Dreyfus Balanced
Fund, Inc.
Investing for long-term capital growth and current income
PROSPECTUS January 1, 2000
As revised, June 27, 2000
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this
prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
Contents
THE FUND
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2 Goal/Approach
3 Main Risks
4 Past Performance
5 Expenses
6 Management
7 Financial Highlights
YOUR INVESTMENT
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8 Account Policies
11 Distributions and Taxes
12 Services for Fund Investors
14 Instructions for Regular Accounts
16 Instructions for IRAs
FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Back Cover
What every investor should know about the fund
Information for managing your fund account
Where to learn more about this and other Dreyfus funds
<PAGE>
The Fund
Dreyfus Balanced Fund, Inc.
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Ticker Symbol: DRBAX
GOAL/APPROACH
The fund seeks long-term capital growth and current income. To pursue this goal,
the fund invests in equity and debt securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. The
proportion of the fund's assets invested in each type of security will vary from
time to time in accordance with Dreyfus's assessment of economic conditions and
investment opportunities. However, under normal market conditions, equity
investments will range from 40% to 75% of its portfolio, with a benchmark
allocation of 60% . Fixed-income investments (including cash and cash
equivalents) will range from 25% to 60%, with a benchmark allocation of 40%.
To select equity investments for the fund, Dreyfus generally employs a
value-oriented, "bottom-up" approach: investing primarily in midsize and large
companies that we believe have above-average growth potential and are
attractively valued relative to the market in general.
To select fixed-income investments for the fund, Dreyfus reviews the terms of
the instruments and evaluates the creditworthiness of the issuers, considering
all factors which it deems relevant, including, as applicable, a review of the
issuer' s cash flow; level of short-term debt; leverage; capitalization; the
quality and depth of management; profitability; return on assets; and economic
factors relative to the issuer's industry.
INFORMATION ON THE FUND' S RECENT STRATEGIES AND HOLDINGS CAN BE FOUND IN THE
CURRENT ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORT (SEE BACK COVER).
Concepts to understand
BENCHMARK ALLOCATIONS: represent the asset mix Dreyfus expects to maintain when
its assessment of economic conditions and investment opportunities indicate that
the financial markets are fairly valued relative to each other.
INVESTMENT RANGE: indicates ordinarily expected variations from the benchmarks
and reflects expected shifts within specific asset classes.
<PAGE 2>
MAIN RISKS
Because stocks and bonds fluctuate in price, the value of your investment in the
fund will go up and down, and you could lose money. The stock and bond markets
can perform differently from each other at any given time (as well as over the
long term), so the fund's performance will be affected by its asset allocation.
If the manager favors an asset class during a period when that asset class
underperforms, the fund's performance may be hurt.
The fund' s investments in value stocks are subject to the risk that their
intrinsic values may never be realized by the market, or their prices may go
down. Further, while the fund' s investments in value stocks may limit the
overall downside risk of the fund over time, the fund may produce more modest
gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk.
Investments in midsize company stocks tend to be more volatile than large
company stocks and could have a disproportionate effect on performance
Bond prices tend to move inversely with changes in interest rates and may be
hurt by declines in the issuer's financial condition.
Foreign stocks and bonds involve special risks, such as exposure to currency
fluctuations, economic and political instability, and potentially less
liquidity.
The fund is non-diversified and may invest a greater percentage of its assets in
a particular company compared with other funds. Accordingly, the fund's
portfolio may be more sensitive to changes in the market value of a single
company or industry.
Other potential risks
The fund may invest in derivatives such as mortgage- and asset-backed
securities, and futures and options. Derivatives can be illiquid and highly
sensitive to changes in their underlying securities, interest rate or index,
and, as a result, can be highly volatile. The fund also may engage in foreign
currency transactions and sell short. These practices can be used to hedge the
fund's portfolio or to increase returns; of course, such practices sometimes may
reduce returns or increase volatility.
The fund can buy securities with borrowed money (a form of leverage), which
could have the effect of magnifying the fund's gains or losses.
