JANUS ASPEN SERIES
485BPOS, 1999-04-30
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Form N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933           [X]

     Pre- Effective Amendment No.                                 [ ]

     Post-Effective Amendment No. 18                              [X]

                                     and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT
         OF 1940                                                  [X]

         Amendment No. 20                                         [X]

                        (Check appropriate box or boxes.)

JANUS ASPEN SERIES                                                              
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado 80206-4928                                
Address of Principal Executive Offices      (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone No., including Area Code:  303-333-3863                  

Thomas A. Early - 100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado 80206-4928              
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Approximate Date of Proposed Offering:  May 1, 1999

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

     [ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
     [X] on May 1, 1999  pursuant to  paragraph  (b) of Rule 485 
     [ ] 60 days after  filing  pursuant to  paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485 
     [ ] on (date) pursuant  to  paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485 
     [ ] 75 days  after  filing pursuant  to  paragraph  (a)(2) of Rule 485 
     [ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:
     [ ] This  post-effective  amendment  designates a new effective date for a
         previously filed post-effective amendment.


<PAGE>


                               JANUS ASPEN SERIES

                              Cross Reference Sheet
                   Between the Prospectuses and Statements of
                    Additional Information and Form N-1A Item


FORM N-1A ITEM                          CAPTION IN PROSPECTUSES

PART A

1.    Front and Back Cover Pages        Cover Pages

2.    Risk/Return Summary:              Risk/Return Summary
      Investments, Risks, and
      Performance

3.    Risk/Return Summary:  Fee         Risk/Return Summary
      Table

4.    Investment Objectives,            Investment Objectives, Principal
      Principal Investment              Investment Strategies, and Risks; 
      Strategies, and Related Risks     Rating Categories

5.    Management's Discussion of        Not Applicable
      Fund Performance

6.    Management, Organization, and     Management of the Portfolios
      Capital Structure

7.    Shareholder Information           Shareholder's Guide; Other Information; 
                                        Distributions and Taxes

8.    Distribution Arrangements         Other Information (Retirement 
                                        Shares Prospectus only)

9.    Financial Highlights              Financial Highlights
      Information


<PAGE>



FORM N-1A ITEM                          CAPTION IN STATEMENTS OF 
                                        ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PART B

10.   Cover Page and Table of           Cover Page; Table of Contents
      Contents

11.   Fund History                      Miscellaneous Information

12.   Description of the Fund and       Classification,    Portfolio   Turnover,
      Its Investments and Risks         Investment  Policies  and  Restrictions,
                                        Investment    Strategies    and   Risks;
                                        Appendix  A;  Appendix  B (Money  Market
                                        Fund     Statements     of    Additional
                                        Information only)

13.   Management of the Fund            Investment Adviser; Trustees and 
                                        Officers

14.   Control Persons and Principal     Principal Shareholders
      Holders of Securities

15.   Investment Advisory and Other     Investment Adviser; Custodian,  Transfer
      Services                          Agent,    and   Certain    Affiliations;
                                        Portfolio  Transactions  and  Brokerage;
                                        Trustees  and  Officers;   Miscellaneous
                                        Information

16.   Brokerage Allocation and          Portfolio Transactions and
      Other Practices                   Brokerage

17.   Capital Stock and Other           Purchase   of  Shares;   Redemption   of
      Securities                        Shares; Miscellaneous Information

18.   Purchase, Redemption, and         Purchase of Shares; Redemption
      Pricing of Shares                 of Shares; Miscellaneous
                                        Information

<PAGE>

19.   Taxation of the Fund              Distributions,  and Tax Status (Combined
                                        Institutional    Shares   and   Combined
                                        Retirement    Shares    Statements    of
                                        Additional  Information only); Dividends
                                        and  Tax  Status   (Money   Market  Fund
                                        Statements  of  Additional   Information
                                        only)

20.   Underwriters                      Custodian,  Transfer Agent,  and Certain
                                        Affiliations

21.   Calculation of Performance        Performance     Information    (Combined
      Data                              Institutional    Shares   and   Combined
                                        Retirement    Shares    Statements    of
                                        Additional   Information);   Performance
                                        Data (Money  Market Fund  Statements  of
                                        Additional Information only)

22.   Financial Statements              Financial Statements

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
                                         [JANUS LOGO]
 
                   Janus Aspen Series
 
                              PROSPECTUS
                              MAY 1, 1999
                              Growth Portfolio
                              Aggressive Growth Portfolio
                              Capital Appreciation Portfolio
                              International Growth Portfolio
                              Worldwide Growth Portfolio
                              Balanced Portfolio
                              Equity Income Portfolio
                              Growth and Income Portfolio
                              Flexible Income Portfolio
                              High-Yield Portfolio
                              Money Market Portfolio
 
                   THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR
                   DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED ON THE ACCURACY OR
                   ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                   CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
 
    [JANUS LOGO]
 
                This prospectus describes eleven mutual funds (the "Portfolios")
                with a variety of investment objectives, including growth of
                capital, current income and a combination of growth and income.
                Each Portfolio of Janus Aspen Series currently offers two
                classes of shares. The Institutional Shares, (the "Shares"), are
                sold under the name of "Janus Aspen Series" and are offered by
                this prospectus in connection with investment in and payments
                under variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
                contracts, as well as certain qualified retirement plans.
 
                Janus Aspen Series sells and redeems its Shares at net asset
                value without sales charges, commissions or redemption fees.
                Each variable insurance contract involves fees and expenses that
                are not described in this Prospectus. Certain Portfolios may not
                be available in connection with a particular contract and
                certain contracts may limit allocations among the Portfolios.
                See the accompanying contract prospectus for information
                regarding contract fees and expenses and any restrictions on
                purchases or allocations.
 
                This prospectus contains information that a prospective
                purchaser of a variable insurance contract or plan participant
                should consider in conjunction with the accompanying separate
                account prospectus of the specific insurance company product
                before allocating purchase payments or premiums to the
                Portfolios.
<PAGE>
 
                                                               Table of contents
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                                                           <C>
                RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
                   Growth Portfolios........................................    2
                   Combination Portfolios...................................    7
                   Fixed-Income Portfolios..................................   10
                   Money Market Portfolio...................................   12
                   Fees and expenses........................................   14
                INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND
                RISKS
                   Growth Portfolios........................................   16
                   Combination Portfolios...................................   18
                   Fixed-Income Portfolios..................................   20
                   General portfolio policies for Portfolios other than
                   Money Market Portfolio...................................   21
                   Risks for Growth, Global Growth and Combination
                   Portfolios...............................................   24
                   Risks for Fixed-Income Portfolios........................   25
                   Risks Common to All Non-Money Market Portfolios..........   26
                   Money Market Portfolio...................................   28
                   Investment techniques....................................   29
                MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIOS
                   Investment adviser.......................................   31
                   Management expenses and expense limits...................   31
                   Investment personnel.....................................   33
                OTHER INFORMATION...........................................   36
                DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
                   Distributions............................................   37
                   Taxes....................................................   37
                SHAREHOLDER'S GUIDE
                   Purchases................................................   39
                   Redemptions..............................................   40
                   Shareholder communications...............................   40
                FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS........................................   41
                GLOSSARY
                   Glossary of investment terms.............................   52
                RATING CATEGORIES
                   Explanation of rating categories.........................   56
 
</TABLE>
 
                                                            Table of contents  1
<PAGE>
Risk return summary
 
GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          The Growth Portfolios are designed for long-term investors who seek
          growth of capital and who can tolerate the greater risks associated
          with common stock investments.
 
1. WHAT ARE THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE GROWTH PORTFOLIOS?
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          DOMESTIC GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          - GROWTH PORTFOLIO seeks long-term growth of capital in a manner
            consistent with the preservation of capital.
 
          - AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO AND CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO
            seek long-term growth of capital.
 
          GLOBAL GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          - INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
          - WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO seeks long-term growth of capital in a
            manner consistent with the preservation of capital.
 
          The Portfolios' Trustees may change these objectives without a
          shareholder vote and the Portfolios will notify you of any changes
          that are material. If there is a material change to a Portfolio's
          objective or policies, you should consider whether that Portfolio
          remains an appropriate investment for you. There is no guarantee
          that a Portfolio will meet its objective.
 
2. WHAT ARE THE MAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE GROWTH PORTFOLIOS?
 
          The portfolio managers apply a "bottom up" approach in choosing
          investments. In other words, they look for companies with earnings
          growth potential one at a time. If a portfolio manager is unable to
          find investments with earnings growth potential, a significant portion
          of a Portfolio's assets may be in cash or similar investments.
 
          GROWTH PORTFOLIO invests primarily in common stocks selected for their
          growth potential. Although the Portfolio can invest in companies of
          any size, it generally invests in larger, more established companies.
 
          AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO invests primarily in common stocks
          selected for their growth potential, and normally invests at least 50%
          of its equity assets in medium-sized companies.
 
          CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO invests primarily in common stocks
          selected for their growth potential. The Portfolio may invest in
          companies of any size, from larger, well-established companies to
          smaller, emerging growth companies.
 
          INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO normally invests at least 65% of its
          total assets in securities of issuers from at least five different
          countries, excluding the United States. Although the Portfolio intends
          to invest substantially all of its assets in issuers located outside
          the United States, it may invest in U.S. issuers and it may at times
          invest all of its assets in fewer than five countries, or even a
          single country.
 
          WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO invests primarily in common stocks of
          companies of any size throughout the world. The Portfolio normally
          invests in issuers from at least five different countries, including
          the United States. The Portfolio may at times invest in fewer than
          five countries or even a single country.
 
 2 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
3. WHAT ARE THE MAIN RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE GROWTH PORTFOLIOS?
 
          The biggest risk is that the Portfolios' returns may vary, and you
          could lose money. If you are considering investing in any of the
          Growth Portfolios, remember that they are each designed for long-term
          investors who can accept the risks of investing in a portfolio with
          significant common stock holdings. Common stocks tend to be more
          volatile than other investment choices.
 
          The value of a Portfolio may decrease if the value of an individual
          company in the portfolio decreases. The value of a Portfolio could
          also decrease if the stock market goes down. If the value of a
          Portfolio decreases, its net asset value (NAV) will also decrease,
          which means if you sell your shares in a Portfolio you would get back
          less money.
 
          INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO AND WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO may have
          significant exposure to foreign markets. As a result, their returns
          and NAV may be affected to a large degree by fluctuations in currency
          exchange rates or political or economic conditions in a particular
          country.
 
          AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO AND CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO are
          nondiversified. In other words, they may hold larger positions in a
          smaller number of securities than a diversified fund. As a result, a
          single security's increase or decrease in value may have a greater
          impact on a Portfolio's NAV and total return.
 
          An investment in these Portfolios is not a bank deposit and is not
          insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
          any other government agency.
 
   
          The following information provides some indication of the risks of
          investing in the Growth Portfolios by showing how each of the Growth
          Portfolios' performance has varied over time. The bar charts depict
          the change in performance from year-to-year during the period
          indicated, but do not include charges and expenses attributable to any
          insurance product which would lower the performance illustrated. The
          Portfolios do not impose any sales or other charges that would affect
          total return computations. Total return figures include the effect of
          each Portfolio's expenses. The tables compare the average annual
          returns for the Shares of each Portfolio for the periods indicated to
          a broad-based securities market index.
    
 
                                                          Risk return summary  3
<PAGE>
 
           GROWTH PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
          
           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Growth Portfolio - 
           Institutional Shares from 1994 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                      2.76%   30.17%   18.45%   22.75%   35.66%
                                       1994    1995     1996     1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.

           Best Quarter 4th-1998  27.71%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (10.92%)
 
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Since Inception
                                                                          1 year    5 years       (9/13/93)
                <S>                                                       <C>       <C>        <C> 
                Growth Portfolio - Institutional Shares                   35.66%    21.41%         20.91%
                S&P 500 Index*                                            28.74%    24.08%         23.06%
                                                                      ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
           * The S&P 500 is the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks,
             a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices.
 
           AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Aggressive Growth 
           Portfolio - Institutional Shares from 1994 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                     16.33%   27.48%    7.95%   12.66%   34.26%
                                       1994    1995     1996     1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with 
           the actual return printed above the bar.
            
           Best Quarter 4th-1998  34.65%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (14.98%)
 
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Since Inception
                                                                          1 year    5 years       (9/13/93)
                <S>                                                       <C>       <C>        <C> 
                Aggressive Growth Portfolio - Institutional Shares        34.26%    19.35%         21.96%
                S&P 400 Mid Cap Index*                                    18.25%    18.67%         18.06%
                                                                      ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
           * The S&P 400 Mid Cap Index is an unmanaged group of 400 domestic
             stocks chosen for their market size, liquidity and industry group
             representation.
 
 4 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
           CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
           
           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Capital Appreciation
           Portfolio - Institutional Shares for 1998:
           
           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31
                                  
                                                                         58.11%
                                                                          1998

           The percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with 
           the actual return printed above the bar.

            Best Quarter 4th-1998  33.98%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (9.98%)
 
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Since Inception
                                                                                 1 year       (5/1/97)
                <S>                                                              <C>       <C>
                Capital Appreciation Portfolio - Institutional Shares            58.11%        51.65%
                S&P 500 Index*                                                   28.74%        31.38%
                                                                             -----------------------------
</TABLE>
 
           * The S&P 500 is the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks,
             a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices.
 
           INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for international Growth
           Portfolio - Institutional Shares from 1995 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                              23.15%   34.71%   18.51%   17.23%
                                               1995     1996     1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.

           Best Quarter 4th-1998  16.63%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (17.76%)
 
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Since Inception
                                                                                 1 year       (5/2/94)
                <S>                                                              <C>       <C>
                International Growth Portfolio - Institutional Shares            17.23%        18.87%
                Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE Index*                 20.00%         8.11%
                                                                             -----------------------------
</TABLE>
 
           * The Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE Index is a market
             capitalization weighted index composed of companies representative
             of the market structure of 20 Developed Market countries in Europe,
             Australasia and the Far East.
 
                                                          Risk return summary  5
<PAGE>
 
           WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Worldwide Growth 
           Portfolio - Institutional Shares from 1994 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                      1.53%   27.37%   29.04%   22.15%   28.92%
                                       1994    1995     1996     1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.

           Best Quarter 4th-1998  20.87%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (16.03%)
 
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Since Inception
                                                                          1 year    5 years       (9/13/93)
                <S>                                                       <C>       <C>        <C>
                Worldwide Growth Portfolio - Institutional Shares         28.92%    21.32%         24.06%
                Morgan Stanley International Worldwide Index*             24.34%    15.68%         14.39%
                                                                      ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
           * The Morgan Stanley International Worldwide Index is a market
             capitalization weighted index composed of countries representative
             of the market structure of 47 Developed and Emerging Markets.
 
          The Growth Portfolios' past performance does not necessarily indicate
          how they will perform in the future.
 
 6 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS
 
          The Combination Portfolios are designed for investors who primarily
          seek growth of capital with varying degrees of emphasis on income.
          They are not designed for investors who desire a consistent level of
          income.
 
1. WHAT ARE THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS?
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          - BALANCED PORTFOLIO seeks long-term capital growth, consistent
            with preservation of capital and balanced by current income.
 
          - EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks current income and long-term growth
            of capital.
 
          - GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks long-term capital growth and
            current income.
 
          The Trustees may change these objectives without a shareholder vote
          and the Portfolios will notify you of any changes that are material.
          If there is a material change to a Portfolio's objective or policies,
          you should consider whether that Portfolio remains an appropriate
          investment for you. There is no guarantee that a Portfolio will meet
          its objective.
 
2. WHAT ARE THE MAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS?
 
          The portfolio managers apply a "bottom up" approach in choosing
          investments. In other words, they look mostly for equity and
          income-producing securities that meet their investment criteria one at
          a time. If a portfolio manager is unable to find such investments,
          much of a Portfolio's assets may be in cash or similar investments.
 
          BALANCED PORTFOLIO normally invests 40-60% of its assets in securities
          selected primarily for their growth potential and 40-60% of its assets
          in securities selected primarily for their income potential. The
          Portfolio will normally invest at least 25% of its assets in
          fixed-income securities.
 
          EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO normally emphasizes investments in common
          stocks, and growth potential is a significant investment
          consideration. Normally, it invests at least 65% of its assets in
          income-producing equity securities.
 
          GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO normally emphasizes investments in common
          stocks. It will normally invest up to 75% of its assets in equity
          securities selected primarily for their growth potential, and at least
          25% of its assets in securities the portfolio manager believes have
          income potential. Equity securities may make up part of this income
          component if they currently pay dividends or the portfolio manager
          believes they have potential for increasing or commencing dividend
          payments.
 
3. WHAT ARE THE MAIN RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS?
 
          The biggest risk is that the Portfolios' returns may vary, and you
          could lose money. If you are considering investing in any of the
          Combination Portfolios, remember that they are each designed for
          long-term investors who can accept the risks of investing in a
          portfolio with significant common stock holdings. Common stocks tend
          to be more volatile than other investment choices.
 
          The value of a Portfolio may decrease if the value of an individual
          company in the portfolio decreases. The value of a Portfolio could
          also decrease if the stock market goes down. If the value of a
          Portfolio decreases, its NAV will also decrease, which means if you
          sell your shares in a Portfolio you would get back less money.
 
                                                          Risk return summary  7
<PAGE>
 
          The income component of the Portfolios' holdings includes fixed-income
          securities. A fundamental risk to the income component is that the
          value of these securities will fall if interest rates rise. Generally,
          the value of a fixed-income portfolio will decrease when interest
          rates rise, which means the Portfolio's NAV may likewise decrease.
          Another fundamental risk associated with fixed-income securities is
          credit risk, which is the risk that an issuer of a bond will be unable
          to make principal and interest payments when due.
 
          An investment in these Portfolios is not a bank deposit and is not
          insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
          any other government agency.
 
   
          The following information provides some indication of the risks of
          investing in the Combination Portfolios by showing how each
          Combination Portfolio's performance has varied over time. The bar
          charts depict the change in performance from year-to-year during the
          period indicated, but do not include charges and expenses attributable
          to any insurance product which would lower the performance
          illustrated. The Portfolios do not impose any sales or other charges
          that would affect total return computations. Total return figures
          include the effect of each Portfolio's expenses. The tables compare
          the average annual returns for the Shares of each Portfolio for the
          period indicated to a broad-based securities market index.
    
 
           BALANCED PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
 
           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Balanced Portfolio
           - Institutional Shares from 1994 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                      0.84%   24.79%   16.18%   22.10%   34.28%
                                       1994    1995     1996     1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.

           Best Quarter 4th-1998  20.32%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (4.97%)

                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Since Inception
                                                                          1 year    5 years       (9/13/93)
                <S>                                                       <C>       <C>        <C>
                Balanced Portfolio - Institutional Shares                 34.28%    19.11%         19.53%
                S&P 500 Index*                                            28.74%    24.08%         23.06%
                Lehman Brothers Gov't/Corp Bond Index**                    9.47%     7.30%          6.90%
                                                                      ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
           * The S&P 500 is the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks,
             a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices.
          ** Lehman Brothers Gov't/Corp Bond Index is composed of all bonds that
             are of investment grade with at least one year until maturity.
 
 8 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
           EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Equity Income Portfolio
           - Institutional Shares for 1998: 

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                                                         46.24%
                                                                          1998

           The percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.
 
           Best Quarter 4th-1998  28.51%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (7.18%)
 
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                         -------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Since Inception
                                                                                 1 year       (5/1/97)
                <S>                                                              <C>       <C>
                Equity Income Portfolio - Institutional Shares                   46.24%        50.20%
                S&P 500 Index*                                                   28.74%        31.38%
                                                                             -----------------------------
</TABLE>
 
          * The S&P 500 is the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks,
            a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices.
 
   
           GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
    
 
          Growth and Income Portfolio does not have a full calendar year return
          because the Portfolio commenced operations on May 1, 1998.
 
          The Combination Portfolios' past performance does not necessarily
          indicate how they will perform in the future.
 
                                                          Risk return summary  9
<PAGE>
 
FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS
 
          The Fixed-Income Portfolios are designed for long-term investors who
          primarily seek current income.
 
1. WHAT ARE THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS?
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          - FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks to obtain maximum total return,
            consistent with preservation of capital.
 
          - HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO seeks to obtain high current income. Capital
            appreciation is a secondary objective when consistent with its
            primary objective.
 
          The Trustees may change these objectives without a shareholder vote
          and the Portfolios will notify you of any changes that are material.
          If there is a material change to a Portfolio's objective or policies,
          you should consider whether it remains an appropriate investment for
          you. There is no guarantee that a Portfolio will meet its objective.
 
2. WHAT ARE THE MAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS?
 
          In addition to considering economic factors such as the effect of
          interest rates on a Portfolio's investments, the portfolio managers
          apply a "bottom up" approach in choosing investments. In other words,
          they look mostly for income-producing securities that meet their
          investment criteria one at a time. If a portfolio manager is unable to
          find such investments, a Portfolio's assets may be in cash or similar
          investments.
 
          FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO invests primarily in a wide variety of
          income-producing securities such as corporate bonds and notes,
          government securities and preferred stock. As a fundamental policy,
          the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its assets in
          income-producing securities. The Portfolio may own an unlimited amount
          of high-yield/high-risk fixed-income securities, and these securities
          may be a big part of the portfolio.
 
          HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO normally invests at least 65% of its assets in
          high-yield/high-risk fixed-income securities, and may at times invest
          all of its assets in these securities.
 
3. WHAT ARE THE MAIN RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS?
 
          Although the Fixed-Income Portfolios may be less volatile than funds
          that invest most of their assets in common stocks, the Portfolios'
          returns and yields will vary, and you could lose money.
 
          The Portfolios invest in a variety of fixed-income securities. A
          fundamental risk is that the value of these securities will fall if
          interest rates rise. Generally, the value of a fixed-income portfolio
          will decrease when interest rates rise, which means the Portfolio's
          NAV will likewise decrease. Another fundamental risk associated with
          fixed-income funds is credit risk, which is the risk that an issuer
          will be unable to make principal and interest payments when due.
 
          FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO AND HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO may invest an
          unlimited amount of their assets in high-yield/high-risk securities,
          also known as "junk" bonds which may be sensitive to economic changes,
          political changes, or adverse developments specific to the company
          that issued the bond. These securities generally have a greater credit
          risk than other types of fixed-income securities. Because of these
          factors, the performance and NAV of the Fixed-Income Portfolios may
          vary significantly, depending upon their holdings of junk bonds.
 
 10 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          An investment in these Portfolios is not a bank deposit and is not
          insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
          any other government agency.
 
   
          The following information provides some indication of the risks of
          investing in the Fixed-Income Portfolios by showing how each
          Fixed-Income Portfolio's performance has varied over time. The bar
          charts depict the change in performance from year-to-year during the
          period indicated, but do not include charges and expenses attributable
          to any insurance product which would lower the performance
          illustrated. The Portfolios do not impose any sales or other charges
          that would affect total return computations. Total return figures
          include the effect of each Portfolio's expenses. The tables compare
          the average annual returns for the Shares of each Portfolio for the
          periods indicated to a broad-based securities market index.
    
 
           FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Flexible Income
           Portfolio - Institutional Shares from 1994 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                    (0.91)%   23.86%   9.19%   11.76%   9.11%
                                      1994     1995     1996    1997     1998

            Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
            the actual return printed above the bar.


               Best Quarter 2nd-1995  6.71%  Worst Quarter 1st-1996 (1.08%)
 
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                Since Inception
                                                                           1 year    5 years       (9/13/93)
                <S>                                                        <C>       <C>        <C>
                Flexible Income Portfolio - Institutional Shares           9.11%     10.32%          9.87%
                Lehman Brothers Gov't/Corp Bond Index*                     9.47%      7.30%          6.90%
                                                                       -----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
           * Lehman Brothers Gov't/Corp Bond Index is composed of all bonds that
             are of investment grade with at least one year until maturity.
 
                                                         Risk return summary  11
<PAGE>
 
           HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for High-Yield Portfolio -
           Institutional Shares from 1997 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                                                15.98%    1.26%
                                                                 1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.

             Best Quarter 1st-1998  5.52%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (6.07%)
 
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Since Inception
                                                                                 1 year       (5/1/96)
                <S>                                                              <C>       <C>
                High-Yield Portfolio - Institutional Shares                      1.26%         10.97%
                Lehman Brothers High-Yield Bond Index*                           1.60%          7.15%
                                                                             -----------------------------
</TABLE>
 
           * Lehman Brothers High-Yield Bond Index is composed of fixed-rate,
             publicly issued, noninvestment grade debt.
 
          The Fixed-Income Portfolios' past performance does not necessarily
          indicate how they will perform in the future.
 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
 
          Money Market Portfolio is designed for investors who seek current
          income.
 
1. WHAT IS THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE OF MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO?
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          - MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO seeks maximum current income to the extent
            consistent with stability of capital.
 
          The Trustees may change this objective without a shareholder vote and
          the Portfolio will notify you of any changes that are material. If
          there is a material change in the Portfolio's objective or policies,
          you should consider whether it remains an appropriate investment for
          you. There is no guarantee that the Portfolio will meet its objective.
 
2. WHAT ARE THE MAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO?
 
          MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO will invest only in high-quality, short-term
          money market instruments that present minimal credit risks, as
          determined by Janus Capital. The Portfolio invests primarily in high
          quality debt obligations and obligations of financial institutions.
          Debt obligations may include commercial paper, notes and bonds, and
          variable amount master demand notes. Obligations of financial
          institutions include certificates of deposit and time deposits.
 
 12 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
3. WHAT ARE THE MAIN RISKS OF INVESTING IN MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO?
 
          The Portfolio's yields will vary as the short-term securities in the
          portfolio mature and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with
          different interest rates. Over time, the real value of the Portfolio's
          yield may be eroded by inflation. Although Money Market Portfolio
          invests only in high-quality, short-term money market instruments,
          there is a risk that the value of the securities it holds will fall as
          a result of changes in interest rates, an issuer's actual or perceived
          credit-worthiness or an issuer's ability to meet its obligations.
 
          An investment in Money Market Portfolio is not a deposit of a bank and
          is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
          Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Portfolio
          seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it
          is possible to lose money by investing in Money Market Portfolio.
 
   
          The following information provides some indication of the risks of
          investing in the Money Market Portfolio by showing how Money Market
          Portfolio's performance has varied over time. The bar chart depicts
          the change in performance from year to year, but does not include
          charges and expenses attributable to any insurance product which would
          lower the performance illustrated. The Portfolio does not impose any
          sales or other charges that would affect total return or yield
          computations. Total return and yield figures include the effect of the
          Portfolio's expenses.
    
 
           MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Money Market Portfolio
           - Institutional Shares from 1996 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                                        5.05%    5.17%    5.36%
                                                        1996     1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.

              Best Quarter 3rd-1998  1.35%  Worst Quarter 2nd-1996 1.22%
 
          The 7-day yield for the Portfolio's Shares on December 31, 1998 was
          4.87%. For the Portfolio's current yield, call the Janus
          XpressLine(TM) at 1-888-979-7737.
 
          Money Market Portfolio's past performance does not necessarily
          indicate how it will perform in the future.
 
                                                         Risk return summary  13
<PAGE>
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
          SHAREHOLDER FEES, such as sales loads, redemption fees or exchange
          fees, are charged directly to an investor's account. All Janus funds
          are no-load investments, so you will not pay any shareholder fees when
          you buy or sell shares of the Portfolios. However, each variable
          insurance contract involves fees and expenses not described in this
          prospectus. See the accompanying contract prospectus for information
          regarding contract fees and expenses and any restrictions on purchases
          or allocations.
 
          ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES are paid out of a Portfolio's assets
          and include fees for portfolio management, maintenance of shareholder
          accounts, shareholder servicing, accounting and other services. You do
          not pay these fees directly but, as the example on the next page
          shows, these costs are borne indirectly by all shareholders.
 
 14 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          This table and example are designed to assist participants in
          qualified plans that invest in the Shares of the Portfolios in
          understanding the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in
          the Shares. The information shown is based upon gross expenses
          (without the effect of expense offset arrangements) for the fiscal
          year ended December 31, 1998. OWNERS OF VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACTS
          THAT INVEST IN THE SHARES SHOULD REFER TO THE VARIABLE INSURANCE
          CONTRACT PROSPECTUS FOR A DESCRIPTION OF FEES AND EXPENSES, AS THE
          TABLE AND EXAMPLE DO NOT REFLECT DEDUCTIONS AT THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
          LEVEL OR CONTRACT LEVEL FOR ANY CHARGES THAT MAY BE INCURRED UNDER A
          CONTRACT.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Total Annual Fund                          Total Annual Fund
                                                                   Operating Expenses        Total            Operating Expenses
                                          Management      Other     Without Waivers         Waivers              With Waivers
                                             Fee         Expenses    or Reductions*   Waivers and Reductions    or Reductions*
    <S>                                      <C>           <C>          <C>                  <C>                     <C> 
    Growth Portfolio                         0.72%         0.03%        0.75%                 0.07%                  0.68%
    Aggressive Growth Portfolio              0.72%         0.03%        0.85%                   N/A                  0.75%
    Capital Appreciation Portfolio           0.75%         0.22%        0.97%                 0.05%                  0.92%
    International Growth Portfolio           0.75%         0.20%        0.95%                 0.09%                  0.86%
    Worldwide Growth Portfolio               0.67%         0.07%        0.74%                 0.02%                  0.72%
    Balanced Portfolio                       0.72%         0.02%        0.74%                   N/A                  0.74%
    Equity Income Portfolio                  0.75%         1.11%        1.86%                 0.61%                  1.25%
    Growth and Income Portfolio              0.75%         2.31%        3.06%                 1.81%                  1.25%
    Flexible Income Portfolio                0.65%         0.08%        0.73%                   N/A                  0.73%
    High-Yield Portfolio                     0.75%         1.36%        2.11%                 1.11%                  1.00%
    Money Market Portfolio                   0.25%         0.09%        0.34%                   N/A                  0.34%
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   * All expenses are stated both with and without contractual waivers and
     fee reductions by Janus Capital. Fee reductions for Growth, Aggressive
     Growth, Capital Appreciation, International Growth, Worldwide Growth,
     Balanced, Equity Income and Growth and Income Portfolios reduce the
     Management Fee to the level of the corresponding Janus retail fund.
     Other waivers, if applicable, are first applied against the Management
     Fee and then against Other Expenses. Janus Capital has agreed to
     continue the waivers and fee reductions until at least the next annual
     renewal of the advisory agreement.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   EXAMPLE:
   THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLE IS BASED ON EXPENSES WITHOUT WAIVERS OR
   REDUCTIONS. This example is intended to help you compare the cost of
   investing in the Portfolios with the cost of investing in other mutual
   funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in each of the
   Portfolios for the time periods indicated then redeem all of your shares
   at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
   investment has a 5% return each year, and that the Portfolios' operating
   expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or
   lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1 Year     3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
                                                                  -----------------------------------------
    <S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C> 
    Growth Portfolio                                               $ 77       $240      $  417      $  930
    Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                    $ 77       $240      $  417      $  930
    Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                 $ 99       $309      $  536      $1,190
    International Growth Portfolio                                 $ 97       $303      $  526      $1,166
    Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                     $ 76       $237      $  411      $  918
    Balanced Portfolio                                             $ 76       $237      $  411      $  918
    Equity Income Portfolio                                        $189       $585      $1,006      $2,180
    Growth and Income Portfolio                                    $309       $945      $1,606      $3,374
    Flexible Income Portfolio                                      $ 75       $233      $  406      $  906
    High-Yield Portfolio                                           $214       $661      $1,134      $2,441
    Money Market Portfolio                                         $ 35       $109      $  191      $  431
</TABLE>
 
                                                         Risk return summary  15
<PAGE>
Investment objectives, principal investment
           strategies and risks
 
          Each of the Portfolios has a similar investment objective and similar
          principal investment strategies to a Janus retail fund:
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                                    <C>
                  Growth Portfolio                                                 Janus Fund
                  Aggressive Growth Portfolio                           Janus Enterprise Fund
                  Capital Appreciation Portfolio                           Janus Twenty Fund*
                  International Growth Portfolio                          Janus Overseas Fund
                  Worldwide Growth Portfolio                             Janus Worldwide Fund
                  Balanced Portfolio                                      Janus Balanced Fund
                  Equity Income Portfolio                            Janus Equity Income Fund
                  Growth and Income Portfolio                    Janus Growth and Income Fund
                  Flexible Income Portfolio                        Janus Flexible Income Fund
                  High-Yield Portfolio                                  Janus High-Yield Fund
                  Money Market Portfolio                              Janus Money Market Fund
</TABLE>
 
          * Prior to May 1, 1999 Capital Appreciation Portfolio was managed in a
            similar manner to Janus Olympus Fund.
 
          Although it is anticipated that each Portfolio and its corresponding
          retail fund will hold similar securities, differences in asset size,
          cash flow needs and other factors may result in differences in
          investment performance. The expenses of each Portfolio and its
          corresponding retail fund are expected to differ. The variable
          contract owner will also bear various insurance related costs at the
          insurance company level. You should review the accompanying separate
          account prospectus for a summary of fees and expenses.
 
GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          This section takes a closer look at the investment objectives of each
          of the Growth Portfolios, their principal investment strategies and
          certain risks of investing in the Growth Portfolios. Strategies and
          policies that are noted as "fundamental" cannot be changed without a
          shareholder vote.
 
          Please carefully review the "Risks" section of this Prospectus on
          pages 24-27 for a discussion of risks associated with certain
          investment techniques. We've also included a Glossary with
          descriptions of investment terms used throughout this Prospectus.
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
DOMESTIC GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          GROWTH PORTFOLIO
          Growth Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital in a manner
          consistent with the preservation of capital. It pursues its objective
          by investing primarily in common stocks selected for their growth
          potential. Although the Portfolio can invest in companies of any size,
          it generally invests in larger, more established companies.
 
 16 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO
          Aggressive Growth Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital. It
          pursues its objective by investing primarily in common stocks selected
          for their growth potential, and normally invests at least 50% of its
          equity assets in medium-sized companies. Medium-sized companies are
          those whose market capitalizations fall within the range of companies
          in the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Market capitalization is a commonly used
          measure of the size and value of a company. The market capitalizations
          within the Index will vary, but as of December 31, 1998, they ranged
          from approximately $142 million to $73 billion.
 
          CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO
          Capital Appreciation Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital. It
          pursues its objective by investing primarily in common stocks selected
          for their growth potential. The Portfolio may invest in companies of
          any size, from larger, well-established companies to smaller, emerging
          growth companies.
 
GLOBAL GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
          International Growth Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital.
          Normally, the Portfolio pursues its objective by investing at least
          65% of its total assets in securities of issuers from at least five
          different countries, excluding the United States. Although the
          Portfolio intends to invest substantially all of its assets in issuers
          located outside the United States, it may at times invest in U.S.
          issuers and it may at times invest all of its assets in fewer than
          five countries or even a single country.
 
          WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO
          Worldwide Growth Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital in a
          manner consistent with the preservation of capital. It pursues its
          objective by investing primarily in common stocks of companies of any
          size throughout the world. The Portfolio normally invests in issuers
          from at least five different countries, including the United States.
          The Portfolio may at times invest in fewer than five countries or even
          a single country.
 
The following questions and answers are designed to help you better understand
the Growth Portfolios' principal investment strategies.
 
1. HOW ARE COMMON STOCKS SELECTED?
 
          Each of the Portfolios may invest substantially all of its assets in
          common stocks if its portfolio manager believes that common stocks
          will appreciate in value. The portfolio managers generally take a
          "bottom up" approach to selecting companies. In other words, they seek
          to identify individual companies with earnings growth potential that
          may not be recognized by the market at large. They make this
          assessment by looking at companies one at a time, regardless of size,
          country of organization, place of principal business activity, or
          other similar selection criteria. Realization of income is not a
          significant consideration when choosing investments for the
          Portfolios. Income realized on the Portfolios' investments will be
          incidental to their objectives.
 
2. ARE THE SAME CRITERIA USED TO SELECT FOREIGN SECURITIES?
 
          Generally, yes. The portfolio managers seek companies that meet their
          selection criteria, regardless of where a company is located. Foreign
          securities are generally selected on a stock-by-stock basis without
          regard to any defined allocation among countries or geographic
          regions. However, certain factors such as expected levels of
          inflation, government policies influencing business conditions, the
          outlook for currency
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  17
<PAGE>
 
          relationships, and prospects for economic growth among countries,
          regions or geographic areas may warrant greater consideration in
          selecting foreign securities. There are no limitations on the
          countries in which the Portfolios may invest and the Portfolios may at
          times have significant foreign exposure.
 
3. WHAT DOES "MARKET CAPITALIZATION" MEAN?
 
          Market capitalization is the most commonly used measure of the size
          and value of a company. It is computed by multiplying the current
          market price of a share of the company's stock by the total number of
          its shares outstanding. As noted previously, market capitalization is
          an important investment criteria for Aggressive Growth Portfolio.
          Although the other Growth Portfolios offered by this Prospectus do not
          emphasize companies of any particular size, Portfolios with a larger
          asset base are more likely to invest in larger, more established
          issuers.
 
COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS
 
          This section takes a closer look at the investment objectives of each
          of the Combination Portfolios, their principal investment strategies
          and certain risks of investing in the Combination Portfolios.
          Strategies and policies that are noted as "fundamental" cannot be
          changed without a shareholder vote.
 
          Please carefully review the "Risks" section of this Prospectus on
          pages 24-27 for a discussion of risks associated with certain
          investment techniques. We've also included a Glossary with
          descriptions of investment terms used throughout this Prospectus.
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
          BALANCED PORTFOLIO
          Balanced Portfolio seeks long-term capital growth, consistent with
          preservation of capital and balanced by current income. It pursues its
          objective by normally investing 40-60% of its assets in securities
          selected primarily for their growth potential and 40-60% of its assets
          in securities selected primarily for their income potential. This
          Portfolio normally invests at least 25% of its assets in fixed-income
          securities.
 
          EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
          Equity Income Portfolio seeks current income and long-term growth of
          capital. It pursues its objective by normally emphasizing investments
          in common stock, and growth potential is a significant investment
          consideration. The Portfolio tries to provide a lower level of
          volatility than the S&P 500 Index. Normally, it invests at least 65%
          of its assets in income-producing equity securities including common
          and preferred stocks, warrants and securities that are convertible to
          common or preferred stocks.
 
          GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO
          Growth and Income Portfolio seeks long-term capital growth and current
          income. It normally emphasizes investments in common stocks. It will
          normally invest up to 75% of its assets in equity securities selected
          primarily for their growth potential, and at least 25% of its assets
          in securities the portfolio manager believes have income potential.
          Because of this investment strategy, the Portfolio is not designed for
          investors who need consistent income.
 
The following questions and answers are designed to help you better understand
the Combination Portfolios' principal investment strategies.
 
 18 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
1. HOW DO THE COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER?
 
          Growth and Income Portfolio places a greater emphasis on aggressive
          growth stocks and may derive a greater portion of its income from
          dividend-paying common stocks. Because of these factors, its NAV can
          be expected to fluctuate more than the other Combination Portfolios.
          Although Equity Income Portfolio invests substantially all of its
          assets in common stocks, it emphasizes investments in dividend-paying
          common stocks and other equity securities characterized by relatively
          greater price stability, and thus may be expected to be less volatile
          than Growth and Income Portfolio, as discussed in more detail below.
          Balanced Portfolio places a greater emphasis on the income component
          of its portfolio and invests to a greater degree in securities
          selected primarily for their income potential. As a result it is
          expected to be the least volatile of the Combination Portfolios.
 
2. HOW DOES EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO TRY TO LIMIT PORTFOLIO VOLATILITY?
 
          Equity Income Portfolio seeks to provide a lower level of volatility
          than the stock market at large, as measured by the S&P 500. The lower
          volatility sought by this Portfolio is expected to result primarily
          from investments in dividend-paying common stocks and other equity
          securities characterized by relatively greater price stability. The
          greater price stability sought by Equity Income Portfolio may be
          characteristic of companies that generate above average free cash
          flows. A company may use free cash flows for a number of purposes
          including commencing or increasing dividend payments, repurchasing its
          own stock or retiring outstanding debt. The portfolio manager also
          considers growth potential in selecting this Portfolio's securities
          and may hold securities selected solely for their growth potential.
 
3. HOW ARE COMMON STOCKS SELECTED FOR THE COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS IN COMPARISON
   TO THE GROWTH PORTFOLIOS?
 
          Because income is a part of the investment objective of the
          Combination Portfolios, a portfolio manager may consider
          dividend-paying characteristics to a greater degree in selecting
          common stocks for these Portfolios.
 
4. HOW ARE ASSETS ALLOCATED BETWEEN THE GROWTH AND INCOME COMPONENTS OF BALANCED
   PORTFOLIO'S AND GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO'S HOLDINGS?
 
          Balanced Portfolio and Growth and Income Portfolio shift assets
          between the growth and income components of their holdings based on
          the portfolio managers' analysis of relevant market, financial and
          economic conditions. If a portfolio manager believes that growth
          securities will provide better returns than the yields then available
          or expected on income-producing securities, that Portfolio will place
          a greater emphasis on the growth component.
 
5. WHAT TYPES OF SECURITIES MAKE UP THE GROWTH COMPONENT OF THE COMBINATION
   PORTFOLIOS' INVESTMENTS?
 
          The growth component of the Combination Portfolios' investments is
          expected to consist primarily of common stocks, but may also include
          warrants, preferred stocks or convertible securities selected
          primarily for their growth potential.
 
6. WHAT TYPES OF SECURITIES MAKE UP THE INCOME COMPONENT OF BALANCED PORTFOLIO'S
   AND GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO'S HOLDINGS?
 
          The income component of Balanced Portfolio and Growth and Income
          Portfolio will consist of securities that the portfolio managers
          believe have income potential. Such securities may include equity
          securities, convertible securities and all types of debt securities.
          Equity securities may be included in the income component of a
          Portfolio if they currently pay dividends or the portfolio manager
          believes they have the potential for either increasing their dividends
          or commencing dividends, if none are currently paid.
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  19
<PAGE>
 
FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS
 
          This section takes a closer look at the investment objectives of each
          of the Fixed-Income Portfolios, their principal investment strategies
          and certain risks of investing in the Fixed-Income Portfolios.
          Strategies and policies that are noted as "fundamental" cannot be
          changed without a shareholder vote.
 
          Please carefully review the "Risks" section of this Prospectus on
          pages 24-27 for a discussion of risks associated with certain
          investment techniques. We've also included a Glossary with
          descriptions of investment terms used throughout this Prospectus.
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
          In addition to considering economic factors such as the effect of
          interest rates on a Portfolio's investments, the portfolio managers
          apply a "bottom up" approach in choosing investments. In other words,
          they look mostly for income-producing securities that meet their
          investment criteria one at a time. If a portfolio manager is unable to
          find such investments, much of a Portfolio's assets may be in cash or
          similar investments.
 
          FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO
          Flexible Income Portfolio seeks to obtain maximum total return,
          consistent with preservation of capital. It pursues its objective by
          primarily investing in a wide variety of income-producing securities
          such as corporate bonds and notes, government securities and preferred
          stock. As a fundamental policy, the Portfolio will invest at least 80%
          of its assets in income-producing securities. The Portfolio may own an
          unlimited amount of high-yield/high-risk securities, and these may be
          a big part of the portfolio. This Portfolio generates total return
          from a combination of current income and capital appreciation, but
          income is usually the dominant portion.
 
          HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO
          High-Yield Portfolio seeks to obtain high current income. Capital
          appreciation is a secondary objective when consistent with its primary
          objective. It pursues its objectives by normally investing 65% of its
          assets in high-yield/high-risk fixed-income securities, and may at
          times invest all of its assets in these securities.
 
The following questions and answers are designed to help you better understand
the Fixed-Income Portfolios' principal investment strategies.
 
1. HOW DO INTEREST RATES AFFECT THE VALUE OF MY INVESTMENT?
 
          Generally, a fixed-income security will increase in value when
          interest rates fall and decrease in value when interest rates rise.
          Longer-term securities are generally more sensitive to interest rate
          changes than shorter-term securities, but they generally offer higher
          yields to compensate investors for the associated risks. High-yield
          bond prices are generally less directly responsive to interest rate
          changes than investment grade issues and may not always follow this
          pattern. A bond fund's average-weighted effective maturity and its
          duration are measures of how the fund may react to interest rate
          changes.
 
2. HOW DO THE FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS MANAGE INTEREST RATE RISK?
 
          Each Fixed-Income Portfolio may vary the average-weighted effective
          maturity of its assets to reflect its portfolio manager's analysis of
          interest rate trends and other factors. A Portfolio's average-weighted
          effective maturity will tend to be shorter when the portfolio manager
          expects interest rates to rise and longer when its portfolio manager
          expects interest rates to fall. The Portfolios may also use futures,
          options and other derivatives to manage interest rate risks.
 
 20 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
3. WHAT IS MEANT BY A PORTFOLIO'S "AVERAGE-WEIGHTED EFFECTIVE MATURITY"?
 
          The stated maturity of a bond is the date when the issuer must repay
          the bond's entire principal value to an investor. Some types of bonds
          may also have an "effective maturity" that is shorter than the stated
          date due to prepayment or call provisions. Securities without
          prepayment or call provisions generally have an effective maturity
          equal to their stated maturity. Dollar-weighted effective maturity is
          calculated by averaging the effective maturity of bonds held by a
          Portfolio with each effective maturity "weighted" according to the
          percentage of net assets that it represents.
 
4. WHAT IS MEANT BY A PORTFOLIO'S "DURATION"?
 
          A bond's duration indicates the time it will take an investor to
          recoup his investment. Unlike average maturity, duration reflects both
          principal and interest payments. Generally, the higher the coupon rate
          on a bond, the lower its duration will be. The duration of a bond
          portfolio is calculated by averaging the duration of bonds held by a
          fund with each duration "weighted" according to the percentage of net
          assets that it represents. Because duration accounts for interest
          payments, a Portfolio's duration is usually shorter than its average
          maturity.
 
5. WHAT IS A HIGH-YIELD/HIGH-RISK SECURITY?
 
          A high-yield/high-risk security (also called a "junk" bond) is a debt
          security rated below investment grade by major rating agencies (i.e.,
          BB or lower by Standard & Poor's or Ba or lower by Moody's) or an
          unrated bond of similar quality. It presents greater risk of default
          (the failure to make timely interest and principal payments) than
          higher quality bonds.
 
GENERAL PORTFOLIO POLICIES OF THE PORTFOLIOS OTHER THAN MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
 
          Unless otherwise stated, each of the following policies applies to all
          of the Portfolios other than Money Market Portfolio. The percentage
          limitations included in these policies and elsewhere in this
          Prospectus apply at the time of purchase of the security. So, for
          example, if a Portfolio exceeds a limit as a result of market
          fluctuations or the sale of other securities, it will not be required
          to dispose of any securities.
 
          CASH POSITION
          When a portfolio manager believes that market conditions are
          unfavorable for profitable investing, or when he or she is otherwise
          unable to locate attractive investment opportunities, the Portfolios'
          cash or similar investments may increase. In other words, the
          Portfolios do not always stay fully invested in stocks and bonds. Cash
          or similar investments generally are a residual - they represent the
          assets that remain after a portfolio manager has committed available
          assets to desirable investment opportunities. However, a portfolio
          manager may also temporarily increase a Portfolio's cash position to
          protect its assets or maintain liquidity. Partly because the portfolio
          managers act independently of each other, the cash positions of the
          Portfolios may vary significantly.
 
          When a Portfolio's investments in cash or similar investments
          increase, it may not participate in market advances or declines to the
          same extent that it would if the Portfolio remained more fully
          invested in stocks or bonds.
 
          OTHER TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
          The Growth and Global Growth Portfolios invest primarily in domestic
          and foreign equity securities, which may include preferred stocks,
          common stocks, warrants and securities convertible into common or
          preferred stocks. The Combination Portfolios also invest in domestic
          and foreign equity securities with
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  21
<PAGE>
 
          varying degrees of emphasis on income. The Portfolios may also invest
          to a lesser degree in other types of securities. These securities
          (which are described in the Glossary) may include:
 
          - debt securities
 
          - indexed/structured securities
 
          - high-yield/high-risk securities (less than 35% of each Portfolio's
            assets)
 
          - options, futures, forwards and other types of derivatives for
            hedging purposes or for non-hedging purposes such as seeking to
            enhance return
 
          - securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward
            commitment basis
 
          The Fixed-Income Portfolios invest primarily in fixed-income
          securities which may include corporate bonds and notes, government
          securities, preferred stock, high-yield/high-risk fixed-income
          securities and municipal obligations. The Portfolios may also invest
          to a lesser degree in other types of securities. These securities
          (which are described in the Glossary) may include:
 
          - common stocks
 
          - mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
          - zero coupon, pay-in-kind and step coupon securities
 
          - options, futures, forwards and other types of derivatives for
            hedging purposes or for non-hedging purposes such as seeking to
            enhance return
 
          - securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward
            commitment basis
 
          ILLIQUID INVESTMENTS
          Each Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid
          investments. An illiquid investment is a security or other position
          that cannot be disposed of quickly in the normal course of business.
          For example, some securities are not registered under U.S. securities
          laws and cannot be sold to the U.S. public because of SEC regulations
          (these are known as "restricted securities"). Under procedures adopted
          by the Portfolios' Trustees, certain restricted securities may be
          deemed liquid, and will not be counted toward this 15% limit.
 
          FOREIGN SECURITIES
          The Portfolios may invest without limit in foreign equity and debt
          securities. The Portfolios may invest directly in foreign securities
          denominated in a foreign currency and not publicly traded in the
          United States. Other ways of investing in foreign securities include
          depositary receipts or shares, and passive foreign investment
          companies.
 
          SPECIAL SITUATIONS
          Each Portfolio may invest in special situations. A special situation
          arises when, in the opinion of a Portfolio's manager, the securities
          of a particular issuer will be recognized and appreciate in value due
          to a specific development with respect to that issuer. Developments
          creating a special situation might include, among others, a new
          product or process, a technological breakthrough, a management change
          or other extraordinary corporate event, or differences in market
          supply of and demand for the security. A Portfolio's performance could
          suffer if the anticipated development in a "special situation"
          investment does not occur or does not attract the expected attention.
 
 22 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
          The Portfolios generally intend to purchase securities for long-term
          investment although, to a limited extent, a Portfolio may purchase
          securities in anticipation of relatively short-term price gains.
          Short-term transactions may also result from liquidity needs,
          securities having reached a price or yield objective, changes in
          interest rates or the credit standing of an issuer, or by reason of
          economic or other developments not foreseen at the time of the
          investment decision. A Portfolio may also sell one security and
          simultaneously purchase the same or a comparable security to take
          advantage of short-term differentials in bond yields or securities
          prices. Changes are made in a Portfolio's holdings whenever its
          portfolio manager believes such changes are desirable. Portfolio
          turnover rates are generally not a factor in making buy and sell
          decisions.
 
          Increased portfolio turnover may result in higher costs for brokerage
          commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs and may also
          result in taxable capital gains. Higher costs associated with
          increased portfolio turnover may offset gains in a Portfolio's
          performance.
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  23
<PAGE>
 
RISKS FOR GROWTH, GLOBAL GROWTH AND COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS
 
          Because the Portfolios may invest substantially all of their assets in
          common stocks, the main risk is the risk that the value of the stocks
          they hold might decrease in response to the activities of an
          individual company or in response to general market and/or economic
          conditions. If this occurs, a Portfolio's share price may also
          decrease. A Portfolio's performance may also be affected by risks
          specific to certain types of investments, such as foreign securities,
          derivative investments, non-investment grade debt securities or
          companies with relatively small market capitalizations.
 
The following questions and answers are designed to help you better understand
some of the risks of investing in the Growth, Global Growth and Combination
Portfolios.
 
1. THE PORTFOLIOS MAY INVEST IN SMALLER OR NEWER COMPANIES. DOES THIS CREATE ANY
   SPECIAL RISKS?
 
          Smaller or newer companies may suffer more significant losses as well
          as realize more substantial growth than larger or more established
          issuers because they may lack depth of management, be unable to
          generate funds necessary for growth or potential development, or be
          developing or marketing new products or services for which markets are
          not yet established and may never become established. In addition,
          such companies may be insignificant factors in their industries and
          may become subject to intense competition from larger or more
          established companies. Securities of smaller or newer companies may
          have more limited trading markets than the markets for securities of
          larger or more established issuers, and may be subject to wide price
          fluctuations. Investments in such companies tend to be more volatile
          and somewhat more speculative.
 
2. HOW DOES THE NONDIVERSIFIED STATUS OF AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO AND CAPITAL
   APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO AFFECT THEIR RISK?
 
          Diversification is a way to reduce risk by investing in a broad range
          of stocks or other securities. A "nondiversified" portfolio has the
          ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers.
          Because the appreciation or depreciation of a single stock may have a
          greater impact on the NAV of a nondiversified portfolio, its share
          price can be expected to fluctuate more than a comparable diversified
          portfolio. This fluctuation, if significant, may affect the
          performance of a Portfolio.
 
 24 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
RISKS FOR FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS
 
          Because the Portfolios invest substantially all of their assets in
          fixed-income securities, they are subject to risks such as credit or
          default risks, and decreased value due to interest rate increases. A
          Portfolio's performance may also be affected by risks to certain types
          of investments, such as foreign securities and derivative instruments.
 
The following questions and answers are designed to help you better understand
some of the risks of investing in the Fixed-Income Portfolios.
 
1. HOW DO THE FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER IN TERMS OF PRIMARY
   INVESTMENT TYPE, CREDIT RISK AND INTEREST RATE RISK?
 
          Flexible Income Portfolio and High-Yield Portfolio invest primarily in
          corporate bonds. High-Yield Portfolio's credit risk is generally
          higher than Flexible Income Portfolio. Flexible Income Portfolio's
          interest rate risk is generally higher than High-Yield Portfolio.
 
2. WHAT IS MEANT BY "CREDIT QUALITY" AND WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH IT?
 
          Credit quality measures the likelihood that the issuer will meet its
          obligations on a bond. One of the fundamental risks associated with
          all fixed-income funds is credit risk, which is the risk that an
          issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments when
          due. U.S. government securities are generally considered to be the
          safest type of investment in terms of credit risk. Municipal
          obligations generally rank between U.S. government securities and
          corporate debt securities in terms of credit safety. Corporate debt
          securities, particularly those rated below investment grade, present
          the highest credit risk.
 
3. HOW IS CREDIT QUALITY MEASURED?
 
          Ratings published by nationally recognized statistical rating agencies
          such as Standard & Poor's Ratings Service and Moody's Investors
          Service, Inc. are widely accepted measures of credit risk. The lower a
          bond issue is rated by an agency, the more credit risk it is
          considered to represent. Lower rated bonds generally pay higher yields
          to compensate investors for the associated risk. Please refer to
          "Explanation of Rating Categories" on page 55 for a description of
          rating categories.
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  25
<PAGE>
 
RISKS COMMON TO ALL NON-MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIOS
 
The following questions and answers discuss risks that apply to all Portfolios
other than Money Market Portfolio.
 
1. HOW COULD THE PORTFOLIOS' INVESTMENTS IN FOREIGN SECURITIES AFFECT THEIR
   PERFORMANCE?
 
          The Portfolios may invest without limit in foreign securities either
          indirectly (e.g., depositary receipts) or directly in foreign markets.
          Investments in foreign securities, including those of foreign
          governments, may involve greater risks than investing in domestic
          securities because the Portfolios' performance may depend on issues
          other than the performance of a particular company. These issues
          include:
 
          - CURRENCY RISK. As long as a Portfolio holds a foreign security, its
            value will be affected by the value of the local currency relative
            to the U.S. dollar. When a Portfolio sells a foreign denominated
            security, its value may be worth less in U.S. dollars even if the
            security increases in value in its home country. U.S. dollar
            denominated securities of foreign issuers may also be affected by
            currency risk.
 
          - POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RISK. Foreign investments may be subject to
            heightened political and economic risks, particularly in emerging
            markets which may have relatively unstable governments, immature
            economic structures, national policies restricting investments by
            foreigners, different legal systems, and economies based on only a
            few industries. In some countries, there is the risk that the
            government may take over the assets or operations of a company or
            that the government may impose taxes or limits on the removal of a
            Portfolio's assets from that country.
 
          - REGULATORY RISK. There may be less government supervision of foreign
            markets. As a result, foreign issuers may not be subject to the
            uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and
            practices applicable to domestic issuers and there may be less
            publicly available information about foreign issuers.
 
          - MARKET RISK. Foreign securities markets, particularly those of
            emerging market countries, may be less liquid and more volatile than
            domestic markets. Certain markets may require payment for securities
            before delivery and delays may be encountered in settling securities
            transactions. In some foreign markets, there may not be protection
            against failure by other parties to complete transactions.
 
          - TRANSACTION COSTS. Costs of buying, selling and holding foreign
            securities, including brokerage, tax and custody costs, may be
            higher than those involved in domestic transactions.
 
2. ARE THERE SPECIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTMENTS IN HIGH-YIELD/HIGH-RISK
   SECURITIES?
 
          High-yield/high-risk securities (or "junk" bonds) are securities rated
          below investment grade by the primary rating agencies such as Standard
          & Poor's and Moody's. The value of lower quality securities generally
          is more dependent on credit risk, or the ability of the issuer to meet
          interest and principal payments, than investment grade debt
          securities. Issuers of high-yield securities may not be as strong
          financially as those issuing bonds with higher credit ratings and are
          more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political
          changes or adverse developments specific to the issuer.
 
          The junk bond market can experience sudden and sharp price swings.
          Because Flexible Income Portfolio and High-Yield Portfolio may invest
          a significant portion of their assets in high-yield/high-risk
          securities, investors should be willing to tolerate a corresponding
          increase in the risk of significant and sudden changes in NAV.
 
          Please refer to "Explanation of Rating Categories" on page 55 for a
          description of bond rating categories.
 
 26 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
3. HOW DO THE PORTFOLIOS TRY TO REDUCE RISK?
 
          The Portfolios may use futures, options and other derivative
          instruments to "hedge" or protect their portfolios from adverse
          movements in securities prices and interest rates. The Portfolios may
          also use a variety of currency hedging techniques, including forward
          currency contracts, to manage exchange rate risk. The portfolio
          managers believe the use of these instruments will benefit the
          Portfolios. However, a Portfolio's performance could be worse than if
          the Portfolio had not used such instruments if a portfolio manager's
          judgement proves incorrect. Risks associated with the use of
          derivative instruments are described in the SAI.
 
4. I'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT HOW THE CHANGE TO THE YEAR 2000 COULD AFFECT COMPUTER
   SYSTEMS. DOES THIS CREATE ANY SPECIAL RISKS?
 
          The portfolio managers carefully research each potential investment
          before making an investment decision and, among other things, consider
          Year 2000 readiness when selecting portfolio holdings. However, there
          is no guarantee that the information a portfolio manager receives
          regarding a company's Year 2000 readiness is completely accurate. If a
          company has not satisfactorily addressed Year 2000 issues, the
          Portfolio's performance could suffer.
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  27
<PAGE>
 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
 
          This section takes a closer look at the investment objective of Money
          Market Portfolio, its principal investment strategies and certain
          risks of investing in the Portfolio. Strategies and policies that are
          noted as "fundamental" cannot be changed without a shareholder vote.
 
          Money Market Portfolio is subject to certain specific SEC rule
          requirements. Among other things, the Portfolio is limited to
          investing in U.S. dollar-denominated instruments with a remaining
          maturity of 397 days or less (as calculated pursuant to Rule 2a-7
          under the 1940 Act).
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
          Money Market Portfolio seeks maximum current income to the extent
          consistent with stability of capital. It pursues its objective by
          investing primarily in high quality debt obligations and obligations
          of financial institutions. Debt obligations may include commercial
          paper, notes and bonds, and variable amount master demand notes.
          Obligations of financial institutions include certificates of deposit
          and time deposits.
 
          Money Market Portfolio will:
 
          - invest in high quality, short-term money market instruments that
            present minimal credit risks, as determined by Janus Capital
 
          - invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated instruments that have a
            remaining maturity of 397 days or less (as calculated pursuant to
            Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act)
 
          - maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or
            less
 
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
 
          Money Market Portfolio invests primarily in:
 
          - high quality debt obligations
 
          - obligations of financial institutions
 
          The Portfolio may also invest (to a lesser degree) in:
 
          - U.S. Government Securities (securities issued or guaranteed by the
            U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities)
 
          - municipal securities
 
          DEBT OBLIGATIONS
 
          The Portfolio may invest in debt obligations of domestic issuers. Debt
          obligations include:
 
          - commercial paper
 
          - notes and bonds
 
          - variable amount master demand notes (the payment obligations on
            these instruments may be backed by securities, swap agreements or
            other assets, by a guarantee of a third party or solely by the
            unsecured promise of the issuer to make payments when due)
 
          - privately issued commercial paper or other securities that are
            restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws
 
 28 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          OBLIGATIONS OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
          Examples of obligations of financial institutions include:
 
          - negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, time
            deposits and other obligations of U.S. banks (including savings and
            loan associations) having total assets in excess of one billion
            dollars and U.S. branches of foreign banks having total assets in
            excess of ten billion dollars
 
          - Eurodollar and Yankee bank obligations (Eurodollar bank obligations
            are dollar-denominated certificates of deposit or time deposits
            issued outside the U.S. capital markets by foreign branches of U.S.
            banks and by foreign banks. Yankee bank obligations are
            dollar-denominated obligations issued in the U.S. capital markets by
            foreign banks)
 
          - other U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks having
            total assets in excess of ten billion dollars that Janus Capital
            believes are of an investment quality comparable to obligations of
            U.S. banks in which the Portfolio may invest
 
          Foreign, Eurodollar (and to a limited extent, Yankee) bank obligations
          are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the
          possibility that a foreign government might prevent dollar-denominated
          funds from flowing across its borders. Other risks include: adverse
          political and economic developments in a foreign country; the extent
          and quality of government regulation of financial markets and
          institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes; and
          expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers.
 
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
 
          The following is a description of other investment techniques that
          Money Market Portfolio may use:
 
          PARTICIPATION INTERESTS
          A participation interest gives Money Market Portfolio a proportionate,
          undivided interest in underlying debt securities and sometimes carries
          a demand feature.
 
          DEMAND FEATURES
          Demand features give Money Market Portfolio the right to resell
          securities at specified periods prior to their maturity dates. Demand
          features may shorten the life of a variable or floating rate security,
          enhance the instrument's credit quality and provide a source of
          liquidity.
 
          Demand features are often issued by third party financial
          institutions, generally domestic and foreign banks. Accordingly, the
          credit quality and liquidity of Money Market Portfolio's investments
          may be dependent in part on the credit quality of the banks supporting
          Money Market Portfolio's investments. This will result in exposure to
          risks pertaining to the banking industry, including the foreign
          banking industry. Brokerage firms and insurance companies also provide
          certain liquidity and credit support.
 
          VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES
          Money Market Portfolio may invest in securities which have variable or
          floating rates of interest. These securities pay interest at rates
          that are adjusted periodically according to a specified formula,
          usually with reference to an interest rate index or market interest
          rate. Variable and floating rate securities are subject to changes in
          value based on changes in market interest rates or changes in the
          issuer's or guarantor's creditworthiness.
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  29
<PAGE>
 
          MORTGAGE- AND ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
          Money Market Portfolio may purchase fixed or variable rate
          mortgage-backed securities issued by the Government National Mortgage
          Association, Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home
          Loan Mortgage Corporation, or other governmental or government-related
          entity. The Portfolio may purchase other mortgage- and asset-backed
          securities including securities backed by automobile loans, equipment
          leases or credit card receivables.
 
          Unlike traditional debt instruments, payments on these securities
          include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Prepayments
          of the principal of underlying loans may shorten the effective
          maturities of these securities and may result in the Portfolio having
          to reinvest proceeds at a lower interest rate.
 
          REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
          Money Market Portfolio may enter into collateralized repurchase
          agreements. Repurchase agreements are transactions in which the
          Portfolio purchases securities and simultaneously commits to resell
          those securities to the seller at an agreed-upon price on an
          agreed-upon future date. The repurchase price reflects a market rate
          of interest and is collateralized by cash or securities.
 
          If the seller of the securities underlying a repurchase agreement
          fails to pay the agreed resale price on the agreed delivery date,
          Money Market Portfolio may incur costs in disposing of the collateral
          and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do
          so.
 
 30 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
                                                    Management of the portfolios
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
          Janus Capital, 100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado 80206-4928, is
          the investment adviser to each of the Portfolios and is responsible
          for the day-to-day management of the investment portfolios and other
          business affairs of the Portfolios.
 
          Janus Capital began serving as investment adviser to Janus Fund in
          1970 and currently serves as investment adviser to all of the Janus
          retail funds, acts as sub-adviser for a number of private-label mutual
          funds and provides separate account advisory services for
          institutional accounts.
 
          Janus Capital furnishes continuous advice and recommendations
          concerning each Portfolio's investments. Janus Capital also furnishes
          certain administrative, compliance and accounting services for the
          Portfolios, and may be reimbursed by the Portfolios for its costs in
          providing those services. In addition, Janus Capital employees serve
          as officers of the Trust and Janus Capital provides office space for
          the Portfolios and pays the salaries, fees and expenses of all
          Portfolio officers and those Trustees who are affiliated with Janus
          Capital.
 
          Participating insurance companies that purchase the Portfolios' shares
          may perform certain administrative services relating to the Portfolios
          and Janus Capital or the Portfolios may pay those companies for such
          services.
 
MANAGEMENT EXPENSES AND EXPENSE LIMITS
 
          Each Portfolio pays Janus Capital a management fee which is calculated
          daily. The advisory agreement with each Portfolio spells out the
          management fee and other expenses that the Portfolios must pay. Each
          of the Portfolios is subject to the following management fee schedule
          (expressed as an annual rate). In addition, the Shares of each
          Portfolio incur expenses not assumed by Janus Capital, including
          transfer agent and custodian fees and expenses, legal and auditing
          fees, printing and mailing costs of sending reports and other
          information to existing shareholders, and independent Trustees' fees
          and expenses.
 
                                                Management of the portfolios  31
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Average Daily
                                                           Net Assets         Annual Rate      Expense Limit
     Fee Schedule                                         of Portfolio       Percentage (%)    Percentage (%)
<S>  <C>                                                <C>                  <C>               <C>
     Growth Portfolio
     Aggressive Growth Portfolio                        First $300 Million        0.75               N/A(1)
     Capital Appreciation Portfolio                     Next $200 Million         0.70
     International Growth Portfolio                     Over $500 Million         0.65
     Worldwide Growth Portfolio
     Balanced Portfolio
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Equity Income Portfolio                            First $300 Million        0.75
     Growth and Income Portfolio                        Next $200 Million         0.70              1.25(1)(2)
                                                        Over $500 Million         0.65
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Flexible Income Portfolio                          First $300 Million        0.65              1.00(2)
                                                        Over $300 Million         0.55
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     High-Yield Portfolio                               First $300 Million        0.75              1.00(2)
                                                        Over $300 Million         0.65
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Money Market Portfolio                             All Asset Levels          0.25              0.50(2)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   
(1) Janus Capital has agreed to reduce Growth, Aggressive Growth, Capital
    Appreciation, International Growth, Worldwide Growth, Balanced, Equity
    Income and Growth and Income Portfolio's management fee to the extent that
    such fee exceeds the effective rate of the Janus retail fund corresponding
    to such Portfolio. Janus Capital has agreed to continue such waivers until
    at least the next annual renewal of the advisory contracts. The effective
    rate is the management fee calculated by the corresponding retail fund as of
    the last day of each calendar quarter (expressed as an annual rate). The
    effective rates of Janus Fund, Janus Enterprise Fund, Janus Olympus Fund,
    Janus Overseas Fund, Janus Worldwide Fund, Janus Balanced Fund, Janus Equity
    Income Fund, and Janus Growth and Income Fund were 0.65%, 0.69%, 0.67%,
    0.66%, 0.65%, 0.67%, 0.72%, and 0.66%, respectively, for the quarter ended
    March 31, 1999.
    
 
(2) Janus Capital has agreed to limit the Portfolios' expenses as indicated
    until at least the next annual renewal of the advisory contracts.
 
 32 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
INVESTMENT PERSONNEL
 
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
 
LAURENCE J. CHANG
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and co-manager of International
            Growth Portfolio and Janus Overseas Fund which he has co-managed
            since May 1998 and April 1998, respectively. He served as
            assistant portfolio manager for these funds since 1996. He is
            also assistant portfolio manager for Worldwide Growth Portfolio
            and Janus Worldwide Fund. Mr. Chang joined Janus Capital in 1993
            after receiving a Masters Degree in Political Science from
            Stanford University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
DAVID J. CORKINS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Growth and
            Income Portfolio which he has managed since its inception. He is
            Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Janus Growth
            and Income Fund which he has managed since August 1997. He
            previously served as an assistant portfolio manager of Janus
            Mercury Fund. He joined Janus in 1995 as a research analyst
            specializing in domestic financial services companies and a
            variety of foreign industries. Prior to joining Janus, he was the
            Chief Financial Officer of Chase U.S. Consumer Services, Inc., a
            Chase Manhattan mortgage business. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in
            English and Russian from Dartmouth and received his Master of
            Business Administration from Columbia University in 1993.
 
JAMES P. CRAIG, III
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Chief Investment Officer of Janus Capital. He is Executive
            Vice President and portfolio manager of Growth Portfolio, which
            he has managed since inception. He has managed Janus Fund since
            1986 and has co-managed Janus Venture Fund since February 1,
            1997. Mr. Craig previously managed Janus Venture Fund from its
            inception, to December 1993, Janus Balanced Fund from December
            1993 to December 1995 and Balanced Portfolio from September 1993
            through April 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from
            the University of Alabama and a Master of Arts in Finance from
            the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
 
JAMES P. GOFF
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Aggressive
            Growth Portfolio, which he has managed since inception. Mr. Goff
            joined Janus Capital in 1988 and has managed Janus Enterprise
            Fund since its inception. Mr. Goff co-managed or managed Janus
            Venture Fund from December 1993 to February 1, 1997. He holds a
            Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Yale University and is a
            Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
                                                Management of the portfolios  33
<PAGE>
 
HELEN YOUNG HAYES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Worldwide
            Growth Portfolio and co-manager of International Growth
            Portfolio, which she has managed or co-managed since inception.
            Ms. Hayes joined Janus Capital in 1987 and has managed or
            co-managed Janus Worldwide Fund and Janus Overseas Fund since
            their inceptions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from
            Yale University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
SHARON S. PICHLER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Money Market
            Portfolio, which she has managed since inception. She also has
            managed Janus Money Market Fund, Janus Government Money Market
            Fund and Janus Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund since inception. She
            holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Michigan State
            University and a Master of Business Administration from the
            University of Texas at San Antonio. Ms. Pichler is a Chartered
            Financial Analyst.
 
BLAINE P. ROLLINS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Balanced
            Portfolio, which he has managed since May 1996 and Equity Income
            Portfolio, which he has managed since inception. He is an
            assistant portfolio manager of Growth Portfolio. Mr. Rollins
            joined Janus Capital in 1990 and has managed Janus Balanced Fund
            since January 1996 and Janus Equity Income Fund since inception.
            He has been an assistant portfolio manager of Janus Fund since
            January 1995. He gained experience as a fixed-income trader and
            equity research analyst prior to managing Balanced Portfolio. He
            holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of
            Colorado and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
   
SANDY R. RUFENACHT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of High-Yield
            Portfolio, which he has managed or co-managed since October 1996.
            He previously co-managed Flexible Income Portfolio from January
            1997 to May 1998. Mr. Rufenacht joined Janus Capital in 1990 and
            has managed Janus Short-Term Bond Fund since January 1996. He is
            also the portfolio manager of Janus High-Yield Fund. He
            previously co-managed Janus Flexible Income Fund from June 1996
            to February 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from
            the University of Northern Colorado.
    
 
SCOTT W. SCHOELZEL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Capital
            Appreciation Portfolio, which he has managed since its inception.
            He is portfolio manager of Janus Twenty Fund, which he has
            managed since August 1997. He previously managed Janus Olympus
            Fund from its inception to August 1997. Mr. Schoelzel joined
            Janus Capital in January 1994. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in
            Business from Colorado College.
 
 34 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
RONALD V. SPEAKER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Flexible
            Income Portfolio which he has managed or co-managed since its
            inception. He previously served as co-manager of High-Yield
            Portfolio, from its inception to May 1998. He managed Short-Term
            Bond Portfolio from its inception through April 1996. Mr. Speaker
            joined Janus Capital in 1986. He has managed or co-managed Janus
            Flexible Income Fund since December 1991 and previously managed
            both Janus Short-Term Bond Fund and Janus Federal Tax-Exempt Fund
            from inception through December 1995. He previously managed or
            co-managed Janus High-Yield Fund from its inception to February
            1998. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University
            of Colorado and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
            In January 1997, Mr. Speaker settled an SEC administrative action
            involving two personal trades made by him in January of 1993.
            Without admitting or denying the allegations, Mr. Speaker agreed
            to civil money penalty, disgorgement, and interest payments
            totaling $37,199 and to a 90-day suspension which ended on April
            25, 1997.
 
   
ASSISTANT PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
    
 
   
DAVID C. DECKER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is an assistant portfolio manager of Growth Portfolio. He is also
            an assistant portfolio manager of Janus Fund. He is Executive
            Vice President and portfolio manager of Janus Special Situations
            Fund. Mr. Decker received a Masters of Business Administration in
            Finance from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and
            a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Political Science from Tufts
            University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
RON SACHS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is an assistant portfolio manager of Aggressive Growth Portfolio.
            Mr. Sachs joined Janus Capital in 1996 as a research analyst.
            Prior to coming to Janus, he worked as a consultant for Bain &
            Company and as an attorney for Willkie, Farr & Gallagher. Mr.
            Sachs graduated from Princeton cum laude with an undergraduate
            degree in economics. He obtained his law degree from the
            University of Michigan. Mr. Sachs is a Chartered Financial
            Analyst.
 
JOHN H. SCHREIBER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is an assistant portfolio manager of Equity Income Portfolio. Mr.
            Schreiber joined Janus Capital in 1997 as an equity research
            analyst. Prior to coming to Janus he was an equity analyst with
            Fidelity Investments. Mr. Schreiber holds a Bachelor of Science
            degree in mechanical engineering from the University of
            Washington and an MBA from Harvard University. He is a candidate
            for the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
    
 
                                                Management of the portfolios  35
<PAGE>
Other information
 
          CLASSES OF SHARES
 
          Each Portfolio currently offers two classes of Shares, one of which,
          the Institutional Shares, are offered pursuant to this prospectus and
          are sold under the name Janus Aspen Series. The Shares offered by this
          Prospectus are available only in connection with investment in and
          payments under variable insurance contracts as well as certain
          qualified retirement plans. Retirement Shares of each Portfolio are
          offered by separate prospectus and are available only to qualified
          plans using plan service providers that are compensated for providing
          distribution and/or recordkeeping and other administrative services.
          Because the expenses of each class may differ, the performance of each
          class is expected to differ. If you would like additional information
          about the Retirement Shares, please call 1-800-525-0020.
 
          CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
 
          The Shares offered by this prospectus are available only to variable
          annuity and variable life separate accounts of insurance companies
          that are unaffiliated with Janus Capital and to certain qualified
          retirement plans. Retirement Shares of the Portfolios (offered through
          a separate prospectus) are available to certain qualified plans.
          Although the Portfolios do not currently anticipate any disadvantages
          to policy owners because each Portfolio offers its shares to such
          entities, there is a possibility that a material conflict may arise.
          The Trustees monitor events in order to identify any disadvantages or
          material irreconcilable conflicts and to determine what action, if
          any, should be taken in response. If a material disadvantage or
          conflict occurs, the Trustees may require one or more insurance
          company separate accounts or qualified plans to withdraw its
          investments in one or more Portfolios or substitute Shares of another
          Portfolio. If this occurs, a Portfolio may be forced to sell its
          securities at disadvantageous prices. In addition, the Trustees may
          refuse to sell Shares of any Portfolio to any separate account or
          qualified plan or may suspend or terminate the offering of a
          Portfolio's Shares if such action is required by law or regulatory
          authority or is in the best interests of that Portfolio's
          shareholders. It is possible that a qualified plan investing in the
          Retirement Shares of the Portfolios could lose its qualified plan
          status under the Internal Revenue Code, which could have adverse tax
          consequences on insurance company separate accounts investing in the
          Shares. Janus Capital intends to monitor such qualified plans and the
          Portfolios may discontinue sales to a qualified plan and require plan
          participants with existing investments in the Retirement Shares to
          redeem those investments if a plan loses (or in the opinion of Janus
          Capital is at risk of losing) its qualified plan status.
 
          YEAR 2000
 
          Preparing for Year 2000 is a high priority for Janus Capital, which
          has established a dedicated group to address this issue. Janus Capital
          has devoted considerable internal resources and has engaged one of the
          foremost experts in the field to help achieve Year 2000 readiness.
          Janus Capital does not anticipate that Year 2000-related issues will
          have a material impact on its ability to continue to provide the
          Portfolios with service at current levels; however, Janus Capital
          cannot make any assurances that the steps it has taken to ensure Year
          2000 readiness will be successful. In addition, there can be no
          assurance that Year 2000 issues will not affect the companies in which
          the Portfolios invest or worldwide markets and economies.
 
 36 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
                                                         Distributions and taxes
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
          To avoid taxation of the Portfolios, the Internal Revenue Code
          requires each Portfolio to distribute net income and any net gains
          realized on its investments annually. A Portfolio's income from
          dividends and interest and any net realized short-term gains are paid
          to shareholders as ordinary income dividends. Net realized long-term
          gains are paid to shareholders as capital gains distributions.
 
PORTFOLIOS OTHER THAN MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
 
          Each class of each Portfolio, other than Money Market Portfolio, makes
          semi-annual distributions in June and December of substantially all of
          its investment income and an annual distribution in June of its net
          realized gains, if any. All dividends and capital gains distributions
          from Shares of a Portfolio will automatically be reinvested into
          additional Shares of that Portfolio.
 
          HOW DISTRIBUTIONS AFFECT NAV
 
          Distributions, other than daily income dividends, are paid to
          shareholders as of the record date of the distribution of a Portfolio,
          regardless of how long the shares have been held. Undistributed income
          and realized gains are included in the daily NAV of a Portfolio's
          Shares. The Share price of a Portfolio drops by the amount of the
          distribution, net of any subsequent market fluctuations. For example,
          assume that on December 31, the Shares of Growth Portfolio declared a
          dividend in the amount of $0.25 per share. If the price of Growth
          Portfolio's Shares was $10.00 on December 30, the share price on
          December 31 would be $9.75, barring market fluctuations.
 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
 
          For the Shares of Money Market Portfolio, dividends representing
          substantially all of the net investment income and any net realized
          gains on sales of securities are declared daily, Saturdays, Sundays
          and holidays included, and distributed on the last business day of
          each month. If a month begins on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday,
          dividends for those days are declared at the end of the preceding
          month and distributed on the first business day of the month. All
          distributions will be automatically reinvested in Shares of the
          Portfolio.
 
TAXES
 
          TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS
 
          Because Shares of the Portfolios may be purchased only through
          variable insurance contracts and qualified plans, it is anticipated
          that any income dividends or capital gains distributions made by the
          Shares of a Portfolio will be exempt from current taxation if left to
          accumulate within the variable insurance contract or qualified plan.
          Generally, withdrawals from such contracts may be subject to ordinary
          income tax and, if made before age 59 1/2, a 10% penalty tax. The tax
          status of your investment depends on the features of your qualified
          plan or variable insurance contract. Further information may be found
          in your plan documents or in the prospectus of the separate account
          offering such contract.
 
          TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIOS
 
          Dividends, interest and some gains received by the Portfolios on
          foreign securities may be subject to withholding of foreign taxes. The
          Portfolios may from year to year make the election permitted under
          Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code to pass through such taxes to
          shareholders. If such election is not made, any foreign taxes paid or
          accrued will represent an expense to the Portfolios which will reduce
          their investment income.
 
                                                     Distributions and taxes  37
<PAGE>
 
          The Portfolios do not expect to pay any federal income or excise taxes
          because they intend to meet certain requirements of the Internal
          Revenue Code. 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.
 
