<PAGE>
(ART)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
PLACE
STAMP
HERE
[LOGO OF THE VANGUARD GROUP APPEARS HERE]
P.O. BOX 2600
VALLEY FORGE, PA 19482-2600
<PAGE>
I understand that a "Statement of Additional Information" about the Vanguard
Variable Annuity Plan contract has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Please send me a free copy of the "Statement." I have printed my
name and address below.
Name ___________________________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
City _____________________ State _____________________ ZIP _____________________
PSAI-st
1191
<PAGE>
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vanguard
VARIABLE
INSURANCE FUND A Member of The Vanguard Group
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROSPECTUS--JANUARY 28, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT Vanguard Variable Insurance Fund (the "Fund") is an open-
OBJECTIVES AND end diversified investment company. The Fund is intended
POLICIES exclusively as an investment vehicle for variable annuity
or variable life insurance contracts offered by the sepa-
rate accounts of various insurance companies. The Fund of-
fers nine distinct Portfolios.
The MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO seeks to provide current income
and a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share by invest-
ing in high-quality money market instruments. AN INVESTMENT
IN THE PORTFOLIO IS NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE
U.S. GOVERNMENT AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE
PORTFOLIO WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE
OF $1.00 PER SHARE. The HIGH-GRADE BOND PORTFOLIO seeks to
duplicate the total return of publicly-traded, investment
grade fixed-income securities as represented by a broad in-
vestment grade bond index. The HIGH YIELD BOND PORTFOLIO
seeks to provide a high level of current income by invest-
ing in a diversified portfolio of high-yielding, lower
quality corporate debt securities (commonly referred to as
"junk bonds"). The BALANCED PORTFOLIO seeks to provide cap-
ital growth and a reasonable level of current income by in-
vesting in a diversified portfolio of common stocks and
bonds. The objective of the EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO is to
provide a high level of current income by investing princi-
pally in dividend-paying equity securities. The EQUITY IN-
DEX PORTFOLIO seeks to parallel the investment results of
the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index by
investing in common stocks included in the Index. The
GROWTH PORTFOLIO seeks to provide long-term capital appre-
ciation by investing in equity securities of companies
based in the United States. The SMALL COMPANY GROWTH PORT-
FOLIO seeks to provide long term growth in capital by in-
vesting primarily in equity securities of small companies
deemed to have favorable prospects for growth. Dividend in-
come is expected to be incidental. The INTERNATIONAL PORT-
FOLIO seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by
investing in equity securities of companies based outside
the United States. There is no assurance that a Portfolio
will achieve its objective. Shares of the Fund are neither
insured nor guaranteed by any agency of the U.S. Govern-
ment, including the FDIC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPENING AN Shares of the Portfolios are sold exclusively to separate
ACCOUNT accounts of insurance companies that offer variable annuity
or variable life insurance contracts. To open an account
and purchase shares of a Portfolio, please see the prospec-
tus for the insurance company separate account governing
the variable annuity or variable life insurance contract.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT THIS This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information you
PROSPECTUS should know about the Fund. It should be retained for fu-
ture reference. You should read this Prospectus in conjunc-
tion with the prospectus describing the related insurance
company separate account. A "Statement of Additional Infor-
mation" containing additional information about the Fund
has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Such Statement is dated January 28, 1997, and has been in-
corporated by reference into this Prospectus. A copy may be
obtained without charge by writing to the Fund or by call-
ing the insurance company sponsoring the variable life in-
surance or variable annuity contract.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
<S> <C>
Highlights.......... 2
Financial
Highlights......... 6
Yield and Total
Return ............ 10
Investment
Objectives......... 10
Investment Policies. 11
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
Investment Risks..... 17
Who Should Invest.... 22
Implementation of
Policies............ 23
Investment
Limitations......... 29
Management of the
Fund................ 30
Investment Advisers.. 31
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
Dividends, Capital
Gains and Taxes...... 36
The Share Price of
Each Portfolio....... 37
General Information.. 38
Shareholder Guide.... 38
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
HIGHLIGHTS
INVESTMENT Vanguard Variable Insurance Fund (the "Fund") is an open-
OBJECTIVES AND end diversified investment company. The Fund is intended
POLICIES exclusively as an investment vehicle for variable annuity
or variable life insurance contracts offered by the sepa-
rate accounts of various insurance companies.
The Fund offers nine Portfolios -- a money market portfo-
lio, a high-grade bond portfolio, a high yield bond portfo-
lio, a balanced portfolio, an equity income portfolio, an
equity index portfolio, a growth portfolio, a small company
growth portfolio and an international portfolio -- each
with distinct investment objectives and policies.
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO -- seeks to provide a current income
and a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share. The Port-
folio invests primarily in high-quality money market in-
struments issued by financial institutions, nonfinancial
corporations, and the U.S. Government, state and municipal
governments and their agencies or instrumentalities, as
well as repurchase agreements collateralized by such secu-
rities.
HIGH-GRADE BOND PORTFOLIO -- seeks to parallel the invest-
ment results (income plus capital change) of publicly-
traded investment grade fixed-income securities in the ag-
gregate by attempting to duplicate the investment perfor-
mance of a broad investment grade bond index. The Portfolio
invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of U.S. Gov-
ernment, corporate and foreign dollar- denominated bonds
and mortgage-backed securities.
HIGH YIELD BOND PORTFOLIO -- seeks to provide a high level
of current income by investing in a diversified portfolio
of lower quality, high-yielding corporate debt securities
(commonly referred to as "junk bonds").
BALANCED PORTFOLIO -- seeks to provide capital growth and a
reasonable level of current income by investing in a diver-
sified portfolio of common stocks and bonds.
EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO -- seeks to provide a high level of
current income by investing principally in dividend-paying
equity securities.
EQUITY INDEX PORTFOLIO -- seeks to parallel the investment
results of the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
Index (the "S&P 500"). The Portfolio invests primarily in
common stocks included in the S&P 500.
GROWTH PORTFOLIO -- seeks to provide long-term capital ap-
preciation by investing primarily in equity securities of
seasoned U.S. companies with above-average prospects for
growth.
SMALL COMPANY GROWTH PORTFOLIO -- seeks to provide long-
term growth in capital by investing primarily in equity se-
curities of small companies deemed to have favorable pros-
pects for growth.
INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO -- seeks to provide long-term capi-
tal appreciation by investing primarily in equity securi-
ties of seasoned companies located outside the United
States.
2
<PAGE>
The investment objectives and policies of the Fund's Port-
folios are similar to those of other Vanguard funds. The
Money Market Portfolio of the Fund is similar to the Prime
Portfolio of Vanguard Money Market Reserves; the High-
Grade Bond Portfolio is similar to Vanguard Bond Index
Fund's--Total Bond Market Portfolio; the High Yield Bond
Portfolio is similar to the High Yield Corporate Portfolio
of the Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Fund; the Balanced
Portfolio is similar to Vanguard/Wellington Fund; the Eq-
uity Index Portfolio is similar to the 500 Portfolio of
Vanguard Index Trust; the Equity Income Portfolio is simi-
lar to the Vanguard Equity Income Fund; the Growth Portfo-
lio is similar to the Vanguard U.S. Growth Portfolio; the
Small Company Growth Portfolio is similar to the Vanguard
Explorer Fund; and the International Portfolio is similar
to the Vanguard International Growth Portfolio. BECAUSE OF
DIFFERENCES IN THE INVESTMENTS HELD AND ADDITIONAL ADMIN-
ISTRATIVE AND INSURANCE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH INSURANCE
COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNTS, THE PORTFOLIOS' INVESTMENT PER-
FORMANCES WILL DIFFER FROM THE PERFORMANCES OF THE CORRE-
SPONDING VANGUARD FUNDS.
There is no assurance that a Portfolio will achieve its
stated objective. PAGE 10
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO is exposed primarily to credit
INVESTMENT RISKS risk, the possibility that an issuer of securities will
fail to make timely payments of interest or principal to
the Portfolio. The Money Market Portfolio seeks to mini-
mize such risk by investing in top-rated money market in-
struments.
The HIGH-GRADE BOND PORTFOLIO is subject primarily to in-
terest rate and credit risk. The Portfolio, like the Leh-
man Brothers Aggregate Bond Index (the "Lehman Bond In-
dex") it seeks to match, is expected to maintain an aver-
age weighted maturity between 8 and 10 years. As a result,
interest rate risk -- i.e., the potential for a decline in
the market value of the Portfolio's fixed income securi-
ties due to rising interest rates -- may range from moder-
ate to high. Credit risk, however, should be nominal,
since the Portfolio invests primarily in highly rated
bonds and mortgage-backed securities.
The HIGH YIELD BOND PORTFOLIO is subject primarily to
credit risk and interest rate risk. The medium- and low-
grade bonds held by the Portfolio are considered specula-
tive because, since they are often issued by smaller, less
creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted)
firms, they are generally less able than more financially
stable firms to make scheduled payments of interest and
principal. The credit risks of bonds issued under such
circumstances are substantial. Interest rate risk is the
potential for a decline in the market value of the Portfo-
lio's fixed income securities due to rising
interest rates.
The BALANCED PORTFOLIO, with its mix of both stocks and
bonds, is subject to stock market risk and interest rate
risk. However, the Portfolio is expected to exhibit less
volatility than a portfolio consisting entirely of com-
mon stocks.
The EQUITY INCOME, EQUITY INDEX AND GROWTH PORTFOLIOS are
exposed to stock market risk, the possibility that stock
prices will decline over short or even extended periods.
The U.S. stock market tends to be cyclical, with
3
<PAGE>
periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when
stock prices generally decline.
The SMALL COMPANY GROWTH PORTFOLIO is also exposed to the
stock market risk present in the Equity Income, Equity In-
dex and Growth Portfolios. In addition, small company
stocks, which are this Portfolio's primary investments,
have historically been more volatile in price than the
stock market as a whole.
The INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO is exposed to foreign stock
market risk which can be as volatile, if not more volatile,
than investments in U.S. markets. In addition, the Portfo-
lio is subject to currency risk. In a period when the U.S.
dollar generally rises against foreign currencies, the re-
turns on foreign stocks for a U.S. investor may be dimin-
ished. By contrast, in a period when the U.S. dollar gener-
ally declines, the returns on foreign stocks may be
enhanced. PAGE 17
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE VANGUARD The Fund is a member of The Vanguard Group of Investment
GROUP Companies, a group of more than 30 investment companies
with more than 90 distinct portfolios and total assets in
excess of $230 billion. The Vanguard Group, Inc. ("Van-
guard"), a subsidiary jointly owned by the Vanguard Funds,
provides all corporate management, administrative, distri-
bution, and shareholder accounting services on an at-cost
basis to the Funds in the Group. PAGE 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund incurs annual operating expenses which include
FUND EXPENSES Management, Advisory and Distribution expenses. For more
information please see the section entitled "Management of
the Fund" in this Prospectus and the "Fee Table" section of
the prospectus for your variable annuity or variable life
insurance Plan. PAGE 30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT The Investment Advisers to the nine Portfolios in the Fund
ADVISERS are listed below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT ADVISER
--------- ------------------
<S> <C>
Money Market Portfolio Vanguard's Fixed Income Group
High-Grade Bond Portfolio Vanguard's Fixed Income Group
Equity Index Portfolio Vanguard's Core Management Group
Balanced Portfolio Wellington Management Company, LLP
Equity Income Portfolio Newell Associates
High Yield Bond Portfolio Wellington Management Company, LLP
Growth Portfolio Lincoln Capital Management Company
Small Company Growth Portfolio Granahan Investment Management, Inc.
International Portfolio Schroder Capital Management International, Inc.
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS AND The Portfolios distribute dividends and capital gains ac-
CAPITAL GAINS cording to the schedule outlined below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL GAINS,
PORTFOLIO DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTIONS IF ANY
--------- ------------------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Money Market Portfolio Monthly (declared daily) None
High-Grade Bond Portfolio Monthly (declared daily) Annually
High Yield Bond Portfolio Monthly (declared daily) Annually
Equity Index Portfolio Annually (October) Annually
Balanced Portfolio Annually (October) Annually
Equity Income Portfolio Annually (October) Annually
Growth Portfolio Annually (October) Annually
Small Company Growth Portfolio Annually (October) Annually
International Portfolio Annually (October) Annually
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4
<PAGE>
The tax consequences of your investment in the Fund depend
TAXES upon the specific provisions of your variable life insur-
ance or annuity contract. For more information, please re-
fer to the prospectus of the insurance company separate ac-
count that offers your contract. PAGE 36
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You cannot purchase shares of the Fund directly, but only
PURCHASING AND through a variable life insurance or variable annuity con-
SELLING SHARES tract offered through an insurance company separate ac-
count. Please refer to the prospectus of the insurance com-
pany separate account for information on how to purchase
and redeem shares. PAGE 38
Insurance company separate accounts invest in the Fund
based upon the current net asset values of the Fund's Port-
folios. The value of your investments in the Fund through a
variable insurance offering will be based upon the number
of contract units you own and the "accumulation unit val-
ues" for your insurance contract, which will differ from
the net asset values of the Fund's Portfolios. FOR IN-
STANCE, WHILE THE FUND'S MONEY-MARKET PORTFOLIO SEEKS TO
MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER SHARE, THE
ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE CORRESPONDING TO AN INVESTMENT IN
THIS PORTFOLIO THROUGH A VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT COULD BE
GREATER THAN THE VALUE OF THE PORTFOLIO BECAUSE THE ACCUMU-
LATION UNITS DO NOT PAY DIVIDENDS.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5
<PAGE>
The following financial highlights, for a share outstanding
FINANCIAL throughout each period presented, have been audited by
HIGHLIGHTS Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, whose report
thereon was unqualified. This information should be read in
conjunction with the Fund's financial statements and notes
thereto, which, together with the remaining portions of the
Fund's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders, are incorporated
by reference in the Statement of Additional Information and
in this Prospectus, and which appear, along with the report
of Price Waterhouse LLP, in the Fund's 1996 Annual Report
to Shareholders. For a more complete discussion of the
Fund's performance, please see the Fund's 1996 Annual Re-
port to Shareholders, which may be obtained without charge
by writing to the Fund or by calling our Vanguard Variable
Annuity Center at 1-800-522-5555.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------------
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
-------------------------------------------------
MAY 2+ TO
YEAR ENDED SEPT. 30, SEPT. 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING
OF PERIOD................. $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net Investment Income..... .054 .056 .035 .030 .040 .023
Net Realized and
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments.............. -- -- -- -- -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS............... .054 .056 .035 .030 .040 .023
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from Net
Investment Income........ (.054) (.056) (.035) (.030) (.040) (.023)
Distributions from
Realized Capital Gains... -- -- -- -- -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS....... (.054) (.056) (.035) (.030) (.040) (.023)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF
PERIOD.................... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN............... 5.49% 5.77% 3.63% 3.05% 4.11% 2.35%**
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets, End of Period
(Millions)................ $ 285 $ 218 $ 171 $ 114 $ 71 $ 27
Ratio of Expenses to
Average Net Assets........ 0.19% 0.23% 0.23% 0.29% 0.33% 0.34%*
Ratio of Net Investment
Income to Average Net
Assets.................... 5.36% 5.66% 3.66% 3.00% 3.90% 5.50%*
Portfolio Turnover Rate.... N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
* Annualized.
** Not Annualized.
+ Commencement of operations.
6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------
HIGH-GRADE BOND PORTFOLIO
-----------------------------------------------------
APRIL 29+ TO
YEAR ENDED SEPT. 30, SEPT. 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF PERIOD..... $10.47 $ 9.82 $10.94 $10.64 $10.24 $10.00
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net Investment Income... .670 .663 .619 .636 .705 .299
Net Realized and
Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investments......... (.180) .650 (.966) .349 .427 .240
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS............. .490 1.313 (.347) .985 1.132 .539
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from Net
Investment Income...... (.670) (.663) (.619) (.636) (.705) (.299)
Distributions from
Realized Capital Gains. -- -- (.154) (.049) (.027) --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS..... (.670) (.663) (.773) (.685) (.732) (.299)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF
PERIOD.................. $10.29 $10.47 $ 9.82 $10.94 $10.64 $10.24
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN............. 4.80% 13.83% (3.31)% 9.64% 11.47% 5.48%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets, End of Period
(Millions).............. $139 $ 120 $ 80 $ 85 $ 52 $ 16
Ratio of Expenses to
Average Net Assets...... 0.25% 0.29% 0.24% 0.29% 0.32% 0.40%*
Ratio of Net Investment
Income to Average Net
Assets.................. 6.43% 6.58% 5.98% 5.92% 6.66% 6.89%*
Portfolio Turnover Rate.. 56% 29% 46% 73% 31% 9%
</TABLE>
* Annualized.
** Not Annualized.
+ Commencement of operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------
BALANCED PORTFOLIO
--------------------------------------------------
MAY 23+ TO
YEAR ENDED SEPT. 30, SEPT. 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING
OF PERIOD................. $13.33 $11.33 $11.58 $10.83 $10.25 $10.00
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net Investment Income..... .565 .51 .46 .50 .51 .19
Net Realized and
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments.............. 1.420 2.07 (.16) .97 .52 .06
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS............... 1.985 2.58 .30 1.47 1.03 .25
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from Net
Investment Income........ (.505) (.50) (.39) (.69) (.45) --
Distributions from
Realized Capital Gains... -- (.08) (.16) (.03) -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS....... (.505) (.58) (.55) (.72) (.45) --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF
PERIOD.................... $14.81 $13.33 $11.33 $11.58 $10.83 $10.25
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN............... 15.26% 23.65% 2.67% 14.10% 10.29% 2.50%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets, End of Period
(Millions)................ $ 330 $ 280 $ 230 $ 191 $ 76 $ 13
Ratio of Expenses to
Average Net Assets........ 0.31% 0.36% 0.34% 0.39% 0.42% 0.51%*
Ratio of Net Investment
Income to Average Net
Assets.................... 4.04% 4.25% 4.11% 4.45% 4.77% 5.24%*
Portfolio Turnover Rate.... 36% 26% 42% 41% 15% 3%
Average Commission Rate
Paid...................... $.0221 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
* Annualized.
** Not Annualized.
+ Commencement of operations.
7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------------------
EQUITY INDEX PORTFOLIO
----------------------------------------------------
APRIL 29+ TO
YEAR ENDED SEPT. 30, SEPT. 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING
OF PERIOD................ $15.69 $12.47 $12.37 $11.32 $10.45 $10.00
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net Investment Income.... .34 .33 .31 .34 .26 .08
Net Realized and
Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investments.......... 2.75 3.26 .12 1.07 .85 .37
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS.............. 3.09 3.59 .43 1.41 1.11 .45
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from Net
Investment Income....... (.33) (.29) (.23) (.34) (.24) --
Distributions from
Realized Capital Gains.. (.13) (.08) (.10) (.02) -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS...... (.46) (.37) (.33) (.36) (.24) --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF
PERIOD................... $18.32 $15.69 $12.47 $12.37 $11.32 $10.45
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN.............. 20.19% 29.51% 3.53% 12.68% 10.74% 4.50%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets, End of Period
(Millions)............... $ 406 $ 276 $ 186 $ 165 $ 85 $ 24
Ratio of Expenses to
Average Net Assets....... 0.22% 0.28% 0.24% 0.29% 0.32% 0.45%*
Ratio of Net Investment
Income to Average Net
Assets................... 2.13% 2.53% 2.60% 2.63% 2.84% 3.22%*
Portfolio Turnover Rate... 2% 2% 7% 16% 1% 5%
Average Commission Rate
Paid..................... $.0203 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
* Annualized.
** Not Annualized.
+ Commencement of operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------
INTERNATIONAL
PORTFOLIO
--------------------
JUNE 3+ TO
YEAR ENDED SEPT. 30, SEPT. 30,
1996 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD.......... $11.40 $10.31 $10.00
------ ------ ------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net Investment Income........................ .14 .16 .05
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments................................. 1.36 .99 .26
------ ------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS............. 1.50 1.15 .31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from Net Investment Income......... (.16) (.06) --
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains.... -- -- --
------ ------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS.......................... (.16) (.06) --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD................ $12.74 $11.40 $10.31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN.................................. 13.36% 11.21% 3.10%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions).......... $ 162 $ 90 $ 63
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets....... 0.49% 0.54% 0.30%*
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net
Assets....................................... 1.42% 1.67% 1.91%*
Portfolio Turnover Rate....................... 19% 27% 0%
Average Commission Rate Paid.................. $.0403 N/A N/A
</TABLE>
* Annualized.
** Not Annualized.
+ Commencement of operations.
8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO GROWTH PORTFOLIO
----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
JUNE 7+ TO JUNE 7+ TO
YEAR ENDED SEPT. 30, SEPT. 30, YEAR ENDED SEPT. 30, SEPT. 30,
1996 1995 1994 1993 1996 1995 1994 1993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF PERIOD.... $12.00 $10.05 $10.57 $10.00 $14.10 $ 10.79 $10.26 $10.00
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------ ------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net Investment Income.. .48 .46 .45 .14 .18 .16 .14 .04
Net Realized and
Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investments........ 1.75 2.02 (.63) .54 3.65 3.26 .46 .22
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS............ 2.23 2.48 (.18) .68 3.83 3.42 .60 .26
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from Net
Investment Income..... (.46) (.48) (.33) (.11) (.16) (.11) (.07) --
Distributions from
Realized Capital
Gains................. (.06) (.05) (.01) -- (.19) -- -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS.... (.52) (.53) (.34) (.11) (.35) (.11) (.07) --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF
PERIOD................. $13.71 $12.00 $10.05 $10.57 $17.58 $14.10 $10.79 $10.26
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN............ 19.07% 25.69% (1.64)% 6.81%** 27.79% 32.02% 5.87% 2.60%**
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets, End of
Period (Millions)...... $ 142 $ 91 $ 68 $ 50 $ 276 $ 162 $ 82 $ 36
Ratio of Expenses to
Average Net Assets..... 0.35% 0.39% 0.34% 0.39%* 0.39% 0.47% 0.38% 0.43%*
Ratio of Net Investment
Income to Average Net
Assets................. 3.69% 4.28% 4.57% 4.30%* 1.29% 1.64% 1.55% 1.63%*
Portfolio Turnover Rate. 8% 10% 18% 2% 42% 32% 34% 10%
Average Commission Rate
Paid................... $.0583 N/A N/A N/A $.0499 N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
* Annualized.
