11,000               7,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Management fee and other expenses                                     (2,000)             (2,000)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME                                                    9,000               5,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net realized loss on sales of investments                             (1,000)             (2,000)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Change in net unrealized appreciation on investments                 162,000              24,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net gain on investments                                                161,000              22,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS                 $ 170,000              27,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     ONE MONTH
                                                                       ENDED            MAY 1(A) TO
                                                                      JULY 31,           JUNE 30,
                                                                        1997               1997
<S>                                                                  <C>                  <C>         
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL SHARE ACTIVITY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net investment income                                              $   9,000               5,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net realized loss                                                     (1,000)             (2,000)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Change in net unrealized appreciation                                162,000              24,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                   170,000              27,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase from capital share transactions                         2,337,000           1,916,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS                                         2,507,000           1,943,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NET ASSETS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period                                                  2,043,000             100,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
END OF PERIOD (including undistributed net investment
income of $14,000 and $5,000, respectively)                          $4,550,000          2,043,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(a) Commencement of operations.
 
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 16
 

<PAGE>   17
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1    DESCRIPTION OF          Kemper Retirement Fund Series VII (the Fund) is a  
     THE FUND                series of Kemper Target Equity Fund (the Trust), an
                             open-end, management investment company, organized 
                             as a business trust under the laws of              
                             Massachusetts. The objectives of the Fund are to   
                             provide a guaranteed return of investment on the   
                             Maturity Date (May 15, 2008) to investors who      
                             reinvest all dividends and hold their shares to the
                             Maturity Date, and to provide long-term growth of  
                             capital. The assurance that investors who reinvest 
                             all dividends and hold their shares until the      
                             Maturity Date will receive at least their original 
                             investment on the Maturity Date is provided by the 
                             principal amount of the zero coupon U.S. Treasury  
                             obligations in the Fund's portfolio, as well as by 
                             a guarantee from Zurich Kemper Investments, Inc.   
                             (ZKI), the Fund's investment manager.              
                                                                                
                             The Fund commenced operations on May 1, 1997 and   
                             its initial fiscal year end was June 30.           
                             Subsequently, the Trust changed its fiscal year end
                             to July 31. As a result, financial statements for  
                             the two month period ended June 30, 1997 and the   
                             one month period ended July 31, 1997 are presented 
                             together in this report to shareholders.           
                                                                               
                            
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2    SIGNIFICANT             INVESTMENT VALUATION. Investments are stated at
     ACCOUNTING POLICIES     value. Portfolio securities that are traded on a
                             domestic securities exchange or securities listed
                             on the NASDAQ National Market are valued at the
                             last sale price on the exchange or market where
                             primarily traded or listed or, if there is no
                             recent sale, at the last current bid quotation.
                             Portfolio securities that are primarily traded on
                             foreign securities exchanges are generally valued
                             at the preceding closing values of such securities
                             on their respective exchanges where primarily
                             traded. Securities not so traded or listed are
                             valued at the last current bid quotation if market
                             quotations are available. Fixed income securities
                             are valued by using market quotations, or
                             independent pricing services that use prices
                             provided by market makers or estimates of market
                             values obtained from yield data relating to
                             instruments or securities with similar
                             characteristics. Equity options are valued at the
                             last sale price unless the bid price is higher or
                             the asked price is lower, in which event such bid
                             or asked price is used. Financial futures and
                             options thereon are valued at the settlement price
                             established each day by the board of trade or
                             exchange on which they are traded. Forward foreign
                             currency contracts are valued at the forward rates
                             prevailing on the day of valuation. Other
                             securities and assets are valued at fair value as
                             determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
 
                             INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME.
                             Investment transactions are accounted for on the
                             trade date (date the order to buy or sell is
                             executed). Dividend income is recorded on the
                             ex-dividend date, and interest income is recorded
                             on the accrual basis. Interest income includes
                             discount amortization on fixed income securities.
                             Realized gains and losses from investment
                             transactions are reported on an identified cost
                             basis.
 