 38 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
                                                             Shareholder's guide
 
          INVESTORS MAY NOT PURCHASE OR REDEEM SHARES OF THE PORTFOLIOS
          DIRECTLY. SHARES MAY BE PURCHASED OR REDEEMED ONLY THROUGH VARIABLE
          INSURANCE CONTRACTS OFFERED BY THE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS OF PARTICIPATING
          INSURANCE COMPANIES OR THROUGH QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS. CERTAIN
          PORTFOLIOS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN CONNECTION WITH A PARTICULAR
          CONTRACT AND CERTAIN CONTRACTS MAY LIMIT ALLOCATIONS AMONG THE
          PORTFOLIOS. REFER TO THE PROSPECTUS FOR THE PARTICIPATING INSURANCE
          COMPANY'S SEPARATE ACCOUNT OR YOUR PLAN DOCUMENTS FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON
          PURCHASING OR SELLING OF VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACTS AND ON HOW TO
          SELECT SPECIFIC PORTFOLIOS AS INVESTMENT OPTIONS FOR A CONTRACT OR A
          QUALIFIED PLAN.
 
   
PRICING OF PORTFOLIO SHARES
 
          Investments will be processed at the NAV next determined after an
          order is received and accepted by a Portfolio or its agent. In order
          to receive a day's price, your order must be received by the close of
          the regular trading session of the New York Stock Exchange any day
          that the NYSE is open. Securities of the Portfolios other than Money
          Market Portfolio are valued at market value or, if a market quotation
          is not readily available, at their fair value determined in good faith
          under procedures established by and under the supervision of the
          Trustees. Short-term instruments maturing within 60 days are valued at
          amortized cost, which approximates market value. See the SAI for more
          detailed information.
 
          To the extent a Portfolio holds securities that are primarily listed
          on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when the
          Portfolios do not price their shares, the NAV of a Portfolio's shares
          may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or
          redeem the Portfolio's shares.
 
          Money Market Portfolio's securities are valued at their amortized
          cost. Amortized cost valuation involves valuing an instrument at its
          cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity (or
          such other date as permitted by Rule 2a-7) of any discount or premium.
          If fluctuating interest rates cause the market value of the portfolio
          to deviate more than 1/2 of 1% from the value determined on the basis
          of amortized cost, the Trustees will consider whether any action, such
          as adjusting the Share's NAV to reflect current market conditions,
          should be initiated to prevent any material dilutive effect on
          shareholders.
    
 
PURCHASES
 
          Purchases of Shares may be made only by the separate accounts of
          insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable insurance
          contracts or by qualified plans. Refer to the prospectus of the
          appropriate insurance company separate account or your plan documents
          for information on how to invest in the Shares of each Portfolio.
          Participating insurance companies and certain other designated
          organizations are authorized to receive purchase orders on the
          Portfolios' behalf.
 

          Each Portfolio reserves the right to reject any specific purchase
          order. Purchase orders may be refused if, in Janus Capital's opinion,
          they are of a size that would disrupt the management of a Portfolio.
          Although there is no present intention to do so, the Portfolios may
          discontinue sales of their shares if management and the Trustees
          believe that continued sales may adversely affect a Portfolio's
          ability to achieve its investment objective. If sales of a Portfolio's
          Shares are discontinued, it is expected that existing policy owners
          and plan participants invested in that Portfolio would be permitted to
          continue to authorize investment in that Portfolio and to reinvest any
          dividends or capital gains distributions, absent highly unusual
          circumstances.
 
                                                         Shareholder's guide  39
<PAGE>
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
          Redemptions, like purchases, may be effected only through the separate
          accounts of participating insurance companies or through qualified
          plans. Please refer to the appropriate separate account prospectus or
          plan documents for details.
 
          Shares of any Portfolio may be redeemed on any business day.
          Redemptions are processed at the NAV next calculated after receipt and
          acceptance of the redemption order by the Portfolio or its agent.
          Redemption proceeds will normally be wired to the participating
          insurance company the business day following receipt of the redemption
          order, but in no event later than seven days after receipt of such
          order.
 
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
 
          Shareholders will receive annual and semiannual reports including the
          financial statements of the Shares of the Portfolios that they have
          authorized for investment. Each report will show the investments owned
          by each Portfolio and the market values thereof, as well as other
          information about the Portfolios and their operations. The Trust's
          fiscal year ends December 31.
 
 40 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
                                                            Financial highlights
 
          The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand
          the Institutional Shares' financial performance for each of the five
          most recent fiscal years or the life of the Portfolio if less than
          five years. Items 1 through 9 reflect financial results for a single
          Share. Total return in the tables represents the rate that an investor
          would have earned (or lost) on an investment in each of the
          Institutional Shares of the Portfolios (assuming reinvestment of all
          dividends and distributions) but does not include charges and expenses
          attributable to any insurance product. This information has been
          audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the
          Portfolios' financial statements, is included in the Annual Report,
          which is available upon request and incorporated by reference into the
          SAI.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       GROWTH PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Periods ending December 31
                                                              1998         1997        1996        1995        1994
<S>                                                        <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                      $18.48      $15.51      $13.45      $10.57     $10.32
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                       0.05        0.15        0.17        0.28       0.09
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized
     and unrealized)                                             6.36        3.34        2.29        2.90       0.20
  4. Total from investment operations                            6.41        3.49        2.46        3.18       0.29
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                    (0.05)      (0.15)      (0.17)      (0.30)     (0.04)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                           --          --          --          --         --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                        (1.30)      (0.37)      (0.23)          --         --
  8. Total distributions                                       (1.35)      (0.52)      (0.40)      (0.30)     (0.04)
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                            $23.54      $18.48      $15.51      $13.45     $10.57
 10. Total return                                              35.66%      22.75%      18.45%      30.17%      2.76%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)              $1,103,549    $608,281    $325,789    $126,911    $43,549
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)        $789,454    $477,914    $216,125     $77,344    $26,464
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets              0.68%(6)    0.70%(5)    0.69%(4)    0.78%(3)     N/A
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets                0.68%       0.69%       0.69%       0.76%      0.88%(1)(2)
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net
     assets                                                     0.26%       0.91%       1.39%       1.24%      1.45%
 16. Portfolio turnover rate                                      73%        122%         87%        185%       169%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Commissions payable by the Portfolio for transactions effected by a
    broker-dealer affiliated with Janus Capital were credited against the
    Portfolio's operating expenses. The effect of such directed brokerage
    arrangement was de minimis.
(2) The ratio was 1.23% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Fund.
(3) The ratio was 0.98% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Fund.
(4) The ratio was 0.83% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Fund.
(5) The ratio was 0.78% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Fund.
(6) The ratio was 0.75% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Fund.
 
                                                        Financial highlights  41
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Periods ending December 31
                                                             1998        1997        1996        1995        1994
<S>                                                        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                    $20.55      $18.24      $17.08      $13.62     $11.80
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                       --          --          --        0.24       0.11
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized
     and unrealized)                                           7.09        2.31        1.36        3.47       1.82
  4. Total from investment operations                          7.09        2.31        1.36        3.71       1.93
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                      --          --          --      (0.25)     (0.11)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                         --          --      (0.01)          --         --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                          --          --      (0.19)          --         --
  8. Total distributions                                         --          --      (0.20)      (0.25)     (0.11)
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                          $27.64      $20.55      $18.24      $17.08     $13.62
 10. Total return                                            34.26%      12.66%       7.95%      27.48%     16.33%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)              $772,943    $508,198    $383,693    $185,911    $41,289
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)      $576,444    $418,464    $290,629    $107,582    $14,152
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets            0.75%(6)    0.76%(5)    0.76%(4)    0.86%(3)     N/A
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets              0.75%       0.76%       0.76%       0.84%      1.05%(1)(2)
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net
     assets                                                 (0.36%)     (0.10%)     (0.27%)       0.58%      2.18%
 16. Portfolio turnover rate                                   132%        130%         88%        155%       259%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Commissions payable by the Portfolio for transactions effected by a
    broker-dealer affiliated with Janus Capital were credited against the
    Portfolio's operating expenses. The effect of such directed brokerage
    arrangement was de minimis.
(2) The ratio was 1.14% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Enterprise Fund.
(3) The ratio was 0.93% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Enterprise Fund.
(4) The ratio was 0.83% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Enterprise Fund.
(5) The ratio was 0.78% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Enterprise Fund.
(6) The ratio was 0.75% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Enterprise Fund.
 
 42 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Periods ending
                                                                    December 31
                                                                  1998      1997(1)
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                        $12.62      $10.00
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                         0.01        0.05
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                   7.32        2.61
  4. Total from investment operations                              7.33        2.66
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                      (0.01)      (0.04)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                             --          --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                              --          --
  8. Total distributions                                         (0.01)      (0.04)
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                              $19.94      $12.62
 10. Total return*                                               58.11%      26.60%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                   $74,187      $6,833
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)           $25,964      $2,632
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**              0.92%(3)    1.26%(2)
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                0.91%       1.25%
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**       0.27%       1.43%
 16. Portfolio turnover rate**                                      91%        101%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 *  Total return not annualized for periods of less than one full year.
**  Annualized for periods of less than one full year.
(1) May 1, 1997 (inception) through December 31, 1997.
(2) The ratio was 2.19% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Olympus Fund.
(3) The ratio was 0.97% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Olympus Fund.
 
                                                        Financial highlights  43
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Periods ending December 31
                                                                  1998        1997        1996        1995      1994(1)
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                         $18.48     $15.72      $11.95       $9.72      $10.00
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                          0.13       0.11        0.05        0.09      (0.09)
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                    3.07       2.80        4.06        2.16      (0.19)
  4. Total from investment operations                               3.20       2.91        4.11        2.25      (0.28)
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                       (0.14)     (0.11)      (0.11)      (0.02)          --
  6. Dividends (in excess of net investment income)                   --         --          --          --          --
  7. Tax return of capital distributions                              --         --          --          --          --
  8. Distributions (from capital gains)                               --     (0.01)      (0.23)          --          --
  9. Distributions (in excess of realized gains)                  (0.27)     (0.03)          --          --          --
 10. Total distributions                                          (0.41)     (0.15)      (0.34)      (0.02)          --
 11. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                               $21.27     $18.48      $15.72      $11.95       $9.72
 12. Total return*                                                17.23%     18.51%      34.71%      23.15%     (2.80%)
 13. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                   $311,110   $161,091     $27,192      $1,608      $1,353
 14. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)           $234,421    $96,164      $7,437      $1,792      $1,421
 15. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**               0.86%(6)   0.96%(5)    1.26%(4)    2.69%(3)      N/A
 16. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                 0.86%      0.96%       1.25%       2.50%       2.50%(2)
 17. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**        0.73%      0.70%       0.62%     (0.80%)     (1.30%)
 18. Portfolio turnover rate**                                       93%        86%         65%        211%        275%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 *  Total return not annualized for periods of less than one full year.
**  Annualized for periods of less than one full year.
(1) May 1, 1994 (inception) through December 31, 1994.
(2) The ratio was 4.67% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Overseas Fund.
(3) The ratio was 3.57% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Overseas Fund.
(4) The ratio was 2.21% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Overseas Fund.
(5) The ratio was 1.08% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Overseas Fund.
(6) The ratio was 0.95% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Overseas Fund.
 
 44 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Periods ending December 31
                                                                   1998          1997         1996        1995        1994
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                           $23.39        $19.44      $15.31      $12.07     $11.89
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                            0.16          0.16        0.16        0.11       0.04
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                      6.59          4.14        4.27        3.19       0.14
  4. Total from investment operations                                 6.75          4.30        4.43        3.30       0.18
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                         (0.18)        (0.17)      (0.17)      (0.06)         --
  6. Dividends (in excess of net investment income)                     --        (0.02)          --          --         --
  7. Tax return of capital distributions                                --            --          --          --         --
  8. Distributions (from capital gains)                                 --        (0.16)      (0.13)          --         --
  9. Distributions (in excess of realized gains)                    (0.87)            --          --          --         --
 10. Total distributions                                            (1.05)        (0.35)      (0.30)      (0.06)         --
 11. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                                 $29.09        $23.39      $19.44      $15.31     $12.07
 12. Total return                                                   28.92%        22.15%      29.04%      27.37%      1.53%
 13. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                   $2,890,375    $1,576,548    $582,603    $108,563    $37,728
 14. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)           $2,217,695    $1,148,951    $304,111     $59,440    $22,896
 15. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets                   0.72%(6)      0.74%(5)    0.80%(4)    0.90%(3)     N/A
 16. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets                     0.72%         0.74%       0.80%       0.87%      1.18%(1)(2)
 17. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets            0.64%         0.67%       0.83%       0.95%      0.50%
 18. Portfolio turnover rate                                           77%           80%         62%        113%       217%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Commissions payable by the Portfolio for transactions effected by a
    broker-dealer affiliated with Janus Capital were credited against the
    Portfolio's operating expenses. The effect of such directed brokerage
    arrangement was de minimis.
(2) The ratio was 1.49% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Worldwide Fund.
(3) The ratio was 1.09% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Worldwide Fund.
(4) The ratio was 0.91% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Worldwide Fund.
(5) The ratio was 0.81% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Worldwide Fund.
(6) The ratio was 0.74% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Worldwide Fund.
 
                                                        Financial highlights  45
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       BALANCED PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Periods ending December 31
                                                                  1998        1997        1996        1995        1994
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                         $17.47      $14.77     $13.03      $10.63      $10.64
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                          0.39        0.34       0.32        0.17        0.15
  3. Net gains (or losses) on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                    5.51        2.89       1.81        2.45      (0.06)
  4. Total from investment operations                               5.90        3.23       2.13        2.62        0.09
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                       (0.38)      (0.35)     (0.30)      (0.22)      (0.10)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                              --          --         --          --          --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                           (0.45)      (0.18)     (0.09)          --          --
  8. Distributions (in excess of realized gains)                  (0.04)          --         --          --          --
  9. Total distributions                                          (0.87)      (0.53)     (0.39)      (0.22)      (0.10)
 10. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                               $22.50      $17.47     $14.77      $13.03      $10.63
 11. Total return                                                 34.28%      22.10%     16.18%      24.79%       0.84%
 12. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                   $882,495    $362,409    $85,480     $14,021      $3,153
 13. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)           $555,002    $176,432    $43,414      $5,739      $2,336
 14. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets                 0.74%(6)    0.83%(5)   0.94%(4)    1.37%(3)      N/A
 15. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets                   0.74%       0.82%      0.92%       1.30%       1.57%(1)(2)
 16. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets          2.41%       2.87%      2.92%       2.41%       1.90%
 17. Portfolio turnover rate                                         70%        139%       103%        149%        158%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Commissions payable by the Portfolio for transactions effected by a
    broker-dealer affiliated with Janus Capital were credited against the
    Portfolio's operating expenses. The effect of such directed brokerage
    arrangement was de minimis.
(2) The ratio was 1.74% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Balanced Fund.
(3) The ratio was 1.55% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Balanced Fund.
(4) The ratio was 1.07% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Balanced Fund.
(5) The ratio was 0.83% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Balanced Fund.
(6) The ratio was 0.74% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Balanced Fund.
 
 46 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Periods ending
                                                                    December 31
                                                                  1998      1997(1)
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                        $13.46      $10.00
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                         0.02        0.01
  3. Net gains (or losses) on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                   6.16        3.46
  4. Total from investment operations                              6.18        3.47
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                      (0.02)      (0.01)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                             --          --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                          (0.21)          --
  8. Total distributions                                         (0.23)      (0.01)
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                              $19.41      $13.46
 10. Total return*                                               46.24%      34.70%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                    $9,017      $3,047
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)            $5,629      $1,101
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**              1.25%(3)    1.25%(2)
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                1.25%       1.25%
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**       0.17%       0.35%
 16. Portfolio turnover rate**                                      79%        128%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 *  Total return not annualized for periods of less than one full year.
**  Annualized for periods of less than one full year.
(1) May 1, 1997 (inception) through December 31, 1997.
(2) The ratio was 5.75% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Equity Income Fund.
(3) The ratio was 1.86% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Equity Income Fund.
 
                                                        Financial highlights  47
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Period ending
                                                                 December 31
                                                                   1998(1)
<S>                                                             <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                           $10.00
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                            0.02
  3. Net gains (or losses) on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                      1.96
  4. Total from investment operations                                 1.98
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                         (0.02)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                                --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                                 --
  8. Total distributions                                            (0.02)
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                                 $11.96
 10. Total return*                                                  19.80%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                       $6,413
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)               $2,883
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**                 1.25%(2)
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                   1.25%
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**          0.66%
 16. Portfolio turnover rate**                                         62%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 *  Total return not annualized.
**  Annualized.
(1) May 1, 1998 (inception) through December 31, 1998.
(2) The ratio was 3.06% before waiver of certain fees and/or reduction of
    adviser's fees to the effective rate of Janus Growth and Income Fund.
 
 48 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Periods ending December 31
                                                                  1998        1997        1996        1995        1994
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                         $11.78     $11.24      $11.11       $9.48       $9.97
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                          0.64       0.67        0.74        0.53        0.47
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                    0.41       0.62        0.24        1.70      (0.56)
  4. Total from investment operations                               1.05       1.29        0.98        2.23      (0.09)
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                       (0.67)     (0.64)      (0.72)      (0.60)      (0.40)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                              --         --          --          --          --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                           (0.11)     (0.11)      (0.13)          --          --
  8. Total distributions                                          (0.78)     (0.75)      (0.85)      (0.60)      (0.40)
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                               $12.05     $11.78      $11.24      $11.11       $9.48
 10. Total return                                                  9.11%     11.76%       9.19%      23.86%     (0.91%)
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                   $129,582    $54,098     $25,315     $10,831      $1,924
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)            $86,627    $36,547     $17,889      $5,556      $1,636
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets                 0.73%      0.75%       0.84%       1.07%         N/A
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets                   0.73%      0.75%       0.83%       1.00%       1.00%(1)
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets          6.36%      6.90%       7.31%       7.46%       5.49%
 16. Portfolio turnover rate                                        145%       119%        250%        236%        234%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   
(1) The ratio was 1.35% before waiver of certain fees incurred by the Portfolio.
    
 
                                                        Financial highlights  49
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Periods ending December 31
                                                                  1998        1997      1996(1)
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                        $11.78      $10.83      $10.00
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                         0.87        0.70        0.43
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                 (0.70)        0.99        0.80
  4. Total from investment operations                              0.17        1.69        1.23
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                      (0.89)      (0.68)      (0.40)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                             --          --          --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                          (0.05)      (0.06)          --
  8. Distributions (in excess of realized gains)                 (0.16)          --          --
  9. Total distributions                                         (1.10)      (0.74)      (0.40)
 10. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                              $10.85      $11.78      $10.83
 11. Total return*                                                1.26%      15.98%      12.40%
 12. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                    $2,977      $2,914        $783
 13. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)            $3,281      $1,565        $459
 14. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**              1.00%(4)    1.00%(3)     1.01(2)
 15. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                1.00%       1.00%       1.00%
 16. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**       7.76%       7.98%       5.74%
 17. Portfolio turnover rate**                                     301%        299%        301%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 *  Total return not annualized for periods of less than one full year.
**  Annualized for periods of less than one full year.
(1) May 1, 1996 (inception) through December 31, 1996.
(2) The ratio was 6.29% before waiver of certain fees incurred by the Portfolio.
(3) The ratio was 3.27% before waiver of certain fees incurred by the Portfolio.
(4) The ratio was 2.11% before waiver of certain fees incurred by the Portfolio.
 
 50 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO - INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Periods ending December 31
                                                                  1998        1997        1996      1995(1)
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                         $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                         0.05        0.05        0.05        0.04
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                     --          --          --          --
  4. Total from investment operations                              0.05        0.05        0.05        0.04
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                      (0.05)      (0.05)      (0.05)      (0.04)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                             --          --          --          --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                              --          --          --          --
  8. Total distributions                                         (0.05)      (0.05)      (0.05)      (0.04)
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                               $1.00       $1.00       $1.00       $1.00
 10. Total return*                                                5.36%       5.17%       5.05%       3.63%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                   $38,690     $15,374      $6,016      $1,735
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)           $31,665      $8,926      $3,715      $1,543
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**              0.34%       0.50%       0.50%       0.50%
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                0.34%       0.50%(4)    0.50%(3)    0.50%(2)
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**       5.21%       5.17%       4.93%       5.30%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 *  Total return not annualized for periods of less than one year.
**  Annualized for periods of less than one full year.
(1) May 1, 1995 (inception) to December 31, 1995.
(2) The ratio was 1.07% before waiver of certain fees incurred by the Portfolio.
(3) The ratio was 0.78% before waiver of certain fees incurred by the Portfolio.
(4) The ratio was 0.55% before waiver of certain fees incurred by the Portfolio.
 
                                                        Financial highlights  51
<PAGE>
Glossary of investment terms
 
          This glossary provides a more detailed description of some of the
          types of securities and other instruments in which the Portfolios may
          invest. The Portfolios may invest in these instruments to the extent
          permitted by their investment objectives and policies. The Portfolios
          are not limited by this discussion and may invest in any other types
          of instruments not precluded by the policies discussed elsewhere in
          this Prospectus. Please refer to the SAI for a more detailed
          discussion of certain instruments.
 
I. EQUITY AND DEBT SECURITIES
 
          BONDS are debt securities issued by a company, municipality,
          government or government agency. The issuer of a bond is required to
          pay the holder the amount of the loan (or par value of the bond) at a
          specified maturity and to make scheduled interest payments.
 
          COMMERCIAL PAPER is a short-term debt obligation with a maturity
          ranging from 1 to 270 days issued by banks, corporations and other
          borrowers to investors seeking to invest idle cash. The Portfolios may
          purchase commercial paper issued in private placements under Section
          4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
 
          COMMON STOCKS are equity securities representing shares of ownership
          in a company and usually carry voting rights and earns dividends.
          Unlike preferred stock, dividends on common stock are not fixed but
          are declared at the discretion of the issuer's board of directors.
 
          CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are preferred stocks or bonds that pay a fixed
          dividend or interest payment and are convertible into common stock at
          a specified price or conversion ratio.
 
          DEBT SECURITIES are securities representing money borrowed that must
          be repaid at a later date. Such securities have specific maturities
          and usually a specific rate of interest or an original purchase
          discount.
 
          DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS are receipts for shares of a foreign-based
          corporation that entitle the holder to dividends and capital gains on
          the underlying security. Receipts include those issued by domestic
          banks (American Depositary Receipts), foreign banks (Global or
          European Depositary Receipts) and broker-dealers (depositary shares).
 
          FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES are securities that pay a specified rate of
          return. The term generally includes short-and long-term government,
          corporate and municipal obligations that pay a specified rate of
          interest or coupons for a specified period of time, and preferred
          stock, which pays fixed dividends. Coupon and dividend rates may be
          fixed for the life of the issue or, in the case of adjustable and
          floating rate securities, for a shorter period.
 
          HIGH-YIELD/HIGH-RISK SECURITIES are securities that are rated below
          investment grade by the primary rating agencies (e.g., BB or lower by
          Standard & Poor's and Ba or lower by Moody's). Other terms commonly
          used to describe such securities include "lower rated bonds,"
          "noninvestment grade bonds" and "junk bonds."
 
          MORTGAGE- AND ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES are shares in a pool of
          mortgages or other debt. These securities are generally pass-through
          securities, which means that principal and interest payments on the
          underlying securities (less servicing fees) are passed through to
          shareholders on a pro rata basis. These securities involve prepayment
          risk, which is the risk that the underlying mortgages or other debt
          may be refinanced or paid off prior to their maturities during periods
          of declining interest rates. In that case, a portfolio manager may
          have to reinvest the proceeds from the securities at a lower rate.
          Potential market gains on a security subject to prepayment risk may be
          more limited than potential market gains on a comparable security that
          is not subject to prepayment risk.
 
          PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES (PFICS) are any foreign
          corporations which generate certain amounts of passive income or hold
          certain amounts of assets for the production of passive income.
          Passive
 
 52 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          income includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents and annuities.
          To avoid taxes and interest that the Portfolios must pay if these
          investments are profitable, the Portfolios may make various elections
          permitted by the tax laws. These elections could require that the
          Portfolios recognize taxable income, which in turn must be
          distributed, before the securities are sold and before cash is
          received to pay the distributions.
 
          PAY-IN-KIND BONDS are debt securities that normally give the issuer an
          option to pay cash at a coupon payment date or give the holder of the
          security a similar bond with the same coupon rate and a face value
          equal to the amount of the coupon payment that would have been made.
 
          PREFERRED STOCKS are equity securities that generally pay dividends at
          a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment
          of dividends and liquidation. Preferred stock generally does not carry
          voting rights.
 
          REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS involve the purchase of a security by a
          Portfolio and a simultaneous agreement by the seller (generally a bank
          or dealer) to repurchase the security from the Portfolio at a
          specified date or upon demand. This technique offers a method of
          earning income on idle cash. These securities involve the risk that
          the seller will fail to repurchase the security, as agreed. In that
          case, a Portfolio will bear the risk of market value fluctuations
          until the security can be sold and may encounter delays and incur
          costs in liquidating the security.
 
          REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS involve the sale of a security by a
          Portfolio to another party (generally a bank or dealer) in return for
          cash and an agreement by the Portfolio to buy the security back at a
          specified price and time. This technique will be used primarily to
          provide cash to satisfy unusually high redemption requests, or for
          other temporary or emergency purposes.
 
          RULE 144A SECURITIES are securities that are not registered for sale
          to the general public under the Securities Act of 1933, but that may
          be resold to certain institutional investors.
 
          STANDBY COMMITMENTS are obligations purchased by a Portfolio from a
          dealer that give the Portfolio the option to sell a security to the
          dealer at a specified price.
 
          STEP COUPON BONDS are debt securities that trade at a discount from
          their face value and pay coupon interest. The discount from the face
          value depends on the time remaining until cash payments begin,
          prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security and the perceived
          credit quality of the issuer.
 
          STRIP BONDS are debt securities that are stripped of their interest
          (usually by a financial intermediary) after the securities are issued.
          The market value of these securities generally fluctuates more in
          response to changes in interest rates than interest-paying securities
          of comparable maturity.
 
          TENDER OPTION BONDS are generally long-term securities that are
          coupled with an option to tender the securities to a bank,
          broker-dealer or other financial institution at periodic intervals and
          receive the face value of the bond. This type of security is commonly
          used as a means of enhancing the security's liquidity.
 
          U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES include direct obligations of the U.S.
          government that are supported by its full faith and credit. Treasury
          bills have initial maturities of less than one year, Treasury notes
          have initial maturities of one to ten years and Treasury bonds may be
          issued with any maturity but generally have maturities of at least ten
          years. U.S. government securities also include indirect obligations of
          the U.S. government that are issued by federal agencies and government
          sponsored entities. Unlike Treasury securities, agency securities
          generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
          government. Some agency securities are supported by the right of the
          issuer to borrow from the Treasury, others are supported by the
          discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the
          agency's obligations and others are supported only by the credit of
          the sponsoring agency.
 
                                                Glossary of investment terms  53
<PAGE>
 
          VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES have variable or floating rates
          of interest and, under certain limited circumstances, may have varying
          principal amounts. These securities pay interest at rates that are
          adjusted periodically according to a specified formula, usually with
          reference to some interest rate index or market interest rate. The
          floating rate tends to decrease the security's price sensitivity to
          changes in interest rates.
 
          WARRANTS are securities, typically issued with preferred stock or
          bonds, that give the holder the right to buy a proportionate amount of
          common stock at a specified price, usually at a price that is higher
          than the market price at the time of issuance of the warrant. The
          right may last for a period of years or indefinitely.
 
          WHEN-ISSUED, DELAYED DELIVERY AND FORWARD TRANSACTIONS generally
          involve the purchase of a security with payment and delivery at some
          time in the future - i.e., beyond normal settlement. The Portfolios do
          not earn interest on such securities until settlement and bear the
          risk of market value fluctuations in between the purchase and
          settlement dates. New issues of stocks and bonds, private placements
          and U.S. government securities may be sold in this manner.
 
          ZERO COUPON BONDS are debt securities that do not pay regular interest
          at regular intervals, but are issued at a discount from face value.
          The discount approximates the total amount of interest the security
          will accrue from the date of issuance to maturity. The market value of
          these securities generally fluctuates more in response to changes in
          interest rates than interest-paying securities.
 
II. FUTURES, OPTIONS AND OTHER DERIVATIVES
 
          FORWARD CONTRACTS are contracts to purchase or sell a specified amount
          of a financial instrument for an agreed upon price at a specified
          time. Forward contracts are not currently exchange traded and are
          typically negotiated on an individual basis. The Portfolios may enter
          into forward currency contracts to hedge against declines in the value
          of securities denominated in, or whose value is tied to, a currency
          other than the U.S. dollar or to reduce the impact of currency
          appreciation on purchases of such securities. They may also enter into
          forward contracts to purchase or sell securities or other financial
          indices.
 
          FUTURES CONTRACTS are contracts that obligate the buyer to receive and
          the seller to deliver an instrument or money at a specified price on a
          specified date. The Portfolios may buy and sell futures contracts on
          foreign currencies, securities and financial indices including
          interest rates or an index of U.S. government, foreign government,
          equity or fixed-income securities. The Portfolios may also buy options
          on futures contracts. An option on a futures contract gives the buyer
          the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a futures contract
          at a specified price on or before a specified date. Futures contracts
          and options on futures are standardized and traded on designated
          exchanges.
 
          INDEXED/STRUCTURED SECURITIES are typically short- to
          intermediate-term debt securities whose value at maturity or interest
          rate is linked to currencies, interest rates, equity securities,
          indices, commodity prices or other financial indicators. Such
          securities may be positively or negatively indexed (i.e. their value
          may increase or decrease if the reference index or instrument
          appreciates). Indexed/structured securities may have return
          characteristics similar to direct investments in the underlying
          instruments and may be more volatile than the underlying instruments.
          A Portfolio bears the market risk of an investment in the underlying
          instruments, as well as the credit risk of the issuer.
 
          INTEREST RATE SWAPS involve the exchange by two parties of their
          respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange
          of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments).
 
          INVERSE FLOATERS are debt instruments whose interest rate bears an
          inverse relationship to the interest rate on another instrument or
          index. For example, upon reset the interest rate payable on a security
          may go down when the underlying index has risen. Certain inverse
          floaters may have an interest rate reset
 
 54 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          mechanism that multiplies the effects of change in the underlying
          index. Such mechanism may increase the volatility of the security's
          market value.
 
          OPTIONS are the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a
          specified amount of securities or other assets on or before a fixed
          date at a predetermined price. The Portfolios may purchase and write
          put and call options on securities, securities indices and foreign
          currencies.
 
                                                Glossary of investment terms  55
<PAGE>
Explanation of rating categories
 
          The following is a description of credit ratings issued by two of the
          major credit ratings agencies. Credit ratings evaluate only the safety
          of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of lower
          quality securities. Credit rating agencies may fail to change credit
          ratings to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis. Although Janus
          Capital considers security ratings when making investment decisions,
          it also performs its own investment analysis and does not rely solely
          on the ratings assigned by credit agencies.
 
STANDARD & POOR'S
RATINGS SERVICES
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Investment Grade
                AAA......................... Highest rating; extremely strong capacity to pay principal
                                             and interest.
                AA.......................... High quality; very strong capacity to pay principal and
                                             interest.
                A........................... Strong capacity to pay principal and interest; somewhat more
                                             susceptible to the adverse effects of changing circumstances
                                             and economic conditions.
                BBB......................... Adequate capacity to pay principal and interest; normally
                                             exhibit adequate protection parameters, but adverse economic
                                             conditions or changing circumstances more likely to lead to
                                             a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest than for
                                             higher rated bonds.
                Non-Investment Grade
                BB, B, CCC, CC, C........... Predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's
                                             capacity to meet required interest and principal payments.
                                             BB - lowest degree of speculation; C - the highest degree of
                                             speculation. Quality and protective characteristics
                                             outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposure to
                                             adverse conditions.
                D........................... In default.
</TABLE>
 
 56 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Investment Grade
                Aaa......................... Highest quality, smallest degree of investment risk.
                Aa.......................... High quality; together with Aaa bonds, they compose the
                                             high-grade bond group.
                A........................... Upper-medium grade obligations; many favorable investment
                                             attributes.
                Baa......................... Medium-grade obligations; neither highly protected nor
                                             poorly secured. Interest and principal appear adequate for
                                             the present but certain protective elements may be lacking
                                             or may be unreliable over any great length of time.
                Non-Investment Grade
                Ba.......................... More uncertain, with speculative elements. Protection of
                                             interest and principal payments not well safeguarded during
                                             good and bad times.
                B........................... Lack characteristics of desirable investment; potentially
                                             low assurance of timely interest and principal payments or
                                             maintenance of other contract terms over time.
                Caa......................... Poor standing, may be in default; elements of danger with
                                             respect to principal or interest payments.
                Ca.......................... Speculative in a high degree; could be in default or have
                                             other marked shortcomings.
                C........................... Lowest-rated; extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
                                             investment standing.
</TABLE>
 
          Unrated securities will be treated as noninvestment grade securities
          unless a portfolio manager determines that such securities are the
          equivalent of investment grade securities. Securities that have
          received ratings from more than one agency are considered investment
          grade if at least one agency has rated the security investment grade.
 
                                            Explanation of rating categories  57
<PAGE>
 
SECURITIES HOLDINGS BY RATING CATEGORY
 
          During the fiscal period ended December 31, 1998, the percentage of
          securities holdings for the following Portfolios by rating category
          based upon a weighted monthly average was:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                <S>                                                           <C>
                    BONDS-S&P RATING:
                 AAA                                                                       24%
                 AA                                                                         4%
                 A                                                                         13%
                 BBB                                                                       18%
                 BB                                                                        13%
                 B                                                                         15%
                 CCC                                                                        1%
                 CC                                                                         0%
                 C                                                                          0%
                 Preferred Stock                                                            2%
                 Cash and Options                                                          10%
                 TOTAL                                                                    100%
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                <S>                                                           <C>
                    BONDS-S&P RATING:
                 AAA                                                                        3%
                 AA                                                                         0%
                 A                                                                          0%
                 BBB                                                                        1%
                 BB                                                                         2%
                 B                                                                         60%
                 CCC                                                                        2%
                 CC                                                                         0%
                 C                                                                          0%
                 Preferred Stock                                                            3%
                 Cash and Options                                                          29%
                 TOTAL                                                                    100%
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
          No other Portfolio described in this Prospectus held 5% or more of its
          assets in bonds rated below investment grade for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1998.
 
 58 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
[JANUS LOGO]

        1-800-29JANUS
        100 Fillmore Street
        Denver, Colorado 80206-4928
        janus.com
 
   
You can request other information, including a Statement of
Additional Information, Annual Report or Semiannual Report, free of
charge, by contacting your insurance company or plan sponsor or
visiting our Web site at janus.com. In the Portfolios' Annual
Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and
investment strategies that significantly affected the Portfolios'
performance during their last fiscal year. Other information is also
available from financial intermediaries that sell Shares of the
Portfolios.
The Statement of Additional Information provides detailed
information about the Portfolios and is incorporated into this
Prospectus by reference. You may review the Portfolios' Statement of
Additional Information at the Public Reference Room of the SEC or
get text only copies for a fee, by writing to or calling the Public
Reference Room, Washington, D.C. 20549-6009 (1-800-SEC-0330). You
may obtain the Statement of Additional Information for free from the
SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
    
 
                    Investment Company Act File No. 811-7736
 
PCAI0599
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
 
                                         [JANUS LOGO]
 
                   Janus Aspen Series
                   Retirement Shares
 
                              PROSPECTUS
                              MAY 1, 1999
                              Growth Portfolio
                              Aggressive Growth Portfolio
                              Capital Appreciation Portfolio
                              International Growth Portfolio
                              Worldwide Growth Portfolio
                              Balanced Portfolio
                              Equity Income Portfolio
                              Growth and Income Portfolio
                              Flexible Income Portfolio
                              High-Yield Portfolio
                              Money Market Portfolio
 
                   THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR
                   DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED ON THE ACCURACY OR
                   ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                   CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
 
    [JANUS LOGO]
 
                This prospectus describes eleven mutual funds (the "Portfolios")
                with a variety of investment objectives, including growth of
                capital, current income and a combination of growth and income.
                Each Portfolio of Janus Aspen Series currently offers two
                classes of shares. The Retirement Shares, (the "Shares"), are
                offered by this prospectus to certain participant directed
                qualified retirement plans. Certain Portfolios may not be
                available in connection with a particular qualified plan.
                Contact your plan sponsor for further information.
<PAGE>

                                                               Table of contents
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                                                           <C>
                RISK/RETURN SUMMARY
                   Growth Portfolios........................................    2
                   Combination Portfolios...................................    7
                   Fixed-Income Portfolios..................................   10
                   Money Market Portfolio...................................   12
                   Fees and expenses........................................   14
                INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND
                RISKS
                   Growth Portfolios........................................   16
                   Combination Portfolios...................................   18
                   Fixed-Income Portfolios..................................   20
                   General portfolio policies of the Portfolios other than
                   Money Market Portfolio...................................   21
                   Risks for Growth, Global Growth and Combination
                   Portfolios...............................................   24
                   Risks for Fixed-Income Portfolios........................   25
                   Risks Common to all Non-Money Market Portfolios..........   25
                   Money Market Portfolio...................................   27
                   Investment techniques....................................   28
                MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIOS
                   Investment adviser.......................................   30
                   Management expenses and expense limits...................   30
                   Investment personnel.....................................   31
                OTHER INFORMATION...........................................   34
                DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
                   Distributions............................................   36
                   Taxes....................................................   36
                SHAREHOLDER'S GUIDE
                   Purchases................................................   38
                   Redemptions..............................................   38
                   Shareholder communications...............................   39
                FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS........................................   40
                GLOSSARY
                   Glossary of investment terms.............................   46
                RATING CATEGORIES
                   Explanation of rating categories.........................   50
 
</TABLE>
 
                                                            Table of contents  1
<PAGE>
Risk return summary
 
GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          The Growth Portfolios are designed for long-term investors who seek
          growth of capital and who can tolerate the greater risks associated
          with common stock investments.
 
1. WHAT ARE THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE GROWTH PORTFOLIOS?
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          DOMESTIC GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          - GROWTH PORTFOLIO seeks long-term growth of capital in a manner
            consistent with the preservation of capital.
 
          - AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO AND CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO
            seek long-term growth of capital.
 
          GLOBAL GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          - INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO seeks long-term growth of capital.
 
          - WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO seeks long-term growth of capital in a
            manner consistent with the preservation of capital.
 
          The Portfolios' Trustees may change these objectives without a
          shareholder vote and the Portfolios will notify you of any changes
          that are material. If there is a material change to a Portfolio's
          objective or policies, you should consider whether that Portfolio
          remains an appropriate investment for you. There is no guarantee that
          a Portfolio will meet its objective.
 
2. WHAT ARE THE MAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE GROWTH PORTFOLIOS?
 
          The portfolio managers apply a "bottom up" approach in choosing
          investments. In other words, they look for companies with earnings
          growth potential one at a time. If a portfolio manager is unable to
          find investments with earnings growth potential, a significant portion
          of a Portfolio's assets may be in cash or similar investments.
 
          GROWTH PORTFOLIO invests primarily in common stocks selected for their
          growth potential. Although the Portfolio can invest in companies of
          any size, it generally invests in larger, more established companies.
 
          AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO invests primarily in common stocks
          selected for their growth potential, and normally invests at least 50%
          of its equity assets in medium-sized companies.
 
          CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO invests primarily in common stocks
          selected for their growth potential. The Portfolio may invest in
          companies of any size, from larger, well-established companies to
          smaller, emerging growth companies.
 
          INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO normally invests at least 65% of its
          total assets in securities of issuers from at least five different
          countries, excluding the United States. Although the Portfolio intends
          to invest substantially all of its assets in issuers located outside
          the United States, it may invest in U.S. issuers and it may at times
          invest all of its assets in fewer than five countries, or even a
          single country.
 
          WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO invests primarily in common stocks of
          companies of any size throughout the world. The Portfolio normally
          invests in issuers from at least five different countries, including
          the United States. The Portfolio may at times invest in fewer than
          five countries or even a single country.
 
 2 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
3. WHAT ARE THE MAIN RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE GROWTH PORTFOLIOS?
 
          The biggest risk is that the Portfolios' returns may vary, and you
          could lose money. If you are considering investing in any of the
          Growth Portfolios, remember that they are each designed for long-term
          investors who can accept the risks of investing in a portfolio with
          significant common stock holdings. Common stocks tend to be more
          volatile than other investment choices.
 
          The value of a Portfolio may decrease if the value of an individual
          company in the portfolio decreases. The value of a Portfolio could
          also decrease if the stock market goes down. If the value of a
          Portfolio decreases, its net asset value (NAV) will also decrease,
          which means if you sell your shares in a Portfolio you would get back
          less money.
 
          INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO AND WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO may have
          significant exposure to foreign markets. As a result, their returns
          and NAV may be affected to a large degree by fluctuations in currency
          exchange rates or political or economic conditions in a particular
          country.
 
          AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO AND CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO are
          nondiversified. In other words, they may hold larger positions in a
          smaller number of securities than a diversified fund. As a result, a
          single security's increase or decrease in value may have a greater
          impact on a Portfolio's NAV and total return.
 
          An investment in these Portfolios is not a bank deposit and is not
          insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
          any other government agency.
 
   
          The following information provides some indication of the risks of
          investing in the Growth Portfolios by showing how each of the Growth
          Portfolios' performance has varied over time. The Growth, Aggressive
          Growth, International Growth and Worldwide Growth Portfolios
          Retirement Shares commenced operations on May 1, 1997. The returns
          shown for the Retirement Shares of these Portfolios reflect the
          historical performance of a different class of shares (the
          Institutional Shares) prior to May 1, 1997, restated based on the
          Retirement Shares' fees and expenses on May 1, 1997 (ignoring any fee
          and expense limitations). The bar charts depict the change in
          performance from year-to-year during the period indicated. The tables
          compare the average annual returns for the Retirement Shares of each
          Portfolio for the periods indicated to a broad-based securities market
          index.
    
 
                                                          Risk return summary  3
<PAGE>
 
           GROWTH PORTFOLIO - RETIREMENT SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Growth 
           Portfolio - Retirement Shares from 1994 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                      2.31%   29.74%   17.64%   21.74%   34.99%
                                       1994    1995     1996     1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with 
           actual return printed above the bar.

           Best Quarter 4th-1998  27.71%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (10.92%)
 
   
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Since Inception
                                                                          1 year    5 years       (9/13/93)
                <S>                                                       <C>       <C>        <C> 
                Growth Portfolio - Retirement Shares                      34.99%    20.71%         20.01%
                S&P 500 Index*                                            28.74%    24.08%         23.06%
                                                                      ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
           * The S&P 500 is the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks,
             a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices.
 
           AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO - RETIREMENT SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Aggressive Growth 
           Portfolio - Retirement Shares from 1994 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                     16.03%   26.92%    7.19%   11.91%   33.58%
                                       1994    1995     1996     1997     1998
           
           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.

           Best Quarter 4th-1998  34.65%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (14.98%)
 
   
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Since Inception
                                                                          1 year    5 years       (9/13/93)
                <S>                                                       <C>       <C>        <C>
                Aggressive Growth Portfolio - Retirement Shares           33.58%    17.05%         21.14%
                S&P 400 Mid Cap Index*                                    18.25%    18.67%         18.06%
                                                                      ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
           * The S&P 400 Mid Cap Index is an unmanaged group of 400 domestic
             stocks chosen for their market size, liquidity and industry group
             representation.
 
 4 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
           CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO - RETIREMENT SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Capital Appreciation 
           Portfolio - Retirement Shares for 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                                                         57.37%
                                                                          1998

           The percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.

            Best Quarter 4th-1998  33.98%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (9.98%)
 
   
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Since Inception
                                                                                 1 year       (5/1/97)
                <S>                                                              <C>       <C>
                Capital Appreciation Portfolio - Retirement Shares               57.37%        50.93%
                S&P 500 Index*                                                   28.74%        31.38%
                                                                             -----------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
           * The S&P 500 is the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks,
             a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices.
 
           INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO - RETIREMENT SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for International Growth 
           Portfolio - Retirement Shares from 1995 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                              22.92%   32.76%   16.15%   16.86%
                                               1995     1996     1997     1998
   
           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.

           Best Quarter 4th-1998  16.63%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (17.76%)
 
   
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                         -------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Since Inception
                                                                                 1 year       (5/2/94)
                <S>                                                              <C>       <C>
                International Growth Portfolio - Retirement Shares               16.86%        17.92%
                Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE Index*                 20.00%         8.11%
                                                                             -----------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
           * The Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE Index is a market
             capitalization weighted index composed of companies representative
             of the market structure of 20 Developed Market countries in Europe,
             Australasia and the Far East.
 
                                                          Risk return summary  5
<PAGE>
 
           WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO - RETIREMENT SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Worldwide Growth 
           Portfolio - Retirement Shares from 1994 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                      1.20%   26.82%   28.15%   20.96%   28.25%
                                       1994    1995     1996     1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.

           Best Quarter 4th-1998  20.87%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (16.03%)
 
   
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Since Inception
                                                                          1 year    5 years       (9/13/93)
                <S>                                                       <C>       <C>        <C>
                Worldwide Growth Portfolio - Retirement Shares            28.25%    20.68%         23.22%
                Morgan Stanley International Worldwide Index*             24.34%    15.68%         14.39%
                                                                      ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

           * The Morgan Stanley International Worldwide Index is a market
             capitalization weighted index composed of countries representative
             of the market structure of 47 Developed and Emerging Markets.
 
          The Growth Portfolios' past performance does not necessarily indicate
          how they will perform in the future.
 
 6 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS
 
          The Combination Portfolios are designed for investors who primarily
          seek growth of capital with varying degrees of emphasis on income.
          They are not designed for investors who desire a consistent level of
          income.
 
1. WHAT ARE THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS?
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          - BALANCED PORTFOLIO seeks long-term capital growth, consistent
            with preservation of capital and balanced by current income.
 
          - EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks current income and long-term growth
            of capital.
 
          - GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks long-term capital growth and
            current income.
 
          The Trustees may change these objectives without a shareholder vote
          and the Portfolios will notify you of any changes that are material.
          If there is a material change to a Portfolio's objective or policies,
          you should consider whether that Portfolio remains an appropriate
          investment for you. There is no guarantee that a Portfolio will meet
          its objective.
 
2. WHAT ARE THE MAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS?
 
          The portfolio managers apply a "bottom up" approach in choosing
          investments. In other words, they look mostly for equity and
          income-producing securities that meet their investment criteria one at
          a time. If a portfolio manager is unable to find such investments,
          much of a Portfolio's assets may be in cash or similar investments.
 
          BALANCED PORTFOLIO normally invests 40-60% of its assets in securities
          selected primarily for their growth potential and 40-60% of its assets
          in securities selected primarily for their income potential. The
          Portfolio will normally invest at least 25% of its assets in
          fixed-income securities.
 
          EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO normally emphasizes investments in common
          stocks, and growth potential is a significant investment
          consideration. Normally, it invests at least 65% of its assets in
          income-producing equity securities.
 
          GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO normally emphasizes investments in common
          stocks. It will normally invest up to 75% of its assets in equity
          securities selected primarily for their growth potential, and at least
          25% of its assets in securities the portfolio manager believes have
          income potential. Equity securities may make up part of this income
          component if they currently pay dividends or the portfolio manager
          believes they have potential for increasing or commencing dividend
          payments.
 
3. WHAT ARE THE MAIN RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS?
 
          The biggest risk is that the Portfolios' returns may vary, and you
          could lose money. If you are considering investing in any of the
          Combination Portfolios, remember that they are each designed for
          long-term investors who can accept the risks of investing in a
          portfolio with significant common stock holdings. Common stocks tend
          to be more volatile than other investment choices.
 
          The value of a Portfolio may decrease if the value of an individual
          company in the portfolio decreases. The value of a Portfolio could
          also decrease if the stock market goes down. If the value of a
          Portfolio decreases, its NAV will also decrease, which means if you
          sell your shares in a Portfolio you would get back less money.
 
                                                          Risk return summary  7
<PAGE>
 
          The income component of the Portfolios' holdings includes fixed-income
          securities. A fundamental risk to the income component is that the
          value of these securities will fall if interest rates rise. Generally,
          the value of a fixed-income portfolio will decrease when interest
          rates rise, which means the Portfolio's NAV may likewise decrease.
          Another fundamental risk associated with fixed-income securities is
          credit risk, which is the risk that an issuer of a bond will be unable
          to make principal and interest payments when due.
 
          An investment in these Portfolios is not a bank deposit and is not
          insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
          any other government agency.
 
   
          The following information provides some indication of the risks of
          investing in the Combination Portfolios by showing how each
          Combination Portfolio's performance has varied over time. The Balanced
          Portfolio Retirement Shares commenced operations on May 1, 1997. The
          returns shown for the Retirement Shares of this Portfolio reflect the
          historical performance of a different class of shares (the
          Institutional Shares) prior to May 1, 1997, restated based on the
          Retirement Shares' fees and expenses on May 1, 1997 (ignoring any fee
          and expense limitations). The bar charts depict the change in
          performance from year-to-year during the period indicated. The tables
          compare the average annual returns for the Retirement Shares of each
          Portfolio for the period indicated to a broad-based securities market
          index.
    
 
           BALANCED PORTFOLIO - RETIREMENT SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Balanced Portfolio -
           Retirement Shares from 1994 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                      0.84%   24.50%   15.39%   20.99%   33.59%
                                       1994    1995     1996     1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar. 

           Best Quarter 4th-1998  20.32%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (4.97%)
 
   
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                         -------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Since Inception
                                                                          1 year    5 years       (9/13/93)
                <S>                                                       <C>       <C>        <C>
                Balanced Portfolio - Retirement Shares                    33.59%    18.57%         18.73%
                S&P 500 Index*                                            28.74%    24.08%         23.06%
                Lehman Brothers Gov't/Corp Bond Index**                    9.47%     7.30%          6.90%
                                                                      ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
           * The S&P 500 is the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks,
             a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices.
          ** Lehman Brothers Gov't/Corp Bond Index is composed of all bonds that
             are of investment grade with at least one year until maturity.
 
 8 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
           EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO - RETIREMENT SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Equity Income 
           Portfolio - Retirement Shares for 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                                                         45.55%
                                                                          1998
           
           The percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with 
           the actual return printed above the bar.

            Best Quarter 4th-1998  28.51%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (7.18%)
 
   
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Since Inception
                                                                                 1 year       (5/1/97)
                <S>                                                              <C>       <C>
                Janus Equity Income Portfolio - Retirement Shares                45.55%        49.44%
                S&P 500 Index*                                                   28.74%        31.38%
                                                                             -----------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
          * The S&P 500 is the Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks,
            a widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stock prices.

   
           GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO - RETIREMENT SHARES
    
 
          Growth and Income Portfolio does not have a full calendar year return
          because the Portfolio commenced operations on May 1, 1998.
 
          The Combination Portfolios' past performance does not necessarily
          indicate how they will perform in the future.
 
                                                          Risk return summary  9
<PAGE>
 
FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS
 
          The Fixed-Income Portfolios are designed for long-term investors who
          primarily seek current income.
 
1. WHAT ARE THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES OF THE FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS?
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          - FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks to obtain maximum total return,
            consistent with preservation of capital.
 
          - HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO seeks to obtain high current income. Capital
            appreciation is a secondary objective when consistent with its
            primary objective.
 
          The Trustees may change these objectives without a shareholder vote
          and the Portfolios will notify you of any changes that are material.
          If there is a material change to a Portfolio's objective or policies,
          you should consider whether it remains an appropriate investment for
          you. There is no guarantee that a Portfolio will meet its objective.
 
2. WHAT ARE THE MAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS?
 
          In addition to considering economic factors such as the effect of
          interest rates on a Portfolio's investments, the portfolio managers
          apply a "bottom up" approach in choosing investments. In other words,
          they look mostly for income-producing securities that meet their
          investment criteria one at a time. If a portfolio manager is unable to
          find such investments, a Portfolio's assets may be in cash or similar
          investments.
 
          FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO invests primarily in a wide variety of
          income-producing securities such as corporate bonds and notes,
          government securities and preferred stock. As a fundamental policy,
          the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its assets in
          income-producing securities. The Portfolio may own an unlimited amount
          of high-yield/high-risk fixed-income securities, and these securities
          may be a big part of the portfolio.
 
          HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO normally invests at least 65% of its assets in
          high-yield/high-risk fixed-income securities, and may at times invest
          all of its assets in these securities.
 
3. WHAT ARE THE MAIN RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS?
 
          Although the Fixed-Income Portfolios may be less volatile than funds
          that invest most of their assets in common stocks, the Portfolios'
          returns and yields will vary, and you could lose money.
 
          The Portfolios invest in a variety of fixed-income securities. A
          fundamental risk is that the value of these securities will fall if
          interest rates rise. Generally, the value of a fixed-income portfolio
          will decrease when interest rates rise, which means the Portfolio's
          NAV will likewise decrease. Another fundamental risk associated with
          fixed-income funds is credit risk, which is the risk that an issuer
          will be unable to make principal and interest payments when due.
 
          FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO AND HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO may invest an
          unlimited amount of their assets in high-yield/high-risk securities,
          also known as "junk" bonds which may be sensitive to economic changes,
          political changes, or adverse developments specific to the company
          that issued the bond. These securities generally have a greater credit
          risk than other types of fixed-income securities. Because of these
          factors, the performance and NAV of the Fixed-Income Portfolios may
          vary significantly, depending upon their holdings of junk bonds.
 
 10 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          An investment in these Portfolios is not a bank deposit and is not
          insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
          any other government agency.
 
   
          The following information provides some indication of the risks of
          investing in the Fixed-Income Portfolios by showing how each
          Fixed-Income Portfolio's performance has varied over time. The
          Flexible Income and High-Yield Portfolios Retirement Shares commenced
          operations on May 1, 1997. The returns shown for the Retirement Shares
          of these Portfolios reflect the historical performance of a different
          class of shares (the Institutional Shares) prior to May 1, 1997,
          restated based on the Retirement Shares' fees and expenses on May 1,
          1997 (ignoring any fee and expense limitations). The bar charts depict
          the change in performance from year-to-year during the period
          indicated. The tables compare the average annual returns for the
          Retirement Shares of each Portfolio for the periods indicated to a
          broad-based securities market index.
    
 
           FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO - RETIREMENT SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total annual Returns for Flexible Income 
           Portfolio - Retirement Shares from 1994 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                     (1.25)%  23.47%    8.62%   10.77%    8.58%
                                       1994    1995     1996     1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar. 

           Best Quarter 2nd-1995  6.71%  Worst Quarter 1st-1996 (1.08%)
 
   
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                         -------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Since Inception
                                                                          1 year    5 years       (9/13/93)
                <S>                                                       <C>       <C>        <C>
                Flexible Income Portfolio - Retirement Shares              8.58%     9.77%          9.29%
                Lehman Brothers Gov't/Corp Bond Index*                     9.47%     7.30%          6.90%
                                                                      ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
           * Lehman Brothers Gov't/Corp Bond Index is composed of all bonds that
             are of investment grade with at least one year until maturity.
 
                                                         Risk return summary  11
<PAGE>
 
           HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO - RETIREMENT SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for High-Yield Portfolio -
           Retirement Shares from 1997 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                                                 9.52%    0.67%
                                                                 1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar.

            Best Quarter 1st-1998  5.52%  Worst Quarter 3rd-1998 (6.07%)
 
   
                          Average annual total return for periods ended 12/31/98
                          ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           Since Inception
                                                                                 1 year       (5/1/96)
                <S>                                                              <C>       <C>
                High-Yield Portfolio - Retirement Shares                          0.67%         6.13%
                Lehman Brothers High-Yield Bond Index*                            1.60%         7.15%
                                                                             -----------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
           * Lehman Brothers High-Yield Bond Index is composed of fixed-rate,
             publicly issued, noninvestment grade debt.
 
          The Fixed-Income Portfolios' past performance does not necessarily
          indicate how they will perform in the future.
 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
 
          Money Market Portfolio is designed for investors who seek current
          income.
 
1. WHAT IS THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE OF MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO?
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          - MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO seeks maximum current income to the extent
            consistent with stability of capital.
 
          The Trustees may change this objective without a shareholder vote and
          the Portfolio will notify you of any changes that are material. If
          there is a material change in the Portfolio's objective or policies,
          you should consider whether it remains an appropriate investment for
          you. There is no guarantee that the Portfolio will meet its objective.
 
2. WHAT ARE THE MAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO?
 
          MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO will invest only in high-quality, short-term
          money market instruments that present minimal credit risks, as
          determined by Janus Capital. The Portfolio invests primarily in high
          quality debt obligations and obligations of financial institutions.
          Debt obligations may include commercial paper, notes and bonds, and
          variable amount master demand notes. Obligations of financial
          institutions include certificates of deposit and time deposits.
 
 12 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
3. WHAT ARE THE MAIN RISKS OF INVESTING IN MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO?
 
          The Portfolio's yields will vary as the short-term securities in the
          portfolio mature and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with
          different interest rates. Over time, the real value of the Portfolio's
          yield may be eroded by inflation. Although Money Market Portfolio
          invests only in high-quality, short-term money market instruments,
          there is a risk that the value of the securities it holds will fall as
          a result of changes in interest rates, an issuer's actual or perceived
          credit-worthiness or an issuer's ability to meet its obligations.
 
          An investment in Money Market Portfolio is not a deposit of a bank and
          is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
          Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Portfolio
          seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it
          is possible to lose money by investing in Money Market Portfolio.
 
   
          The following information provides some indication of the risks of
          investing in Money Market Portfolio by showing how Money Market
          Portfolio's performance has varied over time. The Money Market
          Portfolio Retirement Shares commenced operations on May 1, 1997. The
          returns shown for the Retirement Shares of this Portfolio reflect the
          historical performance of a different class of shares (the
          Institutional Shares) prior to May 1, 1997, restated based on the
          Retirement Share's fees and expenses on May 1, 1997 (ignoring any fee
          and expense limitations). The bar chart depicts the change in
          performance from year to year.
    
 
           MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO - RETIREMENT SHARES

           A BAR CHART showing Total Annual Returns for Money Market 
           Portfolio - Retirement Shares from 1996 through 1998:

           Annual returns for periods ended 12/31

                                                        4.24%    4.02%    4.85%
                                                        1996     1997     1998

           Each percentage is represented by a bar of proportionate size with
           the actual return printed above the bar. 

              Best Quarter 3rd-1998  1.35%  Worst Quarter 2nd-1996 1.22%
 
          The 7-day yield for the Portfolio's Retirement Shares on December 31,
          1998 was 4.41%. For the Portfolio's current yield, call the Janus
          XpressLine(TM) at 1-888-979-7737.
 
          Money Market Portfolio's past performance does not necessarily
          indicate how it will perform in the future.
 
                                                         Risk return summary  13
<PAGE>
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
          SHAREHOLDER FEES, such as sales loads, redemption fees or exchange
          fees, are charged directly to an investor's account. All Janus funds
          are no-load investments, so you will not pay any shareholder fees when
          you buy or sell shares of the Portfolios.
 
          ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES are paid out of a Portfolio's assets
          and include fees for portfolio management, maintenance of shareholder
          accounts, shareholder servicing, accounting and other services. You do
          not pay these fees directly but, as the example on the next page
          shows, these costs are borne indirectly by all shareholders.
 
 14 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy
          and hold shares of the Portfolios. It is based upon gross expenses
          (without the effect of expense offset arrangements) for the fiscal
          year ended December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Total Annual Fund                  Total Annual Fund
                                                                                    Operating                          Operating
                                                      Distribution                   Expenses          Total            Expenses
                                          Management    (12b-1)      Other       Without Waivers      Waivers         With Waivers
                                             Fee        Fees(1)     Expenses(2)  or Reductions(3)  and Reductions   or Reductions(3)
    <S>                                      <C>           <C>         <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>
    Growth Portfolio                         0.75%         0.25%       0.28%           1.28%            0.10%            1.18%
    Aggressive Growth Portfolio              0.75%         0.25%       0.29%           1.29%            0.03%            1.26%
    Capital Appreciation Portfolio           0.75%         0.25%       0.49%           1.49%            0.05%            1.44%
    International Growth Portfolio           0.75%         0.25%       0.44%           1.44%            0.09%            1.35%
    Worldwide Growth Portfolio               0.75%         0.25%       0.32%           1.32%            0.10%            1.22%
    Balanced Portfolio                       0.75%         0.25%       0.29%           1.29%            0.05%            1.24%
    Equity Income Portfolio                  0.75%         0.25%       1.36%           2.36%            0.61%            1.75%
    Growth and Income Portfolio              0.75%         0.25%       2.53%           3.53%            1.81%            1.72%
    Flexible Income Portfolio                0.65%         0.25%       0.34%           1.24%              N/A            1.24%
    High-Yield Portfolio                     0.75%         0.25%       1.61%           2.61%            1.11%            1.50%
    Money Market Portfolio                   0.25%         0.25%       0.34%           0.84%              N/A            0.84% 
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (1) Long-term shareholders may pay more than the economic equivalent of
       the maximum front-end sales charges permitted by the National
       Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
   (2) Includes compensation to service providers of recordkeeping
       subaccounting, and other administrative services to plan participants.
 
   (3) All expenses are stated both with and without contractual waivers and
       fee reductions by Janus Capital. Fee reductions for Growth, Aggressive
       Growth, Capital Appreciation, International Growth, Worldwide Growth,
       Balanced, Equity Income and Growth and Income Portfolios reduce the
       Management Fee to the level of the corresponding Janus retail fund.
       Other waivers, if applicable, are first applied against the Management
       Fee and then against Other Expenses. Janus Capital has agreed to
       continue the waivers and fee reductions until at least the next annual
       renewal of the advisory agreements.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   EXAMPLE:
   THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLE IS BASED ON EXPENSES WITHOUT WAIVERS OR
   REDUCTIONS. This example is intended to help you compare the cost of
   investing in the Portfolios with the cost of investing in other mutual
   funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in each of the
   Portfolios for the time periods indicated then redeem all of your shares
   at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
   investment has a 5% return each year, and that the Portfolios' operating
   expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or
   lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1 Year     3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
                                                                  -----------------------------------------
    <S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C> 
    Growth Portfolio                                               $130      $  406     $  702      $1,545
    Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                    $131      $  409     $  708      $1,556
    Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                 $152      $  471     $  813      $1,776
    International Growth Portfolio                                 $147      $  456     $  787      $1,724
    Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                     $134      $  418     $  723      $1,590
    Balanced Portfolio                                             $131      $  409     $  708      $1,556
    Equity Income Portfolio                                        $239      $  736     $1,260      $2,696
    Growth and Income Portfolio                                    $356      $1,083     $1,831      $3,801
    Flexible Income Portfolio                                      $126      $  393     $  681      $1,500
    High-Yield Portfolio                                           $264      $  811     $1,385      $2,944
    Money Market Portfolio                                         $ 86      $  268     $  466      $1,037
</TABLE>
 
                                                         Risk return summary  15
<PAGE>
Investment objectives, principal investment
           strategies and risks
 
          Each of the Portfolios has a similar investment objective and similar
          principal investment strategies to a Janus retail fund:
 
   
<TABLE>
                <S>                                    <C>
                  Growth Portfolio                                                 Janus Fund
                  Aggressive Growth Portfolio                           Janus Enterprise Fund
                  Capital Appreciation Portfolio                           Janus Twenty Fund*
                  International Growth Portfolio                          Janus Overseas Fund
                  Worldwide Growth Portfolio                             Janus Worldwide Fund
                  Balanced Portfolio                                      Janus Balanced Fund
                  Equity Income Portfolio                            Janus Equity Income Fund
                  Growth and Income Portfolio                    Janus Growth and Income Fund
                  Flexible Income Portfolio                        Janus Flexible Income Fund
                  High-Yield Portfolio                                  Janus High-Yield Fund
                  Money Market Portfolio                              Janus Money Market Fund
</TABLE>
 
          * Prior to May 1, 1999 Capital Appreciation Portfolio was managed in a
            similar manner to Janus Olympus Fund.
    
 
          Although it is anticipated that each Portfolio and its corresponding
          retail fund will hold similar securities, differences in asset size,
          cash flow needs and other factors may result in differences in
          investment performance. The expenses of each Portfolio and its
          corresponding retail fund are expected to differ.
 
GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          This section takes a closer look at the investment objectives of each
          of the Growth Portfolios, their principal investment strategies and
          certain risks of investing in the Growth Portfolios. Strategies and
          policies that are noted as "fundamental" cannot be changed without a
          shareholder vote.
 
          Please carefully review the "Risks" section of this Prospectus on
          pages 24-27 for a discussion of risks associated with certain
          investment techniques. We've also included a Glossary with
          descriptions of investment terms used throughout this Prospectus.
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
DOMESTIC GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          GROWTH PORTFOLIO
          Growth Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital in a manner
          consistent with the preservation of capital. It pursues its objective
          by investing primarily in common stocks selected for their growth
          potential. Although the Portfolio can invest in companies of any size,
          it generally invests in larger, more established companies.
 
          AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO
          Aggressive Growth Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital. It
          pursues its objective by investing primarily in common stocks selected
          for their growth potential, and normally invests at least 50% of its
          equity assets in medium-sized companies. Medium-sized companies are
          those whose market capitalizations fall within the range of companies
          in the S&P MidCap 400 Index. Market capitalization is a commonly used
          measure of the size and value of a company. The market capitalizations
          within the Index will vary, but as of December 31, 1998, they ranged
          from approximately $142 million to $73 billion.
 
 16 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          CAPITAL APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO
          Capital Appreciation Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital. It
          pursues its objective by investing primarily in common stocks selected
          for their growth potential. The Portfolio may invest in companies of
          any size, from larger, well-established companies to smaller, emerging
          growth companies.
 
GLOBAL GROWTH PORTFOLIOS
 
          INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
          International Growth Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital.
          Normally, the Portfolio pursues its objective by investing at least
          65% of its total assets in securities of issuers from at least five
          different countries, excluding the United States. Although the
          Portfolio intends to invest substantially all of its assets in issuers
          located outside the United States, it may at times invest in U.S.
          issuers and it may at times invest all of its assets in fewer than
          five countries or even a single country.
 
          WORLDWIDE GROWTH PORTFOLIO
          Worldwide Growth Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital in a
          manner consistent with the preservation of capital. It pursues its
          objective by investing primarily in common stocks of companies of any
          size throughout the world. The Portfolio normally invests in issuers
          from at least five different countries, including the United States.
          The Portfolio may at times invest in fewer than five countries or even
          a single country.
 
The following questions and answers are designed to help you better understand
the Growth Portfolios' principal investment strategies.
 
1. HOW ARE COMMON STOCKS SELECTED?
 
          Each of the Portfolios may invest substantially all of its assets in
          common stocks if its portfolio manager believes that common stocks
          will appreciate in value. The portfolio managers generally take a
          "bottom up" approach to selecting companies. In other words, they seek
          to identify individual companies with earnings growth potential that
          may not be recognized by the market at large. They make this
          assessment by looking at companies one at a time, regardless of size,
          country of organization, place of principal business activity, or
          other similar selection criteria. Realization of income is not a
          significant consideration when choosing investments for the
          Portfolios. Income realized on the Portfolios' investments will be
          incidental to their objectives.
 
2. ARE THE SAME CRITERIA USED TO SELECT FOREIGN SECURITIES?
 
          Generally, yes. The portfolio managers seek companies that meet their
          selection criteria, regardless of where a company is located. Foreign
          securities are generally selected on a stock-by-stock basis without
          regard to any defined allocation among countries or geographic
          regions. However, certain factors such as expected levels of
          inflation, government policies influencing business conditions, the
          outlook for currency relationships, and prospects for economic growth
          among countries, regions or geographic areas may warrant greater
          consideration in selecting foreign securities. There are no
          limitations on the countries in which the Portfolios may invest and
          the Portfolios may at times have significant foreign exposure.
 
3. WHAT DOES "MARKET CAPITALIZATION" MEAN?
 
          Market capitalization is the most commonly used measure of the size
          and value of a company. It is computed by multiplying the current
          market price of a share of the company's stock by the total number of
          its shares outstanding. As noted previously, market capitalization is
          an important investment criteria for
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  17
<PAGE>
 
          Aggressive Growth Portfolio. Although the other Growth Portfolios
          offered by this Prospectus do not emphasize companies of any
          particular size, Portfolios with a larger asset base are more likely
          to invest in larger, more established issuers.
 
COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS
 
          This section takes a closer look at the investment objectives of each
          of the Combination Portfolios, their principal investment strategies
          and certain risks of investing in the Combination Portfolios.
          Strategies and policies that are noted as "fundamental" cannot be
          changed without a shareholder vote.
 
          Please carefully review the "Risks" section of this Prospectus on
          pages 24-27 for a discussion of risks associated with certain
          investment techniques. We've also included a Glossary with
          descriptions of investment terms used throughout this Prospectus.
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
          BALANCED PORTFOLIO
          Balanced Portfolio seeks long-term capital growth, consistent with
          preservation of capital and balanced by current income. It pursues its
          objective by normally investing 40-60% of its assets in securities
          selected primarily for their growth potential and 40-60% of its assets
          in securities selected primarily for their income potential. This
          Portfolio normally invests at least 25% of its assets in fixed-income
          securities.
 
          EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO
          Equity Income Portfolio seeks current income and long-term growth of
          capital. It pursues its objective by normally emphasizing investments
          in common stock, and growth potential is a significant investment
          consideration. The Portfolio tries to provide a lower level of
          volatility than the S&P 500 Index. Normally, it invests at least 65%
          of its assets in income-producing equity securities including common
          and preferred stocks, warrants and securities that are convertible to
          common or preferred stocks.
 
          GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO
          Growth and Income Portfolio seeks long-term capital growth and current
          income. It normally emphasizes investments in common stocks. It will
          normally invest up to 75% of its assets in equity securities selected
          primarily for their growth potential, and at least 25% of its assets
          in securities the portfolio manager believes have income potential.
          Because of this investment strategy, the Portfolio is not designed for
          investors who need consistent income.
 
The following questions and answers are designed to help you better understand
the Combination Portfolios' principal investment strategies.
 
1. HOW DO THE COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER?
 
          Growth and Income Portfolio places a greater emphasis on aggressive
          growth stocks and may derive a greater portion of its income from
          dividend-paying common stocks. Because of these factors, its NAV can
          be expected to fluctuate more than the other Combination Portfolios.
          Although Equity Income Portfolio invests substantially all of its
          assets in common stocks, it emphasizes investments in dividend-paying
          common stocks and other equity securities characterized by relatively
          greater price stability, and thus may be expected to be less volatile
          than Growth and Income Portfolio, as discussed in more detail below.
          Balanced Portfolio places a greater emphasis on the income component
          of its portfolio and invests to a
 
 18 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          greater degree in securities selected primarily for their income
          potential. As a result it is expected to be the least volatile of the
          Combination Portfolios.
 
2. HOW DOES EQUITY INCOME PORTFOLIO TRY TO LIMIT PORTFOLIO VOLATILITY?
 
          Equity Income Portfolio seeks to provide a lower level of volatility
          than the stock market at large, as measured by the S&P 500. The lower
          volatility sought by this Portfolio is expected to result primarily
          from investments in dividend-paying common stocks and other equity
          securities characterized by relatively greater price stability. The
          greater price stability sought by Equity Income Portfolio may be
          characteristic of companies that generate above average free cash
          flows. A company may use free cash flows for a number of purposes
          including commencing or increasing dividend payments, repurchasing its
          own stock or retiring outstanding debt. The portfolio manager also
          considers growth potential in selecting this Portfolio's securities
          and may hold securities selected solely for their growth potential.
 
3. HOW ARE COMMON STOCKS SELECTED FOR THE COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS IN COMPARISON
   TO THE GROWTH PORTFOLIOS?
 
          Because income is a part of the investment objective of the
          Combination Portfolios, a portfolio manager may consider
          dividend-paying characteristics to a greater degree in selecting
          common stocks for these Portfolios.
 
4. HOW ARE ASSETS ALLOCATED BETWEEN THE GROWTH AND INCOME COMPONENTS OF BALANCED
   PORTFOLIO'S AND GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO'S HOLDINGS?
 
          Balanced Portfolio and Growth and Income Portfolio shift assets
          between the growth and income components of their holdings based on
          the portfolio managers' analysis of relevant market, financial and
          economic conditions. If a portfolio manager believes that growth
          securities will provide better returns than the yields then available
          or expected on income-producing securities, that Portfolio will place
          a greater emphasis on the growth component.
 
5. WHAT TYPES OF SECURITIES MAKE UP THE GROWTH COMPONENT OF THE COMBINATION
   PORTFOLIOS' INVESTMENTS?
 
          The growth component of the Combination Portfolios' investments is
          expected to consist primarily of common stocks, but may also include
          warrants, preferred stocks or convertible securities selected
          primarily for their growth potential.
 
6. WHAT TYPES OF SECURITIES MAKE UP THE INCOME COMPONENT OF BALANCED PORTFOLIO'S
   AND GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO'S HOLDINGS?
 
          The income component of Balanced Portfolio and Growth and Income
          Portfolio will consist of securities that the portfolio managers
          believe have income potential. Such securities may include equity
          securities, convertible securities and all types of debt securities.
          Equity securities may be included in the income component of a
          Portfolio if they currently pay dividends or the portfolio manager
          believes they have the potential for either increasing their dividends
          or commencing dividends, if none are currently paid.
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  19
<PAGE>
 
FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS
 
          This section takes a closer look at the investment objectives of each
          of the Fixed-Income Portfolios, their principal investment strategies
          and certain risks of investing in the Fixed-Income Portfolios.
          Strategies and policies that are noted as "fundamental" cannot be
          changed without a shareholder vote.
 
          Please carefully review the "Risks" section of this Prospectus on
          pages 24-27 for a discussion of risks associated with certain
          investment techniques. We've also included a Glossary with
          descriptions of investment terms used throughout this Prospectus.
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
          In addition to considering economic factors such as the effect of
          interest rates on a Portfolio's investments, the portfolio managers
          apply a "bottom up" approach in choosing investments. In other words,
          they look mostly for income-producing securities that meet their
          investment criteria one at a time. If a portfolio manager is unable to
          find such investments, much of a Portfolio's assets may be in cash or
          similar investments.
 
          FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO
          Flexible Income Portfolio seeks to obtain maximum total return,
          consistent with preservation of capital. It pursues its objective by
          primarily investing in a wide variety of income-producing securities
          such as corporate bonds and notes, government securities and preferred
          stock. As a fundamental policy, the Portfolio will invest at least 80%
          of its assets in income-producing securities. The Portfolio may own an
          unlimited amount of high-yield/high-risk securities, and these may be
          a big part of the portfolio. This Portfolio generates total return
          from a combination of current income and capital appreciation, but
          income is usually the dominant portion.
 
          HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO
          High-Yield Portfolio seeks to obtain high current income. Capital
          appreciation is a secondary objective when consistent with its primary
          objective. It pursues its objectives by normally investing 65% of its
          assets in high-yield/high-risk fixed-income securities, and may at
          times invest all of its assets in these securities.
 
The following questions and answers are designed to help you better understand
the Fixed-Income Portfolios' principal investment strategies.
 
1. HOW DO INTEREST RATES AFFECT THE VALUE OF MY INVESTMENT?
 
          Generally, a fixed-income security will increase in value when
          interest rates fall and decrease in value when interest rates rise.
          Longer-term securities are generally more sensitive to interest rate
          changes than shorter-term securities, but they generally offer higher
          yields to compensate investors for the associated risks. High-yield
          bond prices are generally less directly responsive to interest rate
          changes than investment grade issues and may not always follow this
          pattern. A bond fund's average-weighted effective maturity and its
          duration are measures of how the fund may react to interest rate
          changes.
 
2. HOW DO THE FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS MANAGE INTEREST RATE RISK?
 
          Each Fixed-Income Portfolio may vary the average-weighted effective
          maturity of its assets to reflect its portfolio manager's analysis of
          interest rate trends and other factors. A Portfolio's average-weighted
          effective maturity will tend to be shorter when the portfolio manager
          expects interest rates to rise and longer when its portfolio manager
          expects interest rates to fall. The Portfolios may also use futures,
          options and other derivatives to manage interest rate risks.
 
 20 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
3. WHAT IS MEANT BY A PORTFOLIO'S "AVERAGE-WEIGHTED EFFECTIVE MATURITY"?
 
          The stated maturity of a bond is the date when the issuer must repay
          the bond's entire principal value to an investor. Some types of bonds
          may also have an "effective maturity" that is shorter than the stated
          date due to prepayment or call provisions. Securities without
          prepayment or call provisions generally have an effective maturity
          equal to their stated maturity. Dollar-weighted effective maturity is
          calculated by averaging the effective maturity of bonds held by a
          Portfolio with each effective maturity "weighted" according to the
          percentage of net assets that it represents.
 
4. WHAT IS MEANT BY A PORTFOLIO'S "DURATION"?
 
          A bond's duration indicates the time it will take an investor to
          recoup his investment. Unlike average maturity, duration reflects both
          principal and interest payments. Generally, the higher the coupon rate
          on a bond, the lower its duration will be. The duration of a bond
          portfolio is calculated by averaging the duration of bonds held by a
          fund with each duration "weighted" according to the percentage of net
          assets that it represents. Because duration accounts for interest
          payments, a Portfolio's duration is usually shorter than its average
          maturity.
 
5. WHAT IS A HIGH-YIELD/HIGH-RISK SECURITY?
 
          A high-yield/high-risk security (also called a "junk" bond) is a debt
          security rated below investment grade by major rating agencies (i.e.,
          BB or lower by Standard & Poor's or Ba or lower by Moody's) or an
          unrated bond of similar quality. It presents greater risk of default
          (the failure to make timely interest and principal payments) than
          higher quality bonds.
 
GENERAL PORTFOLIO POLICIES OF THE PORTFOLIOS OTHER THAN MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
 
          Unless otherwise stated, each of the following policies applies to all
          of the Portfolios other than Money Market Portfolio. The percentage
          limitations included in these policies and elsewhere in this
          Prospectus apply at the time of purchase of the security. So, for
          example, if a Portfolio exceeds a limit as a result of market
          fluctuations or the sale of other securities, it will not be required
          to dispose of any securities.
 
          CASH POSITION
          When a portfolio manager believes that market conditions are
          unfavorable for profitable investing, or when he or she is otherwise
          unable to locate attractive investment opportunities, the Portfolios'
          cash or similar investments may increase. In other words, the
          Portfolios do not always stay fully invested in stocks and bonds. Cash
          or similar investments generally are a residual - they represent the
          assets that remain after a portfolio manager has committed available
          assets to desirable investment opportunities. However, a portfolio
          manager may also temporarily increase a Portfolio's cash position to
          protect its assets or maintain liquidity. Partly because the portfolio
          managers act independently of each other, the cash positions of the
          Portfolios may vary significantly.
 
          When a Portfolio's investments in cash or similar investments
          increase, it may not participate in market advances or declines to the
          same extent that it would if the Portfolio remained more fully
          invested in stocks or bonds.
 
          OTHER TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
          The Growth and Global Growth Portfolios invest primarily in domestic
          and foreign equity securities, which may include preferred stocks,
          common stocks, warrants and securities convertible into common or
          preferred stocks. The Combination Portfolios also invest in domestic
          and foreign equity securities with
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  21
<PAGE>
 
          varying degrees of emphasis on income. The Portfolios may also invest
          to a lesser degree in other types of securities. These securities
          (which are described in the Glossary) may include:
 
          - debt securities
 
          - indexed/structured securities
 
          - high-yield/high-risk securities (less than 35% of each Portfolio's
            assets)
 
          - options, futures, forwards and other types of derivatives for
            hedging purposes or for non-hedging purposes such as seeking to
            enhance return
 
          - securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward
            commitment basis
 
          The Fixed-Income Portfolios invest primarily in fixed-income
          securities which may include corporate bonds and notes, government
          securities, preferred stock, high-yield/high-risk fixed-income
          securities and municipal obligations. The Portfolios may also invest
          to a lesser degree in other types of securities. These securities
          (which are described in the Glossary) may include:
 
          - common stocks
 
          - mortgage- and asset-backed securities
 
          - zero coupon, pay-in-kind and step coupon securities
 
          - options, futures, forwards and other types of derivatives for
            hedging purposes or for non-hedging purposes such as seeking to
            enhance return
 
          - securities purchased on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward
            commitment basis
 
          ILLIQUID INVESTMENTS
          Each Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid
          investments. An illiquid investment is a security or other position
          that cannot be disposed of quickly in the normal course of business.
          For example, some securities are not registered under U.S. securities
          laws and cannot be sold to the U.S. public because of SEC regulations
          (these are known as "restricted securities"). Under procedures adopted
          by the Portfolios' Trustees, certain restricted securities may be
          deemed liquid, and will not be counted toward this 15% limit.
 