** Not Annualized.
+ Commencement of operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------- ----------------
HIGH YIELD SMALL COMPANY
BOND PORTFOLIO GROWTH PORTFOLIO
-------------- ----------------
JUNE 3+ TO JUNE 3+ TO
SEPT. 30, SEPT. 30,
1996 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD........... $10.00 $10.00
------ ------
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net Investment Income......................... .299 .04
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments.................................. .150 (.20)
------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS.............. .449 (.16)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from Net Investment Income.......... (.299) --
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains..... -- --
------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS........................... (.299) --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD................. $10.15 $ 9.84
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL RETURN................................... 4.56%** -1.60%**
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)........... $ 22 $ 44
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets........ 0.32%* 0.45%*
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net
Assets........................................ 9.29%* 1.42%*
Portfolio Turnover Rate........................ 8% 18%
Average Commission Rate Paid................... N/A $.0600
</TABLE>
* Annualized.
** Not Annualized.
+ Commencement of operations.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9
<PAGE>
YIELD AND TOTAL From time to time, a Portfolio of the Fund may advertise
RETURN its yield and total return. Both yield and total return
figures are based on historical earnings and are not in-
tended to indicate future performance. The "total return"
of a Portfolio refers to the average annual compounded
rates of return over one-, five-, and ten-year periods or
for the life of the Portfolio (as stated in the advertise-
ment) that would equate an initial amount invested at the
beginning of a stated period to the ending redeemable value
of the investment, assuming the reinvestment of all divi-
dend and capital gains distributions.
In accordance with industry guidelines set forth by the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the "30-day yield"
of a Portfolio is calculated by dividing net investment in-
come per share earned during a 30-day period by the net as-
set value per share on the last day of the period. Net in-
vestment income includes interest and dividend income
earned on the Portfolio's securities; it is net of all ex-
penses and all recurring and nonrecurring charges that have
been applied to all shareholder accounts. The yield calcu-
lation assumes that net investment income earned over 30
days is compounded monthly for six months and then
annualized. Methods used to calculate advertised yields are
standardized for all stock and bond mutual funds. However,
these methods differ from the accounting methods used by a
Portfolio to maintain its books and records, and so the ad-
vertised 30-day yield may not fully reflect the income paid
to your own account.
The Money Market Portfolio's "seven-day" or "current" yield
reflects the income earned by a hypothetical account in the
Portfolio during a seven-day period, expressed as an annual
percentage rate. The Portfolio's "effective yield" assumes
that the income over the seven-day period is reinvested
weekly, resulting in a slightly higher stated yield through
compounding.
YIELDS AND TOTAL RETURNS QUOTED FOR THE PORTFOLIOS INCLUDE
THE EFFECT OF DEDUCTING THE PORTFOLIOS' EXPENSES, BUT MAY
NOT INCLUDE CHARGES AND EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY PAR-
TICULAR INSURANCE PRODUCT. SINCE YOU CAN ONLY PURCHASE
SHARES OF THE PORTFOLIOS THROUGH A VARIABLE ANNUITY OR
VARIABLE LIFE CONTRACT, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW THE
PROSPECTUS OF THE INSURANCE PRODUCT YOU HAVE CHOSEN FOR IN-
FORMATION ON ADDITIONAL CHARGES AND EXPENSES. EXCLUDING
THESE CHARGES FROM QUOTATIONS OF THE PORTFOLIOS' PERFOR-
MANCES HAS THE EFFECT OF INCREASING THE PERFORMANCE QUOTED.
YOU SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THE EFFECT OF THESE CHARGES WHEN
COMPARING THE PORTFOLIOS' PERFORMANCES TO THOSE OF OTHER
MUTUAL FUNDS. PLEASE REVIEW CAREFULLY THE YIELD AND TOTAL
RETURN FIGURES FOR THE PARTICULAR INSURANCE PRODUCT WHICH
ACCOMPANY THE YIELDS AND TOTAL RETURNS QUOTED FOR THE PORT-
FOLIOS.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund is intended exclusively as an investment vehicle
INVESTMENT for variable annuity or variable life insurance contracts
OBJECTIVES offered by various insurance companies.
THE FUND OFFERS The Fund offers nine distinct Portfolios--a money market
NINE DISTINCT portfolio, a high-grade bond portfolio, a high yield bond
PORTFOLIOS portfolio, a balanced portfolio, an equity index portfolio,
an equity income portfolio, a growth portfolio, a small
company growth portfolio and an international portfolio:
10
<PAGE>
The MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO seeks to provide a current in-
come consistent with the preservation of capital and li-
quidity. The Portfolio also seeks to maintain a stable net
asset value of $1.00 per share.
The HIGH-GRADE BOND PORTFOLIO seeks to duplicate the total
return of publicly-traded investment grade fixed-income se-
curities in the aggregate by attempting to duplicate the
investment performance of a broad investment grade bond
index.
The HIGH YIELD BOND PORTFOLIO seeks to provide a high level
of current income by investing in below-investment grade
fixed-income securities (commonly referred to as "junk
bonds").
The BALANCED PORTFOLIO seeks to provide capital growth and
a reasonable level of current income.
THE EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks to provide a high level
of current income.
The EQUITY INDEX PORTFOLIO seeks to parallel the investment
results of the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
Index (the "S&P 500").
THE GROWTH, SMALL COMPANY GROWTH AND INTERNATIONAL PORTFO-
LIOS seek to provide long-term capital appreciation.
There is no assurance that a Portfolio will achieve its
stated objective.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT The nine Portfolios of the Fund follow distinct investment
POLICIES policies. The Portfolios are managed without regard to tax
ramifications.
THE MONEY MARKET The MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO invests in the following high-
PORTFOLIO quality money market obligations issued by financial insti-
INVESTS IN HIGH- tutions, nonfinancial corporations, and the U.S. Govern-
QUALITY MONEY ment, state and municipal governments and their agencies or
MARKET instrumentalities:
SECURITIES
(1) Negotiable certificates of deposit and bankers' accept-
ances of U.S. banks having total assets in excess of $1
billion.
(2) Commercial paper (including variable amount master de-
mand notes) rated Prime-1 by Moody's Investor Service,
Inc. ("Moody's") or A-1 by Standard and Poor's Corpora-
tion ("Standard and Poor's") or, if unrated, issued by
a corporation having an outstanding debt issue rated
Aa3 or better by Moody's or AA- or better by Standard
and Poor's.
(3) Short-term corporate obligations rated Aa3 or better by
Moody's or AA- or better by Standard and Poor's.
(4) Short-term Eurodollar and Yankee bank obligations. Eu-
rodollar bank obligations are dollar-denominated cer-
tificates of deposit or time deposits issued outside
the U.S. capital markets by foreign branches of U.S.
banks or by foreign banks; Yankee bank obligations are
dollar-denominated obligations issued in the U.S. capi-
tal markets by foreign banks.
(5) U.S. Treasury obligations including bills, notes,
bonds, and other debt obligations issued by the U.S.
Treasury. These securities are backed by the full faith
and credit of the U.S. Government.
11
<PAGE>
(6) Securities issued or guaranteed by agencies and instru-
mentalities of the U.S. Government. These include secu-
rities issued by the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal
Land Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Farm Credit
Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, Federal Na-
tional Mortgage Association, Federal Financing Bank,
the Tennessee Valley Authority, and others. Such "agen-
cy" securities may not be backed by the full faith and
credit of the U.S. Government.
(7) Repurchase agreements that are collateralized by the
securities listed in (1), (5), and (6) above.
In addition, the money market may invest up to 10% of its
assets in securities that are illiquid.
The Money Market Portfolio will only invest in securities
that mature in 13 months or less and will maintain an aver-
age weighted maturity of 90 days or less.
THE HIGH-GRADE The HIGH-GRADE BOND PORTFOLIO will invest in a statisti-
BOND PORTFOLIO cally selected sample of fixed-income and mortgage-backed
INVESTS IN securities included in the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond
GOVERNMENT AND Index (the "Lehman Bond Index"). The Portfolio will invest
CORPORATE BONDS 80% or more of its assets in securities included in the
Lehman Bond Index, including not less than 65% of its as-
sets in U.S. Government or corporate bonds.
The Portfolio encompasses four major classes of investment
grade fixed income securities in the United States: U.S.
Treasury and agency securities, corporate debt obligations,
foreign dollar-denominated debt obligations, and mortgage-
backed securities. As of September 30, 1996, these four
classes represented the following proportions of the Port-
folio's total market value:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
U.S. Treasury and agency
securities 36%
Corporate debt obligations 29%
Foreign U.S. dollar obligations 5%
Mortgage-backed securities 30%
</TABLE>
Since 1991, the effective average weighted maturity of the
Portfolio has ranged from a high of 13.0 years to a low of
7.4 years; it was 8.6 years on September 30, 1996.
The Portfolio may, from time to time, substitute one type
of investment grade bond for another. For instance, the
Portfolio may hold more short-term corporate bonds (fewer
short U.S. Treasury bonds) than represented in the Index so
as to increase income. This corporate substitution strategy
will entail the assumption of additional credit risk; how-
ever, substantial diversification within the corporate sec-
tor should moderate issue-specific credit risk. In addi-
tion, current investment policy restricts corporate substi-
tutions to issues with less than 4 years remaining to matu-
rity and in the aggregate no more than 20% of net assets.
Overall, credit risk is expected to be very low for the
Portfolio.
12
<PAGE>
THE HIGH YIELD The HIGH YIELD BOND PORTFOLIO will invest in a diversified
BOND PORTFOLIO portfolio of high-yielding corporate debt securities (so-
INVESTS IN LOW- called "junk bonds"). Under normal circumstances, at least
QUALITY, HIGH- 80% of the Portfolio's assets will be invested in high-
RISK BONDS yield corporate debt obligations rated at least B by
Moody's or Standard & Poor's or, if unrated, of comparable
quality as determined by the Portfolio's adviser. Not more
than 20% of the Portfolio's assets may be invested in debt
securities rated less than B or unrated, and convertible
securities and preferred stocks. The Portfolio may invest
up to 25% of its assets in cash reserves and U.S. Govern-
ment securities, repurchase agreements collateralized by
U.S. Treasury or U.S. Government agency securities under
unusual market conditions for temporary defensive measures.
The High Yield Bond Portfolio will not invest in securities
that, at the time of initial investment, are rated less
than Caa by Moody's or CCC by Standard & Poor's. Securities
that are subsequently downgraded in quality below Caa or
CCC may continue to be held by the Portfolio, and will be
sold only if the Portfolio's adviser believes it would be
advantageous to do so. In addition, the credit quality of
unrated securities purchased by the Portfolio must be, in
the opinion of the Portfolio's adviser, at least equivalent
to a Caa rating by Moody's or a CCC rating by Standard &
Poor's.
Securities rated less than Baa by Moody's or BBB by Stan-
dard & Poor's are classified as non-investment grade secu-
rities. Such securities carry a high degree of risk and are
considered speculative by the major credit rating agencies.
Credit quality in the high-yield bond market can change
suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued ratings
may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particu-
lar high-yield security. For these reasons, it is the High-
Yield Bond Portfolio's policy not to rely primarily on rat-
ings issued by established credit rating agencies, but to
use such ratings in conjunction with the adviser's own in-
dependent and ongoing review of credit quality.
Although the High Yield Bond Portfolio has no present plans
to do so, it may invest up to 5% of its assets in non-in-
come-producing high-yield securities -- such as zero coupon
bonds, which pay interest only at maturity, or payment-in-
kind bonds, which pay interest in the form of additional
securities.
The High Yield Corporate Portfolio may also hold asset-
backed securities, as well as U.S. dollar-denominated debt
securities issued by foreign governments, their agencies
and instrumentalities, supranational entities and companies
located outside the U.S. The Portfolio may also invest in
bond (interest rate) futures and options to a limited ex-
tent. See "Implementation of Policies" for a description of
these investment practices of the Portfolio.
THE BALANCED The BALANCED PORTFOLIO invests in a diversified portfolio
PORTFOLIO of both common stocks and bonds. Under normal circumstanc-
INVESTS IN BOTH es, it is expected that common stocks will represent 60% to
STOCKS AND BONDS 70% of the Portfolio's total assets. The Portfolio's common
stocks are held for the purpose of providing reasonable
dividend income and long-term growth of capital and income.
13
<PAGE>
The remaining 30% to 40% of the Portfolio's assets will be
invested in high-quality fixed-income securities. These se-
curities include investment grade corporate bonds (those
rated a minimum of Baa by Moody's or BBB by Standard &
Poor's), securities issued by the U.S. Government, its
agencies and instrumentalities, including Government Na-
tional Mortgage Association ("GNMA") mortgage pass-through
certificates, asset-backed securities, as well as U.S. dol-
lar-denominated debt securities issued by foreign govern-
ments, their agencies and instrumentalities, supranational
entities and companies located outside the U.S. The Portfo-
lio may also hold short-term fixed income securities of the
type authorized for the Money Market Portfolio as cash re-
serves.
The amount invested in stocks, bonds and cash reserves may
be varied from time to time, depending upon the assessment
of business, economic and market conditions by the Portfo-
lio's adviser, Wellington Management Company, LLP. The
Portfolio reserves the right to hold equity, fixed-income
and cash securities in whatever proportions deemed desir-
able at any given time for defensive purposes.
The Balanced Portfolio may also invest up to 10% of its as-
sets in foreign securities, and may invest in stock and
bond index futures and options to a limited extent. The
Portfolio is also authorized to invest in preferred stocks.
THE EQUITY Under normal circumstances, the EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
INCOME PORTFOLIO will invest at least 80% of its assets in income-producing
INVESTS IN equity securities, including dividend-paying common stocks
STOCKS and securities which are convertible into common stocks.
The Portfolio intends to invest in securities which gener-
ate relatively high levels of dividend income and have the
potential for capital appreciation. These generally include
common stocks of established, high-quality U.S. corpora-
tions. In addition, the Portfolio will seek to diversify
its investments over a carefully selected list of securi-
ties in order to moderate the risks inherent in equity in-
vestments.
The EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO will invest in a company's se-
curities following a fundamental analysis of the issuing
company. An important part of this analysis will be the ex-
amination of the company's ability to maintain its divi-
dend. Over time, dividend income has proven to be an impor-
tant component of total return. For example, during the
ten-year period ended September 1996, reinvested dividend
income accounted for approximately 23% of the total return
of the S&P 500 Index. Also, dividend income tends to be a
more stable source of total return than capital apprecia-
tion. While the price of a company's common stock can be
significantly affected by market fluctuations and other
short-term factors, its dividend level usually has greater
stability. For this reason, securities which pay a high
level of dividend income are generally less volatile in
price than securities which pay a low level of dividend in-
come.
Although the Portfolio intends to invest primarily in eq-
uity securities, it may invest up to 20% of its assets in
certain cash investments and investment grade fixed-income
securities (those rated BBB or better by Standard & Poor's
Corporation or Baa or better by Moody's Investor Service).
See "Implementation of Policies" for a description of these
and other investment practices of the Fund.
14
<PAGE>
THE EQUITY INDEX The EQUITY INDEX PORTFOLIO expects to invest in all 500
PORTFOLIO stocks in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
INVESTS IN S&P Index ("S&P 500 Index") in approximately the same propor-
500 STOCKS tions as they are represented in the Index. The 500 stocks
in the S&P 500 Index are selected by Standard & Poor's Cor-
poration to be included in the Index. The 500 securities,
most of which trade on the New York Stock Exchange, repre-
sent approximately 70% of the market value of all U.S. com-
mon stocks.
THE GROWTH The GROWTH PORTFOLIO invests primarily in equity securities
PORTFOLIO of seasoned U.S. companies with above-average prospects for
INVESTS IN growth. In selecting securities for the Portfolio, Lincoln
STOCKS Capital Management, adviser to the Portfolio, emphasizes
common stocks of high quality, established growth compa-
nies. Such companies tend to have exceptional growth rec-
ords, strong market positions, reasonable financial
strength, and relatively low sensitivity to changing eco-
nomic conditions. The adviser seeks to identify common
stocks that sell at attractive valuations and companies
that have the best prospects for continued above-average
growth.
Besides investing in equity securities, the Portfolio may
utilize stock index futures contracts and options to a lim-
ited extent. In addition, although the Portfolio will nor-
mally remain fully invested in equity securities, the Port-
folio may temporarily invest in certain short-term fixed
income securities. See "Implementation of Policies" for a
description of these and other investment practices of the
Portfolio.
THE SMALL The SMALL COMPANY GROWTH PORTFOLIO will invest primarily in
COMPANY GROWTH the equity securities of small companies which are deemed
PORTFOLIO to offer favorable prospects for growth in market value.
INVESTS IN SMALL These securities are primarily common stocks but may also
COMPANY STOCKS include securities convertible into common stocks.
Securities purchased by the Portfolio may be issued by
small or unseasoned companies with speculative risk charac-
teristics. Dividend income paid by such securities, if any,
will ordinarily be negligible. These securities will gener-
ally be traded in established over-the-counter markets,
rather than on a national securities exchange.
The median market capitalization of the companies included
in the Portfolio--that is, the median market value of the
companies' outstanding shares--is expected to range from
$100 million to $700 million. By comparison, for companies
included in the Russell 2000 Index, a benchmark of the mar-
ket for small company stocks, the median market capitaliza-
tion is approximately $540 million. The median capitaliza-
tion of companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite
Stock Price Index, a widely used measure of the broad stock
market, is approximately $21.8 billion.
In addition to investing in the equity securities of small
companies, the Portfolio may purchase stock futures con-
tracts and options to a limited extent, and may invest in
certain short-term fixed income securities. The Portfolio
is also authorized to invest, to a limited extent, in for-
eign and restricted securities, although it does not pres-
ently intend to do so. See "Implementation of Policies" for
a description of these and other investment practices of
the Portfolio.
15
<PAGE>
THE The INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO invests primarily in apprecia-
INTERNATIONAL tion-oriented equity securities of seasoned companies lo-
PORTFOLIO cated outside the United States. The Portfolio seeks to di-
INVESTS IN versify its assets among many foreign stock markets: in-
FOREIGN STOCKS cluding Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Swit-
zerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, Hong Kong and
Singapore. Schroder Capital Management International, ad-
viser to the Portfolio, believes that both the selection of
individual stocks and the allocation of the Portfolio's as-
sets across foreign stock markets are important in managing
an international equity portfolio. Within each country, the
adviser seeks to invest in securities of companies with
consistent above-average earnings prospects whose value is
not yet recognized by the stock market.
Besides investing in equity securities, the International
Portfolio may also enter into forward foreign currency ex-
change contracts in order to protect against fluctuations
in exchange rates. See "Implementation of Policies" for a
description of such contracts.
TWO PORTFOLIOS The HIGH-GRADE BOND and EQUITY INDEX PORTFOLIOS are not
USE A "PASSIVE" managed according to traditional methods of "active" in-
INVESTMENT vestment management, which involve the buying and selling
APPROACH of securities based upon economic, financial and market
analyses and investment judgment. Instead, these Portfo-
lios, utilizing a "passive" or "indexing" investment ap-
proach, attempt to provide investment results that parallel
their respective indexes through statistical procedures.
These statistical techniques are expected to enable the
Portfolios to track their benchmark indexes, while minimiz-
ing brokerage, custodial and accounting costs.
The High-Grade Bond and Equity Index Portfolios may invest
in the same money market instruments authorized for the
Money Market Portfolio, although cash or cash equivalents
are normally expected to represent less than 1% of each
Portfolio's assets. These two Portfolios may also invest up
to 20% of their assets in futures contracts and options in
order to invest uncommitted cash balances, to maintain li-
quidity to meet shareholder redemptions, or to minimize
trading costs.
However, in keeping with their "passive" investment strate-
gy, the two Portfolios will not invest in cash reserves,
futures contracts, or options transactions as part of a
temporary defensive strategy -- e.g., increasing a Portfo-
lio's cash position--in order to protect against stock or
bond market declines. The Portfolios intend to remain fully
invested, to the extent practicable, in a pool of securi-
ties with investment characteristics similar to those of
their respective indexes.
See "Implementation of Policies" for a further description
of these and other investment practices of the Fund.
The Fund is responsible for voting the shares of all secu-
rities it holds.
The investment policies of the Fund are not fundamental and
so may be changed by the Board of Trustees without share-
holder approval. However, shareholders would be notified
prior to a material change.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT RISKS The nine Portfolios differ substantially in terms of in-
vestment risks.
CREDIT RISK FOR The MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO is subject primarily to CREDIT
THE MONEY MARKET RISK, the possibility that an issuer of securities will be
PORTFOLIO SHOULD unable to make timely payments of interest and principal to
BE VERY LOW the Portfolio. Because the Portfolio invests in obligations
of private financial and non-financial corporations, credit
risk is higher than for a money market fund investing in
securities of the U.S. Government. However, relative to the
fixed-income market generally, the quality of the bank and
corporate obligations held by the Money Market Portfolio is
high, and so credit risk should be very low. Although the
Portfolio invests in high quality instruments, money market
portfolios, unlike federally-insured bank deposits, are not
insured or guaranteed by any agency of the U.S. Government,
including the FDIC.
THE HIGH-GRADE As mutual funds investing in bonds, the High-Grade Bond and
BOND AND HIGH High Yield Bond Portfolios are exposed to interest rate
YIELD BOND risk.
PORTFOLIOS ARE
SUBJECT TO INTEREST RATE RISK is the potential for a decline in the
INTEREST RATE value of fixed-income securities due to rising interest
RISK rates. In general, bond prices vary inversely with interest
rates. If interest rates rise, bond prices generally de-
cline; if interest rates fall, bond prices generally rise.
In addition, for a given change in interest rates, longer-
maturity bonds fluctuate more in price (gaining or losing
more in value) than shorter-maturity bonds.
The Lehman Bond Index and the High-Grade Bond Portfolio are
expected to maintain an intermediate-term average weighted
maturity, and may therefore be subject to a moderate to
high level of interest rate risk. The following chart il-
lustrates the potentially high level of interest rate risk
of the Lehman Bond Index and the Portfolio by summarizing
the effect of rising and falling interest rates on a single
7-year bond yielding 7%:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CHANGE IN PRINCIPAL VALUE
OF 7-YEAR BOND
PERCENTAGE POINT ----------------------------
CHANGE IN RISING FALLING
INTEREST RATES RATES RATES
---------------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
1% Change - 4.9% + 5.2%
2% Change - 9.5 +10.7
3% Change -13.8 +16.7
</TABLE>
This chart is intended to provide you with general guide-
lines for determining the degree of interest rate risk to
which the Portfolio may be exposed.