                             EXPENSES. Expenses arising in connection with a
                             series of the Trust are allocated to that series.
                             Other Trust expenses are allocated among the series
                             in proportion to their relative net assets.
 
                             FUND SHARE VALUATION. Fund shares are sold to the
                             public during a limited offering period, which may
                             be extended or shortened at the option of the Fund.
                             Fund shares are redeemed on a continuous basis and
                             are sold and redeemed at net asset value (plus a
                             commission on most sales). On each day the New York
                             Stock Exchange is open for trading, the net asset
                             value per share is determined as of the earlier of
                             3:00 p.m. Chicago time or the close of the Exchange
                             by dividing the total value of the Fund's
                             investments and other assets, less liabilities, by
                             the number of shares outstanding.
 
                             FEDERAL INCOME TAXES. The Fund has complied with
                             the special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
                             available to investment companies and therefore no
                             federal income tax provision is required. The
                             accumulated net realized loss on sales of
                             investments for federal income tax purposes at July
                             31, 1997, amounting to approximately $3,000, is
                             available to offset future taxable gains. If not
                             applied, the loss carryover expires during the
                             period 2004 through 2005.
 
                                                                              17
 

<PAGE>   18
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                             DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS. The Trust declares and
                             pays dividends of any net investment income and net
                             realized capital gains annually, which are recorded
                             on the ex-dividend date. Dividends are determined
                             in accordance with income tax principles which may
                             treat certain transactions differently from
                             generally accepted accounting principles.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    
3  TRANSACTIONS WITH         MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT. The Trust has a management
   AFFILIATES                agreement with ZKI and the Fund pays a management
                             fee at an annual rate of .50% of average daily net
                             assets. The Fund incurred a management fee of
                             $1,000 for the one month ended July 31, 1997 and
                             $1,000 for the period ended June 30, 1997. Zurich
                             Investment Management Limited, an affiliate of ZKI,
                             serves as sub-adviser with respect to foreign
                             securities investments in the Fund, and is paid by
                             ZKI for its services.
 
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT. The Trust has an
                             underwriting agreement with Zurich Kemper
                             Distributors, Inc. (ZKDI). Underwriting commissions
                             paid in connection with the distribution of the
                             Fund's shares are as follows:
 
<TABLE>                      
<CAPTION>                    
                                                                   COMMISSIONS      COMMISSIONS ALLOWED
                                                                 RETAINED BY ZKDI    BY ZKDI TO FIRMS
                                                                 ----------------   -------------------
                             <S>                                 <C>                <C>
                             One month ended July 31, 1997            $8,000              71,000
                             Period ended June 30, 1997                8,000              71,000
</TABLE>                     
 
                             ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT. The Trust has an
                             administrative services agreement with ZKDI. For
                             providing information and administrative services
                             to shareholders, the Fund pays ZKDI a fee at an
                             annual rate of up to .25% of average daily net
                             assets. ZKDI in turn has various agreements with
                             financial services firms that provide these
                             services and pays these firms based on assets of
                             Fund accounts the firms service. Administrative
                             services fees (ASF) paid are as follows:
                             
<TABLE>                      
<CAPTION>                    
                                                                                        ASF PAID BY
                                                                                       ZKDI TO FIRMS
                                                                                       -------------
                             <S>                                                       <C>
                             One month ended July 31, 1997                                $1,000
                             Period ended June 30, 1997                                    1,000
</TABLE>
 
                             SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AGREEMENT. Pursuant to a
                             services agreement with the Trust's transfer agent,
                             Zurich Kemper Service Company (ZKSvC) is the
                             shareholder service agent for the Fund.
 