          FOREIGN SECURITIES
          The Portfolios may invest without limit in foreign equity and debt
          securities. The Portfolios may invest directly in foreign securities
          denominated in a foreign currency and not publicly traded in the
          United States. Other ways of investing in foreign securities include
          depositary receipts or shares, and passive foreign investment
          companies.
 
          SPECIAL SITUATIONS
          Each Portfolio may invest in special situations. A special situation
          arises when, in the opinion of a Portfolio's manager, the securities
          of a particular issuer will be recognized and appreciate in value due
          to a specific development with respect to that issuer. Developments
          creating a special situation might include, among others, a new
          product or process, a technological breakthrough, a management change
          or other extraordinary corporate event, or differences in market
          supply of and demand for the security. A Portfolio's performance could
          suffer if the anticipated development in a "special situation"
          investment does not occur or does not attract the expected attention.
 
 22 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
          The Portfolios generally intend to purchase securities for long-term
          investment although, to a limited extent, a Portfolio may purchase
          securities in anticipation of relatively short-term price gains.
          Short-term transactions may also result from liquidity needs,
          securities having reached a price or yield objective, changes in
          interest rates or the credit standing of an issuer, or by reason of
          economic or other developments not foreseen at the time of the
          investment decision. A Portfolio may also sell one security and
          simultaneously purchase the same or a comparable security to take
          advantage of short-term differentials in bond yields or securities
          prices. Changes are made in a Portfolio's holdings whenever its
          portfolio manager believes such changes are desirable. Portfolio
          turnover rates are generally not a factor in making buy and sell
          decisions.
 
          Increased portfolio turnover may result in higher costs for brokerage
          commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs and may also
          result in taxable capital gains. Higher costs associated with
          increased portfolio turnover may offset gains in a Portfolio's
          performance.
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  23
<PAGE>
 
RISKS FOR GROWTH, GLOBAL GROWTH AND COMBINATION PORTFOLIOS
 
          Because the Portfolios may invest substantially all of their assets in
          common stocks, the main risk is the risk that the value of the stocks
          they hold might decrease in response to the activities of an
          individual company or in response to general market and/or economic
          conditions. If this occurs, a Portfolio's share price may also
          decrease. A Portfolio's performance may also be affected by risks
          specific to certain types of investments, such as foreign securities,
          derivative investments, non-investment grade debt securities or
          companies with relatively small market capitalizations.
 
The following questions and answers are designed to help you better understand
some of the risks of investing in the Growth, Global Growth and Combination
Portfolios.
 
1. THE PORTFOLIOS MAY INVEST IN SMALLER OR NEWER COMPANIES. DOES THIS CREATE ANY
   SPECIAL RISKS?
 
          Smaller or newer companies may suffer more significant losses as well
          as realize more substantial growth than larger or more established
          issuers because they may lack depth of management, be unable to
          generate funds necessary for growth or potential development, or be
          developing or marketing new products or services for which markets are
          not yet established and may never become established. In addition,
          such companies may be insignificant factors in their industries and
          may become subject to intense competition from larger or more
          established companies. Securities of smaller or newer companies may
          have more limited trading markets than the markets for securities of
          larger or more established issuers, and may be subject to wide price
          fluctuations. Investments in such companies tend to be more volatile
          and somewhat more speculative.
 
2. HOW DOES THE NONDIVERSIFIED STATUS OF AGGRESSIVE GROWTH PORTFOLIO AND CAPITAL
   APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO AFFECT THEIR RISK?
 
          Diversification is a way to reduce risk by investing in a broad range
          of stocks or other securities. A "nondiversified" portfolio has the
          ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers.
          Because the appreciation or depreciation of a single stock may have a
          greater impact on the NAV of a nondiversified portfolio, its share
          price can be expected to fluctuate more than a comparable diversified
          portfolio. This fluctuation, if significant, may affect the
          performance of a Portfolio.
 
 24 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
RISKS FOR FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS
 
          Because the Portfolios invest substantially all of their assets in
          fixed-income securities, they are subject to risks such as credit or
          default risks, and decreased value due to interest rate increases. A
          Portfolio's performance may also be affected by risks to certain types
          of investments, such as foreign securities and derivative instruments.
 
The following questions and answers are designed to help you better understand
some of the risks of investing in the Fixed-Income Portfolios.
 
1. HOW DO THE FIXED-INCOME PORTFOLIOS DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER IN TERMS OF PRIMARY
   INVESTMENT TYPE, CREDIT RISK AND INTEREST RATE RISK?
 
          Flexible Income Portfolio and High-Yield Portfolio invest primarily in
          corporate bonds. High-Yield Portfolio's credit risk is generally
          higher than Flexible Income Portfolio. Flexible Income Portfolio's
          interest rate risk is generally higher than High-Yield Portfolio.
 
2. WHAT IS MEANT BY "CREDIT QUALITY" AND WHAT ARE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH IT?
 
          Credit quality measures the likelihood that the issuer will meet its
          obligations on a bond. One of the fundamental risks associated with
          all fixed-income funds is credit risk, which is the risk that an
          issuer will be unable to make principal and interest payments when
          due. U.S. government securities are generally considered to be the
          safest type of investment in terms of credit risk. Municipal
          obligations generally rank between U.S. government securities and
          corporate debt securities in terms of credit safety. Corporate debt
          securities, particularly those rated below investment grade, present
          the highest credit risk.
 
3. HOW IS CREDIT QUALITY MEASURED?
 
          Ratings published by nationally recognized statistical rating agencies
          such as Standard & Poor's Ratings Service and Moody's Investors
          Service, Inc. are widely accepted measures of credit risk. The lower a
          bond issue is rated by an agency, the more credit risk it is
          considered to represent. Lower rated bonds generally pay higher yields
          to compensate investors for the associated risk. Please refer to
          "Explanation of Rating Categories" on page 58 for a description of
          rating categories.
 
RISKS COMMON TO ALL NON-MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIOS
 
The following questions and answers discuss risks that apply to all Portfolios
other than Money Market Portfolio.
 
1. HOW COULD THE PORTFOLIOS' INVESTMENTS IN FOREIGN SECURITIES AFFECT THEIR
   PERFORMANCE?
 
          The Portfolios may invest without limit in foreign securities either
          indirectly (e.g., depositary receipts) or directly in foreign markets.
          Investments in foreign securities, including those of foreign
          governments, may involve greater risks than investing in domestic
          securities because the Portfolios' performance may depend on issues
          other than the performance of a particular company. These issues
          include:
 
          - CURRENCY RISK. As long as a Portfolio holds a foreign security, its
            value will be affected by the value of the local currency relative
            to the U.S. dollar. When a Portfolio sells a foreign denominated
            security, its value may be worth less in U.S. dollars even if the
            security increases in value in its home country. U.S. dollar
            denominated securities of foreign issuers may also be affected by
            currency risk.
 
          - POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RISK. Foreign investments may be subject to
            heightened political and economic risks, particularly in emerging
            markets which may have relatively unstable governments, immature
            economic structures, national policies restricting investments by
            foreigners, different legal systems, and economies based on only a
            few industries. In some countries, there is the risk that the
            government may
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  25
<PAGE>
 
            take over the assets or operations of a company or that the
            government may impose taxes or limits on the removal of a
            Portfolio's assets from that country.
 
          - REGULATORY RISK. There may be less government supervision of foreign
            markets. As a result, foreign issuers may not be subject to the
            uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and
            practices applicable to domestic issuers and there may be less
            publicly available information about foreign issuers.
 
          - MARKET RISK. Foreign securities markets, particularly those of
            emerging market countries, may be less liquid and more volatile than
            domestic markets. Certain markets may require payment for securities
            before delivery and delays may be encountered in settling securities
            transactions. In some foreign markets, there may not be protection
            against failure by other parties to complete transactions.
 
          - TRANSACTION COSTS. Costs of buying, selling and holding foreign
            securities, including brokerage, tax and custody costs, may be
            higher than those involved in domestic transactions.
 
2. ARE THERE SPECIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTMENTS IN HIGH-YIELD/HIGH-RISK
   SECURITIES?
 
          High-yield/high-risk securities (or "junk" bonds) are securities rated
          below investment grade by the primary rating agencies such as Standard
          & Poor's and Moody's. The value of lower quality securities generally
          is more dependent on credit risk, or the ability of the issuer to meet
          interest and principal payments, than investment grade debt
          securities. Issuers of high-yield securities may not be as strong
          financially as those issuing bonds with higher credit ratings and are
          more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political
          changes or adverse developments specific to the issuer.
 
          The junk bond market can experience sudden and sharp price swings.
          Because Flexible Income Portfolio and High-Yield Portfolio may invest
          a significant portion of their assets in high-yield/high-risk
          securities, investors should be willing to tolerate a corresponding
          increase in the risk of significant and sudden changes in NAV.
 
          Please refer to "Explanation of Rating Categories" on page 58 for a
          description of bond rating categories.
 
3. HOW DO THE PORTFOLIOS TRY TO REDUCE RISK?
 
          The Portfolios may use futures, options and other derivative
          instruments to "hedge" or protect their portfolios from adverse
          movements in securities prices and interest rates. The Portfolios may
          also use a variety of currency hedging techniques, including forward
          currency contracts, to manage exchange rate risk. The portfolio
          managers believe the use of these instruments will benefit the
          Portfolios. However, a Portfolio's performance could be worse than if
          the Portfolio had not used such instruments if a portfolio manager's
          judgement proves incorrect. Risks associated with the use of
          derivative instruments are described in the SAI.
 
4. I'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT HOW THE CHANGE TO THE YEAR 2000 COULD AFFECT COMPUTER
   SYSTEMS. DOES THIS CREATE ANY SPECIAL RISKS?
 
          The portfolio managers carefully research each potential investment
          before making an investment decision and, among other things, consider
          Year 2000 readiness when selecting portfolio holdings. However, there
          is no guarantee that the information a portfolio manager receives
          regarding a company's Year 2000 readiness is completely accurate. If a
          company has not satisfactorily addressed Year 2000 issues, the
          Portfolio's performance could suffer.
 
 26 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
 
          This section takes a closer look at the investment objective of Money
          Market Portfolio, its principal investment strategies and certain
          risks of investing in the Portfolio. Strategies and policies that are
          noted as "fundamental" cannot be changed without a shareholder vote.
 
          Money Market Portfolio is subject to certain specific SEC rule
          requirements. Among other things, the Portfolio is limited to
          investing in U.S. dollar-denominated instruments with a remaining
          maturity of 397 days or less (as calculated pursuant to Rule 2a-7
          under the 1940 Act).
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
          Money Market Portfolio seeks maximum current income to the extent
          consistent with stability of capital. It pursues its objective by
          investing primarily in high quality debt obligations and obligations
          of financial institutions. Debt obligations may include commercial
          paper, notes and bonds, and variable amount master demand notes.
          Obligations of financial institutions include certificates of deposit
          and time deposits.
 
          Money Market Portfolio will:
 
          - invest in high quality, short-term money market instruments that
            present minimal credit risks, as determined by Janus Capital
 
          - invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated instruments that have a
            remaining maturity of 397 days or less (as calculated pursuant to
            Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act)
 
          - maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or
            less
 
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS
 
          Money Market Portfolio invests primarily in:
 
          - high quality debt obligations
 
          - obligations of financial institutions
 
          The Portfolio may also invest (to a lesser degree) in:
 
          - U.S. Government Securities (securities issued or guaranteed by the
            U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities)
 
          - municipal securities
 
          DEBT OBLIGATIONS
 
          The Portfolio may invest in debt obligations of domestic issuers. Debt
          obligations include:
 
          - commercial paper
 
          - notes and bonds
 
          - variable amount master demand notes (the payment obligations on
            these instruments may be backed by securities, swap agreements or
            other assets, by a guarantee of a third party or solely by the
            unsecured promise of the issuer to make payments when due)
 
          - privately issued commercial paper or other securities that are
            restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  27
<PAGE>
 
          OBLIGATIONS OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
 
          Examples of obligations of financial institutions include:
 
          - negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, time
            deposits and other obligations of U.S. banks (including savings and
            loan associations) having total assets in excess of one billion
            dollars and U.S. branches of foreign banks having total assets in
            excess of ten billion dollars
 
          - Eurodollar and Yankee bank obligations (Eurodollar bank obligations
            are dollar-denominated certificates of deposit or time deposits
            issued outside the U.S. capital markets by foreign branches of U.S.
            banks and by foreign banks. Yankee bank obligations are
            dollar-denominated obligations issued in the U.S. capital markets by
            foreign banks)
 
          - other U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks having
            total assets in excess of ten billion dollars that Janus Capital
            believes are of an investment quality comparable to obligations of
            U.S. banks in which the Portfolio may invest
 
          Foreign, Eurodollar (and to a limited extent, Yankee) bank obligations
          are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the
          possibility that a foreign government might prevent dollar-denominated
          funds from flowing across its borders. Other risks include: adverse
          political and economic developments in a foreign country; the extent
          and quality of government regulation of financial markets and
          institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes; and
          expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers.
 
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
 
          The following is a description of other investment techniques that
          Money Market Portfolio may use:
 
          PARTICIPATION INTERESTS
          A participation interest gives Money Market Portfolio a proportionate,
          undivided interest in underlying debt securities and sometimes carries
          a demand feature.
 
          DEMAND FEATURES
          Demand features give Money Market Portfolio the right to resell
          securities at specified periods prior to their maturity dates. Demand
          features may shorten the life of a variable or floating rate security,
          enhance the instrument's credit quality and provide a source of
          liquidity.
 
          Demand features are often issued by third party financial
          institutions, generally domestic and foreign banks. Accordingly, the
          credit quality and liquidity of Money Market Portfolio's investments
          may be dependent in part on the credit quality of the banks supporting
          Money Market Portfolio's investments. This will result in exposure to
          risks pertaining to the banking industry, including the foreign
          banking industry. Brokerage firms and insurance companies also provide
          certain liquidity and credit support.
 
          VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES
          Money Market Portfolio may invest in securities which have variable or
          floating rates of interest. These securities pay interest at rates
          that are adjusted periodically according to a specified formula,
          usually with reference to an interest rate index or market interest
          rate. Variable and floating rate securities are subject to changes in
          value based on changes in market interest rates or changes in the
          issuer's or guarantor's creditworthiness.
 
 28 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          MORTGAGE- AND ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
          Money Market Portfolio may purchase fixed or variable rate
          mortgage-backed securities issued by the Government National Mortgage
          Association, Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home
          Loan Mortgage Corporation, or other governmental or government-related
          entity. The Portfolio may purchase other mortgage- and asset-backed
          securities including securities backed by automobile loans, equipment
          leases or credit card receivables.
 
          Unlike traditional debt instruments, payments on these securities
          include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Prepayments
          of the principal of underlying loans may shorten the effective
          maturities of these securities and may result in the Portfolio having
          to reinvest proceeds at a lower interest rate.
 
          REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
          Money Market Portfolio may enter into collateralized repurchase
          agreements. Repurchase agreements are transactions in which the
          Portfolio purchases securities and simultaneously commits to resell
          those securities to the seller at an agreed-upon price on an
          agreed-upon future date. The repurchase price reflects a market rate
          of interest and is collateralized by cash or securities.
 
          If the seller of the securities underlying a repurchase agreement
          fails to pay the agreed resale price on the agreed delivery date,
          Money Market Portfolio may incur costs in disposing of the collateral
          and may experience losses if there is any delay in its ability to do
          so.
 
            Investment objectives, principal investment strategies and risks  29
<PAGE>
Management of the portfolios
 
INVESTMENT ADVISER
 
          Janus Capital, 100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado 80206-4928, is
          the investment adviser to each of the Portfolios and is responsible
          for the day-to-day management of the investment portfolios and other
          business affairs of the Portfolios.
 
          Janus Capital began serving as investment adviser to Janus Fund in
          1970 and currently serves as investment adviser to all of the Janus
          retail funds, acts as sub-adviser for a number of private-label mutual
          funds and provides separate account advisory services for
          institutional accounts.
 
          Janus Capital furnishes continuous advice and recommendations
          concerning each Portfolio's investments. Janus Capital also furnishes
          certain administrative, compliance and accounting services for the
          Portfolios, and may be reimbursed by the Portfolios for its costs in
          providing those services. In addition, Janus Capital employees serve
          as officers of the Trust and Janus Capital provides office space for
          the Portfolios and pays the salaries, fees and expenses of all
          Portfolio officers and those Trustees who are affiliated with Janus
          Capital.
 
          Service providers to qualified plans that purchase the Shares receive
          fees for providing recordkeeping, subaccounting and other
          administrative services.
 
MANAGEMENT EXPENSES AND EXPENSE LIMITS
 
          Each Portfolio pays Janus Capital a management fee which is calculated
          daily. The advisory agreement with each Portfolio spells out the
          management fee and other expenses that the Portfolios must pay. Each
          of the Portfolios is subject to the following management fee schedule
          (expressed as an annual rate). In addition, the Shares of each
          Portfolio incur expenses not assumed by Janus Capital, including the
          participant administration fee and distribution fee, transfer agent
          and custodian fees and expenses, legal and auditing fees, printing and
          mailing costs of sending reports and other information to existing
          shareholders, and independent Trustees' fees and expenses.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Average Daily
                                                           Net Assets         Annual Rate      Expense Limit
     Fee Schedule                                        of Portfolio       Percentage (%)    Percentage (%)
<S>                                                     <C>                  <C>               <C>
     Growth Portfolio
     Aggressive Growth Portfolio                        First $300 Million        0.75               N/A(1)
     Capital Appreciation Portfolio                     Next $200 Million         0.70
     International Growth Portfolio                     Over $500 Million         0.65
     Worldwide Growth Portfolio
     Balanced Portfolio
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Equity Income Portfolio                            First $300 Million        0.75
     Growth and Income Portfolio                        Next $200 Million         0.70              1.25(1)(2)
                                                        Over $500 Million         0.65
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Flexible Income Portfolio                          First $300 Million        0.65              1.00(2)
                                                        Over $300 Million         0.55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     High-Yield Portfolio                               First $300 Million        0.75              1.00(2)
                                                        Over $300 Million         0.65
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Money Market Portfolio                             All Asset Levels          0.25              0.50(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   
(1) Janus Capital has agreed to reduce Growth, Aggressive Growth, Capital
    Appreciation, International Growth, Worldwide Growth, Balanced, Equity
    Income and Growth and Income Portfolio's management fee to the extent that
    such fee exceeds the effective rate of the Janus retail fund corresponding
    to such Portfolio. Janus Capital has agreed to continue such waivers until
    at least the next annual renewal of the advisory agreements. The effective
    rate is the management fee calculated by the corresponding retail fund as of
    the last day of each calendar quarter (expressed as an annual rate). The
    effective rates of Janus Fund, Janus Enterprise Fund, Janus Olympus Fund,
    Janus Overseas Fund, Janus Worldwide Fund, Janus Balanced Fund, Janus Equity
    Income Fund, and Janus Growth and Income Fund were 0.65%, 0.69%, 0.67%,
    0.66%, 0.65%, 0.67%, 0.72% and 0.66%, respectively, for the quarter ended
    March 31, 1999.
(2) Janus Capital has agreed to limit the Portfolios' expenses as indicated
    until at least the next annual renewal of the advisory contracts. The
    Distribution Fee and Participant Administration Fee described on page 34 are
    not included in the expense limit.
    
 
 30 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
INVESTMENT PERSONNEL
 
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
 
LAURENCE J. CHANG
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and co-manager of International
            Growth Portfolio and Janus Overseas Fund which he has co-managed
            since May 1998 and April 1998, respectively. He served as
            assistant portfolio manager for these funds since 1996. He is
            also assistant portfolio manager for Worldwide Growth Portfolio
            and Janus Worldwide Fund. Mr. Chang joined Janus Capital in 1993
            after receiving a Masters Degree in Political Science from
            Stanford University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
DAVID J. CORKINS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Growth and
            Income Portfolio which he has managed since its inception. He is
            Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Janus Growth
            and Income Fund which he has managed since August 1997. He
            previously served as an assistant portfolio manager of Janus
            Mercury Fund. He joined Janus in 1995 as a research analyst
            specializing in domestic financial services companies and a
            variety of foreign industries. Prior to joining Janus, he was the
            Chief Financial Officer of Chase U.S. Consumer Services, Inc., a
            Chase Manhattan mortgage business. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in
            English and Russian from Dartmouth and received his Master of
            Business Administration from Columbia University in 1993.
 
JAMES P. CRAIG, III
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Chief Investment Officer of Janus Capital. He is Executive
            Vice President and portfolio manager of Growth Portfolio, which
            he has managed since inception. He has managed Janus Fund since
            1986 and has co-managed Janus Venture Fund since February 1,
            1997. Mr. Craig previously managed Janus Venture Fund from its
            inception to December 1993, Janus Balanced Fund from December
            1993 to December 1995, and Balanced Portfolio from September 1993
            through April 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from
            the University of Alabama and a Master of Arts in Finance from
            the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
 
JAMES P. GOFF
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Aggressive
            Growth Portfolio, which he has managed since inception. Mr. Goff
            joined Janus Capital in 1988 and has managed Janus Enterprise
            Fund since its inception. Mr. Goff co-managed or managed Janus
            Venture Fund from December 1993 to February 1, 1997. He holds a
            Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Yale University and is a
            Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
                                                Management of the portfolios  31
<PAGE>
 
HELEN YOUNG HAYES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Worldwide
            Growth Portfolio and co-manager of International Growth
            Portfolio, which she has managed or co-managed since inception.
            Ms. Hayes joined Janus Capital in 1987 and has managed or
            co-managed Janus Worldwide Fund and Janus Overseas Fund since
            their inceptions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from
            Yale University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
SHARON S. PICHLER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Money Market
            Portfolio, which she has managed since inception. She also has
            managed Janus Money Market Fund, Janus Government Money Market
            Fund and Janus Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund since inception. She
            holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Michigan State
            University and a Master of Business Administration from the
            University of Texas at San Antonio. Ms. Pichler is a Chartered
            Financial Analyst.
 
BLAINE P. ROLLINS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Balanced
            Portfolio, which he has managed since May 1996 and Equity Income
            Portfolio, which he has managed since inception. He is an
            assistant portfolio manager of Growth Portfolio. Mr. Rollins
            joined Janus Capital in 1990 and has managed Janus Balanced Fund
            since January 1996 and Janus Equity Income Fund since inception.
            He has been an assistant portfolio manager of Janus Fund since
            January 1995. He gained experience as a fixed-income trader and
            equity research analyst prior to managing Balanced Portfolio. He
            holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of
            Colorado and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
   
SANDY R. RUFENACHT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of High-Yield
            Portfolio, which he has managed or co-managed since October 1996.
            He previously co-managed Flexible Income Portfolio from January
            1997 to May 1998. Mr. Rufenacht joined Janus Capital in 1990 and
            has managed Janus Short-Term Bond Fund since January 1996. He is
            also the portfolio manager of Janus High-Yield Fund. He
            previously co-managed Janus Flexible Income Fund from June 1996
            to February 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from
            the University of Northern Colorado.
    
 
SCOTT W. SCHOELZEL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Capital
            Appreciation Portfolio, which he has managed since its inception.
            He is portfolio manager of Janus Twenty Fund, which he has
            managed since August 1997. He previously managed Janus Olympus
            Fund from its inception to August 1997. Mr. Schoelzel joined
            Janus Capital in January 1994. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in
            Business from Colorado College.
 
 32 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
RONALD V. SPEAKER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is Executive Vice President and portfolio manager of Flexible
            Income Portfolio which he has managed or co-managed since its
            inception. He previously served as co-manager of High-Yield
            Portfolio, from its inception to May 1998. He managed Short-Term
            Bond Portfolio from its inception through April 1996. Mr. Speaker
            joined Janus Capital in 1986. He has managed or co-managed Janus
            Flexible Income Fund since December 1991 and previously managed
            both Janus Short-Term Bond Fund and Janus Federal Tax-Exempt Fund
            from inception through December 1995. He previously managed or
            co-managed Janus High-Yield Fund from its inception to February
            1998. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University
            of Colorado and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
            In January 1997, Mr. Speaker settled an SEC administrative action
            involving two personal trades made by him in January of 1993.
            Without admitting or denying the allegations, Mr. Speaker agreed
            to civil money penalty, disgorgement, and interest payments
            totaling $37,199 and to a 90-day suspension which ended on April
            25, 1997.
 
   
ASSISTANT PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
 
DAVID C. DECKER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is an assistant portfolio manager of Growth Portfolio. He is also
            an assistant portfolio manager of Janus Fund. He is Executive
            Vice President and portfolio manager of Janus Special Situations
            Fund. Mr. Decker received a Masters of Business Administration in
            Finance from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and
            a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Political Science from Tufts
            University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
 
RON SACHS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is an assistant portfolio manager of Aggressive Growth Portfolio.
            Mr. Sachs joined Janus Capital in 1996 as a research analyst.
            Prior to coming to Janus, he worked as a consultant for Bain &
            Company and as an attorney for Willkie, Farr & Gallagher. Mr.
            Sachs graduated from Princeton cum laude with an undergraduate
            degree in economics. He obtained his law degree from the
            University of Michigan. Mr. Sachs is a Chartered Financial
            Analyst.
 
JOHN H. SCHREIBER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            is an assistant portfolio manager of Equity Income Portfolio. Mr.
            Schreiber joined Janus Capital in 1997 as an equity research
            analyst. Prior to coming to Janus he was an equity analyst with
            Fidelity Investments. Mr. Schreiber holds a Bachelor of Science
            degree in mechanical engineering from the University of
            Washington and an MBA from Harvard University. He is a candidate
            for the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
    
 
                                                Management of the portfolios  33
<PAGE>
Other information
 
          CLASSES OF SHARES
 
          Each Portfolio offers two classes of shares, one of which, the
          Retirement Shares, are offered pursuant to this prospectus. The Shares
          offered by this prospectus are available only to participant directed
          qualified retirement plans using plan service providers that are
          compensated for providing distribution and/or recordkeeping and other
          administrative services provided to plan participants. Institutional
          Shares of each Portfolio are offered by separate prospectus and are
          available only in connection with investment in and payments under
          variable insurance contracts as well as certain qualified retirement
          plans. Because the expenses of each class may differ, the performance
          of each class is expected to differ. If you would like additional
          information about the Institutional Shares, please call
          1-800-525-0020.
 
          PARTICIPANT ADMINISTRATION FEE
 
          Janus Service Corporation, the Trust's transfer agent, receives a
          participant administration fee at an annual rate of up to .25% of the
          average daily net assets of the Shares of each Portfolio for providing
          or procuring recordkeeping, subaccounting and other administrative
          services to plan participants who invest in the Shares. Janus Service
          expects to use this fee to compensate qualified plan service providers
          for providing these services.
 
          DISTRIBUTION FEE
 
   
          Under a distribution and service plan adopted in accordance with Rule
          12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Shares may pay Janus Distributors, Inc.,
          the Trust's distributor, a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the
          average daily net assets of the Shares of a Portfolio. Under the terms
          of the Plan, the Trust is authorized to make payments to Janus
          Distributors for remittance to qualified plan service providers as
          compensation for distribution and shareholder servicing performed by
          such service providers. Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of the
          Retirement Shares' assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase the
          cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types
          of sales charges.
    
 
          CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
 
          The Shares offered by this prospectus are available only to certain
          participant directed qualified plans. Institutional Shares (offered
          through a separate prospectus) are available to variable annuity and
          variable life separate accounts of insurance companies unaffiliated
          with Janus Capital and to certain qualified retirement plans. Although
          the Portfolios do not currently anticipate any disadvantages to policy
          owners or plan participants because each Portfolio offers its shares
          to such entities, there is a possibility that a material conflict may
          arise. The Trustees monitor events in order to identify any
          disadvantages or material irreconcilable conflicts and to determine
          what action, if any, should be taken in response. If a material
          disadvantage or conflict occurs, the Trustees may require one or more
          insurance company separate accounts or qualified plans to withdraw its
          investments in one or more Portfolios or substitute Shares of another
          Portfolio. If this occurs, a Portfolio may be forced to sell its
          securities at disadvantageous prices. In addition, the Trustees may
          refuse to sell Shares of any Portfolio to any separate account or
          qualified plan or may suspend or terminate the offering of a
          Portfolio's Shares if such action is required by law or regulatory
          authority or is in the best interests of that Portfolio's
          shareholders.
 
          YEAR 2000
 
          Preparing for Year 2000 is a high priority for Janus Capital, which
          has established a dedicated group to address this issue. Janus Capital
          has devoted considerable internal resources and has engaged one of the
          foremost experts in the field to help achieve Year 2000 readiness.
          Janus Capital does not anticipate that
 
 34 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          Year 2000-related issues will have a material impact on its ability to
          continue to provide the Portfolios with service at current levels;
          however, Janus Capital cannot make any assurances that the steps it
          has taken to ensure Year 2000 readiness will be successful. In
          addition, there can be no assurance that Year 2000 issues will not
          affect the companies in which the Portfolios invest or worldwide
          markets and economies.
 
                                                           Other information  35
<PAGE>
Distributions and taxes
 
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
          To avoid taxation of the Portfolios, the Internal Revenue Code
          requires each Portfolio to distribute net income and any net gains
          realized on its investments annually. A Portfolio's income from
          dividends and interest and any net realized short-term gains are paid
          to shareholders as ordinary income dividends. Net realized long-term
          gains are paid to shareholders as capital gains distributions.
 
PORTFOLIOS OTHER THAN MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
 
          Each class of each Portfolio, other than Money Market Portfolio, makes
          semi-annual distributions in June and December of substantially all of
          its investment income and an annual distribution in June of its net
          realized gains, if any. All dividends and capital gains distributions
          from Shares of a Portfolio will automatically be reinvested into
          additional Shares of that Portfolio.
 
          HOW DISTRIBUTIONS AFFECT NAV
 
          Distributions, other than daily income dividends, are paid to
          shareholders as of the record date of the distribution of a Portfolio,
          regardless of how long the shares have been held. Undistributed income
          and realized gains are included in the daily NAV of a Portfolio's
          Shares. The Share price of a Portfolio drops by the amount of the
          distribution, net of any subsequent market fluctuations. For example,
          assume that on December 31, the Shares of Growth Portfolio declared a
          dividend in the amount of $0.25 per share. If the price of Growth
          Portfolio's Shares was $10.00 on December 30, the share price on
          December 31 would be $9.75, barring market fluctuations.
 
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
 
          For the Shares of Money Market Portfolio, dividends representing
          substantially all of the net investment income and any net realized
          gains on sales of securities are declared daily, Saturdays, Sundays
          and holidays included, and distributed on the last business day of
          each month. If a month begins on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday,
          dividends for those days are declared at the end of the preceding
          month and distributed on the first business day of the month. All
          distributions will be automatically reinvested in Shares of the
          Portfolio.
 
TAXES
 
          TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS
 
          Because Shares of the Portfolios may be purchased only through
          qualified plans, it is anticipated that any income dividends or
          capital gains distributions made by the Shares of a Portfolio will be
          exempt from current taxation if left to accumulate within the
          qualified plan. Generally, withdrawals from qualified plans may be
          subject to ordinary income tax and, if made before age 59 1/2, a 10%
          penalty tax. The tax status of your investment depends on the features
          of your qualified plan. For further information, please contact your
          plan sponsor.
 
          TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIOS
 
          Dividends, interest and some gains received by the Portfolios on
          foreign securities may be subject to withholding of foreign taxes. The
          Portfolios may from year to year make the election permitted under
          Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code to pass through such taxes to
          shareholders. If such election is not made, any foreign taxes paid or
          accrued will represent an expense to the Portfolios which will reduce
          their investment income.
 
 36 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
   
          The Portfolios do not expect to pay any federal income or excise taxes
          because they intend to meet certain requirements of the Internal
          Revenue Code. In addition, because a class of shares of each Portfolio
          are sold in connection with variable annuity contracts and variable
          life insurance contracts, 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.
    
 
                                                     Distributions and taxes  37
<PAGE>
Shareholder's guide
 
          INVESTORS MAY NOT PURCHASE OR REDEEM SHARES OF THE PORTFOLIOS
          DIRECTLY. SHARES MAY BE PURCHASED OR REDEEMED ONLY THROUGH QUALIFIED
          RETIREMENT PLANS. CERTAIN PORTFOLIOS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN
          CONNECTION WITH A PARTICULAR QUALIFIED PLAN AND CERTAIN QUALIFIED
          PLANS MAY LIMIT ALLOCATIONS AMONG THE PORTFOLIOS. REFER TO YOUR PLAN
          DOCUMENTS FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SELECT SPECIFIC PORTFOLIOS AS
          INVESTMENT OPTIONS FOR A QUALIFIED PLAN.
 
   
PRICING OF PORTFOLIO SHARES
 
          Investments will be processed at the NAV next determined after an
          order is received and accepted by a Portfolio or its agent. In order
          to receive a day's price, your order must be received by the close of
          the regular trading session of the New York Stock Exchange any day
          that the NYSE is open. Securities of the Portfolios other than Money
          Market Portfolio are valued at market value or, if a market quotation
          is not readily available, at their fair value determined in good faith
          under procedures established by and under the supervision of the
          Trustees. Short-term instruments maturing within 60 days are valued at
          amortized cost, which approximates market value. See the SAI for more
          detailed information.
 
          To the extent a Portfolio holds securities that are primarily listed
          on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when the
          Portfolios do not price their shares, the NAV of a Portfolio's shares
          may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or
          redeem the Portfolio's shares.
 
          Money Market Portfolio's securities are valued at their amortized
          cost. Amortized cost valuation involves valuing an instrument at its
          cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity (or
          such other date as permitted by Rule 2a-7) of any discount or premium.
          If fluctuating interest rates cause the market value of the portfolio
          to deviate more than 1/2 of 1% from the value determined on the basis
          of amortized cost, the Trustees will consider whether any action, such
          as adjusting the Share's NAV to reflect current market conditions,
          should be initiated to prevent any material dilutive effect on
          shareholders.
    
 
PURCHASES
 
          Purchases of Shares may be made only by qualified plans. Refer to your
          plan documents for information on how to invest in the Shares of each
          Portfolio. Certain plan service providers are authorized to receive
          purchase orders on the Portfolios' behalf.
 
          Each Portfolio reserves the right to reject any specific purchase
          order. Purchase orders may be refused if, in Janus Capital's opinion,
          they are of a size that would disrupt the management of a Portfolio.
          Although there is no present intention to do so, the Portfolios may
          discontinue sales of their shares if management and the Trustees
          believe that continued sales may adversely affect a Portfolio's
          ability to achieve its investment objective. If sales of a Portfolio's
          Shares are discontinued, it is expected that existing participants
          invested in that Portfolio would be permitted to continue to authorize
          investment in that Portfolio and to reinvest any dividends or capital
          gains distributions, absent highly unusual circumstances. The
          Portfolios may discontinue sales to a qualified plan and require plan
          participants with existing investments in the Shares to redeem those
          investments if the plan loses (or in the opinion of Janus Capital, is
          at risk of losing) its qualified plan status.
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
          Redemptions, like purchases, may be effected only through qualified
          plans. Please refer to the appropriate plan documents for details.
 
          Shares of any Portfolio may be redeemed on any business day.
          Redemptions are processed at the NAV next calculated after receipt and
          acceptance of the redemption order by the Portfolio or its agent.
          Redemption
 
 38 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          proceeds will normally be wired the business day following receipt of
          the redemption order, but in no event later than seven days after
          receipt of such order.
 
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
 
          Shareholders will receive annual and semiannual reports including the
          financial statements of the Shares of the Portfolios that they have
          authorized for investment. Each report will show the investments owned
          by each Portfolio and the market values thereof, as well as other
          information about the Portfolios and their operations. The Trust's
          fiscal year ends December 31.
 
                                                         Shareholder's guide  39
<PAGE>
Financial highlights
 
          The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand
          the Retirement Shares' financial performance from inception of the
          Shares through December 31st of each fiscal period shown. Items 1
          through 9 reflect financial results for a single Share. The total
          returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have
          earned (or lost) on an investment in the Retirement Shares of the
          Portfolios (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
          This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose
          report, along with the Portfolios' financial statements, are included
          in the Annual Report, which is available upon request and incorporated
          by reference into the SAI.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       AGGRESSIVE
                                                                           GROWTH                        GROWTH
                                                                         PORTFOLIO -                   PORTFOLIO -
                                                                         RETIREMENT                    RETIREMENT
                                                                           SHARES                        SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Periods ending                Periods ending
                                                                         December 31                   December 31
                                                                     1998         1997(1)          1998         1997(1)
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                           $18.46         $16.18         $20.49         $16.12
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                          (0.03)           0.04         (0.12)         (0.06)
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                      6.32           2.71           7.05           4.43
  4. Total from investment operations                                 6.29           2.75           6.93           4.37
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                             --         (0.10)             --             --
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                                --             --             --             --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                             (1.30)         (0.37)             --             --
  8. Total distributions                                            (1.30)         (0.47)             --             --
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                                 $23.45         $18.46         $27.42         $20.49
 10. Total return*                                                  34.99%         17.22%         33.58%         27.11%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                          $18            $12            $17            $13
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)                  $13            $11            $14            $11
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**                 1.18%(3)       1.20%(2)       1.26%(3)       1.32%(2)
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                   1.18%          1.20%          1.26%          1.32%
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**        (0.23%)          0.29%        (0.86%)        (0.62%)
 16. Portfolio turnover rate**                                         73%           122%           132%           130%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
*  Total return not annualized for periods of less than one year.
**  Annualized for periods of less than one full year.
(1) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997.
(2) The ratio was 1.28% and 1.34%, respectively, for the Growth and Aggressive
    Growth Portfolios before reduction of the management fees to the effective
    rate of the corresponding Janus retail fund.
(3) The ratio was 1.28% and 1.29%, respectively, for the Growth and Aggressive
    Growth Portfolios before reduction of the management fees to the effective
    rate of the corresponding Janus retail fund.
 
 40 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           CAPITAL                    INTERNATIONAL
                                                                        APPRECIATION                     GROWTH
                                                                         PORTFOLIO -                   PORTFOLIO -
                                                                         RETIREMENT                    RETIREMENT
                                                                           SHARES                        SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Periods ending                Periods ending
                                                                         December 31                   December 31
                                                                     1998         1997(1)          1998         1997(1)
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                           $12.62         $10.00         $18.44         $16.80
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                          (0.04)           0.12           0.05           0.04
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                      7.28           2.50           3.07           1.73
  4. Total from investment operations                                 7.24           2.62           3.12           1.77
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                             --             --         (0.01)         (0.09)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                                --             --             --             --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                                 --             --         (0.28)         (0.04)
  8. Total distributions                                                --             --         (0.29)         (0.13)
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                                 $19.86         $12.62         $21.27         $18.44
 10. Total return*                                                  57.37%         26.20%         16.86%         10.53%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                          $20            $13            $17            $11
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)                  $15            $12            $13            $11
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**                 1.44%(3)       1.73%(2)       1.35%(3)       1.45%(2)
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                   1.44%          1.73%          1.35%          1.45%
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**        (0.25%)          1.55%          0.26%          0.26%
 16. Portfolio turnover rate**                                         91%           101%            93%            86%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
*   Total return not annualized for periods of less than one year.
**  Annualized for periods of less than one full year.
(1) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997.
(2) The ratio was 2.66% and 1.57%, respectively, for the Capital Appreciation
    and International Growth Portfolios before reduction of the management fees
    to the effective rate of the corresponding Janus retail fund.
(3) The ratio was 1.49% and 1.44%, respectively, for the Capital Appreciation
    and International Growth Portfolios before reduction of the management fees
    to the effective rate of the corresponding Janus retail fund.
 
                                                        Financial highlights  41
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          WORLDWIDE
                                                                           GROWTH
                                                                         PORTFOLIO -                    BALANCED
                                                                         RETIREMENT                    PORTFOLIO -
                                                                           SHARES                   RETIREMENT SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Periods ending                Periods ending
                                                                         December 31                   December 31
                                                                     1998         1997(1)          1998         1997(1)
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                           $23.36         $20.72         $17.47         $15.38
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                            0.02           0.14           0.21           0.27
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                      6.57           2.80           5.58           2.30
  4. Total from investment operations                                 6.59           2.94           5.79           2.57
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                         (0.02)         (0.14)         (0.18)         (0.30)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                                --             --             --             --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                             (0.87)         (0.16)         (0.49)         (0.18)
  8. Total distributions                                            (0.89)         (0.30)         (0.67)         (0.48)
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                                 $29.06         $23.36         $22.59         $17.47
 10. Total return*                                                  28.25%         14.22%         33.59%         16.92%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                       $5,837           $403        $17,262            $12
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)               $1,742            $11         $3,650            $11
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**                 1.22%(3)       1.26%(2)       1.24%(3)       1.32%(2)
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                   1.22%          1.26%          1.24%          1.32%
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**        (0.02%)          0.16%          2.04%          2.38%
 16. Portfolio turnover rate**                                         77%            80%            70%           139%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
*   Total return not annualized for periods of less than one year.
**  Annualized for periods of less than one full year.
(1) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997.
(2) The ratio was 1.32% and 1.33%, respectively, for the Worldwide Growth and
    Balanced Portfolios before reduction of the management fees to the effective
    rate of the corresponding Janus retail fund.
(3) The ratio was 1.32% and 1.29%, respectively, for the Worldwide Growth and
    Balanced Portfolios before reduction of the management fees to the effective
    rate of the corresponding Janus retail fund.
 
 42 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   GROWTH AND
                                                                        EQUITY INCOME                INCOME
                                                                         PORTFOLIO -              PORTFOLIO -
                                                                         RETIREMENT                RETIREMENT
                                                                           SHARES                    SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Periods ending            Periods ending
                                                                         December 31              December 31
                                                                     1998         1997(1)           1998(1)
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                           $13.42         $10.00            $10.00
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                          (0.05)           0.01              0.01
  3. Net gains (or losses) on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                      6.12           3.41              1.93
  4. Total from investment operations                                 6.07           3.42              1.94
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                             --             --                --
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                                --             --                --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                             (0.21)             --                --
  8. Total distributions                                            (0.21)             --                --
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                                 $19.28         $13.42            $11.94
 10. Total return*                                                  45.55%         34.20%            19.40%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                          $20            $13               $12
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)                  $16            $12               $10
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**                 1.75%(3)       1.74%(2)          1.72%(3)
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                   1.75%          1.74%             1.72%
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**        (0.33%)          0.07%             0.21%
 16. Portfolio turnover rate**                                         79%           128%               62%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
*   Total return not annualized for periods of less than one year.
**  Annualized for periods of less than one full year.
(1) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997.
(2) The ratio was 6.19% for the Equity Income Portfolio before reduction of the
    management fee to the effective rate of the corresponding Janus retail fund.
(3) The ratio was 2.36% and 3.53%, respectively, for the Equity Income and
    Growth and Income Portfolios before reduction of the management fees to the
    effective rate of the corresponding Janus retail fund.
 
                                                        Financial highlights  43
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       FLEXIBLE INCOME                 HIGH-YIELD
                                                                         PORTFOLIO -                   PORTFOLIO -
                                                                         RETIREMENT                    RETIREMENT
                                                                           SHARES                        SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Periods ending                Periods ending
                                                                         December 31                   December 31
                                                                     1998         1997(1)          1998         1997(1)
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                           $11.77         $11.41         $11.78         $11.19
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                            0.73           0.50           0.87           0.59
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                      0.27           0.58         (0.77)           0.71
  4. Total from investment operations                                 1.00           1.08           0.10           1.30
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                         (0.61)         (0.61)         (0.83)         (0.65)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                                --             --             --             --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                             (0.11)         (0.11)         (0.21)         (0.06)
  8. Total distributions                                            (0.72)         (0.72)         (1.04)         (0.71)
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                                 $12.05         $11.77         $10.84         $11.78
 10. Total return*                                                   8.58%          9.73%          0.67%         11.96%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                          $12            $11            $11            $11
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)                  $11            $10            $12            $11
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**                 1.24%          1.23%(2)       1.50%(3)       1.50%(2)
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                   1.23%          1.23%          1.50%          1.50%
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**          5.92%          6.39%          7.33%          7.42%
 16. Portfolio turnover rate**                                        145%           119%           301%           299%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   
 *  Total return not annualized for periods of less than one year.
**  Annualized for periods of less than one full year.
(1) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997.
(2) The ratio was 1.23% and 3.42%, respectively, for the Flexible Income and
    High-Yield Portfolios before waiver of certain fees incurred by the
    Portfolios.
(3) The ratio was 2.61% for the High-Yield Portfolio before waiver of certain
    fees incurred by the Portfolio.
    
 
 44 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        MONEY MARKET
                                                                         PORTFOLIO -
                                                                         RETIREMENT
                                                                           SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Periods ending
                                                                         December 31
                                                                     1998         1997(1)
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>
  1. NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                            $1.00          $1.00
     INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
  2. Net investment income                                            0.05           0.03
  3. Net gains or losses on securities (both realized and
     unrealized)                                                        --             --
  4. Total from investment operations                                 0.05           0.03
     LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
  5. Dividends (from net investment income)                         (0.05)         (0.03)
  6. Tax return of capital distributions                                --             --
  7. Distributions (from capital gains)                                 --             --
  8. Total distributions                                            (0.05)         (0.03)
  9. NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                                  $1.00          $1.00
 10. Total return*                                                   4.85%          3.13%
 11. Net assets, end of period (in thousands)                          $11            $10
 12. Average net assets for the period (in thousands)                  $10            $10
 13. Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets**                 0.84%          1.00%
 14. Ratio of net expenses to average net assets**                   0.84%          1.00%(2)
 15. Ratio of net investment income to average net assets**          4.74%          4.66%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 *  Total return not annualized for periods of less than one year.
**  Annualized for periods of less than one full year.
(1) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997.
(2) The ratio was 1.10% before waiver of certain fees incurred by the Portfolio.
 
                                                        Financial highlights  45
<PAGE>
Glossary of investment terms
 
          This glossary provides a more detailed description of some of the
          types of securities and other instruments in which the Portfolios may
          invest. The Portfolios may invest in these instruments to the extent
          permitted by their investment objectives and policies. The Portfolios
          are not limited by this discussion and may invest in any other types
          of instruments not precluded by the policies discussed elsewhere in
          this Prospectus. Please refer to the SAI for a more detailed
          discussion of certain instruments.
 
I. EQUITY AND DEBT SECURITIES
 
          BONDS are debt securities issued by a company, municipality,
          government or government agency. The issuer of a bond is required to
          pay the holder the amount of the loan (or par value of the bond) at a
          specified maturity and to make scheduled interest payments.
 
          COMMERCIAL PAPER is a short-term debt obligation with a maturity
          ranging from 1 to 270 days issued by banks, corporations and other
          borrowers to investors seeking to invest idle cash. The Portfolios may
          purchase commercial paper issued in private placements under Section
          4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
 
          COMMON STOCKS are equity securities representing shares of ownership
          in a company and usually carry voting rights and earns dividends.
          Unlike preferred stock, dividends on common stock are not fixed but
          are declared at the discretion of the issuer's board of directors.
 
          CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES are preferred stocks or bonds that pay a fixed
          dividend or interest payment and are convertible into common stock at
          a specified price or conversion ratio.
 
          DEBT SECURITIES are securities representing money borrowed that must
          be repaid at a later date. Such securities have specific maturities
          and usually a specific rate of interest or an original purchase
          discount.
 
          DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS are receipts for shares of a foreign-based
          corporation that entitle the holder to dividends and capital gains on
          the underlying security. Receipts include those issued by domestic
          banks (American Depositary Receipts), foreign banks (Global or
          European Depositary Receipts) and broker-dealers (depositary shares).
 
          FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES are securities that pay a specified rate of
          return. The term generally includes short-and long-term government,
          corporate and municipal obligations that pay a specified rate of
          interest or coupons for a specified period of time, and preferred
          stock, which pays fixed dividends. Coupon and dividend rates may be
          fixed for the life of the issue or, in the case of adjustable and
          floating rate securities, for a shorter period.
 
          HIGH-YIELD/HIGH-RISK SECURITIES are securities that are rated below
          investment grade by the primary rating agencies (e.g., BB or lower by
          Standard & Poor's and Ba or lower by Moody's). Other terms commonly
          used to describe such securities include "lower rated bonds,"
          "noninvestment grade bonds" and "junk bonds."
 
          MORTGAGE- AND ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES are shares in a pool of
          mortgages or other debt. These securities are generally pass-through
          securities, which means that principal and interest payments on the
          underlying securities (less servicing fees) are passed through to
          shareholders on a pro rata basis. These securities involve prepayment
          risk, which is the risk that the underlying mortgages or other debt
          may be refinanced or paid off prior to their maturities during periods
          of declining interest rates. In that case, a portfolio manager may
          have to reinvest the proceeds from the securities at a lower rate.
          Potential market gains on a security subject to prepayment risk may be
          more limited than potential market gains on a comparable security that
          is not subject to prepayment risk.
 
          PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES (PFICS) are any foreign
          corporations which generate certain amounts of passive income or hold
          certain amounts of assets for the production of passive income.
          Passive
 
 46 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          income includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents and annuities.
          To avoid taxes and interest that the Portfolios must pay if these
          investments are profitable, the Portfolios may make various elections
          permitted by the tax laws. These elections could require that the
          Portfolios recognize taxable income, which in turn must be
          distributed, before the securities are sold and before cash is
          received to pay the distributions.
 
          PAY-IN-KIND BONDS are debt securities that normally give the issuer an
          option to pay cash at a coupon payment date or give the holder of the
          security a similar bond with the same coupon rate and a face value
          equal to the amount of the coupon payment that would have been made.
 
          PREFERRED STOCKS are equity securities that generally pay dividends at
          a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment
          of dividends and liquidation. Preferred stock generally does not carry
          voting rights.
 
          REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS involve the purchase of a security by a
          Portfolio and a simultaneous agreement by the seller (generally a bank
          or dealer) to repurchase the security from the Portfolio at a
          specified date or upon demand. This technique offers a method of
          earning income on idle cash. These securities involve the risk that
          the seller will fail to repurchase the security, as agreed. In that
          case, a Portfolio will bear the risk of market value fluctuations
          until the security can be sold and may encounter delays and incur
          costs in liquidating the security.
 
          REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS involve the sale of a security by a
          Portfolio to another party (generally a bank or dealer) in return for
          cash and an agreement by the Portfolio to buy the security back at a
          specified price and time. This technique will be used primarily to
          provide cash to satisfy unusually high redemption requests, or for
          other temporary or emergency purposes.
 
          RULE 144A SECURITIES are securities that are not registered for sale
          to the general public under the Securities Act of 1933, but that may
          be resold to certain institutional investors.
 
          STANDBY COMMITMENTS are obligations purchased by a Portfolio from a
          dealer that give the Portfolio the option to sell a security to the
          dealer at a specified price.
 
          STEP COUPON BONDS are debt securities that trade at a discount from
          their face value and pay coupon interest. The discount from the face
          value depends on the time remaining until cash payments begin,
          prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security and the perceived
          credit quality of the issuer.
 
          STRIP BONDS are debt securities that are stripped of their interest
          (usually by a financial intermediary) after the securities are issued.
          The market value of these securities generally fluctuates more in
          response to changes in interest rates than interest-paying securities
          of comparable maturity.
 
          TENDER OPTION BONDS are generally long-term securities that are
          coupled with an option to tender the securities to a bank,
          broker-dealer or other financial institution at periodic intervals and
          receive the face value of the bond. This type of security is commonly
          used as a means of enhancing the security's liquidity.
 
          U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES include direct obligations of the U.S.
          government that are supported by its full faith and credit. Treasury
          bills have initial maturities of less than one year, Treasury notes
          have initial maturities of one to ten years and Treasury bonds may be
          issued with any maturity but generally have maturities of at least ten
          years. U.S. government securities also include indirect obligations of
          the U.S. government that are issued by federal agencies and government
          sponsored entities. Unlike Treasury securities, agency securities
          generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
          government. Some agency securities are supported by the right of the
          issuer to borrow from the Treasury, others are supported by the
          discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the
          agency's obligations and others are supported only by the credit of
          the sponsoring agency.
 
                                                Glossary of investment terms  47
<PAGE>
 
          VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES have variable or floating rates
          of interest and, under certain limited circumstances, may have varying
          principal amounts. These securities pay interest at rates that are
          adjusted periodically according to a specified formula, usually with
          reference to some interest rate index or market interest rate. The
          floating rate tends to decrease the security's price sensitivity to
          changes in interest rates.
 
          WARRANTS are securities, typically issued with preferred stock or
          bonds, that give the holder the right to buy a proportionate amount of
          common stock at a specified price, usually at a price that is higher
          than the market price at the time of issuance of the warrant. The
          right may last for a period of years or indefinitely.
 
          WHEN-ISSUED, DELAYED DELIVERY AND FORWARD TRANSACTIONS generally
          involve the purchase of a security with payment and delivery at some
          time in the future - i.e., beyond normal settlement. The Portfolios do
          not earn interest on such securities until settlement and bear the
          risk of market value fluctuations in between the purchase and
          settlement dates. New issues of stocks and bonds, private placements
          and U.S. government securities may be sold in this manner.
 
          ZERO COUPON BONDS are debt securities that do not pay regular interest
          at regular intervals, but are issued at a discount from face value.
          The discount approximates the total amount of interest the security
          will accrue from the date of issuance to maturity. The market value of
          these securities generally fluctuates more in response to changes in
          interest rates than interest-paying securities.
 
II. FUTURES, OPTIONS AND OTHER DERIVATIVES
 
          FORWARD CONTRACTS are contracts to purchase or sell a specified amount
          of a financial instrument for an agreed upon price at a specified
          time. Forward contracts are not currently exchange traded and are
          typically negotiated on an individual basis. The Portfolios may enter
          into forward currency contracts to hedge against declines in the value
          of securities denominated in, or whose value is tied to, a currency
          other than the U.S. dollar or to reduce the impact of currency
          appreciation on purchases of such securities. They may also enter into
          forward contracts to purchase or sell securities or other financial
          indices.
 
          FUTURES CONTRACTS are contracts that obligate the buyer to receive and
          the seller to deliver an instrument or money at a specified price on a
          specified date. The Portfolios may buy and sell futures contracts on
          foreign currencies, securities and financial indices including
          interest rates or an index of U.S. government, foreign government,
          equity or fixed-income securities. The Portfolios may also buy options
          on futures contracts. An option on a futures contract gives the buyer
          the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a futures contract
          at a specified price on or before a specified date. Futures contracts
          and options on futures are standardized and traded on designated
          exchanges.
 
          INDEXED/STRUCTURED SECURITIES are typically short- to
          intermediate-term debt securities whose value at maturity or interest
          rate is linked to currencies, interest rates, equity securities,
          indices, commodity prices or other financial indicators. Such
          securities may be positively or negatively indexed (i.e. their value
          may increase or decrease if the reference index or instrument
          appreciates). Indexed/structured securities may have return
          characteristics similar to direct investments in the underlying
          instruments and may be more volatile than the underlying instruments.
          A Portfolio bears the market risk of an investment in the underlying
          instruments, as well as the credit risk of the issuer.
 
          INTEREST RATE SWAPS involve the exchange by two parties of their
          respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange
          of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments).
 
          INVERSE FLOATERS are debt instruments whose interest rate bears an
          inverse relationship to the interest rate on another instrument or
          index. For example, upon reset the interest rate payable on a security
          may go down when the underlying index has risen. Certain inverse
          floaters may have an interest rate reset
 
 48 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
          mechanism that multiplies the effects of change in the underlying
          index. Such mechanism may increase the volatility of the security's
          market value.
 
          OPTIONS are the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a
          specified amount of securities or other assets on or before a fixed
          date at a predetermined price. The Portfolios may purchase and write
          put and call options on securities, securities indices and foreign
          currencies.
 
                                                Glossary of investment terms  49
<PAGE>
Explanation of rating categories
 
          The following is a description of credit ratings issued by two of the
          major credit ratings agencies. Credit ratings evaluate only the safety
          of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of lower
          quality securities. Credit rating agencies may fail to change credit
          ratings to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis. Although Janus
          Capital considers security ratings when making investment decisions,
          it also performs its own investment analysis and does not rely solely
          on the ratings assigned by credit agencies.
 
STANDARD & POOR'S
RATINGS SERVICES
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Investment Grade
                AAA......................... Highest rating; extremely strong capacity to pay principal
                                             and interest.
                AA.......................... High quality; very strong capacity to pay principal and
                                             interest.
                A........................... Strong capacity to pay principal and interest; somewhat more
                                             susceptible to the adverse effects of changing circumstances
                                             and economic conditions.
                BBB......................... Adequate capacity to pay principal and interest; normally
                                             exhibit adequate protection parameters, but adverse economic
                                             conditions or changing circumstances more likely to lead to
                                             a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest than for
                                             higher rated bonds.
                Non-Investment Grade
                BB, B, CCC, CC, C........... Predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's
                                             capacity to meet required interest and principal payments.
                                             BB - lowest degree of speculation; C - the highest degree of
                                             speculation. Quality and protective characteristics
                                             outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposure to
                                             adverse conditions.
                D........................... In default.
</TABLE>
 
 50 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Investment Grade
                Aaa......................... Highest quality, smallest degree of investment risk.
                Aa.......................... High quality; together with Aaa bonds, they compose the
                                             high-grade bond group.
                A........................... Upper-medium grade obligations; many favorable investment
                                             attributes.
                Baa......................... Medium-grade obligations; neither highly protected nor
                                             poorly secured. Interest and principal appear adequate for
                                             the present but certain protective elements may be lacking
                                             or may be unreliable over any great length of time.
                Non-Investment Grade
                Ba.......................... More uncertain, with speculative elements. Protection of
                                             interest and principal payments not well safeguarded during
                                             good and bad times.
                B........................... Lack characteristics of desirable investment; potentially
                                             low assurance of timely interest and principal payments or
                                             maintenance of other contract terms over time.
                Caa......................... Poor standing, may be in default; elements of danger with
                                             respect to principal or interest payments.
                Ca.......................... Speculative in a high degree; could be in default or have
                                             other marked shortcomings.
                C........................... Lowest-rated; extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
                                             investment standing.
</TABLE>
 
          Unrated securities will be treated as noninvestment grade securities
          unless a portfolio manager determines that such securities are the
          equivalent of investment grade securities. Securities that have
          received ratings from more than one agency are considered investment
          grade if at least one agency has rated the security investment grade.
 
                                            Explanation of rating categories  51
<PAGE>
 
SECURITIES HOLDINGS BY RATING CATEGORY
 
          During the fiscal period ended December 31, 1998, the percentage of
          securities holdings for the following Portfolios by rating category
          based upon a weighted monthly average was:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                <S>                                                           <C>
                    BONDS-S&P RATING:
                 AAA                                                                       24%
                 AA                                                                         4%
                 A                                                                         13%
                 BBB                                                                       18%
                 BB                                                                        13%
                 B                                                                         15%
                 CCC                                                                        1%
                 CC                                                                         0%
                 C                                                                          0%
                 Preferred Stock                                                            2%
                 Cash and Options                                                          10%
                 TOTAL                                                                    100%
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                HIGH-YIELD PORTFOLIO
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                <S>                                                           <C>
                    BONDS-S&P RATING:
                 AAA                                                                        3%
                 AA                                                                         0%
                 A                                                                          0%
                 BBB                                                                        1%
                 BB                                                                         2%
                 B                                                                         60%
                 CCC                                                                        2%
                 CC                                                                         0%
                 C                                                                          0%
                 Preferred Stock                                                            3%
                 Cash and Options                                                          29%
                 TOTAL                                                                    100%
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
          No other Portfolio described in this Prospectus held 5% or more of its
          assets in bonds rated below investment grade for the fiscal period
          ended December 31, 1998.
 
 52 Janus Aspen Series
<PAGE>
 
                      (This page intentionally left blank)
<PAGE>
 
[JANUS LOGO]

        1-800-29JANUS
        100 Fillmore Street
        Denver, Colorado 80206-4928
        janus.com
 
   
You can request other information, including a Statement of
Additional Information, Annual Report or Semiannual Report, free of
charge, by contacting your plan sponsor or visiting our Web site at
janus.com. In the Portfolios' Annual Report, you will find a
discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that
significantly affected the Portfolios' performance during their last
fiscal year. Other information is also available from financial
intermediaries that sell Shares of the Portfolios.
The Statement of Additional Information provides detailed
information about the Portfolios and is incorporated into this
Prospectus by reference. You may review the Portfolios' Statement of
Additional Information at the Public Reference Room of the SEC or
get text only copies for a fee, by writing to or calling the Public
Reference Room, Washington, D.C. 20549-6009 (1-800-SEC-0330). You
may obtain the Statement of Additional Information for free from the
SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
    
 
                    Investment Company Act File No. 811-7736
 
PCARO599
<PAGE>

 
                                         LOGO
 
                 Janus Aspen Series
 
                     Growth Portfolio
                     Aggressive Growth Portfolio
                     Capital Appreciation Portfolio
                     International Growth Portfolio
                     Worldwide Growth Portfolio
                     Balanced Portfolio
                     Equity Income Portfolio
                     Growth and Income Portfolio
                     Flexible Income Portfolio
                     High-Yield Portfolio
 
                              100 Fillmore Street
                              Denver, CO 80206-4928
                              (800) 29JANUS
 
                              Statement of Additional Information
 
                              May 1, 1999
 
                 This Statement of Additional Information expands upon and
                 supplements the information contained in the current Prospectus
                 for the Institutional Shares (the "Shares") of the portfolios
                 listed above, each of which is a separate series of Janus Aspen
                 Series, a Delaware business trust. The Shares are sold under
                 the name "Janus Aspen Series." Each of these series of the
                 Trust represents shares of beneficial interest in a separate
                 portfolio of securities and other assets with its own objective
                 and policies. Each Portfolio is managed separately by Janus
                 Capital Corporation.
 
                 The Shares of the Portfolios may be purchased only by the
                 separate accounts of insurance companies for the purpose of
                 funding variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
                 contracts (collectively, "variable insurance contracts") and by
                 certain qualified retirement plans. Each Portfolio also offers
                 a second class of shares to certain participant directed
                 qualified plans.
 
                 This SAI is not a Prospectus and should be read in conjunction
                 with the Portfolios' Prospectus dated May 1, 1999, which is
                 incorporated by reference into this SAI and may be obtained
                 from your insurance company. This SAI contains additional and
                 more detailed information about the Portfolios' operations and
                 activities than the Prospectus. The Annual Reports, which
                 contain important financial information about the Portfolios,
                 are incorporated by reference into this SAI and are also
                 available, without charge, from your insurance company.
<PAGE>
 
    LOGO
<PAGE>
 
                                                               Table of contents
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                                                           <C>
                Classification, Portfolio Turnover, Investment Policies and
                Restrictions, and Investment Strategies and Risks...........    2
                Investment Adviser..........................................   21
                Custodian, Transfer Agent and Certain Affiliations..........   24
                Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage........................   25
                Trustees and Officers.......................................   29
                Shares of the Trust.........................................   34
                   Net Asset Value Determination............................   34
                   Purchases................................................   34
                   Redemptions..............................................   35
                Income Dividends, Capital Gains Distributions and Tax
                Status......................................................   36
                Principal Shareholders......................................   37
                Miscellaneous Information...................................   39
                   Shares of the Trust......................................   39
                   Shareholder Meetings.....................................   39
                   Voting Rights............................................   39
                   Independent Accountants..................................   40
                   Registration Statement...................................   40
                Performance Information.....................................   41
                Financial Statements........................................   43
                Appendix A..................................................   44
                   Explanation of Rating Categories.........................   44
</TABLE>
 
                                                                               1
<PAGE>
Classification, portfolio turnover, investment policies and restrictions, and
                investment strategies and risks
 
CLASSIFICATION
 
          Each Portfolio is a series of the Trust, an open-end, management
          investment company. The Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act")
          classifies mutual funds as either diversified or nondiversified.
          Aggressive Growth Portfolio and Capital Appreciation Portfolio are
          nondiversified funds. Each of these Portfolios reserves the right to
          become a diversified fund by limiting the investments in which more
          than 5% of its total assets are invested. Growth Portfolio,
          International Growth Portfolio, Worldwide Growth Portfolio, Balanced
          Portfolio, Equity Income Portfolio, Growth and Income Portfolio,
          Flexible Income Portfolio and High-Yield Portfolio are diversified
          funds.
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
          The Prospectus includes a discussion of portfolio turnover policies.
          Portfolio turnover is calculated by dividing total purchases or sales,
          whichever is less, by the average monthly value of a Portfolio's
          securities. The following table summarizes the portfolio turnover
          rates for the fiscal periods indicated. The information below is for
          fiscal years ended December 31.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio Name                                                1998      1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
Growth Portfolio............................................   73%      122%
Aggressive Growth Portfolio.................................  132%      130%
Capital Appreciation Portfolio..............................   91%      101%(1)
International Growth Portfolio..............................   93%       86%
Worldwide Growth Portfolio..................................   77%       80%
Balanced Portfolio..........................................   70%      139%
Equity Income Portfolio.....................................   79%      128%(1)
Growth and Income Portfolio.................................   62%(2)    N/A
Flexible Income Portfolio...................................  145%      119%
High-Yield Portfolio........................................  301%      299%
</TABLE>
 
(1) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997, annualized.
(2) May 1, 1998 (inception) to December 31, 1998, annualized.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL PORTFOLIOS
 
          The Portfolios are subject to certain fundamental policies and
          restrictions that may not be changed without shareholder approval.
          Shareholder approval means approval by the lesser of (i) more than 50%
          of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust (or a particular
          Portfolio or particular class of shares if a matter affects just that
          Portfolio or that class of shares), or (ii) 67% or more of the voting
          securities present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the
          outstanding voting securities of the Trust (or a particular Portfolio
          or class of shares) are present or represented by proxy. As
          fundamental policies, each of the Portfolios may not:
 
          (1) Own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one
          issuer and, as to fifty percent (50%) of the value of the total assets
          of Aggressive Growth Portfolio and Capital Appreciation Portfolio and
          as to seventy-five percent (75%) of the value of the total assets of
          the other Portfolios, purchase the securities of any one issuer
          (except cash items and "government securities" as defined under the
          Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, if immediately after and
          as a result of such purchase, the value of the holdings of a Portfolio
          in the securities of such issuer exceeds 5% of the value of such
          Portfolio's total assets. With respect to the other 50% of the value
          of its total assets, Aggressive Growth Portfolio and Capital
          Appreciation Portfolio may invest in the securities of as few as two
          issuers.
 
 2
<PAGE>
 
          (2) Invest 25% or more of the value of their respective total assets
          in any particular industry (other than U.S. government securities).
 
          (3) Invest directly in real estate or interests in real estate;
          however, the Portfolios may own debt or equity securities issued by
          companies engaged in those businesses.
 
          (4) Purchase or sell physical commodities other than foreign
          currencies unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities (but
          this limitation shall not prevent the Portfolios from purchasing or
          selling options, futures, swaps and forward contracts or from
          investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical
          commodities).
 
          (5) Lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more
          than 25% of a Portfolio's total assets would be lent to other parties
          (but this limitation does not apply to purchases of commercial paper,
          debt securities or repurchase agreements).
 
          (6) Act as an underwriter of securities issued by others, except to
          the extent that a Portfolio may be deemed an underwriter in connection
          with the disposition of its portfolio securities.
 
          As a fundamental policy, each Portfolio may, notwithstanding any other
          investment policy or limitation (whether or not fundamental), invest
          all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management
          investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment
          objective, policies and limitations as such Portfolio.
 
          The Trustees have adopted additional investment restrictions for the
          Portfolios. These restrictions are operating policies of the
          Portfolios and may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder
          approval. The additional investment restrictions adopted by the
          Trustees to date include the following:
 
          (a) A Portfolio will not (i) enter into any futures contracts and
          related options for purposes other than bona fide hedging transactions
          within the meaning of Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC")
          regulations if the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to
          establish positions in futures contracts and related options that do
          not fall within the definition of bona fide hedging transactions will
          exceed 5% of the fair market value of a Portfolio's net assets, after
          taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any
          such contracts it has entered into; and (ii) enter into any futures
          contracts if the aggregate amount of such Portfolio's commitments
          under outstanding futures contracts positions would exceed the market
          value of its total assets.
 
          (b) The Portfolios do not currently intend to sell securities short,
          unless they own or have the right to obtain securities equivalent in
          kind and amount to the securities sold short without the payment of
          any additional consideration therefor, and provided that transactions
          in futures, options, swaps and forward contracts are not deemed to
          constitute selling securities short.
 
          (c) The Portfolios do not currently intend to purchase securities on
          margin, except that the Portfolios may obtain such short-term credits
          as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, and provided that
          margin payments and other deposits in connection with transactions in
          futures, options, swaps and forward contracts shall not be deemed to
          constitute purchasing securities on margin.
 
          (d) A Portfolio may not mortgage or pledge any securities owned or
          held by such Portfolio in amounts that exceed, in the aggregate, 15%
          of that Portfolio's net asset value, provided that this limitation
          does not apply to reverse repurchase agreements, deposits of assets to
          margin, guarantee positions in futures, options, swaps or forward
          contracts, or the segregation of assets in connection with such
          contracts.
 
                                                                               3
<PAGE>
 
          (e) The Portfolios may borrow money for temporary or emergency
          purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an amount not exceeding
          25% of the value of their respective total assets (including the
          amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). If
          borrowings exceed 25% of the value of a Portfolio's total assets by
          reason of a decline in net assets, the Portfolio will reduce its
          borrowings within three business days to the extent necessary to
          comply with the 25% limitation. This policy shall not prohibit reverse
          repurchase agreements, deposits of assets to margin or guarantee
          positions in futures, options, swaps or forward contracts, or the
          segregation of assets in connection with such contracts.
 
          (f) The Portfolios do not currently intend to purchase any security or
          enter into a repurchase agreement, if as a result, more than 15% of
          their respective net assets would be invested in repurchase agreements
          not entitling the holder to payment of principal and interest within
          seven days and in securities that are illiquid by virtue of legal or
          contractual restrictions on resale or the absence of a readily
          available market. The Trustees, or the Portfolios' investment adviser
          acting pursuant to authority delegated by the Trustees, may determine
          that a readily available market exists for securities eligible for
          resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Rule
          144A Securities"), or any successor to such rule, Section 4(2)
          commercial paper and municipal lease obligations. Accordingly, such
          securities may not be subject to the foregoing limitation.
 
          (g) The Portfolios may not invest in companies for the purpose of
          exercising control of management.
 
          Under the terms of an exemptive order received from the Securities and
          Exchange Commission ("SEC"), each of the Portfolios may borrow money
          from or lend money to other funds that permit such transactions and
          for which Janus Capital serves as investment adviser. All such
          borrowing and lending will be subject to the above limits. A Portfolio
          will borrow money through the program only when the costs are equal to
          or lower than the cost of bank loans. Interfund loans and borrowings
          normally extend overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven
          days. A Portfolio will lend through the program only when the returns
          are higher than those available from other short-term instruments
          (such as repurchase agreements). A Portfolio may have to borrow from a
          bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not
          renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending Portfolio could result in
          a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
 
          For the purposes of these investment restrictions, the identification
          of the issuer of a municipal obligation depends on the terms and
          conditions of the security. When assets and revenues of a political
          subdivision are separate from those of the government that created the
          subdivision and the security is backed only by the assets and revenues
          of the subdivision, the subdivision is deemed to be the sole issuer.
          Similarly, in the case of an industrial development bond, if the bond
          is backed only by assets and revenues of a nongovernmental user, then
          the nongovernmental user would be deemed to be the sole issuer. If,
          however, in either case, the creating government or some other entity
          guarantees the security, the guarantee would be considered a separate
          security that would be treated as an issue of the guaranteeing entity.
 
          For purposes of the Portfolios' restriction on investing in a
          particular industry, the Portfolios will rely primarily on industry
          classifications as published by Bloomberg L.P. To the extent that
          Bloomberg L.P. classifications are so broad that the primary economic
          characteristics in a single class are materially different, the
          Portfolios may further classify issuers in accordance with industry
          classifications as published by the SEC.
 
 4
<PAGE>
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN PORTFOLIOS
 
          BALANCED PORTFOLIO. As an operational policy, at least 25% of the
          assets of Balanced Portfolio normally will be invested in fixed-income
          securities.
 
          FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO. As a fundamental policy, this Portfolio may
          not purchase a non-income-producing security if, after such purchase,
          less than 80% of the Portfolio's total assets would be invested in
          income-producing securities. Income-producing securities include
          securities that make periodic interest payments as well as those that
          make interest payments on a deferred basis or pay interest only at
          maturity (e.g., Treasury bills or zero coupon bonds).
 
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
 
Cash Position
 
          As discussed in the Prospectus, when a portfolio manager believes that
          market conditions are unfavorable for profitable investing, or when he
          or she is otherwise unable to locate attractive investment
          opportunities, the Portfolio's investment in cash and similar
          investments may increase. Securities that the Portfolios may invest in
          as a means of receiving a return on idle cash include commercial
          paper, certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements or other
          short-term debt obligations. The Portfolios may also invest in money
          market funds, including funds managed by Janus Capital. (See
          "Investment Company Securities" on page 8).
 
Illiquid Investments
 
          Each Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid
          investments (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable). The
          Trustees have authorized Janus Capital to make liquidity
          determinations with respect to certain securities, including Rule 144A
          Securities, commercial paper and municipal lease obligations purchased
          by the Portfolios. Under the guidelines established by the Trustees,
          Janus Capital will consider the following factors: (1) the frequency
          of trades and quoted prices for the obligation; (2) the number of
          dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the number of
          other potential purchasers; (3) the willingness of dealers to
          undertake to make a market in the security; and (4) the nature of the
          security and the nature of the marketplace trades, including the time
          needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and
          the mechanics of the transfer. In the case of commercial paper, Janus
          Capital will also consider whether the paper is traded flat or in
          default as to principal and interest and any ratings of the paper by a
          nationally recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO"). A
          foreign security that may be freely traded on or through the
          facilities of an offshore exchange or other established offshore
          securities market is not deemed to be a restricted security subject to
          these procedures.
 
          If illiquid securities exceed 15% of a Portfolio's net assets after
          the time of purchase the Portfolio will take steps to reduce in an
          orderly fashion its holdings of illiquid securities. Because illiquid
          securities may not be readily marketable, a portfolio manager may not
          be able to dispose of them in a timely manner. As a result, a
          Portfolio may be forced to hold illiquid securities while their price
          depreciates. Depreciation in the price of illiquid securities may
          cause the net asset value of a Portfolio to decline.
 
                                                                               5
<PAGE>
 
Short Sales
 
          Each Portfolio may engage in "short sales against the box." This
          technique involves selling either a security that a Portfolio owns, or
          a security equivalent in kind and amount to the security sold short
          that the Portfolio has the right to obtain, for delivery at a
          specified date in the future. A Portfolio may enter into a short sale
          against the box to hedge against anticipated declines in the market
          price of portfolio securities. If the value of the securities sold
          short increases prior to the scheduled delivery date, a Portfolio
          loses the opportunity to participate in the gain.
 
Zero Coupon, Step Coupon and Pay-In-Kind Securities
 
          Each Portfolio may invest up to 10% (without limit for High-Yield
          Portfolio and Flexible Income Portfolio) of its assets in zero coupon,
          pay-in-kind and step coupon securities. Zero coupon bonds are issued
          and traded at a discount from their face value. They do not entitle
          the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity. Step
          coupon bonds trade at a discount from their face value and pay coupon
          interest. The coupon rate is low for an initial period and then
          increases to a higher coupon rate thereafter. The discount from the
          face amount or par value depends on the time remaining until cash
          payments begin, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security
          and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. Pay-in-kind bonds
          normally give the issuer an option to pay cash at a coupon payment
          date or give the holder of the security a similar bond with the same
          coupon rate and a face value equal to the amount of the coupon payment
          that would have been made. For the purposes of any Portfolio's
          restriction on investing in income-producing securities,
          income-producing securities include securities that make periodic
          interest payments as well as those that make interest payments on a
          deferred basis or pay interest only at maturity (e.g., Treasury bills
          or zero coupon bonds).
 
          Current federal income tax law requires holders of zero coupon
          securities and step coupon securities to report the portion of the
          original issue discount on such securities that accrues during a given
          year as interest income, even though the holders receive no cash
          payments of interest during the year. In order to qualify as a
          "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
          and the regulations thereunder (the "Code"), a Portfolio must
          distribute its investment company taxable income, including the
          original issue discount accrued on zero coupon or step coupon bonds.
          Because a Portfolio will not receive cash payments on a current basis
          in respect of accrued original-issue discount on zero coupon bonds or
          step coupon bonds during the period before interest payments begin, in
          some years that Portfolio may have to distribute cash obtained from
          other sources in order to satisfy the distribution requirements under
          the Code. A Portfolio might obtain such cash from selling other
          portfolio holdings which might cause that Portfolio to incur capital
          gains or losses on the sale. Additionally, these actions are likely to
          reduce the assets to which Portfolio expenses could be allocated and
          to reduce the rate of return for that Portfolio. In some
          circumstances, such sales might be necessary in order to satisfy cash
          distribution requirements even though investment considerations might
          otherwise make it undesirable for a Portfolio to sell the securities
          at the time.
 
          Generally, the market prices of zero coupon, step coupon and
          pay-in-kind securities are more volatile than the prices of securities
          that pay interest periodically and in cash and are likely to respond
          to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than other types of
          debt securities having similar maturities and credit quality.
 
Pass-Through Securities
 
          The Portfolios may invest in various types of pass-through securities,
          such as mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and
          participation interests. A pass-through security is a share or
          certificate of interest in a pool of debt obligations that have been
          repackaged by an intermediary, such as a bank or
 
 6
<PAGE>
 
          broker-dealer. The purchaser of a pass-through security receives an
          undivided interest in the underlying pool of securities. The issuers
          of the underlying securities make interest and principal payments to
          the intermediary which are passed through to purchasers, such as the
          Portfolios. The most common type of pass-through securities are
          mortgage-backed securities. Government National Mortgage Association
          ("GNMA") Certificates are mortgage-backed securities that evidence an
          undivided interest in a pool of mortgage loans. GNMA Certificates
          differ from bonds in that principal is paid back monthly by the
          borrowers over the term of the loan rather than returned in a lump sum
          at maturity. A Portfolio will generally purchase "modified
          pass-through" GNMA Certificates, which entitle the holder to receive a
          share of all interest and principal payments paid and owned on the
          mortgage pool, net of fees paid to the "issuer" and GNMA, regardless
          of whether or not the mortgagor actually makes the payment. GNMA
          Certificates are backed as to the timely payment of principal and
          interest by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
 
          The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") issues two types
          of mortgage pass-through securities: mortgage participation
          certificates ("PCs") and guaranteed mortgage certificates ("GMCs").
          PCs resemble GNMA Certificates in that each PC represents a pro rata
          share of all interest and principal payments made and owned on the
          underlying pool. FHLMC guarantees timely payments of interest on PCs
          and the full return of principal. GMCs also represent a pro rata
          interest in a pool of mortgages. However, these instruments pay
          interest semiannually and return principal once a year in guaranteed
          minimum payments. This type of security is guaranteed by FHLMC as to
          timely payment of principal and interest but it is not guaranteed by
          the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
 
          The Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") issues guaranteed
          mortgage pass-through certificates ("FNMA Certificates"). FNMA
          Certificates resemble GNMA Certificates in that each FNMA Certificate
          represents a pro rata share of all interest and principal payments
          made and owned on the underlying pool. This type of security is
          guaranteed by FNMA as to timely payment of principal and interest but
          it is not guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
          government.
 
          Except for GMCs, each of the mortgage-backed securities described
          above is characterized by monthly payments to the holder, reflecting
          the monthly payments made by the borrowers who received the underlying
          mortgage loans. The payments to the security holders (such as the
          Portfolios), like the payments on the underlying loans, represent both
          principal and interest. Although the underlying mortgage loans are for
          specified periods of time, such as 20 or 30 years, the borrowers can,
          and typically do, pay them off sooner. Thus, the security holders
          frequently receive prepayments of principal in addition to the
          principal that is part of the regular monthly payments. A portfolio
          manager will consider estimated prepayment rates in calculating the
          average-weighted maturity of a Portfolio. A borrower is more likely to
          prepay a mortgage that bears a relatively high rate of interest. This
          means that in times of declining interest rates, higher yielding
          mortgage-backed securities held by a Portfolio might be converted to
          cash and that Portfolio will be forced to accept lower interest rates
          when that cash is used to purchase additional securities in the
          mortgage-backed securities sector or in other investment sectors.
          Additionally, prepayments during such periods will limit a Portfolio's
          ability to participate in as large a market gain as may be experienced
          with a comparable security not subject to prepayment.
 