THE HIGH-GRADE As a mutual fund investing in U.S. Government and corporate
BOND PORTFOLIO bonds and mortgage-backed securities, the HIGH-GRADE BOND
IS ALSO SUBJECT PORTFOLIO is also exposed to prepayment and credit risks.
TO PREPAYMENT
AND CREDIT RISKS Because of its holdings of mortgage-backed securities, the
High-Grade Bond Portfolio will also be subject to MORTGAGE
PREPAYMENT RISK to a limited extent. Prepayment risk is the
possibility that, during periods of declining interest
rates, the principal invested in high-yielding mortgage-
backed securities will be repaid earlier than scheduled. As
a result, the Portfolio will be forced to reinvest the un-
anticipated payments at generally lower rates.
17
<PAGE>
Prepayment risk has three important effects. First, when
mortgage prepayments are reinvested at lower rates, the in-
come from the Portfolio's mortgage-backed securities will
decline. Second, when interest rates fall and prepayments
increase, mortgage-backed securities will not enjoy as
large a gain in market value as ordinary bonds do. Third,
when interest rates rise and mortgage prepayments decrease,
mortgage-backed securities may decline in market value more
than ordinary bonds. To compensate for these risks, mort-
gage-backed securities generally offer higher yields than
bonds of comparable quality and maturity.
CREDIT RISK for the High-Grade Bond Portfolio is expected
to be low, in part reflecting the high quality of the secu-
rities included in the Lehman Bond Index. A large propor-
tion of securities in the Index are AAA-rated U.S. Govern-
ment bonds or Government-guaranteed mortgage-backed securi-
ties. It is anticipated that the average credit quality of
the Portfolio will be equivalent to a rating of AAA from
Standard & Poor's or Aaa from Moody's.
However, to a limited extent, the High-Grade Bond Portfolio
will be exposed to EVENT RISK -- i.e., the possibility that
corporate or foreign dollar-denominated fixed-income secu-
rities held by the Portfolio may decline substantially in
credit quality and market value due to a corporate merger,
leveraged buyout, takeover or other event. While event risk
may be high for certain securities held by the Portfolio,
event risk for the Portfolio in the aggregate should be low
because of the Portfolio's diversified holdings and the
small percentage of the Portfolio's assets likely to be in-
vested in such obligations.
THE HIGH YIELD In addition to interest rate risks, the High Yield Bond
BOND PORTFOLIO Portfolio is subject to INCOME RISK which is the potential
IS ALSO SUBJECT for a decline in the Portfolio's income due to falling mar-
TO INCOME, ket interest rates.
CREDIT AND
MANAGER RISK. In addition to interest rate and income risk, the Portfolio
is exposed to a substantial degree of CREDIT RISK. Credit
risk, also known as default risk, is the possibility that a
bond issuer will fail to make timely payments of interest
or principal to the Portfolio. The credit risk of the Port-
folio depends on the quality of its investments. Reflecting
their higher risks, lower-quality bonds generally offer
higher yields (all other factors being equal).
The medium- and low-grade bonds held by the Portfolio are
considered speculative by traditional investment standards.
High-yield bonds may be issued as a consequence of corpo-
rate restructurings, such as leveraged buyouts, mergers,
acquisitions, debt recapitalizations, or similar events.
Also, high-yield bonds are often issued by smaller, less
creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted)
firms, which are generally less able than more financially
stable firms to make scheduled payments of interest and
principal. The risks posed by bonds issued under such cir-
cumstances are substantial.
In an effort to minimize credit risk, the High Yield Bond
Portfolio will diversify its holdings widely among many is-
suers. In the past, the high yields from a portfolio of
low-grade bonds have more than compensated for the higher
default rates on such securities. However, there can be no
assurance that diversification will protect the Portfolio
from widespread bond defaults brought about by a sustained
economic downturn, or that yields will continue
18
<PAGE>
to offset default rates on high-yield bonds in the future.
A long-term track record on bond default rates, such as
that for investment grade corporate bonds, does not exist
for the high-yield market. It may be that future default
rates on high-yield bonds will be more widespread and
higher than in the past, especially during periods of dete-
riorating economic conditions.
The share price of the High Yield Bond Portfolio will be
influenced not only by changing interest rates, but also by
the bond market's perception of credit quality and the out-
look for economic growth. When economic conditions appear
to be deteriorating, low- and medium-rated bonds may de-
cline in market value due to investors' heightened concern
over credit quality, regardless of prevailing interest
rates.
Especially at such times, trading in the secondary market
for high-yield bonds may become thin and market liquidity
may be significantly reduced. Even under normal conditions,
the market for high-yield bonds may be less liquid than the
market for investment grade corporate bonds. There are
fewer securities dealers in the high-yield market, and pur-
chasers of high-yield bonds are concentrated among a
smaller group of securities dealers and institutional in-
vestors.
In periods of reduced market liquidity, high-yield bond
prices may become more volatile, and both the high-yield
market and the Portfolio may experience sudden and substan-
tial price declines. Also, there may be significant dispar-
ities in the prices quoted for high-yield securities by
various dealers. Under such conditions, the Portfolio may
find it difficult to value its securities accurately. The
Portfolio may also be forced to sell securities at a sig-
nificant loss in order to meet shareholder redemptions.
Under unusual circumstances, the Portfolio may hold a sig-
nificant portion of its assets in U.S. Government obliga-
tions and cash reserves for temporary defensive purposes.
Besides credit and liquidity concerns, prices for high-
yield bonds may be affected by legislative and regulatory
developments. For example, from time to time, Congress has
considered legislation to restrict or eliminate the corpo-
rate tax deduction for interest payments or to regulate
corporate restructurings such as takeovers or mergers. Such
legislation may significantly depress the prices of out-
standing high-yield bonds.
Overall, investors should expect that the High Yield Bond
Portfolio may fluctuate in price independently of the broad
bond market and prevailing interest rate trends, and that
price volatility at times may be very high, especially as a
result of credit concerns, market liquidity, and antici-
pated or actual legislative and regulatory changes.
Finally, the investment adviser manages the Portfolio ac-
cording to the traditional methods of "active" investment
management, which involve the buying and selling of securi-
ties based upon economic, financial and market analysis and
investment judgment. MANAGER RISK refers to the possibility
that the Portfolio's investment adviser may fail to execute
the Portfolio's
19
<PAGE>
investment strategy effectively. As a result, the Portfolio
may fail to achieve its stated objective.
THE BALANCED As a mutual fund investing in both stocks and bonds, the
PORTFOLIO IS BALANCED PORTFOLIO is subject to both stock market and in-
EXPOSED TO THE terest rate (bond) risk. Fluctuating stock prices are ex-
RISKS OF STOCKS pected to have a significant effect on the Portfolio's
AND BONDS AND share price, as the Portfolio invests 60% to 70% of its as-
MANAGER RISK sets in common stocks. Bond price fluctuations will have a
correspondingly smaller influence. In the past, the stock
and bond markets have, from time to time, fluctuated inde-
pendently of one another. As a result, with its mix of
stocks and bonds, the Balanced Portfolio is likely to en-
tail less investment risk--and a potentially lower return--
than a portfolio investing exclusively in common stocks.
To a limited extent, the Balanced Portfolio is also subject
to CREDIT RISK--i.e., the likelihood that a bond issuer
will fail to make timely payments of interest and principal
to the Balanced Portfolio. Such credit risk is expected to
be low, however, due to the credit quality and diversifica-
tion of the Balanced Portfolio's bond investments.
The investment adviser of the Balanced Portfolio manages
the Portfolio according to the traditional methods of "ac-
tive" investment management, which involve the buying and
selling of securities based upon economic, financial and
market analysis and investment judgement. MANAGER RISK re-
fers to the possibility that the Portfolio's investment ad-
viser may fail to execute the Portfolio's investment strat-
egy effectively. As a result, the Portfolio may fail to
achieve its stated objective.
THE EQUITY The EQUITY INCOME, EQUITY INDEX, SMALL COMPANY GROWTH AND
INCOME, EQUITY GROWTH PORTFOLIOs are subject to stock MARKET RISK--i.e.,
INDEX, GROWTH the possibility that common stock prices will decline over
AND SMALL short or even extended periods. The U.S. stock market tends
COMPANY GROWTH to be cyclical, with periods when stock prices generally
PORTFOLIOS ARE rise and periods when stock prices generally decline.
SUBJECT TO STOCK
MARKET RISK To illustrate the volatility of stock prices, the following
table sets forth the extremes for stock market returns as
well as the average return for the period from 1926 to
1996, as measured by the S&P 500 Index:
AVERAGE ANNUAL U.S. STOCK MARKET RETURNS (1926-1996)
OVER VARIOUS TIME HORIZONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 20 YEARS
------ ------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Best +53.9% +23.9% +20.1% +16.9%
Worst -43.3 -12.5 - 0.9 + 3.1
Average +12.7 +10.4 +10.8 +10.8
</TABLE>
As shown, common stocks have provided annual total returns
(capital appreciation plus dividend income) averaging
+10.8% for all 10-year periods from 1926 to 1996. Average
annual returns may not be useful for forecasting future re-
turns in any particular period, as stock market returns are
quite volatile from year to year.
20
<PAGE>
THE SMALL Small company stocks, which are the Small Company Growth
COMPANY GROWTH Portfolio's primary investments, have historically been
PORTFOLIO STOCKS more volatile in price than the stock market as a whole.
MAY BE MORE Among the likely reasons for the greater price volatility
VOLATILE THAN of small company stocks are the less certain growth pros-
LARGE COMPANY pects of smaller firms, a low degree of liquidity in the
STOCKS markets for small company stocks, and the small to negligi-
ble dividends generally paid by small companies. Besides
exhibiting greater volatility, small company stocks have at
times fluctuated in value independently of the broad stock
market.
Investors should therefore expect that small company stocks
(and hence the Portfolio's investments) may be more vola-
tile than the stocks of more established companies. In ad-
dition, investors should recognize that small company
stocks may rise or fall in value independently of the broad
stock market.
THE EQUITY The investment advisers manage the Equity Income, Growth
INCOME, GROWTH and Small Company Growth Portfolios according to the tradi-
AND SMALL tional methods of "active" investment management, which in-
COMPANY GROWTH volve the buying and selling of securities based upon eco-
PORTFOLIOS ARE nomic, financial and market analysis and investment judg-
SUBJECT TO ment. MANAGER RISK refers to the possibility that the
MANAGER RISK Fund's investment advisers may fail to execute a Portfo-
lio's investment strategy effectively. As a result, each
Portfolio may fail to achieve its stated objective.
THE As a mutual fund investing in equity securities, the Port-
INTERNATIONAL folio is subject to MARKET RISK--i.e., the possibility that
PORTFOLIO IS stock prices in general will decline over short or even ex-
SUBJECT TO STOCK tended periods. Stock markets tend to be cyclical, with pe-
MARKET RISK riods when stock prices generally rise and periods when
stock prices generally decline.
THE Investments in foreign stock markets can be as volatile, if
INTERNATIONAL not more volatile, than investments in U.S. markets. To il-
PORTFOLIO STOCKS lustrate the volatility of foreign stock market returns for
MAY BE MORE the U.S. dollar-based investor, the following table sets
VOLATILE THAN forth the extremes for foreign stock market returns as well
U.S. STOCKS as the average return for the period from 1969 to 1996, as
measured by the Morgan Stanley Capital International Eu-
rope, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index:
AVERAGE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL STOCK MARKET RETURNS (1969-
1996) OVER VARIOUS TIME HORIZONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 20 YEARS
------ ------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Best +69.9% +36.5% +22.8% +16.3%
Worst -23.2% +1.5% +7.0% +12.0%
Average +15.0% +13.9% +15.8% +14.9%
</TABLE>
As shown, international (non-U.S.) stocks have provided an-
nual total returns averaging +15.8% for all 10-year periods
from 1969 to 1996. Note, however, that the period from 1969
to 1996 was a favorable one for foreign stock market in-
vesting. As a result, the figures on total return and stock
market volatility are provided here only as a guide to po-
tential market risk, and may not be useful for forecasting
future returns in any particular period.
The table on international stock market returns should not
be viewed as a representation of future returns from inter-
national stock markets or the International Portfolio. The
illustrated returns represent the historical perfor-
21
<PAGE>
mance of unmanaged portfolios of securities (before sub-
tracting portfolio transaction costs and other expenses of
an investment portfolio), which may be a poor guide to fu-
ture returns. In addition, the International Portfolio is
likely to differ in terms of portfolio composition from the
EAFE Index, and so the performance of the International
Portfolio should not be expected to mirror the return pro-
vided by the Index.
INTERNATIONAL For U.S. investors, the returns of foreign investments,
STOCKS ALSO such as those held by the International Portfolio, are in-
EXPOSE INVESTORS fluenced by not only the returns on foreign common stocks
TO CURRENCY AND themselves, but also by CURRENCY RISK--i.e., changes in the
OTHER RISKS value of the currencies in which the stocks are denominat-
ed. In a period when the U.S. dollar generally rises
against foreign currencies, the returns on foreign stocks
for a U.S. investor may be diminished. By contrast, in a
period when the U.S. dollar generally declines, the returns
on foreign stocks may be enhanced.
Other risks and considerations of international investing
include the following: differences in accounting, auditing
and financial reporting standards; generally higher commis-
sion rates on foreign portfolio transactions; the smaller
trading volumes and generally lower liquidity of foreign
stock markets, which may result in greater price volatili-
ty; foreign withholding taxes payable on the Portfolio's
foreign securities, which may reduce dividend income pay-
able to shareholders; the possibility of expropriation or
confiscatory taxation; adverse changes in investment or ex-
change control regulations; difficulty in obtaining a judg-
ment from a foreign court; political instability which
would affect U.S. investment in foreign countries; and po-
tential restrictions on the flow of international capital.
THE The investment adviser manages the Portfolio according to
INTERNATIONAL the traditional methods of "active" investment management,
PORTFOLIO IS which involve the buying and selling of securities based
SUBJECT TO upon economic, financial and market analysis and investment
MANAGER RISK judgment. MANAGER RISK refers to the possibility that the
Fund's investment advisers may fail to execute the Portfo-
lio's investment strategy effectively. As a result, the
Portfolio may fail to achieve its stated objective.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHO SHOULD The Portfolios of the Fund are intended exclusively as in-
INVEST vestment vehicles for variable annuity and variable life
insurance contracts offered by the separate accounts of
INVESTORS various insurance companies. Such contracts may provide
SEEKING A certain tax benefits, as outlined in the accompanying pro-
DIVERSIFIED spectus for the insurance company's variable life insurance
INVESTMENT or variable annuity policy.
PROGRAM FOR
VARIABLE The Money Market Portfolio is appropriate for investors who
INSURANCE OR desire maximum principal stability with current income. The
ANNUITY High-Grade Bond Portfolio is designed for investors who are
CONTRACTS seeking a higher level of income than generally provided by
the Money Market Portfolio, and who are willing to accept
short-term price fluctuations in the value of their invest-
ment. The High Yield Bond Portfolio is designed for aggres-
sive investors seeking a high level of income and who are
willing to take substantial risks in pursuit of potentially
higher rewards. The Balanced Portfolio is designed for in-
vestors who are seeking the potential capital appreciation
provided by common stocks, but who also wish to counterbal-
ance the inherent risks of common stocks with an investment
in fixed-income securities. The Equity Income Portfolio is
de-
22
<PAGE>
signed for investors who are seeking a high level of cur-
rent income and the potential for long-term capital appre-
ciation with lower investment risk and volatility than is
normally available from common stock portfolios. The Equity
Index, Growth, Small Company Growth and International Port-
folios are intended for investors who are seeking the po-
tentially higher returns of common stocks and who can tol-
erate sudden, often substantial, fluctuations in the value
of their investment. The International Portfolio investor
should be cognizant of the unique risks of international
investing, including their exposure to currency fluctua-
tions. In general, there can be no assurance that a Portfo-
lio will achieve its stated objective.
The Fund's Portfolios are intended to be long-term invest-
ment vehicles and are not designed to provide investors
with a means of speculating on short-term market movements.
Investors who engage in excessive account activity generate
additional costs which are borne by all of the Fund's
shareholders. In order to minimize such costs, the Fund has
adopted the following policies. The Fund reserves the right
to reject any purchase request (including exchange pur-
chases from other Vanguard portfolios) that is reasonably
deemed to be disruptive to efficient portfolio management,
either because of the timing of the investment or previous
excessive trading by the investor. Additionally, the Fund
has adopted exchange privilege limitations in order to pre-
vent excessive use of the exchange privilege afforded
shareholders. Exchange activity generally will not be
deemed excessive if limited to TWO SUBSTANTIVE EXCHANGE RE-
DEMPTIONS (AT LEAST 30 DAYS APART) from a Portfolio during
any calendar year. These limitations do not apply to ex-
changes from the Fund's Money Market Portfolio. Finally,
the Fund reserves the right to suspend the offering of its
shares. For a further explanation see the "EXCHANGE AMONG
THE PORTFOLIOS" section in the insurance prospectus.
An investment in a single Portfolio of the Fund should not
be considered a complete investment program. Most investors
should maintain diversified holdings with different risk
characteristics--including common stocks, bonds, and money
market instruments.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPLEMENTATION Each Portfolio follows a number of additional investment
OF POLICIES practices in pursuit of its investment objective.
EACH PORTFOLIO The nine Portfolios of the Fund may invest in repurchase
MAY INVEST IN agreements according to the restrictions and limitations
REPURCHASE set forth previously in "Investment Policies." The nine
AGREEMENTS Portfolios of the Fund, along with other Vanguard Funds,
may deposit their daily cash reserves into a joint account
which invests such reserves in repurchase agreements and
other short-term instruments. CoreStates Bank, NA is the
custodian for the joint account. A repurchase agreement is
a means of investing monies for a short period. In a repur-
chase agreement, a seller--a U.S. commercial bank or recog-
nized U.S. securities dealer--sells securities to a Portfo-
lio and agrees to repurchase the securities at the Portfo-
lio's cost plus interest within a specified period (nor-
mally one day). In these transactions, the securities pur-
chased by the Portfolio will have a total value equal to,
or in excess of, the value of the repurchase agreement and
will be held by the custodian bank for the joint account
until repurchased.
23
<PAGE>
The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks.
For example, if the seller of the agreement defaults on its
obligation to repurchase the underlying securities at a
time when the value of these securities has declined, the
Portfolio may incur a loss upon disposition of them. If the
seller of the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to
liquidation or reorganization under the bankruptcy code or
other laws, a bankruptcy court may determine that the un-
derlying securities are collateral not within the control
of the Portfolio and therefore subject to sale by the
trustee in bankruptcy. Finally, it is possible that the
Portfolio may not be able to substantiate its interest in
the underlying securities. While the Fund's management ac-
knowledges these risks, it is expected that they can be
controlled through stringent security selection and careful
monitoring.
THE MONEY MARKET Eurodollar bank obligations are dollar-denominated certifi-
PORTFOLIO MAY cates of deposit or time deposits issued outside the U.S.
INVEST IN capital markets by the foreign branches of U.S. banks and
EURODOLLAR OR by foreign banks; Yankee bank obligations are dollar-
YANKEE denominated obligations issued in the U.S. capital markets
OBLIGATIONS by foreign banks.
Eurodollar and Yankee obligations are subject to the same
risks that pertain to domestic issues, notably credit risk,
market risk, and liquidity risk. Additionally, Eurodollar
(and, to a limited extent, Yankee) obligations are subject
to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibil-
ity that a foreign government might prevent dollar-denomi-
nated funds from flowing across its borders. Other risks
include: adverse political and economic developments in a
foreign country; the extent and quality of government regu-
lation of financial markets and institutions; the imposi-
tion of foreign withholding taxes; and expropriation or na-
tionalization of foreign issuers. However, Eurodollar and
Yankee obligations will undergo the same credit analysis as
domestic issues in which the Money Market Portfolio in-
vests, and foreign issuers will be required to meet the
same tests of financial strength as the domestic issuers
approved for the Money Market Portfolio.
THE HIGH-GRADE The High-Grade Bond Portfolio will invest 80% or more of
BOND PORTFOLIO its assets in securities included in the Lehman Bond Index.
INVESTS IN BONDS The Lehman Bond Index measures the total investment return
AND MORTGAGE (capital change plus income) provided by a universe of
SECURITIES fixed-income securities, weighted by the market value out-
standing of each security. As of September 30, 1996, over
5,500 issues (including bonds, notes, debentures and mort-
gage issues) were included in the Lehman Bond Index, repre-
senting more than $4.5 trillion in market value. The secu-
rities included in the Lehman Bond Index generally meet the
following criteria, as defined by Lehman Brothers: an ef-
fective maturity of not less than one year; an outstanding
market value of at least $100 million; and investment-grade
quality (i.e., rated a minimum of Baa- by Moody's).
THE HIGH-GRADE The High-Grade Bond Portfolio will not invest in all of the
BOND PORTFOLIO individual issues that comprise the Lehman Bond Index be-
USES A "SAMPLING" cause of the large number of securities (approximately
TECHNIQUE 5,500) involved. Instead, the Portfolio will hold a repre-
sentative sample of the securities in the Index. Securities
will be chosen for the Portfolio so that the Portfolio's
fundamental characteristics are similar to those of the
Lehman Bond Index.
24
<PAGE>
Over time, as the Portfolio's assets increase, the Portfo-
lio will seek to hold securities which reflect the interest
rate risk weighting of the four major classes in the In-
dex -- U.S. Treasury and agency securities, corporate and
foreign dollar-denominated debt, and mortgage-backed secu-
rities. For example, if U.S. Treasury and agency securities
represent 60% of the Index risk, then approximately 60% of
the Portfolio's risk will also be invested in such securi-
ties. As the Portfolio grows, these classes will be further
delineated along the lines of sector, term to maturity,
coupon, and credit rating. For example, within the corpo-
rate debt class, all long-term, low-coupon AA-rated utility
bonds might be represented in the Portfolio by one or two
individual utility securities.
THE HIGH-GRADE As part of its effort to duplicate the investment perfor-
BOND PORTFOLIO mance of the Lehman Bond Index, the High-Grade Bond Portfo-
MAY INVEST IN lio will invest in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-
MORTGAGE-BACKED backed securities represent an interest in an underlying
SECURITIES pool of mortgages. Unlike ordinary fixed-income securities,
which generally pay a fixed rate of interest and return
principal upon maturity, mortgage-backed securities repay
both interest income and principal as part of their peri-
odic payments. Because the mortgages underlying mortgage-
backed certificates can be prepaid at any time by homeown-
ers or corporate borrowers, mortgage-backed securities give
rise to certain unique "prepayment" risks. See "Investment
Risks."