The Fund
<PAGE 3>
PAST PERFORMANCE
The tables below show some of the risks of investing in the fund. The first
table shows the changes in the fund's performance from year to year. The second
table compares the fund's performance over time to that of the S&P 500((reg.tm))
, a widely recognized unmanaged index of stock performance, and the Customized
Blended Index* prepared by Dreyfus. Both tables assume reinvestment of
dividends. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future results.
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Year-by-year total return AS OF 12/31 EACH YEAR (%)
10.84 3.98 25.04 11.62 17.43 9.69
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
BEST QUARTER: Q4 '98 +10.83%
WORST QUARTER: Q3 '98 -7.13%
THE FUND'S YEAR-TO-DATE TOTAL RETURN AS OF 3/31/00 WAS 3.04%.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Average annual total return AS OF 12/31/98
Since
inception
1 Year 5 Years (9/30/92)
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FUND 9.69% 13.33% 12.73%
S&P 500 28.60% 24.05% 21.60%
CUSTOMIZED BLENDED
INDEX* 18.29% 15.53% 14.30%
* THE INDEX MATCHES THE FUND' S BENCHMARK ALLOCATIONS IN EXISTENCE PRIOR TO
SEPTEMBER 15, 1999 (50% S&P 500, 40% LEHMAN AGGREGATE BOND INDEX AND 10% CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS) . EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 15, 1999, THE FUND CHANGED ITS
BENCHMARK ALLOCATIONS TO 60% S&P 500 AND 40% LEHMAN AGGREGATE BOND INDEX.
</TABLE>
What this fund is -- and isn't
This fund is a mutual fund: a pooled investment that is professionally managed
and gives you the opportunity to participate in financial markets. It strives to
reach its stated goal, although as with all mutual funds, it cannot offer
guaranteed results.
An investment in this fund is not a bank deposit. It is not FDIC-insured or
government-endorsed. It is not a complete investment program. You could lose
money in this fund, but you also have the potential to make money.
<PAGE 3>
EXPENSES
As an investor, you pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the fund,
which are described in the table below. Annual fund operating expenses are paid
out of fund assets, so their effect is included in the share price. The fund has
no sales charge (load) or Rule 12b-1 distribution fees.
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Fee table
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
% OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS
Management fees 0.60%
Shareholder services fee 0.22%
Other expenses 0.15%
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TOTAL 0.97%
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Expense example
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
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$99 $309 $536 $1,190
This example shows what you could pay in expenses over
time. It uses the same hypothetical conditions other
funds use in their prospectuses: $10,000 initial
investment, 5% total return each year and no changes in
expenses. The figures shown would be the same whether
you sold your shares at the end of a period or kept
them. Because actual return and expenses will be
different, the example is for comparison only.
Concepts to understand
MANAGEMENT FEE: the fee paid to Dreyfus for managing the fund's portfolio and
assisting in all aspects of the fund's operations.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES FEE: a fee of up to 0.25% used to reimburse Dreyfus Service
Corporation for shareholder account service and maintenance.
OTHER EXPENSES: fees paid by the fund for miscellaneous items such as transfer
agency, custody, professional and registration fees.
The Fund
<PAGE 4>
MANAGEMENT
The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation, 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages more than $120
billion in over 160 mutual fund portfolios. For the past fiscal year, the fund
paid Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.60% of the fund's average
daily net assets. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of Mellon
Financial Corporation, a global financial services company with approximately
$2.5 trillion of assets under management, administration or custody, including
approximately $450 billion under management. Mellon provides wealth management,
global investment services and a comprehensive array of banking services for
individuals, businesses and institutions. Mellon is headquartered in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania.
The fund, Dreyfus and Dreyfus Service Corporation (the fund's distributor) each
have adopted a code of ethics that permits its personnel, subject to such code,
to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by
the fund. The Dreyfus code of ethics restricts the personal securities
transactions of its employees, and requires portfolio managers and other
investment personnel to comply with the code's preclearance and disclosure
procedures. Its primary purpose is to ensure that personal trading by Dreyfus
employees does not disadvantage any Dreyfus-managed fund.