          Asset-backed securities represent interests in pools of consumer loans
          and are backed by paper or accounts receivables originated by banks,
          credit card companies or other providers of credit. Generally, the
          originating bank or credit provider is neither the obligor nor the
          guarantor of the security, and interest and principal payments
          ultimately depend upon payment of the underlying loans by individuals.
          Tax-exempt asset-backed securities include units of beneficial
          interests in pools of purchase contracts, financing leases,
 
                                                                               7
<PAGE>
 
          and sales agreements that may be created when a municipality enters
          into an installment purchase contract or lease with a vendor. Such
          securities may be secured by the assets purchased or leased by the
          municipality; however, if the municipality stops making payments,
          there generally will be no recourse against the vendor. The market for
          tax-exempt asset-backed securities is still relatively new. These
          obligations are likely to involve unscheduled prepayments of
          principal.
 
Investment Company Securities
 
          From time to time, the Portfolios may invest in securities of other
          investment companies, subject to the provisions of Section 12(d)(1) of
          the 1940 Act. The Portfolios may invest in securities of money market
          funds managed by Janus Capital in excess of the limitations of Section
          12(d)(1) under the terms of an SEC exemptive order obtained by Janus
          Capital and the Janus funds.
 
Depositary Receipts
 
          The Portfolios may invest in sponsored and unsponsored American
          Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), which are receipts issued by an American
          bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities
          issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for
          use in U.S. securities markets. Unsponsored ADRs may be created
          without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs
          generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign
          issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or
          trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no
          obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the
          foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights. The Portfolios may
          also invest in European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global
          Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and in other similar instruments
          representing securities of foreign companies. EDRs are receipts issued
          by a European financial institution evidencing an arrangement similar
          to that of ADRs. EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in
          European securities markets. GDRs are securities convertible into
          equity securities of foreign issuers. Depositary Receipts are
          generally subject to the same sort of risks as direct investments in a
          foreign country, such as, currency risk, political and economic risk,
          and market risk, because their values depend on the performance of a
          foreign security denominated in its home currency. The risks of
          foreign investing are addressed in some detail in the Portfolios'
          prospectus.
 
Municipal Obligations
 
          The Portfolios may invest in municipal obligations issued by states,
          territories and possessions of the United States and the District of
          Columbia. The value of municipal obligations can be affected by
          changes in their actual or perceived credit quality. The credit
          quality of municipal obligations can be affected by, among other
          things, the financial condition of the issuer or guarantor, the
          issuer's future borrowing plans and sources of revenue, the economic
          feasibility of the revenue bond project or general borrowing purpose,
          political or economic developments in the region where the security is
          issued, and the liquidity of the security. Because municipal
          securities are generally traded over-the-counter, the liquidity of a
          particular issue often depends on the willingness of dealers to make a
          market in the security. The liquidity of some municipal obligations
          may be enhanced by demand features, which would enable a Portfolio to
          demand payment on short notice from the issuer or a financial
          intermediary.
 
Other Income-Producing Securities
 
          Other types of income producing securities that the Portfolios may
          purchase include, but are not limited to, the following types of
          securities:
 
          VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE OBLIGATIONS. These types of securities have
          variable or floating rates of interest and, under certain limited
          circumstances, may have varying principal amounts. These securities
          pay interest at rates that are adjusted periodically according to a
          specified formula, usually with reference to some
 
 8
<PAGE>
 
          interest rate index or market interest rate. The floating rate tends
          to decrease the security's price sensitivity to changes in interest
          rates. These types of securities are relatively long-term instruments
          that often carry demand features permitting the holder to demand
          payment of principal at any time or at specified intervals prior to
          maturity. In order to most effectively use these investments, a
          portfolio manager must correctly assess probable movements in interest
          rates. This involves different skills than those used to select most
          portfolio securities. If the portfolio manager incorrectly forecasts
          such movements, a Portfolio could be adversely affected by the use of
          variable or floating rate obligations.
 
          STANDBY COMMITMENTS. These instruments, which are similar to a put,
          give a Portfolio the option to obligate a broker, dealer or bank to
          repurchase a security held by that Portfolio at a specified price.
 
          TENDER OPTION BONDS. Tender option bonds are relatively long-term
          bonds that are coupled with the agreement of a third party (such as a
          broker, dealer or bank) to grant the holders of such securities the
          option to tender the securities to the institution at periodic
          intervals.
 
          INVERSE FLOATERS. Inverse floaters are debt instruments whose interest
          bears an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another
          security. No Portfolio will invest more than 5% of its assets in
          inverse floaters. Similar to variable and floating rate obligations,
          effective use of inverse floaters requires skills different from those
          needed to select most portfolio securities. If movements in interest
          rates are incorrectly anticipated, a fund could lose money or its NAV
          could decline by the use of inverse floaters.
 
          STRIP BONDS. Strip bonds are debt securities that are stripped of
          their interest (usually by a financial intermediary) after the
          securities are issued. The market value of these securities generally
          fluctuates more in response to changes in interest rates than
          interest-paying securities of comparable maturity.
 
          The Portfolios will purchase standby commitments, tender option bonds
          and instruments with demand features primarily for the purpose of
          increasing the liquidity of their holdings.
 
Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements
 
          In a repurchase agreement, a Portfolio purchases a security and
          simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller at an
          agreed upon price on an agreed upon date within a number of days
          (usually not more than seven) from the date of purchase. The resale
          price consists of the purchase price plus an agreed upon incremental
          amount that is unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the
          purchased security. A repurchase agreement involves the obligation of
          the seller to pay the agreed upon price, which obligation is in effect
          secured by the value (at least equal to the amount of the agreed upon
          resale price and marked-to-market daily) of the underlying security or
          "collateral." A risk associated with repurchase agreements is the
          failure of the seller to repurchase the securities as agreed, which
          may cause a Portfolio to suffer a loss if the market value of such
          securities declines before they can be liquidated on the open market.
          In the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the seller, a Portfolio
          may encounter delays and incur costs in liquidating the underlying
          security. Repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days
          are subject to the 15% limit on illiquid investments. While it is not
          possible to eliminate all risks from these transactions, it is the
          policy of the Portfolios to limit repurchase agreements to those
          parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found
          satisfactory by Janus Capital.
 
          A Portfolio may use reverse repurchase agreements to obtain cash to
          satisfy unusually heavy redemption requests or for other temporary or
          emergency purposes without the necessity of selling portfolio
          securities, or to earn additional income on portfolio securities, such
          as Treasury bills or notes. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a
          Portfolio sells a portfolio security to another party, such as a bank
          or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase the
          instrument at a particular price and time. While a reverse repurchase
 
                                                                               9
<PAGE>
 
          agreement is outstanding, a Portfolio will maintain cash and
          appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial account to cover
          its obligation under the agreement. The Portfolios will enter into
          reverse repurchase agreements only with parties that Janus Capital
          deems creditworthy. Using reverse repurchase agreements to earn
          additional income involves the risk that the interest earned on the
          invested proceeds is less than the expense of the reverse repurchase
          agreement transaction. This technique may also have a leveraging
          effect on the Portfolio, although the Portfolio's intent to segregate
          assets in the amount of the reverse repurchase agreement minimizes
          this effect.
 
High-Yield/High-Risk Securities
 
          Flexible Income Portfolio and High-Yield Portfolio may invest without
          limit in securities that are rated below investment grade (e.g.,
          securities rated BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or
          Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.). No other Portfolio
          intends to invest 35% or more of its net assets in such securities.
          Lower rated securities involve a higher degree of credit risk, which
          is the risk that the issuer will not make interest or principal
          payments when due. In the event of an unanticipated default, a
          Portfolio would experience a reduction in its income, and could expect
          a decline in the market value of the securities so affected.
 
          Any Portfolio may also invest in unrated debt securities of foreign
          and domestic issuers. Unrated debt, while not necessarily of lower
          quality than rated securities, may not have as broad a market. Because
          of the size and perceived demand of the issue, among other factors,
          certain municipalities may not incur the costs of obtaining a rating.
          A Portfolio's manager will analyze the creditworthiness of the issuer,
          as well as any financial institution or other party responsible for
          payments on the security, in determining whether to purchase unrated
          municipal bonds. Unrated debt securities will be included in the 35%
          limit of each Portfolio unless its manager deems such securities to be
          the equivalent of investment grade securities.
 
          Subject to the above limits, each Portfolio may purchase defaulted
          securities only when its portfolio manager believes, based upon
          analysis of the financial condition, results of operations and
          economic outlook of an issuer, that there is potential for resumption
          of income payments and that the securities offer an unusual
          opportunity for capital appreciation. Notwithstanding the portfolio
          manager's belief about the resumption of income, however, the purchase
          of any security on which payment of interest or dividends is suspended
          involves a high degree of risk. Such risk includes, among other
          things, the following:
 
          Financial and Market Risks. Investments in securities that are in
          default involve a high degree of financial and market risks that can
          result in substantial or, at times, even total losses. Issuers of
          defaulted securities may have substantial capital needs and may become
          involved in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings. Among the
          problems involved in investments in such issuers is the fact that it
          may be difficult to obtain information about the condition of such
          issuers. The market prices of such securities also are subject to
          abrupt and erratic movements and above average price volatility, and
          the spread between the bid and asked prices of such securities may be
          greater than normally expected.
 
          Disposition of Portfolio Securities. Although these Portfolios
          generally will purchase securities for which their portfolio managers
          expect an active market to be maintained, defaulted securities may be
          less actively traded than other securities and it may be difficult to
          dispose of substantial holdings of such securities at prevailing
          market prices. The Portfolios will limit holdings of any such
          securities to amounts that the portfolio managers believe could be
          readily sold, and holdings of such securities would, in any event, be
          limited so as not to limit the Portfolios' ability to readily dispose
          of securities to meet redemptions.
 
          Other. Defaulted securities require active monitoring and may, at
          times, require participation in bankruptcy or receivership proceedings
          on behalf of the Portfolios.
 
 10
<PAGE>
 
Futures, Options and Other Derivative Instruments
 
          FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Portfolios may enter into contracts for the
          purchase or sale for future delivery of fixed-income securities,
          foreign currencies or contracts based on financial indices, including
          indices of U.S. government securities, foreign government securities,
          equity or fixed-income securities. U.S. futures contracts are traded
          on exchanges which have been designated "contract markets" by the CFTC
          and must be executed through a futures commission merchant ("FCM"), or
          brokerage firm, which is a member of the relevant contract market.
          Through their clearing corporations, the exchanges guarantee
          performance of the contracts as between the clearing members of the
          exchange.
 
          The buyer or seller of a futures contract is not required to deliver
          or pay for the underlying instrument unless the contract is held until
          the delivery date. However, both the buyer and seller are required to
          deposit "initial margin" for the benefit of the FCM when the contract
          is entered into. Initial margin deposits are equal to a percentage of
          the contract's value, as set by the exchange on which the contract is
          traded, and may be maintained in cash or certain other liquid assets
          by the Portfolios' custodian or subcustodian for the benefit of the
          FCM. Initial margin payments are similar to good faith deposits or
          performance bonds. Unlike margin extended by a securities broker,
          initial margin payments do not constitute purchasing securities on
          margin for purposes of the Portfolio's investment limitations. If the
          value of either party's position declines, that party will be required
          to make additional "variation margin" payments for the benefit of the
          FCM to settle the change in value on a daily basis. The party that has
          a gain may be entitled to receive all or a portion of this amount. In
          the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM that holds margin on behalf of
          a Portfolio, that Portfolio may be entitled to return of margin owed
          to such Portfolio only in proportion to the amount received by the
          FCM's other customers. Janus Capital will attempt to minimize the risk
          by careful monitoring of the creditworthiness of the FCMs with which
          the Portfolios do business and by depositing margin payments in a
          segregated account with the Portfolios' custodian.
 
          The Portfolios intend to comply with guidelines of eligibility for
          exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator"
          adopted by the CFTC and the National Futures Association, which
          regulate trading in the futures markets. The Portfolios will use
          futures contracts and related options primarily for bona fide hedging
          purposes within the meaning of CFTC regulations. To the extent that
          the Portfolios hold positions in futures contracts and related options
          that do not fall within the definition of bona fide hedging
          transactions, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to
          establish such positions will not exceed 5% of the fair market value
          of a Portfolio's net assets, after taking into account unrealized
          profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts it has entered
          into.
 
          Although a Portfolio will segregate cash and liquid assets in an
          amount sufficient to cover its open futures obligations, the
          segregated assets would be available to that Portfolio immediately
          upon closing out the futures position, while settlement of securities
          transactions could take several days. However, because a Portfolio's
          cash that may otherwise be invested would be held uninvested or
          invested in other liquid assets so long as the futures position
          remains open, such Portfolio's return could be diminished due to the
          opportunity losses of foregoing other potential investments.
 
          A Portfolio's primary purpose in entering into futures contracts is to
          protect that Portfolio from fluctuations in the value of securities or
          interest rates without actually buying or selling the underlying debt
          or equity security. For example, if the Portfolio anticipates an
          increase in the price of stocks, and it intends to purchase stocks at
          a later time, that Portfolio could enter into a futures contract to
          purchase a stock index as a temporary substitute for stock purchases.
          If an increase in the market occurs that influences the stock
 
                                                                              11
<PAGE>
 
          index as anticipated, the value of the futures contracts will
          increase, thereby serving as a hedge against that Portfolio not
          participating in a market advance. This technique is sometimes known
          as an anticipatory hedge. To the extent a Portfolio enters into
          futures contracts for this purpose, the segregated assets maintained
          to cover such Portfolio's obligations with respect to the futures
          contracts will consist of liquid assets from its portfolio in an
          amount equal to the difference between the contract price and the
          aggregate value of the initial and variation margin payments made by
          that Portfolio with respect to the futures contracts. Conversely, if a
          Portfolio holds stocks and seeks to protect itself from a decrease in
          stock prices, the Portfolio might sell stock index futures contracts,
          thereby hoping to offset the potential decline in the value of its
          portfolio securities by a corresponding increase in the value of the
          futures contract position. A Portfolio could protect against a decline
          in stock prices by selling portfolio securities and investing in money
          market instruments, but the use of futures contracts enables it to
          maintain a defensive position without having to sell portfolio
          securities.
 
          If a Portfolio owns Treasury bonds and the portfolio manager expects
          interest rates to increase, that Portfolio may take a short position
          in interest rate futures contracts. Taking such a position would have
          much the same effect as that Portfolio selling Treasury bonds in its
          portfolio. If interest rates increase as anticipated, the value of the
          Treasury bonds would decline, but the value of that Portfolio's
          interest rate futures contract will increase, thereby keeping the net
          asset value of that Portfolio from declining as much as it may have
          otherwise. If, on the other hand, a portfolio manager expects interest
          rates to decline, that Portfolio may take a long position in interest
          rate futures contracts in anticipation of later closing out the
          futures position and purchasing the bonds. Although a Portfolio can
          accomplish similar results by buying securities with long maturities
          and selling securities with short maturities, given the greater
          liquidity of the futures market than the cash market, it may be
          possible to accomplish the same result more easily and more quickly by
          using futures contracts as an investment tool to reduce risk.
 
          The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets,
          due to differences in the nature of those markets, are subject to
          distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are subject
          to initial margin and variation margin requirements. Rather than
          meeting additional variation margin requirements, investors may close
          out futures contracts through offsetting transactions which could
          distort the normal price relationship between the cash and futures
          markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on
          participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making
          or taking delivery of the instrument underlying a futures contract. To
          the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in
          the futures market could be reduced and prices in the futures market
          distorted. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the margin
          deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than
          margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased
          participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary
          price distortions. Due to the possibility of the foregoing
          distortions, a correct forecast of general price trends by a portfolio
          manager still may not result in a successful use of futures.
 
          Futures contracts entail risks. Although the Portfolios believe that
          use of such contracts will benefit the Portfolios, a Portfolio's
          overall performance could be worse than if such Portfolio had not
          entered into futures contracts if the portfolio manager's investment
          judgement proves incorrect. For example, if a Portfolio has hedged
          against the effects of a possible decrease in prices of securities
          held in its portfolio and prices increase instead, that Portfolio will
          lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of these
          securities because of offsetting losses in its futures positions. In
          addition, if a Portfolio has insufficient cash, it may have to sell
          securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin
          requirements. Those sales may be, but will not necessarily be, at
          increased prices which reflect the rising market and may occur at a
          time when the sales are disadvantageous to such Portfolio.
 
 12
<PAGE>
 
          The prices of futures contracts depend primarily on the value of their
          underlying instruments. Because there are a limited number of types of
          futures contracts, it is possible that the standardized futures
          contracts available to a Portfolio will not match exactly such
          Portfolio's current or potential investments. A Portfolio may buy and
          sell futures contracts based on underlying instruments with different
          characteristics from the securities in which it typically
          invests - for example, by hedging investments in portfolio securities
          with a futures contract based on a broad index of securities - which
          involves a risk that the futures position will not correlate precisely
          with the performance of such Portfolio's investments.
 
          Futures prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying
          instruments, even if the underlying instruments closely correlate with
          a Portfolio's investments. Futures prices are affected by factors such
          as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in
          volatility of the underlying instruments and the time remaining until
          expiration of the contract. Those factors may affect securities prices
          differently from futures prices. Imperfect correlations between a
          Portfolio's investments and its futures positions also may result from
          differing levels of demand in the futures markets and the securities
          markets, from structural differences in how futures and securities are
          traded, and from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits for
          futures contracts. A Portfolio may buy or sell futures contracts with
          a greater or lesser value than the securities it wishes to hedge or is
          considering purchasing in order to attempt to compensate for
          differences in historical volatility between the futures contract and
          the securities, although this may not be successful in all cases. If
          price changes in a Portfolio's futures positions are poorly correlated
          with its other investments, its futures positions may fail to produce
          desired gains or result in losses that are not offset by the gains in
          that Portfolio's other investments.
 
          Because futures contracts are generally settled within a day from the
          date they are closed out, compared with a settlement period of three
          days for some types of securities, the futures markets can provide
          superior liquidity to the securities markets. Nevertheless, there is
          no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any
          particular futures contract at any particular time. In addition,
          futures exchanges may establish daily price fluctuation limits for
          futures contracts and may halt trading if a contract's price moves
          upward or downward more than the limit in a given day. On volatile
          trading days when the price fluctuation limit is reached, it may be
          impossible for a Portfolio to enter into new positions or close out
          existing positions. If the secondary market for a futures contract is
          not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or otherwise, a
          Portfolio may not be able to promptly liquidate unfavorable futures
          positions and potentially could be required to continue to hold a
          futures position until the delivery date, regardless of changes in its
          value. As a result, such Portfolio's access to other assets held to
          cover its futures positions also could be impaired.
 
          OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Portfolios may buy and write put and
          call options on futures contracts. An option on a future gives a
          Portfolio the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell a futures
          contract at a specified price on or before a specified date. The
          purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar in some
          respects to the purchase of a call option on an individual security.
          Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the price of
          the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the
          underlying instrument, ownership of the option may or may not be less
          risky than ownership of the futures contract or the underlying
          instrument. As with the purchase of futures contracts, when a
          Portfolio is not fully invested it may buy a call option on a futures
          contract to hedge against a market advance.
 
          The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a
          partial hedge against declining prices of the security or foreign
          currency which is deliverable under, or of the index comprising, the
          futures contract. If the futures price at the expiration of the option
          is below the exercise price, a Portfolio will retain the full
 
                                                                              13
<PAGE>
 
          amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against
          any decline that may have occurred in that Portfolio's holdings. The
          writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial
          hedge against increasing prices of the security or foreign currency
          which is deliverable under, or of the index comprising, the futures
          contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is higher
          than the exercise price, a Portfolio will retain the full amount of
          the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any increase
          in the price of securities which that Portfolio is considering buying.
          If a call or put option a Portfolio has written is exercised, such
          Portfolio will incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of the
          premium it received. Depending on the degree of correlation between
          the change in the value of its portfolio securities and changes in the
          value of the futures positions, a Portfolio's losses from existing
          options on futures may to some extent be reduced or increased by
          changes in the value of portfolio securities.
 
          The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar in some
          respects to the purchase of protective put options on portfolio
          securities. For example, a Portfolio may buy a put option on a futures
          contract to hedge its portfolio against the risk of falling prices or
          rising interest rates.
 
          The amount of risk a Portfolio assumes when it buys an option on a
          futures contract is the premium paid for the option plus related
          transaction costs. In addition to the correlation risks discussed
          above, the purchase of an option also entails the risk that changes in
          the value of the underlying futures contract will not be fully
          reflected in the value of the options bought.
 
          FORWARD CONTRACTS. A forward contract is an agreement between two
          parties in which one party is obligated to deliver a stated amount of
          a stated asset at a specified time in the future and the other party
          is obligated to pay a specified amount for the assets at the time of
          delivery. The Portfolios may enter into forward contracts to purchase
          and sell government securities, equity or income securities, foreign
          currencies or other financial instruments. Forward contracts generally
          are traded in an interbank market conducted directly between traders
          (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Unlike futures
          contracts, which are standardized contracts, forward contracts can be
          specifically drawn to meet the needs of the parties that enter into
          them. The parties to a forward contract may agree to offset or
          terminate the contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract
          to maturity and complete the contemplated exchange.
 
          The following discussion summarizes the Portfolios' principal uses of
          forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward currency
          contracts"). A Portfolio may enter into forward currency contracts
          with stated contract values of up to the value of that Portfolio's
          assets. A forward currency contract is an obligation to buy or sell an
          amount of a specified currency for an agreed price (which may be in
          U.S. dollars or a foreign currency). A Portfolio will exchange foreign
          currencies for U.S. dollars and for other foreign currencies in the
          normal course of business and may buy and sell currencies through
          forward currency contracts in order to fix a price for securities it
          has agreed to buy or sell ("transaction hedge"). A Portfolio also may
          hedge some or all of its investments denominated in a foreign currency
          or exposed to foreign currency fluctuations against a decline in the
          value of that currency relative to the U.S. dollar by entering into
          forward currency contracts to sell an amount of that currency (or a
          proxy currency whose performance is expected to replicate or exceed
          the performance of that currency relative to the U.S. dollar)
          approximating the value of some or all of its portfolio securities
          denominated in that currency ("position hedge") or by participating in
          options or futures contracts with respect to the currency. A Portfolio
          also may enter into a forward currency contract with respect to a
          currency where the Portfolio is considering the purchase or sale of
          investments denominated in that currency but has not yet selected the
          specific investments ("anticipatory hedge"). In any of these
          circumstances a Portfolio may, alternatively, enter into a forward
          currency contract to purchase or sell one foreign currency for a
          second currency that is expected
 
 14
<PAGE>
 
          to perform more favorably relative to the U.S. dollar if the portfolio
          manager believes there is a reasonable degree of correlation between
          movements in the two currencies ("cross-hedge").
 
          These types of hedging minimize the effect of currency appreciation as
          well as depreciation, but do not eliminate fluctuations in the
          underlying U.S. dollar equivalent value of the proceeds of or rates of
          return on a Portfolio's foreign currency denominated portfolio
          securities. The matching of the increase in value of a forward
          contract and the decline in the U.S. dollar equivalent value of the
          foreign currency denominated asset that is the subject of the hedge
          generally will not be precise. Shifting a Portfolio's currency
          exposure from one foreign currency to another removes that Portfolio's
          opportunity to profit from increases in the value of the original
          currency and involves a risk of increased losses to such Portfolio if
          its portfolio manager's projection of future exchange rates is
          inaccurate. Proxy hedges and cross-hedges may result in losses if the
          currency used to hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in
          which hedged securities are denominated. Unforeseen changes in
          currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for a
          Portfolio than if it had not entered into such contracts.
 
          The Portfolios will cover outstanding forward currency contracts by
          maintaining liquid portfolio securities denominated in or whose value
          is tied to the currency underlying the forward contract or the
          currency being hedged. To the extent that a Portfolio is not able to
          cover its forward currency positions with underlying portfolio
          securities, the Portfolios' custodian will segregate cash or other
          liquid assets having a value equal to the aggregate amount of such
          Portfolio's commitments under forward contracts entered into with
          respect to position hedges, cross-hedges and anticipatory hedges. If
          the value of the securities used to cover a position or the value of
          segregated assets declines, a Portfolio will find alternative cover or
          segregate additional cash or other liquid assets on a daily basis so
          that the value of the covered and segregated assets will be equal to
          the amount of such Portfolio's commitments with respect to such
          contracts. As an alternative to segregating assets, a Portfolio may
          buy call options permitting such Portfolio to buy the amount of
          foreign currency being hedged by a forward sale contract or a
          Portfolio may buy put options permitting it to sell the amount of
          foreign currency subject to a forward buy contract.
 
          While forward contracts are not currently regulated by the CFTC, the
          CFTC may in the future assert authority to regulate forward contracts.
          In such event, the Portfolios' ability to utilize forward contracts
          may be restricted. In addition, a Portfolio may not always be able to
          enter into forward contracts at attractive prices and may be limited
          in its ability to use these contracts to hedge Portfolio assets.
 
          OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. The Portfolios may buy and write
          options on foreign currencies in a manner similar to that in which
          futures or forward contracts on foreign currencies will be utilized.
          For example, a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a foreign currency
          in which portfolio securities are denominated will reduce the U.S.
          dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign
          currency remains constant. In order to protect against such
          diminutions in the value of portfolio securities, a Portfolio may buy
          put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency
          declines, such Portfolio will have the right to sell such currency for
          a fixed amount in U.S. dollars, thereby offsetting, in whole or in
          part, the adverse effect on its portfolio.
 
          Conversely, when a rise in the U.S. dollar value of a currency in
          which securities to be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby
          increasing the cost of such securities, a Portfolio may buy call
          options on the foreign currency. The purchase of such options could
          offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse movements in
          exchange rates. As in the case of other types of options, however, the
          benefit to a Portfolio from purchases of foreign currency options will
          be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs.
          In addition, if currency exchange rates do not move in the direction
          or to the
 
                                                                              15
<PAGE>
 
          extent projected, a Portfolio could sustain losses on transactions in
          foreign currency options that would require such Portfolio to forego a
          portion or all of the benefits of advantageous changes in those rates.
 
          The Portfolios may also write options on foreign currencies. For
          example, to hedge against a potential decline in the U.S. dollar value
          of foreign currency denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations
          in exchange rates, a Portfolio could, instead of purchasing a put
          option, write a call option on the relevant currency. If the expected
          decline occurs, the option will most likely not be exercised and the
          decline in value of portfolio securities will be offset by the amount
          of the premium received.
 
          Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to hedge against a
          potential increase in the U.S. dollar cost of securities to be
          acquired, a Portfolio could write a put option on the relevant
          currency which, if rates move in the manner projected, should expire
          unexercised and allow that Portfolio to hedge the increased cost up to
          the amount of the premium. As in the case of other types of options,
          however, the writing of a foreign currency option will constitute only
          a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium. If exchange rates do
          not move in the expected direction, the option may be exercised and a
          Portfolio would be required to buy or sell the underlying currency at
          a loss which may not be offset by the amount of the premium. Through
          the writing of options on foreign currencies, a Portfolio also may
          lose all or a portion of the benefits which might otherwise have been
          obtained from favorable movements in exchange rates.
 
          The Portfolios may write covered call options on foreign currencies. A
          call option written on a foreign currency by a Portfolio is "covered"
          if that Portfolio owns the foreign currency underlying the call or has
          an absolute and immediate right to acquire that foreign currency
          without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash
          consideration held in a segregated account by its custodian) upon
          conversion or exchange of other foreign currencies held in its
          portfolio. A call option is also covered if a Portfolio has a call on
          the same foreign currency in the same principal amount as the call
          written if the exercise price of the call held (i) is equal to or less
          than the exercise price of the call written or (ii) is greater than
          the exercise price of the call written, if the difference is
          maintained by such Portfolio in cash or other liquid assets in a
          segregated account with the Portfolios' custodian.
 
          The Portfolios also may write call options on foreign currencies for
          cross-hedging purposes. A call option on a foreign currency is for
          cross-hedging purposes if it is designed to provide a hedge against a
          decline due to an adverse change in the exchange rate in the U.S.
          dollar value of a security which a Portfolio owns or has the right to
          acquire and which is denominated in the currency underlying the
          option. Call options on foreign currencies which are entered into for
          cross-hedging purposes are not covered. However, in such
          circumstances, a Portfolio will collateralize the option by
          segregating cash or other liquid assets in an amount not less than the
          value of the underlying foreign currency in U.S. dollars
          marked-to-market daily.
 
          OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. In an effort to increase current income and to
          reduce fluctuations in net asset value, the Portfolios may write
          covered put and call options and buy put and call options on
          securities that are traded on United States and foreign securities
          exchanges and over-the-counter. The Portfolios may write and buy
          options on the same types of securities that the Portfolios may
          purchase directly.
 
          A put option written by a Portfolio is "covered" if that Portfolio (i)
          segregates cash not available for investment or other liquid assets
          with a value equal to the exercise price of the put with the
          Portfolios' custodian or (ii) holds a put on the same security and in
          the same principal amount as the put written and the exercise price of
          the put held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put
          written. The premium paid by the buyer of an option will reflect,
          among other things, the relationship of the exercise price to the
          market price and the volatility of the underlying security, the
          remaining term of the option, supply and demand and interest rates.
 
 16
<PAGE>
 
          A call option written by a Portfolio is "covered" if that Portfolio
          owns the underlying security covered by the call or has an absolute
          and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash
          consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a
          segregated account by the Portfolios' custodian) upon conversion or
          exchange of other securities held in its portfolio. A call option is
          also deemed to be covered if a Portfolio holds a call on the same
          security and in the same principal amount as the call written and the
          exercise price of the call held (i) is equal to or less than the
          exercise price of the call written or (ii) is greater than the
          exercise price of the call written if the difference is maintained by
          that Portfolio in cash and other liquid assets in a segregated account
          with its custodian.
 
          The Portfolios also may write call options that are not covered for
          cross-hedging purposes. A Portfolio collateralizes its obligation
          under a written call option for cross-hedging purposes by segregating
          cash or other liquid assets in an amount not less than the market
          value of the underlying security, marked-to-market daily. A Portfolio
          would write a call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of
          writing a covered call option, when the premium to be received from
          the cross-hedge transaction would exceed that which would be received
          from writing a covered call option and its portfolio manager believes
          that writing the option would achieve the desired hedge.
 
          The writer of an option may have no control over when the underlying
          securities must be sold, in the case of a call option, or bought, in
          the case of a put option, since with regard to certain options, the
          writer may be assigned an exercise notice at any time prior to the
          termination of the obligation. Whether or not an option expires
          unexercised, the writer retains the amount of the premium. This
          amount, of course, may, in the case of a covered call option, be
          offset by a decline in the market value of the underlying security
          during the option period. If a call option is exercised, the writer
          experiences a profit or loss from the sale of the underlying security.
          If a put option is exercised, the writer must fulfill the obligation
          to buy the underlying security at the exercise price, which will
          usually exceed the then market value of the underlying security.
 
          The writer of an option that wishes to terminate its obligation may
          effect a "closing purchase transaction." This is accomplished by
          buying an option of the same series as the option previously written.
          The effect of the purchase is that the writer's position will be
          canceled by the clearing corporation. However, a writer may not effect
          a closing purchase transaction after being notified of the exercise of
          an option. Likewise, an investor who is the holder of an option may
          liquidate its position by effecting a "closing sale transaction." This
          is accomplished by selling an option of the same series as the option
          previously bought. There is no guarantee that either a closing
          purchase or a closing sale transaction can be effected.
 
          In the case of a written call option, effecting a closing transaction
          will permit a Portfolio to write another call option on the underlying
          security with either a different exercise price or expiration date or
          both. In the case of a written put option, such transaction will
          permit a Portfolio to write another put option to the extent that the
          exercise price is secured by deposited liquid assets. Effecting a
          closing transaction also will permit a Portfolio to use the cash or
          proceeds from the concurrent sale of any securities subject to the
          option for other investments. If a Portfolio desires to sell a
          particular security from its portfolio on which it has written a call
          option, such Portfolio will effect a closing transaction prior to or
          concurrent with the sale of the security.
 
          A Portfolio will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the
          price of the purchase transaction is less than the premium received
          from writing the option or the price received from a sale transaction
          is more than the premium paid to buy the option. A Portfolio will
          realize a loss from a closing transaction if the price of the purchase
          transaction is more than the premium received from writing the option
          or the price
 
                                                                              17
<PAGE>
 
          received from a sale transaction is less than the premium paid to buy
          the option. Because increases in the market of a call option generally
          will reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security,
          any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option is likely to
          be offset in whole or in part by appreciation of the underlying
          security owned by a Portfolio.
 
          An option position may be closed out only where a secondary market for
          an option of the same series exists. If a secondary market does not
          exist, the Portfolio may not be able to effect closing transactions in
          particular options and the Portfolio would have to exercise the
          options in order to realize any profit. If a Portfolio is unable to
          effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will
          not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires
          or it delivers the underlying security upon exercise. The absence of a
          liquid secondary market may be due to the following: (i) insufficient
          trading interest in certain options, (ii) restrictions imposed by a
          national securities exchange ("Exchange") on which the option is
          traded on opening or closing transactions or both, (iii) trading
          halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to
          particular classes or series of options or underlying securities, (iv)
          unusual or unforeseen circumstances that interrupt normal operations
          on an Exchange, (v) the facilities of an Exchange or of the Options
          Clearing Corporation ("OCC") may not at all times be adequate to
          handle current trading volume, or (vi) one or more Exchanges could,
          for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future
          date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or
          series of options), in which event the secondary market on that
          Exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist,
          although outstanding options on that Exchange that had been issued by
          the OCC as a result of trades on that Exchange would continue to be
          exercisable in accordance with their terms.
 
          A Portfolio may write options in connection with buy-and-write
          transactions. In other words, a Portfolio may buy a security and then
          write a call option against that security. The exercise price of such
          call will depend upon the expected price movement of the underlying
          security. The exercise price of a call option may be below
          ("in-the-money"), equal to ("at-the-money") or above
          ("out-of-the-money") the current value of the underlying security at
          the time the option is written. Buy-and-write transactions using
          in-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that the
          price of the underlying security will remain flat or decline
          moderately during the option period. Buy-and-write transactions using
          at-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that the
          price of the underlying security will remain fixed or advance
          moderately during the option period. Buy-and-write transactions using
          out-of-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that the
          premiums received from writing the call option plus the appreciation
          in the market price of the underlying security up to the exercise
          price will be greater than the appreciation in the price of the
          underlying security alone. If the call options are exercised in such
          transactions, a Portfolio's maximum gain will be the premium received
          by it for writing the option, adjusted upwards or downwards by the
          difference between that Portfolio's purchase price of the security and
          the exercise price. If the options are not exercised and the price of
          the underlying security declines, the amount of such decline will be
          offset by the amount of premium received.
 
          The writing of covered put options is similar in terms of risk and
          return characteristics to buy-and-write transactions. If the market
          price of the underlying security rises or otherwise is above the
          exercise price, the put option will expire worthless and a Portfolio's
          gain will be limited to the premium received. If the market price of
          the underlying security declines or otherwise is below the exercise
          price, a Portfolio may elect to close the position or take delivery of
          the security at the exercise price and that Portfolio's return will be
          the premium received from the put options minus the amount by which
          the market price of the security is below the exercise price.
 
 18
<PAGE>
 
          A Portfolio may buy put options to hedge against a decline in the
          value of its portfolio. By using put options in this way, a Portfolio
          will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized in the
          underlying security by the amount of the premium paid for the put
          option and by transaction costs.
 
          A Portfolio may buy call options to hedge against an increase in the
          price of securities that it may buy in the future. The premium paid
          for the call option plus any transaction costs will reduce the
          benefit, if any, realized by such Portfolio upon exercise of the
          option, and, unless the price of the underlying security rises
          sufficiently, the option may expire worthless to that Portfolio.
 
          EURODOLLAR INSTRUMENTS. A Portfolio may make investments in Eurodollar
          instruments. Eurodollar instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated
          futures contracts or options thereon which are linked to the London
          Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), although foreign
          currency-denominated instruments are available from time to time.
          Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate
          for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for
          borrowings. A Portfolio might use Eurodollar futures contracts and
          options thereon to hedge against changes in LIBOR, to which many
          interest rate swaps and fixed-income instruments are linked.
 
          SWAPS AND SWAP-RELATED PRODUCTS. A Portfolio may enter into interest
          rate swaps, caps and floors on either an asset-based or
          liability-based basis, depending upon whether it is hedging its assets
          or its liabilities, and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on
          a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with a
          Portfolio receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount
          of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of a
          Portfolio's obligations over its entitlement with respect to each
          interest rate swap will be calculated on a daily basis and an amount
          of cash or other liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at
          least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated
          account by the Portfolios' custodian. If a Portfolio enters into an
          interest rate swap on other than a net basis, it would maintain a
          segregated account in the full amount accrued on a daily basis of its
          obligations with respect to the swap. A Portfolio will not enter into
          any interest rate swap, cap or floor transaction unless the unsecured
          senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is
          rated in one of the three highest rating categories of at least one
          NRSRO at the time of entering into such transaction. Janus Capital
          will monitor the creditworthiness of all counterparties on an ongoing
          basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction,
          a Portfolio will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements
          related to the transaction.
 
          The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large
          number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals
          and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. Janus Capital
          has determined that, as a result, the swap market has become
          relatively liquid. Caps and floors are more recent innovations for
          which standardized documentation has not yet been developed and,
          accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps. To the extent a
          Portfolio sells (i.e., writes) caps and floors, it will segregate cash
          or other liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least
          equal to the full amount, accrued on a daily basis, of its obligations
          with respect to any caps or floors.
 
          There is no limit on the amount of interest rate swap transactions
          that may be entered into by a Portfolio. These transactions may in
          some instances involve the delivery of securities or other underlying
          assets by a Portfolio or its counterparty to collateralize obligations
          under the swap. Under the documentation currently used in those
          markets, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is
          limited to the net amount of the payments that a Portfolio is
          contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest
          rate swap that is not collateralized defaults, a Portfolio would risk
          the loss of the net amount of the payments that it
 
                                                                              19
<PAGE>
 
          contractually is entitled to receive. A Portfolio may buy and sell
          (i.e., write) caps and floors without limitation, subject to the
          segregation requirement described above.
 
          ADDITIONAL RISKS OF OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES, FORWARD CONTRACTS
          AND FOREIGN INSTRUMENTS. Unlike transactions entered into by the
          Portfolios in futures contracts, options on foreign currencies and
          forward contracts are not traded on contract markets regulated by the
          CFTC or (with the exception of certain foreign currency options) by
          the SEC. To the contrary, such instruments are traded through
          financial institutions acting as market-makers, although foreign
          currency options are also traded on certain Exchanges, such as the
          Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board Options Exchange,
          subject to SEC regulation. Similarly, options on currencies may be
          traded over-the-counter. In an over-the-counter trading environment,
          many of the protections afforded to Exchange participants will not be
          available. For example, there are no daily price fluctuation limits,
          and adverse market movements could therefore continue to an unlimited
          extent over a period of time. Although the buyer of an option cannot
          lose more than the amount of the premium plus related transaction
          costs, this entire amount could be lost. Moreover, an option writer
          and a buyer or seller of futures or forward contracts could lose
          amounts substantially in excess of any premium received or initial
          margin or collateral posted due to the potential additional margin and
          collateral requirements associated with such positions.
 
          Options on foreign currencies traded on Exchanges are within the
          jurisdiction of the SEC, as are other securities traded on Exchanges.
          As a result, many of the protections provided to traders on organized
          Exchanges will be available with respect to such transactions. In
          particular, all foreign currency option positions entered into on an
          Exchange are cleared and guaranteed by the OCC, thereby reducing the
          risk of counterparty default. Further, a liquid secondary market in
          options traded on an Exchange may be more readily available than in
          the over-the-counter market, potentially permitting a Portfolio to
          liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or expiration,
          or to limit losses in the event of adverse market movements.
 
          The purchase and sale of exchange-traded foreign currency options,
          however, is subject to the risks of the availability of a liquid
          secondary market described above, as well as the risks regarding
          adverse market movements, margining of options written, the nature of
          the foreign currency market, possible intervention by governmental
          authorities and the effects of other political and economic events. In
          addition, exchange-traded options on foreign currencies involve
          certain risks not presented by the over-the-counter market. For
          example, exercise and settlement of such options must be made
          exclusively through the OCC, which has established banking
          relationships in applicable foreign countries for this purpose. As a
          result, the OCC may, if it determines that foreign governmental
          restrictions or taxes would prevent the orderly settlement of foreign
          currency option exercises, or would result in undue burdens on the OCC
          or its clearing member, impose special procedures on exercise and
          settlement, such as technical changes in the mechanics of delivery of
          currency, the fixing of dollar settlement prices or prohibitions on
          exercise.
 
          In addition, options on U.S. government securities, futures contracts,
          options on futures contracts, forward contracts and options on foreign
          currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges and over-the-counter in
          foreign countries. Such transactions are subject to the risk of
          governmental actions affecting trading in or the prices of foreign
          currencies or securities. The value of such positions also could be
          adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political and economic
          factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on
          which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in a Portfolio's ability
          to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during
          non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of
          different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin
          requirements than in the United States, and (v) low trading volume.
 
 20
<PAGE>
Investment adviser
 
          As stated in the Prospectus, each Portfolio has an Investment Advisory
          Agreement with Janus Capital, 100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado
          80206-4928. Each Advisory Agreement provides that Janus Capital will
          furnish continuous advice and recommendations concerning the
          Portfolios' investments, provide office space for the Portfolios, and
          pay the salaries, fees and expenses of all Portfolio officers and of
          those Trustees who are affiliated with Janus Capital. Janus Capital
          also may make payments to selected broker-dealer firms or institutions
          which were instrumental in the acquisition of shareholders for the
          Portfolios or other Janus Funds or which perform recordkeeping or
          other services with respect to shareholder accounts. The minimum
          aggregate size required for eligibility for such payments, and the
          factors in selecting the broker-dealer firms and institutions to which
          they will be made, are determined from time to time by Janus Capital.
          Janus Capital is also authorized to perform the management and
          administrative services necessary for the operation of the Portfolios.
 
          The Portfolios pay custodian and transfer agent fees and expenses,
          brokerage commissions and dealer spreads and other expenses in
          connection with the execution of portfolio transactions, legal and
          accounting expenses, interest and taxes, registration fees, expenses
          of shareholders' meetings and reports to shareholders, fees and
          expenses of Portfolio Trustees who are not affiliated with Janus
          Capital and other costs of complying with applicable laws regulating
          the sale of Portfolio shares. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreements,
          Janus Capital furnishes certain other services, including net asset
          value determination, portfolio accounting and recordkeeping, for which
          the Portfolios may reimburse Janus Capital for its costs.
 
   
          Growth Portfolio, Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Capital Appreciation
          Portfolio, International Growth Portfolio, Worldwide Growth Portfolio,
          Balanced Portfolio, Equity Income Portfolio and Growth and Income
          Portfolio have each agreed to compensate Janus Capital for its
          services by the monthly payment of a fee at the annual rate of 0.75%
          of the first $300 million of the average daily net assets of each
          Portfolio, 0.70% of the next $200 million of the average daily net
          assets of each Portfolio and 0.65% on the average daily net assets of
          each Portfolio in excess of $500 million. The advisory fee is
          calculated and payable daily. Janus Capital has voluntarily agreed to
          cap the advisory fee of Growth Portfolio, Aggressive Growth Portfolio,
          Capital Appreciation Portfolio, International Growth Portfolio,
          Worldwide Growth Portfolio, Balanced Portfolio, Equity Income
          Portfolio and Growth and Income Portfolio at the effective rate of
          Janus Fund, Janus Enterprise Fund, Janus Olympus Fund, Janus Overseas
          Fund, Janus Worldwide Fund, Janus Balanced Fund, Janus Equity Income
          Fund and Janus Growth and Income Fund (the "retail funds"),
          respectively. The effective rate of each retail fund is the advisory
          fee calculated by such fund on the last day of each calendar quarter.
          If the assets of the corresponding retail fund exceed the assets of a
          Portfolio as of the last day of any calendar quarter, then the
          advisory fee payable by that Portfolio for the following calendar
          quarter will be a flat rate equal to such effective rate. The
          effective rate (annualized) of Janus Fund, Janus Enterprise Fund,
          Janus Olympus Fund, Janus Overseas Fund, Janus Worldwide Fund, Janus
          Balanced Fund, Janus Equity Income Fund and Janus Growth and Income
          Fund were 0.65%, 0.69%, 0.67%, 0.66%, 0.65%, 0.67%, 0.72% and 0.66%,
          respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 1999. Janus Capital has
          agreed to continue such reductions until at least the next annual
          renewal of the advisory agreements.
    
 
          In addition, Janus Capital has agreed to reimburse Equity Income
          Portfolio and Growth and Income Portfolio by the amount, if any, that
          such Portfolio's normal operating expenses in any fiscal year,
          including the investment advisory fee but excluding brokerage
          commissions, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses, exceed an
          annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio
          until at least the next annual renewal of the advisory agreements.
          Mortality risk, expense risk and other charges imposed by
          participating insurance companies are excluded from the above expense
          limitation.
 
                                                                              21
<PAGE>
 
          High-Yield Portfolio has agreed to compensate Janus Capital for its
          services by the monthly payment of a fee at the annual rate of .75% of
          the first $300 million of average daily net assets of the Portfolio
          and .65% of the average daily net assets in excess of $300 million.
          Flexible Income Portfolio has agreed to compensate Janus Capital for
          its services by the monthly payment of a fee at the annual rate of
          .65% of the first $300 million of the average daily net assets of the
          Portfolio, plus .55% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio
          in excess of $300 million. The fee is calculated and payable daily.
          Janus Capital has agreed to waive the advisory fee payable by each of
          these Portfolios in an amount equal to the amount, if any, that such
          Portfolio's normal operating expenses in any fiscal year, including
          the investment advisory fee but excluding brokerage commissions,
          interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses, exceed 1% of the average
          daily net assets for a fiscal year for Flexible Income Portfolio and
          High-Yield Portfolio. Mortality risk, expense risk and other charges
          imposed by participating insurance companies are excluded from the
          above expense limitation. Janus Capital has agreed to continue such
          waivers until at least the next annual renewal of the advisory
          agreements.
 
          The following table summarizes the advisory fees paid by the
          Portfolios and any advisory fee waivers for the periods indicated. The
          information below is for fiscal years ended December 31.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1998                          1997                         1996
                                            --------------------------    --------------------------   --------------------------
              Portfolio Name                Advisory Fees   Waivers(1)    Advisory Fees   Waivers(1)   Advisory Fees   Waivers(1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>          <C>             <C>
Growth Portfolio                             $ 5,144,931          --       $3,119,619           --      $1,410,362          --
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                  $ 4,159,741          --       $3,036,239           --      $2,102,177          --
Capital Appreciation Portfolio               $   181,285          --       $   12,832(2)   $ 9,172(2)           --          --
International Growth Portfolio               $ 1,547,572          --       $  645,307           --      $   55,211     $51,880
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                   $14,485,092          --       $7,532,715           --      $2,015,059          --
Balanced Portfolio                           $ 4,020,954          --       $1,348,363           --      $  344,791          --
Equity Income Portfolio                      $    42,337     $34,357       $    5,959(2)   $ 5,959(2,3)          --         --
Growth and Income Portfolio                  $    12,900     $12,900(3,4)          --           --              --          --
Flexible Income Portfolio                    $   563,148          --       $  237,601           --      $  116,279          --
High-Yield Portfolio                         $    24,691     $24,691(3)    $   11,790      $11,790(3)   $    2,304(5)  $ 2,304(3)(5)
</TABLE>
 
(1) In addition to these fee waivers, Janus Capital has agreed to reduce the
    advisory fee of the Growth, Aggressive Growth, Capital Appreciation,
    International Growth, Worldwide Growth, Balanced, Equity Income Growth and
    Income Portfolios to the extent that such fee exceeds the effective rate of
    the Janus retail fund corresponding to such Portfolio.
(2) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997.
(3) Fee waiver by Janus Capital exceeded the advisory fee.
(4) May 1, 1998 (inception) to December 31, 1998.
(5) May 1, 1996 (inception) to December 31, 1996.
 
          The Advisory Agreement for each of the Portfolios is dated July 1,
          1997 and will continue in effect from year to year so long as such
          continuance is approved annually by a majority of the Portfolios'
          Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreements or interested
          persons of any such party, and by either a majority of the outstanding
          voting shares or the Trustees of the Portfolios. Each Advisory
          Agreement (i) may be terminated without the payment of any penalty by
          any Portfolio or Janus Capital on 60 days' written notice; (ii)
          terminates automatically in the event of its assignment; and (iii)
          generally, may not be amended without the approval by vote of a
          majority of the Trustees of the affected Portfolio, including the
          Trustees who are not interested persons of that Portfolio or Janus
          Capital and, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, the vote of a
          majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Portfolio.
 
          Janus Capital acts as sub-adviser for a number of private-label mutual
          funds and provides separate account advisor services for institutional
          accounts. Investment decisions for each account managed by Janus
          Capital, including the Portfolios, are made independently from those
          for any other account that is or may
 
 22
<PAGE>
 
          in the future become managed by Janus Capital or its affiliates. If,
          however, a number of accounts managed by Janus Capital are
          contemporaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same
          security, the orders may be aggregated and/or the transactions may be
          averaged as to price and allocated equitably to each account. In some
          cases, this policy might adversely affect the price paid or received
          by an account or the size of the position obtained or liquidated for
          an account. Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the SEC, the
          Portfolios and other portfolios advised by Janus Capital may also
          transfer daily uninvested cash balances into one or more joint trading
          accounts. Assets in the joint trading accounts are invested in money
          market instruments and the proceeds are allocated to the participating
          portfolios on a pro rata basis.
 
          Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. ("KCSI") owns approximately 82%
          of the outstanding voting stock of Janus Capital, most of which it
          acquired in 1984. KCSI is a publicly traded holding company whose
          primary subsidiaries are engaged in transportation, information
          processing and financial services. Thomas H. Bailey, President and
          Chairman of the Board of Janus Capital, owns approximately 12% of its
          voting stock and, by agreement with KCSI, selects a majority of Janus
          Capital's Board.
 
          KCSI has announced its intention to separate its transportation and
          financial services businesses. KCSI is currently studying alternatives
          for completion of the separation that meet its business objectives
          without risking adverse tax consequences. KCSI expects completion of
          the separation to be contemplated in 1999.
 
          Each account managed by Janus Capital has its own investment objective
          and policies and is managed accordingly by a particular portfolio
          manager or team of portfolio managers. As a result, from time to time
          two or more different managed accounts may pursue divergent investment
          strategies with respect to investments or categories of investments.
 
          Janus Capital does not permit the Portfolios' portfolio managers to
          purchase and sell securities for their own accounts except under the
          limited exceptions contained in Janus Capital's policy regarding
          personal investing by directors/Trustees, officers and employees of
          Janus Capital and the Trust. The policy requires investment personnel
          and officers of Janus Capital, inside directors/Trustees of Janus
          Capital and the Portfolios and other designated persons deemed to have
          access to current trading information to pre-clear all transactions in
          securities not otherwise exempt under the policy. Requests for trading
          authority will be denied when, among other reasons, the proposed
          personal transaction would be contrary to the provisions of the policy
          or would be deemed to adversely affect any transaction then known to
          be under consideration for or to have been effected on behalf of any
          client account, including the Portfolios.
 
          In addition to the pre-clearance requirement described above, the
          policy subjects investment personnel, officers and directors/Trustees
          of Janus Capital and the Trust to various trading restrictions and
          reporting obligations. All reportable transactions are required to be
          reviewed for compliance with Janus Capital's policy. Those persons
          also may be required under certain circumstances to forfeit their
          profits made from personal trading.
 
          The provisions of the policy are administered by and subject to
          exceptions authorized by Janus Capital.
 
                                                                              23
<PAGE>
Custodian, transfer agent and certain affiliations
 
          State Street Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 0351, Boston,
          Massachusetts 02117-0351 is the custodian of the domestic securities
          and cash of the Portfolios. State Street and the foreign subcustodians
          it selects, have custody of the assets of the Portfolios held outside
          the U.S. and cash incidental thereto. The custodians and subcustodians
          hold the Portfolios' assets in safekeeping and collect and remit the
          income thereon, subject to the instructions of each Portfolio.
 
          Janus Service Corporation, P.O. Box 173375, Denver, Colorado
          80217-3375, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Janus Capital, is the
          Portfolios' transfer agent. In addition, Janus Service provides
          certain other administrative, recordkeeping and shareholder relations
          services to the Portfolios. Janus Service is not compensated for its
          services related to the Shares, except for out-of-pocket costs.
 
          The Portfolios pay DST Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of KCSI, license
          fees at the rate of $3.06 per shareholder account for the growth and
          combination portfolios and $3.98 per shareholder account for the
          fixed-income portfolios for the use of DST's shareholder accounting
          system. The Portfolios also pay DST $1.10 per closed shareholder
          account. The Portfolios pay DST for the use of its portfolio and fund
          accounting system a monthly base fee of $250 to $1,250 per month based
          on the number of Janus funds using the system and an asset charge of
          $1 per million dollars of net assets (not to exceed $500 per month).
 
          The Trustees have authorized the Portfolios to use another affiliate
          of DST as introducing broker for certain Portfolio transactions as a
          means to reduce Portfolio expenses through credits against the charges
          of DST and its affiliates with regard to commissions earned by such
          affiliate. DST charges shown above are net of such credits. See
          "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage."
 
          Janus Distributors, Inc., 100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado
          80206-4928, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Janus Capital, is a
          distributor of the Portfolios. Janus Distributors is registered as a
          broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a
          member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
 24
<PAGE>
Portfolio transactions and brokerage
 
          Decisions as to the assignment of portfolio business for the
          Portfolios and negotiation of its commission rates are made by Janus
          Capital whose policy is to obtain the "best execution" (prompt and
          reliable execution at the most favorable security price) of all
          portfolio transactions. The Portfolios may trade foreign securities in
          foreign countries because the best available market for these
          securities is often on foreign exchanges. In transactions on foreign
          stock exchanges, brokers' commissions are frequently fixed and are
          often higher than in the United States, where commissions are
          negotiated.
 
          In selecting brokers and dealers and in negotiating commissions, Janus
          Capital considers a number of factors, including but not limited to:
          Janus Capital's knowledge of currently available negotiated commission
          rates or prices of securities currently available and other current
          transaction costs; the nature of the security being traded; the size
          and type of the transaction; the nature and character of the markets
          for the security to be purchased or sold; the desired timing of the
          trade; the activity existing and expected in the market for the
          particular security; confidentiality; the quality of the execution,
          clearance and settlement services; financial stability of the broker
          or dealer; the existence of actual or apparent operational problems of
          any broker or dealer; rebates of commissions by a broker to a
          Portfolio or to a third party service provider to the Portfolio to pay
          Portfolio expenses; and research products or services provided. In
          recognition of the value of the foregoing factors, Janus Capital may
          place portfolio transactions with a broker or dealer with whom it has
          negotiated a commission that is in excess of the commission another
          broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if
          Janus Capital determines in good faith that such amount of commission
          was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
          provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of either that
          particular transaction or of the overall responsibilities of Janus
          Capital. Research may include furnishing advice, either directly or
          through publications or writings, as to the value of securities, the
          advisability of purchasing or selling specific securities and the
          availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities;
          furnishing seminars, information, analyses and reports concerning
          issuers, industries, securities, trading markets and methods,
          legislative developments, changes in accounting practices, economic
          factors and trends and portfolio strategy; access to research
          analysts, corporate management personnel, industry experts, economists
          and government officials; comparative performance evaluation and
          technical measurement services and quotation services, and products
          and other services (such as third party publications, reports and
          analyses, and computer and electronic access, equipment, software,
          information and accessories that deliver, process or otherwise utilize
          information, including the research described above) that assist Janus
          Capital in carrying out its responsibilities. Research received from
          brokers or dealers is supplemental to Janus Capital's own research
          efforts. Most brokers and dealers used by Janus Capital provide
          research and other services described above.
 
                                                                              25
<PAGE>
 
          For the year ended December 31, 1998, the total brokerage commissions
          paid by the Portfolios to brokers and dealers in transactions
          identified for execution primarily on the basis of research and other
          services provided to the Portfolios are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Portfolio Name                         Commissions   Transactions
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                              $ 413,532     $417,034,639
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                   $ 486,104     $392,999,344
Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                $   6,456     $  8,627,008
International Growth Portfolio                                $  67,747     $ 21,378,002
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                    $ 650,580     $258,735,559
Balanced Portfolio                                            $  91,836     $ 76,576,730
Equity Income Portfolio                                       $   1,272     $  1,058,786
Growth and Income Portfolio                                   $     642     $    627,984
</TABLE>
 
Note: Portfolios that are not included in the table did not pay any commissions
      related to research for the stated period.
 
          Janus Capital may use research products and services in servicing
          other accounts in addition to the Portfolios. If Janus Capital
          determines that any research product or service has a mixed use, such
          that it also serves functions that do not assist in the investment
          decision-making process, Janus Capital may allocate the costs of such
          service or product accordingly. Only that portion of the product or
          service that Janus Capital determines will assist it in the investment
          decision-making process may be paid for in brokerage commission
          dollars. Such allocation may create a conflict of interest for Janus
          Capital.
 
          Janus Capital does not enter into agreements with any brokers
          regarding the placement of securities transactions because of the
          research services they provide. It does, however, have an internal
          procedure for allocating transactions in a manner consistent with its
          execution policy to brokers that it has identified as providing
          superior executions and research, research-related products or
          services which benefit its advisory clients, including the Portfolios.
          Research products and services incidental to effecting securities
          transactions furnished by brokers or dealers may be used in servicing
          any or all of Janus Capital's clients and such research may not
          necessarily be used by Janus Capital in connection with the accounts
          which paid commissions to the broker-dealer providing such research
          products and services.
 
          Janus Capital may consider sales of Portfolio Shares or shares of
          other Janus funds by a broker-dealer or the recommendation of a
          broker-dealer to its customers that they purchase Portfolio Shares as
          a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute Portfolio
          transactions. Janus Capital may also consider payments made by brokers
          effecting transactions for a Portfolio (i) to the Portfolio or (ii) to
          other persons on behalf of the Portfolio for services provided to the
          Portfolio for which it would be obligated to pay. In placing Portfolio
          business with such broker-dealers, Janus Capital will seek the best
          execution of each transaction.
 
          When the Portfolios purchase or sell a security in the
          over-the-counter market, the transaction takes place directly with a
          principal market-maker, without the use of a broker, except in those
          circumstances where in the opinion of Janus Capital better prices and
          executions will be achieved through the use of a broker.
 
          The Portfolios' Trustees have authorized Janus Capital to place
          transactions with DST Securities, Inc. ("DSTS"), a wholly-owned
          broker-dealer subsidiary of DST. Janus Capital may do so if it
          reasonably believes that the quality of the transaction and the
          associated commission are fair and reasonable and if, overall, the
          associated transaction costs, net of any credits described above under
          "Custodian, Transfer Agent and Certain Affiliations," are lower than
          those that would otherwise be incurred.
 
 26
<PAGE>
 
          The following table lists the total amount of brokerage commissions
          paid by each Portfolio for the fiscal periods ending on December 31st
          of each year:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio Name                                                   1998          1997         1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>          <C>
Growth Portfolio                                              $1,062,104    $1,249,908   $  415,247
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                   $1,157,439    $  974,825   $  616,051
Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                $   39,464    $    2,570(2)       N/A
International Growth Portfolio                                $  810,115    $  512,690   $   49,472
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                    $5,334,034    $4,223,192   $1,332,024
Balanced Portfolio                                            $  337,008    $  408,226   $   86,264
Equity Income Portfolio                                       $    6,415    $    1,055(2)       N/A
Growth and Income Portfolio                                   $    3,844(1)        N/A          N/A
Flexible Income Portfolio                                     $    4,050    $    2,841   $        0
High-Yield Portfolio                                          $      679    $      103   $      186(3)
</TABLE>
 
(1) May 1, 1998 (inception) to December 31, 1998.
(2) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997.
(3) May 1, 1996 (inception) to December 31, 1996.
NOTE: Portfolios that are not included in the table did not pay brokerage
      commissions because securities transactions for such Portfolios involved
      dealers acting as principals.
 
          Included in such brokerage commissions are the following amounts paid
          to DSTS, which served to reduce each Portfolio's out-of-pocket
          expenses as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Commission Paid
                                                              through DSTS for the
                                                                  Period Ended       Reduction of    % of Total     % of Total
                       Portfolio Name                          December 31, 1998*     Expenses*     Commissions+   Transactions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                    <C>            <C>            <C>
Growth Portfolio                                                     $6,937             $5,203         0.65%           0.49%
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                          $9,626             $7,219         0.83%           0.60%
Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                       $   --             $   --           --%             --%
International Growth Portfolio                                       $   --             $   --           --%             --%
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                           $   --             $   --           --%             --%
Balanced Portfolio                                                   $   --             $   --           --%             --%
Equity Income Portfolio                                              $    7             $    6         0.12%           0.08%
Growth and Income Portfolio                                          $   --             $   --           --%             --%
</TABLE>
 
* The difference between commissions paid to DSTS and expenses reduced
  constitute commissions paid to an unaffiliated clearing broker.
+ Differences in the percentage of total commissions versus the percentage of
  total transactions are due, in part, to variations among share prices and
  number of shares traded, while average price per share commission rates were
  substantially the same.
NOTE: Portfolios that did not execute trades with DSTS during the periods
      indicated are not included in the table.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Commission Paid                           Commission
                                                      through DSTS for the                    Paid through DSTS
                                                          Period Ended       Reduction of    for the Period Ended     Reduction
                   Portfolio Name                      December 31, 1997*     Expenses*       October 31, 1996*      of Expenses*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                    <C>            <C>                      <C>
Growth Portfolio                                             $2,819             $ 2114              $4,645              $3,484
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                  $6,780             $5,085              $1,929              $1,447
International Growth Portfolio                               $   --             $   --              $   67              $   51
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                   $6,697             $5,023              $6,189              $4,642
Balanced Portfolio                                           $  391             $  293              $2,565              $1,924
Equity Income Portfolio                                      $   15             $   11              $   --              $   --
</TABLE>
 
* The difference between commissions paid through DSTS and expenses reduced
  constitute commissions paid to an unaffiliated clearing broker.
NOTE: Portfolios that did not execute trades with DSTS during the periods
      indicated are not included in the table.
 
                                                                              27
<PAGE>
 
          As of December 31, 1998, certain Portfolios owned securities of their
          regular broker-dealers (or parents), as shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Value of
                                                                       Name of              Securities
Portfolio Name                                                     Broker-Dealer              Owned
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                              Charles Schwab Corporation    $30,555,043
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                   Charles Schwab Corporation    $13,697,389
Balanced Portfolio                                            Charles Schwab Corporation    $24,251,649
Equity Income Portfolio                                       Charles Schwab Corporation       $379,659
Growth and Income Portfolio                                   Charles Schwab Corporation        $63,211
</TABLE>
 
 28
<PAGE>
Trustees and officers
 
          The following are the names of the Trustees and officers of the Trust,
          together with a brief description of their principal occupations
          during the last five years.
 
Thomas H. Bailey, Age 61 - Trustee, Chairman and President*#
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee, Chairman and President of Janus Investment Fund. Chairman,
          Chief Executive Officer, Director and President of Janus Capital.
          Director of Janus Distributors, Inc.
 
James P. Craig, III, Age 42 - Trustee and Executive Vice President*#
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee and Executive Vice President of Janus Investment Fund. Chief
          Investment Officer, Vice Chairman and Director of Janus Capital.
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Growth Portfolio and
          Janus Fund. Executive Vice President and Co-Manager of Janus Venture
          Fund.
 
William D. Stewart, Age 54 - Trustee#
5330 Sterling Drive
Boulder, CO 80302
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund. President of HPS Division of MKS
          Instruments, Boulder, CO (manufacturer of vacuum fittings and valves).
 
Gary O. Loo, Age 58  - Trustee#
102 N. Cascade, Suite 500
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund. President and Director of High
          Valley Group, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO (investments).
 
Dennis B. Mullen, Age 55 - Trustee
7500 E. McCormick Parkway, #24
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund. Private Investor. Formerly
          (1997-1998), Chief Financial Officer-Boston Market Concepts, Boston
          Chicken, Inc., Golden, CO (restaurant chain); (1993-1997), President
          and Chief Executive Officer of BC Northwest, L.P., a franchise of
          Boston Chicken, Inc., Bellevue, WA (restaurant chain).
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
#Member of the Trust's Executive Committee.
 
                                                                              29
<PAGE>
 
Martin H. Waldinger, Age 60 - Trustee
4940 Sandshore Court
San Diego, CA 92130
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund. Private Consultant. Formerly
          (1993-1996), Director of Run Technologies, Inc., a software
          development firm, San Carlos, CA.
 
James T. Rothe, Age 55 - Trustee
102 South Tejon Street, Suite 1100
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund. Professor of Business, University of
          Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO. Principal, Phillips-Smith Retail
          Group, Colorado Springs, CO (a venture capital firm). Formerly (1986-
          1994), Dean of the College of Business, University of Colorado,
          Colorado Springs, CO.
 
Laurence J. Chang, Age 33 - Executive Vice President, Co-Portfolio Manager
International Growth Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Co-Manager and Assistant Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment Fund+.
 
David J. Corkins, Age 32 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager Growth
and Income Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President of Janus Investment Fund. Formerly,
          (1995-1997), research analyst at Janus Capital and (1993-1995), Chief
          Financial Officer of Chase U.S. Consumer Services, Inc., a Chase
          Manhattan mortgage business.
 
James P. Goff, Age 35 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager of
Aggressive Growth Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment
          Fund. Vice President of Janus Capital.
 
Helen Young Hayes, Age 36 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager
Worldwide Growth Portfolio, Co-Manager International Growth Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Co-Manager of Janus
          Investment Fund. Vice President of Janus Capital.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
+Includes comparable office with various Janus funds that were reorganized into
 Janus Investment Fund on August 7, 1992.
 
 30
<PAGE>
 
Blaine P. Rollins, Age 32 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager of
Equity Income and Balanced Portfolios*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment
          Fund. Vice President of Janus Capital. Formerly, fixed-income trader
          and equity securities analyst at Janus Capital (1990-1995).
 
Sandy R. Rufenacht, Age 34 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager of
High-Yield Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment
          Fund. Vice President of Janus Capital. Formerly, senior accountant,
          fixed-income trader and fixed-income research analyst at Janus Capital
          (1990-1995).
 
Ronald V. Speaker, age 34 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager of
Flexible Income Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment
          Fund+. Vice President of Janus Capital.
 
Scott W. Schoelzel, Age 40 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager of
Capital Appreciation Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment
          Fund. Vice President of Janus Capital.
 
Thomas A. Early, Age 44 - Vice President and General Counsel*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Vice President and General Counsel of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President, General Counsel and Secretary of Janus Capital. Vice
          President and General Counsel of Janus Service Corporation, Janus
          Distributors, Inc. and Janus Capital International, Ltd. Director of
          Janus World Funds Plc. Formerly (1997 to 1998), Executive Vice
          President and General Counsel of Prudential Investments Fund
          Management LLC, Newark, New Jersey. Formerly (1994 to 1997), Vice
          President and General Counsel of Prudential Retirement Services,
          Newark, New Jersey. Formerly (1988 to 1994), Associate General Counsel
          and Chief Financial Services Counsel, Frank Russell Company, Tacoma,
          Washington.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Includes comparable office with various Janus funds that were reorganized into
 Janus Investment Fund on August 7, 1992.
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
 
                                                                              31
<PAGE>
 
Steven R. Goodbarn, Age 41 - Vice President and Chief Financial Officer*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Investment Fund+.
          Vice President of Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of
          Janus Capital, Janus Service Corporation, and Janus Distributors, Inc.
          Director of Janus Service Corporation, Janus Distributors, Inc. and
          Janus World Funds Plc. Director, Treasurer and Vice President of
          Finance of Janus Capital International Ltd. Formerly (1992-1996),
          Treasurer of Janus Investment Fund and Janus Aspen Series.
 
Glenn P. O'Flaherty, Age 40 - Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer*
100 Fillmore Street, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President of Janus Capital. Formerly (1991-1997), Director of Fund
          Accounting, Janus Capital.
 
Stephen Lamar Stieneker, Age 40 - Assistant Vice President and Secretary*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Assistant Vice President and Secretary of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President of Compliance, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant
          General Counsel of Janus Capital.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
 
          The Trustees are responsible for major decisions relating to each
          Portfolio's objective, policies and techniques. The Trustees also
          supervise the operation of the Portfolios by their officers and review
          the investment decisions of the officers although they do not actively
          participate on a regular basis in making such decisions.
 
          The Trust's Executive Committee shall have and may exercise all the
          powers and authority of the Trustees except for matters requiring
          action by all Trustees pursuant to the Trust's Bylaws or Trust
          Instrument, Delaware law or the 1940 Act.
 
 32
<PAGE>
 
          The following table shows the aggregate compensation paid to each
          Trustee by the Portfolios and all funds advised and sponsored by Janus
          Capital (collectively, the "Janus Funds") for the periods indicated.
          None of the Trustees receive pension or retirement benefits from the
          Portfolios or the Janus Funds.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Aggregate Compensation       Total Compensation
                                                              from the Portfolios for   from the Janus Funds for
                                                                 fiscal year ended         calendar year ended
Name of Person, Position                                         December 31, 1998         December 31, 1998**
<S>                                                           <C>                       <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas H. Bailey, Chairman and Trustee*                               $    0                     $     0
James P. Craig, III, Trustee*                                         $    0                     $     0
William D. Stewart, Trustee                                           $5,426                     $82,000
Gary O. Loo, Trustee                                                  $4,432                     $74,000
Dennis B. Mullen, Trustee                                             $4,801                     $82,000
Martin H. Waldinger, Trustee                                          $4,883                     $74,000
James T. Rothe, Trustee                                               $4,941                     $82,000
</TABLE>
 
 * An interested person of the Portfolios and of Janus Capital. Compensated by
   Janus Capital and not the Portfolios.
** As of December 31, 1998, Janus Funds consisted of two registered investment
   companies comprised of a total of 32 funds.
 
                                                                              33
<PAGE>
Shares of the trust
 
NET ASSET VALUE DETERMINATION
 
          As stated in the Prospectus, the net asset value ("NAV") of the Shares
          of each Portfolio is determined once each day on which the NYSE is
          open, at the close of its regular trading session (normally 4:00 p.m.,
          New York time, Monday through Friday). The NAV of the Shares of each
          Portfolio is not determined on days the NYSE is closed (generally, New
          Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,
          Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and
          Christmas). The per Share NAV of the Shares of each Portfolio is
          determined by dividing the total value of a Portfolio's securities and
          other assets, less liabilities, attributable to the Shares of a
          Portfolio, by the total number of Shares outstanding. In determining
          NAV, securities listed on an Exchange, the NASDAQ National Market and
          foreign markets are valued at the closing prices on such markets, or
          if such price is lacking for the trading period immediately preceding
          the time of determination, such securities are valued at their current
          bid price. Municipal securities held by the Portfolios are traded
          primarily in the over-the-counter market. Valuations of such
          securities are furnished by one or more pricing services employed by
          the Portfolios and are based upon last trade or closing sales prices
          or a computerized matrix system or appraisals obtained by a pricing
          service, in each case in reliance upon information concerning market
          transactions and quotations from recognized municipal securities
          dealers. Other securities that are traded on the over-the-counter
          market are valued at their closing bid prices. Foreign securities and
          currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in
          effect at the close of the NYSE. Each Portfolio will determine the
          market value of individual securities held by it, by using prices
          provided by one or more professional pricing services which may
          provide market prices to other funds, or, as needed, by obtaining
          market quotations from independent broker-dealers. Short-term
          securities maturing within 60 days are valued on an amortized cost
          basis. Securities for which quotations are not readily available, and
          other assets, are valued at fair values determined in good faith under
          procedures established by and under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
          Trading in securities on European and Far Eastern securities exchanges
          and over-the-counter markets is normally completed well before the
          close of business on each business day in New York (i.e., a day on
          which the NYSE is open). In addition, European or Far Eastern
          securities trading generally or in a particular country or countries
          may not take place on all business days in New York. Furthermore,
          trading takes place in Japanese markets on certain Saturdays and in
          various foreign markets on days which are not business days in New
          York and on which a Portfolio's NAV is not calculated. A Portfolio
          calculates its NAV per Share, and therefore effects sales, redemptions
          and repurchases of its Shares, as of the close of the NYSE once on
          each day on which the NYSE is open. Such calculation may not take
          place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the
          foreign portfolio securities used in such calculation.
 
PURCHASES
 
          Shares of the Portfolios can be purchased only by (i) the separate
          accounts of participating insurance companies for the purpose of
          funding variable insurance contracts and (ii) certain qualified
          retirement plans. Participating insurance companies and certain other
          designated organizations are authorized to receive purchase orders on
          the Portfolios' behalf and those organizations are authorized to
          designate their agents and affiliates as intermediaries to receive
          purchase orders. Purchase orders are deemed received by a Portfolio
          when authorized organizations, their agents or affiliates receive the
          order. The Portfolios are not responsible for the failure of any
          designated organization or its agents or affiliates to carry out its
          obligations to its customers. Shares of the Portfolios are purchased
          at the NAV per Share as determined at the close of the regular trading
          session of the NYSE next occurring after a purchase order is received
          and accepted by a Portfolio or its authorized agent. In order to
          receive a day's price, your order must be received by the close of the
          regular trading session of the NYSE as described above in "Net Asset
          Value
 
 34
<PAGE>
 
          Determination." The prospectus for your insurance company's separate
          account or your plan documents contain detailed information about
          investing in the different Portfolios.
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
          Redemptions, like purchases, may only be effected through the separate
          accounts of participating insurance companies or qualified retirement
          plans. Certain designated organizations are authorized to receive
          redemption orders on the Portfolios' behalf and those organizations
          are authorized to designate their agents and affiliates as
          intermediaries to receive redemption orders. Redemption orders are
          deemed received by a Portfolio when authorized organizations, their
          agents or affiliates receive the order. The Portfolios are not
          responsible for the failure of any designated organization or its
          agents or affiliates to carry out its obligations to its customers.
          Shares normally will be redeemed for cash, although each Portfolio
          retains the right to redeem its Shares in kind under unusual
          circumstances, in order to protect the interests of remaining
          shareholders, by delivery of securities selected from its assets at
          its discretion. However, the Portfolios are governed by Rule 18f-1
          under the 1940 Act, which requires each Portfolio to redeem shares
          solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the NAV of that
          Portfolio during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. Should
          redemptions by any shareholder exceed such limitation, a Portfolio
          will have the option of redeeming the excess in cash or in kind. If
          shares are redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might incur
          brokerage costs in converting the assets to cash. The method of
          valuing securities used to make redemptions in kind will be the same
          as the method of valuing portfolio securities described under "Shares
          of the Trust - Net Asset Value Determination" and such valuation will
          be made as of the same time the redemption price is determined.
 
          The right to require the Portfolios to redeem their shares may be
          suspended, or the date of payment may be postponed, whenever (1)
          trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the SEC, or the
          NYSE is closed except for holidays and weekends, (2) the SEC permits
          such suspension and so orders, or (3) an emergency exists as
          determined by the SEC so that disposal of securities or determination
          of NAV is not reasonably practicable.
 
                                                                              35
<PAGE>
Income dividends, capital gains distributions and tax status
 
          It is a policy of the Shares of the Portfolios to make semiannual
          distributions in June and December of substantially all of their
          respective investment income and an annual distribution in June of
          their respective net realized gains, if any. The Portfolios intend to
          qualify as regulated investment companies by satisfying certain
          requirements prescribed by Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code
          ("Code"). In addition, each Portfolio intends to comply with the
          diversification requirements of Code Section 817(h) related to the
          tax-deferred status of insurance company separate accounts.
 
          All income dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, on a
          Portfolio's Shares are reinvested automatically in additional Shares
          of that Portfolio at the NAV determined on the first business day
          following the record date.
 
          The Portfolios may purchase securities of certain foreign corporations
          considered to be passive foreign investment companies by the IRS. In
          order to avoid taxes and interest that must be paid by the Portfolios
          if these instruments appreciate in value, the Portfolios may make
          various elections permitted by the tax laws. However, these elections
          could require that the Portfolios recognize taxable income, which in
          turn must be distributed, before the securities are sold and before
          cash is received to pay the distributions.
 
          Some foreign securities purchased by the Portfolios may be subject to
          foreign taxes which could reduce the yield on such securities. The
          amount of such foreign taxes is expected to be insignificant. The
          Portfolios may from year to year make the election permitted under
          Section 853 of the Code to pass through such taxes to shareholders. If
          such election is not made, any foreign taxes paid or accrued will
          represent an expense to each Portfolio which will reduce its
          investment company taxable income.
 
          Because Shares of the Portfolios can only be purchased through
          variable insurance contracts or qualified plans, it is anticipated
          that any income dividends or capital gains distributions will be
          exempt from current taxation if left to accumulate within such
          contracts or plans. See the prospectus for the separate account of the
          related insurance company or the plan documents for additional
          information.
 
 36
<PAGE>
Principal shareholders
 
   
          The officers and Trustees of the Portfolios cannot directly own Shares
          of the Portfolios without purchasing an insurance contract through one
          of the participating insurance companies or through a qualified plan.
          As a result, such officers and Trustees as a group own less than 1% of
          the outstanding Shares of each Portfolio. As of April 1, 1999, all of
          the outstanding Shares of the Portfolios were owned by certain
          insurance company separate accounts or qualified plans. The percentage
          ownership of each separate account or plan owning more than 5% of the
          Shares of any Portfolio is as follows:
 
          Aetna Life & Casualty Company, 151 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT
          06156, owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of the
          Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Held by Aetna Life & Casualty
Portfolio Name                                                           Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                                          30.37%
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                               65.38%
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                                44.48%
Balanced Portfolio                                                        32.55%
Flexible Income Portfolio                                                 46.96%
</TABLE>
 
          ADP, 1 ADP Boulevard, Roseland, NJ 07068, owned of record 5% or more
          of the outstanding Shares of the Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio Name                                                         Held by ADP
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
International Growth Portfolio                                            14.83%
</TABLE>
 
          American United Life Insurance Company, One American Square, Suite
          209, Indianapolis, IN 46282, owned of record 5% or more of the
          outstanding Shares of the Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Held by American United
Portfolio Name                                                   Life Insurance Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Flexible Income Portfolio                                                 12.44%
</TABLE>
 
          Kemper Investors Life Insurance Company, 1 Kemper Drive T-1, Long
          Grove, IL 60049, owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares
          of the Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Held by Kemper Investors Life
Portfolio Name                                                      Insurance Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                                           6.58%
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                                 5.74%
Balanced Portfolio                                                         6.94%
Growth and Income Portfolio                                               46.01%
</TABLE>
 
          The Life Insurance Company of Virginia, 6610 West Broad Street,
          Richmond, VA 23230, owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding
          Shares of the Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Held by The Life Insurance
Portfolio Name                                                     Company of Virginia
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                                          28.18%
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                               16.45%
Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                            59.98%
International Growth Portfolio                                            24.69%
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                                17.47%
Balanced Portfolio                                                        19.65%
Flexible Income Portfolio                                                 25.94%
</TABLE>
    
 
                                                                              37
<PAGE>
 
   
          Lincoln Benefit Life Company, P.O. Box 82532, Lincoln, NE 68501, owned
          of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of the Portfolios, as
          follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Held by Lincoln Benefit
Portfolio Name                                                        Life Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                                           6.41%
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                                6.00%
Flexible Income Portfolio                                                  9.79%
</TABLE>
 
          National Integrity Life Insurance Company, 515 West Market Street, 8th
          Floor, Louisville, KY 40202, owned of record 5% or more of the
          outstanding Shares of the Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Held by National Integrity
Portfolio Name                                                      Insurance Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                            21.36%
Balanced Portfolio                                                         8.81%
</TABLE>
 
          New York Life Insurance & Annuity Corporation, Morris Corporate Center
          1, Building A, Parsippany, NJ 07054, owned of record 5% or more of the
          outstanding Shares of the Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Held by New York Life
                                                                   Insurance & Annuity
Portfolio Name                                                         Corporation
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                                 8.83%
Balanced Portfolio                                                        20.04%
</TABLE>
 
          Pruco Life Insurance Company, 100 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102,
          owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of the
          Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Held by Pruco
Portfolio Name                                                   Life Insurance Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                                          12.84%
International Growth Portfolio                                            47.87%
</TABLE>
 
          Western Reserve Life Assurance Co. of Ohio, 201 Highland Avenue,
          Clearwater, FL 34618, owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding
          Shares of the Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Held by Western Reserve Life
Portfolio Name                                                    Assurance Co. of Ohio
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                            18.64%
Equity Income Portfolio                                                     100%
Growth and Income Portfolio                                               53.86%
High-Yield Portfolio                                                        100%
</TABLE>
    
 
          No qualified plan owned more than 10% of the shares of the Trust as a
          whole.
 