The High-Grade Bond Portfolio may purchase mortgage-backed
securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Asso-
ciation (GNMA), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
(FHLMC), the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA),
and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). GNMA securities
are guaranteed by the U.S. Government as to the timely pay-
ment of principal and interest; securities from other gov-
ernment-sponsored entities are generally not secured by an
explicit pledge of the U.S. Government. The Portfolio may
also invest in conventional mortgage securities, which are
packaged by private corporations and are not guaranteed by
the U.S. Government, to the extent that these securities
are represented in the index.
Securities that are guaranteed by the U.S. Government are
guaranteed only as to the timely payment of principal and
interest. The market value of such securities is not guar-
anteed and may fluctuate. See "Investment Risks."
THE HIGH YIELD The High Yield Bond Portfolio may own restricted securities
BOND PORTFOLIO to a limited extent. Restricted securities are securities
MAY OWN which are not freely marketable or which are subject to re-
RESTRICTED strictions upon sale under the Securities Act of 1933. The
SECURITIES Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiq-
uid securities. (Included within this 15% limit are re-
stricted securities and other securities for which price
quotations are not readily available.)
THE HIGH YIELD The High Yield Bond Portfolio may hold securities of for-
BOND PORTFOLIO eign issuers, but all such securities must be denominated
MAY INVEST IN in U.S. dollars. Securities of foreign issuers may trade in
SECURITIES OF U.S. or foreign securities markets. Securities of foreign
FOREIGN ISSUERS issuers may involve investment risks that are different
from those of domestic issuers. Such risks include the ef-
fect of foreign economic policies and conditions, future
political and economic developments, and the possible im-
25
<PAGE>
position of exchange controls or other foreign governmental
restrictions on foreign debt issuers. There may also be
less publicly available information about a foreign issuer
than a domestic issuer of securities. Foreign issuers are
generally not subject to the uniform accounting, auditing
and financial reporting standards that apply to domestic
issuers. Also, foreign debt markets may be characterized by
lower liquidity, greater price volatility and higher trans-
action costs. Additionally, it may be difficult to obtain
or enforce a legal judgment in a foreign court.
THE EQUITY INDEX The Equity Index Portfolio attempts to duplicate the in-
PORTFOLIO vestment results of the S&P 500 Index by holding all 500
INVESTS IN ALL stocks in approximately the same proportions as they are
500 S&P STOCKS represented in the S&P 500 Index. This indexing technique
is known as "complete replication."
Each stock in the S&P 500 Index is weighted by its market
value. Because of the market-value weighting, the 50 larg-
est companies in the S&P 500 Index currently account for
approximately 47% of the Index. Typically, companies in-
cluded in the S&P 500 Index are the largest and most domi-
nant firms in their respective industries. As of September
30, 1996, the five largest companies in the Index were:
General Electric (2.89%), Coca-Cola (2.44%), Exxon (1.99%),
Merck & Co., Inc. (1.64%) and AT&T (1.62%). The largest in-
dustry categories were banks (7.5%), telephone companies
(6.7%), pharmaceutical companies (6.5%), international oil
companies (5.7%), and computer companies (4.4%).
The Equity Index Portfolio is not sponsored, endorsed,
sold, or promoted by Standard & Poor's. Standard & Poor's
makes no representation or warranty, implied or express, to
the purchasers of the Portfolio or any member of the public
regarding the advisability of investing in index funds or
the ability of the S&P 500 Index to track general stock
market performance. Standard & Poor's does not guarantee
the accuracy and/or the completeness of the S&P 500 Index
or any data included therein.
Standard & Poor's makes no warranty, express or implied, as
to the results to be obtained by the Portfolio, owners of
the Portfolio, any person or any entity from the use of the
S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. Standard &
Poor's makes no express or implied warranties and hereby
expressly disclaims all such warranties of merchantability
or fitness for a particular purpose for use with respect to
the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. Standard &
Poor's only relationship to the Portfolio is the licensing
of the Standard & Poor's marks and the S&P 500 Index, which
is determined, composed and calculated by Standard & Poor's
without regard to the Equity Index Portfolio.
THE SMALL COMPANY The Small Company Growth Portfolio is authorized to invest
GROWTH PORTFOLIO up to 10% of its assets in foreign securities and up to 15%
MAY INVEST IN of its assets in illiquid securities. However, the Portfo-
FOREIGN AND lio currently has no intentions of owning either foreign or
RESTRICTED STOCKS restricted securities.
THE SMALL Although it normally seeks to remain substantially invested
COMPANY GROWTH in equity securities, the Small Company Growth Portfolio
PORTFOLIO MAY may invest for temporary purposes in certain short-term
INVEST IN SHORT- fixed income securities. Such securities may be used with-
TERM FIXED out limitation to invest uncommitted cash balances, to
INCOME maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions, or to
SECURITIES take a temporary defensive posi-
26
<PAGE>
tion against potential stock market declines. These securi-
ties include: obligations to the United States Government
and its agencies or instrumentalities; commercial paper;
bank certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances; and
repurchase agreements collateralized by these securities.
THE In addition to foreign equity securities, the International
INTERNATIONAL Portfolio may enter into forward foreign currency exchange
PORTFOLIO MAY contracts. Such contracts are used to protect the Portfo-
ENTER INTO lio's securities against uncertainty in the level of future
FORWARD CURRENCY foreign exchange rates. The Portfolio may not enter into
CONTRACTS such contracts for speculative purposes.
A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an obliga-
tion to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future
date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date
of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set
at the time of the contract. These contracts may be bought
or sold to protect the Portfolio to a limited extent
against adverse changes in exchange rates between foreign
currencies and the U.S. dollar. Such contracts, which pro-
tect the value of a Portfolio's investment securities
against a decline in the value of a currency, do not elimi-
nate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securi-
ties. They simply establish an exchange rate at a future
date. Also, although such contracts tend to minimize the
risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged
currency, at the same time they tend to limit any potential
gain that might be realized should the value of such cur-
rency increase.
EIGHT PORTFOLIOS All Portfolios except the Money Market Portfolio may lend
MAY LEND THEIR their investment securities to qualified institutional in-
SECURITIES vestors for the purpose of realizing additional income.
Loans of securities by a Portfolio will be collateralized
by cash, letters of credit, or securities issued or guaran-
teed by the U.S. Government or its agencies. The collateral
will equal at least 100% of the current market value of the
loaned securities. In keeping with S.E.C. restrictions, se-
curities lending will not exceed 33 1/3% of a Portfolio's
assets.
TWO PORTFOLIOS Each Portfolio of the Fund retains the right to sell secu-
ARE EXPECTED TO rities irrespective of how long they have been held. Be-
HAVE LOW cause of their "passive" investment management approach,
TURNOVER RATES however, portfolio turnover for the High-Grade Bond and Eq-
uity Index Portfolios is expected to be under 50%, a gener-
ally lower turnover rate than for most investment compa-
nies. A portfolio turnover rate of 50% would occur if one
half of a Portfolio's securities matured or were sold
within one year. Ordinarily, securities will be sold from
the two "passive" Portfolios only to reflect structural
changes in their respective indexes (including mergers or
changes in the composition of an index) or to accommodate
cash flows out of a Portfolio while maintaining the simi-
larity of the Portfolio to its benchmark index.
Portfolio turnover for the High Yield Bond, Balanced, Eq-
uity Income, Growth, Small Company Growth and International
Portfolios is not expected to exceed 100%. For the Money
Market Portfolio, portfolio turnover should be high due to
the short-term maturities of the securities held by the
Portfolio.
EACH PORTFOLIO Each Portfolio of the Fund may borrow money from a bank up
MAY BORROW MONEY to a limit of 15% of the market value of its assets, but
only for temporary or emergency
27
<PAGE>
purposes. A Portfolio would borrow money only to meet re-
demption requests prior to the settlement of securities al-
ready sold or in the process of being sold by the Portfo-
lio. To the extent that a Portfolio borrows money prior to
selling securities, the Portfolio may be leveraged; at such
times, the Portfolio may appreciate or depreciate in value
more rapidly than its benchmark index. A Portfolio will re-
pay any money borrowed in excess of 5% of the market value
of its total assets prior to purchasing additional portfo-
lio securities.
DERIVATIVE Derivatives are instruments whose values are linked to or
INVESTING derived from an underlying security or index. The most com-
mon and conventional types of derivative securities are
futures and options.
MONEY MARKET The Portfolio invests only in derivative securities such as
PORTFOLIO floating rate instruments with returns derived directly
from standard, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term taxable
interest rate benchmarks such as short-term LIBOR rates,
Federal Reserve Daily Federal Funds Effective Rate and U.S.
Treasury Bill auction results. The Portfolio neither uses
derivatives to apply leverage, nor does it invest in
futures or options.
EIGHT PORTFOLIOS All Portfolios except the Money Market Portfolio may invest
MAY USE FUTURES in futures contracts and options, but only to a limited ex-
CONTRACTS AND tent. The Portfolios may enter into futures contracts pro-
OPTIONS vided that not more than 5% of its assets are required as a
futures contract deposit; in addition, the Portfolios may
enter into futures contracts and options transactions only
to the extent that obligations under such contracts or
transactions represent not more than 20% of the Portfolio's
assets.
Futures contracts and options may be used for several com-
mon fund management strategies: to maintain cash reserves
while simulating full investment, to facilitate trading, to
reduce transaction costs, or to seek higher investment re-
turns when a specific futures contract is priced more at-
tractively than other futures contracts or the underlying
security or index.
The Portfolios may use futures contracts for bona fide
"hedging" purposes. In executing a hedge, a manager sells,
for example, stock index futures to protect against a de-
cline in the stock market. As such, if the market drops,
the value of the futures position will rise, thereby off-
setting the decline in value of the Portfolios' stock hold-
ings.
The High-Grade Bond Portfolio may also invest in other con-
ventional derivatives designed to replicate the risk/return
characteristics of a conventional fixed income note or
bond. Such derivatives would be managed, in both structure
and concentration, to adhere to the Portfolio's investment
policy restrictions as to market and credit risk.
The High-Grade Bond Portfolio may also invest in a rela-
tively conservative class of collateralized mortgage obli-
gations (CMOs) which feature a high degree of cash flow
predictability and less vulnerability to mortgage prepay-
ment risk. To reduce credit risk, Vanguard may purchase
these classes of collateralized mortgage obligations issued
only by agencies of the U.S. Government or privately-issued
collateralized mortgage obligations that carry high-quality
investment-grade ratings.
28
<PAGE>
FUTURES The primary risks associated with the use of futures con-
CONTRACTS AND tracts and options are: (i) imperfect correlation between
OPTIONS POSE the change in market value of the securities held by a
CERTAIN RISKS Portfolio and the prices of futures contracts and options;
and (ii) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a
futures contract and the resulting inability to close a
futures position prior to its maturity date. The risk of
imperfect correlation will be minimized by investing in
those contracts whose price fluctuations are expected to
resemble those of the Portfolio's underlying securities.
The risk that a Portfolio will be unable to close out a
futures position will be minimized by entering into such
transactions on a national exchange with an active and liq-
uid secondary market.
The risk of loss in trading futures contracts in some
strategies can be substantial, due both to the low margin
deposits required and the extremely high degree of leverage
involved in futures pricing. As a result, a relatively
small price movement in a futures contract may result in
immediate and substantial loss (or gain) to the investor.
When investing in futures contracts, a Portfolio will seg-
regate cash or other liquid portfolio securities in the
amount of the underlying obligation (i.e., a Portfolio will
not leverage its investments).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT The Fund has adopted certain limitations on its investment
LIMITATIONS practices. Specifically, each Portfolio of the Fund will
not:
THE FUND HAS (a) with respect to 75% of a Portfolio's assets, purchase
ADOPTED CERTAIN more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
FUNDAMENTAL any issuer;
LIMITATIONS
(b) with respect to 75% of a Portfolio's assets, purchase
securities of any issuer (except obligations of the
U.S. Government and its instrumentalities) if, as a re-
sult, more than 5% of the Portfolio's total assets
would be invested in the securities of such issuer;
(c) borrow money, except from a bank (or through reverse
repurchase agreements) and only as a temporary or emer-
gency measure and in no event in excess of 15% of the
market value of a Portfolio's assets. Money borrowed in
excess of 5% of a Portfolio's total assets will be re-
paid prior to the purchase of additional Portfolio se-
curities;
(d) pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate any of its assets to
an extent greater than 5% of the value of its total as-
sets;
(e) invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets
in any one industry, provided that: (i) this limitation
does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by
the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentali-
ties; (ii) utility companies will be divided according
to their services (for example, gas, gas transmission,
electric, electric and gas, and telephone will each be
considered a separate industry); and (iii) financial
service companies will be classified according to the
end users of their services (for example, automobile
finance, bank finance, and diversified finance will be
considered as separate industries); and
(f) invest more than 5% of its assets in the securities of
companies that have a continuous operating history of
less than three years.
29
<PAGE>
These investment limitations are considered at the time in-
vestment securities are purchased. The limitations de-
scribed here and in the Statement of Additional Information
may be changed only with the approval of a majority of the
Fund's shareholders.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MANAGEMENT OF The Fund is a member of The Vanguard Group of Investment
THE FUND Companies, a family of more than 30 investment companies
with more than 90 distinct portfolios and assets in excess
VANGUARD of $230 billion. Through their jointly-owned subsidiary,
ADMINISTERS AND The Vanguard Group, Inc. ("Vanguard"), the Fund and the
DISTRIBUTES THE other funds in the Group obtain at cost virtually all of
FUND their corporate management, administrative, shareholder ac-
counting and distribution services. Vanguard also provides
investment advisory services on an at-cost basis to certain
Vanguard funds. As a result of Vanguard's unique corporate
structure, the Vanguard funds have costs substantially
lower than those of most competing mutual funds. In 1995,
the average expense ratio (annual costs including advisory
fees divided by total net assets) for the Vanguard funds
amounted to approximately .31% compared to an average of
1.11% for the mutual fund industry (data provided by Lipper
Analytical Services).
The Officers of the Fund manage its day-to-day operations
and are responsible to the Fund's Board of Trustees. The
Trustees set broad policies for the Fund and choose its Of-
ficers. A list of the Trustees and Officers of the Fund and
a statement of their present positions and principal occu-
pations during the past five years can be found in the
Statement of Additional Information.
Vanguard employs a supporting staff of management and ad-
ministrative personnel needed to provide the requisite
services to the funds and also furnishes the funds with
necessary office space, furnishings, and equipment. Each
fund pays its share of Vanguard's total expenses, which are
allocated among the funds under methods approved by the
Board of Trustees (Directors) of each fund. In addition,
each fund bears its own direct expenses, such as legal, au-
diting, and custodial fees.
Vanguard also provides distribution and marketing services
to the Vanguard funds. The Funds are available on a no-load
basis (i.e., there are no sales commissions or 12b-1 fees).
However, each fund bears its share of the Group's distribu-
tion costs.
The charges paid by the Portfolios during the fiscal year
ended September 30, 1996 for management and advisory serv-
ices, distribution, marketing and other expenses, as a per-
centage of average net assets, are detailed below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MANAGEMENT
& ADVISORY EXTERNAL MARKETING
SERVICES INVESTMENT AND TOTAL
PROVIDED BY ADVISORY OTHER DISTRIBUTION OPERATING
PORTFOLIO VANGUARD SERVICES EXPENSES EXPENSES EXPENSES
--------- ----------- ---------- -------- ------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market............ 0.14% 0.02% 0.03% 0.19%
High-Grade Bond......... 0.19% 0.04% 0.02% 0.25%
Equity Index............ 0.19% 0.01% 0.02% 0.22%
Balanced................ 0.18% 0.10% 0.01% 0.02% 0.31%
Equity Income........... 0.20% 0.10% 0.03% 0.02% 0.35%
Growth.................. 0.20% 0.15% 0.02% 0.02% 0.39%
International........... 0.22% 0.16% 0.09% 0.02% 0.49%
High Yield Bond......... 0.20% 0.06% 0.04% 0.02% 0.32%
Small Company Growth.... 0.24% 0.15% 0.04% 0.02% 0.45%
</TABLE>
30
<PAGE>
The investment objectives and policies of the Fund's Port-
folios are similar to those of other Vanguard funds. The
Money Market Portfolio of the Fund is similar to the Prime
Portfolio of Vanguard Money Market Reserves; the High-Grade
Bond Portfolio is similar to the Total Bond Market Portfo-
lio of the Vanguard Bond Index Fund; the High Yield Bond
Portfolio is similar to the High Yield Corporate Portfolio
of the Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Fund; the the Bal-
anced Portfolio is similar to Vanguard/Wellington Fund; the
Equity Index Portfolio is similar to the 500 Portfolio of
Vanguard Index Trust; the Equity Income Portfolio is simi-
lar to Vanguard Equity Income Fund; the Growth Portfolio is
similar to Vanguard U.S. Growth Portfolio; the Small Com-
pany Growth Portfolio is similar to the Vanguard Explorer
Fund and the International Portfolio is similar to Vanguard
International Growth Portfolio. Because of differences in
the investments held and additional administrative and in-
surance costs associated with insurance company separate
accounts, each Portfolio's investment performance will dif-
fer from the performance of its corresponding Vanguard
fund.
Shares of the Fund's Portfolios may be sold to registered
separate accounts of insurance companies affiliated or not
affiliated with Vanguard, offering variable annuity and
variable life products. At present, none of the Portfolios
foresees any disadvantages arising out of the fact that
each Portfolio offers its shares to separate accounts of
various insurance companies to serve as an investment vehi-
cle for their variable separate accounts. However, a mate-
rial conflict could arise between the interest of the dif-
ferent participating separate accounts. The Fund's Board of
Trustees intends to monitor events in order to identify any
material irreconcilable conflicts that may possibly arise
and to determine which action, if any, should be taken in
response to such conflicts of interest. If such conflicts
were to occur, one or more insurance companies' separate
accounts might be required to withdraw its investments in
one or more Portfolios, or shares of another Portfolio may
be substituted by the Fund. As a result, a Portfolio might
be forced to sell a portion of its securities at a disad-
vantageous price. In the event of such a material conflict,
the affected insurance companies agree to take any neces-
sary steps, including removing its separate account from
the Fund if required by law, to resolve the matter.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT Vanguard provides investment advisory services on an at-
ADVISERS cost basis to three Portfolios of the Fund: Vanguard's
Fixed Income Group provides advisory services to the Money
VANGUARD AND Market and High-Grade Bond Portfolios, and Vanguard's Core
FIVE INDEPENDENT Management Group provides advisory services to the Equity
INVESTMENT Index Portfolio.
ADVISERS MANAGE
THE FUND'S The Fund's six other Portfolios employ external investment
INVESTMENTS advisers as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PORTFOLIO INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT ADVISER
--------- ------------------------------
<S> <C>
Balanced................ Wellington Management Company, LLP
High Yield Bond......... Wellington Management Company, LLP
Equity Income........... Newell Associates
Growth.................. Lincoln Capital Management
Small Company Growth.... Granahan Investment Management, Inc.
International........... Schroder Capital Management
International, Inc.
</TABLE>
31
<PAGE>
Vanguard's Fixed Income Group provides investment advisory
services to more than 40 Vanguard money market, bond, and
balanced portfolios, both taxable and tax-exempt. Total as-
sets under management by the Fixed Income Group were $75
billion as of September 30, 1996. The High-Grade Bond Port-
folio of the Fund is not actively managed, but is instead
administered by the Fixed Income Group using computerized,
quantitative techniques. The Fixed Income Group is super-
vised by the Officers of the Fund. Ian A. MacKinnon, Senior
Vice President of Vanguard, has been in charge of the Group
since its inception in 1981.
Vanguard's Core Management Group also provides investment
advisory services to Vanguard Index Trust, Vanguard Inter-
national Equity Index Fund, Vanguard Balanced Index Fund,
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund, Vanguard Tax-Managed
Fund the Aggressive Growth Portfolio of Vanguard Horizon
Fund, the REIT Index Portfolio of Vanguard Specialized
Portfolios, the Total International Portfolio of Vanguard
Star Fund, a portion of Vanguard/Windsor II, a portion of
Vanguard/Morgan Growth Fund and several indexed separate
accounts. Total indexed assets under management as of Sep-
tember 30, 1996, were more than $50 billion. The Fund's Eq-
uity Index Portfolio is not actively managed, but is in-
stead administered by the Core Management Group using com-
puterized, quantitative techniques. The Group is supervised
by the Fund's Officers.
Vanguard's investment management staff is also responsible
for the allocation of principal business and portfolio bro-
kerage and the negotiation of commissions. For the Money
Market Portfolio, the purchase and sale of investment secu-
rities will ordinarily be principal transactions. Portfolio
securities will normally be purchased directly from the is-
suer or from an underwriter or market maker for the securi-
ties. There will usually be no brokerage commissions paid
by the Money Market Portfolio for such purchases. Purchases
from underwriters of securities will include a commission
or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and
purchases from dealers serving as market makers will in-
clude a dealer's mark-up.
In placing portfolio transactions, Vanguard's advisory
staff uses its best judgment to choose the broker most ca-
pable of providing the brokerage services necessary to ob-
tain the best available price and most favorable execution
at the lowest commission rate. The full range and quality
of brokerage services available are considered in making
these determinations. In selecting broker-dealers to exe-
cute securities transactions for the Portfolios, considera-
tion will be given to such factors as: the price of the se-
curity; the rate of the commission; the size and difficulty
of the order; the reliability, integrity, financial condi-
tion, general execution, and operational capabilities of
competing broker-dealers; and the brokerage and research
services provided to the Fund.
The Fund employs five independent investment advisers. Wel-
lington Management Company, LLP ("WMC"), 75 State Street,
Boston, MA 02109, serves as investment adviser to the
Fund's Balanced and High Yield Bond Portfolios. Newell As-
sociates ("Newell"), 525 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
94301, is adviser to the Equity Income Portfolio. Lincoln
Capital Management Company ("Lincoln"), 200 South Wacker
Drive, Chicago, IL 60606, serves as the adviser to the
Growth Portfolio. Granahan Investment Management, Inc.
32
<PAGE>
("Granahan"), 275 Wyman Street, Waltham, MA 02154, provides
advisory services to the Small Company Growth Portfolio.