Portfolio manager
Douglas D. Ramos, CFA, is the fund's primary portfolio manager, a position he
has held since joining Dreyfus in July 1997. Previously, he was a senior partner
and investment counselor for Loomis, Sayles & Company.
<PAGE 5>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table describes the fund's performance for the fiscal periods indicated.
" Total return" shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased
(or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and
distributions. These figures have been independently audited by Ernst & Young
LLP, whose report, along with the fund's financial statements, is included in
the annual report.
YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
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PER-SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of period 15.19 18.15 15.13 15.61 13.72
Investment operations:
Investment income -- net .87* .47 .45 .51 .54
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments 1.98 (.88) 3.65 .29 1.99
Total from investment operations 2.85 (.41) 4.10 .80 2.53
Distributions:
Dividends from investment
income -- net (.45) (.46) (.44) (.53) (.51)
Dividends from net realized gain
on investments (1.08) (2.09) (.64) (.75) (.13)
Total distributions (1.53) (2.55) (1.08) (1.28) (.64)
Net asset value, end of period 16.51 15.19 18.15 15.13 15.61
Total return (%) 19.37 (2.99) 28.06 5.19 19.03
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RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Ratio of operating expenses
to average net assets (%) .94 .91 .96 1.00 1.04
Ratio of interest expense
to average net assets (%) .03 -- -- -- --
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets (%) 2.62 2.76 2.71 3.37 3.99
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 162.40 177.85 235.56 186.23 72.42
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Net assets, end of period ($ x 1,000) 188,215 359,521 347,259 269,869 165,909
* BASED ON AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING AT EACH MONTH END.
</TABLE>
The Fund
<PAGE 6>
Your Investment
ACCOUNT POLICIES
Buying shares
YOU PAY NO SALES CHARGES to invest in this fund. Your price for fund shares is
the fund's net asset value per share (NAV), which is generally calculated as of
the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) every day the exchange is open. Your order will be priced at the next NAV
calculated after your order is accepted by the fund or other authorized entity.
The fund' s investments are generally valued based on market value or, where
market quotations are not readily available, based on fair value as determined
in good faith by the fund's board.
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Minimum investments
Initial Additional
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REGULAR ACCOUNTS $2,500 $100
$500 FOR
TELETRANSFER
INVESTMENTS
TRADITIONAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
SPOUSAL IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
ROTH IRAS $750 NO MINIMUM
EDUCATION IRAS $500 NO MINIMUM
AFTER THE FIRST
YEAR
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC $100 $100
INVESTMENT PLANS
All investments must be in U.S. dollars. Third-party
checks cannot be accepted. You may be charged a fee for
any check that does not clear. Maximum TeleTransfer
purchase is $150,000 per day.
Third-party investments
If you invest through a third party (rather than directly with Dreyfus), the
policies and fees may be different than those described here. Banks, brokers,
401(k) plans, financial advisers and financial supermarkets may charge
transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on
buying or selling shares. Consult a representative of your plan or financial
institution if in doubt.
<PAGE 7>
Selling shares
YOU MAY SELL (REDEEM) SHARES AT ANY TIME. Your shares will be sold at the next
NAV calculated after your order is accepted by the fund's transfer agent or
other authorized entity. Any certificates representing fund shares being sold
must be returned with your redemption request. Your order will be processed
promptly and you will generally receive the proceeds within a week.
BEFORE SELLING SHARES RECENTLY PURCHASED by check, TeleTransfer or Automatic
Asset Builder, please note that:
(pound) if you send a written request to sell such shares, the fund may delay
sending the proceeds for up to eight business days following the
purchase of those shares
(pound) the fund will not process wire, telephone or TeleTransfer redemption
requests for up to eight business days following the purchase of
those shares
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Limitations on selling shares by phone
Proceeds
sent by Minimum Maximum
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CHECK NO MINIMUM $250,000 PER DAY
WIRE $1,000 $500,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
TELETRANSFER $500 $500,000 FOR JOINT
ACCOUNTS
EVERY 30 DAYS
Written sell orders
Some circumstances require written sell orders along with signature guarantees.