          The Shares held by the separate accounts of each insurance company,
          including Shares for which no voting instructions have been received,
          will be voted by each insurance company in proportion to instructions
          received from contract owners.
 
 38
<PAGE>
Miscellaneous information
 
          Each Portfolio is a series of the Trust, an open-end management
          investment company registered under the 1940 Act and organized as a
          Delaware business trust on May 20, 1993. As of the date of this SAI,
          the Trust is offering eleven series of shares, known as "Portfolios,"
          each of which consists of two classes of shares. Additional series
          and/or classes may be created from time to time.
 
SHARES OF THE TRUST
 
          The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of
          beneficial interest with a par value of $.001 per share for each
          series of the Trust. Shares of each Portfolio are fully paid and
          nonassessable when issued. Shares of a Portfolio participate equally
          in dividends and other distributions by the shares of such Portfolio,
          and in residual assets of that Portfolio in the event of liquidation.
          Shares of each Portfolio have no preemptive, conversion or
          subscription rights.
 
          The Portfolios each offer two classes of shares. The Shares discussed
          in this SAI are offered only in connection with investment in and
          payments under variable insurance contracts and to qualified
          retirement plans. A second class of shares, Retirement Shares, is
          offered only to certain participant directed qualified plans whose
          service providers require a fee from the Trust assets for providing
          certain services to plan participants.
 
SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
 
          The Trust does not intend to hold annual shareholder meetings.
          However, special meetings may be called for a specific Portfolio or
          for the Trust as a whole for purposes such as electing or removing
          Trustees, terminating or reorganizing the Trust, changing fundamental
          policies, or for any other purpose requiring a shareholder vote under
          the 1940 Act. Separate votes are taken by each Portfolio or class only
          if a matter affects or requires the vote of only that Portfolio or
          class or that Portfolio's or class' interest in the matter differs
          from the interest of other Portfolios of the Trust. Shareholder is
          entitled to one vote for each Share owned.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
          A participating insurance company issuing a variable insurance
          contract will vote shares in the separate account as required by law
          and interpretations thereof, as may be amended or changed from time to
          time. In accordance with current law and interpretations, a
          participating insurance company is required to request voting
          instructions from policy owners and must vote shares in the separate
          account, including shares for which no instructions have been
          received, in proportion to the voting instructions received.
          Additional information may be found in the participating insurance
          company's separate account prospectus.
 
          The Trustees are responsible for major decisions relating to each
          Portfolio's policies and objectives; the Trustees oversee the
          operation of each Portfolio by its officers and review the investment
          decisions of the officers.
 
          The present Trustees were elected by the initial trustee of the Trust
          on May 25, 1993, and were approved by the initial shareholder on May
          25, 1993, with the exception of Mr. Craig and Mr. Rothe who were
          appointed by the Trustees as of June 30, 1995 and as of January 1,
          1997, respectively. Under the Trust Instrument, each Trustee will
          continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his earlier
          death, retirement, resignation, bankruptcy, incapacity or removal.
          Vacancies will be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees,
          subject to the 1940 Act. Therefore, no annual or regular meetings of
          shareholders normally will be held, unless otherwise required by the
          Trust Instrument or the 1940 Act. Subject to the foregoing,
          shareholders have the power to vote to elect or remove Trustees, to
          terminate or reorganize their
 
                                                                              39
<PAGE>
 
          Portfolio, to amend the Trust Instrument, to bring certain derivative
          actions and on any other matters on which a shareholder vote is
          required by the 1940 Act, the Trust Instrument, the Trust's Bylaws or
          the Trustees.
 
          As mentioned above in "Shareholder Meetings," each share of each
          portfolio of the Trust has one vote (and fractional votes for
          fractional shares). Shares of all portfolios of the Trust have
          noncumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than
          50% of the shares of all series of the Trust voting for the election
          of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so
          and, in such event, the holders of the remaining shares will not be
          able to elect any Trustees.
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 950 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2500,
          Denver, Colorado 80202, independent accountants for the Portfolios,
          audit the Portfolios' annual financial statements and prepare their
          tax returns.
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
          The Trust has filed with the SEC, Washington, D.C., a Registration
          Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect
          to the securities to which this SAI relates. If further information is
          desired with respect to the Portfolios or such securities, reference
          is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits filed as a part
          thereof.
 
 40
<PAGE>
Performance information
 
          Quotations of average annual total return for the Shares of a
          Portfolio will be expressed in terms of the average annual compounded
          rate of return of a hypothetical investment in the Shares of such
          Portfolio over periods of 1, 5, and 10 years (up to the life of the
          Portfolio). These are the annual total rates of return that would
          equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value.
          These rates of return are calculated pursuant to the following
          formula: P(1 + T)(n) = ERV (where P = a hypothetical initial payment
          of $1,000, T = the average annual total return, n = the number of
          years and ERV = the ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
          payment made at the beginning of the period). All total return figures
          reflect the deduction of a proportional share of expenses of the
          Shares of a Portfolio on an annual basis, and assume that all
          dividends and distributions are reinvested when paid. The average
          annual total return of the Shares of each Portfolio, computed as of
          December 31, 1998, is shown in the table below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Average Annual Total Return
                                                                Date        Number      -----------------------------------
                                                              Available    of Months      One     Five     Ten     Life of
                       Portfolio Name                         for Sale    in Lifetime    Year     Years   Years   Portfolio
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>           <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>
Growth Portfolio - Institutional Shares                        9/13/93       63.5        35.66%   21.41%   N/A      20.91%
Aggressive Growth Portfolio - Institutional Shares             9/13/93       63.5        34.26%   19.35%   N/A      21.96%
Capital Appreciation Portfolio - Institutional Shares           5/1/97         20        58.11%      N/A   N/A      51.65%
International Growth Portfolio - Institutional Shares           5/2/94         56        17.23%      N/A   N/A      18.87%
Worldwide Growth Portfolio - Institutional Shares              9/13/93       63.5        28.92%   21.32%   N/A      24.06%
Balanced Portfolio - Institutional Shares                      9/13/93       63.5        34.28%   19.11%   N/A      19.53%
Equity Income Portfolio - Institutional Shares                  5/1/97         20        46.24%      N/A   N/A      50.20%
Growth and Income Portfolio - Institutional Shares              5/1/98          8           N/A      N/A   N/A         N/A
Flexible Income Portfolio - Institutional Shares               9/13/93       63.5         9.11%   10.32%   N/A       9.87%
High-Yield Portfolio - Institutional Shares                     5/1/96         32         1.26%      N/A   N/A      10.97%
</TABLE>
 
          Yield quotations for a Portfolio's Shares are based on the investment
          income per Share earned during a particular 30-day period (including
          dividends, if any, and interest), less expenses accrued during the
          period ("net investment income"), and are computed by dividing net
          investment income by the net asset value per share on the last day of
          the period, according to the following formula:
 
                              YIELD = 2[(a - b + 1)(6) - 1]
                                         -----
                                          cd
 
          where a = dividend and interest income
                b = expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements)
                c = average daily number of shares outstanding during the period
                    that were entitled to receive dividends
                d = maximum net asset value per share on the last day of the
                    period
 
          The yield for the 30-day period ending December 31, 1998, for the
          Shares of the following Portfolios is shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Flexible Income Portfolio - Institutional Shares -              6.21%
High-Yield Portfolio - Institutional Shares -                   8.31%
</TABLE>
 
          From time to time in advertisements or sales material, the Portfolios
          may discuss their performance ratings or other information as
          published by recognized mutual fund statistical rating services,
          including, but not limited to, Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.,
          Ibbotson Associates, Micropal or Morningstar, Inc. or by publications
          of general interest such as Forbes, Money, The Wall Street Journal,
          Mutual Funds Magazine, Kiplinger's or Smart Money. The Portfolios may
          also compare their performance to that of other selected mutual funds
          (for example, peer groups created by Lipper or Morningstar), mutual
          fund averages or recognized stock market indicators, including, but
          not limited to, the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite
 
                                                                              41
<PAGE>
 
          Stock Price Index, the Standard & Poor's 400 Midcap Index, the Dow
          Jones Industrial Average, the Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate
          Bond Index, the Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate 1-3 Year Bond
          Index, the Lehman Brothers Long Government/Corporate Bond Index, the
          Lehman Brothers Intermediate Government Bond Index, the Lehman
          Brothers Municipal Bond Index, the Russell 2000 Index and the NASDAQ
          composite. In addition, the Portfolios may compare their total return
          or yield to the yield on U.S. Treasury obligations and to the
          percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. Worldwide Growth
          Portfolio and International Growth Portfolio may also compare their
          performance to the record of global market indicators, such as the
          Morgan Stanley International World Index or Morgan Stanley Capital
          International Europe, Australasia, Far East Index (EAFE Index). Such
          performance ratings or comparisons may be made with funds that may
          have different investment restrictions, objectives, policies or
          techniques than the Portfolios and such other funds or market
          indicators may be comprised of securities that differ significantly
          from the Portfolios' investments.
 
 42
<PAGE>
Financial statements
 
          The following audited financial statements for the period ended
          December 31, 1998 are hereby incorporated into this Statement of
          Additional Information by reference to the Portfolios' Annual Report
          dated December 31, 1998. A copy of such report accompanies this SAI.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO THE ANNUAL REPORT
 
          Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 1998
 
          Statements of Operations for the period ended December 31, 1998
 
          Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1998
 
          Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the periods ended December 31,
          1998 and 1997
 
          Financial Highlights for each of the periods indicated
 
          Notes to Financial Statements
 
          Report of Independent Accountants
 
          The portions of such Annual Report that are not specifically listed
          above are not incorporated by reference into this Statement of
          Additional Information and are not part of the Registration Statement.
 
                                                                              43
<PAGE>
Appendix A
 
EXPLANATION OF RATING CATEGORIES
 
          The following is a description of credit ratings issued by two of the
          major credit ratings agencies. Credit ratings evaluate only the safety
          of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of lower
          quality securities. Credit rating agencies may fail to change credit
          ratings to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis. Although Janus
          Capital considers security ratings when making investment decisions,
          it also performs its own investment analysis and does not rely solely
          on the ratings assigned by credit agencies.
 
STANDARD & POOR'S
RATINGS SERVICES
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Investment Grade
                AAA......................... Highest rating; extremely strong capacity to pay principal
                                             and interest.
                AA.......................... High quality; very strong capacity to pay principal and
                                             interest.
                A........................... Strong capacity to pay principal and interest; somewhat more
                                             susceptible to the adverse effects of changing circumstances
                                             and economic conditions.
                BBB......................... Adequate capacity to pay principal and interest; normally
                                             exhibit adequate protection parameters, but adverse economic
                                             conditions or changing circumstances more likely to lead to
                                             a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest than for
                                             higher rated bonds.
                Non-Investment Grade
                BB, B, CCC, CC, C........... Predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's
                                             capacity to meet required interest and principal payments.
                                             BB -- lowest degree of speculation; C -- the highest degree
                                             of speculation. Quality and protective characteristics
                                             outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposure to
                                             adverse conditions.
                D........................... In default.
</TABLE>
 
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Investment Grade
                Aaa......................... Highest quality, smallest degree of investment risk.
                Aa.......................... High quality; together with Aaa bonds, they compose the
                                             high-grade bond group.
                A........................... Upper-medium grade obligations; many favorable investment
                                             attributes.
                Baa......................... Medium-grade obligations; neither highly protected nor
                                             poorly secured. Interest and principal appear adequate for
                                             the present but certain protective elements may be lacking
                                             or may be unreliable over any great length of time.
                Non-Investment Grade
                Ba.......................... More uncertain, with speculative elements. Protection of
                                             interest and principal payments not well safeguarded during
                                             good and bad times.
                B........................... Lack characteristics of desirable investment; potentially
                                             low assurance of timely interest and principal payments or
                                             maintenance of other contract terms over time.
                Caa......................... Poor standing, may be in default; elements of danger with
                                             respect to principal or interest payments.
                Ca.......................... Speculative in a high degree; could be in default or have
                                             other marked shortcomings.
                C........................... Lowest-rated; extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
                                             investment standing.
</TABLE>
 
          Unrated securities will be treated as noninvestment grade securities
          unless the portfolio manager determines that such securities are the
          equivalent of investment grade securities. Securities that have
          received ratings from more than one agency are considered investment
          grade if at least one agency has rated the security investment grade.
 
 44
<PAGE>
 
                      This page intentionally left blank.
<PAGE>
 
        LOGO

            1-800-29JANUS
            100 Fillmore Street
            Denver, Colorado 80206-4928
            janus.com
 
            SCAI0599
<PAGE>
 
                                         LOGO
 
                 Janus Aspen Series
                 Retirement Shares
 
                     Growth Portfolio
                     Aggressive Growth Portfolio
                     Capital Appreciation Portfolio
                     International Growth Portfolio
                     Worldwide Growth Portfolio
                     Balanced Portfolio
                     Equity Income Portfolio
                     Growth and Income Portfolio
                     Flexible Income Portfolio
                     High-Yield Portfolio
 
                              100 Fillmore Street
                              Denver, CO 80206-4928
                              (800) 29JANUS
 
                              Statement of Additional Information
 
                              May 1, 1999
 
                 This Statement of Additional Information expands upon and
                 supplements the information contained in the current Prospectus
                 for the Retirement Shares (the "Shares") of the portfolios
                 listed above, each of which is a separate series of Janus Aspen
                 Series, a Delaware business trust. Each of these series of the
                 Trust represents shares of beneficial interest in a separate
                 portfolio of securities and other assets with its own objective
                 and policies. Each Portfolio is managed separately by Janus
                 Capital Corporation.
 
                 The Shares of the Portfolios may be purchased only by certain
                 participant directed qualified retirement plans. Each Portfolio
                 also offers a second class of shares to the separate account of
                 insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable life
                 insurance policies and variable annuity contracts and certain
                 other qualified retirement plans.
 
                 This SAI is not a Prospectus and should be read in conjunction
                 with the Portfolios' Prospectus dated May 1, 1999, which is
                 incorporated by reference into this SAI and may be obtained
                 from your plan sponsor. This SAI contains additional and more
                 detailed information about the Portfolios' operations and
                 activities than the Prospectus. The Annual Reports, which
                 contain important financial information about the Portfolios,
                 are incorporated by reference into this SAI and are also
                 available, without charge from your plan sponsor.
<PAGE>
 
    LOGO
<PAGE>
 
                                                               Table of contents
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                                                           <C>
                Classification, Portfolio Turnover, Investment Policies and
                Restrictions, and Investment Strategies and Risks...........    2
                Investment Adviser..........................................   21
                Custodian, Transfer Agent and Certain Affiliations..........   24
                Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage........................   26
                Trustees and Officers.......................................   30
                Shares of the Trust.........................................   35
                   Net Asset Value Determination............................   35
                   Purchases................................................   35
                   Distribution Plan........................................   36
                   Redemptions..............................................   36
                Income Dividends, Capital Gains Distributions and Tax
                Status......................................................   38
                Principal Shareholders......................................   39
                Miscellaneous Information...................................   41
                   Shares of the Trust......................................   41
                   Shareholder Meetings.....................................   41
                   Voting Rights............................................   41
                   Independent Accountants..................................   42
                   Registration Statement...................................   42
                Performance Information.....................................   43
                Financial Statements........................................   45
                Appendix A..................................................   46
                   Explanation of Rating Categories.........................   46
</TABLE>
 
                                                                               1
<PAGE>
Classification, portfolio turnover, investment policies and restrictions, and 
                investment strategies and risks
 
CLASSIFICATION
 
          Each Portfolio is a series of the Trust, an open-end, management
          investment company. The Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act")
          classifies mutual funds as either diversified or nondiversified.
          Aggressive Growth Portfolio and Capital Appreciation Portfolio are
          nondiversified funds. Each of these Portfolios reserves the right to
          become a diversified fund by limiting the investments in which more
          than 5% of its total assets are invested. Growth Portfolio,
          International Growth Portfolio, Worldwide Growth Portfolio, Balanced
          Portfolio, Equity Income Portfolio, Growth and Income Portfolio,
          Flexible Income Portfolio and High-Yield Portfolio are diversified
          funds.
 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
 
          The Prospectus includes a discussion of portfolio turnover policies.
          Portfolio turnover is calculated by dividing total purchases or sales,
          whichever is less, by the average monthly value of a Portfolio's
          securities. The following table summarizes the portfolio turnover
          rates for the fiscal periods indicated. The information below is for
          fiscal years ended December 31.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio Name                                                1998      1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
Growth Portfolio............................................   73%      122%
Aggressive Growth Portfolio.................................  132%      130%
Capital Appreciation Portfolio..............................   91%      101%(1)
International Growth Portfolio..............................   93%       86%
Worldwide Growth Portfolio..................................   77%       80%
Balanced Portfolio..........................................   70%      139%
Equity Income Portfolio.....................................   79%      128%(1)
Growth and Income Portfolio.................................   62%(2)   N/A
Flexible Income Portfolio...................................  145%      119%
High-Yield Portfolio........................................  301%      299%
</TABLE>
 
(1) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997, annualized.
(2) May 1, 1998 (inception) to December 31, 1998, annualized.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL PORTFOLIOS
 
          The Portfolios are subject to certain fundamental policies and
          restrictions that may not be changed without shareholder approval.
          Shareholder approval means approval by the lesser of (i) more than 50%
          of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust (or a particular
          Portfolio or particular class of shares if a matter affects just that
          Portfolio or that class of shares), or (ii) 67% or more of the voting
          securities present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the
          outstanding voting securities of the Trust (or a particular Portfolio
          or class of shares) are present or represented by proxy. As
          fundamental policies, each of the Portfolios may not:
 
          (1) Own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one
          issuer and, as to fifty percent (50%) of the value of the total assets
          of Aggressive Growth Portfolio and Capital Appreciation Portfolio and
          as to seventy-five percent (75%) of the value of the total assets of
          the other Portfolios, purchase the securities of any one issuer
          (except cash items and "government securities" as defined under the
          Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, if immediately after and
          as a result of such purchase, the value of the holdings of a Portfolio
          in the securities of such issuer exceeds 5% of the value of such
          Portfolio's total assets. With respect to the other 50% of the value
          of its total assets, Aggressive Growth Portfolio and Capital
          Appreciation Portfolio may invest in the securities of as few as two
          issuers.
 
          (2) Invest 25% or more of the value of their respective total assets
          in any particular industry (other than U.S. government securities).
 
 2
<PAGE>
 
          (3) Invest directly in real estate or interests in real estate;
          however, the Portfolios may own debt or equity securities issued by
          companies engaged in those businesses.
 
          (4) Purchase or sell physical commodities other than foreign
          currencies unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities (but
          this limitation shall not prevent the Portfolios from purchasing or
          selling options, futures, swaps and forward contracts or from
          investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical
          commodities).
 
          (5) Lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more
          than 25% of a Portfolio's total assets would be lent to other parties
          (but this limitation does not apply to purchases of commercial paper,
          debt securities or repurchase agreements).
 
          (6) Act as an underwriter of securities issued by others, except to
          the extent that a Portfolio may be deemed an underwriter in connection
          with the disposition of its portfolio securities.
 
          As a fundamental policy, each Portfolio may, notwithstanding any other
          investment policy or limitation (whether or not fundamental), invest
          all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end management
          investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment
          objective, policies and limitations as such Portfolio.
 
          The Trustees have adopted additional investment restrictions for the
          Portfolios. These restrictions are operating policies of the
          Portfolios and may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder
          approval. The additional investment restrictions adopted by the
          Trustees to date include the following:
 
          (a) A Portfolio will not (i) enter into any futures contracts and
          related options for purposes other than bona fide hedging transactions
          within the meaning of Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC")
          regulations if the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to
          establish positions in futures contracts and related options that do
          not fall within the definition of bona fide hedging transactions will
          exceed 5% of the fair market value of a Portfolio's net assets, after
          taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any
          such contracts it has entered into; and (ii) enter into any futures
          contracts if the aggregate amount of such Portfolio's commitments
          under outstanding futures contracts positions would exceed the market
          value of its total assets.
 
          (b) The Portfolios do not currently intend to sell securities short,
          unless they own or have the right to obtain securities equivalent in
          kind and amount to the securities sold short without the payment of
          any additional consideration therefor, and provided that transactions
          in futures, options, swaps and forward contracts are not deemed to
          constitute selling securities short.
 
          (c) The Portfolios do not currently intend to purchase securities on
          margin, except that the Portfolios may obtain such short-term credits
          as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, and provided that
          margin payments and other deposits in connection with transactions in
          futures, options, swaps and forward contracts shall not be deemed to
          constitute purchasing securities on margin.
 
          (d) A Portfolio may not mortgage or pledge any securities owned or
          held by such Portfolio in amounts that exceed, in the aggregate, 15%
          of that Portfolio's net asset value, provided that this limitation
          does not apply to reverse repurchase agreements, deposits of assets to
          margin, guarantee positions in futures, options, swaps or forward
          contracts, or the segregation of assets in connection with such
          contracts.
 
          (e) The Portfolios may borrow money for temporary or emergency
          purposes (not for leveraging or investment) in an amount not exceeding
          25% of the value of their respective total assets (including the
          amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings). If
          borrowings exceed 25% of the value of a
 
                                                                               3
<PAGE>
 
          Portfolio's total assets by reason of a decline in net assets, the
          Portfolio will reduce its borrowings within three business days to the
          extent necessary to comply with the 25% limitation. This policy shall
          not prohibit reverse repurchase agreements, deposits of assets to
          margin or guarantee positions in futures, options, swaps or forward
          contracts, or the segregation of assets in connection with such
          contracts.
 
          (f) The Portfolios do not currently intend to purchase any security or
          enter into a repurchase agreement, if as a result, more than 15% of
          their respective net assets would be invested in repurchase agreements
          not entitling the holder to payment of principal and interest within
          seven days and in securities that are illiquid by virtue of legal or
          contractual restrictions on resale or the absence of a readily
          available market. The Trustees, or the Portfolios' investment adviser
          acting pursuant to authority delegated by the Trustees, may determine
          that a readily available market exists for securities eligible for
          resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Rule
          144A Securities"), or any successor to such rule, Section 4(2)
          commercial paper and municipal lease obligations. Accordingly, such
          securities may not be subject to the foregoing limitation.
 
          (g) The Portfolios may not invest in companies for the purpose of
          exercising control of management.
 
          Under the terms of an exemptive order received from the Securities and
          Exchange Commission ("SEC"), each of the Portfolios may borrow money
          from or lend money to other funds that permit such transactions and
          for which Janus Capital serves as investment adviser. All such
          borrowing and lending will be subject to the above limits. A Portfolio
          will borrow money through the program only when the costs are equal to
          or lower than the cost of bank loans. Interfund loans and borrowings
          normally extend overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven
          days. A Portfolio will lend through the program only when the returns
          are higher than those available from other short-term instruments
          (such as repurchase agreements). A Portfolio may have to borrow from a
          bank at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not
          renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending Portfolio could result in
          a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
 
          For the purposes of these investment restrictions, the identification
          of the issuer of a municipal obligation depends on the terms and
          conditions of the security. When assets and revenues of a political
          subdivision are separate from those of the government that created the
          subdivision and the security is backed only by the assets and revenues
          of the subdivision, the subdivision is deemed to be the sole issuer.
          Similarly, in the case of an industrial development bond, if the bond
          is backed only by assets and revenues of a nongovernmental user, then
          the nongovernmental user would be deemed to be the sole issuer. If,
          however, in either case, the creating government or some other entity
          guarantees the security, the guarantee would be considered a separate
          security that would be treated as an issue of the guaranteeing entity.
 
          For purposes of the Portfolios' restriction on investing in a
          particular industry, the Portfolios will rely primarily on industry
          classifications as published by Bloomberg L.P. To the extent that
          Bloomberg L.P. classifications are so broad that the primary economic
          characteristics in a single class are materially different, the
          Portfolios may further classify issuers in accordance with industry
          classifications as published by the SEC.
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN PORTFOLIOS
 
          BALANCED PORTFOLIO. As an operational policy, at least 25% of the
          assets of Balanced Portfolio normally will be invested in fixed-income
          securities.
 
          FLEXIBLE INCOME PORTFOLIO. As a fundamental policy, this Portfolio may
          not purchase a non-income-producing security if, after such purchase,
          less than 80% of the Portfolio's total assets would be invested in
          income-producing securities. Income-producing securities include
          securities that make periodic interest
 
 4
<PAGE>
 
          payments as well as those that make interest payments on a deferred
          basis or pay interest only at maturity (e.g., Treasury bills or zero
          coupon bonds).
 
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
 
Cash Position
 
          As discussed in the Prospectus, when a portfolio manager believes that
          market conditions are unfavorable for profitable investing, or when he
          or she is otherwise unable to locate attractive investment
          opportunities, the Portfolio's investment in cash and similar
          investments may increase. Securities that the Portfolios may invest in
          as a means of receiving a return on idle cash include commercial
          paper, certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements or other
          short-term debt obligations. The Portfolios may also invest in money
          market funds, including funds managed by Janus Capital. (See
          "Investment Company Securities" on page 8).
 
Illiquid Investments
 
          Each Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid
          investments (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable). The
          Trustees have authorized Janus Capital to make liquidity
          determinations with respect to certain securities, including Rule 144A
          Securities, commercial paper and municipal lease obligations purchased
          by the Portfolios. Under the guidelines established by the Trustees,
          Janus Capital will consider the following factors: (1) the frequency
          of trades and quoted prices for the obligation; (2) the number of
          dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the number of
          other potential purchasers; (3) the willingness of dealers to
          undertake to make a market in the security; and (4) the nature of the
          security and the nature of the marketplace trades, including the time
          needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and
          the mechanics of the transfer. In the case of commercial paper, Janus
          Capital will also consider whether the paper is traded flat or in
          default as to principal and interest and any ratings of the paper by a
          nationally recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO"). A
          foreign security that may be freely traded on or through the
          facilities of an offshore exchange or other established offshore
          securities market is not deemed to be a restricted security subject to
          these procedures.
 
          If illiquid securities exceed 15% of a Portfolio's net assets after
          the time of purchase the Portfolio will take steps to reduce in an
          orderly fashion its holdings of illiquid securities. Because illiquid
          securities may not be readily marketable, a portfolio manager may not
          be able to dispose of them in a timely manner. As a result, a
          Portfolio may be forced to hold illiquid securities while their price
          depreciates. Depreciation in the price of illiquid securities may
          cause the net asset value of a Portfolio to decline.
 
Short Sales
 
          Each Portfolio may engage in "short sales against the box." This
          technique involves selling either a security that a Portfolio owns, or
          a security equivalent in kind and amount to the security sold short
          that the Portfolio has the right to obtain, for delivery at a
          specified date in the future. A Portfolio may enter into a short sale
          against the box to hedge against anticipated declines in the market
          price of portfolio securities. If the value of the securities sold
          short increases prior to the scheduled delivery date, a Portfolio
          loses the opportunity to participate in the gain.
 
Zero Coupon, Step Coupon and Pay-In-Kind Securities
 
          Each Portfolio may invest up to 10% (without limit for High-Yield
          Portfolio and Flexible Income Portfolio) of its assets in zero coupon,
          pay-in-kind and step coupon securities. Zero coupon bonds are issued
          and traded at a discount from their face value. They do not entitle
          the holder to any periodic payment of
 
                                                                               5
<PAGE>
 
          interest prior to maturity. Step coupon bonds trade at a discount from
          their face value and pay coupon interest. The coupon rate is low for
          an initial period and then increases to a higher coupon rate
          thereafter. The discount from the face amount or par value depends on
          the time remaining until cash payments begin, prevailing interest
          rates, liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of
          the issuer. Pay-in-kind bonds normally give the issuer an option to
          pay cash at a coupon payment date or give the holder of the security a
          similar bond with the same coupon rate and a face value equal to the
          amount of the coupon payment that would have been made. For the
          purposes of any Portfolio's restriction on investing in
          income-producing securities, income-producing securities include
          securities that make periodic interest payments as well as those that
          make interest payments on a deferred basis or pay interest only at
          maturity (e.g., Treasury bills or zero coupon bonds).
 
          Current federal income tax law requires holders of zero coupon
          securities and step coupon securities to report the portion of the
          original issue discount on such securities that accrues during a given
          year as interest income, even though the holders receive no cash
          payments of interest during the year. In order to qualify as a
          "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
          and the regulations thereunder (the "Code"), a Portfolio must
          distribute its investment company taxable income, including the
          original issue discount accrued on zero coupon or step coupon bonds.
          Because a Portfolio will not receive cash payments on a current basis
          in respect of accrued original-issue discount on zero coupon bonds or
          step coupon bonds during the period before interest payments begin, in
          some years that Portfolio may have to distribute cash obtained from
          other sources in order to satisfy the distribution requirements under
          the Code. A Portfolio might obtain such cash from selling other
          portfolio holdings which might cause that Portfolio to incur capital
          gains or losses on the sale. Additionally, these actions are likely to
          reduce the assets to which Portfolio expenses could be allocated and
          to reduce the rate of return for that Portfolio. In some
          circumstances, such sales might be necessary in order to satisfy cash
          distribution requirements even though investment considerations might
          otherwise make it undesirable for a Portfolio to sell the securities
          at the time.
 
          Generally, the market prices of zero coupon, step coupon and
          pay-in-kind securities are more volatile than the prices of securities
          that pay interest periodically and in cash and are likely to respond
          to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than other types of
          debt securities having similar maturities and credit quality.
 
Pass-Through Securities
 
          The Portfolios may invest in various types of pass-through securities,
          such as mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and
          participation interests. A pass-through security is a share or
          certificate of interest in a pool of debt obligations that have been
          repackaged by an intermediary, such as a bank or broker-dealer. The
          purchaser of a pass-through security receives an undivided interest in
          the underlying pool of securities. The issuers of the underlying
          securities make interest and principal payments to the intermediary
          which are passed through to purchasers, such as the Portfolios. The
          most common type of pass-through securities are mortgage-backed
          securities. Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA")
          Certificates are mortgage-backed securities that evidence an undivided
          interest in a pool of mortgage loans. GNMA Certificates differ from
          bonds in that principal is paid back monthly by the borrowers over the
          term of the loan rather than returned in a lump sum at maturity. A
          Portfolio will generally purchase "modified pass-through" GNMA
          Certificates, which entitle the holder to receive a share of all
          interest and principal payments paid and owned on the mortgage pool,
          net of fees paid to the "issuer" and GNMA, regardless of whether or
          not the mortgagor actually makes the payment. GNMA Certificates are
          backed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by the full
          faith and credit of the U.S. government.
 
 6
<PAGE>
 
          The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") issues two types
          of mortgage pass-through securities: mortgage participation
          certificates ("PCs") and guaranteed mortgage certificates ("GMCs").
          PCs resemble GNMA Certificates in that each PC represents a pro rata
          share of all interest and principal payments made and owned on the
          underlying pool. FHLMC guarantees timely payments of interest on PCs
          and the full return of principal. GMCs also represent a pro rata
          interest in a pool of mortgages. However, these instruments pay
          interest semiannually and return principal once a year in guaranteed
          minimum payments. This type of security is guaranteed by FHLMC as to
          timely payment of principal and interest but it is not guaranteed by
          the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
 
          The Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") issues guaranteed
          mortgage pass-through certificates ("FNMA Certificates"). FNMA
          Certificates resemble GNMA Certificates in that each FNMA Certificate
          represents a pro rata share of all interest and principal payments
          made and owned on the underlying pool. This type of security is
          guaranteed by FNMA as to timely payment of principal and interest but
          it is not guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
          government.
 
          Except for GMCs, each of the mortgage-backed securities described
          above is characterized by monthly payments to the holder, reflecting
          the monthly payments made by the borrowers who received the underlying
          mortgage loans. The payments to the security holders (such as the
          Portfolios), like the payments on the underlying loans, represent both
          principal and interest. Although the underlying mortgage loans are for
          specified periods of time, such as 20 or 30 years, the borrowers can,
          and typically do, pay them off sooner. Thus, the security holders
          frequently receive prepayments of principal in addition to the
          principal that is part of the regular monthly payments. A portfolio
          manager will consider estimated prepayment rates in calculating the
          average-weighted maturity of a Portfolio. A borrower is more likely to
          prepay a mortgage that bears a relatively high rate of interest. This
          means that in times of declining interest rates, higher yielding
          mortgage-backed securities held by a Portfolio might be converted to
          cash and that Portfolio will be forced to accept lower interest rates
          when that cash is used to purchase additional securities in the
          mortgage-backed securities sector or in other investment sectors.
          Additionally, prepayments during such periods will limit a Portfolio's
          ability to participate in as large a market gain as may be experienced
          with a comparable security not subject to prepayment.
 
          Asset-backed securities represent interests in pools of consumer loans
          and are backed by paper or accounts receivables originated by banks,
          credit card companies or other providers of credit. Generally, the
          originating bank or credit provider is neither the obligor nor the
          guarantor of the security, and interest and principal payments
          ultimately depend upon payment of the underlying loans by individuals.
          Tax-exempt asset-backed securities include units of beneficial
          interests in pools of purchase contracts, financing leases, and sales
          agreements that may be created when a municipality enters into an
          installment purchase contract or lease with a vendor. Such securities
          may be secured by the assets purchased or leased by the municipality;
          however, if the municipality stops making payments, there generally
          will be no recourse against the vendor. The market for tax-exempt
          asset-backed securities is still relatively new. These obligations are
          likely to involve unscheduled prepayments of principal.
 
Investment Company Securities
 
          From time to time, the Portfolios may invest in securities of other
          investment companies, subject to the provisions of Section 12(d)(1) of
          the 1940 Act. The Portfolios may invest in securities of money market
          funds managed by Janus Capital in excess of the limitations of Section
          12(d)(1) under the terms of an SEC exemptive order obtained by Janus
          Capital and the Janus funds.
 
                                                                               7
<PAGE>
 
Depositary Receipts
 
          The Portfolios may invest in sponsored and unsponsored American
          Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), which are receipts issued by an American
          bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities
          issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for
          use in U.S. securities markets. Unsponsored ADRs may be created
          without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs
          generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign
          issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or
          trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no
          obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the
          foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights. The Portfolios may
          also invest in European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global
          Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and in other similar instruments
          representing securities of foreign companies. EDRs are receipts issued
          by a European financial institution evidencing an arrangement similar
          to that of ADRs. EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in
          European securities markets. GDRs are securities convertible into
          equity securities of foreign issuers. Depositary Receipts are
          generally subject to the same sort of risks as direct investments in a
          foreign country, such as, currency risk, political and economic risk,
          and market risk, because their values depend on the performance of a
          foreign security denominated in its home currency. The risks of
          foreign investing are addressed in some detail in the Portfolios'
          prospectus.
 
Municipal Obligations
 
          The Portfolios may invest in municipal obligations issued by states,
          territories and possessions of the United States and the District of
          Columbia. The value of municipal obligations can be affected by
          changes in their actual or perceived credit quality. The credit
          quality of municipal obligations can be affected by, among other
          things, the financial condition of the issuer or guarantor, the
          issuer's future borrowing plans and sources of revenue, the economic
          feasibility of the revenue bond project or general borrowing purpose,
          political or economic developments in the region where the security is
          issued, and the liquidity of the security. Because municipal
          securities are generally traded over-the-counter, the liquidity of a
          particular issue often depends on the willingness of dealers to make a
          market in the security. The liquidity of some municipal obligations
          may be enhanced by demand features, which would enable a Portfolio to
          demand payment on short notice from the issuer or a financial
          intermediary.
 
Other Income-Producing Securities
 
          Other types of income producing securities that the Portfolios may
          purchase include, but are not limited to, the following types of
          securities:
 
          VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE OBLIGATIONS. These types of securities have
          variable or floating rates of interest and, under certain limited
          circumstances, may have varying principal amounts. These securities
          pay interest at rates that are adjusted periodically according to a
          specified formula, usually with reference to some interest rate index
          or market interest rate. The floating rate tends to decrease the
          security's price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. These types
          of securities are relatively long-term instruments that often carry
          demand features permitting the holder to demand payment of principal
          at any time or at specified intervals prior to maturity. In order to
          most effectively use these investments, a portfolio manager must
          correctly assess probable movements in interest rates. This involves
          different skills than those used to select most portfolio securities.
          If the portfolio manager incorrectly forecasts such movements, a
          Portfolio could be adversely affected by the use of variable or
          floating rate obligations.
 
          STANDBY COMMITMENTS. These instruments, which are similar to a put,
          give a Portfolio the option to obligate a broker, dealer or bank to
          repurchase a security held by that Portfolio at a specified price.
 
 8
<PAGE>
 
          TENDER OPTION BONDS. Tender option bonds are relatively long-term
          bonds that are coupled with the agreement of a third party (such as a
          broker, dealer or bank) to grant the holders of such securities the
          option to tender the securities to the institution at periodic
          intervals.
 
          INVERSE FLOATERS. Inverse floaters are debt instruments whose interest
          bears an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another
          security. No Portfolio will invest more than 5% of its assets in
          inverse floaters. Similar to variable and floating rate obligations,
          effective use of inverse floaters requires skills different from those
          needed to select most portfolio securities. If movements in interest
          rates are incorrectly anticipated, a fund could lose money or its NAV
          could decline by the use of inverse floaters.
 
          STRIP BONDS. Strip bonds are debt securities that are stripped of
          their interest (usually by a financial intermediary) after the
          securities are issued. The market value of these securities generally
          fluctuates more in response to changes in interest rates than
          interest-paying securities of comparable maturity.
 
          The Portfolios will purchase standby commitments, tender option bonds
          and instruments with demand features primarily for the purpose of
          increasing the liquidity of their holdings.
 
Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements
 
          In a repurchase agreement, a Portfolio purchases a security and
          simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller at an
          agreed upon price on an agreed upon date within a number of days
          (usually not more than seven) from the date of purchase. The resale
          price consists of the purchase price plus an agreed upon incremental
          amount that is unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the
          purchased security. A repurchase agreement involves the obligation of
          the seller to pay the agreed upon price, which obligation is in effect
          secured by the value (at least equal to the amount of the agreed upon
          resale price and marked-to-market daily) of the underlying security or
          "collateral." A risk associated with repurchase agreements is the
          failure of the seller to repurchase the securities as agreed, which
          may cause a Portfolio to suffer a loss if the market value of such
          securities declines before they can be liquidated on the open market.
          In the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the seller, a Portfolio
          may encounter delays and incur costs in liquidating the underlying
          security. Repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days
          are subject to the 15% limit on illiquid investments. While it is not
          possible to eliminate all risks from these transactions, it is the
          policy of the Portfolios to limit repurchase agreements to those
          parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found
          satisfactory by Janus Capital.
 
          A Portfolio may use reverse repurchase agreements to obtain cash to
          satisfy unusually heavy redemption requests or for other temporary or
          emergency purposes without the necessity of selling portfolio
          securities, or to earn additional income on portfolio securities, such
          as Treasury bills or notes. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a
          Portfolio sells a portfolio security to another party, such as a bank
          or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase the
          instrument at a particular price and time. While a reverse repurchase
          agreement is outstanding, a Portfolio will maintain cash and
          appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial account to cover
          its obligation under the agreement. The Portfolios will enter into
          reverse repurchase agreements only with parties that Janus Capital
          deems creditworthy. Using reverse repurchase agreements to earn
          additional income involves the risk that the interest earned on the
          invested proceeds is less than the expense of the reverse repurchase
          agreement transaction. This technique may also have a leveraging
          effect on the Portfolio, although the Portfolio's intent to segregate
          assets in the amount of the reverse repurchase agreement minimizes
          this effect.
 
                                                                               9
<PAGE>
 
High-Yield/High-Risk Securities
 
          Flexible Income Portfolio and High-Yield Portfolio may invest without
          limit in securities that are rated below investment grade (e.g.,
          securities rated BB or lower by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services or
          Ba or lower by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.). No other Portfolio
          intends to invest 35% or more of its net assets in such securities.
          Lower rated securities involve a higher degree of credit risk, which
          is the risk that the issuer will not make interest or principal
          payments when due. In the event of an unanticipated default, a
          Portfolio would experience a reduction in its income, and could expect
          a decline in the market value of the securities so affected.
 
          Any Portfolio may also invest in unrated debt securities of foreign
          and domestic issuers. Unrated debt, while not necessarily of lower
          quality than rated securities, may not have as broad a market. Because
          of the size and perceived demand of the issue, among other factors,
          certain municipalities may not incur the costs of obtaining a rating.
          A Portfolio's manager will analyze the creditworthiness of the issuer,
          as well as any financial institution or other party responsible for
          payments on the security, in determining whether to purchase unrated
          municipal bonds. Unrated debt securities will be included in the 35%
          limit of each Portfolio unless its manager deems such securities to be
          the equivalent of investment grade securities.
 
          Subject to the above limits, each Portfolio may purchase defaulted
          securities only when its portfolio manager believes, based upon
          analysis of the financial condition, results of operations and
          economic outlook of an issuer, that there is potential for resumption
          of income payments and that the securities offer an unusual
          opportunity for capital appreciation. Notwithstanding the portfolio
          manager's belief about the resumption of income, however, the purchase
          of any security on which payment of interest or dividends is suspended
          involves a high degree of risk. Such risk includes, among other
          things, the following:
 
          Financial and Market Risks. Investments in securities that are in
          default involve a high degree of financial and market risks that can
          result in substantial or, at times, even total losses. Issuers of
          defaulted securities may have substantial capital needs and may become
          involved in bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings. Among the
          problems involved in investments in such issuers is the fact that it
          may be difficult to obtain information about the condition of such
          issuers. The market prices of such securities also are subject to
          abrupt and erratic movements and above average price volatility, and
          the spread between the bid and asked prices of such securities may be
          greater than normally expected.
 
          Disposition of Portfolio Securities. Although these Portfolios
          generally will purchase securities for which their portfolio managers
          expect an active market to be maintained, defaulted securities may be
          less actively traded than other securities and it may be difficult to
          dispose of substantial holdings of such securities at prevailing
          market prices. The Portfolios will limit holdings of any such
          securities to amounts that the portfolio managers believe could be
          readily sold, and holdings of such securities would, in any event, be
          limited so as not to limit the Portfolios' ability to readily dispose
          of securities to meet redemptions.
 
          Other. Defaulted securities require active monitoring and may, at
          times, require participation in bankruptcy or receivership proceedings
          on behalf of the Portfolios.
 
Futures, Options and Other Derivative Instruments
 
          FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Portfolios may enter into contracts for the
          purchase or sale for future delivery of fixed-income securities,
          foreign currencies or contracts based on financial indices, including
          indices of U.S. government securities, foreign government securities,
          equity or fixed-income securities. U.S. futures contracts are traded
          on exchanges which have been designated "contract markets" by the CFTC
          and must be executed through a futures commission merchant ("FCM"), or
          brokerage firm, which is a member of the
 
 10
<PAGE>
 
          relevant contract market. Through their clearing corporations, the
          exchanges guarantee performance of the contracts as between the
          clearing members of the exchange.
 
          The buyer or seller of a futures contract is not required to deliver
          or pay for the underlying instrument unless the contract is held until
          the delivery date. However, both the buyer and seller are required to
          deposit "initial margin" for the benefit of the FCM when the contract
          is entered into. Initial margin deposits are equal to a percentage of
          the contract's value, as set by the exchange on which the contract is
          traded, and may be maintained in cash or certain other liquid assets
          by the Portfolios' custodian or subcustodian for the benefit of the
          FCM. Initial margin payments are similar to good faith deposits or
          performance bonds. Unlike margin extended by a securities broker,
          initial margin payments do not constitute purchasing securities on
          margin for purposes of the Portfolio's investment limitations. If the
          value of either party's position declines, that party will be required
          to make additional "variation margin" payments for the benefit of the
          FCM to settle the change in value on a daily basis. The party that has
          a gain may be entitled to receive all or a portion of this amount. In
          the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM that holds margin on behalf of
          a Portfolio, that Portfolio may be entitled to return of margin owed
          to such Portfolio only in proportion to the amount received by the
          FCM's other customers. Janus Capital will attempt to minimize the risk
          by careful monitoring of the creditworthiness of the FCMs with which
          the Portfolios do business and by depositing margin payments in a
          segregated account with the Portfolios' custodian.
 
          The Portfolios intend to comply with guidelines of eligibility for
          exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator"
          adopted by the CFTC and the National Futures Association, which
          regulate trading in the futures markets. The Portfolios will use
          futures contracts and related options primarily for bona fide hedging
          purposes within the meaning of CFTC regulations. To the extent that
          the Portfolios hold positions in futures contracts and related options
          that do not fall within the definition of bona fide hedging
          transactions, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to
          establish such positions will not exceed 5% of the fair market value
          of a Portfolio's net assets, after taking into account unrealized
          profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts it has entered
          into.
 
          Although a Portfolio will segregate cash and liquid assets in an
          amount sufficient to cover its open futures obligations, the
          segregated assets would be available to that Portfolio immediately
          upon closing out the futures position, while settlement of securities
          transactions could take several days. However, because a Portfolio's
          cash that may otherwise be invested would be held uninvested or
          invested in other liquid assets so long as the futures position
          remains open, such Portfolio's return could be diminished due to the
          opportunity losses of foregoing other potential investments.
 
          A Portfolio's primary purpose in entering into futures contracts is to
          protect that Portfolio from fluctuations in the value of securities or
          interest rates without actually buying or selling the underlying debt
          or equity security. For example, if the Portfolio anticipates an
          increase in the price of stocks, and it intends to purchase stocks at
          a later time, that Portfolio could enter into a futures contract to
          purchase a stock index as a temporary substitute for stock purchases.
          If an increase in the market occurs that influences the stock index as
          anticipated, the value of the futures contracts will increase, thereby
          serving as a hedge against that Portfolio not participating in a
          market advance. This technique is sometimes known as an anticipatory
          hedge. To the extent a Portfolio enters into futures contracts for
          this purpose, the segregated assets maintained to cover such
          Portfolio's obligations with respect to the futures contracts will
          consist of liquid assets from its portfolio in an amount equal to the
          difference between the contract price and the aggregate value of the
          initial and variation margin payments made by that Portfolio with
          respect to the futures contracts. Conversely, if a Portfolio holds
          stocks and seeks to protect itself from a decrease in stock prices,
 
                                                                              11
<PAGE>
 
          the Portfolio might sell stock index futures contracts, thereby hoping
          to offset the potential decline in the value of its portfolio
          securities by a corresponding increase in the value of the futures
          contract position. A Portfolio could protect against a decline in
          stock prices by selling portfolio securities and investing in money
          market instruments, but the use of futures contracts enables it to
          maintain a defensive position without having to sell portfolio
          securities.
 
          If a Portfolio owns Treasury bonds and the portfolio manager expects
          interest rates to increase, that Portfolio may take a short position
          in interest rate futures contracts. Taking such a position would have
          much the same effect as that Portfolio selling Treasury bonds in its
          portfolio. If interest rates increase as anticipated, the value of the
          Treasury bonds would decline, but the value of that Portfolio's
          interest rate futures contract will increase, thereby keeping the net
          asset value of that Portfolio from declining as much as it may have
          otherwise. If, on the other hand, a portfolio manager expects interest
          rates to decline, that Portfolio may take a long position in interest
          rate futures contracts in anticipation of later closing out the
          futures position and purchasing the bonds. Although a Portfolio can
          accomplish similar results by buying securities with long maturities
          and selling securities with short maturities, given the greater
          liquidity of the futures market than the cash market, it may be
          possible to accomplish the same result more easily and more quickly by
          using futures contracts as an investment tool to reduce risk.
 
          The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets,
          due to differences in the nature of those markets, are subject to
          distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are subject
          to initial margin and variation margin requirements. Rather than
          meeting additional variation margin requirements, investors may close
          out futures contracts through offsetting transactions which could
          distort the normal price relationship between the cash and futures
          markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on
          participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making
          or taking delivery of the instrument underlying a futures contract. To
          the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in
          the futures market could be reduced and prices in the futures market
          distorted. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the margin
          deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than
          margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased
          participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary
          price distortions. Due to the possibility of the foregoing
          distortions, a correct forecast of general price trends by a portfolio
          manager still may not result in a successful use of futures.
 
          Futures contracts entail risks. Although the Portfolios believe that
          use of such contracts will benefit the Portfolios, a Portfolio's
          overall performance could be worse than if such Portfolio had not
          entered into futures contracts if the portfolio manager's investment
          judgement proves incorrect. For example, if a Portfolio has hedged
          against the effects of a possible decrease in prices of securities
          held in its portfolio and prices increase instead, that Portfolio will
          lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of these
          securities because of offsetting losses in its futures positions. In
          addition, if a Portfolio has insufficient cash, it may have to sell
          securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin
          requirements. Those sales may be, but will not necessarily be, at
          increased prices which reflect the rising market and may occur at a
          time when the sales are disadvantageous to such Portfolio.
 
          The prices of futures contracts depend primarily on the value of their
          underlying instruments. Because there are a limited number of types of
          futures contracts, it is possible that the standardized futures
          contracts available to a Portfolio will not match exactly such
          Portfolio's current or potential investments. A Portfolio may buy and
          sell futures contracts based on underlying instruments with different
          characteristics from the securities in which it typically
          invests - for example, by hedging investments in portfolio securities
          with a futures contract based on a broad index of securities - which
          involves a risk that the futures position will not correlate precisely
          with the performance of such Portfolio's investments.
 
 12
<PAGE>
 
          Futures prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying
          instruments, even if the underlying instruments closely correlate with
          a Portfolio's investments. Futures prices are affected by factors such
          as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in
          volatility of the underlying instruments and the time remaining until
          expiration of the contract. Those factors may affect securities prices
          differently from futures prices. Imperfect correlations between a
          Portfolio's investments and its futures positions also may result from
          differing levels of demand in the futures markets and the securities
          markets, from structural differences in how futures and securities are
          traded, and from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits for
          futures contracts. A Portfolio may buy or sell futures contracts with
          a greater or lesser value than the securities it wishes to hedge or is
          considering purchasing in order to attempt to compensate for
          differences in historical volatility between the futures contract and
          the securities, although this may not be successful in all cases. If
          price changes in a Portfolio's futures positions are poorly correlated
          with its other investments, its futures positions may fail to produce
          desired gains or result in losses that are not offset by the gains in
          that Portfolio's other investments.
 
          Because futures contracts are generally settled within a day from the
          date they are closed out, compared with a settlement period of three
          days for some types of securities, the futures markets can provide
          superior liquidity to the securities markets. Nevertheless, there is
          no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any
          particular futures contract at any particular time. In addition,
          futures exchanges may establish daily price fluctuation limits for
          futures contracts and may halt trading if a contract's price moves
          upward or downward more than the limit in a given day. On volatile
          trading days when the price fluctuation limit is reached, it may be
          impossible for a Portfolio to enter into new positions or close out
          existing positions. If the secondary market for a futures contract is
          not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or otherwise, a
          Portfolio may not be able to promptly liquidate unfavorable futures
          positions and potentially could be required to continue to hold a
          futures position until the delivery date, regardless of changes in its
          value. As a result, such Portfolio's access to other assets held to
          cover its futures positions also could be impaired.
 
          OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The Portfolios may buy and write put and
          call options on futures contracts. An option on a future gives a
          Portfolio the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell a futures
          contract at a specified price on or before a specified date. The
          purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar in some
          respects to the purchase of a call option on an individual security.
          Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the price of
          the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the
          underlying instrument, ownership of the option may or may not be less
          risky than ownership of the futures contract or the underlying
          instrument. As with the purchase of futures contracts, when a
          Portfolio is not fully invested it may buy a call option on a futures
          contract to hedge against a market advance.
 
          The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a
          partial hedge against declining prices of the security or foreign
          currency which is deliverable under, or of the index comprising, the
          futures contract. If the futures price at the expiration of the option
          is below the exercise price, a Portfolio will retain the full amount
          of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any
          decline that may have occurred in that Portfolio's holdings. The
          writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial
          hedge against increasing prices of the security or foreign currency
          which is deliverable under, or of the index comprising, the futures
          contract. If the futures price at expiration of the option is higher
          than the exercise price, a Portfolio will retain the full amount of
          the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any increase
          in the price of securities which that Portfolio is considering buying.
          If a call or put option a Portfolio has written is exercised, such
          Portfolio will incur a loss which will be reduced by the amount of
 
                                                                              13
<PAGE>
 
          the premium it received. Depending on the degree of correlation
          between the change in the value of its portfolio securities and
          changes in the value of the futures positions, a Portfolio's losses
          from existing options on futures may to some extent be reduced or
          increased by changes in the value of portfolio securities.
 
          The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar in some
          respects to the purchase of protective put options on portfolio
          securities. For example, a Portfolio may buy a put option on a futures
          contract to hedge its portfolio against the risk of falling prices or
          rising interest rates.
 
          The amount of risk a Portfolio assumes when it buys an option on a
          futures contract is the premium paid for the option plus related
          transaction costs. In addition to the correlation risks discussed
          above, the purchase of an option also entails the risk that changes in
          the value of the underlying futures contract will not be fully
          reflected in the value of the options bought.
 
          FORWARD CONTRACTS. A forward contract is an agreement between two
          parties in which one party is obligated to deliver a stated amount of
          a stated asset at a specified time in the future and the other party
          is obligated to pay a specified amount for the assets at the time of
          delivery. The Portfolios may enter into forward contracts to purchase
          and sell government securities, equity or income securities, foreign
          currencies or other financial instruments. Forward contracts generally
          are traded in an interbank market conducted directly between traders
          (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. Unlike futures
          contracts, which are standardized contracts, forward contracts can be
          specifically drawn to meet the needs of the parties that enter into
          them. The parties to a forward contract may agree to offset or
          terminate the contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract
          to maturity and complete the contemplated exchange.
 
          The following discussion summarizes the Portfolios' principal uses of
          forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward currency
          contracts"). A Portfolio may enter into forward currency contracts
          with stated contract values of up to the value of that Portfolio's
          assets. A forward currency contract is an obligation to buy or sell an
          amount of a specified currency for an agreed price (which may be in
          U.S. dollars or a foreign currency). A Portfolio will exchange foreign
          currencies for U.S. dollars and for other foreign currencies in the
          normal course of business and may buy and sell currencies through
          forward currency contracts in order to fix a price for securities it
          has agreed to buy or sell ("transaction hedge"). A Portfolio also may
          hedge some or all of its investments denominated in a foreign currency
          or exposed to foreign currency fluctuations against a decline in the
          value of that currency relative to the U.S. dollar by entering into
          forward currency contracts to sell an amount of that currency (or a
          proxy currency whose performance is expected to replicate or exceed
          the performance of that currency relative to the U.S. dollar)
          approximating the value of some or all of its portfolio securities
          denominated in that currency ("position hedge") or by participating in
          options or futures contracts with respect to the currency. A Portfolio
          also may enter into a forward currency contract with respect to a
          currency where the Portfolio is considering the purchase or sale of
          investments denominated in that currency but has not yet selected the
          specific investments ("anticipatory hedge"). In any of these
          circumstances a Portfolio may, alternatively, enter into a forward
          currency contract to purchase or sell one foreign currency for a
          second currency that is expected to perform more favorably relative to
          the U.S. dollar if the portfolio manager believes there is a
          reasonable degree of correlation between movements in the two
          currencies ("cross-hedge").
 
          These types of hedging minimize the effect of currency appreciation as
          well as depreciation, but do not eliminate fluctuations in the
          underlying U.S. dollar equivalent value of the proceeds of or rates of
          return on a Portfolio's foreign currency denominated portfolio
          securities. The matching of the increase in value of a forward
          contract and the decline in the U.S. dollar equivalent value of the
          foreign currency denominated
 
 14
<PAGE>
 
          asset that is the subject of the hedge generally will not be precise.
          Shifting a Portfolio's currency exposure from one foreign currency to
          another removes that Portfolio's opportunity to profit from increases
          in the value of the original currency and involves a risk of increased
          losses to such Portfolio if its portfolio manager's projection of
          future exchange rates is inaccurate. Proxy hedges and cross-hedges may
          result in losses if the currency used to hedge does not perform
          similarly to the currency in which hedged securities are denominated.
          Unforeseen changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall
          performance for a Portfolio than if it had not entered into such
          contracts.
 
          The Portfolios will cover outstanding forward currency contracts by
          maintaining liquid portfolio securities denominated in or whose value
          is tied to the currency underlying the forward contract or the
          currency being hedged. To the extent that a Portfolio is not able to
          cover its forward currency positions with underlying portfolio
          securities, the Portfolios' custodian will segregate cash or other
          liquid assets having a value equal to the aggregate amount of such
          Portfolio's commitments under forward contracts entered into with
          respect to position hedges, cross-hedges and anticipatory hedges. If
          the value of the securities used to cover a position or the value of
          segregated assets declines, a Portfolio will find alternative cover or
          segregate additional cash or other liquid assets on a daily basis so
          that the value of the covered and segregated assets will be equal to
          the amount of such Portfolio's commitments with respect to such
          contracts. As an alternative to segregating assets, a Portfolio may
          buy call options permitting such Portfolio to buy the amount of
          foreign currency being hedged by a forward sale contract or a
          Portfolio may buy put options permitting it to sell the amount of
          foreign currency subject to a forward buy contract.
 
          While forward contracts are not currently regulated by the CFTC, the
          CFTC may in the future assert authority to regulate forward contracts.
          In such event, the Portfolios' ability to utilize forward contracts
          may be restricted. In addition, a Portfolio may not always be able to
          enter into forward contracts at attractive prices and may be limited
          in its ability to use these contracts to hedge Portfolio assets.
 
          OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. The Portfolios may buy and write
          options on foreign currencies in a manner similar to that in which
          futures or forward contracts on foreign currencies will be utilized.
          For example, a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a foreign currency
          in which portfolio securities are denominated will reduce the U.S.
          dollar value of such securities, even if their value in the foreign
          currency remains constant. In order to protect against such
          diminutions in the value of portfolio securities, a Portfolio may buy
          put options on the foreign currency. If the value of the currency
          declines, such Portfolio will have the right to sell such currency for
          a fixed amount in U.S. dollars, thereby offsetting, in whole or in
          part, the adverse effect on its portfolio.
 
          Conversely, when a rise in the U.S. dollar value of a currency in
          which securities to be acquired are denominated is projected, thereby
          increasing the cost of such securities, a Portfolio may buy call
          options on the foreign currency. The purchase of such options could
          offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse movements in
          exchange rates. As in the case of other types of options, however, the
          benefit to a Portfolio from purchases of foreign currency options will
          be reduced by the amount of the premium and related transaction costs.
          In addition, if currency exchange rates do not move in the direction
          or to the extent projected, a Portfolio could sustain losses on
          transactions in foreign currency options that would require such
          Portfolio to forego a portion or all of the benefits of advantageous
          changes in those rates.
 
          The Portfolios may also write options on foreign currencies. For
          example, to hedge against a potential decline in the U.S. dollar value
          of foreign currency denominated securities due to adverse fluctuations
          in exchange rates, a Portfolio could, instead of purchasing a put
          option, write a call option on the relevant
 
                                                                              15
<PAGE>
 
          currency. If the expected decline occurs, the option will most likely
          not be exercised and the decline in value of portfolio securities will
          be offset by the amount of the premium received.
 
          Similarly, instead of purchasing a call option to hedge against a
          potential increase in the U.S. dollar cost of securities to be
          acquired, a Portfolio could write a put option on the relevant
          currency which, if rates move in the manner projected, should expire
          unexercised and allow that Portfolio to hedge the increased cost up to
          the amount of the premium. As in the case of other types of options,
          however, the writing of a foreign currency option will constitute only
          a partial hedge up to the amount of the premium. If exchange rates do
          not move in the expected direction, the option may be exercised and a
          Portfolio would be required to buy or sell the underlying currency at
          a loss which may not be offset by the amount of the premium. Through
          the writing of options on foreign currencies, a Portfolio also may
          lose all or a portion of the benefits which might otherwise have been
          obtained from favorable movements in exchange rates.
 
          The Portfolios may write covered call options on foreign currencies. A
          call option written on a foreign currency by a Portfolio is "covered"
          if that Portfolio owns the foreign currency underlying the call or has
          an absolute and immediate right to acquire that foreign currency
          without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash
          consideration held in a segregated account by its custodian) upon
          conversion or exchange of other foreign currencies held in its
          portfolio. A call option is also covered if a Portfolio has a call on
          the same foreign currency in the same principal amount as the call
          written if the exercise price of the call held (i) is equal to or less
          than the exercise price of the call written or (ii) is greater than
          the exercise price of the call written, if the difference is
          maintained by such Portfolio in cash or other liquid assets in a
          segregated account with the Portfolios' custodian.
 
          The Portfolios also may write call options on foreign currencies for
          cross-hedging purposes. A call option on a foreign currency is for
          cross-hedging purposes if it is designed to provide a hedge against a
          decline due to an adverse change in the exchange rate in the U.S.
          dollar value of a security which a Portfolio owns or has the right to
          acquire and which is denominated in the currency underlying the
          option. Call options on foreign currencies which are entered into for
          cross-hedging purposes are not covered. However, in such
          circumstances, a Portfolio will collateralize the option by
          segregating cash or other liquid assets in an amount not less than the
          value of the underlying foreign currency in U.S. dollars
          marked-to-market daily.
 
          OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. In an effort to increase current income and to
          reduce fluctuations in net asset value, the Portfolios may write
          covered put and call options and buy put and call options on
          securities that are traded on United States and foreign securities
          exchanges and over-the-counter. The Portfolios may write and buy
          options on the same types of securities that the Portfolios may
          purchase directly.
 
          A put option written by a Portfolio is "covered" if that Portfolio (i)
          segregates cash not available for investment or other liquid assets
          with a value equal to the exercise price of the put with the
          Portfolios' custodian or (ii) holds a put on the same security and in
          the same principal amount as the put written and the exercise price of
          the put held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put
          written. The premium paid by the buyer of an option will reflect,
          among other things, the relationship of the exercise price to the
          market price and the volatility of the underlying security, the
          remaining term of the option, supply and demand and interest rates.
 
          A call option written by a Portfolio is "covered" if that Portfolio
          owns the underlying security covered by the call or has an absolute
          and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash
          consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a
          segregated account by the Portfolios' custodian) upon conversion or
          exchange of other securities held in its portfolio. A call option is
          also deemed to be covered if a Portfolio holds a call on the same
          security and in the same principal amount as the call written and the
          exercise price of the call held (i) is equal to or less than the
          exercise price of the
 
 16
<PAGE>
 
          call written or (ii) is greater than the exercise price of the call
          written if the difference is maintained by that Portfolio in cash and
          other liquid assets in a segregated account with its custodian.
 
          The Portfolios also may write call options that are not covered for
          cross-hedging purposes. A Portfolio collateralizes its obligation
          under a written call option for cross-hedging purposes by segregating
          cash or other liquid assets in an amount not less than the market
          value of the underlying security, marked-to-market daily. A Portfolio
          would write a call option for cross-hedging purposes, instead of
          writing a covered call option, when the premium to be received from
          the cross-hedge transaction would exceed that which would be received
          from writing a covered call option and its portfolio manager believes
          that writing the option would achieve the desired hedge.
 
          The writer of an option may have no control over when the underlying
          securities must be sold, in the case of a call option, or bought, in
          the case of a put option, since with regard to certain options, the
          writer may be assigned an exercise notice at any time prior to the
          termination of the obligation. Whether or not an option expires
          unexercised, the writer retains the amount of the premium. This
          amount, of course, may, in the case of a covered call option, be
          offset by a decline in the market value of the underlying security
          during the option period. If a call option is exercised, the writer
          experiences a profit or loss from the sale of the underlying security.
          If a put option is exercised, the writer must fulfill the obligation
          to buy the underlying security at the exercise price, which will
          usually exceed the then market value of the underlying security.
 
          The writer of an option that wishes to terminate its obligation may
          effect a "closing purchase transaction." This is accomplished by
          buying an option of the same series as the option previously written.
          The effect of the purchase is that the writer's position will be
          canceled by the clearing corporation. However, a writer may not effect
          a closing purchase transaction after being notified of the exercise of
          an option. Likewise, an investor who is the holder of an option may
          liquidate its position by effecting a "closing sale transaction." This
          is accomplished by selling an option of the same series as the option
          previously bought. There is no guarantee that either a closing
          purchase or a closing sale transaction can be effected.
 
          In the case of a written call option, effecting a closing transaction
          will permit a Portfolio to write another call option on the underlying
          security with either a different exercise price or expiration date or
          both. In the case of a written put option, such transaction will
          permit a Portfolio to write another put option to the extent that the
          exercise price is secured by deposited liquid assets. Effecting a
          closing transaction also will permit a Portfolio to use the cash or
          proceeds from the concurrent sale of any securities subject to the
          option for other investments. If a Portfolio desires to sell a
          particular security from its portfolio on which it has written a call
          option, such Portfolio will effect a closing transaction prior to or
          concurrent with the sale of the security.
 
          A Portfolio will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the
          price of the purchase transaction is less than the premium received
          from writing the option or the price received from a sale transaction
          is more than the premium paid to buy the option. A Portfolio will
          realize a loss from a closing transaction if the price of the purchase
          transaction is more than the premium received from writing the option
          or the price received from a sale transaction is less than the premium
          paid to buy the option. Because increases in the market of a call
          option generally will reflect increases in the market price of the
          underlying security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call
          option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by appreciation of
          the underlying security owned by a Portfolio.
 
          An option position may be closed out only where a secondary market for
          an option of the same series exists. If a secondary market does not
          exist, the Portfolio may not be able to effect closing transactions in
 
                                                                              17
<PAGE>
 
          particular options and the Portfolio would have to exercise the
          options in order to realize any profit. If a Portfolio is unable to
          effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will
          not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires
          or it delivers the underlying security upon exercise. The absence of a
          liquid secondary market may be due to the following: (i) insufficient
          trading interest in certain options, (ii) restrictions imposed by a
          national securities exchange ("Exchange") on which the option is
          traded on opening or closing transactions or both, (iii) trading
          halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to
          particular classes or series of options or underlying securities, (iv)
          unusual or unforeseen circumstances that interrupt normal operations
          on an Exchange, (v) the facilities of an Exchange or of the Options
          Clearing Corporation ("OCC") may not at all times be adequate to
          handle current trading volume, or (vi) one or more Exchanges could,
          for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future
          date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or
          series of options), in which event the secondary market on that
          Exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist,
          although outstanding options on that Exchange that had been issued by
          the OCC as a result of trades on that Exchange would continue to be
          exercisable in accordance with their terms.
 
          A Portfolio may write options in connection with buy-and-write
          transactions. In other words, a Portfolio may buy a security and then
          write a call option against that security. The exercise price of such
          call will depend upon the expected price movement of the underlying
          security. The exercise price of a call option may be below
          ("in-the-money"), equal to ("at-the-money") or above
          ("out-of-the-money") the current value of the underlying security at
          the time the option is written. Buy-and-write transactions using
          in-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that the
          price of the underlying security will remain flat or decline
          moderately during the option period. Buy-and-write transactions using
          at-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that the
          price of the underlying security will remain fixed or advance
          moderately during the option period. Buy-and-write transactions using
          out-of-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that the
          premiums received from writing the call option plus the appreciation
          in the market price of the underlying security up to the exercise
          price will be greater than the appreciation in the price of the
          underlying security alone. If the call options are exercised in such
          transactions, a Portfolio's maximum gain will be the premium received
          by it for writing the option, adjusted upwards or downwards by the
          difference between that Portfolio's purchase price of the security and
          the exercise price. If the options are not exercised and the price of
          the underlying security declines, the amount of such decline will be
          offset by the amount of premium received.
 
          The writing of covered put options is similar in terms of risk and
          return characteristics to buy-and-write transactions. If the market
          price of the underlying security rises or otherwise is above the
          exercise price, the put option will expire worthless and a Portfolio's
          gain will be limited to the premium received. If the market price of
          the underlying security declines or otherwise is below the exercise
          price, a Portfolio may elect to close the position or take delivery of
          the security at the exercise price and that Portfolio's return will be
          the premium received from the put options minus the amount by which
          the market price of the security is below the exercise price.
 
          A Portfolio may buy put options to hedge against a decline in the
          value of its portfolio. By using put options in this way, a Portfolio
          will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized in the
          underlying security by the amount of the premium paid for the put
          option and by transaction costs.
 
          A Portfolio may buy call options to hedge against an increase in the
          price of securities that it may buy in the future. The premium paid
          for the call option plus any transaction costs will reduce the
          benefit, if any, realized by such Portfolio upon exercise of the
          option, and, unless the price of the underlying security rises
          sufficiently, the option may expire worthless to that Portfolio.
 
 18
<PAGE>
 
          EURODOLLAR INSTRUMENTS. A Portfolio may make investments in Eurodollar
          instruments. Eurodollar instruments are U.S. dollar-denominated
          futures contracts or options thereon which are linked to the London
          Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), although foreign
          currency-denominated instruments are available from time to time.
          Eurodollar futures contracts enable purchasers to obtain a fixed rate
          for the lending of funds and sellers to obtain a fixed rate for
          borrowings. A Portfolio might use Eurodollar futures contracts and
          options thereon to hedge against changes in LIBOR, to which many
          interest rate swaps and fixed-income instruments are linked.
 
          SWAPS AND SWAP-RELATED PRODUCTS. A Portfolio may enter into interest
          rate swaps, caps and floors on either an asset-based or
          liability-based basis, depending upon whether it is hedging its assets
          or its liabilities, and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on
          a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with a
          Portfolio receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount
          of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of a
          Portfolio's obligations over its entitlement with respect to each
          interest rate swap will be calculated on a daily basis and an amount
          of cash or other liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at
          least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated
          account by the Portfolios' custodian. If a Portfolio enters into an
          interest rate swap on other than a net basis, it would maintain a
          segregated account in the full amount accrued on a daily basis of its
          obligations with respect to the swap. A Portfolio will not enter into
          any interest rate swap, cap or floor transaction unless the unsecured
          senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is
          rated in one of the three highest rating categories of at least one
          NRSRO at the time of entering into such transaction. Janus Capital
          will monitor the creditworthiness of all counterparties on an ongoing
          basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction,
          a Portfolio will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements
          related to the transaction.
 
          The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large
          number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals
          and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. Janus Capital
          has determined that, as a result, the swap market has become
          relatively liquid. Caps and floors are more recent innovations for
          which standardized documentation has not yet been developed and,
          accordingly, they are less liquid than swaps. To the extent a
          Portfolio sells (i.e., writes) caps and floors, it will segregate cash
          or other liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least
          equal to the full amount, accrued on a daily basis, of its obligations
          with respect to any caps or floors.
 
          There is no limit on the amount of interest rate swap transactions
          that may be entered into by a Portfolio. These transactions may in
          some instances involve the delivery of securities or other underlying
          assets by a Portfolio or its counterparty to collateralize obligations
          under the swap. Under the documentation currently used in those
          markets, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is
          limited to the net amount of the payments that a Portfolio is
          contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest
          rate swap that is not collateralized defaults, a Portfolio would risk
          the loss of the net amount of the payments that it contractually is
          entitled to receive. A Portfolio may buy and sell (i.e., write) caps
          and floors without limitation, subject to the segregation requirement
          described above.
 
          ADDITIONAL RISKS OF OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES, FORWARD CONTRACTS
          AND FOREIGN INSTRUMENTS. Unlike transactions entered into by the
          Portfolios in futures contracts, options on foreign currencies and
          forward contracts are not traded on contract markets regulated by the
          CFTC or (with the exception of certain foreign currency options) by
          the SEC. To the contrary, such instruments are traded through
          financial institutions acting as market-makers, although foreign
          currency options are also traded on certain Exchanges, such as the
          Philadelphia Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board Options Exchange,
          subject to SEC regulation. Similarly, options on currencies may be
          traded over-the-counter. In an over-the-counter
 
                                                                              19
<PAGE>
 
          trading environment, many of the protections afforded to Exchange
          participants will not be available. For example, there are no daily
          price fluctuation limits, and adverse market movements could therefore
          continue to an unlimited extent over a period of time. Although the
          buyer of an option cannot lose more than the amount of the premium
          plus related transaction costs, this entire amount could be lost.
          Moreover, an option writer and a buyer or seller of futures or forward
          contracts could lose amounts substantially in excess of any premium
          received or initial margin or collateral posted due to the potential
          additional margin and collateral requirements associated with such
          positions.
 
          Options on foreign currencies traded on Exchanges are within the
          jurisdiction of the SEC, as are other securities traded on Exchanges.
          As a result, many of the protections provided to traders on organized
          Exchanges will be available with respect to such transactions. In
          particular, all foreign currency option positions entered into on an
          Exchange are cleared and guaranteed by the OCC, thereby reducing the
          risk of counterparty default. Further, a liquid secondary market in
          options traded on an Exchange may be more readily available than in
          the over-the-counter market, potentially permitting a Portfolio to
          liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or expiration,
          or to limit losses in the event of adverse market movements.
 
          The purchase and sale of exchange-traded foreign currency options,
          however, is subject to the risks of the availability of a liquid
          secondary market described above, as well as the risks regarding
          adverse market movements, margining of options written, the nature of
          the foreign currency market, possible intervention by governmental
          authorities and the effects of other political and economic events. In
          addition, exchange-traded options on foreign currencies involve
          certain risks not presented by the over-the-counter market. For
          example, exercise and settlement of such options must be made
          exclusively through the OCC, which has established banking
          relationships in applicable foreign countries for this purpose. As a
          result, the OCC may, if it determines that foreign governmental
          restrictions or taxes would prevent the orderly settlement of foreign
          currency option exercises, or would result in undue burdens on the OCC
          or its clearing member, impose special procedures on exercise and
          settlement, such as technical changes in the mechanics of delivery of
          currency, the fixing of dollar settlement prices or prohibitions on
          exercise.
 
          In addition, options on U.S. government securities, futures contracts,
          options on futures contracts, forward contracts and options on foreign
          currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges and over-the-counter in
          foreign countries. Such transactions are subject to the risk of
          governmental actions affecting trading in or the prices of foreign
          currencies or securities. The value of such positions also could be
          adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political and economic
          factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on
          which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in a Portfolio's ability
          to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during
          non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of
          different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin
          requirements than in the United States, and (v) low trading volume.
 
 20
<PAGE>
Investment adviser
 
          As stated in the Prospectus, each Portfolio has an Investment Advisory
          Agreement with Janus Capital, 100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado
          80206-4928. Each Advisory Agreement provides that Janus Capital will
          furnish continuous advice and recommendations concerning the
          Portfolios' investments, provide office space for the Portfolios, and
          pay the salaries, fees and expenses of all Portfolio officers and of
          those Trustees who are affiliated with Janus Capital. Janus Capital
          also may make payments to selected broker-dealer firms or institutions
          which were instrumental in the acquisition of shareholders for the
          Portfolios or other Janus Funds or which perform recordkeeping or
          other services with respect to shareholder accounts. The minimum
          aggregate size required for eligibility for such payments, and the
          factors in selecting the broker-dealer firms and institutions to which
          they will be made, are determined from time to time by Janus Capital.
          Janus Capital is also authorized to perform the management and
          administrative services necessary for the operation of the Portfolios.
 
          The Portfolios pay custodian and transfer agent fees and expenses,
          brokerage commissions and dealer spreads and other expenses in
          connection with the execution of portfolio transactions, legal and
          accounting expenses, interest and taxes, registration fees, expenses
          of shareholders' meetings and reports to shareholders, fees and
          expenses of Portfolio Trustees who are not affiliated with Janus
          Capital and other costs of complying with applicable laws regulating
          the sale of Portfolio shares. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreements,
          Janus Capital furnishes certain other services, including net asset
          value determination, portfolio accounting and recordkeeping, for which
          the Portfolios may reimburse Janus Capital for its costs.
 
   
          Growth Portfolio, Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Capital Appreciation
          Portfolio, International Growth Portfolio, Worldwide Growth Portfolio,
          Balanced Portfolio, Equity Income Portfolio and Growth and Income
          Portfolio have each agreed to compensate Janus Capital for its
          services by the monthly payment of a fee at the annual rate of 0.75%
          of the first $300 million of the average daily net assets of each
          Portfolio, 0.70% of the next $200 million of the average daily net
          assets of each Portfolio and 0.65% on the average daily net assets of
          each Portfolio in excess of $500 million. The advisory fee is
          calculated and payable daily. Janus Capital has voluntarily agreed to
          cap the advisory fee of Growth Portfolio, Aggressive Growth Portfolio,
          Capital Appreciation Portfolio, International Growth Portfolio,
          Worldwide Growth Portfolio, Balanced Portfolio, Equity Income
          Portfolio and Growth and Income Portfolio at the effective rate of
          Janus Fund, Janus Enterprise Fund, Janus Olympus Fund, Janus Overseas
          Fund, Janus Worldwide Fund, Janus Balanced Fund, Janus Equity Income
          Fund and Janus Growth and Income Fund (the "retail funds"),
          respectively. The effective rate of each retail fund is the advisory
          fee calculated by such fund on the last day of each calendar quarter.
          If the assets of the corresponding retail fund exceed the assets of a
          Portfolio as of the last day of any calendar quarter, then the
          advisory fee payable by that Portfolio for the following calendar
          quarter will be a flat rate equal to such effective rate. The
          effective rate (annualized) of Janus Fund, Janus Enterprise Fund,
          Janus Olympus Fund, Janus Overseas Fund, Janus Worldwide Fund, Janus
          Balanced Fund, Janus Equity Income Fund and Janus Growth and Income
          Fund were 0.65%, 0.69%, 0.67%, 0.66%, 0.65%, 0.67%, 0.72% and 0.66%,
          respectively, for the quarter ended March 31, 1999. Janus Capital has
          agreed to continue such reductions until at least the next annual
          renewal of the advisory agreements.
    
 
          In addition, Janus Capital has agreed to reimburse Equity Income
          Portfolio and Growth and Income Portfolio by the amount, if any, that
          such Portfolio's normal operating expenses in any fiscal year,
          including the investment advisory fee but excluding the distribution
          fee and participant administration fee described below, brokerage
          commissions, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses, exceed an
          annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio
          until at least the next annual renewal of the advisory agreements.
 
                                                                              21
<PAGE>
 
          High-Yield Portfolio has agreed to compensate Janus Capital for its
          services by the monthly payment of a fee at the annual rate of .75% of
          the first $300 million of average daily net assets of the Portfolio
          and .65% of the average daily net assets in excess of $300 million.
          Flexible Income Portfolio has agreed to compensate Janus Capital for
          its services by the monthly payment of a fee at the annual rate of
          .65% of the first $300 million of the average daily net assets of the
          Portfolio, plus .55% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio
          in excess of $300 million. The fee is calculated and payable daily.
          Janus Capital has agreed to waive the advisory fee payable by each of
          these Portfolios in an amount equal to the amount, if any, that such
          Portfolio's normal operating expenses in any fiscal year, including
          the investment advisory fee but excluding the distribution fee and
          participant administration fee described below, brokerage commissions,
          interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses, exceed 1% of the average
          daily net assets for a fiscal year for Flexible Income Portfolio and
          High-Yield Portfolio. Janus Capital has agreed to continue such
          waivers until at least the next annual renewal of the advisory
          agreements.
 
          The following table summarizes the advisory fees paid by the
          Portfolios and any advisory fee waivers for the periods indicated. The
          information below is for fiscal years ended December 31.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1998                          1997                         1996
                                            --------------------------    --------------------------   --------------------------
              Portfolio Name                Advisory Fees   Waivers(1)    Advisory Fees   Waivers(1)   Advisory Fees   Waivers(1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>          <C>             <C>
Growth Portfolio                             $ 5,144,931                   $3,119,619           --      $1,410,362          --
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                  $ 4,159,741                   $3,036,239           --      $2,102,177          --
Capital Appreciation Portfolio               $   181,285                   $   12,832(2)   $ 9,172(2)           --          --
International Growth Portfolio               $ 1,547,572                   $  645,307           --      $   55,211     $51,880
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                   $14,485,092                   $7,532,715           --      $2,015,059          --
Balanced Portfolio                           $ 4,020,954                   $1,348,363           --      $  344,791          --
Equity Income Portfolio                      $    42,337     $34,357       $    5,959(2)   $ 5,959(2,3)         --          --
Growth and Income Portfolio                  $    12,900     $12,900(3,4)          --           --              --          --
Flexible Income Portfolio                    $   563,148                   $  237,601           --      $  116,279          --
High-Yield Portfolio                         $    24,691     $24,691(3)    $   11,790      $11,790(3)   $    2,304(5)  $ 2,304(3)(5)
</TABLE>
 
(1) In addition to these fee waivers, Janus Capital has agreed to reduce the
    advisory fee of the Growth, Aggressive Growth, Capital Appreciation,
    International Growth, Worldwide Growth, Balanced, Equity Income Growth and
    Income Portfolios to the extent that such fee exceeds the effective rate of
    the Janus retail fund corresponding to such Portfolio.
(2) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997.
(3) Fee waiver by Janus Capital exceeded the advisory fee.
(4) May 1, 1998 (inception) to December 31, 1998.
(5) May 1, 1996 (inception) to December 31, 1996.
 