Schroder Capital Management International, Inc. ("Schroder
Capital"), 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, serves
as the adviser to the International Portfolio. Under advi-
sory agreements with the Fund, WMC, Newell, Lincoln,
Granahan and Schroder Capital manage the investment and re-
investment of the assets of the High Yield Bond and Bal-
anced, Equity Income, Growth, Small Company Growth and In-
ternational Portfolios, respectively, and continuously re-
view, supervise and administer each Portfolio's investment
program. The advisers discharge their responsibilities sub-
ject to the control of the Officers and Trustees of the
Fund.
WELLINGTON WMC is a professional investment advisory firm that glob-
MANAGEMENT ally provides services to investment companies, institu-
COMPANY, LLP tions, and individuals. Among the clients of WMC are more
SERVES AS than 10 of the investment companies of The Vanguard Group.
ADVISER TO THE As of September 30, 1996, WMC held discretionary management
BALANCED AND authority with respect to more than $123 billion of assets.
HIGH YIELD BOND WMC and its predecessor organizations have provided advi-
PORTFOLIOS sory services to investment companies since 1933 and to in-
vestment counseling clients since 1960.
Ernst H. von Metzsch, Senior Vice President of WMC, serves
as portfolio manager of the Balanced Portfolio. Mr. von
Metzsch is assisted by Paul D. Kaplan, Senior Vice Presi-
dent of WMC. Mr. von Metzsch who has served in this capac-
ity since September 1995 and Mr. Kaplan who has served in
this capacity since March 1994, are supported by research
and other investment services provided by the professional
staff of WMC. Mr. von Metzsch and Mr. Kaplan have been em-
ployed by WMC for 23 and 19 years, respectively.
To compensate WMC for advisory services for the Balanced
Portfolio, the Fund pays WMC a basic advisory fee at the
end of each fiscal quarter, calculated by applying a quar-
terly rate, based on the following annual percentage rates,
to the average month-end net assets of the Balanced Portfo-
lio for the quarter:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSETS RATE
--------------- -----
<S> <C>
Up to $500 million 0.10%
Over $500 million 0.05%
Over $1 billion 0.04%
</TABLE>
The basic advisory fee may be increased or decreased by ap-
plying an adjustment formula based on the investment per-
formance of the Balanced Portfolio relative to the invest-
ment record of a "Composite Index," 65% of which shall be
comprised of the Standard & Poor's Composite Stock Price
Index and 35% of which shall be comprised of the Lehman
Long-Term Corporate AA or Better Bond Index.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the total
advisory fees paid by the Fund to WMC for managing the Bal-
anced Portfolio represented an effective annual rate of .10
of 1% of its average net assets before an increase of
$1,000 based on performance.
33
<PAGE>
Earl E. McEvoy, Senior Vice President of WMC, serves as
portfolio manager of the High Yield Bond Portfolio. Mr. Mc-
Evoy is supported by research and other investment services
provided by the professional staff of WMC. Mr. McEvoy has
been serving as portfolio manager for the High Yield Corpo-
rate Portfolio of the Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Fund
since 1984.
To compensate WMC for its advisory services for the High
Yield Bond Portfolio, the Fund pays WMC an advisory fee
calculated by applying an annual rate of .06% to the aver-
age month-end net assets of the High Yield Bond Portfolio
for the quarter. During the fiscal year ended September 30,
1996, the total advisory fees paid by the Fund to WMC for
managing the High Yield Bond Portfolio represented an ef-
fective annual rate of .06 of 1% of its average net assets.
NEWELL ASSOCIATES The principal investment officer of Newell, Roger D.
SERVES AS ADVISER Newell, has managed equity portfolios for more than 25
TO THE EQUITY years, employing an income-oriented equity strategy since
INCOME PORTFOLIO 1975. The approach is based upon an analysis of how a
stock's yield, relative to the market, varies over time.
Newell's strategy asserts that relative yield is an excel-
lent guide to relative value. Newell, formed in 1986, is a
California corporation in which a controlling interest is
owned by its Directors and Officers: Roger D. Newell, Rob-
ert A. Huret and Alan E. Rothenberg. As of September 30,
1996, Newell's assets under management were approximately
$1.3 billion. Mr. Newell has been responsible for oversee-
ing the implementation of the firm's strategy for the Eq-
uity Income Portfolio since its inception.
The Fund pays Newell an advisory fee at the end of each
fiscal quarter, calculated by applying a quarterly rate,
based on an annual percentage rate of .10%, to the average
month-end net assets of the Equity Income Portfolio for the
quarter. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996,
the total advisory fees paid by the Fund to Newell repre-
sented an effective annual rate of .10 of 1% of average net
assets of the Equity Income Portfolio.
LINCOLN CAPITAL Lincoln, an investment advisory firm founded in 1967, cur-
SERVES AS rently provides investment counseling services to a limited
ADVISER TO THE number of clients, most of which are institutional clients,
GROWTH PORTFOLIO such as pension funds. Currently, Lincoln holds discretion-
ary management authority with respect to approximately
$41.8 billion in assets.
Lincoln employs a team of investment professionals who each
participate in investment strategy formulation and issue
selection. Client equity portfolios are highly similar in
terms of their stock composition. The individuals responsi-
ble for overseeing the implementation of the firm's strat-
egy for the Growth Portfolio, who have served in this ca-
pacity since the Portfolio's inception, are J. Parker Hall
III, President of Lincoln, and David M. Fowler, Vice Presi-
dent of Lincoln. Mr. Hall and Mr. Fowler have been employed
by Lincoln for 25 and 12 years, respectively.
The Fund pays Lincoln an advisory fee calculated by apply-
ing an annual rate of .15% to the average net assets of the
Growth Portfolio. During the fiscal year ended September
30, 1996, the total advisory fees paid by the Fund to
34
<PAGE>
Lincoln, represented an effective annual rate of .15 of 1%
of average net assets of the Growth Portfolio.
GRANAHAN SERVES Granahan is a professional investment advisory firm founded
AS ADVISER TO THE in 1985. As of September 30, 1996, Granahan held discre-
SMALL COMPANY tionary management authority with respect to approximately
GROWTH PROTFOLIO $1.3 billion in assets. John J. Granahan is portfolio man-
ager of the assets of the Small Company Growth Portfolio.
Mr. Granahan has been serving as portfolio manager of the
Vanguard Explorer Fund since February 1990. Prior to that,
he served as portfolio manager of Vanguard Explorer II from
its inception in June 1985 through its merger with the
Explorer Fund in February 1990. Mr. Granahan also served as
portfolio manager of Explorer Fund from January 1972 to
September 1979 while employed at WMC.
The Fund pays Granahan a basic advisory fee at the end of
each fiscal quarter, calculated by applying a quarterly
rate, based on an annual percentage rate of 0.15% to the
average month-end net assets of the Portfolio for the quar-
ter. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 the
total advisory fee paid by the Fund to Granahan represented
an effective annual rate of .15 of 1% of average net assets
of the Small Company Growth Portfolio.
The basic advisory fee is increased or decreased by apply-
ing an adjustment formula based on the investment perfor-
mance of the Portfolio relative to the investment record of
the Russell 2000 Index.
SCHRODER CAPITAL Schroder Capital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Schroders
SERVES AS PLC. Schroders PLC is the holding company parent of a large
ADVISER TO THE worldwide group of banks and financial service companies
INTERNATIONAL (referred to as "The Schroder Group") with associated com-
PORTFOLIO panies and branch and representative offices located in
twenty-four countries. The Schroder Group specializes in
providing investment management services, with Group funds
under management currently in excess of $90 billion.
Richard Foulkes, Executive Vice President of Schroder Capi-
tal, serves as Portfolio Manager of the International Port-
folio. He is supported by research teams in twelve offices
worldwide and by four teams of regional specialists in the
London office. Mr. Foulkes has been employed by Schroder
Capital for 28 years.
The Portfolio pays Schroder Capital a basic advisory fee at
the end of each fiscal quarter, calculated by applying a
quarterly rate, based on an annual percentage rate of
0.125%, to the average month-end net assets of the Portfo-
lio. This basic advisory fee is increased or decreased by
applying an adjustment formula based on the investment per-
formance of the Portfolio relative to the investment record
of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Aus-
tralasia, Far East Index ("EAFE") over the preceding 36-
month period. During the fiscal year ended September 30,
1996, the total advisory fees paid by the Fund to Schroder
Capital represented an effective annual rate of .13% of 1%
of average net assets of the International Portfolio before
an increase of $42,000 (0.03%) based on performance. For
additional information on the advisory fees paid by the
Fund, please see the Statement of Additional Information.
35
<PAGE>
The investment advisory agreements authorize WMC, Newell,
Lincoln, Granahan and Schroder (with approval of the Fund's
Board of Trustees) to select the brokers or dealers that
will execute the purchases and sales of portfolio securi-
ties for each Portfolio and direct the advisers to use
their best efforts to obtain the best available price and
most favorable execution with respect to all transactions
for the Portfolio. The full range and quality of brokerage
services available are considered in making these determi-
nations. The Fund has authorized the advisers to pay higher
commissions in recognition of brokerage services felt nec-
essary to the achievement of better execution, provided the
advisers believe this to be in the best interests of the
Portfolio and the Fund.
The Fund's Board of Trustees may, without the approval of
shareholders, provide for: (a) the employment of a new in-
vestment adviser pursuant to the terms of a new advisory
agreement either as a replacement for an existing adviser
or as an additional adviser; (b) a change in the terms of
an advisory agreement; and (c) the continued employment of
an existing adviser on the same advisory contract terms
where a contract has been assigned because of a change in
control of the adviser. Any such change will only be made
upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice to share-
holders of the Fund which shall include substantially the
information concerning the adviser that would have normally
been included in a proxy statement.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS, Each Portfolio expects to distribute substantially all of
CAPITAL GAINS its ordinary income and capital gains each year. Dividends
AND TAXES for the Money Market, High-Grade Bond and High Yield Bond
Portfolios are accrued daily and distributed monthly. The
Dividends and Balanced, Equity Index, Equity Income, Growth, Small Com-
capital gains may pany Growth and International Portfolios distribute divi-
accumulate free of dends annually. Capital gains distributions, if any, from
federal income tax the Portfolios will be made annually.
All dividend and capital gains distributions from a Portfo-
lio will be automatically reinvested in additional shares
of the Portfolio.
Each Portfolio of the Fund intends to continue to qualify
for taxation as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code so that it will not be subject to
federal income tax to the extent its income is distributed
to shareholders. In addition, each Portfolio intends to
qualify under the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the
diversification requirements related to the tax-deferred
status of insurance company separate accounts.
Shares of the Portfolios must be purchased through variable
life insurance or variable annuity contracts. As a result,
it is anticipated that any dividend or capital gains dis-
tributions from a Portfolio of the Fund will be exempt from
current taxation if left to accumulate within a variable
life insurance or variable annuity contract. The Fund is
managed without regard to tax ramifications. Withdrawals
from such contracts may be subject to ordinary income tax
plus a 10% penalty tax if made before age 59 1/2.
The tax status of your investment in the Fund depends upon
the features of your variable life insurance or variable
annuity contract. For further infor-
36
<PAGE>
mation, please refer to the prospectus of the insurance
company separate account that offers your contract.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SHARE PRICE Each Portfolio's share price or "net asset value" per share
OF EACH is calculated by dividing the total assets of the Portfo-
PORTFOLIO lio, less all liabilities, by the total number of shares
outstanding. The net asset value is determined as of the
close of the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time) on each day that the Exchange is open for
trading.
For the purpose of calculating the Money Market Portfolio's
net asset value per share, securities are valued by the
"amortized cost" method of valuation, which does not take
into account unrealized gains or losses. This involves val-
uing an instrument at its cost and thereafter assuming a
constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premi-
um, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates
on the market value of the instrument. While this method
provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods
during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is
higher or lower than the price the Portfolio would receive
if it sold the instrument.
The use of amortized cost and the maintenance of the Money
Market Portfolio's per share net asset value at $1.00 is
based on its election to operate under the provisions of
Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. As a
condition of operating under that rule, the Money Market
Portfolio must maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio
maturity of 90 days or less, purchase only instruments hav-
ing remaining maturities of 13 months or less, and invest
only in securities that are determined by the Trustees to
present minimal credit risks and that are of high quality
as determined by any major rating service, or in the case
of any instrument not so rated, considered by the Trustees
to be of comparable quality. The Trustees have also agreed
to establish procedures reasonably designed, taking into
account current market conditions and the Money Market
Portfolio's investment objective, to stabilize the net as-
set value per share as computed for the purposes of sales
and redemptions at $1.00.
For the other Portfolios of the Fund, securities that are
listed on a securities exchange are valued at the latest
quoted sale prices. Price information on listed securities
is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily
traded. Listed securities not traded on the valuation date
for which market quotations are available are valued at the
mean between the bid and asked prices. Unlisted securities
and those traded over-the-counter are valued at the latest
quoted bid price.
Securities listed on a foreign exchange, as well as Ameri-
can Depository Receipts ("ADRs"), which are traded on U.S.
exchanges are valued at the latest quoted sales price
available before the time when assets are valued. All
prices of listed securities are taken from the exchange
where the security is primarily traded.
To help determine its daily share price, each Portfolio
calculates the value of its foreign securities in U.S. dol-
lars. The Portfolios use the daily exchange rate employed
by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) in the cal-
culation
37
<PAGE>
of its own indexes. MSCI determines this exchange rate ei-
ther before or after the close of a foreign securities mar-
ket. If MSCI's exchange rate is not available, the Portfo-
lios use a rate according to policies set by the Portfo-
lio's Board of Trustees.
Securities, particularly bonds and other fixed-income secu-
rities, may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a
pricing service when such prices are believed to reflect
the fair market value of such securities. The prices pro-
vided by a pricing service may be determined without regard
to bid or last sale prices of each security but take into
account institutional size transactions in similar groups
of securities as well as any developments related to spe-
cific securities. Short-term instruments (those with re-
maining maturities of 60 days or less) may be valued at
cost, plus or minus any amortized discount or premium,
which approximates market. Other securities, including re-
stricted securities for which no quotations are readily
available, are valued at fair value as determined in good
faith by the Board of Trustees.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL Vanguard Variable Insurance Fund is a Pennsylvania business
INFORMATION trust. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to is-
sue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest,
without par value, from an unlimited number of classes of
shares. Currently the Fund is offering nine classes of
shares (known as "Portfolios").
Shares of each Portfolio when issued are fully paid and
non-assessable; participate equally in dividends, distribu-
tions and net assets; are entitled to one vote per share;
have pro rata liquidation rights; and do not have pre-
emptive rights. Also, shares of the Fund have non-cumula-
tive voting rights, meaning that the holders of more than
50% of the shares voting for the election of the Trustees
can elect all of the Trustees if they so choose.
Annual meetings of shareholders will not be held except as
required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other
applicable law. An annual meeting will be held to vote on
the removal of a Trustee or Trustees of the Fund if re-
quested in writing by the holders of not less than 10% of
the outstanding shares of the Fund.
All securities and cash are held by CoreStates Bank, N.A.,
Philadelphia, PA, for the Money Market, High-Grade Bond,
Balanced, Small Company Growth, High Yield Bond and Equity
Index Portfolios; State Street Bank and Trust Company, Bos-
ton, MA, for the Equity Income and Growth Portfolios; and
Morgan Stanley Trust Company for the International Portfo-
lio. The Vanguard Group, Inc., Valley Forge, PA, serves as
the Fund's Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent. Price
Waterhouse LLP, serves as independent accountants for the
Fund and will audit its financial statements annually. The
Fund is not involved in any litigation.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER Investors may not purchase shares of the Portfolios direct-
GUIDE ly, but only through variable life insurance and variable
annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of
SEE THE various insurance companies. Refer to the prospectus for
INSURANCE the insurance company's separate account for information on
PROSPECTUS FOR how to purchase a variable life insurance or variable annu-
DETAILS ity contract and how to select specific Portfolios of the
Fund as investment options for your contract.
38
<PAGE>
Investments in a Portfolio are credited to an insurance
company's separate account once they have been received by
Vanguard.
Insurance company separate accounts invest in the Fund
based upon the current net asset values of the Fund's Port-
folios. The value of your investments in the Fund through a
variable insurance offering will be based upon the number
of contract units you own and the "accumulation unit val-
ues" for your insurance contract, which will differ from
the net asset values of the Fund's Portfolios. FOR IN-
STANCE, WHILE THE FUND'S MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO SEEKS TO
MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER SHARE, THE
ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE CORRESPONDING TO AN INVESTMENT IN
THIS PORTFOLIO THROUGH A VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT COULD BE
GREATER THAN THE VALUE OF THE PORTFOLIO BECAUSE THE ACCUMU-
LATION UNITS DO NOT PAY DIVIDENDS.
If the Board of Trustees determines that continued offering
of shares would be detrimental to the best interests of the
Fund's shareholders, the Fund may suspend the offering of
shares for a period of time. If the Board of Trustees de-
termines that a specific purchase acceptance would be det-
rimental to the best interest of the Fund's shareholders,
the Fund may reject such a purchase request.
If you wish to redeem monies from the Fund, please refer to
the instructions provided in the prospectus for the insur-
ance company's separate account. Shares of a Portfolio may
be redeemed on any business day. The redemption price of
shares will be at the next-determined net asset value per
share. Redemption proceeds will be wired to the administra-
tor for distribution to the contract owner generally on the
day following receipt of the redemption request, but no
later than seven business days. Contract owners will re-
ceive a check from the administrator for the redemption
amount.
The Fund may suspend the redemption right or postpone pay-
ment at times when the New York Stock Exchange is closed or
under any emergency circumstances as determined by the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
If the Board of Trustees determines that it would be detri-
mental to the best interests of the Fund's remaining share-
holders to make payment in cash, the Fund may pay redemp-
tion proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution in kind
of readily marketable securities.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39
<PAGE>
(ART)
- ---------------------
THE VANGUARD GROUP
Vanguard Financial Center
P.O. Box 2600
Valley Forge, PA 19482
VANGUARD VARIABLE ANNUITY
MARKETING ASSOCIATES
1-800-522-5555
VANGUARD VARIABLE
ANNUITY CENTER
1-800-462-2391
(ART)
JANUARY 28, 1997
<PAGE>
PART B
VANGUARD VARIABLE INSURANCE FUND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
JANUARY 28, 1997
This Statement is not a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the
Fund's current Prospectus (dated January 28, 1997). To obtain the Prospectus
please write to the Fund or contact the insurance company sponsoring the accom-
panying variable life insurance or variable annuity contract.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
----------------- ----
<S> <C>
Investment Objective and Policies........................................ 1
Investment Limitations................................................... 6
Purchase of Shares....................................................... 7
Redemption of Shares..................................................... 7
Calculation of Yield..................................................... 7
Yield and Total Return................................................... 8
Management of the Fund................................................... 9
Investment Advisory Services............................................. 12
Portfolio Transactions................................................... 20
Performance Measures..................................................... 21
Financial Statements..................................................... 24
Appendix--Description of Securities and Ratings.......................... 24
</TABLE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Each Portfolio of the Fund may invest in repurchase agreements with commercial
banks, brokers or dealers to generate income from its excess cash balances. The
nine Portfolios of the Fund, along with other Vanguard Funds, may deposit their
daily cash reserves into a joint account which invests such reserves in repur-
chase agreements and other short-term instruments. CoreStates Bank, NA is the
custodian for the joint account. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under
which a Portfolio acquires a money market instrument (generally a security is-
sued by the U.S. Government or an agency thereof, a banker's acceptance or a
certificate of deposit) from a Federal Reserve member bank with minimum assets
of at least $2 billion or a registered securities dealer, subject to resale to
the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next business day).
A repurchase agreement may be considered a loan collateralized by securities.
The resale price reflects an agreed upon interest rate effective for the period
the instrument is held by a Portfolio and is unrelated to the interest rate on
the underlying instrument. In these transactions, the securities acquired by a
Portfolio (including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value
in excess of the value of the repurchase agreement and are held by the custo-
dian bank for the joint account until repurchased. In addition, the Fund's
Board of Trustees will monitor each Portfolio's repurchase agreement transac-
tions generally and will establish guidelines and standards for review of the
creditworthiness of any bank, broker or dealer party to a repurchase agreement
with a Portfolio of the Fund. No more than an aggregate of 15% (10% for the
Money Market Portfolio) of a Portfolio's assets, at the time of investment,
will be invested in repurchase agreements having maturities longer than seven
days and securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or
for which there are no readily available market quotations. See "Illiquid Secu-
rities" on page 2.
The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the
other party to the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the un-
derlying security at a time when the value of the security has declined, a
Portfolio may incur a loss upon disposition of the security. If the other party
to the agreement
<PAGE>
becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the Bank-
ruptcy Code or other laws, a court may determine that the underlying security
is collateral for a loan by the Portfolio not within the control of the Portfo-
lio and therefore the Portfolio may not be able to substantiate its interest in
the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor of the other
party to the agreement. While the Fund's management acknowledges these risks,
it is expected that they can be controlled through careful monitoring proce-
dures.
LENDING OF SECURITIES
Each Portfolio of the Fund (except for the Money Market Portfolio) may lend
its securities to qualified institutional investors who need to borrow securi-
ties in order to complete certain transactions, such as covering short sales,
avoiding failures to deliver securities or completing arbitrage operations. By
lending its portfolio securities, a Portfolio attempts to increase its net in-
vestment income through the receipt of interest on the loan. Any gain or loss
in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term
of the loan would be for the account of the Portfolio. The Portfolio may lend
its portfolio securities to qualified brokers, dealers, banks or other finan-
cial institutions, so long as the terms, the structure and the aggregate amount
of such loans are not inconsistent with the Investment Company Act of 1940, or
the Rules and Regulations or interpretations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") thereunder, which currently require that (a) the
borrower pledge and maintain with the Portfolio collateral consisting of cash,
a letter of credit issued by a domestic U.S. bank, or securities issued or
guaranteed by the United States Government having at all times not less than
100% of the value of the securities loaned, (b) the borrower add to such col-
lateral whenever the price of the securities loaned rises (i.e. the borrower
"marks to the market" on a daily basis), (c) the loan be made subject to termi-
nation by the Portfolio at any time and (d) the Portfolio receive reasonable
interest on the loan (which may include the Portfolio's investing any cash col-
lateral in interest bearing short-term investments), any distribution on the
loaned securities and any increase in their market value. Loan arrangements
made by a Portfolio will comply with all other applicable regulatory require-
ments, including the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, which presently re-
quire the borrower, after notice, to redeliver the securities within the normal
settlement time of three business days. All relevant facts and circumstances,
including the creditworthiness of the broker, dealer or institution, will be
considered in making decisions with respect to the lending of securities, sub-
ject to review by the Fund's Board of Directors.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
Each Portfolio of the Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets (10% with
respect to the money market Portfolio) in illiquid securities. Illiquid securi-
ties are securities that may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course
of business within seven business days at approximately the value at which they
are being carried on a Portfolio's books. An illiquid security includes repur-
chase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days, securities
which are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market, and
demand instruments with a demand notice exceeding seven days. Illiquid securi-
ties may include securities that are not registered under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "1933 Act"); however, unregistered securities that can be sold to
"qualified institutional buyers" in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933
Act will not be considered illiquid so long as it is determined by the Portfo-
lio's advisor that an adequate trading market exists for the security.