These include:
(pound) amounts of $10,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed
within the last 30 days
(pound) requests to send the proceeds to a different payee or address
Written sell orders of $100,000 or more must also be signature guaranteed.
A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE helps protect against fraud. You can obtain one from most
banks or securities dealers, but not from a notary public. For joint accounts,
each signature must be guaranteed. Please call us to ensure that your signature
guarantee will be processed correctly.
Your Investment
<PAGE 8>
ACCOUNT POLICIES (CONTINUED)
General policies
UNLESS YOU DECLINE TELEPHONE PRIVILEGES on your application, you may be
responsible for any fraudulent telephone order as long as Dreyfus takes
reasonable measures to verify the order.
THE FUND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO:
(pound) refuse any purchase or exchange request that
could adversely affect the fund or its operations,
including those from any individual or group who, in the
fund' s view, is likely to engage in excessive trading
(usually defined as more than four exchanges out of the
fund within a calendar year)
(pound) refuse any purchase or exchange request in excess of
1% of the fund's total assets
(pound) change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or
temporarily suspend this privilege during unusual market conditions
(pound) change its minimum investment amounts
(pound) delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to
seven days (generally applies only in cases of very large redemptions,
excessive trading or during unusual market conditions)
The fund also reserves the right to make a "redemption in kind" -- payment in
portfolio securities rather than cash -- if the amount you are redeeming is
large enough to affect fund operations (for example, if it represents more than
1% of the fund's assets).
Small account policies
To offset the relatively higher costs of servicing smaller accounts, the fund
charges regular accounts with balances below $2,000 an annual fee of $12. The
fee will be imposed during the fourth quarter of each calendar year.
The fee will be waived for: any investor whose aggregate Dreyfus mutual fund
investments total at least $25,000; IRA accounts; accounts participating in
automatic investment programs; accounts opened through a financial institution.
If your account falls below $500, the fund may ask you to increase your balance.
If it is still below $500 after 45 days, the fund may close your account and
send you the proceeds.
<PAGE 9>
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
THE FUND USUALLY PAYS ITS SHAREHOLDERS DIVIDENDS from its net investment income
quarterly, and distributes any net capital gains it has realized once a year.
Your distributions will be reinvested in the fund unless you instruct the fund
otherwise. There are no fees or sales charges on reinvestments.
FUND DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS ARE TAXABLE to most investors (unless your
investment is in an IRA or other tax-deferred account). The tax status of any
distribution is the same regardless of how long you have been in the fund and
whether you reinvest your distributions or take them in cash. In general,
distributions are federally taxable as follows:
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Taxability of distributions
Type of Tax rate for Tax rate for
distribution 15% bracket 28% bracket or above
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INCOME ORDINARY ORDINARY
DIVIDENDS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
SHORT-TERM ORDINARY ORDINARY
CAPITAL GAINS INCOME RATE INCOME RATE
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS 10% 20%
The tax status of your dividends and distributions will be detailed in your
annual tax statement from the fund.
Because everyone's tax situation is unique, always consult your tax professional
about federal, state and local tax consequences.
Taxes on transactions
Except for tax-deferred accounts, any sale or exchange of fund shares may
generate a tax liability. Of course, withdrawals or distributions from
tax-deferred accounts are taxable when received.
The table at right also can provide a guide for your potential tax liability
when selling or exchanging fund shares. "Short-term capital gains" applies to
fund shares sold or exchanged up to 12 months after buying them. "Long-term
capital gains" applies to shares sold or exchanged after 12 months.
Your Investment
<PAGE 10>
SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS
Automatic services
BUYING OR SELLING SHARES AUTOMATICALLY is easy with the services described
below. With each service, you select a schedule and amount, subject to certain
restrictions. You can set up most of these services with your application or by
calling 1-800-645-6561.