                             OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES. Certain officers or trustees
                             of the Trust are also officers or directors of ZKI.
                             For the one month ended July 31, 1997 and the
                             period ended June 30, 1997, the Fund made no
                             payments to its officers or trustees.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4  TRANSACTIONS INVESTMENT   Investment transactions (excluding short-term
                             instruments) are as follows:
                             
<TABLE>                      
<CAPTION>                    
                                                                    ONE MONTH ENDED         MAY 1 TO
                                                                     JULY 31, 1997        JUNE 30, 1997
                                                                    ---------------       -------------
                             <S>                                    <C>                   <C>
                             Purchases                                $2,112,000            1,577,000
                             Proceeds from sales                          13,000               14,000
</TABLE>                     
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5  CAPITAL SHARE           The following table summarizes the activity in
   TRANSACTIONS            capital shares of the Fund:
 
<TABLE>                      
<CAPTION>                    
                                                          ONE MONTH ENDED                 MAY 1 TO
                                                           JULY 31, 1997               JUNE 30, 1997
                                                      ------------------------    ------------------------
                                                      SHARES          AMOUNT      SHARES          AMOUNT
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             <S>                      <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
                             Shares sold              253,000       $2,422,000    212,000       $1,930,000
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Shares redeemed           (9,000)         (85,000)    (2,000)         (14,000)
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             NET INCREASE FROM
                             CAPITAL SHARE
                             TRANSACTIONS             244,000       $2,337,000    210,000       $1,916,000
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
18
 

<PAGE>   19
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     ONE MONTH
                                                                       ENDED            MAY 1(A) TO
                                                                      JULY 31,           JUNE 30,
                                                                        1997               1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                  <C>                <C>         
 PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, beginning of period                                     $9.23                9.00
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from investment operations:
  Net investment income                                                    .01                 .02
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net realized and unrealized gain                                         .54                 .21
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations                                           .55                 .23
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of period                                           $9.78                9.23
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN (NOT ANNUALIZED)                                             5.96%               2.56
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS (ANNUALIZED)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses                                                                   .95%               1.17
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income                                                     3.45%               3.16
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net assets at end of period                                          $4,550,000          2,043,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate (annualized)                                         6%                 12
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average commission rates paid per share on stock transactions were $.0602 and $.0597 for the one
month ended July 31, 1997 and the period ended June 30, 1997, respectively.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
NOTES: Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.
 
(a) Commencement of operations.
 
                                                                              19
 

<PAGE>   20
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
                           
TRUSTEES                      OFFICERS                                        
                                                                              
STEPHEN B. TIMBERS            TRACY M. CHESTER       
President and Trustee         Vice President         
                                                     
JAMES E. AKINS                CHARLES R. MANZONI, JR.
Trustee                       Vice President         
                                                     
ARTHUR R. GOTTSCHALK          JOHN E. NEAL           
Trustee                       Vice President         
                                                     
FREDERICK T. KELSEY           STEVEN H. REYNOLDS     
Trustee                       Vice President         
                                                     
FRED B. RENWICK               PHILIP J. COLLORA      
Trustee                       Vice President and     
                              Secretary              
JOHN B. TINGLEFF                                     
Trustee                       JEROME L. DUFFY        
                              Treasurer                                      
JOHN G. WEITHERS                                                             
Trustee                       ELIZABETH C. WERTH                             
                              Assistant Secretary                            



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEGAL COUNSEL                   VEDDER, PRICE, KAUFMAN & KAMMHOLZ
                                222 North LaSalle Street
                                Chicago, IL 60601
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER SERVICE AGENT       ZURICH KEMPER SERVICE COMPANY
                                P.O. Box 419557
                                Kansas City, MO 64141
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT    INVESTORS FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
                                127 West 10th Street
                                Kansas City, MO 64105
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS            ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                233 South Wacker Drive
                                Chicago, IL 60606
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT MANAGER              ZURICH KEMPER INVESTMENTS, INC.
 
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER           ZURICH KEMPER DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
                                222 South Riverside Plaza  Chicago, IL 60606
                                www.kemper.com
 
[RECYCLED LOGO]
Printed on recycled paper.

This report is not to be distributed
unless preceded or accompanied by a
Kemper Retirement Fund Series VII prospectus.

KRF7 - 3 (8/97)   1036860
Printed in the U.S.A.                                      [KEMPER FUNDS LOGO]
 


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