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
As indicated in the Prospectus, the International, Small Company Growth, and
Balanced Portfolios may include foreign securities to a certain extent. Invest-
ors should recognize that investing in foreign companies involves certain spe-
cial considerations which are not typically associated with investing in U.S.
companies.
Country Risk. As foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform ac-
counting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices comparable
to those applicable to domestic companies, there may be
2
<PAGE>
less publicly available information about certain foreign companies than about
domestic companies. Securities of some foreign companies are generally less
liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic companies.
There is generally less government supervision and regulation of stock ex-
changes, brokers and listed companies than in the U.S. In addition, with re-
spect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation
or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic devel-
opments which could affect U.S. investments in those countries.
Although each Portfolio will endeavor to achieve most favorable execution
costs in its portfolio transactions in foreign securities, fixed commissions on
many foreign stock exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions
on U.S. exchanges. In addition, it is expected that the expenses for custodial
arrangements of the Portfolio's foreign securities will be somewhat greater
than the expenses for the custodian arrangement for handling U.S. securities of
equal value.
Certain foreign governments levy withholding taxes against dividend and inter-
est income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes is recoverable,
the non-recovered portion of foreign withholding taxes will reduce the income a
Portfolio receives from its foreign investments.
Currency Risk. Since the stocks of foreign companies are frequently denomi-
nated in foreign currencies, and since the Portfolios may temporarily hold
uninvested reserves in bank deposits in foreign currencies, the Portfolios will
be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in ex-
change control regulations, and may incur costs in connection with conversions
between various currencies. The investment policies of the Portfolios permit it
to enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to hedge
holdings and commitments against changes in the level of future currency rates.
Such contracts involve an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at
a future date at a price set at the time of the contract.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
Each Portfolio of the Fund (except the Money Market Portfolio) may enter into
futures contracts, options, and options on futures contracts to maintain cash
reserves while remaining fully invested, to facilitate trading or to reduce
transactions costs. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party
and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security at a
specified future time and at a specified price. Futures contracts which are
standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument are traded
on national futures exchanges. Futures exchanges and trading are regulated un-
der the Commodity Exchange Act by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
("CFTC"), a U.S. Government agency.
Although futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or accept-
ance of the underlying securities, in most cases the contracts are closed out
before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. Closing
out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position ("buying" a
contract which has previously been "sold," or "selling" a contract previously
purchased) in an identical contract to terminate the position. Brokerage com-
missions are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold.
Futures traders are required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or
government securities with a broker or custodian to initiate and maintain open
positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure comple-
tion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying security) if it
is not terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Minimal initial margin
requirements are established by the futures exchange and may be changed. Bro-
kers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange min-
imums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin which may
range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.
After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is
marked to market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent
that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of ad-
ditional "variation" margin will be required. Conversely, change in the con-
tract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess
margin to the contract holder. Variation
3
<PAGE>
margin payments are made to and from the futures broker for as long as the con-
tract remains open. The Fund may earn interest income on its margin deposits.
Traders in futures contracts may be broadly classified as either "hedgers" or
"speculators." Hedgers use the futures markets primarily to offset unfavorable
changes in the value of securities otherwise held for investment purposes or
expected to be acquired by them. Speculators are less inclined to own the secu-
rities underlying the futures contracts which they trade, and use futures con-
tracts with the expectation of realizing profits from fluctuations in the
prices of underlying securities. The Portfolios of the Fund intend to use
futures contracts only for bona fide hedging purposes.
Regulations of the CFTC applicable to the Portfolios of the Fund require that
all of its futures transactions constitute bona fide hedging transactions. The
Portfolios of the Fund will only sell futures contracts to protect securities
they own against price declines or purchase contracts to protect against an in-
crease in the price of securities they intend to purchase. As evidence of this
hedging interest, the Portfolios of the Fund expect that approximately 75% of
their futures contract purchases will be "completed," that is, equivalent
amounts of related securities will have been purchased or are being purchased
by the Portfolios upon sale of open futures contracts.
Although techniques other than the sale and purchase of futures contracts
could be used to control a Portfolio's exposure to market fluctuations, the use
of futures contracts may be a more effective means of hedging this exposure.
While a Portfolio will incur commission expenses in both opening and closing
out futures positions, these costs are lower than transaction costs incurred in
the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
A Portfolio of the Fund will not enter into futures contracts transactions to
the extent that, immediately thereafter, the sum of its initial margin deposits
on open contracts exceeds 5% of the market value of the Portfolio's total as-
sets. In addition, each Portfolio will not enter into futures contracts to the
extent that its outstanding obligations to purchase securities under these con-
tracts would exceed 20% of the Portfolio's total assets. Assets committed to
futures contracts or options will be held in a segregated account at the Fund's
custodian bank.
RISK FACTORS IN FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange which
provides a secondary market for such futures. However, there can be no assur-
ance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures con-
tract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures po-
sition. In the event of adverse price movements, a Portfolio would continue to
be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In
such situations, if a Portfolio has insufficient cash it may have to sell port-
folio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be
disadvantageous to do so. In addition, a Portfolio may be required to make de-
livery of the instruments underlying future contracts it holds. The inability
to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on the
ability to effectively hedge it.
The Portfolios will minimize the risk that it will be unable to close out a
futures contract by only entering into futures which are traded on national
futures exchanges and for which there appears to be a liquid secondary market.
The risk of loss in trading futures contracts in some strategies can be sub-
stantial, due both to the low margin deposits required, and the extremely high
degree of leverage involved in futures pricing. As a result, a relatively small
price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial
loss (as well as gain) to the investor. For example, if at the time of pur-
chase, 10% of the value of the futures contract is deposited as margin, a sub-
sequent 10% decrease in the value of the futures contract would result in a to-
tal
4
<PAGE>
loss of the margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if
the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal
to 150% of the original margin deposit if the contract were closed out. Thus, a
purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses in excess of the
amount invested in the contract. However, because the futures strategies of the
Portfolios are engaged in only for hedging purposes, the Adviser does not be-
lieve that the Portfolios are subject to the risks of loss frequently associ-
ated with futures transactions. A Portfolio would presumably have sustained
comparable losses if, instead of the futures contract, it had invested in the
underlying financial instrument and sold it after the decline.
Utilization of futures transactions by a Portfolio does involve the risk of
imperfect or no correlation where the securities underlying futures contracts
have different maturities than the portfolio securities being hedged. It is
also possible that a Portfolio could both lose money on futures contracts and
also experience a decline in value of its portfolio securities. There is also
the risk of loss by the fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a
broker with whom a Portfolio has an open position in a futures contract or re-
lated option.
Most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures
contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the
maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down
from the previous day's settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once
the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades
may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs
only price movement during a particular trading day and therefore does not
limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfa-
vorable positions. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily
limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby
preventing prompt liquidation of future positions and subjecting some futures
traders to substantial losses.
FEDERAL TAX TREATMENT OF FUTURES CONTRACTS
A Portfolio is required for Federal income tax purposes to recognize as income
for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures
contracts as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during
the year. In most cases, any gain or loss recognized with respect to a futures
contract is considered to be 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-
term capital gain or loss, without regard to the holding period of the con-
tract. Furthermore, sales of futures contracts which are intended to hedge
against a change in the value of securities held by a Portfolio may affect the
holding period of such securities and, consequently, the nature of the gain or
loss on such securities upon disposition. A Portfolio may be required to defer
the recognition of losses on futures contracts to the extent of any unrecog-
nized gains on related positions held by the Portfolio.
In order for a Portfolio to continue to qualify for Federal income tax treat-
ment as a regulated investment company, at least 90% of its gross income for a
taxable year must be derived from qualifying income; i.e., dividends, interest,
income derived from loans of securities, gains from the sale of securities or
foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business of in-
vesting in such securities or currencies. In addition, gains realized on the
sale or other disposition of securities held for less than three months must be
limited to less than 30% of a Portfolio's annual gross income. It is antici-
pated that any net gain realized from the closing out of futures contracts will
be considered gain from the sale of securities and therefore be qualifying in-
come for purposes of the 90% requirement. In order to avoid realizing excessive
gains on securities held less than three months, a Portfolio may be required to
defer the closing out of futures contracts beyond the time when it would other-
wise be advantageous to do so. It is anticipated that unrealized gains on
futures contracts, which have been open for less than three months as of the
end of a Portfolio's fiscal year and which are recognized for tax purposes,
will not be considered gains on sales of securities held less than three months
for the purpose of the 30% test.
Each Portfolio of the Fund will distribute to shareholders annually any net
capital gains which have been recognized for Federal income tax purposes in-
cluding unrealized gains at the end of a Portfolio's fiscal year on futures
transactions. Such distributions will be combined with distributions of capital
gains realized on a Portfolio's other investments and shareholders will be ad-
vised on the nature of the payments.
5
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The following restrictions and fundamental policies cannot be changed without
approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund (as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940). Each Portfolio of the Fund may
not under any circumstances:
(1) invest in commodities or purchase real estate; although each Portfolio
may purchase securities of companies which deal in real estate or inter-
est therein, and the High-Grade Bond, High Yield Bond, Equity Index, Eq-
uity Income, Growth, Small Company Growth, Balanced and International
Portfolios may purchase and sell futures contracts and options transac-
tions to the extent provided under "Restrictions on the Use of Futures
Contracts and Options";
(2) purchase securities on margin or sell securities short; except that the
deposit or payment by a Portfolio of initial or variation margin in or-
der to engage in a futures contract will not be considered the purchase
of a security on margin;
(3) lend money to any person except (i) by purchasing bonds, debentures or
similar obligations (including repurchase agreements, which are either
publicly distributed or purchased by institutional investors), and (ii)
as provided under "Lending of Securities";
(4) with respect to 75% of a Portfolio's assets, purchase more than 10% of
the outstanding voting securities of any company;
(5) with respect of 75% of a Portfolio's assets, purchase securities of any
issuer (except obligations of the United States Government and its in-
strumentalities) if, as a result, more than 5% of the Portfolio's total
assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer;
(6) borrow money, except from a bank and only as a temporary or emergency
measure and in no event in excess of 15% of the market value of a Port-
folio's assets. Money borrowed in excess of 5% of a Portfolio's total
assets will be repaid prior to the purchase of additional portfolio se-
curities;
(7) pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate any of its assets to an extent greater
than 5% of the value of its total assets;
(8) engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by other per-
sons, except to the extent that the Fund may technically be deemed to be
an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in dispos-
ing of portfolio securities;
(9) purchase or otherwise acquire any security if, as a result, more than
15% (10% with respect to the Money Market Portfolio) of its net assets
would be invested in securities that are illiquid (Each Portfolio's in-
vestment in the Vanguard Group is considered to be illiquid);
(10) invest for the purpose of controlling management of any company;
(11) invest in securities of other investment companies, except as they may
be acquired as a part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of as-
sets or otherwise to the extent permitted by Section 12 of the 1940 Act.
The Fund will invest only in investment companies which have investment
objectives and investment policies consistent with those of the Fund;
(12) invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in any one indus-
try; or
(13) invest in put, call, straddle or spread options or in interest in oil,
gas or other mineral exploration or development programs, except as set
forth in limitation number "1", above.
Notwithstanding these limitations, the Fund may own all or any portion of the
securities of, or make loans to, or contribute to the costs or other financial
requirements of any company which will be wholly-owned by the Fund and one or
more other investment companies and is primarily engaged in the business of
providing, at-cost, management, administrative, distribution or related serv-
ices to the Fund and other investment companies. See "Management of the Fund."
The above mentioned investment limitations are considered at the time invest-
ment securities are purchased.
6
<PAGE>
PURCHASE OF SHARES
Each Portfolio of the Fund reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to
suspend the offerings of its shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders when in the
judgment of management such rejection is in the best interest of the Portfolio,
and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum investment for or any other restric-
tions on initial and subsequent investments for certain fiduciary accounts or
under circumstances where certain economies can be achieved in sales of the
Portfolio's shares.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The Fund may suspend redemption privileges or postpone the date of payment (i)
during any period that the New York Stock Exchange is closed, or trading on the
Exchange is restricted as determined by the United States Securities and Ex-
change Commission (the "Commission"), (ii) during any period when an emergency
exists as defined by the rules of the Commission as a result of which it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities owned by it, or
fairly to determine the value of its assets, and (iii) for such other periods
as the Commission may permit.
The Fund has made an election with the Commission to pay in cash all redemp-
tions requested by any shareholder of record limited in amount during any 90-
day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Fund at the
beginning of such period. Such commitment is irrevocable without the prior ap-
proval of the Commission. Redemptions in excess of the above limits may be paid
in whole or in part, in investment securities or in cash, as the Trustees may
deem advisable; however, payment will be made wholly in cash unless the Trust-
ees believe that economic or market conditions exist which would make such a
practice detrimental to the best interests of the Fund. If redemptions are paid
in investment securities, such securities will be valued as set forth in the
Prospectus under "The Share Price of Each Portfolio" and a redeeming share-
holder would normally incur brokerage expenses if he converted these securities
to cash.
No charge is made by the Fund for redemptions. Any redemption may be more or
less than the shareholder's cost depending on the market value of the securi-
ties held by the Fund.
CALCULATION OF YIELD (MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO)
The current yield of the Fund's Money Market Portfolio is calculated daily on
a base period return of a hypothetical account having a beginning balance of
one share for a particular period of time (generally 7 days). The return is de-
termined by dividing the net change (exclusive of any capital changes) in such
account by its average net asset value for the period, and then multiplying it
by 365/7 to get the annualized current yield. The calculation of net change re-
flects the value of additional shares purchased with the dividends by the Port-
folio, including dividends on both the original share and on such additional
shares. An effective yield, which reflects the effects of compounding and rep-
resents an annualization of the current yield with all dividends reinvested,
may also be calculated for the Portfolio by adding 1 to the net change, raising
the sum to the 365/7 power, and subtracting 1 from the result.
Set forth below is an example, for purposes of illustration only, of the cur-
rent and effective yield calculations for the Money Market Portfolio for the 7-
day base period ending September 30, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MONEY MARKET
PORTFOLIO
------------
9/30/96
------------
<S> <C>
Value of account at beginning of period......................... $1.00000
Value of same account at end of period* 1.00102
--------
Net Change in account value..................................... $ .00102
========
</TABLE>
- --------
* Exclusive of any capital changes.
7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MONEY MARKET
PORTFOLIO
------------
9/30/96
------------
<S> <C>
Annualized Current Net Yield
(Net Change X 365/7) / average net asset value.................. 5.33%
=======
Effective Yield
[(Net Change) + 1]/3//6//5///7/ -1.............................. 5.46%
=======
Average Weighted Maturity of investments........................ 47 days
=======
</TABLE>
The net asset value of a share of the Money Market Portfolio is $1.00 and it
is not expected to fluctuate. However, the yield of the Portfolio will fluctu-
ate. The annualization of a week's dividend is not a representation by the
Portfolio as to what an investment in the Portfolio will actually yield in the
future. Actual yields will depend on such variables as investment quality, av-
erage maturity, the type of instruments the Portfolio invests in, changes in
interest rates on instruments, changes in the expenses of the Portfolio and
other factors. Yields are one basis investors may use to analyze the Portfolio
and other investment vehicles; however, yields of other investment vehicles may
not be comparable because of the factors set forth in the preceding sentence,
differences in the time periods compared, and differences in the methods used
in valuing portfolio instruments, computing net asset value and calculating
yield.
YIELD AND TOTAL RETURN
The yield of each Portfolio of the Fund (except the Money Market Portfolio)
for the 30-day period ended September 30, 1996, is set forth below. Yields are
calculated daily for each Portfolio. Premiums and discounts on asset-backed se-
curities are not amortized.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
High-Grade Bond Portfolio.............................................. 6.71%
Balanced Portfolio..................................................... 4.24%
Equity Index Portfolio................................................. 2.15%
Equity Income Portfolio................................................ 3.75%
Growth Portfolio....................................................... 1.34%
International Portfolio................................................ N/A
High Yield Bond Portfolio.............................................. 9.61%
Small Company Growth Portfolio......................................... 0.76%
</TABLE>
The average annual total return of each Portfolio of the Fund (except the
Money Market Portfolio) for one year and the period since inception, is set
forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SINCE
9/30/96 INCEPTION
---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
High-Grade Bond Portfolio............................... 4.80% 7.59 %*
Balanced Portfolio...................................... 15.26% 12.59 %*
Equity Index Portfolio.................................. 20.19% 14.68 %*
Equity Income Portfolio................................. 19.07% 14.63 %*
Growth Portfolio........................................ 27.79% 20.05 %*
International Portfolio................................. 13.36% 11.93 %*
High Yield Bond Portfolio............................... N/A 4.56 %*
Small Company Growth Portfolio.......................... N/A (1.60)%*
</TABLE>
- --------
* Since Inception:
Equity Index Portfolio and High-Grade Bond Portfolio--April 29, 1991
Balanced Portfolio--May 23, 1991
Equity Income Portfolio and Growth Portfolio--June 7, 1993
International Portfolio--June 3, 1994
High Yield Bond Portfolio and Small Company Growth Portfolio--April 29,
1996
8
<PAGE>
Total return is computed by finding the average compounded rates of return
over the periods set forth above that would equate an initial amount invested
at the beginning of the periods to the ending redeemable value of the invest-
ment.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Officers of the Fund manage its day-to-day operations and are responsible
to the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Trustees set broad policies for each of
the Fund's Portfolios and choose the Fund's Officers. The following is a list
of Trustees and Officers of the Fund and a statement of their present positions
and principal occupations during the past five years. The mailing address of
the Trustees and Officers of the Fund is Post Office Box 876, Valley Forge, PA
19482.
JOHN C. BOGLE, Chairman and JOHN C. SAWHILL, Trustee
Trustee President and Chief Execu-
Chairman and Director of The tive Officer, The Nature
Vanguard Group, Inc. and of Conservancy; formerly, Di-
each of the investment rector and Senior Partner,
companies in The Vanguard McKinsey & Co.; President,
Group. Director of the Mead New York University; Direc-
Corporation, General tor of Pacific Gas and Elec-
Accident Insurance and tric Company, Procter & Gam-
Chris-Craft Industries, Inc. ble Company and NACCO Indus-
tries.
JOHN J. BRENNAN, President &
Trustee * JAMES O. WELCH, JR., Trustee
President, Chief Executive Retired Chairman of Nabisco
Officer and Director of The Brands, Inc. and retired
Vanguard Group, Inc. and of Vice Chairman and Director
each of the investment of RJR Nabisco; Director of
companies in The Vanguard TECO Energy, Inc., and Di-
Group. rector of Kmart Corporation.
ROBERT E. CAWTHORN, Trustee, J. LAWRENCE WILSON, Trustee
Chairman Emeritus of Rhone- Chairman and Chief Executive
Poulenc Rorer, Inc.; Direc- Officer of Rohm & Haas Com-
tor of Sun Company, Inc.; pany; Director of Cummins
Director of Westinghouse Engine Company; and Trustee
Electric Corporation of Vanderbilt University.
BARBARA BARNES HAUPTFUHRER, RAYMOND J. KLAPINSKY,
Trustee Secretary *
Director of The Great Atlan- Senior Vice President and
tic and Pacific Tea Company, Secretary of The Vanguard
Raytheon Company, Knight- Group, Inc.; Secretary of
Ridder, Inc., Massachusetts each of the investment com-
Mutual Life Insurance Co., panies in The Vanguard
and ALCO Standard Corp. and Group.
Trustee Emerita of Wellesley
College. RICHARD F. HYLAND,
Treasurer *
BRUCE K. MACLAURY, Trustee Treasurer of The Vanguard
President Emeritus of The Group, Inc. and of each of
Brookings Institution; Di- the investment companies in
rector of American Express The Vanguard Group.
Bank, Ltd., The St. Paul
Companies, Inc., and Scott KAREN E. WEST, Controller *
Paper Co. Principal of The Vanguard
Group, Inc.; Controller of
BURTON G. MALKIEL, Trustee each of the investment com-
Chemical Bank Chairman's panies in The Vanguard
Professor of Economics, Group.
Princeton University; Direc-
tor of Prudential Insurance --------
Co. of America, Amdahl Cor- * Officers of the Fund are
poration, Baker Fentress & "interested persons" as
Co., The Jeffrey Co., and defined in the Invest-
Southern New England Commu- ment Company Act of
nications Company. 1940.
ALFRED M. RANKIN, JR.,
Trustee
Chairman, President, and
Chief Executive Officer of
NACCO Industries, Inc.; Di-
rector of The BFGoodrich
Company, and The Standard
Products Company.
9
<PAGE>
THE VANGUARD GROUP
Vanguard Variable Insurance Fund is a member of The Vanguard Group of Invest-
ment Companies, which consists of more than 30 investment companies offering
more than 90 distinct investment portfolios.
Through their jointly-owned subsidiary, The Vanguard Group, Inc. ("Vanguard"),
the Fund and the other Funds in the Group obtain at cost virtually all of their
corporate management, administrative and distribution services. Vanguard also
provides investment advisory services on an at-cost basis to certain Vanguard
Funds.
Vanguard employs a supporting staff of management and administrative personnel
needed to provide the requisite services to the Funds and also furnishes the
Funds with necessary office space, furnishings and equipment. Each Fund pays
its share of Vanguard's total expenses which are allocated among the Funds un-
der methods approved by the Board of Trustees (Directors) of each Fund. In ad-
dition, each Fund bears its own direct expenses such as legal, auditing and
custodian fees.
The Fund's Officers are also Officers and employees of Vanguard. No Officer or
employee owns, or is permitted to own, any securities of any external adviser
for the Funds.