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For investing
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making automatic investments
ASSET BUILDER((reg.tm)) from a designated bank account.
DREYFUS PAYROLL For making automatic investments
SAVINGS PLAN through a payroll deduction.
DREYFUS GOVERNMENT For making automatic investments
DIRECT DEPOSIT from your federal employment,
PRIVILEGE Social Security or other regular
federal government check.
DREYFUS DIVIDEND For automatically reinvesting the
SWEEP dividends and distributions from
one Dreyfus fund into another
(not available for IRAs).
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For exchanging shares
DREYFUS AUTO- For making regular exchanges
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE from one Dreyfus fund into
another.
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For selling shares
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC For making regular withdrawals
WITHDRAWAL PLAN from most Dreyfus funds.
Dreyfus Financial Centers
Through a nationwide network of Dreyfus Financial Centers, Dreyfus offers a full
array of investment services and products. This includes information on mutual
funds, brokerage services, tax-advantaged products and retirement planning.
Experienced financial consultants can help you make informed choices and provide
you with personalized attention in handling account transactions. The Financial
Centers also offer informative seminars and events. To find the Financial Center
nearest you, call 1-800-499-3327.
<PAGE 11>
Exchange privilege
YOU CAN EXCHANGE SHARES WORTH $500 OR MORE from one Dreyfus fund into another
(no minimum for retirement accounts). You can request your exchange in writing
or by phone. Be sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you
are exchanging before investing. Any new account established through an exchange
will have the same privileges as your original account (as long as they are
available). There is currently no fee for exchanges, although you may be charged
a sales load when exchanging into any fund that has one.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege
TO MOVE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT and your Dreyfus fund account with a
phone call, use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up TeleTransfer
on your account by providing bank account information and following the
instructions on your application.
24-hour automated account access
YOU CAN EASILY MANAGE YOUR DREYFUS ACCOUNTS, check your account balances,
transfer money between your Dreyfus funds, get price and yield information and
much more -- when it's convenient for you -- by calling 1-800-645-6561.
Retirement plans
Dreyfus offers a variety of retirement plans, including traditional, Roth and
Education IRAs. Here's where you call for information:
(pound) for traditional, rollover, Roth and Education IRAs, call 1-800-645-656
(pound) for SEP-IRAs, Keogh accounts, 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, call
1-800-358-0910
Your Investment
<PAGE 12>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGULAR ACCOUNTS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete the application.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 9387, Providence, RI 02940-9387
By Telephone
WIRE Have your bank send your
investment to The Bank of New York, with these instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900117176
* the fund name
* your Social Security or tax ID number
* name(s) of investor(s)
Call us to obtain an account number. Return your application.
Automatically
WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT Indicate
on your application which automatic service(s) you want. Return your application
with your investment.
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Check the Dreyfus Step Program option on your
application. Return your application, then complete the additional materials
when they are sent to you.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write your account number on your check.
Mail the slip and the check to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 105,
Newark, NJ 07101-0105
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900117176
* the fund name
* your account number
* name(s) of investor(s)
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELETRANSFER Request TeleTransfer on your application. Call us to request your
transaction.
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add any automatic investing service
(see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete and return the forms along with
any other required materials.
<PAGE 13>
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name(s) and signature(s)
* your account number
* the fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation, if required (see "Account
Policies -- Selling Shares").
Mail your request to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds P.O. Box 9671, Providence, RI
02940-9671
WIRE Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call us to
request your transaction. Proceeds will be wired to your bank.
TELETRANSFER Be sure the fund has your bank account information on file. Call
us to request your transaction. Proceeds will be sent to your bank by electronic
check.
CHECK Call us to request your transaction. A check will be sent to the address
of record.
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request a form to add the plan.
Complete the form, specifying the amount and frequency of withdrawals you would
like.
Be sure to maintain an account balance of $5,000 or more.
To reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
Concepts to understand
WIRE TRANSFER: for transferring money from one financial institution to another.