          The Advisory Agreement for each of the Portfolios is dated July 1,
          1997 and will continue in effect from year to year so long as such
          continuance is approved annually by a majority of the Portfolios'
          Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreements or interested
          persons of any such party, and by either a majority of the outstanding
          voting shares or the Trustees of the Portfolios. Each Advisory
          Agreement (i) may be terminated without the payment of any penalty by
          any Portfolio or Janus Capital on 60 days' written notice; (ii)
          terminates automatically in the event of its assignment; and (iii)
          generally, may not be amended without the approval by vote of a
          majority of the Trustees of the affected Portfolio, including the
          Trustees who are not interested persons of that Portfolio or Janus
          Capital and, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, the vote of a
          majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Portfolio.
 
          Janus Capital acts as sub-adviser for a number of private-label mutual
          funds and provides separate account advisor services for institutional
          accounts. Investment decisions for each account managed by Janus
          Capital, including the Portfolios, are made independently from those
          for any other account that is or may in the future become managed by
          Janus Capital or its affiliates. If, however, a number of accounts
 
 22
<PAGE>
 
          managed by Janus Capital are contemporaneously engaged in the purchase
          or sale of the same security, the orders may be aggregated and/or the
          transactions may be averaged as to price and allocated equitably to
          each account. In some cases, this policy might adversely affect the
          price paid or received by an account or the size of the position
          obtained or liquidated for an account. Pursuant to an exemptive order
          granted by the SEC, the Portfolios and other portfolios advised by
          Janus Capital may also transfer daily uninvested cash balances into
          one or more joint trading accounts. Assets in the joint trading
          accounts are invested in money market instruments and the proceeds are
          allocated to the participating portfolios on a pro rata basis.
 
          Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. ("KCSI") owns approximately 82%
          of the outstanding voting stock of Janus Capital, most of which it
          acquired in 1984. KCSI is a publicly traded holding company whose
          primary subsidiaries are engaged in transportation, information
          processing and financial services. Thomas H. Bailey, President and
          Chairman of the Board of Janus Capital, owns approximately 12% of its
          voting stock and, by agreement with KCSI, selects a majority of Janus
          Capital's Board.
 
          KCSI has announced its intention to separate its transportation and
          financial services businesses. KCSI is currently studying alternatives
          for completion of the separation that meet its business objectives
          without risking adverse tax consequences. KCSI expects completion of
          the separation to be contemplated in 1999.
 
          Each account managed by Janus Capital has its own investment objective
          and policies and is managed accordingly by a particular portfolio
          manager or team of portfolio managers. As a result, from time to time
          two or more different managed accounts may pursue divergent investment
          strategies with respect to investments or categories of investments.
 
          Janus Capital does not permit the Portfolios' portfolio managers to
          purchase and sell securities for their own accounts except under the
          limited exceptions contained in Janus Capital's policy regarding
          personal investing by directors/Trustees, officers and employees of
          Janus Capital and the Trust. The policy requires investment personnel
          and officers of Janus Capital, inside directors/Trustees of Janus
          Capital and the Portfolios and other designated persons deemed to have
          access to current trading information to pre-clear all transactions in
          securities not otherwise exempt under the policy. Requests for trading
          authority will be denied when, among other reasons, the proposed
          personal transaction would be contrary to the provisions of the policy
          or would be deemed to adversely affect any transaction then known to
          be under consideration for or to have been effected on behalf of any
          client account, including the Portfolios.
 
          In addition to the pre-clearance requirement described above, the
          policy subjects investment personnel, officers and directors/Trustees
          of Janus Capital and the Trust to various trading restrictions and
          reporting obligations. All reportable transactions are required to be
          reviewed for compliance with Janus Capital's policy. Those persons
          also may be required under certain circumstances to forfeit their
          profits made from personal trading.
 
          The provisions of the policy are administered by and subject to
          exceptions authorized by Janus Capital.
 
                                                                              23
<PAGE> 
Custodian, transfer agent and certain affiliations
 
          State Street Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 0351, Boston,
          Massachusetts 02117-0351 is the custodian of the domestic securities
          and cash of the Portfolios. State Street and the foreign subcustodians
          it selects, have custody of the assets of the Portfolios held outside
          the U.S. and cash incidental thereto. The custodians and subcustodians
          hold the Portfolios' assets in safekeeping and collect and remit the
          income thereon, subject to the instructions of each Portfolio.
 
          Janus Service Corporation, P.O. Box 173375, Denver, Colorado
          80217-3375, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Janus Capital, is the
          Portfolios' transfer agent. In addition, Janus Service provides
          certain other administrative, recordkeeping and shareholder relations
          services to the Portfolios. Janus Service Corporation receives a
          participant administration fee at an annual rate of up to .25% of the
          average daily net assets of each Portfolio for providing or procuring
          recordkeeping, subaccounting and other administrative services to plan
          participants who invest in the shares of the Portfolios. Janus Service
          expects to use this fee to compensate qualified plan service providers
          for providing these services (at an annual rate of up to .25% of the
          average daily net assets of the Shares attributable to plan
          participants receiving services from each service provider). Services
          provided by qualified plan service providers may include but are not
          limited to participant recordkeeping, processing and aggregating
          purchase and redemption transactions, providing periodic statements,
          forwarding prospectuses, shareholder reports and other materials to
          existing plan participants, and other participant administrative
          services.
 
          For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Retirement Shares paid a de
          minimis amount of participant administration fees to Janus Service in
          connection with seed capital invested by Janus Capital in the Shares.
          This amount was rebated back to Janus Capital.
 
          For the year ended December 31, 1998, the total amounts paid by the
          Shares to Janus Service (substantially all of which Janus Service paid
          out as to qualified plan service providers) are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Participant
                                                              Administration
                       Portfolio Name                              Fees
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Worldwide Growth Portfolio - Retirement Shares                    $3,438
Balanced Portfolio - Retirement Shares                            $6,081
</TABLE>
 
Note: These Portfolios and the other Portfolios that are not included in the
      table paid a de minimis amount of participant administration fees in
      connection with seed capital invested by Janus Capital in the Shares of
      such Portfolios. This amount was rebated back to Janus Capital.
 
          The Portfolios pay DST Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of KCSI, license
          fees at the rate of $3.06 per shareholder account for the growth and
          combination portfolios and $3.98 per shareholder account for the
          fixed-income portfolios for the use of DST's shareholder accounting
          system. The Portfolios also pay DST $1.10 per closed shareholder
          account. The Portfolios pay DST for the use of its portfolio and fund
          accounting system a monthly base fee of $250 to $1,250 per month based
          on the number of Janus funds using the system and an asset charge of
          $1 per million dollars of net assets (not to exceed $500 per month).
 
          The Trustees have authorized the Portfolios to use another affiliate
          of DST as introducing broker for certain Portfolio transactions as a
          means to reduce Portfolio expenses through credits against the charges
          of DST and its affiliates with regard to commissions earned by such
          affiliate. DST charges shown above are net of such credits. See
          "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage."
 
 24
<PAGE>
 
          Janus Distributors, Inc., 100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado
          80206-4928, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Janus Capital, is the Trust's
          distributor. Janus Distributors is registered as a broker-dealer under
          the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a member of the National
          Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
                                                                              25
<PAGE>
Portfolio transactions and brokerage
 
          Decisions as to the assignment of portfolio business for the
          Portfolios and negotiation of its commission rates are made by Janus
          Capital whose policy is to obtain the "best execution" (prompt and
          reliable execution at the most favorable security price) of all
          portfolio transactions. The Portfolios may trade foreign securities in
          foreign countries because the best available market for these
          securities is often on foreign exchanges. In transactions on foreign
          stock exchanges, brokers' commissions are frequently fixed and are
          often higher than in the United States, where commissions are
          negotiated.
 
          In selecting brokers and dealers and in negotiating commissions, Janus
          Capital considers a number of factors, including but not limited to:
          Janus Capital's knowledge of currently available negotiated commission
          rates or prices of securities currently available and other current
          transaction costs; the nature of the security being traded; the size
          and type of the transaction; the nature and character of the markets
          for the security to be purchased or sold; the desired timing of the
          trade; the activity existing and expected in the market for the
          particular security; confidentiality; the quality of the execution,
          clearance and settlement services; financial stability of the broker
          or dealer; the existence of actual or apparent operational problems of
          any broker or dealer; rebates of commissions by a broker to a
          Portfolio or to a third party service provider to the Portfolio to pay
          Portfolio expenses; and research products or services provided. In
          recognition of the value of the foregoing factors, Janus Capital may
          place portfolio transactions with a broker or dealer with whom it has
          negotiated a commission that is in excess of the commission another
          broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if
          Janus Capital determines in good faith that such amount of commission
          was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
          provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of either that
          particular transaction or of the overall responsibilities of Janus
          Capital. Research may include furnishing advice, either directly or
          through publications or writings, as to the value of securities, the
          advisability of purchasing or selling specific securities and the
          availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities;
          furnishing seminars, information, analyses and reports concerning
          issuers, industries, securities, trading markets and methods,
          legislative developments, changes in accounting practices, economic
          factors and trends and portfolio strategy; access to research
          analysts, corporate management personnel, industry experts, economists
          and government officials; comparative performance evaluation and
          technical measurement services and quotation services, and products
          and other services (such as third party publications, reports and
          analyses, and computer and electronic access, equipment, software,
          information and accessories that deliver, process or otherwise utilize
          information, including the research described above) that assist Janus
          Capital in carrying out its responsibilities. Research received from
          brokers or dealers is supplemental to Janus Capital's own research
          efforts. Most brokers and dealers used by Janus Capital provide
          research and other services described above.
 
 26
<PAGE>
 
          For the year ended December 31, 1998, the total brokerage commissions
          paid by the Portfolios to brokers and dealers in transactions
          identified for execution primarily on the basis of research and other
          services provided to the Portfolios are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Portfolio Name                         Commissions   Transactions
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                               $413,532     $417,034,639
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                    $486,104     $392,999,344
Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                 $  6,456     $  8,627,008
International Growth Portfolio                                 $ 67,747     $ 21,378,002
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                     $650,580     $258,735,559
Balanced Portfolio                                             $ 91,836     $ 76,576,730
Equity Income Portfolio                                        $  1,272     $  1,058,786
Growth and Income Portfolio                                    $    642     $    627,984
</TABLE>
 
Note: Portfolios that are not included in the table did not pay any commissions
      related to research for the stated period.
 
          Janus Capital may use research products and services in servicing
          other accounts in addition to the Portfolios. If Janus Capital
          determines that any research product or service has a mixed use, such
          that it also serves functions that do not assist in the investment
          decision-making process, Janus Capital may allocate the costs of such
          service or product accordingly. Only that portion of the product or
          service that Janus Capital determines will assist it in the investment
          decision-making process may be paid for in brokerage commission
          dollars. Such allocation may create a conflict of interest for Janus
          Capital.
 
          Janus Capital does not enter into agreements with any brokers
          regarding the placement of securities transactions because of the
          research services they provide. It does, however, have an internal
          procedure for allocating transactions in a manner consistent with its
          execution policy to brokers that it has identified as providing
          superior executions and research, research-related products or
          services which benefit its advisory clients, including the Portfolios.
          Research products and services incidental to effecting securities
          transactions furnished by brokers or dealers may be used in servicing
          any or all of Janus Capital's clients and such research may not
          necessarily be used by Janus Capital in connection with the accounts
          which paid commissions to the broker-dealer providing such research
          products and services.
 
          Janus Capital may consider sales of Portfolio Shares or shares of
          other Janus funds by a broker-dealer or the recommendation of a
          broker-dealer to its customers that they purchase Portfolio Shares as
          a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute Portfolio
          transactions. Janus Capital may also consider payments made by brokers
          effecting transactions for a Portfolio (i) to the Portfolio or (ii) to
          other persons on behalf of the Portfolio for services provided to the
          Portfolio for which it would be obligated to pay. In placing Portfolio
          business with such broker-dealers, Janus Capital will seek the best
          execution of each transaction.
 
          When the Portfolios purchase or sell a security in the
          over-the-counter market, the transaction takes place directly with a
          principal market-maker, without the use of a broker, except in those
          circumstances where in the opinion of Janus Capital better prices and
          executions will be achieved through the use of a broker.
 
          The Portfolios' Trustees have authorized Janus Capital to place
          transactions with DST Securities, Inc. ("DSTS"), a wholly-owned
          broker-dealer subsidiary of DST. Janus Capital may do so if it
          reasonably believes that the quality of the transaction and the
          associated commission are fair and reasonable and if, overall, the
          associated transaction costs, net of any credits described above under
          "Custodian, Transfer Agent and Certain Affiliations," are lower than
          those that would otherwise be incurred.
 
                                                                              27
<PAGE>
 
          The following table lists the total amount of brokerage commissions
          paid by each Portfolio for the fiscal periods ending on December 31st
          of each year:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Portfolio Name                            1998         1997         1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>          <C>
Growth Portfolio                                              $1,062,104   $1,249,908   $  415,247
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                   $1,157,439   $  974,825   $  616,051
Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                $   39,464   $    2,570(2)       N/A
International Growth Portfolio                                $  810,115   $  512,690   $   49,472
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                    $5,334,034   $4,223,192   $1,332,024
Balanced Portfolio                                            $  337,008   $  408,226   $   86,264
Equity Income Portfolio                                       $    6,415   $    1,055(2)       N/A
Growth and Income Portfolio                                   $    3,844(1)       N/A          N/A
Flexible Income Portfolio                                     $    4,050   $    2,841   $        0
High-Yield Portfolio                                          $      679   $      103   $      186(3)
</TABLE>
 
(1) May 1, 1998 (inception) to December 31, 1998.
(2) May 1, 1997 (inception) to December 31, 1997.
(3) May 1, 1996 (inception) to December 31, 1996.
NOTE: Portfolios that are not included in the table did not pay brokerage
      commissions because securities transactions for such Portfolios involved
      dealers acting as principals.
 
          Included in such brokerage commissions are the following amounts paid
          to DSTS, which served to reduce each Portfolio's out-of-pocket
          expenses as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Commission Paid
                                                              through DSTS for the
                                                                  Period Ended       Reduction of    % of Total     % of Total
                       Portfolio Name                          December 31, 1998*     Expenses*     Commissions+   Transactions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                    <C>            <C>            <C>
Growth Portfolio                                                     $6,937             $5,203         0.65%           0.49%
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                          $9,626             $7,219         0.83%           0.60%
Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                       $   --             $   --           --%             --%
International Growth Portfolio                                       $   --             $   --           --%             --%
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                           $   --             $   --           --%             --%
Balanced Portfolio                                                   $   --             $   --           --%             --%
Equity Income Portfolio                                              $    7             $    6         0.12%           0.08%
Growth and Income Portfolio                                          $   --             $   --           --%             --%
</TABLE>
 
* The difference between commissions paid to DSTS and expenses reduced
  constitute commissions paid to an unaffiliated clearing broker.
+ Differences in the percentage of total commissions versus the percentage of
  total transactions are due, in part, to variations among share prices and
  number of shares traded, while average price per share commission rates were
  substantially the same.
NOTE: Portfolios that did not execute trades with DSTS during the periods
      indicated are not included in the table.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Commission Paid through
                                                         DSTS for the                              Commission
                                                            Period                             Paid through DSTS
                                                   May 1, 1997 (inception) -   Reduction of   for the Period Ended    Reduction
                 Portfolio Name                       December 31, 1997*        Expenses*      October 31, 1996*     of Expenses*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>                         <C>            <C>                    <C>
Growth Portfolio                                            $2,819                $2,114             $4,645             $3,484
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                 $6,780                $5,085             $1,929             $1,447
International Growth Portfolio                              $   --                $   --             $   67             $   51
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                  $6,697                $5,023             $6,189             $4,642
Balanced Portfolio                                          $  391                $  293             $2,565             $1,924
Equity Income Portfolio                                     $   15                $   11             $   --             $   --
</TABLE>
 
* The difference between commissions paid through DSTS and expenses reduced
  constitute commissions paid to an unaffiliated clearing broker.
NOTE: Portfolios that did not execute trades with DSTS during the periods
      indicated are not included in the table.
 
 28
<PAGE>
 
          As of December 31, 1998, certain Portfolios owned securities of their
          regular broker-dealers (or parents), as shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Value of
                                                                       Name of              Securities
                       Portfolio Name                               Broker-Dealer              Owned
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                              Charles Schwab Corporation    $30,555,043
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                   Charles Schwab Corporation    $13,697,389
Balanced Portfolio                                            Charles Schwab Corporation    $24,251,649
Equity Income Portfolio                                       Charles Schwab Corporation       $379,659
Growth and Income Portfolio                                   Charles Schwab Corporation        $63,211
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              29
<PAGE>
Trustees and officers
 
          The following are the names of the Trustees and officers of the Trust,
          together with a brief description of their principal occupations
          during the last five years.
 
Thomas H. Bailey, Age 61 - Trustee, Chairman and President*#
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee, Chairman and President of Janus Investment Fund. Chairman,
          Chief Executive Officer, Director and President of Janus Capital.
          Director of Janus Distributors, Inc.
 
James P. Craig, III, Age 42 - Trustee and Executive Vice President*#
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee and Executive Vice President of Janus Investment Fund. Chief
          Investment Officer, Vice Chairman and Director of Janus Capital.
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Growth Portfolio and
          Janus Fund. Executive Vice President and Co-Manager of Janus Venture
          Fund.
 
William D. Stewart, Age 54 - Trustee#
5330 Sterling Drive
Boulder, CO 80302
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund. President of HPS Division of MKS
          Instruments, Boulder, CO (manufacturer of vacuum fittings and valves).
 
Gary O. Loo, Age 58  - Trustee#
102 N. Cascade, Suite 500
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund. President and Director of High
          Valley Group, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO (investments).
 
Dennis B. Mullen, Age 55 - Trustee
7500 E. McCormick Parkway, #24
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund. Private Investor. Formerly
          (1997-1998), Chief Financial Officer-Boston Market Concepts, Boston
          Chicken, Inc., Golden, CO (restaurant chain); (1993-1997), President
          and Chief Executive Officer of BC Northwest, L.P., a franchise of
          Boston Chicken, Inc., Bellevue, WA (restaurant chain).
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
#Member of the Trust's Executive Committee.
 
 30
<PAGE>
 
Martin H. Waldinger, Age 60 - Trustee
4940 Sandshore Court
San Diego, CA 92130
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund. Private Consultant. Formerly
          (1993-1996), Director of Run Technologies, Inc., a software
          development firm, San Carlos, CA.
 
James T. Rothe, Age 55 - Trustee
102 South Tejon Street, Suite 1100
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund. Professor of Business, University of
          Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO. Principal, Phillips-Smith Retail
          Group, Colorado Springs, CO (a venture capital firm). Formerly (1986-
          1994), Dean of the College of Business, University of Colorado,
          Colorado Springs, CO.
 
Laurence J. Chang, Age 33 - Executive Vice President, Co-Portfolio Manager
International Growth Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Co-Manager and Assistant Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment Fund+.
 
David J. Corkins, Age 32 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager Growth
and Income Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President of Janus Investment Fund. Formerly,
          (1995-1997), research analyst at Janus Capital and (1993-1995), Chief
          Financial Officer of Chase U.S. Consumer Services, Inc., a Chase
          Manhattan mortgage business.
 
James P. Goff, Age 35 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager of
Aggressive Growth Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment
          Fund. Vice President of Janus Capital.
 
Helen Young Hayes, Age 36 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager
Worldwide Growth Portfolio, Co-Manager International Growth Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Co-Manager of Janus
          Investment Fund. Vice President of Janus Capital.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
+Includes comparable office with various Janus funds that were reorganized into
 Janus Investment Fund on August 7, 1992.
 
                                                                              31
<PAGE>
 
Blaine P. Rollins, Age 32 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager of
Equity Income and Balanced Portfolios*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment
          Fund. Vice President of Janus Capital. Formerly, fixed-income trader
          and equity securities analyst at Janus Capital (1990-1995).
 
Sandy R. Rufenacht, Age 34 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager of
High-Yield Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment
          Fund. Vice President of Janus Capital. Formerly, senior accountant,
          fixed-income trader and fixed-income research analyst at Janus Capital
          (1990-1995).
 
Ronald V. Speaker, age 34 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager of
Flexible Income Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment
          Fund+. Vice President of Janus Capital.
 
Scott W. Schoelzel, Age 40 - Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager of
Capital Appreciation Portfolio*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Investment
          Fund. Vice President of Janus Capital.
 
Thomas A. Early, Age 44 - Vice President and General Counsel*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Vice President and General Counsel of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President, General Counsel and Secretary of Janus Capital. Vice
          President and General Counsel of Janus Service Corporation, Janus
          Distributors, Inc. and Janus Capital International, Ltd. Director of
          Janus World Funds Plc. Formerly (1997 to 1998), Executive Vice
          President and General Counsel of Prudential Investments Fund
          Management LLC, Newark, New Jersey. Formerly (1994 to 1997), Vice
          President and General Counsel of Prudential Retirement Services,
          Newark, New Jersey. Formerly (1988 to 1994), Associate General Counsel
          and Chief Financial Services Counsel, Frank Russell Company, Tacoma,
          Washington.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Includes comparable office with various Janus funds that were reorganized into
 Janus Investment Fund on August 7, 1992.
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
 
 32
<PAGE>
 
Steven R. Goodbarn, Age 41 - Vice President and Chief Financial Officer*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Investment Fund+.
          Vice President of Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of
          Janus Capital, Janus Service Corporation, and Janus Distributors, Inc.
          Director of Janus Service Corporation, Janus Distributors, Inc. and
          Janus World Funds Plc. Director, Treasurer and Vice President of
          Finance of Janus Capital International Ltd. Formerly (1992-1996),
          Treasurer of Janus Investment Fund and Janus Aspen Series.
 
Glenn P. O'Flaherty, Age 40 - Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer*
100 Fillmore Street, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President of Janus Capital. Formerly (1991-1997), Director of Fund
          Accounting, Janus Capital.
 
Stephen Lamar Stieneker, Age 40 - Assistant Vice President and Secretary*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Assistant Vice President and Secretary of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President of Compliance, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant
          General Counsel of Janus Capital.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
 
          The Trustees are responsible for major decisions relating to each
          Portfolio's objective, policies and techniques. The Trustees also
          supervise the operation of the Portfolios by their officers and review
          the investment decisions of the officers although they do not actively
          participate on a regular basis in making such decisions.
 
          The Trust's Executive Committee shall have and may exercise all the
          powers and authority of the Trustees except for matters requiring
          action by all Trustees pursuant to the Trust's Bylaws or Trust
          Instrument, Delaware law or the 1940 Act.
 
                                                                              33
<PAGE>
 
          The following table shows the aggregate compensation paid to each
          Trustee by the Portfolios and all funds advised and sponsored by Janus
          Capital (collectively, the "Janus Funds") for the periods indicated.
          None of the Trustees receive pension or retirement benefits from the
          Portfolios or the Janus Funds.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Aggregate Compensation       Total Compensation
                                                              from the Portfolios for   from the Janus Funds for
                                                                 fiscal year ended         calendar year ended
                  Name of Person, Position                       December 31, 1998         December 31, 1998**
<S>                                                           <C>                       <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas H. Bailey, Chairman and Trustee*                               $    0                     $     0
James P. Craig, III, Trustee*                                         $    0                     $     0
William D. Stewart, Trustee                                           $5,426                     $82,000
Gary O. Loo, Trustee                                                  $4,432                     $74,000
Dennis B. Mullen, Trustee                                             $4,801                     $82,000
Martin H. Waldinger, Trustee                                          $4,883                     $74,000
James T. Rothe, Trustee                                               $4,941                     $82,000
</TABLE>
 
 * An interested person of the Portfolios and of Janus Capital. Compensated by
   Janus Capital and not the Portfolios.
** As of December 31, 1998, Janus Funds consisted of two registered investment
   companies comprised of a total of 32 funds.
 
 34
<PAGE>
Shares of the trust
 
NET ASSET VALUE DETERMINATION
 
          As stated in the Prospectus, the net asset value ("NAV") of the Shares
          of each Portfolio is determined once each day on which the NYSE is
          open, at the close of its regular trading session (normally 4:00 p.m.,
          New York time, Monday through Friday). The NAV of the Shares of each
          Portfolio is not determined on days the NYSE is closed (generally, New
          Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,
          Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and
          Christmas). The per Share NAV of the Shares of each Portfolio is
          determined by dividing the total value of a Portfolio's securities and
          other assets, less liabilities, attributable to the Shares of a
          Portfolio, by the total number of Shares outstanding. In determining
          NAV, securities listed on an Exchange, the NASDAQ National Market and
          foreign markets are valued at the closing prices on such markets, or
          if such price is lacking for the trading period immediately preceding
          the time of determination, such securities are valued at their current
          bid price. Municipal securities held by the Portfolios are traded
          primarily in the over-the-counter market. Valuations of such
          securities are furnished by one or more pricing services employed by
          the Portfolios and are based upon last trade or closing sales prices
          or a computerized matrix system or appraisals obtained by a pricing
          service, in each case in reliance upon information concerning market
          transactions and quotations from recognized municipal securities
          dealers. Other securities that are traded on the over-the-counter
          market are valued at their closing bid prices. Foreign securities and
          currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in
          effect at the close of the NYSE. Each Portfolio will determine the
          market value of individual securities held by it, by using prices
          provided by one or more professional pricing services which may
          provide market prices to other funds, or, as needed, by obtaining
          market quotations from independent broker-dealers. Short-term
          securities maturing within 60 days are valued on an amortized cost
          basis. Securities for which quotations are not readily available, and
          other assets, are valued at fair values determined in good faith under
          procedures established by and under the supervision of the Trustees.
 
          Trading in securities on European and Far Eastern securities exchanges
          and over-the-counter markets is normally completed well before the
          close of business on each business day in New York (i.e., a day on
          which the NYSE is open). In addition, European or Far Eastern
          securities trading generally or in a particular country or countries
          may not take place on all business days in New York. Furthermore,
          trading takes place in Japanese markets on certain Saturdays and in
          various foreign markets on days which are not business days in New
          York and on which a Portfolio's NAV is not calculated. A Portfolio
          calculates its NAV per Share, and therefore effects sales, redemptions
          and repurchases of its Shares, as of the close of the NYSE once on
          each day on which the NYSE is open. Such calculation may not take
          place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the
          foreign portfolio securities used in such calculation.
 
PURCHASES
 
          Shares of the Portfolios can be purchased only by certain participant
          directed qualified retirement plans. Certain designated organizations
          are authorized to receive purchase orders on the Portfolios' behalf
          and those organizations are authorized to designate their agents and
          affiliates as intermediaries to receive purchase orders. Purchase
          orders are deemed received by a Portfolio when authorized
          organizations, their agents or affiliates receive the order. The
          Portfolios are not responsible for the failure of any designated
          organization or its agents or affiliates to carry out its obligations
          to its customers. Shares of the Portfolios are purchased at the NAV
          per Share as determined at the close of the regular trading session of
          the NYSE next occurring after a purchase order is received and
          accepted by a Portfolio or its authorized agent. In order to receive a
          day's price, your order must be received by the close of the regular
          trading session of the NYSE as described above in "Net Asset Value
          Determination." Your plan documents contain detailed information about
          investing in the different Portfolios.
 
                                                                              35
<PAGE>
 
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
 
          Under a distribution plan ("Plan") adopted in accordance with Rule
          12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Shares may pay Janus Distributors, the
          Trust's distributor, a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the
          average daily net assets of the Shares of a Portfolio. Under the terms
          of the Plan, the Trust is authorized to make payments to Janus
          Distributors for remittance to qualified plan service providers as
          compensation for distribution and shareholder servicing performed by
          such service providers. The Plan is a compensation type plan and
          permits the payment at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average
          daily net assets of the Shares of a Portfolio for activities which are
          primarily intended to result in sales of the Shares, including but not
          limited to preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses,
          Statements of Additional Information, shareholder reports, and
          educational materials to prospective and existing plan participants;
          responding to inquiries by qualified plan participants; receiving and
          answering correspondence and similar activities. On December 10, 1996,
          Trustees unanimously approved the Plan which became effective May 1,
          1997. The Plan and any Rule 12b-1 related agreement that is entered
          into by the Portfolios or Janus Distributors in connection with the
          Plan will continue in effect for a period of more than one year only
          so long as continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a
          vote of a majority of the Trustees, and of a majority of the Trustees
          who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
          Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the
          operation of the Plan or any related agreements ("12b-1 Trustees").
          All material amendments to the Plan must be approved by a majority
          vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the 12b-1 Trustees, at a
          meeting called for that purpose. In addition, the Plan may be
          terminated at any time, without penalty, by vote of a majority of the
          outstanding Shares of a Portfolio or by vote of a majority of 12b-1
          Trustees.
 
          For the year ended December 31, 1998, the total amounts paid by the
          Shares to Janus Distributors (substantially all of which Janus
          Distributors paid out as compensation to broker-dealers and other
          service providers) under the 12b-1 plan are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Portfolio Name                         12b-1 Distribution Fees
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Worldwide Growth Portfolio - Retirement Shares                        $3,438
Balanced Portfolio - Retirement Shares                                $6,081
</TABLE>
 
Note: These Portfolios and the other Portfolios that are not included in the
      table paid a de minimis amount of 12b-1 fees in connection with seed
      capital invested by Janus Capital in the Shares of such Portfolios. This
      amount was rebated back to Janus Capital.
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
          Redemptions, like purchases, may only be effected through participant
          directed qualified retirement plans. Certain designated organizations
          are authorized to receive redemption orders on the Portfolios' behalf
          and those organizations are authorized to designate their agents and
          affiliates as intermediaries to receive redemption orders. Redemption
          orders are deemed received by a Portfolio when authorized
          organizations, their agents or affiliates receive the order. The
          Portfolios are not responsible for the failure of any designated
          organization or its agents or affiliates to carry out its obligations
          to its customers. Shares normally will be redeemed for cash, although
          each Portfolio retains the right to redeem its shares in kind under
          unusual circumstances, in order to protect the interests of remaining
          shareholders, by delivery of securities selected from its assets at
          its discretion. However, the Portfolios are governed by Rule 18f-1
          under the 1940 Act, which requires each Portfolio to redeem shares
          solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the NAV of that
          Portfolio during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. Should
          redemptions by any shareholder exceed such limitation, a Portfolio
          will have the option of redeeming the excess in cash or in kind. If
          shares are redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might incur
 
 36
<PAGE>
 
          brokerage costs in converting the assets to cash. The method of
          valuing securities used to make redemptions in kind will be the same
          as the method of valuing portfolio securities described under "Shares
          of the Trust - Net Asset Value Determination" and such valuation will
          be made as of the same time the redemption price is determined.
 
          The right to require the Portfolios to redeem their shares may be
          suspended, or the date of payment may be postponed, whenever (1)
          trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the SEC, or the
          NYSE is closed except for holidays and weekends, (2) the SEC permits
          such suspension and so orders, or (3) an emergency exists as
          determined by the SEC so that disposal of securities or determination
          of NAV is not reasonably practicable.
 
                                                                              37
<PAGE>
Income dividends, capital gains distributions and tax status
 
          It is a policy of the Shares of the Portfolios to make semiannual
          distributions in June and December of substantially all of their
          respective investment income and an annual distribution in June of
          their respective net realized gains, if any. The Portfolios intend to
          qualify as regulated investment companies by satisfying certain
          requirements prescribed by Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code
          ("Code"). In addition, each Portfolio intends to comply with the
          diversification requirements of Code Section 817(h) related to the
          tax-deferred status of insurance company separate accounts.
 
          All income dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, on a
          Portfolio's Shares are reinvested automatically in additional Shares
          of that Portfolio at the NAV determined on the first business day
          following the record date.
 
          The Portfolios may purchase securities of certain foreign corporations
          considered to be passive foreign investment companies by the IRS. In
          order to avoid taxes and interest that must be paid by the Portfolios
          if these instruments appreciate in value, the Portfolios may make
          various elections permitted by the tax laws. However, these elections
          could require that the Portfolios recognize taxable income, which in
          turn must be distributed, before the securities are sold and before
          cash is received to pay the distributions.
 
          Some foreign securities purchased by the Portfolios may be subject to
          foreign taxes which could reduce the yield on such securities. The
          amount of such foreign taxes is expected to be insignificant. The
          Portfolios may from year to year make the election permitted under
          Section 853 of the Code to pass through such taxes to shareholders. If
          such election is not made, any foreign taxes paid or accrued will
          represent an expense to each Portfolio which will reduce its
          investment company taxable income.
 
          Because Shares of the Portfolios can only be purchased through
          qualified plans, it is anticipated that any income dividends or
          capital gains distributions will be exempt from current taxation if
          left to accumulate within such plans. See the plan documents for
          additional information.
 
 38
<PAGE>
Principal shareholders
 
   
          The officers and Trustees of the Portfolios cannot directly own Shares
          of the Portfolios without purchasing through a qualified plan. As a
          result, such officers and Trustees as a group own less than 1% of the
          outstanding Shares of each Portfolio. As of April 1, 1999, all of the
          outstanding Shares of the Portfolios were owned by participant
          directed qualified plans and by Janus Capital, which provided seed
          capital for the Portfolios. The percentage ownership of each
          participant directed qualified plan owning more than 5% of the Shares
          of any Portfolio is as follows:
 
          Arrowhead Trust, Inc., 303 East Vanderbilt Way, Suite 150, San
          Bernadino, CA 92402, owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding
          shares of the Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio Name                                                  Held by Arrowhead Trust, Inc.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Flexible Income Portfolio                                                   73.62%
</TABLE>
 
          The Bank of New York, One Wall Street, Floor 14, New York, NY 10286,
          owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of the
          Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio Name                                                  Held by The Bank of New York
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Balanced Portfolio                                                          93.72%
</TABLE>
 
          Fidelity Investments, 82 Devonshire Street H6C, Boston, MA 02109,
          owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of the
          Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio Name                                                  Held by Fidelity Investments
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                                  48.44%
</TABLE>
 
          First National Bank of Omaha, 1620 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68102,
          owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of the
          Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Held by First National
Portfolio Name                                                          Bank of Omaha
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                                            26.52%
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                                 68.19%
International Growth Portfolio                                              49.34%
</TABLE>
 
          First Union National Bank, 1525 West W.T. Harris Boulevard, Charlotte,
          NC 28288, owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of the
          Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio Name                                                Held by First Union National Bank
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                                             5.85%
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                                  26.67%
</TABLE>
 
          IBJ Schroeder Bank & Trust Company, One State Street, New York, NY
          10004, owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of the
          Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Held by IBJ Schroeder
Portfolio Name                                                     Bank and Trust Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                                  10.29%
</TABLE>
    
 
                                                                              39
<PAGE>
 
   
          Mercantile Trust Company, 7th and Washington Streets, 11th Floor, St.
          Louis, MO 63102, owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares
          of the Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio Name                                                Held by Mercantile Trust Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Aggressive Growth Portfolio                                                 30.59%
International Growth Portfolio                                              46.66%
Capital Appreciation Portfolio                                              79.59%
</TABLE>
 
          Moce & Co., c/o First Mid Illinois Bank & Trust N.A., 1515 Charleston
          Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938, owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding
          Shares of the Portfolios, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio Name                                                       Held by Moce & Co.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Worldwide Growth Portfolio                                                   9.70%
Balanced Portfolio                                                           5.10%
</TABLE>
 
          Summit Bank, 210 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Hackensack, NJ 07601, owned
          of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of the Portfolios, as
          follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portfolio Name                                                       Held by Summit Bank
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Growth Portfolio                                                            64.71%
</TABLE>
    
 
          None of the qualified plans owned 10% or more of the shares of the
          Trust as a whole.
 
 40
<PAGE>
Miscellaneous information
 
          Each Portfolio is a series of the Trust, an open-end management
          investment company registered under the 1940 Act and organized as a
          Delaware business trust on May 20, 1993. As of the date of this SAI,
          the Trust is offering eleven series of shares, known as "Portfolios,"
          each of which consists of two classes of shares. Additional series
          and/or classes may be created from time to time.
 
SHARES OF THE TRUST
 
          The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of
          beneficial interest with a par value of $.001 per share for each
          series of the Trust. Shares of each Portfolio are fully paid and
          nonassessable when issued. Shares of a Portfolio participate equally
          in dividends and other distributions by the shares of such Portfolio,
          and in residual assets of that Portfolio in the event of liquidation.
          Shares of each Portfolio have no preemptive, conversion or
          subscription rights.
 
          The Portfolios each offer two classes of shares. The Shares discussed
          in this SAI are offered only to certain participant directed qualified
          plans whose service providers require a fee from the Trust assets for
          providing certain services to plan participants. A second class of
          shares, Institutional Shares, is offered only in connection with
          investments in and payments under variable insurance contracts as well
          as other qualified retirement plans.
 
SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
 
          The Trust does not intend to hold annual shareholder meetings.
          However, special meetings may be called for a specific Portfolio or
          for the Trust as a whole for purposes such as electing or removing
          Trustees, terminating or reorganizing the Trust, changing fundamental
          policies, or for any other purpose requiring a shareholder vote under
          the 1940 Act. Separate votes are taken by each Portfolio or class only
          if a matter affects or requires the vote of only that Portfolio or
          class or that Portfolio's or class' interest in the matter differs
          from the interest of other Portfolios of the Trust. A shareholder is
          entitled to one vote for each Share owned.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
          The Trustees are responsible for major decisions relating to each
          Portfolio's policies and objectives; the Trustees oversee the
          operation of each Portfolio by its officers and review the investment
          decisions of the officers.
 
          The present Trustees were elected by the initial trustee of the Trust
          on May 25, 1993, and were approved by the initial shareholder on May
          25, 1993, with the exception of Mr. Craig and Mr. Rothe who were
          appointed by the Trustees as of June 30, 1995 and as of January 1,
          1997, respectively. Under the Trust Instrument, each Trustee will
          continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his earlier
          death, retirement, resignation, bankruptcy, incapacity or removal.
          Vacancies will be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees,
          subject to the 1940 Act. Therefore, no annual or regular meetings of
          shareholders normally will be held, unless otherwise required by the
          Trust Instrument or the 1940 Act. Subject to the foregoing,
          shareholders have the power to vote to elect or remove Trustees, to
          terminate or reorganize their Portfolio, to amend the Trust
          Instrument, to bring certain derivative actions and on any other
          matters on which a shareholder vote is required by the 1940 Act, the
          Trust Instrument, the Trust's Bylaws or the Trustees.
 
          As mentioned above in "Shareholder Meetings," each share of each
          portfolio of the Trust has one vote (and fractional votes for
          fractional shares). Shares of all portfolios of the Trust have
          noncumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than
          50% of the shares of all series of the Trust voting for the
 
                                                                              41
<PAGE>
 
          election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to
          do so and, in such event, the holders of the remaining shares will not
          be able to elect any Trustees.
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 950 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2500,
          Denver, Colorado 80202, independent accountants for the Portfolios,
          audit the Portfolios' annual financial statements and prepare their
          tax returns.
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
          The Trust has filed with the SEC, Washington, D.C., a Registration
          Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect
          to the securities to which this SAI relates. If further information is
          desired with respect to the Portfolios or such securities, reference
          is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits filed as a part
          thereof.
 
 42
<PAGE>
Performance information
 
          Quotations of average annual total return for the Shares of a
          Portfolio will be expressed in terms of the average annual compounded
          rate of return of a hypothetical investment in the Shares of such
          Portfolio over periods of 1, 5, and 10 years (up to the life of the
          Portfolio). These are the annual total rates of return that would
          equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value.
          These rates of return are calculated pursuant to the following
          formula: P(1 + T)(n) = ERV (where P = a hypothetical initial payment
          of $1,000, T = the average annual total return, n = the number of
          years and ERV = the ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
          payment made at the beginning of the period). All total return figures
          reflect the deduction of a proportional share of expenses of the
          Shares of a Portfolio on an annual basis, and assume that all
          dividends and distributions are reinvested when paid. The average
          annual total return of the Shares of each Portfolio, computed as of
          December 31, 1998, is shown in the table below.
 
          The Growth, Aggressive Growth, International Growth, Worldwide Growth,
          Balanced, Flexible Income, and High-Yield Portfolios Retirement Shares
          commenced operations on May 1, 1997. The returns shown for the
          Retirement Shares of these Portfolios reflect the historical
          performance of a different class of shares (the Institutional Shares)
          prior to May 1, 1997, restated based on the Retirement Shares' fees
          and expenses on May 1, 1997 (ignoring any fee and expense
          limitations).
 
          [To Be Filed By Amendment]
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Average Annual Total Return
                                                              Portfolio     Number      -----------------------------------
                                                              Inception    of Months      One     Five     Ten     Life of
                       Portfolio Name                           Date      in Lifetime    Year     Years   Years   Portfolio
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>           <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>
Growth Portfolio - Retirement Shares                           9/13/93       63.5             %       %    N/A           %
Aggressive Growth Portfolio - Retirement Shares                9/13/93       63.5             %       %    N/A           %
Capital Appreciation Portfolio -- Retirement Shares             5/1/97         20             %     N/A    N/A           %
International Growth Portfolio - Retirement Shares              5/2/94         56             %     N/A    N/A           %
Worldwide Growth Portfolio - Retirement Shares                 9/13/93       63.5             %       %    N/A           %
Balanced Portfolio - Retirement Shares                         9/13/93       63.5             %       %    N/A           %
Equity Income Portfolio - Retirement Shares                     5/1/97         20             %     N/A    N/A           %
Growth and Income Portfolio - Retirement Shares                 5/1/98          8           N/A     N/A    N/A         N/A
Flexible Income Portfolio - Retirement Shares                  9/13/93       63.5             %       %    N/A           %
High-Yield Portfolio - Retirement Shares                        5/1/96         32             %     N/A    N/A           %
</TABLE>
 
          Yield quotations for a Portfolio's Shares are based on the investment
          income per Share earned during a particular 30-day period (including
          dividends, if any, and interest), less expenses accrued during the
          period ("net investment income"), and are computed by dividing net
          investment income by the net asset value per share on the last day of
          the period, according to the following formula:
 
                              YIELD = 2[(a - b + 1)(6) - 1]
                                         -----
                                          cd
 
          where a = dividend and interest income
                b = expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements)
                c = average daily number of shares outstanding during the period
                    that were entitled to receive dividends
                d = maximum net asset value per share on the last day of the
                    period
 
          The yield for the 30-day period ending December 31, 1998, for the
          Shares of the following Portfolios is shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Flexible Income Portfolio - Retirement Shares -                 5.70%
High-Yield Portfolio - Retirement Shares -                      7.89%
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              43
<PAGE>
 
          From time to time in advertisements or sales material, the Portfolios
          may discuss their performance ratings or other information as
          published by recognized mutual fund statistical rating services,
          including, but not limited to, Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.,
          Ibbotson Associates, Micropal or Morningstar, Inc. or by publications
          of general interest such as Forbes, Money, The Wall Street Journal,
          Mutual Funds Magazine, Kiplinger's or Smart Money. The Portfolios may
          also compare their performance to that of other selected mutual funds
          (for example, peer groups created by Lipper or Morningstar), mutual
          fund averages or recognized stock market indicators, including, but
          not limited to, the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index,
          the Standard & Poor's 400 Midcap Index, the Dow Jones Industrial
          Average, the Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index, the
          Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate 1-3 Year Bond Index, the Lehman
          Brothers Long Government/Corporate Bond Index, the Lehman Brothers
          Intermediate Government Bond Index, the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond
          Index, the Russell 2000 Index and the NASDAQ composite. In addition,
          the Portfolios may compare their total return or yield to the yield on
          U.S. Treasury obligations and to the percentage change in the Consumer
          Price Index. Worldwide Growth Portfolio and International Growth
          Portfolio may also compare their performance to the record of global
          market indicators, such as the Morgan Stanley International World
          Index or Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia, Far
          East Index (EAFE Index). Such performance ratings or comparisons may
          be made with funds that may have different investment restrictions,
          objectives, policies or techniques than the Portfolios and such other
          funds or market indicators may be comprised of securities that differ
          significantly from the Portfolios' investments.
 
 44
<PAGE>
Financial statements
 
          The following audited financial statements for the period ended
          December 31, 1998 are hereby incorporated into this Statement of
          Additional Information by reference to the Portfolios' Annual Report
          dated December 31, 1998. A copy of such report accompanies this SAI.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO THE ANNUAL REPORT
 
          Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 1998
 
          Statements of Operations for the period ended December 31, 1998
 
          Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1998
 
          Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the periods ended December 31,
          1998 and 1997
 
          Financial Highlights for each of the periods indicated
 
          Notes to Financial Statements
 
          Report of Independent Accountants
 
          The portions of such Annual Report that are not specifically listed
          above are not incorporated by reference into this Statement of
          Additional Information and are not part of the Registration Statement.
 
                                                                              45
<PAGE>
Appendix A
 
EXPLANATION OF RATING CATEGORIES
 
          The following is a description of credit ratings issued by two of the
          major credit ratings agencies. Credit ratings evaluate only the safety
          of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of lower
          quality securities. Credit rating agencies may fail to change credit
          ratings to reflect subsequent events on a timely basis. Although Janus
          Capital considers security ratings when making investment decisions,
          it also performs its own investment analysis and does not rely solely
          on the ratings assigned by credit agencies.
 
STANDARD & POOR'S
RATINGS SERVICES
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Investment Grade
                AAA......................... Highest rating; extremely strong capacity to pay principal
                                             and interest.
                AA.......................... High quality; very strong capacity to pay principal and
                                             interest.
                A........................... Strong capacity to pay principal and interest; somewhat more
                                             susceptible to the adverse effects of changing circumstances
                                             and economic conditions.
                BBB......................... Adequate capacity to pay principal and interest; normally
                                             exhibit adequate protection parameters, but adverse economic
                                             conditions or changing circumstances more likely to lead to
                                             a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest than for
                                             higher rated bonds.
                Non-Investment Grade
                BB, B, CCC, CC, C........... Predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's
                                             capacity to meet required interest and principal payments.
                                             BB -- lowest degree of speculation; C -- the highest degree
                                             of speculation. Quality and protective characteristics
                                             outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposure to
                                             adverse conditions.
                D........................... In default.
</TABLE>
 
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Investment Grade
                Aaa......................... Highest quality, smallest degree of investment risk.
                Aa.......................... High quality; together with Aaa bonds, they compose the
                                             high-grade bond group.
                A........................... Upper-medium grade obligations; many favorable investment
                                             attributes.
                Baa......................... Medium-grade obligations; neither highly protected nor
                                             poorly secured. Interest and principal appear adequate for
                                             the present but certain protective elements may be lacking
                                             or may be unreliable over any great length of time.
                Non-Investment Grade
                Ba.......................... More uncertain, with speculative elements. Protection of
                                             interest and principal payments not well safeguarded during
                                             good and bad times.
                B........................... Lack characteristics of desirable investment; potentially
                                             low assurance of timely interest and principal payments or
                                             maintenance of other contract terms over time.
                Caa......................... Poor standing, may be in default; elements of danger with
                                             respect to principal or interest payments.
                Ca.......................... Speculative in a high degree; could be in default or have
                                             other marked shortcomings.
                C........................... Lowest-rated; extremely poor prospects of ever attaining
                                             investment standing.
</TABLE>
 
 46
<PAGE>
 
          Unrated securities will be treated as noninvestment grade securities
          unless the portfolio manager determines that such securities are the
          equivalent of investment grade securities. Securities that have
          received ratings from more than one agency are considered investment
          grade if at least one agency has rated the security investment grade.
 
                                                                              47
<PAGE>
 
                      This page intentionally left blank.
<PAGE>
 
        LOGO

            1-800-29JANUS
            100 Fillmore Street
            Denver, Colorado 80206-4928
            janus.com
 
            SCAR0599
<PAGE>
 
                                         LOGO
 
                 Janus Aspen Series
 
                     Money Market Portfolio
 
                              100 Fillmore Street
                              Denver, CO 80206-4928
                              (800) 29JANUS
 
                              Statement of Additional Information
 
                              May 1, 1999
 
                 This Statement of Additional Information expands upon and
                 supplements the information contained in the current Prospectus
                 for the Institutional Shares (the "Shares") of Money Market
                 Portfolio. The Shares are sold under the name "Janus Aspen
                 Series." The Portfolio is a separate series of Janus Aspen
                 Series, a Delaware business trust.
 
                 The Shares of the Portfolios may be purchased only by the
                 separate accounts of insurance companies for the purpose of
                 funding variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
                 contracts (collectively, "variable insurance contracts") and by
                 certain qualified retirement plans. Each Portfolio also offers
                 a second class of shares to certain participant directed
                 qualified plans.
 
                 This SAI is not a Prospectus and should be read in conjunction
                 with the Prospectus dated May 1, 1999, which is incorporated by
                 reference into this SAI and may be obtained from the Trust at
                 the above phone number or address. This SAI contains additional
                 and more detailed information about the Portfolio's operations
                 and activities than the Prospectus. The Annual Report, which
                 contains important financial information about the Portfolio,
                 is incorporated by reference into this SAI and is also
                 available, without charge, from your insurance company.
<PAGE>
 
    LOGO
<PAGE>

                                                               Table of contents
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                                                           <C>
                Investment Restrictions and
                Investment Strategies.......................................    2
                Performance Data............................................   10
                Determination of Net Asset Value............................   12
                Investment Adviser..........................................   13
                Custodian, Transfer Agent
                and Certain Affiliations....................................   15
                Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage........................   16
                Trustees and Officers.......................................   18
                Purchase of Shares..........................................   22
                Redemption of Shares........................................   23
                Dividends and Tax Status....................................   24
                Principal Shareholders......................................   25
                Miscellaneous Information...................................   26
                   Shares of the Trust......................................   26
                   Shareholder Meetings.....................................   26
                   Voting Rights............................................   26
                   Independent Accountants..................................   27
                   Registration Statement...................................   27
                Financial Statements........................................   28
                Appendix A..................................................   29
                   Description of Securities Ratings........................   29
                Appendix B..................................................   32
                   Description of Municipal Securities......................   32
</TABLE>
 
                                                                               1
<PAGE>
Investment restrictions and investment strategies
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
          The Portfolio has adopted certain fundamental investment restrictions
          that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. Shareholder
          approval means approval by the lesser of (i) more than 50% of the
          outstanding voting securities of the Trust (or the Portfolio or class
          of shares if a matter affects just the Portfolio or class of shares),
          or (ii) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if
          the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of
          the Trust (or the Portfolio or class of shares) are present or
          represented by proxy.
 
          As used in the restrictions set forth below and as used elsewhere in
          this SAI, the term "U.S. Government Securities" shall have the meaning
          set forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
          Act"). The 1940 Act defines U.S. Government Securities as securities
          issued or guaranteed by the United States government, its agencies or
          instrumentalities. U.S. Government Securities may also include
          repurchase agreements collateralized and municipal securities escrowed
          with or refunded with escrowed U.S. government securities.
 
          The Portfolio has adopted the following fundamental policies:
 
          (1) With respect to 75% of its assets, the Portfolio may not purchase
          a security other than a U.S. Government Security, if, as a result,
          more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities
          of a single issuer or the Portfolio would own more than 10% of the
          outstanding voting securities of any single issuer. (As noted in the
          Prospectus, the Portfolio is currently subject to the greater
          diversification standards of Rule 2a-7, which are not fundamental.)
 
          (2) The Portfolio may not purchase securities if 25% or more of the
          value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of
          issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same
          industry; provided that: (i) there is no limit on investments in U.S.
          Government Securities or in obligations of domestic commercial banks
          (including U.S. branches of foreign banks subject to regulations under
          U.S. laws applicable to domestic banks and, to the extent that its
          parent is unconditionally liable for the obligation, foreign branches
          of U.S. banks); (ii) this limitation shall not apply to the
          Portfolio's investments in municipal securities; (iii) there is no
          limit on investment in issuers domiciled in a single country; (iv)
          financial service companies are classified according to the end users
          of their services (for example, automobile finance, bank finance and
          diversified finance are each considered to be a separate industry);
          and (v) utility companies are classified according to their services
          (for example, gas, gas transmission, electric, and telephone are each
          considered to be a separate industry).
 
          (3) The Portfolio may not act as an underwriter of securities issued
          by others, except to the extent that it may be deemed an underwriter
          in connection with the disposition of its portfolio securities.
 
          (4) The Portfolio may not lend any security or make any other loan if,
          as a result, more than 25% of its total assets would be lent to other
          parties (but this limitation does not apply to purchases of commercial
          paper, debt securities or repurchase agreements).
 
          (5) The Portfolio may not purchase or sell real estate or any interest
          therein, except that the Portfolio may invest in debt obligations
          secured by real estate or interests therein or securities issued by
          companies that invest in real estate or interests therein.
 
          (6) The Portfolio may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes
          (not for leveraging) in an amount not exceeding 25% of the value of
          its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities
          (other than borrowings). If borrowings exceed 25% of the value of the
          Portfolio's total assets by reason of a decline in net assets, it will
          reduce its borrowings within three business days to the extent
          necessary to comply with the 25% limitation. Reverse repurchase
          agreements or the segregation of assets in connection with such
          agreements shall not be considered borrowing for the purposes of this
          limit.
 
 2
<PAGE>
 
          (7) The Portfolio may, notwithstanding any other investment policy or
          restriction (whether or not fundamental), invest all of its assets in
          the securities of a single open-end management investment company with
          substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and
          restrictions as the Portfolio.
 
          Investment restriction (1) is intended to reflect the requirements
          under Section 5(b)(1) of the 1940 Act for a diversified fund. Rule
          2a-7 provides that money market funds that comply with the
          diversification limits of Rule 2a-7 are deemed to comply with the
          diversification limits of Section 5(b)(1). Thus, the Portfolio
          interprets restriction (1) in accordance with Rule 2a-7. Accordingly,
          if securities are subject to a guarantee provided by a non-controlled
          person, the Rule 2a-7 diversification tests apply to the guarantor,
          and the diversification test in restriction (1) does not apply to the
          issuer.
 
          The Portfolio has adopted the following nonfundamental investment
          restrictions that may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder
          approval:
 
          (1) The Portfolio may not invest in securities or enter into
          repurchase agreements with respect to any securities if, as a result,
          more than 10% of its net assets would be invested in repurchase
          agreements not entitling the holder to payment of principal within
          seven days and in other securities that are not readily marketable
          ("illiquid securities"). The Trustees, or the Portfolio's investment
          adviser acting pursuant to authority delegated by the Trustees, may
          determine that a readily available market exists for certain
          securities such as securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
          144A under the Securities Act of 1933, or any successor to such rule,
          Section 4(2) commercial paper and municipal lease obligations.
          Accordingly, such securities may not be subject to the foregoing
          limitation.
 
          (2) The Portfolio may not purchase securities on margin, or make short
          sales of securities, except for short sales against the box and the
          use of short-term credit necessary for the clearance of purchases and
          sales of portfolio securities.
 
          (3) The Portfolio may not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or encumber
          any of its assets except to secure permitted borrowings or in
          connection with permitted short sales.
 
          (4) The Portfolio may not invest in companies for the purpose of
          exercising control of management.
 
          Under the terms of an exemptive order received from the Securities and
          Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the Portfolio may borrow money from or
          lend money to other funds that permit such transactions and for which
          Janus Capital serves as investment adviser. All such borrowing and
          lending will be subject to the above limits. The Portfolio will borrow
          money through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower
          than the cost of bank loans. Interfund loans and borrowings normally
          extend overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. The
          Portfolio will lend through the program only when the returns are
          higher than those available from other short-term instruments (such as
          repurchase agreements). The Portfolio may have to borrow from a bank
          at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not
          renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending Portfolio could result in
          a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
 
          For purposes of the Portfolio's policies on investing in particular
          industries, the Portfolio will rely primarily on industry or industry
          group classifications as published by Bloomberg L.P. To the extent
          that Bloomberg L.P. industry classifications are so broad that the
          primary economic characteristics in a single industry are materially
          different, the Portfolio may further classify issuers in accordance
          with industry classifications as published by the SEC.
 
                                                                               3
<PAGE>
 
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
          The Portfolio may invest only in "eligible securities" as defined in
          Rule 2a-7 adopted under the 1940 Act. Generally, an eligible security
          is a security that (i) is denominated in U.S. dollars and has a
          remaining maturity of 397 days or less (as calculated pursuant to Rule
          2a-7); (ii) is rated, or is issued by an issuer with short-term debt
          outstanding that is rated, in one of the two highest rating categories
          by any two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations
          ("NRSROs") or, if only one NRSRO has issued a rating, by that NRSRO
          (the "Requisite NRSROs") or is unrated and of comparable quality to a
          rated security, as determined by Janus Capital; and (iii) has been
          determined by Janus Capital to present minimal credit risks pursuant
          to procedures approved by the Trustees. In addition, the Portfolio
          will maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days
          or less. A description of the ratings of some NRSROs appears in
          Appendix A.
 
          Under Rule 2a-7, the Portfolio may not invest more than five percent
          of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer other than
          U.S. Government Securities, provided that in certain cases it may
          invest more than 5% of its assets in a single issuer for a period of
          up to three business days. Investment in demand features, guarantees
          and other types of instruments or features are subject to the
          diversification limits under Rule 2a-7.
 
          Pursuant to Rule 2a-7, the Portfolio will invest at least 95% of its
          total assets in "first-tier" securities. First-tier securities are
          eligible securities that are rated, or are issued by an issuer with
          short-term debt outstanding that is rated, in the highest rating
          category by the Requisite NRSROs or are unrated and of comparable
          quality to a rated security. In addition, the Portfolio may invest in
          "second-tier" securities which are eligible securities that are not
          first-tier securities. However, the Portfolio may not invest in a
          second-tier security if immediately after the acquisition thereof it
          would have invested more than (i) the greater of one percent of its
          total assets or one million dollars in second-tier securities issued
          by that issuer, or (ii) five percent of its total assets in
          second-tier securities.
 
          The following discussion of types of securities in which the Portfolio
          may invest supplements and should be read in conjunction with the
          Prospectus.
 
Participation Interests
 
          The Portfolio may purchase participation interests in loans or
          securities in which it may invest directly. Participation interests
          are generally sponsored or issued by banks or other financial
          institutions. A participation interest gives the Portfolio an
          undivided interest in the underlying loans or securities in the
          proportion that the Portfolio's interest bears to the total principal
          amount of the underlying loans or securities. Participation interests,
          which may have fixed, floating or variable rates, may carry a demand
          feature backed by a letter of credit or guarantee of a bank or
          institution permitting the holder to tender them back to the bank or
          other institution. For certain participation interests, the Portfolio
          will have the right to demand payment, on not more than seven days'
          notice, for all or a part of the Portfolio's participation interest.
          The Portfolio intends to exercise any demand rights it may have upon
          default under the terms of the loan or security, to provide liquidity
          or to maintain or improve the quality of the Portfolio's investment
          portfolio. The Portfolio will only purchase participation interests
          that Janus Capital determines present minimal credit risks.
 
Variable and Floating Rate Notes
 
          The Portfolio also may purchase variable and floating rate demand
          notes of corporations, which are unsecured obligations redeemable upon
          not more than 30 days' notice. These obligations include master demand
          notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates
          of interest pursuant to direct
 
 4
<PAGE>
 
          arrangements with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these
          obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the
          outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified
          number of days' notice. These obligations generally are not traded,
          nor generally is there an established secondary market for these
          obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a seven day or
          shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for
          the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid investment.
 
          Securities with ultimate maturities of greater than 397 days may be
          purchased only pursuant to Rule 2a-7. Under that Rule, only those
          long-term instruments that have demand features which comply with
          certain requirements and certain variable rate U.S. Government
          Securities may be purchased. The rate of interest on securities
          purchased by the Portfolio may be tied to short-term Treasury or other
          government securities or indices on securities that are permissible
          investments of the Portfolio, as well as other money market rates of
          interest. The Portfolio will not purchase securities whose values are
          tied to interest rates or indices that are not appropriate for the
          duration and volatility standards of a money market fund.
 
Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities
 
          The Portfolio may invest in mortgage-backed securities, which
          represent an interest in a pool of mortgages made by lenders such as
          commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers,
          mortgage brokers and savings banks. Mortgage-backed securities may be
          issued by governmental or government-related entities or by
          non-governmental entities such as banks, savings and loan
          institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers
          and other secondary market issuers.
 
          Interests in pools of mortgage-backed securities differ from other
          forms of debt securities which normally provide for periodic payment
          of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or
          specified call dates. In contrast, mortgage-backed securities provide
          periodic payments which consist of interest and, in most cases,
          principal. In effect, these payments are a "pass-through" of the
          periodic payments and optional prepayments made by the individual
          borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer
          or guarantor of such securities. Additional payments to holders of
          mortgage-backed securities are caused by prepayments resulting from
          the sale of the underlying residential property, refinancing or
          foreclosure, net of fees or costs which may be incurred.
 
          As prepayment rates of individual pools of mortgage loans vary widely,
          it is not possible to predict accurately the average life of a
          particular security. Although mortgage-backed securities are issued
          with stated maturities of up to forty years, unscheduled or early
          payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may
          shorten considerably the effective maturities. Mortgage-backed
          securities may have varying assumptions for average life. The volume
          of prepayments of principal on a pool of mortgages underlying a
          particular security will influence the yield of that security, and the
          principal returned to the Portfolio may be reinvested in instruments
          whose yield may be higher or lower than that which might have been
          obtained had the prepayments not occurred. When interest rates are
          declining, prepayments usually increase, with the result that
          reinvestment of principal prepayments will be at a lower rate than the
          rate applicable to the original mortgage-backed security.
 
          The Portfolio may invest in mortgage-backed securities that are issued
          by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government. The
          Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") is the principal
          federal government guarantor of mortgage-backed securities. GNMA is a
          wholly-owned U.S. government corporation within the Department of
          Housing and Urban Development. GNMA Certificates are debt securities
          which represent an interest in one mortgage or a pool of mortgages
          which are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or the Farmers
          Home Administration or are guaranteed by the Veterans Administration.
          The Portfolio may also invest in pools of conventional mortgages which
          are issued or
 
                                                                               5
<PAGE>
 
          guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. government. GNMA pass-through
          securities are considered to be riskless with respect to default in
          that (i) the underlying mortgage loan portfolio is comprised entirely
          of government-backed loans and (ii) the timely payment of both
          principal and interest on the securities is guaranteed by the full
          faith and credit of the U.S. government, regardless of whether or not
          payments have been made on the underlying mortgages. GNMA pass-through
          securities are, however, subject to the same market risk as comparable
          debt securities. Therefore, the market value of the Portfolio's GNMA
          securities can be expected to fluctuate in response to changes in
          prevailing interest rate levels.
 
          Residential mortgage loans are pooled also by the Federal Home Loan
          Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"). FHLMC is a privately managed, publicly
          chartered agency created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of
          increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential
          housing. FHLMC issues participation certificates ("PCs") which
          represent interests in mortgages from FHLMC's national portfolio. The
          mortgage loans in FHLMC's portfolio are not U.S. government backed;
          rather, the loans are either uninsured with loan-to-value ratios of
          80% or less, or privately insured if the loan-to-value ratio exceeds
          80%. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate
          collection of principal on FHLMC PCs; the U.S. government does not
          guarantee any aspect of FHLMC PCs.
 
          The Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") is a
          government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private
          shareholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of
          Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases residential mortgages
          from a list of approved seller/servicers which include savings and
          loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions and
          mortgage bankers. FNMA guarantees the timely payment of principal and
          interest on the pass-through securities issued by FNMA; the U.S.
          government does not guarantee any aspect of the FNMA pass-through
          securities.
 
          The Portfolio may also invest in privately-issued mortgage-backed
          securities to the extent permitted by their investment restrictions.
          Mortgage-backed securities offered by private issuers include
          pass-through securities comprised of pools of conventional residential
          mortgage loans; mortgage-backed bonds which are considered to be debt
          obligations of the institution issuing the bonds and which are
          collateralized by mortgage loans; and collateralized mortgage
          obligations ("CMOs") which are collateralized by mortgage-backed
          securities issued by GNMA, FHLMC or FNMA or by pools of conventional
          mortgages.
 
          Asset-backed securities represent direct or indirect participation in,
          or are secured by and payable from, assets other than mortgage-backed
          assets such as motor vehicle installment sales contracts, installment
          loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property
          and receivables from revolving credit agreements (credit cards).
          Asset-backed securities have yield characteristics similar to those of
          mortgage-backed securities and, accordingly, are subject to many of
          the same risks.
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
 
          Reverse repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Portfolio
          sells a security and simultaneously commits to repurchase that
          security from the buyer at an agreed upon price on an agreed upon
          future date. The resale price in a reverse repurchase agreement
          reflects a market rate of interest that is not related to the coupon
          rate or maturity of the sold security. For certain demand agreements,
          there is no agreed upon repurchase date and interest payments are
          calculated daily, often based upon the prevailing overnight repurchase
          rate. The Portfolio will use the proceeds of reverse repurchase
          agreements only to satisfy unusually heavy redemption requests or for
          other temporary or emergency purposes without the necessity of selling
          portfolio securities.
 
          Generally, a reverse repurchase agreement enables the Portfolio to
          recover for the term of the reverse repurchase agreement all or most
          of the cash invested in the portfolio securities sold and to keep the
 
 6
<PAGE>
 
          interest income associated with those portfolio securities. Such
          transactions are only advantageous if the interest cost to the
          Portfolio of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the cost
          of obtaining the cash otherwise. In addition, interest costs on the
          money received in a reverse repurchase agreement may exceed the return
          received on the investments made by the Portfolio with those monies.
 
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities
 
          The Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed
          delivery basis. The Portfolio will enter into such transactions only
          when it has the intention of actually acquiring the securities. To
          facilitate such acquisitions, the Portfolio's custodian will segregate
          cash or high quality liquid assets in an amount at least equal to such
          commitments. On delivery dates for such transactions, the Portfolio
          will meet its obligations from maturities, sales of the segregated
          securities or from other available sources of cash. If it chooses to
          dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its
          acquisition, the Portfolio could, as with the disposition of any other
          portfolio obligation, incur a gain or loss due to market fluctuation.
          At the time it makes the commitment to purchase securities on a
          when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Portfolio will record the
          transaction as a purchase and thereafter reflect the value of such
          securities in determining its net asset value.
 
Investment Company Securities
 
          From time to time, the Portfolio may invest in securities of other
          investment companies. The Portfolio is subject to the provisions of
          Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. The Portfolio may invest in
          securities of money market funds managed by Janus Capital in excess of
          the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) under the terms of an SEC
          exemptive order obtained by Janus Capital and the Janus funds.
 
Debt Obligations
 
          Money Market Portfolio may invest in debt obligations of domestic
          issuers. In general, sales of these securities may not be made absent
          registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or the availability of
          an appropriate exemption. Pursuant to Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act or
          Rule 144A adopted under the 1933 Act, however, some of these
          securities are eligible for resale to institutional investors, and
          accordingly, Janus Capital may determine that a liquid market exists
          for such a security pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Trustees.
 
Obligations of Financial Institutions
 
          The Portfolio may invest in obligations of financial institutions.
          Examples of obligations in which the Portfolio may invest include
          negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, time
          deposits and other obligations of U.S. banks (including savings and
          loan associations) having total assets in excess of one billion
          dollars and U.S. branches of foreign banks having total assets in
          excess of ten billion dollars. The Portfolio may also invest in
          Eurodollar and Yankee bank obligations as discussed below and other
          U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks having total
          assets in excess of ten billion dollars that Janus Capital believes
          are of an investment quality comparable to obligations of U.S. banks
          in which the Portfolio may invest.
 
          Certificates of deposit represent an institution's obligation to repay
          funds deposited with it that earn a specified interest rate over a
          given period. Bankers' acceptances are negotiable obligations of a
          bank to pay a draft which has been drawn by a customer and are usually
          backed by goods in international trade. Time deposits are
          non-negotiable deposits with a banking institution that earn a
          specified interest rate over a given period. Fixed time deposits,
          which are payable at a stated maturity date and bear a fixed rate of
          interest, generally may be withdrawn on demand by the Portfolio but
          may be subject to early withdrawal
 
                                                                               7
<PAGE>
 
          penalties and that could reduce the Portfolio's yield. Unless there is
          a readily available market for them, time deposits that are subject to
          early withdrawal penalties and that mature in more than seven days
          will be treated as illiquid securities.
 
          Eurodollar bank obligations are dollar-denominated certificates of
          deposit or time deposits issued outside the U.S. capital markets by
          foreign branches of U.S. banks and by foreign banks. Yankee bank
          obligations are dollar-denominated obligations issued in the U.S.
          capital markets by foreign banks.
 
          Foreign, Eurodollar (and to a limited extent, Yankee) bank obligations
          are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the
          possibility that a foreign government might prevent dollar-denominated
          funds from flowing across its borders. Other risks include: adverse
          political and economic developments in a foreign country; the extent
          and quality of government regulation of financial markets and
          institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes; and
          exploration or nationalization of foreign issuers.
 
U.S. Government Securities
 
          Money Market Portfolio may invest in U.S. Government Securities. U.S.
          Government Securities shall have the meaning set forth in the 1940
          Act. The 1940 Act defines U.S. Government Securities to include
          securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies
          and instrumentalities. U.S. Government Securities may also include
          repurchase agreements collateralized by and municipal securities
          escrowed with or refunded with U.S. government securities. U.S.
          Government Securities in which the Portfolio may invest include U.S.
          Treasury securities and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S.
          government agencies and instrumentalities that are backed by the full
          faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those guaranteed by
          the Small Business Administration or issued by the Government National
          Mortgage Association. In addition, U.S. Government Securities in which
          the Portfolio may invest include securities supported primarily or
          solely by the creditworthiness of the issuer, such as securities of
          the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan
          Mortgage Corporation and the Tennessee Valley Authority. There is no
          guarantee that the U.S. government will support securities not backed
          by its full faith and credit. Accordingly, although these securities
          have historically involved little risk of loss of principal if held to
          maturity, they may involve more risk than securities backed by the
          full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
 
Municipal Leases
 
          The Portfolio may invest in municipal leases. Municipal leases
          frequently have special risks not normally associated with general
          obligation or revenue bonds. Municipal leases are municipal securities
          which may take the form of a lease or an installment purchase or
          conditional sales contract. Municipal leases are issued by state and
          local governments and authorities to acquire a wide variety of
          equipment and facilities. Leases and installment purchase or
          conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the
          leased asset to pass eventually to the government issuer) have evolved
          as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment
          without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the
          issuance of debt. The debt-issuance limitations of many state
          constitutions and statutes are deemed to be inapplicable because of
          the inclusion in many leases or contracts of "non-appropriation"
          clauses that provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to
          make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is
          appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a
          yearly or other periodic basis. The Portfolio will only purchase
          municipal leases subject to a non-appropriation clause when the
          payment of principal and accrued interest is backed by an
          unconditional irrevocable letter of credit, or guarantee of a bank or
          other entity that meets the criteria described in the Prospectus under
          "Taxable Investments."
 
 8
<PAGE>
 
          In evaluating municipal lease obligations, Janus Capital will consider
          such factors as it deems appropriate, including: (a) whether the lease
          can be canceled; (b) the ability of the lease obligee to direct the
          sale of the underlying assets; (c) the general creditworthiness of the
          lease obligor; (d) the likelihood that the municipality will
          discontinue appropriating funding for the leased property in the event
          such property is no longer considered essential by the municipality;
          (e) the legal recourse of the lease obligee in the event of such a
          failure to appropriate funding; (f) whether the security is backed by
          a credit enhancement such as insurance; and (g) any limitations which
          are imposed on the lease obligor's ability to utilize substitute
          property or services other than those covered by the lease obligation.
          If a lease is backed by an unconditional letter of credit or other
          unconditional credit enhancement, then Janus Capital may determine
          that a lease is an eligible security solely on the basis of its
          evaluation of the credit enhancement.
 
          Municipal leases, like other municipal debt obligations, are subject
          to the risk of non-payment. The ability of issuers of municipal leases
          to make timely lease payments may be adversely impacted in general
          economic downturns and as relative governmental cost burdens are
          allocated and reallocated among federal, state and local governmental
          units. Such non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the
          Portfolio, and could result in a reduction in the value of the
          municipal lease experiencing non-payment and a potential decrease in
          the net asset value of the Portfolio.
 
                                                                               9
<PAGE>
Performance data
 
          The Portfolio may provide current annualized and effective annualized
          yield quotations of the Shares based on the Shares' daily dividends.
          These quotations may from time to time be used in advertisements,
          shareholder reports or other communications to shareholders. All
          performance information supplied by the Portfolio in advertising is
          historical and is not intended to indicate future returns.
 
          In performance advertising, the Portfolio may compare any of its
          performance information with data published by independent evaluators
          such as Morningstar, Inc., Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., or
          CDC/Wiesenberger, Donoghue's Money Fund Report or other companies
          which track the investment performance of investment companies ("Fund
          Tracking Companies"). The Portfolio may also compare its performance
          information with the performance of recognized stock, bond and other
          indices, including but not limited to the Municipal Bond Buyers
          Indices, the Salomon Brothers Bond Index, the Lehman Brothers Bond
          Index, the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, the Dow
          Jones Industrial Average, U.S. Treasury bonds, bills or notes and
          changes in the Consumer Price Index as published by the U.S.
          Department of Commerce. The Portfolio may refer to general market
          performance over past time periods such as those published by Ibbotson
          Associates (for instance, its "Stocks, Bonds, Bills and Inflation
          Yearbook"). The Portfolio may also refer in such materials to mutual
          fund performance rankings and other data published by Fund Tracking
          Companies. Performance advertising may also refer to discussions of
          the Portfolio and comparative mutual fund data and ratings reported in
          independent periodicals, such as newspapers and financial magazines.
 
          Any current yield quotation of the Portfolio's Shares which is used in
          such a manner as to be subject to the provisions of Rule 482(d) under
          the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall consist of an annualized
          historical yield, carried at least to the nearest hundredth of one
          percent, based on a specific seven calendar day period. The current
          yield of the Portfolio's Shares shall be calculated by (a) determining
          the net change during a seven calendar day period in the value of a
          hypothetical account having a balance of one share at the beginning of
          the period, (b) dividing the net change by the value of the account at
          the beginning of the period to obtain a base period return, and (c)
          multiplying the quotient by 365/7 (i.e., annualizing). For this
          purpose, the net change in account value will reflect the value of
          additional shares purchased with dividends declared on the original
          share and dividends declared on both the original share and any such
          additional shares, but will not reflect any realized gains or losses
          from the sale of securities or any unrealized appreciation or
          depreciation on portfolio securities. In addition, the Portfolio may
          advertise effective yield quotations. Effective yield quotations are
          calculated by adding 1 to the base period return, raising the sum to a
          power equal to 365/7, and subtracting 1 from the result (i.e.,
          compounding).
 
          Income calculated for the purpose of determining the yield of the
          Portfolio's Shares differs from income as determined for other
          accounting purposes. Because of the different accounting methods used,
          and because of the compounding assumed in yield calculations, the
          yield quoted for the Portfolio's Shares may differ from the rate of
          distribution the Shares paid over the same period or the rate of
          income reported in the Portfolio's financial statements.
 
          Although published yield information is useful to investors in
          reviewing the performance of the Portfolio's Shares, investors should
          be aware that the yield fluctuates from day to day and that the
          Share's yield for any given period is not an indication or
          representation by the Portfolio of future yields or rates of return on
          the Portfolio's Shares. Also, because Shares of the Portfolio may only
          be purchased through variable insurance contracts, the prospectus of
          the participating insurance company sponsoring such contract should be
          carefully reviewed for information on relevant charges and expenses.
          The Shares' yield is not fixed or guaranteed, and an investment in the
          Portfolio is not insured. Accordingly, the Shares' yield information
          may not necessarily be used to compare Portfolio Shares with
          investment alternatives which, like money market instruments or bank
          accounts, may provide a fixed rate of interest. In addition, because
 
 10
<PAGE>
 
          investments in the Portfolio are not insured or guaranteed, the yield
          information may not necessarily be used to compare the Portfolio with
          investment alternatives which are insured or guaranteed.
 
          The Shares' current yield and effective yield for the seven day period
          ended December 31, 1998, were 4.87% and 4.99%, respectively.
 
                                                                              11
<PAGE>
Determination of net asset value
 
          Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, the Trustees have established
          procedures to stabilize the Portfolio's net asset value at $1.00 per
          Share. These procedures include a review of the extent of any
          deviation of net asset value per share as a result of fluctuating
          interest rates, based on available market rates, from the Portfolio's
          $1.00 amortized cost price per Share. Should that deviation exceed
          1/2 of 1%, the Trustees will consider whether any action should be
          initiated to eliminate or reduce material dilution or other unfair
          results to shareholders. Such action may include redemption of shares
          in kind, selling portfolio securities prior to maturity, reducing or
          withholding dividends and utilizing a net asset value per share as
          determined by using available market quotations. The Portfolio (i)
          will maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days
          or less; (ii) will not purchase any instrument with a remaining
          maturity greater than 397 days or subject to a repurchase agreement
          having a duration of greater than 397 days; (iii) will limit portfolio
          investments, including repurchase agreements, to those U.S.
          dollar-denominated instruments that Janus Capital has determined
          present minimal credit risks pursuant to procedures established by the
          Trustees; and (iv) will comply with certain reporting and
          recordkeeping procedures. The Trust has also established procedures to
          ensure that portfolio securities meet the Portfolio's high quality
          criteria.
 
 12
<PAGE>
Investment adviser
 
          As stated in the Prospectus, the Portfolio has an Investment Advisory
          Agreement with Janus Capital, 100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado
          80206-4928. The Advisory Agreement provides that Janus Capital will
          furnish continuous advice and recommendations concerning the
          Portfolio's investments, provide office space for the Portfolio, and
          pay the salaries, fees and expenses of all Portfolio officers and of
          those Trustees who are affiliated with Janus Capital. Janus Capital
          also may make payments to selected broker-dealer firms or institutions
          which were instrumental in the acquisition of shareholders for the
          Portfolio or which performed services with respect to shareholder
          accounts. The minimum aggregate size required for eligibility for such
          payments, and the factors in selecting the broker-dealer firms and
          institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to
          time by Janus Capital. Janus Capital is also authorized to perform the
          management and administrative services necessary for the operation of
          the Portfolio.
 
          The Portfolio pays custodian agent fees and expenses, brokerage
          commissions and dealer spreads and other expenses in connection with
          the execution of Portfolio transactions, legal and accounting
          expenses, interest and taxes, registration fees, expenses of
          shareholders' meetings, and reports to shareholders, fees and expenses
          of Trustees who are not affiliated with Janus Capital, and other costs
          of complying with applicable laws regulating the sale of Portfolio
          shares. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, Janus Capital furnishes
          certain other services, including net asset value determination,
          portfolio accounting and record keeping for which the Portfolio may
          reimburse Janus Capital for its costs.
 
          The Portfolio has agreed to compensate Janus Capital for its advisory
          services by the monthly payment of an advisory fee at the annual rate
          of .25% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets. Janus Capital has
          agreed to reimburse the Portfolio by the amount, if any, that the
          Portfolio's normal operating expenses in any fiscal year, including
          the investment advisory fee but excluding brokerage commissions,
          interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses, exceed .50% of average
          daily net assets. Mortality risk, expense risk and other charges
          imposed by participating insurance companies are excluded from the
          above expense limitation. Janus Capital has agreed to continue such
          waivers until at least the next annual renewal of the advisory
          agreements.
 
          For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the advisory fee was
          $79,201. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997 and December 31,
          1996, the advisory fees were $22,333 and $9,287, respectively. For the
          fiscal years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, Janus Capital waived
          $2,184 and $9,287, respectively (the advisory fee waivers by Janus
          Capital exceeded the advisory fees for 1996).
 