The Vanguard Group was established and operates under a Funds' Service Agree-
ment which was approved by the shareholders of each of the Funds. The amounts
which each of the Funds has invested are adjusted from time to time in order to
maintain the proportionate relationship between each Fund's relative net assets
and its contribution to Vanguard's capital. At September 30, 1996, the Fund had
contributed capital of $168,000 to Vanguard (included in other assets) repre-
senting .8% of Vanguard's capitalization. The Funds' Service agreement provides
as follows: (a) each Vanguard Fund may invest up to .40% of its current net as-
sets in Vanguard, and (b) there is no other limitation on the amount that each
Vanguard Fund may contribute to Vanguard's capitalization.
MANAGEMENT. Corporate management and administrative services include: (1) ex-
ecutive staff; (2) accounting and financial; (3) legal and regulatory; (4)
shareholder account maintenance; (5) monitoring and control of custodian rela-
tionships; (6) shareholder reporting; and (7) review and evaluation of advisory
and other services provided to the Funds by third parties. During the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1996, the Fund's allocated share of Vanguard's actual
net costs of operation relating to management and administrative services (in-
cluding transfer agency) totaled approximately $2,728,000.
DISTRIBUTION. Vanguard provides all distribution and marketing activities for
the Funds in the Group. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidi-
ary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., acts as Sales Agent for the shares of the
Funds in connection with any sales made directly to investors in the states of
Florida, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Texas and such other states as it may be re-
quired.
The principal distribution expenses are for advertising, promotional materials
and marketing personnel. Distribution services may also include organizing and
offering to the public, from time to time, one or more new investment companies
which will become members of the Group. The Directors and Officers of Vanguard
determine the amount to be spent annually on distribution activities, the man-
ner and amount to be spent on each Fund, and whether to organize new investment
companies.
One half of the distribution expenses of a marketing and promotional nature is
allocated among the Funds based upon relative net assets. The remaining one
half of those expenses is allocated among the Funds based upon each Fund's
sales for the preceding 24 months relative to the total sales of the Funds as a
Group; provided, however, that no Fund's aggregate quarterly rate of contribu-
tion for distribution expenses of a marketing and promotional nature shall ex-
ceed 125% of average distribution expense rate for the Group, and that no Fund
shall incur annual distribution expenses in excess of 20/100 of 1% of its aver-
age month-end net assets. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the
Fund paid approximately $226,000 of the Group's distribution and marketing ex-
penses, which represented an effective annual rate of .02 of 1% of the Fund's
average net assets.
10
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES. Vanguard also provides investment advisory serv-
ices to Vanguard Bond Index Fund, Vanguard Municipal Bond Fund, Vanguard Money
Market Reserves, the Short- and Intermediate-Term Corporate Portfolios, Short-,
Intermediate- and Long-Term U.S. Treasury and Short-Term Federal Portfolios of
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Fund, Vanguard California Tax-Free Fund, Van-
guard New York Insured Tax-Free Fund, Vanguard New Jersey Tax-Free Fund, Van-
guard Pennsylvania Tax-Free Fund, Vanguard Ohio Tax-Free Fund, Vanguard Florida
Tax-Free Fund, Vanguard Index Trust, Vanguard Balanced Index Fund, Vanguard In-
stitutional Index Fund, Vanguard International Equity Index Fund, Aggressive
Growth Portfolio of Vanguard Horizon Fund, Vanguard Tax-Managed Fund, Vanguard
Admiral Funds, REIT Index Portfolio of Vanguard Specialized Portfolios, Total
International Portfolio of Vanguard Star Fund, a portion of Vanguard/Windsor
II, a portion of Vanguard/Morgan Growth Fund and several indexed separate ac-
counts. These services are provided on an at-cost basis from a money management
staff employed directly by Vanguard. The compensation and other expenses of
this staff are paid by the Funds utilizing these services. During the fiscal
years ended September 30, 1994, 1995, and 1996, the Fund paid approximately
$65,000, $59,000 and $60,000 of Vanguard's expenses relating to investment ad-
visory services.
REMUNERATION OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS. The Fund pays each Trustee, who is not
also an Officer, an annual fee plus travel and other expenses incurred in at-
tending Board meetings. The Fund's Officers and employees are paid by Vanguard
which, in turn, is reimbursed by the Fund and each other Fund in the Group, for
its proportionate share of Officers' and employees' salaries and retirement
benefits. During the year ended September 30, 1996 the Fund's proportionate
share of remuneration paid to all officers of the Fund, as a group, was approx-
imately $45,867.
Under its retirement plan, Vanguard contributes annually an amount equal to
10% of each Officer's annual compensation plus 7% of that part of the officer's
compensation during the year, if any, that exceeds the Social Security Taxable
Wage Base then in effect. Under its thrift plan, all eligible Officers are per-
mitted to make pre-tax contributions in an amount equal to 4% of total compen-
sation which are matched by Vanguard on a 100% basis. Directors who are not Of-
ficers are paid an annual fee based on the number of years of service on the
board, up to fifteen years of service, upon retirement. The fee is equal to
$1,000 for each year of service and each investment company member of The Van-
guard Group contributes a proportionate amount of this fee based on its rela-
tive net assets. This fee is paid, subsequent to a Director's retirement, for a
period of ten years or until the death of a retired Director. The Fund's pro-
portionate share of retirement contributions made by Vanguard under its retire-
ment and thrift plans on behalf of all officers of the Fund, as a group, during
the 1996 fiscal year was approximately $1,200.
The following table provides detailed information with respect to the amounts
paid or accrued for the trustees for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996.
VANGUARD VARIABLE INSURANCE FUND
COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE PENSION OR RETIREMENT ESTIMATED TOTAL COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION BENEFITS ACCRUED AS ANNUAL BENEFITS FROM ALL VANGUARD FUNDS
NAMES OF TRUSTEES FROM FUND PART OF FUND EXPENSES UPON RETIREMENT PAID TO TRUSTEES(/2/)
- ----------------- ------------ --------------------- --------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John C. Bogle(/1/) -- -- -- --
John J. Brennan(/1/) -- -- -- --
Barbara Barnes
Hauptfuhrer $532 $83 $15,000 $65,000
Robert E. Cawthorn $532 $69 $13,000 $65,000
Bruce K. MacLaury $576 $81 $12,000 $60,000
Burton G. Malkiel $532 $55 $15,000 $65,000
Alfred M. Rankin, Jr. $532 $43 $15,000 $65,000
John C. Sawhill $532 $52 $15,000 $65,000
James O. Welch, Jr. $532 $63 $15,000 $65,000
J. Lawrence Wilson $532 $46 $15,000 $65,000
</TABLE>
(/1/) As "Interested Directors," Messrs. Bogle and Brennan receive no
compensation for their service as Trustees.
(/2/) The amounts reported in this column reflect the total compensation paid to
each Trustee for their service as Trustee or Director of 34 Vanguard Funds
(33 in the case of Mr. Malkiel; 27 in the case of Mr. MacLaury).
11
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
The Money Market, High-Grade Bond and Equity Index Portfolios of the Fund re-
ceive investment advisory services on an "internalized," at-cost basis from an
experienced investment management staff employed directly by Vanguard. The in-
vestment management staff is supervised by the senior Officers of the Fund.
Vanguard's Fixed Income Group provides advisory services for the Money Market
and High-Grade Bond Portfolios and Vanguard's Core Management Group provides
advisory services to the Equity Index Portfolio.
Vanguard's investment management staff is also responsible for the allocation
of principal business and portfolio brokerage and the negotiation of commis-
sions. For the Money Market Portfolio, the purchase and sale of investment se-
curities will ordinarily be principal transactions. Portfolio securities will
normally be purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or market
maker for the securities. There will usually be no brokerage commissions paid
by the Money Market Portfolio for such purchases. Purchases from underwriters
of securities will include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the
underwriter, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a
dealer's mark-up.
In placing portfolio transactions, Vanguard's advisory staff uses its best
judgment to choose the broker most capable of providing the brokerage services
necessary to obtain the best available price and most favorable execution at
the lowest commission rate. The full range and quality of brokerage services
available are considered in making these determinations. In selecting broker-
dealers to execute securities transactions for the Portfolios, consideration
will be given to such factors as: the price of the security; the rate of the
commission; the size and difficulty of the order; the reliability, integrity,
financial condition, general execution, and operational capabilities of compet-
ing broker-dealers; and the brokerage and research services provided to the
Fund.
The investment policies of each of the Portfolios may lead to frequent changes
in investments, particularly in periods of rapidly fluctuating interest rates.
A change in securities held by a Portfolio is known as "portfolio turnover" and
may involve the payment by the Portfolio of dealer mark-ups, underwriting com-
missions, and other transaction costs on the sales of securities as well as on
the reinvestment of the proceeds in other securities. The annual portfolio
turnover rate for the Portfolios is set forth under the heading "Financial
Highlights" in the Vanguard Variable Insurance Fund Prospectus. The portfolio
turnover rate is not a limiting factor when management deems it desirable to
sell or purchase securities. It is impossible to predict whether or not the
portfolio turnover rates in future years will vary significantly from the rates
in recent years.
THE BALANCED AND HIGH YIELD BOND PORTFOLIOS' INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS
The Fund employs Wellington Management Company, LLP ("WMC") under an invest-
ment advisory agreement dated July 1, 1996 to manage the investment and rein-
vestment of the assets included in the Fund's Balanced Portfolio and to contin-
uously review, supervise and administer the Balanced Portfolio's investment
program. WMC discharges its responsibilities subject to the control of the of-
ficers and Trustees of the Fund.
The Fund pays WMC a Basic Fee at the end of each fiscal quarter, calculated by
applying a quarterly rate, based on the following annual percentage rates, to
the Portfolio's average month-end net assets for the quarter:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSETS RATE
---------- -----
<S> <C>
First $500 million.................................................... .100%
Next $500 million..................................................... .050%
Over $1 billion....................................................... .040%
</TABLE>
Effective with the quarter ending June 30, 1997, the quarterly payment to the
Adviser, may be increased or decreased by applying an incentive/penalty adjust-
ment reflecting the investment performance of the
12
<PAGE>
Portfolio relative to the investment performance of a "Composite Index", 65%
of which shall be comprised of the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
Index (the "Stock Index") and 35% of which shall be comprised of the Lehman
Long-Term Corporate AA or Better Bond Index (the "Bond Index").
The following table sets forth the adjustment factors to the base advisory
fee payable by the Fund to the Adviser under this investment advisory agree-
ment.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE 36-MONTH
PERFORMANCE VS. THE PERFORMANCE FEE
COMPOSITE INDEX ADJUSTMENT*
------------------- -----------------
<S> <C>
Less than -6%........................ -0.20 X Basic Fee
Between -6% and -3%.................. -0.10 X Basic Fee
Between -3% and +3%.................. 0 X Basic Fee
Between +3% and +6%.................. +0.10 X Basic Fee
More than +6%........................ +0.20 X Basic Fee
</TABLE>
--------
*For purposes of this calculation, the Basic Fee is
calculated by applying the quarterly rate against
average assets over the same time period which the
performance is measured.
Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the new
incentive/penalty fee will not be fully operable until the quarter ending June
30, 1999. Until that date, a "blended" fee rate consisting of varying percent-
ages of (i) the performance adjustment based on the schedule set forth above
(the "new rate"/1/), and (ii) the performance adjustment based on the schedule
set forth in the Fund's previous investment advisory agreement with the advis-
er/2/ (the "previous rate") shall be used as follows:
1. QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1996. The incentive/penalty fee shall be
calculated as the sum of 8.3% (e.g., one of 12 quarters) of the fee payable
under the new rate plus 91.7% (e.g., 11 of 12 quarters) of the fee payable
under the previous rate.
2. QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1996. The incentive/penalty fee shall be
calculated as the sum of 16.6% of the fee payable under the new rate plus
83.4% of the fee payable under the previous rate.
3. QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 1997. The incentive/penalty shall be calcu-
lated as the sum of 25% of the fee payable under the new rate plus 75% of
the fee payable under the previous rate.
4. QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 1997. The incentive/penalty fee shall be cal-
culated as the sum of 33% of the fee payable under the new rate plus 67% of
the fee payable under the previous rate.
5. QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1997. The incentive/penalty fee shall be
calculated as the sum of 41.6% of the fee payable under the new rate plus
58.4% of the fee payable under the previous rate.
6. QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1997. The incentive/penalty fee shall be
calculated as the sum of 50% of the fee payable under the new rate plus 50%
of the fee payable under the previous rate.
7. QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 1998. The incentive/penalty fee shall be cal-
culated as the sum of 58.4% of the fee payable under the new rate plus
41.6% of the fee payable under the previous rate.
- --------
/1/ The benchmark used for the new rate calculation will consist of linking the
return of the "new" benchmark (Lehman Long-Term Corporate AA or Better Bond
Index) to the return of the "previous" benchmark (Salomon Brothers High-
Grade Corporate Bond Index) in the same varying percentages that are listed
below.
/2/ The previous incentive/penalty fee structure provided that the Basic Fee be
increased or decreased by an amount equal to .015% per annum (.00375% per
quarter) of the first $500 million of the average month-end assets of the
Fund and .010% per annum (.0025% per quarter) of the average month-end as-
sets of the Fund over $500 million if the Fund's investment performance for
the thirty-six months preceding the end of the quarter was six percentage
points or more above or below, respectively, the investment record of a
"Combined Index" which included the Salomon Brothers High-Grade Corporate
Bond Index for the debt portion of the Combined Index.
13
<PAGE>
8. QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 1998. The incentive/penalty fee shall be cal-
culated as the sum of 67% of the fee payable under the new rate plus 33% of
the fee payable under the previous rate.
9. QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1998. The incentive/penalty fee shall be
calculated as the sum of 75% of the fee payable under the new rate plus 25%
of the fee payable under the previous rate.
10. QUARTER ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998. The incentive/penalty fee shall be
calculated as the sum of 83.4% of the fee payable under the new rate plus
16.6% of the fee payable under the previous rate.
11. QUARTER ENDING MARCH 31, 1998. The incentive/penalty fee shall be
calculated as the sum of 91.7% of the fee payable under the new rate plus
8.3% of the fee payable under the previous rate.
12. QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 1999. New rate fully operable.
For the purpose of determining the fee adjustment for investment performance,
as described above, the net assets of the Portfolio shall be averaged over the
same period as the investment performance of the Portfolio and the investment
record of the Composite Index are computed. The "investment performance" of the
Portfolio for the period, expressed as a percentage of the Portfolio's net as-
set value per share at the beginning of the period shall be the sum of: (i) the
change in the Portfolio's net asset value per share during such period; (ii)
the value of the Portfolio's cash distributions per share having an ex-dividend
date occurring within the period; and (iii) the per share amount of capital
gains taxes paid or accrued during such period by the Portfolio for undistrib-
uted realized long-term capital gains.
The "investment record" of the Stock Index for the period, expressed as a per-
centage of the Stock Index level at the beginning of the period, shall be the
sum of (i) the change in the level of the Stock Index during the period and
(ii) the value, computed consistently with the Stock Index, of cash distribu-
tions having an ex-dividend date occurring within the period made by companies
whose securities comprise the Stock Index. The "investment record" of the Bond
Index for the period, expressed as a percentage of the Bond Index level at the
beginning of such period shall be the sum of (i) the change in the level of the
Bond Index during the period and (ii) the value of the interest accrued or paid
on the bonds included in the Bond Index, assuming the reinvestment of such in-
terest on a monthly basis. Computation of these two components as the Composite
Index shall be made on the basis of 65% in the Stock Index and 35% in the Bond
Index at the beginning of each quarter.
In April, 1972, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued Release
No. 7113 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 to call attention to direc-
tors and investment advisers to certain factors which must be considered in
connection with investment company incentive fee arrangements. One of these
factors is to "avoid basing significant fee adjustments upon random or insig-
nificant differences" between the investment performance of a fund and that of
the particular index with which it is being compared. The Release provides that
"preliminary studies (of the SEC staff) indicate that as a "rule of thumb' the
performance difference should be at least +/- 10 percentage points" annually be-
fore the maximum performance adjustment may be made. However, the Release also
states that "because of the preliminary nature of these studies, the Commission
is not recommending, at this time, that any particular performance difference
exist before the maximum fee adjustment may be made." The Release concludes
that the directors of a fund "should satisfy themselves that the maximum per-
formance adjustment will be made only for performance differences that can rea-
sonably be considered "significant'." The Board of Trustees of Vanguard Vari-
able Insurance Fund has fully considered the SEC Release and believes that the
performance adjustments as included in the above mentioned agreement is appro-
priate, although not within the +/- 10 percentage point per year range suggested
in the Release. Under the proposed investment advisory agreement between Van-
guard Variable Insurance Fund and WMC, the maximum performance adjustment is
made at a difference of +/- 6 percentage points from the performance of the
index over a thirty-six month period, which would effectively be the equivalent
of approximately +/- 2 percentage points difference per year.
The present agreement continues until June 30, 1998. The agreement is renew-
able thereafter, for successive one-year periods, only if each renewal is spe-
cifically approved by a vote of the Fund's Board of Trustees,
14
<PAGE>
including the affirmative votes of a majority of the Trustees who are not par-
ties to the contract or "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Com-
pany Act of 1940) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of considering such approval. In addition, the question of continuance
of the agreement may be presented to the shareholders of the Fund, in such
event continuance shall be effected only if approved by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The agreement is
automatically terminated if assigned, and may be terminated without penalty at
any time (1) either by vote of the Board of Trustees of the Fund or by vote of
its outstanding voting securities on 60 days' written notice to WMC, or (2) by
WMC upon 90 days' written notice to the Fund.
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 1994, September 30, 1995, and Sep-
tember 30, 1996 the Fund paid investment advisory fees of approximately
$226,000, $244,000, and $311,000 (including an increase of $1,000 based on per-
formance) respectively, to WMC.
The Fund also employs WMC under an investment advisory agreement dated May 1,
1996 to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund's High
Yield Bond Portfolio and to continuously review, supervise and administer the
investment program for such Portfolio. WMC discharges its responsibilities sub-
ject to the control of the officers and Directors of the Fund.
The Fund pays WMC a basic advisory fee at the end of each fiscal quarter cal-
culated by applying a quarterly rate, based on an annual percentage rate of
.06% to the average month-end net assets of the High Yield Bond Portfolio for
the quarter.
The present agreement continues until April 30, 1998, and may be continued
thereafter for successive one-year periods, as long as such continuance is spe-
cifically approved at least annually (a) by a vote of a majority of those mem-
bers of the Board of Directors of the Fund who are not parties to the agreement
or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting such approval, and (b) by the Board of Directors of the
Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the High-Yield Bond
Portfolio. The agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time, without
penalty, by vote of the Board of Directors of the Fund or by vote of a majority
of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio on 60 days' written notice to WMC,
or by WMC on 90 days' written notice to the Fund. The agreement will automati-
cally terminate in the event of its assignment.
DESCRIPTION OF WMC. WMC is a Massachusetts limited liability partnership of
which the following persons are managing partners: Robert W. Doran, Duncan M.
McFarland, and John R. Ryan.
THE GROWTH PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The Fund entered into an investment advisory agreement with Lincoln Capital
Management Company (Lincoln) on June 1, 1993, under which Lincoln manages the
investment and reinvestment of the assets included in the Fund's Growth Portfo-
lio and continuously reviews, supervises and administers the Fund's Growth
Portfolio. Lincoln will invest or reinvest such assets predominantly in U.S.
securities. Lincoln discharges its responsibilities subject to the control of
the Officers and Trustees of the Fund. Under this agreement the Fund pays Lin-
coln an advisory fee at the end of each fiscal quarter, calculated by applying
an annual rate of .15% to the Portfolio's average net assets.
The agreement with Lincoln continues until May 31, 1997. The agreement is re-
newable thereafter, for successive one-year periods, only if each renewal is
specifically approved by a vote of the Fund's Board of Trustees, including the
affirmative votes of a majority of the directors who are not parties to the
agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
considering such approval. In addition, the question of continuance of
15
<PAGE>
the agreement may be presented to the shareholders of the Growth Portfolio; in
such event continuance shall be effected only if approved by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Growth Portfo-
lio. The agreement is automatically terminated if assigned, and may be termi-
nated without penalty at any time (1) either by vote of the Board of Trustees
or by vote of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio on sixty (60)
days' written notice to Lincoln, or (2) by Lincoln upon ninety (90) days' writ-
ten notice to the Fund. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 1994, Sep-
tember 30, 1995 and September 30, 1996 the Fund paid investment advisory fees
of approximately $99,000, $179,000 and $333,000 to Lincoln.
DESCRIPTION OF LINCOLN
Lincoln is an Illinois corporation in which a controlling interest is held by
the following persons: John W. Croghan, Chairman; J. Parker Hall III, Presi-
dent; Kenneth R. Meyer, Executive Vice President; and Timothy H. Ubben, Execu-
tive Vice President.
THE EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The Fund employs Newell Associates, 525 University Avenue, Palo Alto, Califor-
nia 94301 ("Newell") under an investment advisory agreement dated as of June 1,
1993, to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Equity In-
come Portfolio and to continuously review, supervise and administer the Portfo-
lio's investment program. Newell discharges its responsibilities subject to the
control of the officers and Trustees of the Fund.
The Fund pays Newell an advisory fee at the end of each fiscal quarter, calcu-
lated by applying a quarterly rate, based on an annual percentage rate of .10%,
to the average month-end net assets of the Portfolio for the quarter.
The agreement will continue until May 31, 1997, and will be renewable thereaf-
ter for successive one-year periods, only if each renewal is specifically ap-
proved by a vote of the Fund's Board of Trustees, including the affirmative
votes of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the contract or "in-
terested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of any
such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering
such approval. In addition, the question of continuance shall be effected only
if approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting se-
curities of the Fund. The agreement is automatically terminated if assigned,
and may be terminated without penalty at any time (1) either by vote of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund or by vote of its outstanding voting securities
on 60 days' written notice to the Adviser, or (2) by the Adviser upon 90 days'
written notice to the Fund. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 1994,
September 30, 1995 and September 30, 1996, the Fund paid investment advisory
fees of approximately $68,000, $76,000 and $123,000 to Newell.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ADVISER
Newell is a California corporation of which 90% of its outstanding shares are
owned by its directors and officers. The directors of the corporation and the
offices they currently hold are: Roger D. Newell, Chairman & President, Robert
A. Huret, Vice Chairman and Alan E. Rothenberg, Director.
THE INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement dated as of June 1,
1994 with Schroder Capital Management International, Inc. ("Schroder Capital")
under which Schroder Capital, through its Schroder Capital Management Interna-
tional, London, England, branch, supervises and administers the International
Portfolio's investment program. In this regard, it is the responsibility of
Schroder Capital to make decisions relating to the International Portfolio's
investment in foreign securities and to place the International Portfolio's
purchase and sale orders for such securities. Schroder Capital will invest or
reinvest the assets of the International Portfolio predominantly in foreign
(non-U.S.) securities. Schroder Capital discharges its responsibilities subject
to the control of the Officers and Directors of the Fund.