Wiring is the fastest way to move money, although your bank may charge a fee to
send or receive wire transfers. Wire redemptions from the fund are subject to a
$1,000 minimum.
ELECTRONIC CHECK: for transferring money out of a bank account. Your transaction
is entered electronically, but may take up to eight business days to clear.
Electronic checks usually are available without a fee at all Automated Clearing
House (ACH) banks.
Your Investment
<PAGE 14>
INSTRUCTIONS FOR IRAS
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
In Writing
Complete an IRA application, making sure to specify the fund name and to
indicate the year the contribution is for.
Mail your application and a check to:
The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian P.O. Box 6427, Providence, RI 02940-6427
By Telephone
Automatically
WITHOUT ANY INITIAL INVESTMENT Call us
to request a Dreyfus Step Program form. Complete and return the form along with
your application.
Via the Internet
COMPUTER Visit the Dreyfus Web site http://www.dreyfus.com and follow the
instructions to download an account application.
TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT
Fill out an investment slip, and write your account number on your check.
Indicate the year the contribution is for.
Mail in the slip and the check (see "To Open an Account" at left).
WIRE Have your bank send your investment to The Bank of New York, with these
instructions:
* ABA# 021000018
* DDA# 8900117176
* the fund name
* your account number
* name of investor
* the contribution year
ELECTRONIC CHECK Same as wire, but insert "1111" before your account number.
TELEPHONE CONTRIBUTION Call to request us to move money from a regular Dreyfus
account to an IRA (both accounts must be held in the same shareholder name).
ALL SERVICES Call us to request a form to add an automatic investing service
(see "Services for Fund Investors"). Complete and return the form along with any
other required materials.
All contributions will count as current year.
<PAGE 15>
TO SELL SHARES
Write a letter of instruction that includes:
* your name and signature
* your account number
* the fund name
* the dollar amount you want to sell
* how and where to send the proceeds
* whether the distribution is qualified or premature
* whether the 10% TEFRA should be withheld
Obtain a signature guarantee or other documentation, if required.
Mail in your request (see "To Open an Account" at left).
DREYFUS AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN Call us to request instructions to establish
the plan.
To reach Dreyfus, call toll free in the U.S.
1-800-645-6561
Outside the U.S. 516-794-5452
Make checks payable to:
THE DREYFUS TRUST COMPANY, CUSTODIAN
You also can deliver requests to any Dreyfus Financial Center. Because
processing time may vary, please ask the representative when your account will
be credited or debited.
Concepts to understand
WIRE TRANSFER: for transferring money from one financial institution to another.
Wiring is the fastest way to move money, although your bank may charge a fee to
send or receive wire transfers. Wire redemptions from the fund are subject to a
$1,000 minimum.
ELECTRONIC CHECK: for transferring money out of a bank account. Your transaction
is entered electronically, but may take up to eight business days to clear.
Electronic checks usually are available without a fee at all Automated Clearing
House (ACH) banks.
Your Investment
<PAGE 16>
For More Information
Dreyfus Balanced Fund, Inc.
-----------------------------
SEC file number: 811-7068
More information on this fund is available free upon
request, including the following:
Annual/Semiannual Report
Describes the fund' s performance, lists portfolio
holdings and contains a letter from the fund's manager
discussing recent market conditions, economic trends and
fund strategies that significantly affected the fund's
performance during the last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
Provides more details about the fund and its policies. A
current SAI is on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) and is incorporated by reference (is
legally considered part of this prospectus).
To obtain information:
BY TELEPHONE Call 1-800-645-6561
BY MAIL Write to: The Dreyfus Family of Funds 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144
BY E-MAIL Send your request to [email protected]
ON THE INTERNET Text-only versions of certain fund documents can be viewed
online or downloaded from:
SEC
http://www.sec.gov
DREYFUS
http://www.dreyfus.com
You can also obtain copies by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in
Washington, DC (for information, call 1-202-942-8090) or, after paying a
duplicating fee, by E-mail request to [email protected], or by writing to the
SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102.
(c) 2000 Dreyfus Service Corporation 222P0600