          The Advisory Agreement is dated July 1, 1997 and will continue in
          effect from year to year so long as such continuance is approved
          annually by a majority of the Portfolio's Trustees who are not parties
          to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party, and
          by either a majority of the outstanding voting shares or the Trustees.
          The Advisory Agreement (i) may be terminated without the payment of
          any penalty by the Portfolio or Janus Capital on 60 days' written
          notice; (ii) terminates automatically in the event of its assignment;
          and (iii) generally, may not be amended without the approval by vote
          of a majority of the Trustees, including the Trustees who are not
          interested persons of the Portfolio or Janus Capital and, to the
          extent required by the 1940 Act, the vote of a majority of the
          outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio.
 
          Janus Capital also acts as sub-adviser for a number of private-label
          mutual funds and provides separate account advisory services for
          institutional accounts. Investment decisions for each account managed
          by Janus Capital, including the Portfolio, are made independently from
          those for any other account that is or may in the future become
          managed by Janus Capital or its affiliates. If, however, a number of
          accounts managed by Janus Capital are contemporaneously engaged in the
          purchase or sale of the same security, the orders may be aggregated
          and/or the transactions may be averaged as to price and allocated
          equitably to
 
                                                                              13
<PAGE>
 
          each account. In some cases, this policy might adversely affect the
          price paid or received by an account or the size of the position
          obtained or liquidated for an account. Pursuant to an exemptive order
          granted by the SEC, the Portfolio and other funds advised by Janus
          Capital may also transfer daily uninvested cash balances into one or
          more joint trading accounts. Assets in the joint trading accounts are
          invested in money market instruments and the proceeds are allocated to
          the participating funds on a pro rata basis.
 
          Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. ("KCSI") owns approximately 82%
          of the outstanding voting stock of Janus Capital, most of which it
          acquired in 1984. KCSI is a publicly traded holding company whose
          primary subsidiaries are engaged in transportation, information
          processing and financial services. Thomas H. Bailey, President and
          Chairman of the Board of Janus Capital, owns approximately 12% of its
          voting stock and, by agreement with KCSI, selects a majority of Janus
          Capital's Board.
 
          KCSI has announced its intention to separate its transportation and
          financial services businesses. KCSI is currently studying alternatives
          for completion of the separation that meet its business objectives
          without risking adverse tax consequences. KCSI expects completion of
          the separation to be contemplated in 1999.
 
          Each account managed by Janus Capital has its own investment objective
          and is managed in accordance with that objective by a particular
          portfolio manager or team of portfolio managers. As a result, from
          time to time two or more different managed accounts may pursue
          divergent investment strategies with respect to investments or
          categories of investments.
 
          Janus Capital does not permit portfolio managers to purchase and sell
          securities for their own accounts except under the limited exceptions
          contained in Janus Capital's policy regarding personal investing by
          directors, officers and employees of Janus Capital and the Portfolio.
          The policy requires investment personnel and officers of Janus
          Capital, inside directors of Janus Capital and the Portfolio and other
          designated persons deemed to have access to current trading
          information to pre-clear all transactions in securities not otherwise
          exempt under the policy. Requests for trading authority will be denied
          when, among other reasons, the proposed personal transaction would be
          contrary to the provisions of the policy or would be deemed to
          adversely affect any transaction then known to be under consideration
          for or to have been effected on behalf of any client account,
          including the Portfolio.
 
          In addition to the pre-clearance requirement described above, the
          policy subjects investment personnel, officers and directors/Trustees
          of Janus Capital and the Trust to various trading restrictions and
          reporting obligations. All reportable transactions are required to be
          reviewed for compliance with Janus Capital's policy. Those persons
          also may be required under certain circumstances to forfeit their
          profits made from personal trading.
 
          The provisions of the policy are administered by and subject to
          exceptions authorized by Janus Capital.
 
 14
<PAGE>
Custodian, transfer agent and certain affiliations
 
          Citibank, N.A., 111 Wall Street, 24th Floor, Zone 5, New York, NY
          10043, is the Portfolio's custodian. The custodian holds the
          Portfolio's assets in safekeeping and collects and remits the income
          thereon, subject to the instructions of the Portfolio.
 
          Janus Service Corporation, P.O. Box 173375, Denver, Colorado
          80217-3375, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Janus Capital, is the
          Portfolio's transfer agent. In addition, Janus Service provides
          certain other administrative, recordkeeping and shareholder relations
          services to the Portfolio. Janus Service is not compensated for its
          services with respect to the Shares except for out-of-pocket costs.
 
          Janus Distributors, Inc., 100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado
          80206-4928, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Janus Capital, is a
          distributor of the Portfolio. Janus Distributors is registered as a
          broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a
          member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
          The Portfolio pays DST Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of KCSI, license
          fees at the rate of $3.98 per shareholder account for the use of DST's
          accounting system. The Portfolio also pays DST $1.10 per closed
          shareholder account. The Portfolio pays DST for the use of its
          portfolio and fund accounting system a monthly base fee of $250 to
          $1,250 per month based on the number of Janus funds using the system
          and an asset charge of $1 per million dollars of net assets (not to
          exceed $500 per month).
 
          The Trustees have authorized the Portfolio to use another affiliate of
          DST as introducing broker for certain Portfolio transactions as a
          means to reduce Portfolio expenses through credits against the charges
          of DST and its affiliates with regard to commissions earned by such
          affiliate. See "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage."
 
                                                                              15
<PAGE>
Portfolio transactions and brokerage
 
          Decisions as to the assignment of portfolio business for the Portfolio
          and negotiation of its commission rates are made by Janus Capital
          whose policy is to obtain the "best execution" (prompt and reliable
          execution at the most favorable security price) of all portfolio
          transactions.
 
          In selecting brokers and dealers and in negotiating commissions, Janus
          Capital considers a number of factors, including but not limited to:
          Janus Capital's knowledge of currently available negotiated commission
          rates or prices of securities currently available and other current
          transaction costs; the nature of the security being traded; the size
          and type of the transaction; the nature and character of the markets
          for the security to be purchased or sold; the desired timing of the
          trade; the activity existing and expected in the market for the
          particular security; confidentiality; the quality of the execution,
          clearance and settlement services; financial stability of the broker
          or dealer; the existence of actual or apparent operational problems of
          any broker or dealer; and research products or services provided. In
          recognition of the value of the foregoing factors, Janus Capital may
          place portfolio transactions with a broker or dealer with whom it has
          negotiated a commission that is in excess of the commission another
          broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if
          Janus Capital determines in good faith that such amount of commission
          was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
          provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of either that
          particular transaction or of the overall responsibilities of Janus
          Capital. These research and other services may include, but are not
          limited to, general economic and security market reviews, industry and
          company reviews, evaluations of securities, recommendations as to the
          purchase and sale of securities, and access to third party
          publications, computer and electronic equipment and software. Research
          received from brokers or dealers is supplemental to Janus Capital's
          own research efforts.
 
          For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998, December 31, 1997 and
          December 31, 1996, the Portfolio did not incur any brokerage
          commissions. The Portfolio generally buys and sells securities in
          principal transactions, in which no commissions are paid. However, the
          Portfolio may engage an agent and pay commissions for such
          transactions if Janus Capital believes that the net result of the
          transaction to the Portfolio will be no less favorable than that of
          contemporaneously available principle transactions.
 
          Janus Capital may use research products and services in servicing
          other accounts in addition to the Portfolio. If Janus Capital
          determines that any research product or service has a mixed use, such
          that it also serves functions that do not assist in the investment
          decision-making process, Janus Capital may allocate the costs of such
          service or product accordingly. Only that portion of the product or
          service that Janus Capital determines will assist it in the investment
          decision-making process may be paid for in brokerage commission
          dollars. Such allocation may create a conflict of interest for Janus
          Capital.
 
          Janus Capital may consider sales of Portfolio shares or shares of
          other Janus funds by a broker-dealer or the recommendation of a
          broker-dealer to its customers that they purchase such shares as a
          factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute Portfolio
          transactions. Janus Capital may also consider payments made by brokers
          effecting transactions for a Portfolio i) to the Portfolio or ii) to
          other persons on behalf of the Portfolio for services provided to the
          Portfolio for which it would be obligated to pay. In placing portfolio
          business with such broker-dealers, Janus Capital will seek the best
          execution of each transaction.
 
          When the Portfolio purchases or sells a security in the
          over-the-counter market, the transaction takes place directly with a
          principal market-maker, without the use of a broker, except in those
          circumstances where in the opinion of Janus Capital better prices and
          executions will be achieved through the use of a broker.
 
 16
<PAGE>
 
          As of December 31, 1998, the Portfolio owned securities of its regular
          broker-dealers (or parents) as shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 Value of
                                                                   Name of                      Securities
                Portfolio Name                                  Broker-Dealer                     Owned
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>                                            <C>
Money Market Portfolio                           ABN AMRO Securities, Inc.                      $4,920,000
                                                 CS First Boston                                $1,965,875
                                                 Goldman Sachs Group, L.P.                      $1,999,938
                                                 Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co.    $1,977,040
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              17
<PAGE>
Trustees and officers
 
          The following are the names of the Trustees and officers of Janus
          Aspen Series, a Delaware business trust of which the Portfolio is a
          series, together with a brief description of their principal
          occupations during the last five years.
 
Thomas H. Bailey, Age 61 - Trustee, Chairman and President*#
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee, Chairman and President of Janus Investment Fund+. Chairman,
          Chief Executive Officer, Director and President of Janus Capital.
          Director of Janus Distributors, Inc.
 
James P. Craig, III, Age 42 - Trustee and Executive Vice President*#
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee and Executive Vice President of Janus Investment Fund+. Chief
          Investment Officer, Vice Chairman and Director of Janus Capital.
 
William D. Stewart, Age 54 - Trustee#
5330 Sterling Drive
Boulder, CO 80302
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund+. President of HPS Division of MKS
          Instruments, Boulder, Colorado (manufacturer of vacuum fittings and
          valves).
 
Gary O. Loo, Age 58 - Trustee#
102 N. Cascade Avenue, Suite 500
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund+. President and a Director of High
          Valley Group, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado (investments).
 
Dennis B. Mullen, Age 55 - Trustee
14103 Denver West Parkway
Golden, CO 80401
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund+. Private Investor. Formerly
          (1997-1998), Chief Financial Officer - Boston Market Concepts, Boston
          Chicken, Inc., Golden, Colorado (restaurant chain); (1993 to 1997),
          President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Northwest, L.P., a
          franchise of Boston Chicken, Inc., Bellevue, Washington (restaurant
          chain).
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
#Member of the Executive Committee.
+Includes comparable office with various Janus funds that were reorganized into
 Janus Investment Fund on August 7, 1992.
 
 18
<PAGE>
 
Martin H. Waldinger, Age 60 - Trustee
4940 Sandshore Court
San Diego, CA 92130
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund+. Private Consultant. Formerly (1993
          to 1996), Director of Run Technologies, Inc., a software development
          firm, San Carlos, California.
 
James T. Rothe, Age 55 - Trustee
102 South Tejon Street, Suite 1100
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund+. Professor of Business, University
          of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Principal, Phillips-Smith
          Retail Group, Colorado Springs, Colorado (a venture capital firm).
          Formerly (1986-1994), Dean of the College of Business, University of
          Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
 
Sharon S. Pichler, Age 49 - Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Money Market
          Fund, and Janus Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund series of Janus
          Investment Fund+. Formerly (1994-1998) Executive Vice President and
          Portfolio Manager of Janus Government Money Market Fund. Vice
          President of Janus Capital. Formerly, Assistant Vice President and
          portfolio manager at USAA Investment Management Co. (1990-1994).
 
Thomas A. Early, Age 44 - Vice President and General Counsel*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Vice President and General Counsel of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President, General Counsel and Secretary of Janus Capital. Vice
          President and General Counsel of Janus Service Corporation, Janus
          Distributors, Inc. and Janus Capital International, Ltd. Director of
          Janus World Funds Plc. Formerly (1997 to 1998), Executive Vice
          President and General Counsel of Prudential Investments Fund
          Management LLC, Newark, New Jersey. Formerly (1994 to 1997), Vice
          President and General Counsel of Prudential Retirement Services,
          Newark, New Jersey. Formerly (1988 to 1994), Associate General Counsel
          and Chief Financial Services Counsel, Frank Russell Company, Tacoma,
          Washington.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Includes comparable office with various Janus funds that were reorganized into
Janus Investment Fund on August 7, 1992.
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
 
                                                                              19
<PAGE>
 
Steven R. Goodbarn, Age 41 - Vice President and Chief Financial Officer*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Investment Fund+.
          Vice President of Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of
          Janus Capital, Janus Service Corporation, and Janus Distributors, Inc.
          Director of Janus Service Corporation and Janus Distributors, Inc. and
          Janus World Funds Plc. Director, Treasurer and Vice President of
          Finance of Janus Capital International Ltd. Formerly (1992-1996),
          Treasurer of Janus Investment Fund and Janus Aspen Series.
 
Glenn P. O'Flaherty, Age 40 - Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President of Janus Capital. Formerly (1991-1997), Director of Fund
          Accounting, Janus Capital.
 
Stephen Lamar Stieneker, Age 40 - Assistant Vice President and Secretary*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Assistant Vice President and Secretary of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President of Compliance, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant
          General Counsel of Janus Capital.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
+Includes comparable office with various Janus funds that were reorganized into
 Janus Investment Fund on August 7, 1992.
 
          The Trustees are responsible for major decisions relating to the
          Portfolio's objective, policies and techniques. The Trustees also
          supervise the operation of the Portfolio by its officers and review
          the investment decisions of the officers although they do not actively
          participate on a regular basis in making such decisions.
 
          The Trust's Executive Committee shall have and may exercise all the
          powers and authority of the Trustees except for matters requiring
          action by all Trustees pursuant to the Trust's Bylaws or Trust
          Instrument, Delaware law or the 1940 Act.
 
          The Money Market Funds Committee, consisting of Messrs. Loo, Mullen,
          and Rothe monitors the compliance with policies and procedures adopted
          particularly for money market funds.
 
 20
<PAGE>
 
          The following table shows the aggregate compensation earned by and
          paid to each Trustee by the Portfolio and all funds advised and
          sponsored by Janus Capital (collectively, the "Janus Funds") for the
          periods indicated. None of the Trustees receive pension or retirement
          benefits from the Portfolio or the Janus Funds.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Aggregate Compensation      Total Compensation
                                                              from the Portfolio for   from the Janus Funds for
                                                                fiscal year ended         calendar year ended
                  Name of Person, Position                      December 31, 1998         December 31, 1998**
<S>                                                           <C>                      <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas H. Bailey, Chairman and Trustee*                                $  0                     $     0
James P. Craig, III, Trustee*                                          $  0                     $     0
William D. Stewart, Trustee                                            $ 36                     $82,000
Gary O. Loo, Trustee                                                   $ 73                     $74,000
Dennis B. Mullen, Trustee                                              $ 77                     $82,000
Martin H. Waldinger, Trustee                                           $ 40                     $74,000
James T. Rothe, Trustee                                                $ 75                     $82,000
</TABLE>
 
 *An interested person of the Portfolio and of Janus Capital. Compensated by
  Janus Capital and not the Portfolio.
**As of December 31, 1998, Janus Funds consisted of two registered investment
  companies comprised of a total of 32 funds.
 
                                                                              21
<PAGE>
Purchase of Shares
 
          Shares of the Portfolio can be purchased only by i) the separate
          accounts of participating insurance companies for the purpose of
          funding variable insurance contracts and ii) certain qualified
          retirement plans. Participating insurance companies and certain other
          designated organizations are authorized to receive purchase orders on
          the Portfolio's behalf, and those organizations are authorized to
          designate their agents and affiliates as intermediaries to receive
          purchase orders. Purchase orders are deemed received by the Portfolio
          when authorized organizations, their agents or affiliates receive the
          order. The Portfolio is not responsible for the failure of any
          designated organization or its agents or affiliates to carry out its
          obligations to its customers. Shares of the Portfolio are purchased at
          the NAV per share as determined at the close of regular trading
          session of the New York Stock Exchange next occurring after a purchase
          order is received and accepted by the Portfolio or its authorized
          agent. In order to receive a day's dividend, your order must be
          received by the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE. The
          prospectus for your insurance company's separate account or your plan
          documents contain detailed information about investing in the
          Portfolio.
 
 22
<PAGE>
Redemption of Shares
 
          Redemptions, like purchases, may only be effected through the separate
          accounts of participating insurance companies or qualified retirement
          plans. Participating insurance companies and certain designated
          organizations are authorized to receive redemption orders on the
          Portfolio's behalf and those organizations are authorized to designate
          their agents and affiliates as intermediaries to receive redemption
          orders. Redemption orders are deemed received by the Portfolio when
          authorized organizations, their agents or affiliates receive the
          order. The Portfolio is not responsible for the failure of any
          designated organization or its agents or affiliates to carry out its
          obligations to its customers. Shares normally will be redeemed for
          cash, although the Portfolio retains the right to redeem its shares in
          kind under unusual circumstances, in order to protect the interests of
          remaining shareholders, by delivery of securities selected from its
          assets at its discretion. However, the Portfolio is governed by Rule
          18f-1 under the 1940 Act, which requires the Portfolio to redeem
          shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net
          asset value of the Portfolio during any 90-day period for any one
          shareholder. Should redemptions by any shareholder exceed such
          limitation, their Portfolio will have the option of redeeming the
          excess in cash or in kind. If shares are redeemed in kind, the
          redeeming shareholder might incur brokerage costs in converting the
          assets to cash. The method of valuing securities used to make
          redemptions in kind will be the same as the method of valuing
          portfolio securities described under "Determination of Net Asset
          Value" and such valuation will be made as of the same time the
          redemption price is determined.
 
          The right to require the Portfolio to redeem its shares may be
          suspended, or the date of payment may be postponed, whenever (1)
          trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the SEC, or the
          NYSE is closed except for holidays and weekends, (2) the SEC permits
          such suspension and so orders, or (3) an emergency exists as
          determined by the SEC so that disposal of securities or determination
          of NAV is not reasonably practicable.
 
                                                                              23
<PAGE>
Dividends and tax status
 
          Dividends representing substantially all of the net investment income
          and any net realized gains on sales of securities are declared daily,
          Saturdays, Sundays and holidays included, and distributed on the last
          business day of each month. If a month begins on a Saturday, Sunday,
          or holiday, dividends for those days are declared at the end of the
          preceding month and distributed on the first business day of the
          month. The Portfolio intends to qualify as a regulated investment
          company by satisfying certain requirements prescribed by Subchapter M
          of the Code. In addition, the Portfolio intends to comply with the
          diversification requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 817(h)
          related to the tax-deferred status of insurance company separate
          accounts.
 
          All income dividends on the Portfolio's Shares are reinvested
          automatically in additional Shares of the Portfolio at the NAV
          determined on the first business day following the record date.
 
          Because Shares of the Portfolio can only be purchased through variable
          insurance contracts or qualified plans, it is anticipated that any
          income dividends or capital gains distributions will be exempt from
          current taxation if left to accumulate within such contracts or plans.
          See the prospectus for the separate account of the related insurance
          company or the plan documents for additional information.
 
 24
<PAGE>
Principal shareholders
 
   
          The officers and Trustees of the Portfolio cannot directly own Shares
          of the Portfolio without purchasing an insurance contract through one
          of the participating insurance companies or through a qualified plan.
          As a result, such officers and Trustees as a group own less than 1% of
          the outstanding Shares of the Portfolio. As of April 1, 1999, all of
          the outstanding Shares of the Portfolio were owned by certain
          insurance company separate accounts or qualified plans. The percentage
          ownership of each separate account or qualified plan owning more than
          5% of the Shares of the Portfolio is as follows:
 
          Western Reserve Life, 201 Highland Avenue, Clearwater, FL 34618, owned
          46.92% of the outstanding Shares of the Portfolio. National Integrity
          Life Insurance Company, 515 West Market Street, 8th Floor, Louisville,
          KY 40202, owned 53.08% of the outstanding Shares of the Portfolio.
    
 
          No qualified plan owned more than 10% of the shares of the Trust as a
          whole.
 
          The Shares held by the separate accounts of each insurance company,
          including Shares for which no voting instructions have been received,
          will be voted by each insurance company in proportion to instructions
          received from contract owners.
 
                                                                              25
<PAGE>
Miscellaneous information
 
          The Portfolio is an open-end management investment company registered
          under the 1940 Act as a series of the Trust, which was organized as a
          Delaware business trust on May 20, 1993. The Trust Instrument permits
          the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
          interest from an unlimited number of series and classes of shares. As
          of the date of this SAI, the Trust consists of eleven series of
          shares, known as "portfolios," in two classes. Additional series
          and/or classes may be created from time to time.
 
SHARES OF THE TRUST
 
          The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of
          beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share for each
          series of the Trust. Shares of each series of the Trust are fully paid
          and nonassessable when issued. The Shares of the Portfolio participate
          equally in dividends and other distributions by the Portfolio, and in
          residual assets of the Portfolio in the event of liquidation. Shares
          of the Portfolio have no preemptive, conversion or subscription
          rights.
 
          The Portfolio currently offers two classes of shares. The Shares
          discussed in this SAI are offered only in connection with investment
          in and payments under variable contracts and life insurance contracts,
          as well as certain qualified retirement plans. A second class of
          shares, Retirement Shares, are offered only to certain other
          participant directed qualified plans whose service providers require a
          fee from Trust assets for providing certain services to plan
          participants.
 
SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
 
          The Trust does not intend to hold annual shareholder meetings.
          However, special meetings may be called for the Portfolio or for the
          Trust as a whole for purposes such as electing or removing Trustees,
          terminating or reorganizing the Trust, changing fundamental policies,
          or for any other purpose requiring a shareholder vote under the 1940
          Act. Separate votes are taken by each Portfolio or class only if a
          matter affects or requires the vote of only that Portfolio or class or
          that Portfolio's or class' interest in the matter differs from the
          interest of the other portfolios or class of the Trust. A shareholder
          is entitled to one vote for each share owned.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
          A participating insurance company issuing a variable insurance
          contract will vote shares in the separate account as required by law
          and interpretations thereof, as may be amended or changed from time to
          time. In accordance with current law and interpretations, a
          participating insurance company is required to request voting
          instructions from policy owners and must vote shares in the separate
          account, including shares for which no instructions have been
          received, in proportion to the voting instructions received.
          Additional information may be found in the participating insurance
          company's separate account prospectus.
 
          The Trustees are responsible for major decisions relating to the
          Portfolio's policies and objectives; the Trustees oversee the
          operation of the Portfolio by its officers.
 
          The present Trustees were elected by the initial trustee of the Trust
          on May 25, 1993, and were approved by the initial shareholder on May
          25, 1993 with the exception of Mr. Craig and Mr. Rothe who were
          appointed by the Trustees as of June 30, 1995 and January 1, 1997,
          respectively. Under the Trust Instrument, each Trustee will continue
          in office until the termination of the Trust or his earlier death,
          retirement, resignation, bankruptcy, incapacity or removal. Vacancies
          will be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, subject to the
          1940 Act. Therefore, no annual or regular meetings of shareholders
          normally will be held, unless otherwise required by the Trust
          Instrument or the 1940 Act. Subject to the foregoing, shareholders
          have the power to vote to elect or remove Trustees, to terminate or
          reorganize the
 
 26
<PAGE>
 
          Portfolio, to amend the Trust Instrument, to bring certain derivative
          actions and on any other matters on which a shareholder vote is
          required by the 1940 Act, the Trust Instrument, the Trust's Bylaws or
          the Trustees.
 
          As mentioned in "Shareholder Meetings", each share of each portfolio
          of the Trust has one vote (and fractional votes for fractional
          shares). Shares of all portfolios of the Trust have noncumulative
          voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the
          shares of all portfolios of the Trust voting for the election of
          Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so and,
          in such event, the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to
          elect any Trustees. Each portfolio or class of the Trust will vote
          separately only with respect to those matters that affect only that
          portfolio or class or if the interest of a portfolio or class in the
          matter differs from the interests of other portfolios or classes of
          the Trust.
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 950 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2500,
          Denver, Colorado 80202, independent accountants for the Portfolio,
          audit the Portfolio's annual financial statements and prepare its tax
          returns.
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
          The Trust has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
          Washington, D.C., a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of
          1933, as amended, with respect to the securities to which this SAI
          relates. If further information is desired with respect to the
          Portfolio or such securities, reference is made to the Registration
          Statement and the exhibits filed as a part thereof.
 
                                                                              27
<PAGE>
Financial statements
 
          The following audited financial statements for the period ended
          December 31, 1998 are hereby incorporated into this Statement of
          Additional Information by reference to the Portfolio's Annual Report
          dated December 31, 1998. A copy of such report accompanies this
          Statement of Additional Information.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO THE ANNUAL REPORT
 
          Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 1998
 
          Statement of Operations for the period ended December 31, 1998
 
          Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1998
 
          Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the periods ended December 31,
          1998 and 1997
 
          Financial Highlights for each of the periods indicated
 
          Notes to Financial Statements
 
          Report of Independent Accountants
 
          The portions of such Annual Report that are not specifically listed
          above are not incorporated by reference into this Statement of
          Additional Information and are not part of the Registration Statement.
 
 28
<PAGE>
Appendix A
 
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
 
Moody's and Standard & Poor's
 
          MUNICIPAL AND CORPORATE BONDS AND MUNICIPAL LOANS
 
          The two highest ratings of Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P")
          for municipal and corporate bonds are AAA and AA. Bonds rated AAA have
          the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt obligation. Capacity to
          pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong. Bonds rated AA
          have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and
          differ from the highest rated issues only in a small degree. The AA
          rating may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign
          to show relative standing within that rating category.
 
          The two highest ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")
          for municipal and corporate bonds are Aaa and Aa. Bonds rated Aaa are
          judged by Moody's to be of the best quality. Bonds rated Aa are judged
          to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group,
          they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. Moody's
          states that Aa bonds are rated lower than the best bonds because
          margins of protection or other elements make long-term risks appear
          somewhat larger than Aaa securities. The generic rating Aa may be
          modified by the addition of the numerals 1, 2 or 3. The modifier 1
          indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of the Aa rating
          category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the
          modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of such
          rating category.
 
          SHORT TERM MUNICIPAL LOANS
 
          S&P's highest rating for short-term municipal loans is SP-1. S&P
          states that short-term municipal securities bearing the SP-1
          designation have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest.
          Those issues rated SP-1 which are determined to possess a very strong
          capacity to pay debt service will be given a plus (+) designation.
          Issues rated SP-2 have satisfactory capacity to pay principal and
          interest with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic
          changes over the term of the notes.
 
          Moody's highest rating for short-term municipal loans is MIG-1/VMIG-1.
          Moody's states that short-term municipal securities rated MIG-1/VMIG-1
          are of the best quality, enjoying strong protection from established
          cash flows of funds for their servicing or from established and
          broad-based access to the market for refinancing, or both. Loans
          bearing the MIG-2/VMIG-2 designation are of high quality, with margins
          of protection ample although not so large as in the MIG-1/VMIG-1
          group.
 
          OTHER SHORT-TERM DEBT SECURITIES
 
          Prime-1 and Prime-2 are the two highest ratings assigned by Moody's
          for other short-term debt securities and commercial paper, and A-1 and
          A-2 are the two highest ratings for commercial paper assigned by S&P.
          Moody's uses the numbers 1, 2 and 3 to denote relative strength within
          its highest classification of Prime, while S&P uses the numbers 1, 2
          and 3 to denote relative strength within its highest classification of
          A. Issuers rated Prime-1 by Moody's have a superior ability for
          repayment of senior short-term debt obligations and have many of the
          following characteristics: leading market positions in
          well-established industries, high rates of return on funds employed,
          conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt
          and ample asset protection, broad margins in earnings coverage of
          fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation, and well
          established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources
          of alternate liquidity. Issuers rated Prime-2 by Moody's have a strong
          ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations and
          display many of the same characteristics displayed by issuers rated
          Prime-1, but to a lesser degree. Issuers rated A-1 by S&P carry a
          strong degree of safety regarding timely
 
                                                                              29
<PAGE>
 
          repayment. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
          characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) designation. Issuers rated
          A-2 by S&P carry a satisfactory degree of safety regarding timely
          repayment.
 
FITCH
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                F-1+........................ Exceptionally strong credit quality. Issues assigned this
                                             rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of
                                             assurance for timely payment.
                F-1......................... Very strong credit quality. Issues assigned this rating
                                             reflect an assurance for timely payment only slightly less
                                             in degree than issues rated F-1+.
                F-2......................... Good credit quality. Issues assigned this rating have a
                                             satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payments, but
                                             the margin of safety is not as great as the F-1+ and F-1
                                             ratings.
</TABLE>
 
DUFF & PHELPS INC.
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Duff 1+                      Highest certainty of timely payment. Short-term liquidity,
                                             including internal operating factors and/or ready access to
                                             alternative sources of funds, is clearly outstanding, and
                                             safety is just below risk-free U.S. Treasury short-term
                                             obligations.
                Duff 1...................... Very high certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are
                                             excellent and supported by good fundamental protection
                                             factors. Risk factors are minor.
                Duff 1-..................... High certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are
                                             strong and supported by good fundamental protection factors.
                                             Risk factors are very small.
                Duff 2...................... Good certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors and
                                             company fundamentals are sound. Although ongoing funding
                                             needs may enlarge total financing requirements, access to
                                             capital markets is good. Risk factors are small.
</TABLE>
 
THOMSON BANKWATCH, INC.
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                TBW-1....................... The highest category; indicates a very high degree of
                                             likelihood that principal and interest will be paid on a
                                             timely basis.
                TBW-2....................... The second highest category; while the degree of safety
                                             regarding timely repayment of principal and interest is
                                             strong, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
                                             issues rated TBW-1.
                TBW-3....................... The lowest investment grade category; indicates that while
                                             more susceptible to adverse developments (both internal and
                                             external) than obligations with higher ratings, capacity to
                                             service principal and interest in a timely fashion is
                                             considered adequate.
                TBW-4....................... The lowest rating category; this rating is regarded as
                                             non-investment grade and therefore speculative.
</TABLE>
 
 30
<PAGE>
 
IBCA, INC.
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                A1+......................... Obligations supported by the highest capacity for timely
                                             repayment. Where issues possess a particularly strong credit
                                             feature, a rating of A1+ is assigned.
                A2.......................... Obligations supported by a good capacity for timely
                                             repayment.
                A3.......................... Obligations supported by a satisfactory capacity for timely
                                             repayment.
                B........................... Obligations for which there is an uncertainty as to the
                                             capacity to ensure timely repayment.
                C........................... Obligations for which there is a high risk of default or
                                             which are currently in default.
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              31
<PAGE>
Appendix B
 
DESCRIPTION OF MUNICIPAL SECURITIES
 
          MUNICIPAL NOTES generally are used to provide for short-term capital
          needs and usually have maturities of one year or less. They include
          the following:
 
          1. Project Notes, which carry a U.S. government guarantee, are issued
          by public bodies (called "local issuing agencies") created under the
          laws of a state, territory, or U.S. possession. They have maturities
          that range up to one year from the date of issuance. Project Notes are
          backed by an agreement between the local issuing agency and the
          Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. These Notes
          provide financing for a wide range of financial assistance programs
          for housing, redevelopment, and related needs (such as low-income
          housing programs and renewal programs).
 
          2. Tax Anticipation Notes are issued to finance working capital needs
          of municipalities. Generally, they are issued in anticipation of
          various seasonal tax revenues, such as income, sales, use and business
          taxes, and are payable from these specific future taxes.
 
          3. Revenue Anticipation Notes are issued in expectation of receipt of
          other types of revenues, such as Federal revenues available under the
          Federal Revenue Sharing Programs.
 
          4. Bond Anticipation Notes are issued to provide interim financing
          until long-term financing can be arranged. In most cases, the
          long-term bonds then provide the money for the repayment of the Notes.
 
          5. Construction Loan Notes are sold to provide construction financing.
          After successful completion and acceptance, many projects receive
          permanent financing through the Federal Housing Administration under
          the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") or the
          Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae").
 
          6. Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper is a short-term obligation with a
          stated maturity of 365 days or less. It is issued by agencies of state
          and local governments to finance seasonal working capital needs or as
          short-term financing in anticipation of longer term financing.
 
          MUNICIPAL BONDS, which meet longer term capital needs and generally
          have maturities of more than one year when issued, have three
          principal classifications:
 
          1. General Obligation Bonds are issued by such entities as states,
          counties, cities, towns, and regional districts. The proceeds of these
          obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects,
          including construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads,
          and water and sewer systems. The basic security behind General
          Obligation Bonds is the issuer's pledge of its full faith and credit
          and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes
          that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or
          unlimited as to the rate or amount of special assessments.
 
          2. Revenue Bonds in recent years have come to include an increasingly
          wide variety of types of municipal obligations. As with other kinds of
          municipal obligations, the issuers of revenue bonds may consist of
          virtually any form of state or local governmental entity, including
          states, state agencies, cities, counties, authorities of various
          kinds, such as public housing or redevelopment authorities, and
          special districts, such as water, sewer or sanitary districts.
          Generally, revenue bonds are secured by the revenues or net revenues
          derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or, in some
          cases, the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue
          source. Revenue bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital
          projects including electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways,
          bridges, and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and
          universities; and hospitals. Many of these bonds provide additional
          security in the form of a debt service reserve fund to be used to make
          principal and interest payments. Various forms of credit enhancement,
          such as a bank letter of credit or municipal bond insurance, may also
          be employed in revenue bond issues. Housing authorities have a wide
          range of security, including partially or fully insured
 
 32
<PAGE>
 
          mortgages, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or the
          net revenues from housing or other public projects. Some authorities
          provide further security in the form of a state's ability (without
          obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.
 
          In recent years, revenue bonds have been issued in large volumes for
          projects that are privately owned and operated (see 3 below).
 
          3. Private Activity Bonds are considered municipal bonds if the
          interest paid thereon is exempt from Federal income tax and are issued
          by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance
          various privately operated facilities for business and manufacturing,
          housing and health. These bonds are also used to finance public
          facilities such as airports, mass transit systems and ports. The
          payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent
          solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial
          obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property as
          security for such payment.
 
          While, at one time, the pertinent provisions of the Internal Revenue
          Code permitted private activity bonds to bear tax-exempt interest in
          connection with virtually any type of commercial or industrial project
          (subject to various restrictions as to authorized costs, size
          limitations, state per capita volume restrictions, and other matters),
          the types of qualifying projects under the Code have become
          increasingly limited, particularly since the enactment of the Tax
          Reform Act of 1986. Under current provisions of the Code, tax-exempt
          financing remains available, under prescribed conditions, for certain
          privately owned and operated rental multi-family housing facilities,
          nonprofit hospital and nursing home projects, airports, docks and
          wharves, mass commuting facilities and solid waste disposal projects,
          among others, and for the refunding (that is, the tax-exempt
          refinancing) of various kinds of other private commercial projects
          originally financed with tax-exempt bonds. In future years, the types
          of projects qualifying under the Code for tax-exempt financing are
          expected to become increasingly limited.
 
          Because of terminology formerly used in the Internal Revenue Code,
          virtually any form of private activity bond may still be referred to
          as an "industrial development bond," but more and more frequently
          revenue bonds have become classified according to the particular type
          of facility being financed, such as hospital revenue bonds, nursing
          home revenue bonds, multi-family housing revenues bonds, single family
          housing revenue bonds, industrial development revenue bonds, solid
          waste resource recovery revenue bonds, and so on.
 
          OTHER MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS, incurred for a variety of financing
          purposes, include: municipal leases, which may take the form of a
          lease or an installment purchase or conditional sale contract, are
          issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire a
          wide variety of equipment and facilities such as fire and sanitation
          vehicles, telecommunications equipment and other capital assets.
          Municipal leases frequently have special risks not normally associated
          with general obligation or revenue bonds. Leases and installment
          purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for
          title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the government issuer)
          have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property
          and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory
          requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt-issuance limitations
          of many state constitutions and statutes are deemed to be inapplicable
          because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of
          "non-appropriation" clauses that provide that the governmental issuer
          has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract
          unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate
          legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. To reduce this
          risk, the Fund will only purchase municipal leases subject to a
          non-appropriation clause when the payment of principal and accrued
          interest is backed by an unconditional irrevocable letter of credit,
          or guarantee of a bank or other entity that meets the criteria
          described in the Prospectus.
 
                                                                              33
<PAGE>
 
          Tax-exempt bonds are also categorized according to whether the
          interest is or is not includible in the calculation of alternative
          minimum taxes imposed on individuals, according to whether the costs
          of acquiring or carrying the bonds are or are not deductible in part
          by banks and other financial institutions, and according to other
          criteria relevant for Federal income tax purposes. Due to the
          increasing complexity of Internal Revenue Code and related
          requirements governing the issuance of tax-exempt bonds, industry
          practice has uniformly required, as a condition to the issuance of
          such bonds, but particularly for revenue bonds, an opinion of
          nationally recognized bond counsel as to the tax-exempt status of
          interest on the bonds.
 
 34
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        LOGO

            1-800-29JANUS
            100 Fillmore Street
            Denver, Colorado 80206-4928
            janus.com
 
SMAI0599
<PAGE>
 
                                         LOGO
 
                 Janus Aspen Series
                 Retirement Shares
 
                     Money Market Portfolio
 
                              100 Fillmore Street
                              Denver, CO 80206-4928
                              (800) 29JANUS
 
                              Statement of Additional Information
 
                              May 1, 1999
 
                 This Statement of Additional Information expands upon and
                 supplements the information contained in the current Prospectus
                 for the Retirement Shares (the "Shares") of Money Market
                 Portfolio. The Portfolio is each a separate series of Janus
                 Aspen Series, a Delaware trust.
 
                 The Shares of the Portfolios may be purchased only by certain
                 participant directed qualified retirement plans. Each Portfolio
                 also offers a second class of shares to the separate account of
                 insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable life
                 insurance policies and variable annuity contracts and certain
                 other qualified retirement plans.
 
                 This SAI is not a Prospectus and should be read in conjunction
                 with the Prospectus dated May 1, 1999, which is incorporated by
                 reference into this SAI and may be obtained from the Trust at
                 the above phone number or address. This SAI contains additional
                 and more detailed information about the Portfolio's operations
                 and activities than the Prospectus. The Annual Report, which
                 contains important financial information about the Portfolio,
                 is incorporated by reference into this SAI and is also
                 available, without charge, from your plan sponsor.
<PAGE>
 
    LOGO
<PAGE>

                                                               Table of contents
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                                                           <C>
                Investment Restrictions and
                Investment Strategies.......................................    2
                Performance Data............................................   10
                Determination of Net Asset Value............................   12
                Investment Adviser..........................................   13
                Custodian, Transfer Agent
                and Certain Affiliations....................................   15
                Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage........................   16
                Trustees and Officers.......................................   18
                Purchase of Shares..........................................   22
                Distribution Plan...........................................   23
                Redemption of Shares........................................   24
                Dividends and Tax Status....................................   25
                Principal Shareholders......................................   26
                Miscellaneous Information...................................   27
                   Shares of the Trust......................................   27
                   Shareholder Meetings.....................................   27
                   Voting Rights............................................   27
                   Independent Accountants..................................   28
                   Registration Statement...................................   28
                Financial Statements........................................   29
                Appendix A..................................................   30
                   Description of Securities Ratings........................   30
                Appendix B..................................................   33
                   Description of Municipal Securities......................   33
</TABLE>
 
                                                                               1
<PAGE>
Investment restrictions and investment strategies
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
          The Portfolio has adopted certain fundamental investment restrictions
          that cannot be changed without shareholder approval. Shareholder
          approval means approval by the lesser of (i) more than 50% of the
          outstanding voting securities of the Trust (or the Portfolio or class
          of shares if a matter affects just the Portfolio or class of shares),
          or (ii) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if
          the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of
          the Trust (or the Portfolio or class of shares) are present or
          represented by proxy.
 
          As used in the restrictions set forth below and as used elsewhere in
          this SAI, the term "U.S. Government Securities" shall have the meaning
          set forth in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
          Act"). The 1940 Act defines U.S. Government Securities as securities
          issued or guaranteed by the United States government, its agencies or
          instrumentalities. U.S. Government Securities may also include
          repurchase agreements collateralized and municipal securities escrowed
          with or refunded with escrowed U.S. government securities.
 
          The Portfolio has adopted the following fundamental policies:
 
          (1) With respect to 75% of its assets, the Portfolio may not purchase
          a security other than a U.S. Government Security, if, as a result,
          more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities
          of a single issuer or the Portfolio would own more than 10% of the
          outstanding voting securities of any single issuer. (As noted in the
          Prospectus, the Portfolio is currently subject to the greater
          diversification standards of Rule 2a-7, which are not fundamental.)
 
          (2) The Portfolio may not purchase securities if 25% or more of the
          value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of
          issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same
          industry; provided that: (i) there is no limit on investments in U.S.
          Government Securities or in obligations of domestic commercial banks
          (including U.S. branches of foreign banks subject to regulations under
          U.S. laws applicable to domestic banks and, to the extent that its
          parent is unconditionally liable for the obligation, foreign branches
          of U.S. banks); (ii) this limitation shall not apply to the
          Portfolio's investments in municipal securities; (iii) there is no
          limit on investment in issuers domiciled in a single country; (iv)
          financial service companies are classified according to the end users
          of their services (for example, automobile finance, bank finance and
          diversified finance are each considered to be a separate industry);
          and (v) utility companies are classified according to their services
          (for example, gas, gas transmission, electric, and telephone are each
          considered to be a separate industry).
 
          (3) The Portfolio may not act as an underwriter of securities issued
          by others, except to the extent that it may be deemed an underwriter
          in connection with the disposition of its portfolio securities.
 
          (4) The Portfolio may not lend any security or make any other loan if,
          as a result, more than 25% of its total assets would be lent to other
          parties (but this limitation does not apply to purchases of commercial
          paper, debt securities or repurchase agreements).
 
          (5) The Portfolio may not purchase or sell real estate or any interest
          therein, except that the Portfolio may invest in debt obligations
          secured by real estate or interests therein or securities issued by
          companies that invest in real estate or interests therein.
 
          (6) The Portfolio may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes
          (not for leveraging) in an amount not exceeding 25% of the value of
          its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities
          (other than borrowings). If borrowings exceed 25% of the value of the
          Portfolio's total assets by reason of a decline in net assets, it will
          reduce its borrowings within three business days to the extent
          necessary to comply with the 25% limitation. Reverse repurchase
          agreements or the segregation of assets in connection with such
          agreements shall not be considered borrowing for the purposes of this
          limit.
 
 2
<PAGE>
 
          (7) The Portfolio may, notwithstanding any other investment policy or
          restriction (whether or not fundamental), invest all of its assets in
          the securities of a single open-end management investment company with
          substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, policies and
          restrictions as the Portfolio.
 
          Investment restriction (1) is intended to reflect the requirements
          under Section 5(b)(1) of the 1940 Act for a diversified fund. Rule
          2a-7 provides that money market funds that comply with the
          diversification limits of Rule 2a-7 are deemed to comply with the
          diversification limits of Section 5(b)(1). Thus, the Portfolio
          interprets restriction (1) in accordance with Rule 2a-7. Accordingly,
          if securities are subject to a guarantee provided by a non-controlled
          person, the Rule 2a-7 diversification tests apply to the guarantor,
          and the diversification test in restriction (1) does not apply to the
          issuer.
 
          The Portfolio has adopted the following nonfundamental investment
          restrictions that may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder
          approval:
 
          (1) The Portfolio may not invest in securities or enter into
          repurchase agreements with respect to any securities if, as a result,
          more than 10% of its net assets would be invested in repurchase
          agreements not entitling the holder to payment of principal within
          seven days and in other securities that are not readily marketable
          ("illiquid securities"). The Trustees, or the Portfolio's investment
          adviser acting pursuant to authority delegated by the Trustees, may
          determine that a readily available market exists for certain
          securities such as securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
          144A under the Securities Act of 1933, or any successor to such rule,
          Section 4(2) commercial paper and municipal lease obligations.
          Accordingly, such securities may not be subject to the foregoing
          limitation.
 
          (2) The Portfolio may not purchase securities on margin, or make short
          sales of securities, except for short sales against the box and the
          use of short-term credit necessary for the clearance of purchases and
          sales of portfolio securities.
 
          (3) The Portfolio may not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or encumber
          any of its assets except to secure permitted borrowings or in
          connection with permitted short sales.
 
          (4) The Portfolio may not invest in companies for the purpose of
          exercising control of management.
 
          Under the terms of an exemptive order received from the Securities and
          Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the Portfolio may borrow money from or
          lend money to other funds that permit such transactions and for which
          Janus Capital serves as investment adviser. All such borrowing and
          lending will be subject to the above limits. The Portfolio will borrow
          money through the program only when the costs are equal to or lower
          than the cost of bank loans. Interfund loans and borrowings normally
          extend overnight, but can have a maximum duration of seven days. The
          Portfolio will lend through the program only when the returns are
          higher than those available from other short-term instruments (such as
          repurchase agreements). The Portfolio may have to borrow from a bank
          at a higher interest rate if an interfund loan is called or not
          renewed. Any delay in repayment to a lending Portfolio could result in
          a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
 
          For purposes of the Portfolio's policies on investing in particular
          industries, the Portfolio will rely primarily on industry or industry
          group classifications as published by Bloomberg L.P. To the extent
          that Bloomberg L.P. industry classifications are so broad that the
          primary economic characteristics in a single industry are materially
          different, the Portfolio may further classify issuers in accordance
          with industry classifications as published by the SEC.
 
                                                                               3
<PAGE>
 
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
 
          The Portfolio may invest only in "eligible securities" as defined in
          Rule 2a-7 adopted under the 1940 Act. Generally, an eligible security
          is a security that (i) is denominated in U.S. dollars and has a
          remaining maturity of 397 days or less (as calculated pursuant to Rule
          2a-7); (ii) is rated, or is issued by an issuer with short-term debt
          outstanding that is rated, in one of the two highest rating categories
          by any two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations
          ("NRSROs") or, if only one NRSRO has issued a rating, by that NRSRO
          (the "Requisite NRSROs") or is unrated and of comparable quality to a
          rated security, as determined by Janus Capital; and (iii) has been
          determined by Janus Capital to present minimal credit risks pursuant
          to procedures approved by the Trustees. In addition, the Portfolio
          will maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days
          or less. A description of the ratings of some NRSROs appears in
          Appendix A.
 
          Under Rule 2a-7, the Portfolio may not invest more than five percent
          of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer other than
          U.S. Government Securities, provided that in certain cases it may
          invest more than 5% of its assets in a single issuer for a period of
          up to three business days. Investment in demand features, guarantees
          and other types of instruments or features are subject to the
          diversification limits under Rule 2a-7.
 
          Pursuant to Rule 2a-7, the Portfolio will invest at least 95% of its
          total assets in "first-tier" securities. First-tier securities are
          eligible securities that are rated, or are issued by an issuer with
          short-term debt outstanding that is rated, in the highest rating
          category by the Requisite NRSROs or are unrated and of comparable
          quality to a rated security. In addition, the Portfolio may invest in
          "second-tier" securities which are eligible securities that are not
          first-tier securities. However, the Portfolio may not invest in a
          second-tier security if immediately after the acquisition thereof it
          would have invested more than (i) the greater of one percent of its
          total assets or one million dollars in second-tier securities issued
          by that issuer, or (ii) five percent of its total assets in
          second-tier securities.
 
          The following discussion of types of securities in which the Portfolio
          may invest supplements and should be read in conjunction with the
          Prospectus.
 
Participation Interests
 
          The Portfolio may purchase participation interests in loans or
          securities in which it may invest directly. Participation interests
          are generally sponsored or issued by banks or other financial
          institutions. A participation interest gives the Portfolio an
          undivided interest in the underlying loans or securities in the
          proportion that the Portfolio's interest bears to the total principal
          amount of the underlying loans or securities. Participation interests,
          which may have fixed, floating or variable rates, may carry a demand
          feature backed by a letter of credit or guarantee of a bank or
          institution permitting the holder to tender them back to the bank or
          other institution. For certain participation interests, the Portfolio
          will have the right to demand payment, on not more than seven days'
          notice, for all or a part of the Portfolio's participation interest.
          The Portfolio intends to exercise any demand rights it may have upon
          default under the terms of the loan or security, to provide liquidity
          or to maintain or improve the quality of the Portfolio's investment
          portfolio. The Portfolio will only purchase participation interests
          that Janus Capital determines present minimal credit risks.
 
Variable and Floating Rate Notes
 
          The Portfolio also may purchase variable and floating rate demand
          notes of corporations, which are unsecured obligations redeemable upon
          not more than 30 days' notice. These obligations include master demand
          notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates
          of interest pursuant to direct
 
 4
<PAGE>
 
          arrangements with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these
          obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the
          outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified
          number of days' notice. These obligations generally are not traded,
          nor generally is there an established secondary market for these
          obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a seven day or
          shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for
          the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid investment.
 
          Securities with ultimate maturities of greater than 397 days may be
          purchased only pursuant to Rule 2a-7. Under that Rule, only those
          long-term instruments that have demand features which comply with
          certain requirements and certain variable rate U.S. Government
          Securities may be purchased. The rate of interest on securities
          purchased by the Portfolio may be tied to short-term Treasury or other
          government securities or indices on securities that are permissible
          investments of the Portfolio, as well as other money market rates of
          interest. The Portfolio will not purchase securities whose values are
          tied to interest rates or indices that are not appropriate for the
          duration and volatility standards of a money market fund.
 
Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities
 
          The Portfolio may invest in mortgage-backed securities, which
          represent an interest in a pool of mortgages made by lenders such as
          commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers,
          mortgage brokers and savings banks. Mortgage-backed securities may be
          issued by governmental or government-related entities or by
          non-governmental entities such as banks, savings and loan
          institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers
          and other secondary market issuers.
 
          Interests in pools of mortgage-backed securities differ from other
          forms of debt securities which normally provide for periodic payment
          of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or
          specified call dates. In contrast, mortgage-backed securities provide
          periodic payments which consist of interest and, in most cases,
          principal. In effect, these payments are a "pass-through" of the
          periodic payments and optional prepayments made by the individual
          borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer
          or guarantor of such securities. Additional payments to holders of
          mortgage-backed securities are caused by prepayments resulting from
          the sale of the underlying residential property, refinancing or
          foreclosure, net of fees or costs which may be incurred.
 
          As prepayment rates of individual pools of mortgage loans vary widely,
          it is not possible to predict accurately the average life of a
          particular security. Although mortgage-backed securities are issued
          with stated maturities of up to forty years, unscheduled or early
          payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may
          shorten considerably the effective maturities. Mortgage-backed
          securities may have varying assumptions for average life. The volume
          of prepayments of principal on a pool of mortgages underlying a
          particular security will influence the yield of that security, and the
          principal returned to the Portfolio may be reinvested in instruments
          whose yield may be higher or lower than that which might have been
          obtained had the prepayments not occurred. When interest rates are
          declining, prepayments usually increase, with the result that
          reinvestment of principal prepayments will be at a lower rate than the
          rate applicable to the original mortgage-backed security.
 
          The Portfolio may invest in mortgage-backed securities that are issued
          by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government. The
          Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") is the principal
          federal government guarantor of mortgage-backed securities. GNMA is a
          wholly-owned U.S. government corporation within the Department of
          Housing and Urban Development. GNMA Certificates are debt securities
          which represent an interest in one mortgage or a pool of mortgages
          which are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or the Farmers
          Home Administration or are guaranteed by the Veterans Administration.
          The Portfolio may also invest in pools of conventional mortgages which
          are issued or
 
                                                                               5
<PAGE>
 
          guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. government. GNMA pass-through
          securities are considered to be riskless with respect to default in
          that (i) the underlying mortgage loan portfolio is comprised entirely
          of government-backed loans and (ii) the timely payment of both
          principal and interest on the securities is guaranteed by the full
          faith and credit of the U.S. government, regardless of whether or not
          payments have been made on the underlying mortgages. GNMA pass-through
          securities are, however, subject to the same market risk as comparable
          debt securities. Therefore, the market value of the Portfolio's GNMA
          securities can be expected to fluctuate in response to changes in
          prevailing interest rate levels.
 
          Residential mortgage loans are pooled also by the Federal Home Loan
          Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"). FHLMC is a privately managed, publicly
          chartered agency created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of
          increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential
          housing. FHLMC issues participation certificates ("PCs") which
          represent interests in mortgages from FHLMC's national portfolio. The
          mortgage loans in FHLMC's portfolio are not U.S. government backed;
          rather, the loans are either uninsured with loan-to-value ratios of
          80% or less, or privately insured if the loan-to-value ratio exceeds
          80%. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate
          collection of principal on FHLMC PCs; the U.S. government does not
          guarantee any aspect of FHLMC PCs.
 
          The Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") is a
          government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private
          shareholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of
          Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases residential mortgages
          from a list of approved seller/servicers which include savings and
          loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions and
          mortgage bankers. FNMA guarantees the timely payment of principal and
          interest on the pass-through securities issued by FNMA; the U.S.
          government does not guarantee any aspect of the FNMA pass-through
          securities.
 
          The Portfolio may also invest in privately-issued mortgage-backed
          securities to the extent permitted by their investment restrictions.
          Mortgage-backed securities offered by private issuers include
          pass-through securities comprised of pools of conventional residential
          mortgage loans; mortgage-backed bonds which are considered to be debt
          obligations of the institution issuing the bonds and which are
          collateralized by mortgage loans; and collateralized mortgage
          obligations ("CMOs") which are collateralized by mortgage-backed
          securities issued by GNMA, FHLMC or FNMA or by pools of conventional
          mortgages.
 
          Asset-backed securities represent direct or indirect participation in,
          or are secured by and payable from, assets other than mortgage-backed
          assets such as motor vehicle installment sales contracts, installment
          loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property
          and receivables from revolving credit agreements (credit cards).
          Asset-backed securities have yield characteristics similar to those of
          mortgage-backed securities and, accordingly, are subject to many of
          the same risks.
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
 
          Reverse repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Portfolio
          sells a security and simultaneously commits to repurchase that
          security from the buyer at an agreed upon price on an agreed upon
          future date. The resale price in a reverse repurchase agreement
          reflects a market rate of interest that is not related to the coupon
          rate or maturity of the sold security. For certain demand agreements,
          there is no agreed upon repurchase date and interest payments are
          calculated daily, often based upon the prevailing overnight repurchase
          rate. The Portfolio will use the proceeds of reverse repurchase
          agreements only to satisfy unusually heavy redemption requests or for
          other temporary or emergency purposes without the necessity of selling
          portfolio securities.
 
          Generally, a reverse repurchase agreement enables the Portfolio to
          recover for the term of the reverse repurchase agreement all or most
          of the cash invested in the portfolio securities sold and to keep the
 
 6
<PAGE>
 
          interest income associated with those portfolio securities. Such
          transactions are only advantageous if the interest cost to the
          Portfolio of the reverse repurchase transaction is less than the cost
          of obtaining the cash otherwise. In addition, interest costs on the
          money received in a reverse repurchase agreement may exceed the return
          received on the investments made by the Portfolio with those monies.
 
When Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities
 
          The Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed
          delivery basis. The Portfolio will enter into such transactions only
          when it has the intention of actually acquiring the securities. To
          facilitate such acquisitions, the Portfolio's custodian will segregate
          cash or high quality liquid assets in an amount at least equal to such
          commitments. On delivery dates for such transactions, the Portfolio
          will meet its obligations from maturities, sales of the segregated
          securities or from other available sources of cash. If it chooses to
          dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its
          acquisition, the Portfolio could, as with the disposition of any other
          portfolio obligation, incur a gain or loss due to market fluctuation.
          At the time it makes the commitment to purchase securities on a
          when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Portfolio will record the
          transaction as a purchase and thereafter reflect the value of such
          securities in determining its net asset value.
 
Investment Company Securities
 
          From time to time, the Portfolio may invest in securities of other
          investment companies. The Portfolio is subject to the provisions of
          Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. The Portfolio may invest in
          securities of money market funds managed by Janus Capital in excess of
          the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) under the terms of an SEC
          exemptive order obtained by Janus Capital and the Janus Funds.
 
Debt Obligations
 
          Money Market Portfolio may invest in debt obligations of domestic
          issuers. In general, sales of these securities may not be made absent
          registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or the availability of
          an appropriate exemption. Pursuant to Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act or
          Rule 144A adopted under the 1933 Act, however, some of these
          securities are eligible for resale to institutional investors, and
          accordingly, Janus Capital may determine that a liquid market exists
          for such a security pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Trustees.
 
Obligations of Financial Institutions
 
          The Portfolio may invest in obligations of financial institutions.
          Examples of obligations in which the Portfolio may invest include
          negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, time
          deposits and other obligations of U.S. banks (including savings and
          loan associations) having total assets in excess of one billion
          dollars and U.S. branches of foreign banks having total assets in
          excess of ten billion dollars. The Portfolio may also invest in
          Eurodollar and Yankee bank obligations as discussed below and other
          U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks having total
          assets in excess of ten billion dollars that Janus Capital believes
          are of an investment quality comparable to obligations of U.S. banks
          in which the Portfolio may invest.
 
          Certificates of deposit represent an institution's obligation to repay
          funds deposited with it that earn a specified interest rate over a
          given period. Bankers' acceptances are negotiable obligations of a
          bank to pay a draft which has been drawn by a customer and are usually
          backed by goods in international trade. Time deposits are
          non-negotiable deposits with a banking institution that earn a
          specified interest rate over a given period. Fixed time deposits,
          which are payable at a stated maturity date and bear a fixed rate of
          interest, generally may be withdrawn on demand by the Portfolio but
          may be subject to early withdrawal
 
                                                                               7
<PAGE>
 
          penalties and that could reduce the Portfolio's yield. Unless there is
          a readily available market for them, time deposits that are subject to
          early withdrawal penalties and that mature in more than seven days
          will be treated as illiquid securities.
 
          Eurodollar bank obligations are dollar-denominated certificates of
          deposit or time deposits issued outside the U.S. capital markets by
          foreign branches of U.S. banks and by foreign banks. Yankee bank
          obligations are dollar-denominated obligations issued in the U.S.
          capital markets by foreign banks.
 
          Foreign, Eurodollar (and to a limited extent, Yankee) bank obligations
          are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the
          possibility that a foreign government might prevent dollar-denominated
          funds from flowing across its borders. Other risks include: adverse
          political and economic developments in a foreign country; the extent
          and quality of government regulation of financial markets and
          institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes; and
          exploration or nationalization of foreign issuers.
 
U.S. Government Securities
 
          Money Market Portfolio may invest in U.S. Government Securities. U.S.
          Government Securities shall have the meaning set forth in the 1940
          Act. The 1940 Act defines U.S. Government Securities to include
          securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies
          and instrumentalities. U.S. Government Securities may also include
          repurchase agreements collateralized by and municipal securities
          escrowed with or refunded with U.S. government securities. U.S.
          Government Securities in which the Portfolio may invest include U.S.
          Treasury securities and obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S.
          government agencies and instrumentalities that are backed by the full
          faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those guaranteed by
          the Small Business Administration or issued by the Government National
          Mortgage Association. In addition, U.S. Government Securities in which
          the Portfolio may invest include securities supported primarily or
          solely by the creditworthiness of the issuer, such as securities of
          the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan
          Mortgage Corporation and the Tennessee Valley Authority. There is no
          guarantee that the U.S. government will support securities not backed
          by its full faith and credit. Accordingly, although these securities
          have historically involved little risk of loss of principal if held to
          maturity, they may involve more risk than securities backed by the
          full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
 
Municipal Leases
 
          The Portfolio may invest in municipal leases. Municipal leases
          frequently have special risks not normally associated with general
          obligation or revenue bonds. Municipal leases are municipal securities
          which may take the form of a lease or an installment purchase or
          conditional sales contract. Municipal leases are issued by state and
          local governments and authorities to acquire a wide variety of
          equipment and facilities. Leases and installment purchase or
          conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the
          leased asset to pass eventually to the government issuer) have evolved
          as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment
          without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the
          issuance of debt. The debt-issuance limitations of many state
          constitutions and statutes are deemed to be inapplicable because of
          the inclusion in many leases or contracts of "non-appropriation"
          clauses that provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to
          make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is
          appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a
          yearly or other periodic basis. The Portfolio will only purchase
          municipal leases subject to a non-appropriation clause when the
          payment of principal and accrued interest is backed by an
          unconditional irrevocable letter of credit, or guarantee of a bank or
          other entity that meets the criteria described in the Prospectus under
          "Taxable Investments."
 
 8
<PAGE>
 
          In evaluating municipal lease obligations, Janus Capital will consider
          such factors as it deems appropriate, including: (a) whether the lease
          can be canceled; (b) the ability of the lease obligee to direct the
          sale of the underlying assets; (c) the general creditworthiness of the
          lease obligor; (d) the likelihood that the municipality will
          discontinue appropriating funding for the leased property in the event
          such property is no longer considered essential by the municipality;
          (e) the legal recourse of the lease obligee in the event of such a
          failure to appropriate funding; (f) whether the security is backed by
          a credit enhancement such as insurance; and (g) any limitations which
          are imposed on the lease obligor's ability to utilize substitute
          property or services other than those covered by the lease obligation.
          If a lease is backed by an unconditional letter of credit or other
          unconditional credit enhancement, then Janus Capital may determine
          that a lease is an eligible security solely on the basis of its
          evaluation of the credit enhancement.
 
          Municipal leases, like other municipal debt obligations, are subject
          to the risk of non-payment. The ability of issuers of municipal leases
          to make timely lease payments may be adversely impacted in general
          economic downturns and as relative governmental cost burdens are
          allocated and reallocated among federal, state and local governmental
          units. Such non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the
          Portfolio, and could result in a reduction in the value of the
          municipal lease experiencing non-payment and a potential decrease in
          the net asset value of the Portfolio.
 
                                                                               9
<PAGE>
Performance data
 
          The Portfolio may provide current annualized and effective annualized
          yield quotations of the Shares based on the Shares' daily dividends.
          These quotations may from time to time be used in advertisements,
          shareholder reports or other communications to shareholders. All
          performance information supplied by the Portfolio in advertising is
          historical and is not intended to indicate future returns.
 
          In performance advertising, the Portfolio may compare any of its
          performance information with data published by independent evaluators
          such as Morningstar, Inc., Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., or
          CDC/Wiesenberger, Donoghue's Money Fund Report or other companies
          which track the investment performance of investment companies ("Fund
          Tracking Companies"). The Portfolio may also compare its performance
          information with the performance of recognized stock, bond and other
          indices, including but not limited to the Municipal Bond Buyers
          Indices, the Salomon Brothers Bond Index, the Lehman Brothers Bond
          Index, the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, the Dow
          Jones Industrial Average, U.S. Treasury bonds, bills or notes and
          changes in the Consumer Price Index as published by the U.S.
          Department of Commerce. The Portfolio may refer to general market
          performance over past time periods such as those published by Ibbotson
          Associates (for instance, its "Stocks, Bonds, Bills and Inflation
          Yearbook"). The Portfolio may also refer in such materials to mutual
          fund performance rankings and other data published by Fund Tracking
          Companies. Performance advertising may also refer to discussions of
          the Portfolio and comparative mutual fund data and ratings reported in
          independent periodicals, such as newspapers and financial magazines.
 
          Any current yield quotation of the Portfolio's Shares which is used in
          such a manner as to be subject to the provisions of Rule 482(d) under
          the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall consist of an annualized
          historical yield, carried at least to the nearest hundredth of one
          percent, based on a specific seven calendar day period. The current
          yield of the Portfolio's Shares shall be calculated by (a) determining
          the net change during a seven calendar day period in the value of a
          hypothetical account having a balance of one share at the beginning of
          the period, (b) dividing the net change by the value of the account at
          the beginning of the period to obtain a base period return, and (c)
          multiplying the quotient by 365/7 (i.e., annualizing). For this
          purpose, the net change in account value will reflect the value of
          additional shares purchased with dividends declared on the original
          share and dividends declared on both the original share and any such
          additional shares, but will not reflect any realized gains or losses
          from the sale of securities or any unrealized appreciation or
          depreciation on portfolio securities. In addition, the Portfolio may
          advertise effective yield quotations. Effective yield quotations are
          calculated by adding 1 to the base period return, raising the sum to a
          power equal to 365/7, and subtracting 1 from the result (i.e.,
          compounding).
 
          Income calculated for the purpose of determining the yield of the
          Portfolio's Shares differs from income as determined for other
          accounting purposes. Because of the different accounting methods used,
          and because of the compounding assumed in yield calculations, the
          yield quoted for the Portfolio's Shares may differ from the rate of
          distribution the Shares paid over the same period or the rate of
          income reported in the Portfolio's financial statements.
 
 10
<PAGE>
 
          Although published yield information is useful to investors in
          reviewing the performance of the Portfolio's Shares, investors should
          be aware that the yield fluctuates from day to day and that the
          Share's yield for any given period is not an indication or
          representation by the Portfolio of future yields or rates of return on
          the Portfolio's Shares. The Shares' yield is not fixed or guaranteed,
          and an investment in the Portfolio is not insured. Accordingly, the
          Shares' yield information may not necessarily be used to compare
          Portfolio Shares with investment alternatives which, like money market
          instruments or bank accounts, may provide a fixed rate of interest. In
          addition, because investments in the Portfolio are not insured or
          guaranteed, the yield information may not necessarily be used to
          compare the Portfolio with investment alternatives which are insured
          or guaranteed.
 
          The Shares' current yield and effective yield for the seven day period
          ended December 31, 1998, were 4.41% and 4.51%, respectively.
 
                                                                              11
<PAGE>
Determination of net asset value
 
          Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, the Trustees have established
          procedures to stabilize the Portfolio's net asset value at $1.00 per
          Share. These procedures include a review of the extent of any
          deviation of net asset value per Share as a result of fluctuating
          interest rates, based on available market rates, from the Portfolio's
          $1.00 amortized cost price per Share. Should that deviation exceed
          1/2 of 1%, the Trustees will consider whether any action should be
          initiated to eliminate or reduce material dilution or other unfair
          results to shareholders. Such action may include redemption of shares
          in kind, selling portfolio securities prior to maturity, reducing or
          withholding dividends and utilizing a net asset value per share as
          determined by using available market quotations. The Portfolio i) will
          maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or
          less; ii) will not purchase any instrument with a remaining maturity
          greater than 397 days or subject to a repurchase agreement having a
          duration of greater than 397 days; iii) will limit portfolio
          investments, including repurchase agreements, to those U.S.
          dollar-denominated instruments that Janus Capital has determined
          present minimal credit risks pursuant to procedures established by the
          Trustees; and iv) will comply with certain reporting and recordkeeping
          procedures. The Trust has also established procedures to ensure that
          portfolio securities meet the Portfolio's high quality criteria.
 
 12
<PAGE>
Investment adviser
 
          As stated in the Prospectus, the Portfolio has an Investment Advisory
          Agreement with Janus Capital, 100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado
          80206-4928. The Advisory Agreement provides that Janus Capital will
          furnish continuous advice and recommendations concerning the
          Portfolio's investments, provide office space for the Portfolio and
          pay the salaries, fees and expenses of all Portfolio officers and of
          those Trustees who are affiliated with Janus Capital. Janus Capital
          also may make payments to selected broker-dealer firms or institutions
          which were instrumental in the acquisition of shareholders for the
          Portfolio or which performed services with respect to shareholder
          accounts. The minimum aggregate size required for eligibility for such
          payments, and the factors in selecting the broker-dealer firms and
          institutions to which they will be made, are determined from time to
          time by Janus Capital. Janus Capital is also authorized to perform the
          management and administrative services necessary for the operation of
          the Portfolio.
 
          The Portfolio pays custodian agent fees and expenses, brokerage
          commissions and dealer spreads and other expenses in connection with
          the execution of Portfolio transactions, legal and accounting
          expenses, interest and taxes, registration fees, expenses of
          shareholders' meetings, and reports to shareholders, fees and expenses
          of Trustees who are not affiliated with Janus Capital, and other costs
          of complying with applicable laws regulating the sale of Portfolio
          shares. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, Janus Capital furnishes
          certain other services, including net asset value determination,
          portfolio accounting and record keeping for which the Portfolio may
          reimburse Janus Capital for its costs.
 
          The Portfolio has agreed to compensate Janus Capital for its advisory
          services by the monthly payment of an advisory fee at the annual rate
          of .25% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets. Janus Capital has
          agreed to reimburse the Portfolio by the amount, if any, that the
          Portfolio's normal operating expenses in any fiscal year, including
          the investment advisory fee but excluding the distribution fee and
          participant administration fee described below, brokerage commissions,
          interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses, exceed .50% of average
          daily net assets. Janus Capital has agreed to continue such waivers
          until at least the next annual renewal of the advisory agreements.
 
          For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the advisory fee was
          $79,201. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and December 31,
          1996, the advisory fees were $22,333 and $9,287, respectively. For the
          fiscal years ended December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, Janus
          Capital waived $2,184 and $9,287, respectively (the advisory fee
          waivers by Janus Capital exceeded the advisory fees for 1996).
 
          The Advisory Agreement is dated July 1, 1997 and will continue in
          effect from year to year so long as such continuance is approved
          annually by a majority of the Portfolio's Trustees who are not parties
          to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party, and
          by either a majority of the outstanding voting shares or the Trustees.
          The Advisory Agreement i) may be terminated without the payment of any
          penalty by the Portfolio or Janus Capital on 60 days' written notice;
          ii) terminates automatically in the event of its assignment; and iii)
          generally, may not be amended without the approval by vote of a
          majority of the Trustees, including the Trustees who are not
          interested persons of the Portfolio or Janus Capital and, to the
          extent required by the 1940 Act, the vote of a majority of the
          outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio.
 
          Janus Capital also acts as sub-advisor for a number of private-label
          mutual funds and provides separate account advisory services for
          institutional accounts. Investment decisions for each account managed
          by Janus Capital, including the Portfolio, are made independently from
          those for any other account that is or may in the future become
          managed by Janus Capital or its affiliates. If, however, a number of
          accounts managed by Janus Capital are contemporaneously engaged in the
          purchase or sale of the same security, the orders may be aggregated
          and/or the transactions may be averaged as to price and allocated
          equitably to each account. In some cases, this policy might adversely
          affect the price paid or received by an account or
 
                                                                              13
<PAGE>
 
          the size of the position obtained or liquidated for an account.
          Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the SEC, the Portfolios and
          other funds advised by Janus Capital may also transfer daily
          uninvested cash balances into one or more joint trading accounts.
          Assets in the joint trading accounts are invested in money market
          instruments and the proceeds are allocated to the participating funds
          on a pro rata basis.
 
          Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. ("KCSI") owns approximately 82%
          of the outstanding voting stock of Janus Capital, most of which it
          acquired in 1984. KCSI is a publicly traded holding company whose
          primary subsidiaries are engaged in transportation, information
          processing and financial services. Thomas H. Bailey, President and
          Chairman of the Board of Janus Capital, owns approximately 12% of its
          voting stock and, by agreement with KCSI, selects a majority of Janus
          Capital's Board.
 
          KCSI has announced its intention to separate its transportation and
          financial services businesses. KCSI is currently studying alternatives
          for completion of the separation that meet its business objectives
          without risking adverse tax consequences. KCSI expects completion of
          the separation to be contemplated in 1999.
 
          Each account managed by Janus Capital has its own investment objective
          and is managed in accordance with that objective by a particular
          portfolio manager or team of portfolio managers. As a result, from
          time to time two or more different managed accounts may pursue
          divergent investment strategies with respect to investments or
          categories of investments.
 
          Janus Capital does not permit portfolio managers to purchase and sell
          securities for their own accounts except under the limited exceptions
          contained in Janus Capital's policy regarding personal investing by
          directors, officers and employees of Janus Capital and the Portfolio.
          The policy requires investment personnel and officers of Janus
          Capital, inside directors of Janus Capital and the Portfolio and other
          designated persons deemed to have access to current trading
          information to pre-clear all transactions in securities not otherwise
          exempt under the policy. Requests for trading authority will be denied
          when, among other reasons, the proposed personal transaction would be
          contrary to the provisions of the policy or would be deemed to
          adversely affect any transaction then known to be under consideration
          for or to have been effected on behalf of any client account,
          including the Portfolio.
 
          In addition to the pre-clearance requirement described above, the
          policy subjects investment personnel, officers and directors/Trustees
          of Janus Capital and the Trust to various trading restrictions and
          reporting obligations. All reportable transactions are required to be
          reviewed for compliance with Janus Capital's policy. Those persons
          also may be required under certain circumstances to forfeit their
          profits made from personal trading.
 
          The provisions of the policy are administered by and subject to
          exceptions authorized by Janus Capital.
 
 14
<PAGE>
Custodian, transfer agent and certain affiliations
 
          Citibank, N.A., 111 Wall Street, 24th Floor, Zone 5, New York, NY
          10043, is the Portfolio's custodian. The custodian holds the
          Portfolio's assets in safekeeping and collects and remits the income
          thereon, subject to the instructions of the Portfolio.
 
          Janus Service Corporation, P.O. Box 173375, Denver, Colorado
          80217-3375, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Janus Capital, is the
          Portfolio's transfer agent. In addition, Janus Service provides
          certain other administrative, recordkeeping and shareholder relations
          services to the Portfolio. Janus Service receives a participant
          administration fee at an annual rate of up to .25% of the average
          daily net assets of the Shares of the Portfolio for providing or
          procuring recordkeeping, subaccounting and other administrative
          services to plan participants who invest in the Shares of the
          Portfolio. Janus Service expects to use substantially all of this fee
          to compensate qualified plan service providers for providing these
          services (at an annual rate of up to .25% of the average daily net
          assets of the Shares attributable to plan participants receiving
          services from each service provider). Services provided by qualified
          plan service providers may include but are not limited to participant
          recordkeeping, processing and aggregating purchase and redemption
          transactions, providing periodic statements, forwarding prospectuses,
          shareholder reports and other materials to existing plan participants,
          and other participant administrative services.
 
          For each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997 and December 31,
          1998, the Shares paid a de minimus amount in participant
          administration fees to qualified plan service providers including
          Janus Service. Participant administration fees earned by Janus Service
          are in connection with seed capital invested by Janus Capital in the
          Shares and have been rebated to Janus Capital.
 
          Janus Distributors, Inc. ("Janus Distributors"), 100 Fillmore Street,
          Denver, Colorado 80206-4928, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Janus
          Capital, is a distributor of the Portfolio. Janus Distributors is
          registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of
          1934 (the "Exchange Act") and is a member of the National Association
          of Securities Dealers, Inc.
 
          The Portfolio pays DST Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of KCSI, license
          fees at the rate of $3.98 per shareholder account for the use of DST's
          shareholder accounting system. The Portfolio also pays DST $1.10 per
          closed shareholder account. The Portfolio pays DST for the use of its
          portfolio and fund accounting system a monthly base fee of $250 to
          $1,250 per month based on the number of Janus funds using the system
          and an asset charge of $1 per million dollars of net assets (not to
          exceed $500 per month).
 
          The Trustees have authorized the Portfolio to use another affiliate of
          DST as introducing broker for certain Portfolio transactions as a
          means to reduce Portfolio expenses through credits against the charges
          of DST and its affiliates with regard to commissions earned by such
          affiliate. See "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage."
 
                                                                              15
<PAGE>
Portfolio transactions and brokerage
 
          Decisions as to the assignment of portfolio business for the Portfolio
          and negotiation of its commission rates are made by Janus Capital
          whose policy is to obtain the "best execution" (prompt and reliable
          execution at the most favorable security price) of all portfolio
          transactions.
 
          In selecting brokers and dealers and in negotiating commissions, Janus
          Capital considers a number of factors, including but not limited to:
          Janus Capital's knowledge of currently available negotiated commission
          rates or prices of securities currently available and other current
          transaction costs; the nature of the security being traded; the size
          and type of the transaction; the nature and character of the markets
          for the security to be purchased or sold; the desired timing of the
          trade; the activity existing and expected in the market for the
          particular security; confidentiality; the quality of the execution,
          clearance and settlement services; financial stability of the broker
          or dealer; the existence of actual or apparent operational problems of
          any broker or dealer; and research products or services provided. In
          recognition of the value of the foregoing factors, Janus Capital may
          place portfolio transactions with a broker or dealer with whom it has
          negotiated a commission that is in excess of the commission another
          broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if
          Janus Capital determines in good faith that such amount of commission
          was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research
          provided by such broker or dealer viewed in terms of either that
          particular transaction or of the overall responsibilities of Janus
          Capital. These research and other services may include, but are not
          limited to, general economic and security market reviews, industry and
          company reviews, evaluations of securities, recommendations as to the
          purchase and sale of securities, and access to third party
          publications, computer and electronic equipment and software. Research
          received from brokers or dealers is supplemental to Janus Capital's
          own research efforts.
 
          For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998, December 31, 1997 and
          December 31, 1996, the Portfolio did not incur any brokerage
          commissions. The Portfolio generally buys and sells securities in
          principal and agency transactions in which no commissions are paid.
          However, the Portfolio may engage an agent and pay commissions for
          such transactions if Janus Capital believes that the net result of the
          transaction to the Portfolio will be no less favorable than that of
          contemporaneously available principal transactions.
 
          Janus Capital may use research products and services in servicing
          other accounts in addition to the Portfolio. If Janus Capital
          determines that any research product or service has a mixed use, such
          that it also serves functions that do not assist in the investment
          decision-making process, Janus Capital may allocate the costs of such
          service or product accordingly. Only that portion of the product or
          service that Janus Capital determines will assist it in the investment
          decision-making process may be paid for in brokerage commission
          dollars. Such allocation may create a conflict of interest for Janus
          Capital.
 
          Janus Capital may consider sales of Portfolio shares or shares of
          other Janus funds by a broker-dealer or the recommendation of a
          broker-dealer to its customers that they purchase such shares as a
          factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute Portfolio
          transactions. Janus Capital may also consider payments made by brokers
          effecting transactions for a Portfolio i) to the Portfolio or ii) to
          other persons on behalf of the Portfolio for services provided to the
          Portfolio for which it would be obligated to pay. In placing portfolio
          business with such broker-dealers, Janus Capital will seek the best
          execution of each transaction.
 
          When the Portfolio purchases or sells a security in the
          over-the-counter market, the transaction takes place directly with a
          principal market-maker, without the use of a broker, except in those
          circumstances where in the opinion of Janus Capital better prices and
          executions will be achieved through the use of a broker.
 
 16
<PAGE>
 
          As of December 31, 1998, the Portfolio owned securities of its regular
          broker-dealers (or parents) as shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 Value of
                                                                   Name of                      Securities
Portfolio Name                                                  Broker-Dealer                     Owned
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>                                            <C>
Money Market Portfolio                           ABN AMRO Securities, Inc.                      $4,920,000
                                                 CS First Boston                                $1,965,875
                                                 Goldman Sachs Group, L.P.                      $1,999,938
                                                 Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co.    $1,977,040
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              17
<PAGE>
Trustees and officers
 
          The following are the names of the Trustees and officers of Janus
          Aspen Series, a Delaware business trust of which the Portfolio is a
          series, together with a brief description of their principal
          occupations during the last five years.
 
Thomas H. Bailey, Age 61 - Trustee, Chairman and President*#
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee, Chairman and President of Janus Investment Fund+. Chairman,
          Chief Executive Officer, Director and President of Janus Capital.
          Director of Janus Distributors, Inc.
 
James P. Craig, III, Age 42 - Trustee and Executive Vice President*#
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee and Executive Vice President of Janus Investment Fund+. Chief
          Investment Officer, Vice Chairman and Director of Janus Capital.
 
William D. Stewart, Age 54 - Trustee#
5330 Sterling Drive
Boulder, CO 80302
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund+. President of HPS Division of MKS
          Instruments, Boulder, Colorado (manufacturer of vacuum fittings and
          valves).
 
Gary O. Loo, Age 58 - Trustee#
102 N. Cascade, Suite 500
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund+. President and a Director of High
          Valley Group, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado.
 
Dennis B. Mullen, Age 55 - Trustee
14103 Denver West Parkway
Golden, CO 80401
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund+. Private Investor. Formerly
          (1997-1998), Chief Financial Officer - Boston Market Concepts, Boston
          Chicken, Inc., Golden, Colorado (restaurant chain); (1993-1997),
          President and Chief Executive Officer of BC Northwest, L.P., a
          franchise of Boston Chicken, Inc., Bellevue, Washington (restaurant
          chain).
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
#Member of the Executive Committee.
+Includes comparable office with various Janus funds that were reorganized into
Janus Investment Fund on August 7, 1992.
 
 18
<PAGE>
 
Martin H. Waldinger, Age 60 - Trustee
4940 Sandshore Court
San Diego, CA 92130
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund+. Private Consultant. Formerly (1993
          to 1996), Director of Run Technologies, Inc., a software development
          firm, San Carlos, California. Formerly (1989 to 1993), President and
          Chief Executive Officer of Bridgecliff Management Services, Campbell,
          California (a condominium association management company).
 