16
<PAGE>
As compensation for the services rendered by Schroder Capital under the agree-
ment, the Fund pays Schroder Capital at the end of each of the Fund's fiscal
quarters, a Basic Fee calculated by applying an annual percentage rate of
0.125% to the average value of the month-end net assets of the International
Portfolio for the quarter.
The Basic Fee, as provided above, shall be increased or decreased by applying
an adjustment formula based on the investment performance of the International
Portfolio relative to that of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe,
Australasia, Far East Index ("EAFE") as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE YEAR PERFORMANCE ANNUAL INCENTIVE (+)/
DIFFERENTIAL VS. EAFE PENALTY (-) FEE RATE
---------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C>
+12% or above.................... +0.0500%
Between +6% and +12%............. +0.0250%
Between +6% and -6%.............. -0-
Between -6% and -12%............. -0.0250%
-12% or below.................... -0.0500%
</TABLE>
The incentive/penalty fee adjustment will not be fully operable until the
quarter ending June 30, 1997, and, until that date, will be calculated accord-
ing to certain transition rules. For quarters ending after March 31, 1995 and
prior to June 30, 1997, the incentive/penalty fee adjustment will be computed
based on a comparison of the investment performance of the Portfolio and that
of the EAFE Index over the number of months that have elapsed between July 1,
1994 and the end of the quarter for which the fee is computed. After June 30,
1997, the number of months used to calculate the incentive/penalty fee adjust-
ments shall be 36.
For the purpose of determining the fee adjustment for investment performance,
as described above, the net assets of the International Portfolio are averaged
over the same period as the investment performance of the International Portfo-
lio and the investment record of the EAFE Index are computed.
The investment performance of the International Portfolio for such period, ex-
pressed as a percentage of the net asset value per share of the International
Portfolio at the beginning of such period, shall be the sum of: (i) the change
in the net asset value per share of the International Portfolio during such pe-
riod; (ii) the value of the cash distributions per share of the International
Portfolio accumulated to the end of such period; and (iii) the value of capital
gains taxes per share paid or payable by the International Portfolio on undis-
tributed realized long-term capital gains accumulated to the end of such peri-
od. For this purpose, the value of distributions per share of realized capital
gains, of dividends per share paid from investment income and of capital gains
taxes per share paid or payable on undistributed realized long-term capital
gains shall be treated as reinvested in shares of the International Portfolio
at the net asset value per share in effect at the close of business on the rec-
ord date for the payment of such distributions and dividends and the date on
which provision is made for such taxes, after giving effect to such distribu-
tions, dividends and taxes. The investment record of the EAFE Index for any pe-
riod, expressed as a percentage of the EAFE Index level at the beginning of
such period, shall be the sum of (i) the change in the level of the EAFE Index
during such period and (ii) the value, computed consistently with the EAFE In-
dex, of cash distributions made by companies whose securities comprise the EAFE
Index accumulated to the end of such period. For this purpose cash distribu-
tions on the securities which comprise the EAFE Index shall be treated as rein-
vested in the EAFE Index at least as frequently as the end of each calendar
quarter following the payment of the dividend. The foregoing notwithstanding,
any computation of the investment performance of the International Portfolio
and the investment record of the EAFE index shall be in accordance with any
then applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Directors believe that the EAFE Index is an appropriate standard against
which the investment performance of the Fund's International Growth Portfolio
can be measured. The EAFE Index is the only index available which covers the
major international markets outside North America. The weighting of
17
<PAGE>
securities in the EAFE Index is based on each stock's relative total market
value, that is, its market price per share times the number of shares outstand-
ing.
The agreement with Schroder Capital continues until May 31, 1997. The agree-
ment may be terminated prior to that date, or continued after May 31, 1997, in
accordance with the same provisions applicable to the Fund's agreement with
Lincoln. During the period June 3, 1994 through September 30, 1994, and the
fiscal years ended September 30, 1995 and September 30, 1996, the Fund paid in-
vestment advisory fees of approximately $21,000, $113,000 (including an in-
crease of $17,000 based on performance) and $204,000 (including an increase of
$42,000 based on performance) to Schroder Capital.
DESCRIPTION OF SCHRODER CAPITAL
Schroder Capital Management International ("Schroder Capital"), is the London
branch office of Schroder Capital. Schroder Capital is a wholly-owned subsidi-
ary of Schroders Incorporated, One State Street, New York, New York.
Schroders PLC is the holding company parent of a large world-wide group of
banks and financial service companies (referred to as "The Schroder Group")
with associated companies and branch and representative offices located in
eighteen countries.
The Schroder Group specializes in providing investment management services,
with Group funds under management currently in excess of $90 billion. Schroder
Capital Management International was established in London in 1979 to manage
international portfolios for U.S. institutions.
THE SMALL COMPANY GROWTH PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The Fund entered into an investment advisory agreement with Granahan Invest-
ment Management, Inc. ("Granahan") dated May 1, 1996 under which Granahan man-
ages the investment and reinvestment of the Small Company Growth Portfolio and
continuously reviews, supervises and administers the Portfolio's investment
program with respect to those assets. Granahan discharges its responsibilities
subject to the control of the officers and Directors of the Fund.
The Fund pays Granahan a Basic fee at the end of each fiscal quarter, calcu-
lated by applying a quarterly rate based on an annual percentage rate of 0.15%
to the average month-end net assets of the Portfolio for the quarter.
The basic advisory fee may be increased or decreased by applying an
incentive/penalty adjustment to the basic fee reflecting the investment perfor-
mance of the Portfolio relative to the investment record of the Russell 2000
Index over the same period as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE 36-MONTH PERFORMANCE FEE
PERFORMANCE VS. THE RUSSELL 2000 ADJUSTMENT*
-------------------------------- -----------------
<S> <C>
More than +12% points +0.50 x Basic Fee
Between +6% and +12% +0.25 x Basic Fee
Between -6% and +6% 0.00 x Basic Fee
Between -3% and -6% -0.25 x Basic Fee
Less than -6% -0.50 x Basic Fee
</TABLE>
- --------
*For purposes of this calculation, the basic fee is calculated by applying the
quarterly rate against average assets over the same time period which the per-
formance is measured.
Until the quarter ending June 30, 1999, the performance adjustment for
Granahan will be calculated according to the following transition rules:
(a) Prior to April 30, 1997. For the quarters ending on or prior to April
30, 1997, the performance adjustment will not be operable. The advisory fee
payable by the Fund shall be the quarterly base advisory fee, calculated as
set forth above.
18
<PAGE>
(b) May 1, 1997 through June 30, 1999. Beginning with the quarter ending
June 30, 1997, and until the quarter ending June 30, 1999, the performance
adjustment will be computed based upon a comparison of the investment per-
formance of the Portfolio and that of the Index over the number of months
that have elapsed between July 1, 1996 and the end of the quarter for which
the fee is computed, and will be applied to the average monthly assets over
the same period. The number of percentage points by which the investment
performance of the Portfolio must exceed the investment record of the Index
shall increase proportionately from 2 and 4, respectively, for the twelve
months ending June 30, 1997, to 6 and 12, for the thirty-six months ending
June 30, 1999.
(c) On and After June 30, 1999. For the quarter ending June 30, 1999 and
thereafter, the period used to calculate the incentive/penalty adjustment
shall be the 36 months preceding the end of the quarter for which the fee
is being computed and the number of percentage points used shall be 6 and
12.
The agreement continues until April 30, 1998 and will be renewable thereafter
for successive one-year periods, only if each renewal is specifically approved
by a vote of the Fund's Board of Directors, including the affirmative votes of
a majority of the Directors who are not parties to the contract or "interested
persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) of any such party,
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approv-
al. In addition, the question of continuance of the agreement may be presented
to the shareholders of the Fund; in such event, such continuance shall be ef-
fected only if approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstand-
ing voting securities of the Fund. The agreement is automatically terminated if
assigned, and may be terminated without penalty at any time (1) either by vote
of the Board of Directors of the Fund or by vote of its outstanding voting se-
curities on 60 days' written notice to Granahan, or (2) by Granahan upon 90
days' written notice to the fund. During the period June 3, 1996 through Sep-
tember 30, 1996 the Fund paid investment advisory fees of approximately $19,000
to Granahan.
DESCRIPTION OF GRANAHAN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
Granahan is a professional investment advisory firm founded in 1985. As of
September 30, 1996, Granahan held discretionary management authority with re-
spect to approximately $1.3 billion in assets. John J. Granahan is portfolio
manager of the assets of the Small Company Growth Portfolio. Mr. Granahan has
been serving as portfolio manager of the Vanguard Explorer Fund since February
1990.
Pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission granting
exemptive relief from the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund's Board of
Directors may, without the approval of shareholders, provide for:
A. The employment of a new investment adviser pursuant to the terms of a new
advisory agreement, either as a replacement for an existing adviser or as an
additional adviser.
B. A change in the terms of an advisory agreement.
C. The continued employment of an existing adviser on the same advisory con-
tract terms where a contract has been assigned because of a change in control
of the adviser.
Any such change will only be made upon not less than 30 days' prior written no-
tice to shareholders, which shall include the information concerning the ad-
viser that would have normally been included in a proxy statement.
19
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The investment advisory agreements authorize WMC, Lincoln, Newell, Granahan
and Schroder Capital (the "Advisers") (with the approval of the Fund's Board
of Trustees) to select the brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases
and sales of portfolio securities for the Balanced, Growth, Equity Income,
High Yield, Small Company and International Portfolios of the Fund and directs
the Advisers to use their best efforts to obtain the best available price and
most favorable execution as to all transactions for the Balanced, Growth, Eq-
uity Income, High Yield, Small Company and International Portfolios. The Ad-
visers have undertaken to execute each investment transaction at a price and
commission which provides the most favorable total cost or proceeds reasonably
obtainable under the circumstances.
In placing portfolio transactions for their respective Portfolios, the Advis-
ers will use their best judgment to choose the broker most capable of provid-
ing the brokerage services necessary to obtain best available price and most
favorable execution. The full range and quality of brokerage services avail-
able will be considered in making these determinations. In those instances
where it is reasonably determined that more than one broker can offer the bro-
kerage services needed to obtain the best available price and most favorable
execution, consideration may be given to those brokers which supply investment
research and statistical information and provide other services in addition to
execution services to the Balanced, Growth, Equity Income and International
Portfolios of the Fund and/or the Advisers. The Advisers consider such infor-
mation useful in the performance of its obligations under the agreement but
are unable to determine the amount by which such services may reduce its ex-
penses.
The investment advisory agreements also incorporate the concepts of Section
28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by providing that, subject to the
approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Advisers may cause the Balanced,
Growth, Equity Income, High Yield and Small Company Portfolios of the Fund to
pay a broker-dealer which furnishes brokerage and research services a higher
commission than that which might be charged by another broker-dealer for ef-
fecting the same transaction; provided that such commission is deemed reason-
able in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsi-
bilities of the Advisers to their respective Portfolios and the other Funds in
the Group.
Currently, it is the Fund's policy that the Advisers may at times pay higher
commissions in recognition of brokerage services felt necessary for the
achievement of better execution of certain securities transactions that other-
wise might not be available. The Advisers will only pay such higher commis-
sions if they believe this to be in the best interest of the Balanced, Growth,
Equity Income, Small Company, High Yield and International Portfolios of the
Fund. Some brokers or dealers who may receive such higher commissions in rec-
ognition of brokerage services related to execution of securities transactions
are also providers of research information to the Advisers and/or the Bal-
anced, Growth, Equity Income and International Portfolios of the Fund. Howev-
er, the Advisers have informed the Fund that they will not pay higher commis-
sion rates specifically for the purpose of obtaining research services.
Some securities considered for investment by the Balanced, Growth, Equity In-
come, Small Company, High Yield and International Portfolios of the Fund may
also be appropriate for other Funds and/or clients served by the Advisers. If
purchase or sale of securities consistent with the investment policies of the
Balanced, Growth, Equity Income, Small Company, High Yield and International
Portfolios of the Fund and one or more of these other Funds or clients served
by the Advisers are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such
securities will be allocated among the several Funds and clients in a manner
deemed equitable by the Advisers.
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 1994, 1995, and 1996 the Fund
paid approximately $388,822, $379,506 and $727,657 in brokerage commissions.
20
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Vanguard may use reprinted material discussing The Vanguard Group, Inc. or any
of the member funds of The Vanguard Group of Investment Companies.
Each of the investment company members of The Vanguard Group, including Van-
guard Variable Insurance Fund, may from time to time, use one or more of the
following unmanaged indexes for comparative performance purposes.
STANDARD & POOR'S 500 COMPOSITE STOCK PRICE INDEX--is a well diversified list
of 500 companies representing the U.S. Stock Market.
WILSHIRE 5000 EQUITY INDEX--consists of nearly 7,000 common equity securities,
covering all stocks in the U.S. for which daily pricing is available.
WILSHIRE 4500 EQUITY INDEX--consists of all stocks in the Wilshire 5000 except
for the 500 stocks in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
RUSSELL 3000 STOCK INDEX--a diversified portfolio of over 3,000 common stocks
accounting for over 90% of the market value of publicly traded stocks in the
U.S.
RUSSELL 2000 STOCK INDEX--composed of the 2,000 smallest stocks contained in
the Russell 3000, representing approximately 7% of the Russell 3000 total mar-
ket capitalization.
RUSSELL 2000(R) VALUE INDEX--contains stocks from the Russell 2000 Index with a
less-than-average growth orientation.
MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL EAFE INDEX--is an arithmetic, market val-
ue-weighted average of the performance of over 900 securities listed on the
stock exchanges of countries in Europe, Australia and the Far East.
GOLDMAN SACHS 100 CONVERTIBLE BOND INDEX--currently includes 67 bonds and 33
preferreds. The original list of names was generated by screening for convert-
ible issues of 100 million or greater in market capitalization. The index is
priced monthly.
SALOMON BROTHERS GNMA INDEX--includes pools of mortgages originated by private
lenders and guaranteed by the mortgage pools of the Government National Mort-
gage Association.
SALOMON BROTHERS HIGH GRADE CORPORATE BOND INDEX--consists of publicly issued,
non-convertible corporate bonds rated AA or AAA. It is a value-weighted, total
return index, including approximately 800 issues with maturities of 12 years or
greater.
LEHMAN BROTHERS AGGREGATE BOND INDEX--is a market-weighted index that contains
over 5,500 individually priced investment-grade corporate bonds and foreign
dollar-denominated bonds rated BBB or better, U.S. Treasury/agency issues and
mortgage passthrough securities with market value of over $4.5 trillion.
LEHMAN LONG-TERM TREASURY BOND--is composed of all U.S. Treasury bonds with ma-
turities of 10 years or greater.
MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE & GOVERNMENT BOND--consists of over 4,500 U.S. Trea-
sury, Agency and investment grade corporate bonds.
LEHMAN BROTHERS CORPORATE BOND INDEX--all publicly offered fixed-rate, noncon-
vertible domestic corporate bonds rated Baa by Moody's, with a maturity longer
than 1 year and with more than $100 million outstanding. This index includes
over 3,000 issues.
21
<PAGE>
LEHMAN BROTHERS LONG-TERM CORPORATE BOND INDEX--is a subset of the Lehman Cor-
porate Bond Index covering all corporate, publicly issued, fixed-rate, noncon-
vertible U.S. debt issues rated at least Baa, with at least $100 million prin-
cipal outstanding and maturity greater than 10 years.
BOND BUYER MUNICIPAL INDEX (20-YEAR) BOND--is a yield index on current-coupon
high grade general-obligation municipal bonds.
STANDARD & POOR'S PREFERRED INDEX--is a yield index based upon the average
yield of four high grade, non- callable preferred stock issues.
NASDAQ INDUSTRIAL INDEX--is composed of more than 3,000 industrial issues. It
is a value-weighted index calculated on price change only and does not include
income.
COMPOSITE INDEX--70% Standard & Poor's 500 Index and 30% NASDAQ Industrial In-
dex.
COMPOSITE INDEX--65% Standard & Poor's 500 Index and 35% Lehman Long-Term Cor-
porate AA or Better Bond Index.
COMPOSITE INDEX--65% Lehman Long-Term Corporate AA or Better Bond Index and a
35% weighting in a blended equity composite (75% Standard & Poor's/BARRA Value
Index and 25% Standard & Poor's Utilities Index).
LEHMAN LONG-TERM CORPORATE AA OR BETTER BOND INDEX--consists of all publicly
issued, fixed rate, nonconvertible investment grade, dollar-denominated, SEC-
registered corporate debt rated AA or AAA.
LIPPER SMALL COMPANY GROWTH FUND AVERAGE--the average performance of small com-
pany growth funds as defined by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Lipper defines
a small company growth fund as a fund that by prospectus or portfolio practice,
limits its investments to companies on the basis of the size of the company.
From time to time, Vanguard may advertise using the average performance and/or
the average expense ratio of the small company growth funds. (This fund cate-
gory was first established in 1982. For years prior to 1982, the results of the
Lipper Small Company Growth category were estimated using the returns of the
Funds that constituted the Group at its inception.)
LIPPER BALANCED FUND AVERAGE--an industry benchmark of average balanced funds
with similar investment objectives and policies, as measured by Lipper Analyti-
cal Services, Inc.
LIPPER NON-GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND AVERAGE--an industry benchmark of aver-
age non-government money market funds with similar investment objectives and
policies, as measured by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
LIPPER GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND AVERAGE--an industry benchmark of average
government money market funds with similar investment objectives and policies,
as measured by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
LIPPER VARIABLE INVESTMENT PRODUCT PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS--a monthly publication
that lists variable annuity and variable life separate accounts, and provides
information on assets, asset rankings, unit values (month-end), performance and
performance rankings.
LIPPER GENERAL EQUITY FUND AVERAGE--an industry benchmark of average general
equity funds with similar investment objectives and policies, as measured by
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
LIPPER FIXED INCOME FUND AVERAGE--an industry benchmark of average fixed income
funds with similar investment objectives and policies, as measured by Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc.
22
<PAGE>
VARDS AVERAGE CONTRACT EXPENSE--tables that list the average total expenses of
variable annuity contracts sold in the United States. The average is based upon
a hypothetical $25,000 investment in each variable annuity contract covered by
the study.
MORNINGSTAR'S BENCHMARK-VARIABLE ANNUITY--average total expenses of variable
annuity contracts sold in the United States. With respect to the contract
charges, Morningstar lists a dollar amount which Vanguard converts to basis
points for comparison. This conversion is based on a $25,000 investment in a
variable annuity.
23
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's Financial Statements and financial highlights, for the year ended
September 30, 1996, appearing in the 1996 Vanguard Variable Insurance Fund An-
nual Report to Shareholders and the report thereon of Price Waterhouse LLP, in-
dependent accountants, also appearing therein, are incorporated by reference in
this Statement of Additional Information. The Fund's 1996 Annual Report to
Shareholders is enclosed with this Statement of Additional Information.
APPENDIX -- DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES AND RATINGS
A-1 AND PRIME-1 COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
Commercial paper rated A-1 by Standard & Poor's has the following characteris-
tics: (1) liquidity ratios are adequate to meet cash requirements; (2) long-
term senior debt is rated "A" or better; (3) the issuer has access to at least
two additional channels of borrowing; (4) basic earnings and cash flow have an
upward trend with allowance made for unusual circumstances; (5) typically, the
issuer's industry is well established and the issuer has a strong position
within the industry; and (6) the reliability and quality of management are un-
questioned. Relative strength or weakness of the above factors determine
whether the issuer's commercial paper is A-1, A-2, or A-3. The rating Prime-1
is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Moody's. Among the factors
considered by Moody's in assigning ratings are the following: (1) evaluation of
the management of the issuer; (2) economic evaluation of the issuer's industry
or industries and the appraisal of speculative-type risks which may be inherent
in certain areas; (3) evaluation of the issuer's products in relation to compe-
tition and customer acceptance; (4) liquidity; (5) amount and quality of long-
term debt; (6) trend of earnings over a period of ten years; (7) financial
strength of a parent company and the relationships which exist with the issuer;
and (8) recognition by the management of obligations which may be present or
may arise as a result of public interest questions and preparations to meet
such obligations.
VARIABLE AMOUNT MASTER DEMAND NOTES
Variable amount master demand notes are demand obligations that permit the in-
vestment of fluctuating amounts at varying market rates of interest pursuant to
an arrangement between the issuer and a commercial bank acting as agent for the
payees of such notes, whereby both parties have the right to vary the amount of
the outstanding indebtedness on the notes. Because variable amount master de-
mand notes are direct lending arrangements between a lender and a borrower, it
is not generally contemplated that such instruments will be traded, and there
is no secondary market for these notes, although they are redeemable (and thus
immediately repayable by the borrower) at face value, plus accrued interest, at
any time. In connection with a Portfolio's investment in variable amount master
demand notes, Vanguard's investment management staff will monitor, on an ongo-
ing basis, the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issu-
er, and the borrower's ability to pay principal and interest on demand.
BOND RATINGS
Excerpts from Moody's Investor Service, Inc. description of its four highest
preferred bond ratings:
AAA--judged to be of the best quality. AA--judged to be of high quality by all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known
as high-grade bonds. A--possess many favorable investment attributes and are to
be considered as "upper-medium-grade obligations". BAA--considered as medium-
grade obligations (i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured).
Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but
certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreli-
able over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
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Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating classi-
fication from AA through B. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks
in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a
mid-range ranking; and 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic
rating category.
Excerpts from Standard & Poor's Corporation description of its four highest
bond ratings:
AAA--highest rating assigned. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is
extremely strong. AA--a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay princi-
pal and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree. A--has a
strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat
more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and eco-
nomic conditions than debt in higher rated categories. BBB--regarded as having
an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally
exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or chang-
ing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay inter-
est and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated catego-
ries.
Standard & Poor's may apply indicators "+", no character and "-" to its rating
categories from AA to CCC. The indicators show relative standing within the ma-
jor rating categories.
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