James T. Rothe, Age 55 - Trustee
102 South Tejon Street, Suite 1100
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Trustee of Janus Investment Fund+. Professor of Business, University
          of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Principal, Phillips-Smith
          Retail Group, Colorado Springs, Colorado (a venture capital firm).
          Formerly (1986-1994), Dean of the College of Business, University of
          Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
 
Sharon S. Pichler, Age 49 - Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Janus Money Market
          Fund and Janus Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund series of Janus Investment
          Fund+. Formerly (1994-1998) Executive Vice President and Portfolio
          Manager of Janus Government Money Market Fund. Vice President of Janus
          Capital. Formerly, Assistant Vice President and portfolio manager at
          USAA Investment Management Co. (1990-1994).
 
Thomas A. Early, Age 44 - Vice President and General Counsel*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Vice President and General Counsel of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President, General Counsel and Secretary of Janus Capital. Vice
          President and General Counsel of Janus Service Corporation, Janus
          Distributors, Inc. and Janus Capital International, Ltd. Director of
          Janus World Funds Plc. Formerly (1997 to 1998), Executive Vice
          President and General Counsel of Prudential Investments Fund
          Management LLC, Newark, New Jersey. Formerly (1994 to 1997), Vice
          President and General Counsel of Prudential Retirement Services,
          Newark, New Jersey. Formerly (1988 to 1994), Associate General Counsel
          and Chief Financial Services Counsel, Frank Russell Company, Tacoma,
          Washington.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Includes comparable office with various Janus funds that were reorganized into
Janus Investment Fund on August 7, 1992.
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
 
                                                                              19
<PAGE>
 
Steven R. Goodbarn, Age 41 - Vice President and Chief Financial Officer*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Janus Investment Fund+.
          Vice President of Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of
          Janus Capital, Janus Service Corporation, and Janus Distributors, Inc.
          Director of Janus Service Corporation and Janus Distributors, Inc. and
          Janus World Funds Plc. Director, Treasurer and Vice President of
          Finance of Janus Capital International Ltd. Formerly (1992-1996),
          Treasurer of Janus Investment Fund and Janus Aspen Series.
 
Glenn P. O'Flaherty, Age 40 - Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President of Janus Capital. Formerly (1991-1997), Director of Fund
          Accounting, Janus Capital.
 
Stephen Lamar Stieneker, Age 40 - Assistant Vice President and Secretary*
100 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206-4928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Assistant Vice President and Secretary of Janus Investment Fund. Vice
          President of Compliance, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant
          General Counsel of Janus Capital.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Interested person of the Trust and of Janus Capital.
+Includes comparable office with various Janus funds that were reorganized into
 Janus Investment Fund on August 7, 1992.
 
          The Trustees are responsible for major decisions relating to the
          Portfolio's objective, policies and techniques. The Trustees also
          supervise the operation of the Portfolio by its officers and review
          the investment decisions of the officers although they do not actively
          participate on a regular basis in making such decisions.
 
          The Trust's Executive Committee shall have and may exercise all the
          powers and authority of the Trustees except for matters requiring
          action by all Trustees pursuant to the Trust's Bylaws or Trust
          Instrument, Delaware law or the 1940 Act.
 
          The Money Market Funds Committee, consisting of Messrs. Loo, Mullen
          and Rothe, monitors the compliance with policies and procedures
          adopted particularly for money market funds.
 
 20
<PAGE>
 
          The following table shows the aggregate compensation paid to each
          Trustee by the Portfolio and all funds advised and sponsored by Janus
          Capital (collectively, the "Janus Funds") for the periods indicated.
          None of the Trustees receive pension or retirement benefits from the
          Portfolio or the Janus Funds.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Aggregate Compensation       Total Compensation
                                                              from the Portfolios for   from the Janus Funds for
                                                                 fiscal year ended         calendar year ended
Name of Person, Position                                         December 31, 1998         December 31, 1998**
<S>                                                           <C>                       <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas H. Bailey, Chairman and Trustee*                                $  0                      $     0
James P. Craig, III, Trustee*                                          $  0                      $     0
William D. Stewart, Trustee                                            $ 36                      $82,000
Gary O. Loo, Trustee                                                   $ 73                      $74,000
Dennis B. Mullen, Trustee                                              $ 77                      $82,000
Martin H. Waldinger, Trustee                                           $ 40                      $74,000
James T. Rothe, Trustee                                                $ 75                      $82,000
</TABLE>
 
 * An interested person of the Portfolio and of Janus Capital. Compensated by
   Janus Capital and not the Portfolio.
** As of December 31, 1998, Janus Funds consisted of two registered investment
   companies comprised of a total of 32 funds.
 
                                                                              21
<PAGE>
Purchase of Shares
 
          Shares of the Portfolio can be purchased only by certain participant
          directed qualified plans. Certain designated organizations are
          authorized to receive purchase orders on the Portfolio's behalf, and
          those organizations are authorized to designate their agents and
          affiliates as intermediaries to receive purchase orders. Purchase
          orders are deemed received by the Portfolio when authorized
          organizations, their agents or affiliates receive the order. The
          Portfolio is not responsible for the failure of any designated
          organization or its agents or affiliates to carry out its obligations
          to its customers. Shares of the Portfolio are purchased at the NAV per
          share as determined at the close of regular trading session of the New
          York Stock Exchange next occurring after a purchase order is received
          and accepted by the Portfolio or its authorized agent. In order to
          receive a day's dividend, your order must be received by the close of
          the regular trading session of the NYSE. Your plan documents contain
          detailed information about investing in the Portfolio.
 
 22
<PAGE>
Distribution plan
 
          Under a distribution plan ("Plan") adopted in accordance with Rule
          12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), the
          Shares may pay Janus Distributors, Inc., the Trust's distributor, a
          fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets
          of the Shares of the Portfolio. Under the terms of the Plan, the Trust
          is authorized to make payments to Janus Distributors for remittance to
          qualified plan service providers as compensation for distribution and
          shareholder servicing performed by such providers. The Plan is a
          compensation type plan and permits the payment at an annual rate of up
          to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Shares of the
          Portfolio for activities which are primarily intended to result in
          sales of the Shares, including but not limited to preparing, printing
          and distributing prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information,
          shareholder reports, and educational materials to prospective and
          existing plan participants; responding to inquiries by qualified plan
          participants; receiving and answering correspondence and similar
          activities. On December 10, 1996, Trustees unanimously approved the
          Plan which became effective May 1, 1997. The Plan and any Rule 12b-1
          related agreement that is entered into by the Portfolio or Janus
          Distributors in connection with the Plan will continue in effect for a
          period of more than one year only so long as continuance is
          specifically approved at least annually by a vote of a majority of the
          Trustees, and of a majority of the Trustees who are not interested
          persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and who have no
          direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or
          any related agreements ("12b-1 Trustees"). All material amendments to
          the Plan must be approved by a majority vote of the Trustees,
          including a majority of the 12b-1 Trustees, at a meeting called for
          that purpose. In addition, the Plan may be terminated at any time,
          without penalty, by vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares of
          the Portfolio or by vote of a majority of 12b-1 Trustees.
 
          For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, the Shares of the
          Portfolio paid a de minimus amount in 12b-1 fees as compensation to
          broker-dealers and other service providers including Janus
          Distributors. Fees earned by Janus Distributors are in connection with
          seed capital invested by Janus Capital in the Shares and have been
          rebated to Janus Capital.
 
                                                                              23
<PAGE>
Redemption of Shares
 
          Redemptions, like purchases, may only be effected through participant
          directed qualified plans. Certain designated organizations are
          authorized to receive redemption orders on the Portfolio's behalf and
          those organizations are authorized to designate their agents and
          affiliates as intermediaries to receive redemption orders. Redemption
          orders are deemed received by the Portfolio when authorized
          organizations, their agents or affiliates receive the order. The
          Portfolio is not responsible for the failure of any designated
          organization or its agents or affiliates to carry out its obligations
          to its customers. Shares normally will be redeemed for cash, although
          the Portfolio retains the right to redeem its shares in kind under
          unusual circumstances, in order to protect the interests of remaining
          shareholders, by delivery of securities selected from its assets at
          its discretion. However, the Portfolio is governed by Rule 18f-1 under
          the 1940 Act, which requires the Portfolio to redeem shares solely in
          cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the
          Portfolio during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. Should
          redemptions by any shareholder exceed such limitation, their Portfolio
          will have the option of redeeming the excess in cash or in kind. If
          shares are redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might incur
          brokerage costs in converting the assets to cash. The method of
          valuing securities used to make redemptions in kind will be the same
          as the method of valuing portfolio securities described under
          "Determination of Net Asset Value" and such valuation will be made as
          of the same time the redemption price is determined.
 
          The right to require the Portfolio to redeem its shares may be
          suspended, or the date of payment may be postponed, whenever (1)
          trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the SEC, or the
          NYSE is closed except for holidays and weekends, (2) the SEC permits
          such suspension and so orders, or (3) an emergency exists as
          determined by the SEC so that disposal of securities or determination
          of NAV is not reasonably practicable.
 
 24
<PAGE>
Dividends and tax status
 
          Dividends representing substantially all of the net investment income
          and any net realized gains on sales of securities are declared daily,
          Saturdays, Sundays and holidays included, and distributed on the last
          business day of each month. If a month begins on a Saturday, Sunday,
          or holiday, dividends for those days are declared at the end of the
          preceding month and distributed on the first business day of the
          month. The Portfolio intends to qualify as a regulated investment
          company by satisfying certain requirements prescribed by Subchapter M
          of the Code. In addition, because a class of shares of the Portfolio
          are sold in connection with variable insurance contracts, the
          Portfolio intends to comply with the diversification requirements of
          Internal Revenue Code Section 817(h) related to the tax-deferred
          status of insurance company separate accounts.
 
          All income dividends on the Portfolio's Shares are reinvested
          automatically in additional Shares of the Portfolio at the NAV
          determined on the first business day following the record date.
 
          Because Shares of the Portfolio can only be purchased through
          qualified plans, it is anticipated that any income dividends or
          capital gains distributions will be exempt from current taxation if
          left to accumulate within such plans. See the plan documents for
          additional information.
 
                                                                              25
<PAGE>
Principal shareholders
 
   
          The officers and Trustees of the Portfolios cannot directly own Shares
          of the Portfolios without purchasing through a participant directed
          qualified plan. As a result, such officers and Trustees as a group own
          less than 1% of the outstanding Shares of each Portfolio. As of April
          1, 1999, all of the outstanding Shares of the Portfolio were owned by
          participant directed qualified plans and by Janus Capital, which
          provided seed capital for the Portfolio. None of the participant
          directed qualified plans owning owned more than 5% of the Shares of
          the Portfolio.
    
 
 26
<PAGE>
Miscellaneous information
 
          The Portfolio is an open-end management investment company registered
          under the 1940 Act as a series of the Trust, which was organized as a
          Delaware business trust on May 20, 1993. The Trust Instrument permits
          the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
          interest from an unlimited number of series and classes of shares. As
          of the date of this SAI, the Trust consists of eleven series of
          shares, known as "portfolios," in two classes. Additional series
          and/or classes may be created from time to time.
 
SHARES OF THE TRUST
 
          The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of
          beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share for each
          series of the Trust. Shares of each series of the Trust are fully paid
          and nonassessable when issued. The Shares of the Portfolio participate
          equally in dividends and other distributions by the Portfolio, and in
          residual assets of the Portfolio in the event of liquidation. Shares
          of the Portfolio have no preemptive, conversion or subscription
          rights.
 
          The Portfolio currently offers two classes of shares. The Shares
          discussed in this SAI are offered only to certain participant directed
          qualified plans whose service providers require a fee from Trust
          assets for providing certain services to plan participants. A second
          class of shares, Institutional Shares, are offered only in connection
          with investment in and payments under variable contracts and life
          insurance contracts, as well as certain qualified retirement plans.
 
SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
 
          The Trust does not intend to hold annual shareholder meetings.
          However, special meetings may be called for the Portfolio or for the
          Trust as a whole for purposes such as electing or removing Trustees,
          terminating or reorganizing the Trust, changing fundamental policies,
          or for any other purpose requiring a shareholder vote under the 1940
          Act. Separate votes are taken by each Portfolio or class only if a
          matter affects or requires the vote of only that Portfolio or class or
          that Portfolio's or class' interest in the matter differs from the
          interest of the other portfolios or class of the Trust. A shareholder
          is entitled to one vote for each Share owned.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
          The Trustees are responsible for major decisions relating to the
          Portfolio's policies and objectives; the Trustees oversee the
          operation of the Portfolio by its officers.
 
          The present Trustees were elected by the initial trustee of the Trust
          on May 25, 1993, and were approved by the initial shareholder on May
          25, 1993 with the exception of Mr. Craig and Mr. Rothe who were
          appointed by the Trustees as of June 30, 1995 and as of January 1,
          1997, respectively. Under the Trust Instrument, each Trustee will
          continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his earlier
          death, retirement, resignation, bankruptcy, incapacity or removal.
          Vacancies will be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees,
          subject to the 1940 Act. Therefore, no annual or regular meetings of
          shareholders normally will be held, unless otherwise required by the
          Trust Instrument or the 1940 Act. Subject to the foregoing,
          shareholders have the power to vote to elect or remove Trustees, to
          terminate or reorganize the Portfolio, to amend the Trust Instrument,
          to bring certain derivative actions and on any other matters on which
          a shareholder vote is required by the 1940 Act, the Trust Instrument,
          the Trust's Bylaws or the Trustees.
 
          As mentioned in "Shareholder Meetings", each share of each portfolio
          of the Trust has one vote (and fractional votes for fractional
          shares). Shares of all portfolios of the Trust have noncumulative
          voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the
          shares of all portfolios of the Trust voting for the
 
                                                                              27
<PAGE>
 
          election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to
          do so and, in such event, the holders of the remaining shares will not
          be able to elect any Trustees. Each portfolio or class of the Trust
          will vote separately only with respect to those matters that affect
          only that portfolio or class or if an interest of a portfolio or class
          in the matter differs from the interests of other portfolios or
          classes of the Trust.
 
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
          PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 950 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2500,
          Denver, Colorado 80202, independent accountants for the Portfolio,
          audit the Portfolio's annual financial statements and prepare its tax
          returns.
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
          The Trust has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
          Washington, D.C., a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of
          1933, as amended, with respect to the securities to which this SAI
          relates. If further information is desired with respect to the
          Portfolio or such securities, reference is made to the Registration
          Statement and the exhibits filed as a part thereof.
 
 28
<PAGE>
Financial statements
 
          The following audited financial statements for the period ended
          December 31, 1998 are hereby incorporated into this Statement of
          Additional Information by reference to the Portfolio's Annual Report
          dated December 31, 1998. A copy of such report accompanies this
          Statement of Additional Information.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO THE ANNUAL REPORT
 
          Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 1998
 
          Statement of Operations for the period ended December 31, 1998
 
          Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1998
 
          Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the periods ended December 31,
          1998 and 1997
 
          Financial Highlights for each of the periods indicated
 
          Notes to Financial Statements
 
          Report of Independent Accountants
 
          The portions of such Annual Report that are not specifically listed
          above are not incorporated by reference into this Statement of
          Additional Information and are not part of the Registration Statement.
 
                                                                              29
<PAGE>
Appendix A
 
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
 
Moody's and Standard & Poor's
 
          MUNICIPAL AND CORPORATE BONDS AND MUNICIPAL LOANS
 
          The two highest ratings of Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P")
          for municipal and corporate bonds are AAA and AA. Bonds rated AAA have
          the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt obligation. Capacity to
          pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong. Bonds rated AA
          have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and
          differ from the highest rated issues only in a small degree. The AA
          rating may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign
          to show relative standing within that rating category.
 
          The two highest ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")
          for municipal and corporate bonds are Aaa and Aa. Bonds rated Aaa are
          judged by Moody's to be of the best quality. Bonds rated Aa are judged
          to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group,
          they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. Moody's
          states that Aa bonds are rated lower than the best bonds because
          margins of protection or other elements make long-term risks appear
          somewhat larger than Aaa securities. The generic rating Aa may be
          modified by the addition of the numerals 1, 2 or 3. The modifier 1
          indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of the Aa rating
          category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the
          modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of such
          rating category.
 
          SHORT TERM MUNICIPAL LOANS
 
          S&P's highest rating for short-term municipal loans is SP-1. S&P
          states that short-term municipal securities bearing the SP-1
          designation have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest.
          Those issues rated SP-1 which are determined to possess a very strong
          capacity to pay debt service will be given a plus (+) designation.
          Issues rated SP-2 have satisfactory capacity to pay principal and
          interest with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic
          changes over the term of the notes.
 
          Moody's highest rating for short-term municipal loans is MIG-1/VMIG-1.
          Moody's states that short-term municipal securities rated MIG-1/VMIG-1
          are of the best quality, enjoying strong protection from established
          cash flows of funds for their servicing or from established and
          broad-based access to the market for refinancing, or both. Loans
          bearing the MIG-2/VMIG-2 designation are of high quality, with margins
          of protection ample although not so large as in the MIG-1/VMIG-1
          group.
 
          OTHER SHORT-TERM DEBT SECURITIES
 
          Prime-1 and Prime-2 are the two highest ratings assigned by Moody's
          for other short-term debt securities and commercial paper, and A-1 and
          A-2 are the two highest ratings for commercial paper assigned by S&P.
          Moody's uses the numbers 1, 2 and 3 to denote relative strength within
          its highest classification of Prime, while S&P uses the numbers 1, 2
          and 3 to denote relative strength within its highest classification of
          A. Issuers rated Prime-1 by Moody's have a superior ability for
          repayment of senior short-term debt obligations and have many of the
          following characteristics: leading market positions in
          well-established industries, high rates of return on funds employed,
          conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt
          and ample asset protection, broad margins in earnings coverage of
          fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation, and well
          established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources
          of alternate liquidity. Issuers rated Prime-2 by Moody's have a strong
          ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations and
          display many of the same characteristics displayed by issuers rated
          Prime-1, but to a lesser degree. Issuers rated A-1 by S&P carry a
          strong degree of safety regarding timely repayment. Those issues
          determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are
          denoted with a
 
 30
<PAGE>
 
          plus (+) designation. Issuers rated A-2 by S&P carry a satisfactory
          degree of safety regarding timely repayment.
 
FITCH
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                F-1+........................ Exceptionally strong credit quality. Issues assigned this
                                             rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of
                                             assurance for timely payment.
                F-1......................... Very strong credit quality. Issues assigned this rating
                                             reflect an assurance for timely payment only slightly less
                                             in degree than issues rated F-1+.
                F-2......................... Good credit quality. Issues assigned this rating have a
                                             satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payments, but
                                             the margin of safety is not as great as the F-1+ and F-1
                                             ratings.
</TABLE>
 
DUFF & PHELPS INC.
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Duff 1+..................... Highest certainty of timely payment. Short-term liquidity,
                                             including internal operating factors and/or ready access to
                                             alternative sources of funds, is clearly outstanding, and
                                             safety is just below risk-free U.S. Treasury short-term
                                             obligations.
                Duff 1...................... Very high certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are
                                             excellent and supported by good fundamental protection
                                             factors. Risk factors are minor.
                Duff 1-..................... High certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors are
                                             strong and supported by good fundamental protection factors.
                                             Risk factors are very small.
                Duff 2...................... Good certainty of timely payment. Liquidity factors and
                                             company fundamentals are sound. Although ongoing funding
                                             needs may enlarge total financing requirements, access to
                                             capital markets is good. Risk factors are small.
</TABLE>
 
THOMSON BANKWATCH, INC.
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                TBW-1....................... The highest category; indicates a very high degree of
                                             likelihood that principal and interest will be paid on a
                                             timely basis.
                TBW-2....................... The second highest category; while the degree of safety
                                             regarding timely repayment of principal and interest is
                                             strong, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
                                             issues rated TBW-1.
                TBW-3....................... The lowest investment grade category; indicates that while
                                             more susceptible to adverse developments (both internal and
                                             external) than obligations with higher ratings, capacity to
                                             service principal and interest in a timely fashion is
                                             considered adequate.
                TBW-4....................... The lowest rating category; this rating is regarded as
                                             non-investment grade and therefore speculative.
</TABLE>
 
                                                                              31
<PAGE>
 
IBCA, INC.
 
<TABLE>
                <S>                          <C>
                BOND RATING                  EXPLANATION
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                A1+......................... Obligations supported by the highest capacity for timely
                                             repayment. Where issues possess a particularly strong credit
                                             feature, a rating of A1+ is assigned.
                A2.......................... Obligations supported by a good capacity for timely
                                             repayment.
                A3.......................... Obligations supported by a satisfactory capacity for timely
                                             repayment.
                B........................... Obligations for which there is an uncertainty as to the
                                             capacity to ensure timely repayment.
                C........................... Obligations for which there is a high risk of default or
                                             which are currently in default.
</TABLE>
 
 32
<PAGE>
Appendix B
 
DESCRIPTION OF MUNICIPAL SECURITIES
 
          MUNICIPAL NOTES generally are used to provide for short-term capital
          needs and usually have maturities of one year or less. They include
          the following:
 
          1. Project Notes, which carry a U.S. government guarantee, are issued
          by public bodies (called "local issuing agencies") created under the
          laws of a state, territory, or U.S. possession. They have maturities
          that range up to one year from the date of issuance. Project Notes are
          backed by an agreement between the local issuing agency and the
          Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. These Notes
          provide financing for a wide range of financial assistance programs
          for housing, redevelopment, and related needs (such as low-income
          housing programs and renewal programs).
 
          2. Tax Anticipation Notes are issued to finance working capital needs
          of municipalities. Generally, they are issued in anticipation of
          various seasonal tax revenues, such as income, sales, use and business
          taxes, and are payable from these specific future taxes.
 
          3. Revenue Anticipation Notes are issued in expectation of receipt of
          other types of revenues, such as Federal revenues available under the
          Federal Revenue Sharing Programs.
 
          4. Bond Anticipation Notes are issued to provide interim financing
          until long-term financing can be arranged. In most cases, the
          long-term bonds then provide the money for the repayment of the Notes.
 
          5. Construction Loan Notes are sold to provide construction financing.
          After successful completion and acceptance, many projects receive
          permanent financing through the Federal Housing Administration under
          the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") or the
          Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae").
 
          6. Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper is a short-term obligation with a
          stated maturity of 365 days or less. It is issued by agencies of state
          and local governments to finance seasonal working capital needs or as
          short-term financing in anticipation of longer term financing.
 
          MUNICIPAL BONDS, which meet longer term capital needs and generally
          have maturities of more than one year when issued, have three
          principal classifications:
 
          1. General Obligation Bonds are issued by such entities as states,
          counties, cities, towns, and regional districts. The proceeds of these
          obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects,
          including construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads,
          and water and sewer systems. The basic security behind General
          Obligation Bonds is the issuer's pledge of its full faith and credit
          and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes
          that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or
          unlimited as to the rate or amount of special assessments.
 
          2. Revenue Bonds in recent years have come to include an increasingly
          wide variety of types of municipal obligations. As with other kinds of
          municipal obligations, the issuers of revenue bonds may consist of
          virtually any form of state or local governmental entity, including
          states, state agencies, cities, counties, authorities of various
          kinds, such as public housing or redevelopment authorities, and
          special districts, such as water, sewer or sanitary districts.
          Generally, revenue bonds are secured by the revenues or net revenues
          derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or, in some
          cases, the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue
          source. Revenue bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital
          projects including electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways,
          bridges, and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and
          universities; and hospitals. Many of these bonds provide additional
          security in the form of a debt service reserve fund to be used to make
          principal and interest payments. Various forms of credit enhancement,
          such as a bank letter of credit or municipal bond insurance, may also
          be employed in revenue bond issues. Housing authorities have a wide
          range of security, including partially or fully insured
 
                                                                              33
<PAGE>
 
          mortgages, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or the
          net revenues from housing or other public projects. Some authorities
          provide further security in the form of a state's ability (without
          obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.
 
          In recent years, revenue bonds have been issued in large volumes for
          projects that are privately owned and operated (see 3 below).
 
          3. Private Activity Bonds are considered municipal bonds if the
          interest paid thereon is exempt from Federal income tax and are issued
          by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance
          various privately operated facilities for business and manufacturing,
          housing and health. These bonds are also used to finance public
          facilities such as airports, mass transit systems and ports. The
          payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent
          solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial
          obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property as
          security for such payment.
 
          While, at one time, the pertinent provisions of the Internal Revenue
          Code permitted private activity bonds to bear tax-exempt interest in
          connection with virtually any type of commercial or industrial project
          (subject to various restrictions as to authorized costs, size
          limitations, state per capita volume restrictions, and other matters),
          the types of qualifying projects under the Code have become
          increasingly limited, particularly since the enactment of the Tax
          Reform Act of 1986. Under current provisions of the Code, tax-exempt
          financing remains available, under prescribed conditions, for certain
          privately owned and operated rental multi-family housing facilities,
          nonprofit hospital and nursing home projects, airports, docks and
          wharves, mass commuting facilities and solid waste disposal projects,
          among others, and for the refunding (that is, the tax-exempt
          refinancing) of various kinds of other private commercial projects
          originally financed with tax-exempt bonds. In future years, the types
          of projects qualifying under the Code for tax-exempt financing are
          expected to become increasingly limited.
 
          Because of terminology formerly used in the Internal Revenue Code,
          virtually any form of private activity bond may still be referred to
          as an "industrial development bond," but more and more frequently
          revenue bonds have become classified according to the particular type
          of facility being financed, such as hospital revenue bonds, nursing
          home revenue bonds, multi-family housing revenues bonds, single family
          housing revenue bonds, industrial development revenue bonds, solid
          waste resource recovery revenue bonds, and so on.
 
          OTHER MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS, incurred for a variety of financing
          purposes, include: municipal leases, which may take the form of a
          lease or an installment purchase or conditional sale contract, are
          issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire a
          wide variety of equipment and facilities such as fire and sanitation
          vehicles, telecommunications equipment and other capital assets.
          Municipal leases frequently have special risks not normally associated
          with general obligation or revenue bonds. Leases and installment
          purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for
          title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the government issuer)
          have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property
          and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory
          requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt-issuance limitations
          of many state constitutions and statutes are deemed to be inapplicable
          because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of
          "non-appropriation" clauses that provide that the governmental issuer
          has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract
          unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate
          legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. To reduce this
          risk, the Fund will only purchase municipal leases subject to a
          non-appropriation clause when the payment of principal and accrued
          interest is backed by an unconditional irrevocable letter of credit,
          or guarantee of a bank or other entity that meets the criteria
          described in the Prospectus.
 
 34
<PAGE>
 
          Tax-exempt bonds are also categorized according to whether the
          interest is or is not includible in the calculation of alternative
          minimum taxes imposed on individuals, according to whether the costs
          of acquiring or carrying the bonds are or are not deductible in part
          by banks and other financial institutions, and according to other
          criteria relevant for Federal income tax purposes. Due to the
          increasing complexity of Internal Revenue Code and related
          requirements governing the issuance of tax-exempt bonds, industry
          practice has uniformly required, as a condition to the issuance of
          such bonds, but particularly for revenue bonds, an opinion of
          nationally recognized bond counsel as to the tax-exempt status of
          interest on the bonds.
 
                                                                              35
<PAGE>
 
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<PAGE>
 
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<PAGE>
 
        LOGO

            1-800-29JANUS
            100 Fillmore Street
            Denver, Colorado 80206-4928
            janus.com
 
SMAR0599
<PAGE>
                               JANUS ASPEN SERIES

                           PART C - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 23   Exhibits

          Exhibit 1      (a)  Trust   Instrument   dated   May  19,   1993,   is
                              incorporated  herein by reference to  Registrant's
                              Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the
                              Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  on May  20,
                              1993.

                         (b)  Amendments to Trust  Instrument  are  incorporated
                              herein   by   reference   to   Exhibit   1(b)   to
                              Post-Effective  Amendment No. 7, filed on February
                              14, 1996.

                         (c)  Amendment to Trust  Instrument  dated December 10,
                              1996  is  incorporated   herein  by  reference  to
                              Exhibit 1(c) to  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 10,
                              filed on February 13, 1997.

          Exhibit 2      (a)  Restated   Bylaws  are   incorporated   herein  by
                              reference  to  Exhibit   2(a)  to   Post-Effective
                              Amendment No. 7, filed on February 14, 1996.

                         (b)  First  Amendment  to the  Bylaws  is  incorporated
                              herein   by   reference   to   Exhibit   2(b)   to
                              Post-Effective  Amendment No. 7, filed on February
                              14, 1996.

          Exhibit 3           Not Applicable

          Exhibit 4      (a)  Investment    Advisory    Agreement   for   Growth
                              Portfolio,  Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Worldwide
                              Growth  Portfolio,  Balanced  Portfolio,  Flexible
                              Income  Portfolio and Short-Term Bond Portfolio is
                              incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit 5(a)
                              to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  15,  filed  on
                              February 27, 1998.

                         (b)  Investment  Advisory  Agreement for  International
                              Growth   Portfolio  is   incorporated   herein  by
                              reference  to  Exhibit   5(b)  to   Post-Effective
                              Amendment No. 15, filed on February 27, 1998.

                         (c)  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  for Money  Market
                              Portfolio is  incorporated  herein by reference to
                              Exhibit 5(c) to  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 15,
                              filed on February 27, 1998.

                                      C-1
<PAGE>

                         (d)  Investment   Advisory   Agreement  for  High-Yield
                              Portfolio is  incorporated  herein by reference to
                              Exhibit 5(d) to  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 15,
                              filed on February 27, 1998.

                         (e)  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  for Equity Income
                              Portfolio is  incorporated  herein by reference to
                              Exhibit 5(e) to  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 15,
                              filed on February 27, 1998.

                         (f)  Investment    Advisory   Agreement   for   Capital
                              Appreciation  Portfolio is incorporated  herein by
                              reference  to  Exhibit   5(f)  to   Post-Effective
                              Amendment No. 15, filed on February 27, 1998.

                         (g)  Form of Investment  Advisory  Agreement for Growth
                              and Income  Portfolio  is  incorporated  herein by
                              reference  to  Exhibit   5(g)  to   Post-Effective
                              Amendment No. 12, filed on August 11, 1997.

           Exhibit 5     (a)  Distribution  Agreement for  Retirement  Shares is
                              incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit 6(a)
                              to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  10,  filed  on
                              February 13, 1997.
                                       
                         (b)  Form  of  Distribution  and  Shareholder  Services
                              Agreement for  Retirement  Shares is  incorporated
                              herein by  reference to  Post-Effective  Amendment
                              No. 11, filed on April 30, 1997.

                         (c)  Amended  Distribution  Agreement  is  incorporated
                              herein  by  reference  to  PEA  No.  17  filed  on
                              February 26, 1999.

            Exhibit 6         Not Applicable

            Exhibit 7    (a)  Form of  Custody  Agreement  between  Janus  Aspen
                              Series and  Investors  Fiduciary  Trust Company is
                              incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit 8(a)
                              to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed on April
                              30, 1997.

                         (b)  Form of  Custodian  Contract  between  Janus Aspen
                              Series and State Street Bank and Trust  Company is
                              incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit 8(b)
                              to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed on April
                              30, 1997.

                                      C-2
<PAGE>

                         (c)  Letter  Agreement  dated  April 4, 1994  regarding
                              State Street  Custodian  Agreement is incorporated
                              herein   by   reference   to   Exhibit   8(c)   to
                              Post-Effective  Amendment  No. 11,  filed on April
                              30, 1997.

                         (d)  Form of Custodian  Agreement  between  Janus Aspen
                              Series  and  United   Missouri   Bank,   N.A.   is
                              incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit 8(d)
                              to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed on April
                              30, 1997.

                         (e)  Amendment  dated  October 11, 1995 of State Street
                              Custodian  Contract  is  incorporated   herein  by
                              reference  to  Exhibit   8(e)  to   Post-Effective
                              Amendment No. 7, filed on February 14, 1996.

                         (f)  Letter   Agreement   dated   September   10,  1996
                              regarding  State Street  Custodian is incorporated
                              herein   by   reference   to   Exhibit   8(f)   to
                              Post-Effective  Amendment  No. 9, filed on October
                              24, 1996.

                         (g)  Form  of  Subcustodian   Contract  between  United
                              Missouri  Bank,  N.A.  and State  Street  Bank and
                              Trust Company is incorporated  herein by reference
                              to Exhibit 8(g) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9,
                              filed on October 24, 1996.

                         (h)  Form of Letter  Agreement dated September 9, 1997,
                              regarding  State  Street  Custodian   Contract  is
                              incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit 8(h)
                              to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  14,  filed  on
                              October 24, 1997.

                         (i)  Form of Global Custody  Services  Agreement  dated
                              March 11, 1999 with  Citibank N.A. is filed herein
                              as Exhibit 7.

          Exhibit 8      (a)  Transfer  Agency   Agreement  with  Janus  Service
                              Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to
                              Exhibit 9(a) to  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 11,
                              filed on April 30, 1997.

                         (b)  Transfer  Agency  Agreement as amended May 1, 1997
                              is  incorporated  herein by  reference  to Exhibit
                              9(b) to Post-Effective  Amendment No. 10, filed on
                              February 13, 1997.

                         (c)  Form   of   Model   Participation   Agreement   is
                              incorporated  herein by  reference to Exhibit 9(c)
                              to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed on April
                              30, 1997.


                                      C-3
<PAGE>

          Exhibit 9      (a)  Opinion and Consent of Fund  Counsel  with respect
                              to shares of Growth  Portfolio,  Aggressive Growth
                              Portfolio,  Worldwide Growth  Portfolio,  Balanced
                              Portfolio,    Flexible   Income    Portfolio   and
                              Short-Term Bond Portfolio is  incorporated  herein
                              by  reference  to  Exhibit  10  to  Post-Effective
                              Amendment No. 11, filed on April 30, 1997.

                         (b)  Opinion and Consent of Fund  Counsel  with respect
                              to shares of  International  Growth  Portfolio  is
                              incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit 10(b)
                              to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed on April
                              30, 1997.

                         (c)  Opinion and Consent of Fund  Counsel  with respect
                              to   shares   of   Money   Market   Portfolio   is
                              incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit 10(c)
                              to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11, filed on April
                              30, 1997.

                         (d)  Opinion and Consent of Fund  Counsel  with respect
                              to High-Yield  Portfolio is incorporated herein by
                              reference  to  Exhibit  10(d)  to   Post-Effective
                              Amendment No. 7, filed on February 14, 1996.

                         (e)  Opinion and Consent of Fund  Counsel  with respect
                              to   Equity    Income    Portfolio   and   Capital
                              Appreciation  Portfolio is incorporated  herein by
                              reference  to  Exhibit  10(e)  to   Post-Effective
                              Amendment No. 10, filed on February 13, 1997.

                         (f)  Opinion and Consent of Fund  Counsel  with respect
                              to the Retirement  Shares of all the Portfolios is
                              incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit 10(f)
                              to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  10,  filed  on
                              February 13, 1997.

                         (g)  Opinion and Consent of Fund  Counsel  with respect
                              to Growth and  Income  Portfolio  is  incorporated
                              herein   by   reference   to   Exhibit   10(g)  to
                              Post-Effective  Amendment  No. 12, filed on August
                              11, 1997.

                         (h)  Opinion and Consent of Fund  Counsel  with respect
                              to   Retirement   Shares  of  Growth   and  Income
                              Portfolio is  incorporated  herein by reference to
                              Exhibit 10(h) to Post- Effective Amendment No. 12,
                              filed on August 11, 1997.

     Exhibit 10               Consent  of  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP is  filed
                              herein as Exhibit 10.

     Exhibit 11               Not Applicable


                                      C-4
<PAGE>

     Exhibit 12               Not Applicable

     Exhibit 13               Form of  Distribution  and  Shareholder  Servicing
                              Plan  for  Retirement  Shares  dated  May 1,  1997
                              between Janus  Distributors,  Inc. and Janus Aspen
                              Series  is  incorporated  herein by  reference  to
                              Exhibit  15 to  Post-Effective  Amendment  No. 10,
                              filed on February 13, 1997.

     Exhibit 14               Financial  Data Schedules for each class of shares
                              of all of the Portfolios are  incorporated  herein
                              by  reference  to  Exhibit  14  to  Post-Effective
                              Amendment No. 17, filed on February 26, 1999.

     Exhibit 15               Rule  18f-3  Plan  dated   December  10,  1996  is
                              incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit 18 to
                              Post-Effective Amendment No. 10, filed on February
                              13, 1997.

ITEM 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant

         None

ITEM 25. Indemnification

     Article  IX  of  Janus  Aspen   Series'  Trust   Instrument   provides  for
indemnification  of  certain  persons  acting on behalf  of the  Portfolios.  In
general, Trustees and officers will be indemnified against liability and against
all  expenses  of  litigation  incurred  by them in  connection  with any claim,
action,  suit or  proceeding  (or  settlement  of the same) in which they become
involved by virtue of their office in  connection  with the  Portfolios,  unless
their conduct is determined to constitute willful misfeasance,  bad faith, gross
negligence  or  reckless  disregard  of  their  duties,  or  unless  it has been
determined that they have not acted in good faith in the reasonable  belief that
their actions were in the best interests of the Portfolios. A determination that
a  person   covered  by  the   indemnification   provisions   is   entitled   to
indemnification  may be made  by the  court  or  other  body  before  which  the
proceeding is brought, or by either a vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees
who are neither "interested  persons" of the Trust nor parties to the proceeding
or by an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. The Portfolios also may
advance  money  for  these  expenses,  provided  that  the  Trustee  or  officer
undertakes  to repay  the  Portfolios  if his  conduct  is later  determined  to
preclude   indemnification,   and  that  either  he  provide  security  for  the
undertaking,  the Trust be insured against losses resulting from lawful advances
or a majority of a quorum of disinterested Trustees, or independent counsel in a
written  opinion,  determines that he ultimately will be found to be entitled to
indemnification.  The Trust also maintains a liability insurance policy covering
its Trustees and officers.


                                      C-5
<PAGE>


ITEM 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

     The  only  business  of  Janus  Capital  Corporation  is to  serve  as  the
investment  adviser of the Registrant and as investment adviser or subadviser to
several other mutual funds, and for individual,  charitable,  corporate, private
and  retirement  accounts.  Business  backgrounds  of  the  principal  executive
officers  and  directors  of the  adviser  that  also  hold  positions  with the
Registrant are included under "Officers and Trustees" in the currently effective
Statements of Additional Information of the Registrant.  The remaining principal
executive  officers  of the  investment  adviser  and their  positions  with the
adviser and affiliated  entities are: Mark B. Whiston,  Vice President and Chief
Marketing Officer of Janus Capital Corporation,  Director and President of Janus
Capital International Ltd., Director of Janus World Funds Plc; Marjorie G. Hurd,
Vice  President  and Chief  Operations  Officer  of Janus  Capital  Corporation,
Director  and  President of Janus  Service  Corporation;  Thomas A. Early,  Vice
President,  General  Counsel and  Secretary of Janus Capital  Corporation,  Vice
President and General Counsel of Janus Service Corporation,  Janus Distributors,
Inc. and Janus Capital  International,  Ltd., Director of Janus World Funds Plc,
and Stephen L. Stieneker,  Assistant General Counsel,  Chief Compliance  Officer
and Vice  President of Compliance of Janus Capital  Corporation.  Mr. Michael E.
Herman,  a director  of Janus  Capital  Corporation,  is Chairman of the Finance
Committee  (1990 to  present) of Ewing  Marion  Kauffman  Foundation,  4900 Oak,
Kansas City, Missouri 64112. Mr. Michael N. Stolper, a director of Janus Capital
Corporation,  is President  of Stolper & Company,  Inc.,  525 "B" Street,  Suite
1080, San Diego,  California 92101, an investment  performance  consultant.  Mr.
Thomas A.  McDonnell,  a director of Janus  Capital  Corporation,  is President,
Chief  Executive  Officer and a Director  of DST  Systems,  Inc.,  333 West 11th
Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105,  provider of data processing and
recordkeeping services for various mutual funds, and is Executive Vice President
and a director of Kansas City  Southern  Industries,  Inc.,  114 W. 11th Street,
Kansas City,  Missouri  64105, a publicly  traded holding  company whose primary
subsidiaries are engaged in transportation and financial services. Mr. Landon H.
Rowland,  a  director  of Janus  Capital  Corporation,  is  President  and Chief
Executive Officer of Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc.

ITEM 27. Principal Underwriters

         (a)   Janus  Distributors,   Inc.  ("Janus   Distributors")  serves  as
               principal  underwriter  for the Registrant  and Janus  Investment
               Fund.

          (b)  The principal business address, positions with Janus Distributors
               and positions with  Registrant of Thomas A. Early,  Kelley Abbott
               Howes and Steven R.  Goodbarn,  officers  and  directors of Janus
               Distributors,  are described under "Officers and Trustees" in the
               Statement of Additional Information included in this Registration
               Statement.  The remaining  principal  executive  officer of Janus
               Distributors is Jennifer A. Davis, Secretary.  Ms. Davis does not
               hold any positions  with the  Registrant.  Ms.  Davis'  principal
               business  address  is  100  Fillmore  Street,  Denver,   Colorado
               80206-4928.


                                   C-6
<PAGE>

          (c)  Not Applicable.

ITEM 28. Location of Accounts and Records

     The  accounts,  books and other  documents  required  to be  maintained  by
Section 31(a) of the  Investment  Company Act of 1940 and the rules  promulgated
thereunder  are  maintained  by Janus  Capital  Corporation  and  Janus  Service
Corporation,  both of which are located at 100 Fillmore Street, Denver, Colorado
80206-4928  and by State Street Bank and Trust Company,  P.O. Box 0351,  Boston,
Massachusetts  02117-0351 and Citibank,  N.A., 111 Wall Street, 24th Floor, Zone
5, New York, NY 10043.

ITEM 29. Management Services

     The  Registrant  has no  management-related  service  contract which is not
discussed in Part A or Part B of this form.

ITEM 30. Undertakings

     Not applicable.

                                   

















                                      C-7
<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933  and  the
Investment  Company Act of 1940, the  Registrant  certifies that it meets all of
the  requirements  for  effectiveness  of  this  Amendment  to its  Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Trust
has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned,  thereto duly authorized,  in the City of Denver, and
State of Colorado, on the 30th day of April, 1999.

                                            JANUS ASPEN SERIES


                                            By:  /s/ Thomas H. Bailey
                                                 Thomas H. Bailey, President

     Janus Aspen  Series is  organized  under a Trust  Instrument  dated May 19,
1993. The  obligations  of the Registrant  hereunder are not binding upon any of
the  Trustees,  shareholders,  nominees,  officers,  agents or  employees of the
Registrant  personally,  but bind only the trust property of the Registrant,  as
provided  in the  Trust  Instrument.  The  execution  of this  Amendment  to the
Registration Statement has been authorized by the Trustees of the Registrant and
this  Amendment to the  Registration  Statement has been signed by an authorized
officer of the  Registrant,  acting as such, and neither such  authorization  by
such  Trustees nor such  execution by such officer  shall be deemed to have been
made by any of them  personally,  but shall bind only the trust  property of the
Registrant as provided in its Trust Instrument.

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to the Registration  Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature                     Title                           Date

/s/ Thomas H. Bailey          President                       April 30, 1999
Thomas H. Bailey              (Principal Executive
                              Officer) and Trustee

/s/ Steven R. Goodbarn        Vice President and              April 30, 1999
Steven R. Goodbarn            Chief Financial Officer
                              (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Glenn P. O'Flaherty       Treasurer and Chief             April 30, 1999
Glenn P. O'Flaherty           Accounting Officer
                              (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ James P. Craig, III       Trustee                         April 30, 1999
James P. Craig, III

Gary O. Loo*                  Trustee                         April 30, 1999
Gary O. Loo

Dennis B. Mullen*             Trustee                         April 30, 1999
Dennis B. Mullen

James T. Rothe*               Trustee                         April 30, 1999
James T. Rothe

William D. Stewart*           Trustee                         April 30, 1999
William D. Stewart

Martin H. Waldinger*          Trustee                         April 30, 1999
Martin H. Waldinger


/s/ Steven R. Goodbarn
*By   Steven R. Goodbarn
      Attorney-in-Fact










                                      C-9
<PAGE>




                                INDEX OF EXHIBITS




          Exhibit Number                  Exhibit Title

          Exhibit 7                       Global Custodial Services Agreement

          Exhibit 10                      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP



                                              [GRAPHIC OMITTED][GRAPHIC OMITTED]


                           GLOBAL CUSTODIAL SERVICES
                                    AGREEMENT

                               JANUS ASPEN SERIES
                                  ON BEHALF OF
                             MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
























                                       1

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.   DEFINITIONS...............................................................3

2.   APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN..................................................5

3.   PROPERTY ACCEPTED.........................................................5

4.   REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND UNDERTAKINGS..............................6

5.   INSTRUCTIONS..............................................................7

6.   PERFORMANCE BY THE CUSTODIAN..............................................7

7.   REGISTRATION AND OTHER ACTION.............................................9

8.   CUSTODY CASH ACCOUNT PAYMENTS.............................................9

9.   ASSURED INCOME PAYMENT SERVICE...........................................10

10.  WITHDRAWAL AND DELIVERY..................................................10

11.  ACCESS AND RECORDS AND REPORTS...........................................11

12.  USE OF AGENTS............................................................11

13.  CITIGROUP ORGANIZATION INVOLVEMENT.......................................12

14.  SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY..................................................13

15.  LITIGATION; INDEMNITY....................................................14

16.  LIEN AND SET-OFF.........................................................15

17.  FEES AND EXPENSES........................................................16

18.  TAX STATUS/WITHHOLDING TAXES.............................................16

19.  TERMINATION..............................................................16

20.  ASSIGNMENT...............................................................17

21.  SEPARATE LIABILITY.......................................................17

22.  DISCLOSURE...............................................................17

23.  NOTICES..................................................................18

24.  GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION...........................................18

25.  MISCELLANEOUS............................................................19

SCHEDUEL I - APPROVED SUBCUSTODIANS

SCHEDULE  II - FEE SCHEDULE

                                       2

<PAGE>




THIS GLOBAL  CUSTODIAL  SERVICES  AGREEMENT is made on the day of , 1999, by and
between JANUS ASPEN SERIES, a Delware  Business Trust,  organized under the laws
of  Delaware,  acting  on behalf of MONEY  MARKET  PORTFOLIO  and/or as agent on
behalf of the fund (the fund being referred to hereto as the  "Client"),  having
its principal place at 100 FILLMORE STREET, DENVER, COLORADO 80206 and CITIBANK,
N.A.,  acting as a custodian  hereunder  through its office  located at 111 WALL
STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005 (the "Custodian").

WHEREAS,  each Client is a separate series of the Trust  representing  shares of
beneficial interest in a separate portfolio of assets, and

WHEREAS,  the Trust is registered as an open-end  management  investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and

WHEREAS,  each Client  desires to appoint  Custodian  as its  custodian  for the
custody of its assets owned by such Client; and

WHEREAS,  Custodian  is  willing  to accept  such  appointment  on the terms and
conditions hereof.

NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual promises  contained herein, the
parties hereto,  intending to be legally bound,  mutually  covenant and agree as
follows:

1.   DEFINITIONS

     "Agreement" means this Global Custodial Services Agreement, as amended from
time to time, and any other terms and  conditions  agreed upon by the Client and
the Custodian in writing from time to time in connection with this Agreement.

     "Assured Income Payment  Service" means the  Custodian's  services in which
interest,  dividends  or other  such  periodic  income,  to which the  Client is
entitled,  on  Securities  specified by the  Custodian  from time to time at its
absolute discretion, are credited to the Custody Cash Account in respect of such
Securities.

     "Assured Income Payment Standards" means the terms and conditions governing
the Assured  Income  Payment  Service,  as such terms and conditions are amended
and/or supplemented from time to time by, and at the absolute discretion of, the
Custodian.

     "Assured  Payment" means, in relation to those Securities  specified by the
Custodian  under the Assured  Income  Payment  Service,  an amount  equal to the
interest,  dividends or periodic  income that is due to the Client in respect of
such Securities less any taxes, duties, levies, charges or any other withholding
payments payable in respect of such interest, dividends or periodic income.

     "Assured  Payment Date" means,  in relation to the payment of any interest,
dividend  or  periodic  income of any  particular  Securities  specified  by the
Custodian  under the  Assured  Income  Payment  Service,  the date on which such
interest,  dividend  or periodic  income is normally  payable in respect of such
Securities  or such other date as may be notified by the Custodian to the Client
from time to time.

     "Authorized  Person"  means (i) any person who has been  authorized  by the
Client,  by notice in  writing  to the  Custodian,  to act on its  behalf in the
performance  of any act,  discretion or duty under this  Agreement,  or (ii) any
other person  holding a duly executed power of attorney from the Client which is
in a form acceptable to the Custodian  (including,  for avoidance of doubt,  any
officer or employee of such agent or person).

     "Branch"  means  any  branch  or  office  of  Citibank,   N.A.  


                                       3

<PAGE>

     "Citigroup Organization" means Citigroup and any company of which Citigroup
is, now or hereafter,  directly or indirectly a  shareholder  or owner.  For the
purposes of this Agreement,  each Branch shall be deemed to be a separate member
of the Citigroup Organization.

     "Clearance  System"  means  The  Federal  Reserve  Bank  of New  York,  The
Depository  Trust Company,  Participants  Trust Company,  Cedel Bank,  S.A., the
Euroclear  System operated by Morgan  Guaranty Trust Company of New York,  CEDEL
Bank, the CREST system operated by CREST CO. Limited,  the Central Money Markets
Office,  the Central  Gilts Office and such other  clearing  agency,  settlement
system  or  depository  as may  from  time to time  be used in  connection  with
transactions  relating to  Securities,  and any  nominee,  clearing  agency,  or
depository for any of the foregoing.

     "Client" shall mean each Fund individually and not jointly.

     "Custody  Account" means the custody account or accounts in the name of the
Client and/or such other name as the Client may  reasonably  designate,  for the
deposit of any  Property  (other  than cash) from time to time  received  by the
Custodian for the account of the Client.

     "Custody Cash Account"  means the cash account or accounts,  which,  at the
discretion of the Client,  may be either a subaccount(s)  of the Custody Account
or a demand deposit account(s), in the name of the Client and/or such other name
as the Client may reasonably  designate (but not in the name of the  Custodian),
for the deposit of cash in any currency  received by the Custodian  from time to
time for the account of the Client,  whether by way of deposit or arising out of
or in connection with any Property in the Custody Account.

     "Fee  Agreement"  means the agreement  between the Custodian and the Client
setting  forth the  fees,  costs and  expenses  to be paid by the  Client to the
Custodian in connection with the custodial  services  provided  pursuant to this
Agreement,  as such fee agreement may be amended at the  Custodian's  reasonable
discretion from time to time by prior written notice to the Client.

     "Instructions"  means any and all  instructions  received by the  Custodian
from,  or  reasonably  believed by the  Custodian in good faith to be from,  any
Authorized Person, including any instructions communicated through any manual or
electronic  medium or system agreed  between the Client and the Custodian and on
such terms and conditions as the Custodian may specify from time to time.

     "person" means any person, firm, company, corporation, government, state or
agency of a state,  or any  association  or  partnership  (whether or not having
separate legal personality) of two or more of the foregoing.

     "Property"  means,  as  the  context  requires,  all  or  any  part  of any
Securities,  cash,  or any other  property from time to time held for the Client
under the terms of this Agreement.

     "Rules"  means any rules and  regulations  (whether  of a local  regulatory
authority,  stock exchange or other entity) in any  jurisdiction  with which the
Custodian  may from time to time be required to comply in the  provision  of its
services hereunder.

     "Securities" means bonds, debentures,  notes, stocks, shares, securities or
other  financial  assets  acceptable to the Custodian and all moneys,  rights or
property  which may at any time  accrue or be offered  (whether by way of bonus,
redemption,  preference, option or otherwise) in respect of any of the foregoing
and any  certificates,  receipts,  warrants  or other  instruments  (whether  in
registered or unregistered  form)  representing  rights to receive,  purchase or
subscribe  for any of the  foregoing or  evidencing  or  representing  any other
rights or interests therein (including, without limitation, any of the foregoing
not constituted, evidenced or represented by a certificate or other document but
by an entry in the books or other permanent  records of the issuer, a trustee or
other fiduciary thereof, a Clearance System or other person).

 
                                      4

<PAGE>


     "Subcustodian"  means  a  subcustodian  (other  than  a  Clearance  System)
appointed by the Custodian for the safe-keeping,  administration,  clearance and
settlement of Securities.

     "Taxes" means all taxes, levies, imposts, charges, assessments, deductions,
withholdings and related liabilities,  including additions to tax, penalties and
interest  imposed on or in respect of the Property,  the  transactions  effected
under this Agreement or the Client;  PROVIDED THAT Taxes does not include income
or franchise  taxes imposed on or measured by the net income of the Custodian or
its agents.

2.   APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN

(A)  The  Client  hereby  appoints  the  Custodian  to act as its  custodian  in
accordance  with the terms hereof and  authorizes  the Custodian to establish on
its books, on the terms of this Agreement, the Custody Account, to be designated
to show that the  Securities  belong to the Client and are  segregated  from the
Custodian's assets and the Custody Cash Account.

(B) Subject to the express terms of this Agreement,  the Client  understands and
agrees that the  obligations  and duties  hereunder  of the  Custodian  shall be
performed  only  by the  Custodian  or  its  agents,  and  shall  not be  deemed
obligations  or duties of any other member of the  Citigroup  Organization.  The
Client  agrees that the  Custodian  may  register  or record  legal title to any
Securities in the name of a nominee  company or a Subcustodian  in the Citigroup
Organization  and may  appoint a member of the  Citigroup  Organization  to be a
Subcustodian.

(C) The Client  agrees to take any such  action  which may be  necessary  and to
execute  further  documents and provide such materials and information as may be
reasonably  requested by the  Custodian  to enable the  Custodian to perform the
duties and obligations  under this  Agreement,  including  participation  in any
relevant  Clearance System,  and will notify the Custodian as soon as it becomes
aware of any inaccuracy in such materials or information.

(D) All  custody  services  by the  Custodian  hereunder  shall be  provided  in
accordance  with the  operating  procedures,  a copy of which the  Custodian may
supply to the Client from time to time. In the event of any conflict between any
term of this Agreement and any Operating Procedure, this Agreement shall prevail
with respect to such term.

(E) The Client agrees to comply with any relevant security  procedures  relating
to the provision of custody services under this Agreement which may be specified
by the Custodian or imposed on the Client by any relevant Clearance System.

3.   PROPERTY ACCEPTED

(A) Subject to Section 3(C) below, the Custodian agrees to accept for custody in
the Custody Account any Securities  which are capable of deposit under the terms
of this Agreement.

(B) Subject to Section 3(C) below, the Custodian agrees to accept for deposit in
the Custody Cash Account,  cash in any currency (which shall,  if necessary,  be
credited by the Custodian to different  accounts in the  currencies  concerned),
such cash to be owed to the Client by the Custodian as banker.

(C) The Custodian may in its reasonable discretion refuse to accept (in whole or
in part) any proposed  deposit in either the Custody Account or the Custody Cash
Account if the Custodian reasonably believes that the acceptance of such deposit
would  violate  any law,  rule,  regulation,  practice  or  policy  to which the
Custodian is subject.


                                       5

<PAGE>


4.   REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND UNDERTAKINGS

(A)  The Client  hereby  represents,  warrants and  undertakes  to the Custodian
     that:

     (i)       it is duly  organized and validly  existing under the laws of the
               jurisdiction of its organization;

     (ii)      during  the term of this  Agreement  it (and any  person on whose
               behalf  it may act as  agent  or  otherwise  in a  representative
               capacity)  has and will continue to have, or will take all action
               necessary to obtain,  full  capacity and  authority to enter into
               this  Agreement  and to carry out the  transactions  contemplated
               herein,  and has  taken  and will  continue  to take  all  action
               (including,  without  limitation,  the obtaining of all necessary
               governmental   consents  in  any  applicable   jurisdiction)   to
               authorize the execution,  delivery and performance of obligations
               of the  Client,  and  the  validity  and  enforceability  of such
               obligations   and  the  rights  of  the  Custodian,   under  this
               Agreement;

     (iii)     it will not assert any interest in Property held by the Custodian
               in any Clearance System in any way which could prevent a transfer
               of title to a unit of such  Property by the  Custodian (or by any
               other  person)  where such  transfer is required by the Clearance
               System;

     (iv)      this Agreement is legal, valid and binding on the Client;

     (v)       on or prior to the  execution of this  Agreement,  the Client has
               provided to the  Custodian  certified  true copies of evidence of
               the due authorization for the execution, delivery and performance
               of this Agreement;

     (vi)      except as provided in Clause 16 of this  Agreement,  all Property
               deposited with the Custodian  shall,  at all times,  be free from
               all charges, mortgages, pledges or other such encumbrances; and

     (vii)     the Client  shall,  at all times,  be entitled or otherwise  duly
               authorized  to deal with,  and dispose of, all or any part of the
               Property,   whether  through  a  relevant   Clearance  System  or
               otherwise.

     The Client  agrees to inform the  Custodian  promptly if any  statement set
forth in this  Section  4(A)  ceases to be true and correct as of any date after
the date hereof.

(B)  The  Custodian  hereby  represents,  warrants and  undertakes to the Client
that:

     (i)       it is duly  organized and validly  existing under the laws of the
               jurisdiction of its organization;

     (ii)      during the term of this  Agreement  it has and will  continue  to
               have, or will take all action necessary to obtain,  full capacity
               and  authority to enter into this  Agreement and to carry out the
               transactions contemplated herein, and has taken and will continue
               to take all action (including,  without limitation, the obtaining
               of  all  necessary   governmental   consents  in  any  applicable
               jurisdiction)   to   authorize   the   execution,   delivery  and
               performance of this Agreement; and

     (iii)     this Agreement is legal, valid and binding on the Custodian; and

     (iv)      The Custodian is a bank that meets the qualifications  prescribed
               in Section 26(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

     The  Custodian  agrees to inform the Client  promptly if any  statement set
forth in this  Section  4(B)  ceases to 

                                       6

<PAGE>


be true and correct as of any date after the date hereof.

5.  INSTRUCTIONS

(A) The Custodian may, in its absolute  discretion and without  liability on its
part,  rely and act upon (and the  Client  shall be bound by) any  Instructions.
Instructions  shall  continue  in  full  force  and  effect  until  canceled  or
superseded;  PROVIDED  THAT any  Instruction  canceling or  superseding  a prior
Instruction  must be  received by the  Custodian  at a time and in a manner that
accords the Custodian a reasonable opportunity to act upon such Instruction. The
Custodian  shall  be  entitled  to rely  upon  the  continued  authority  of any
Authorized Person to give Instructions  until the Custodian receives notice from
the Client to the contrary.

(B) Instructions  shall be governed by and carried out subject to the prevailing
laws,  rules,  operating  procedures  and market  practice of any relevant stock
exchange,  Clearance  System or market  where or  through  which  they are to be
executed  or carried  out,  and shall be acted upon only  during  banking  hours
(including  applicable  cut-off  times) and on banking days when the  applicable
financial markets are open for business.

(C)  Instructions  delivered to the Custodian by telephone or facsimile shall be
promptly confirmed in writing, by tested telex,  SWIFT,  letter, the Custodian's
proprietary  electronic  banking system or as provided in the Service Standards,
such  confirmation  shall,  where  relevant,  be made by an  Authorized  Person.
However,  the  Custodian  may,  in its  absolute  discretion,  rely and act upon
telephone or facsimile Instructions before the written confirmation is received.

(D)  The  Custodian  has  offered  the  Client   security   procedures  for  the
transmission of Instructions to the Custodian (and the Client  acknowledges that
it has received the same and agrees that the security procedures mutually agreed
to by the Client and the Custodian are commercially reasonable).  As long as the
Custodian acts in compliance  with such security  procedures and this Section 5,
it shall have no further  duty to verify the identity or authority of the person
giving or confirming, or the genuineness or contents of, any Instruction.

(E) The Custodian is authorized  to rely upon any  Instructions  received by any
means,  provided that the Custodian and the Client have agreed upon the means of
transmission and the method of identification for such Instructions.

(F) Instructions are to be given in the English  language.  The Custodian may in
its  reasonable  discretion and without any liability on its part, act upon what
it reasonably  believes in good faith such  Instructions to be;  notwithstanding
any  other  provision  hereof,  the  Custodian  shall  have  the  right,  in its
reasonable discretion to refuse to execute any such Instruction,  in which event
the Custodian shall notify the Client of such refusal without undue delay.

(G)  The  Client  agrees  to be  bound  by  any  Instructions,  whether  or  not
authorized,  given to the  Custodian  in the  Client's  name and accepted by the
Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.

6.  PERFORMANCE BY THE CUSTODIAN

(A) Custodial  duties not  requiring  further  Instructions.  In the absence of
contrary  Instructions,  the Custodian is authorized by the Client to, and where
applicable,  the Custodian shall, carry out the following actions in relation to
the Property:

    (i)        separately identify the Property on its records as being held for
               the  account  of  the  Client  and  to the  extent  permitted  by
               applicable  law or through rules and  procedures of any Clearance
               System,  segregate  all Property  held on behalf of the Client by
               the Custodian from the assets of the Custodian;

                                       7

<PAGE>

     (ii)      sign  any   affidavits,   certificates   of  ownership  or  other
               certificates  relating to the  Property  which may be required by
               any tax or regulatory authority or under the laws of any relevant
               jurisdiction,  whether  governmental  or  otherwise,  and whether
               relating to  ownership,  or income,  capital  gains or other tax,
               duty or levy (and the  Client  further  agrees  to ratify  and to
               confirm or to do, or to procure  the doing of, such things as may
               be  necessary  or   appropriate   to  complete  or  evidence  the
               Custodian's  actions  under this  Section  6(A)(ii) or  otherwise
               under the terms of this Agreement);

     (iii)     collect and receive,  for the account of the Client,  all income,
               payments and distributions in respect of the Property, and credit
               the same to the Custody Cash Account;

     (iv)      take any action which is necessary and proper in connection  with
               the receipt of income, payments and distributions as are referred
               to in Section 6(A)(iii) above, including, without limitation, the
               presentation of coupons and other interest items;

     (v)       collect,  receive  and hold for the  account  of the  Client  any
               capital arising out of or in connection with the Property whether
               as a result of it being called or redeemed or otherwise  becoming
               payable and credit the same to the Custody Cash Account;

     (vi)      take any action which is necessary and proper in connection  with
               the receipt of any  capital as is referred to in Section  6(A)(v)
               above,  including,   without  limitation,  the  presentation  for
               payment of any Property which becomes  payable as a result of its
               being  called or redeemed or otherwise  becoming  payable and the
               endorsement for collection of checks, drafts and other negotiable
               instruments;

     (vii)     take any  action  which is  necessary  and  proper to enable  the
               Custodian  to  provide  services  to the  Client  within,  and to
               observe and perform its  obligations  in respect of, any relevant
               Clearance System;

     (viii)    receive  and hold for the  account of the  Client all  Securities
               received by the Custodian as a result of a stock dividend,  share
               sub-division  or  reorganization,  capitalization  of reserves or
               otherwise  including  taking any action required in regard to any
               non discretion or right in connection with the Property;

     (ix)      exchange   interim   or   temporary   receipts   for   definitive
               certificates,   and  old  or  overstamped  certificates  for  new
               certificates and hold such definitive  and/or new certificates in
               the Custody Account;

     (x)       make cash disbursements for any expenses incurred in handling the
               Property and for similar items in connection with the Custodian's
               duties under this Agreement in accordance with the Fee Agreement,
               and debit the same to the Custody Cash Account; and

     (xi)      deliver  to  the  Client   transaction   advices  and/or  regular
               statements of account showing the Property held at such intervals
               as may be agreed between the parties hereto but subject always to
               applicable Rules.

(B)  Custodial duties requiring Instructions. The Custodian is authorized by the
Client to, and where  applicable,  the Custodian shall,  carry out the following
actions in relation to the Property only upon receipt of and in accordance  with
specific Instructions:

     (i)       make payment for and receive  Property,  or deliver or dispose of
               Property;

                                       8

<PAGE>


     (ii)      (subject to Section 7(D)) deal with subscription,  rights,  bonus
               or scrip issues, conversions, options, warrants and other similar
               interests or any other discretionary right in connection with the
               Property; and

     (iii)     subject  to the  agreement  of the  Custodian,  to carry  out any
               action other than those mentioned in Section 6(A) above.

7.   REGISTRATION AND OTHER ACTION

(A) The Client  understands  and agrees that,  except as may be specified in any
operating  procedures,  Property shall be registered as the Custodian may direct
either  in the name of the  Custodian,  Subcustodian  or  Clearance  System,  or
nominee of any of them, in the jurisdiction where the Property is required to be
registered or otherwise held. Where feasible, the Custodian will arrange for the
registration  of Property,  consistent of  certificated  securities  held by the
Custodian,  with  the  issuer  or its  agent in the  name of the  Client  or its
nominee.  The Client understands and agrees,  however,  that the Custodian shall
have discretion to determine whether such direct registration is feasible.

(B) The  Custodian  shall,  to the  extent  reasonably  possible,  notify,  make
available or deliver to the Client,  in a timely manner,  all official  notices,
circulars,  reports and announcements that are received by the Custodian in such
capacity  concerning  the  Securities  held on the Client's  behalf that require
discretionary action.

(C) The Custodian shall provide proxy services to the Client only where there is
a separate agreement in relation to proxy services between the Custodian and the
Client;  provided,  however, the Custodian shall deliver to the Client any proxy
received from an issuer, which shall be signed by the Custodian.

(D) Upon receipt of each  transaction  advice and/or  statement of account,  the
Client shall examine the same and notify the  Custodian  within thirty (30) days
of the  date  of any  such  advice  or  statement  of  any  discrepancy  between
Instructions  given and the  situation  shown in the  transaction  advice and/or
statement, and/or of any other errors therein. In the event that the Client does
not inform the  Custodian  in writing of any  exceptions  or  objections  within
thirty (30) days after the date of such transaction advice and/or statement, the
Client  shall  be  deemed  to  have  approved  such  transaction  advice  and/or
statement.

8.  CUSTODY CASH ACCOUNT PAYMENTS

(A) Except as otherwise  provided herein, the Custodian shall make, or cause its
agents to make, payments of cash credited to the Custody Cash Account:

     (i)       in connection with the purchase of Property (other than cash) for
               the account of the Client in accordance with Instructions;

     (ii)      in  payment  for the  account  of the  Client  of (A) all  Taxes,
               claims,  liabilities,  fees,  costs and expenses  incurred by the
               Custodian or its agents under or in connection  with the terms of
               this  Agreement,  and  (B)  all  amounts  owed  to the  Custodian
               pursuant to the Fee Agreement;

     (iii)     for  payments  to be  made in  connection  with  the  conversion,
               exchange or surrender of Property held in the Custody Account;

     (iv)      pursuant to Assured Payment obligations  incurred in the capacity
               of  settlement  bank on behalf of the  Client  within a  relevant
               Clearance System;

     (v)       for  other  purposes  as may be  specified  by the  Client in its
               Instructions;  or 

                                       9

<PAGE>


     (vi)      upon the termination of this Agreement on the terms hereof;

PROVIDED THAT, unless otherwise agreed, the payments referred to above shall not
exceed the funds  available in the Custody Cash Account at any time.  The Client
shall  promptly  reimburse  the  Custodian  for any  advance of cash or any such
taxes, charges,  expenses,  assessments,  claims or liabilities upon request for
payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall obligate
the  Custodian to extend  credit,  grant  financial  accommodation  or otherwise
advance  moneys to the Client or assume  financial  risk on behalf of the Client
for the  purpose of meeting  any such  payments or  otherwise  carrying  out any
Instructions.

(B) Unless otherwise  provided herein, the proceeds from the sale or exchange of
Property  will be credited to the Custody  Cash Account on the date the proceeds
are actually received by the Custodian.

9.  ASSURED INCOME PAYMENT SERVICE

(A) The Custodian may, at its absolute  discretion,  offer the Client an Assured
Income Payment Service in respect of specific Securities,  as may be notified by
the  Custodian  to the  Client  from  time to  time.  In  relation  to any  such
Securities,  the Custodian  may, at its absolute  discretion,  cause the Custody
Cash Account to be credited with an Assured  Payment on the Assured Payment Date
relevant  thereto;  PROVIDED THAT the Custodian shall be entitled to reverse any
credit  (in whole or in part) made in  respect  of that  Assured  Payment if the
Custodian fails to receive the full amount corresponding to such Assured Payment
within a  reasonable  time,  as  determined  by the  Custodian  in its  absolute
discretion,  after the relevant Assured Payment Date, for any reason  whatsoever
other than as a result of the negligence or willful default of the Custodian.

     The Assured  Income  Payment  Service shall be provided by the Custodian in
accordance with the Assured Income Payment Standards.

(B) Where the  Custodian  acts as a settlement  bank in any  relevant  Clearance
System:

     (i)       upon the Custodian incurring any assured payment obligation,  the
               Client shall  reimburse the  Custodian  for such amount,  and the
               Custodian may debit the Custody Cash Account with such amount;

     (ii)      the  Custodian  may without  notice set,  revise or disable debit
               caps in  respect  of the  maximum  aggregate  amount  of  assured
               payment obligations it will incur on behalf of the Client; and

     (iii)     if another  settlement bank in such Clearance  System defaults on
               an assured  payment  obligation  owed to the Custodian  wholly or
               partially,  the  Custodian has no liability to make good the loss
               and will, where appropriate,  attribute the loss pro rata between
               all  Clients  on whose  behalf  such  payment  should  have  been
               received by the Custodian.

10.  WITHDRAWAL AND DELIVERY

     Subject  to the terms of this  Agreement,  the  Client  may at any time
demand  withdrawal  of all or any part of the  Property in the  Custody  Account
and/or the Custody Cash  Account.  Delivery of any Property will be made without
undue delay at the expense of the Client at such location as the parties  hereto
may agree; PROVIDED THAT if the Custodian has effected any transaction on behalf
of the  Client the  settlement  of which is likely to occur  after a  withdrawal
pursuant  to this  Section  10,  then the  Custodian  shall be  entitled  in its
absolute  discretion  to close out or complete  such  transaction  and to retain
sufficient funds from the Property for that purpose.

                                       10

<PAGE>


11.  ACCESS AND RECORDS AND REPORTS

(A) Access to the  Custodian's  Records.  Except as  otherwise  provided in this
Agreement,  during the  Custodian's  regular  business hours and upon receipt of
reasonable  notice from the Client,  any officer or employee of the Client,  any
independent  public  accountant(s)   selected  by  the  Client  and  any  person
designated by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Client shall
be  entitled  to  examine  on the  Custodian's  premises  Property  held  by the
Custodian and the Custodian's records regarding Property deposited with entities
authorized to hold  Property in accordance  with Section 12 hereof and Custodian
shall cooperate in responding to inquiries from such persons,  but only upon the
Client's  furnishing the Custodian with  Instructions  to that effect;  PROVIDED
THAT such  examination  shall be consistent with the Custodian's  obligations of
confidentiality to other parties. The Custodian's  reasonable costs and expenses
in facilitating such examinations,  including but not limited to the cost to the
Custodian of providing personnel in connection with examinations, shall be borne
by the Client.

(B)  Access to Third  Party  Records.  The  Custodian  shall  also,  subject  to
restrictions  under  applicable  laws and  regulations,  seek to obtain from any
entity with which the Custodian  maintains the physical possession or book-entry
record of any of the Property in the Custody Account or the Custody Cash Account
such records as may be required by the Client or its agents.

(C)  Custodian  will  provide  such  reports to Client as Client may  reasonably
request.  In particular,  the Custodian shall maintain such records  relating to
its  activities  under this  Agreement as are required to be  maintained by Rule
31a-1 under the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940 and to  preserve  them for the
periods prescribed in Rule 31a-2 under the Act. Furthermore, the Custodian shall
provide accountings  relating to its activities under this Agreement as shall be
agreed upon by the Client and the Custodian.

(D)  Opinion of the  Client's  Independent  Certified  Public  Accountants.  The
Custodian  shall take all reasonable  action as the Client may request to obtain
from year to year  favorable  opinions from the Client's  independent  certified
accountants  with  respect  to  the  Custodian's  activities  hereunder  and  in
connection  with the preparation of each such Client's  periodic  reports to the
SEC and with respect to any other requirements of the SEC.

12.  USE OF AGENTS

(A) The Custodian is authorized subject to any relevant Rules, to appoint agents
(each an "agent", which term includes, without limitation, service providers and
Subcustodians  that are  qualified  to act as  Custodian  under  the  Investment
Company Act of 1940, but not Clearance Systems, and which agents may be a member
or  members of the  Citigroup  Organization)  and to  participate  in  Clearance
Systems,  whether  in its  own  name  or  that of the  Client,  and  whether  by
participation  as a member,  sponsor or  settlement  bank  within the  Clearance
System, to perform any of the duties of the Custodian under this Agreement.  The
Custodian  may  delegate  to any  such  agent  or  Clearance  System  any of its
functions under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the collection of
any payment or payments,  whether of an income or a capital  nature,  due on the
Property.

(B) In the selection and use of such agents and  participation in such Clearance
Systems,  the  Custodian  shall  comply with any  relevant  Rules,  and shall be
responsible  only  for  the  negligence  in the  selection  of such  agents  and
Clearance Systems but shall otherwise have no responsibility for the performance
by such agents or Clearance  System of any of the duties delegated to them under
this  Agreement;   notwithstanding   the  foregoing,   the  Custodian  shall  be
responsible for the negligence, fraud or willful default of any Subcustodian and
for any agent that is a Branch or subsidiary of Citibank,  N.A.,  and shall have
the  same  level  of  responsibility  to the  Client  for  any  nominee  company
controlled by the Custodian or by any of the Custodian's affiliated companies as
the Custodian has for itself.

(C) Subject to any relevant Rules and regulations, the Property may be deposited
with any  Subcustodian  deemed  appropriate by the Custodian or in any Clearance
System deemed  appropriate by the Custodian or a

                                       11
<PAGE>

Subcustodian,  as the case may be, provided any Subcustodian  shall be qualified
to act as a  Custodian  under the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940 and shall be
approved by the Client's Board of Trustees. Subcustodians approved by the Client
as of the date of this  Agreement are  specified on Schedule I, annexed  hereto.
Property held in any Clearance System shall be subject to the rules or operating
procedures of such Clearance  System,  including rules regarding  supervision or
termination of membership of such Clearance System, and such further information
provided by the Custodian to the Client, or  acknowledgments or agreements which
may be required  from the Client,  for the  purposes  of this  Section  12(C) in
connection with use of a Clearance  System from time to time. The Custodian will
direct each  Subcustodian  and Clearance  System to  separately  identify on its
books  Securities  held by it pursuant to this  Agreement  as being held for the
account  of  the   Custodian's   customers.   The  Custodian  will  direct  each
Subcustodian  and Clearance System to segregate any such Securities held by such
entity from the assets of the Custodian and such entity.

     Upon receipt of appropriate Instruction,  the Custodian shall, on behalf of
the  Client,  appoint  one or more  banks,  trust  companies  or other  entities
designated  in  such  Instructions  to act as a  subcustodian  for  purposes  of
effecting third party repurchase transactions with third parties through the use
of a common custodian or subcustodian, establishing a joint trading account with
any other person or effecting any other transaction  designated by the Client in
the Instruction. Each such duly appointed subcustodian shall not be deemed to be
a Subcustodian as provided in this Agreement. In connection with the appointment
of such subcustodian, the Custodian shall enter in a subcustodian agreement with
the  subcustodian  in form and substance  approved by the Client.  The Custodian
shall not amend any such subcustodian agreement or agree to change or permit any
changes  thereunder,  or waive  rights under such  agreement,  except upon prior
approval by the Client.  Notwithstanding  anything else in this agreement to the
contrary,  the Custodian shall not be liable to the Client for any loss,  damage
or expense  suffered  or incurred  by the Client  resulting  from the actions or
omissions of such subcustodian unless such loss, damage or expense is caused by,
or  results  from,  the act or  omission  of the  Custodian  in  breach  of this
Agreement;  provided,  however,  that in the event of any such  loss,  damage or
expense the Custodian shall take all reasonable  steps to enforce such rights as
it may have against the subcustodian to protect the interests of the Client.

     The Client is hereby  advised that,  where the  Custodian  arranges for any
Property  to be held  overseas,  there may be  different  settlement,  legal and
regulatory  requirements  in overseas  jurisdictions  from those applying in the
United States, together with different practices for the separate identification
of the Client's Property.

(D) The  Custodian  shall  provide  services as a Foreign  Custody  Manager,  as
defined in Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or where there is
a separate Agreement between the Custodian and the Client.

13.  CITIGROUP ORGANIZATION INVOLVEMENT

(A) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Client hereby  authorizes the
Custodian  without  the need for the  Custodian  to obtain  the  Client's  prior
consent:

     (i)       when  acting on  Instructions  to purchase  and/or sell  Property
               (other than cash) from, to or through  itself or any other member
               of the  Citigroup  Organization  and  from  and/or  to any  other
               customer of the  Custodian or any other  member of the  Citigroup
               Organization; and

     (ii)      to obtain  and keep,  without  being  liable  to  account  to the
               Client,  any  commission  payable by any third party or any other
               member of the Citigroup  Organization in connection with dealings
               arising out of or in connection  with the Custody  Account and/or
               the Custody Cash Account.

(B) The Client agrees and understands  that if in accordance with  Instructions,
an investment is made in any property,  held, issued or managed by any member of
the Citigroup  Organization,  then such member of the Citigroup Organization may
retain a profit arising  therefrom (in addition to the charges,  commissions and
fees payable by the Client under this Agreement) without being liable to account
to the Client for such profit.

                                       12

<PAGE>

(C)  The Client agrees and understands  that (i) the Custodian and other members
of the Citigroup  Organization may have banking or other business  relationships
with issuers of Securities held in the Custody  Account or Securities  purchased
and sold for the  Custody  Account,  and (ii) the  Custodian  shall not have any
obligations to the Client as a result of such relationships.

14.  SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

(A) Subject to the terms hereof,  the Custodian shall use all reasonable care in
the  performance  of its duties under this  Agreement  and will exercise the due
care of a  professional  custodian  for hire with respect to the Property in its
possession or control.  The Custodian  shall not be responsible  for any loss or
damage  suffered  by the  Client as a result of the  Custodian  performing  such
duties  unless  the same  results  from an act of fraud,  negligence  or willful
default on the part of the  Custodian  or any  Subcustodian,  and as provided in
Section  12(B)  hereof;  in  which  event  the  liability  of the  Custodian  in
connection  with any Property shall not exceed the market value of the Property,
to which such loss or damage relates,  at the time of such fraud,  negligence or
willful default plus interest at the rate applicable to the base currency of the
Custody Cash Account accruing from the date of such fraud, negligence or willful
default until the date of discharge (together with reasonable  attorneys' fees).
Notwithstanding the foregoing,  in no event shall the Custodian be liable to the
Client for indirect,  special or consequential  damages,  even if advised of the
possibility of such damages.

(B) The  Custodian is not obliged to maintain any insurance on the Property held
under the terms of this Agreement.

(C) In the  event  that any law,  regulation,  decree,  order,  government  act,
custom,  procedure or practice to which the Custodian,  or any  Subcustodian  or
Clearance  System is subject,  or to which the Property is subject,  prevents or
limits the  performance of the duties and  obligations of the Custodian,  or any
Subcustodian  or  Clearance  System,  then  until  such  time as the  Custodian,
Subcustodian  or  Clearance  System is again  able to  perform  such  duties and
obligations   hereunder,   such  duties  and   obligations   of  the  Custodian,
Subcustodian or Clearance System shall be suspended.

(D) Neither the Custodian nor any member of the Citigroup  Organization shall be
responsible  for any loss or damage,  or failure to comply or delay in complying
with any duty or obligation,  under or pursuant to this  Agreement  arising as a
direct or  indirect  result  of any  reason,  cause or  contingency  beyond  its
reasonable   control,   including   (without   limitation)   natural  disasters,
nationalization,  currency  restrictions,  act of war, act of terrorism,  act of
God, postal or other strikes or industrial actions,  or the failure,  suspension
or disruption of any relevant stock exchange, Clearance System or market.

(E) Subject to Section 14(A) above,  the  Custodian  shall not be liable for any
loss  resulting  from, or caused by, the  collection of any Property  and/or any
funds or other property paid or distributed in respect of the Property.

(F) The Custodian does not warrant or guarantee the  authenticity or validity of
any Security or other Property  received by the  Custodian,  or any other entity
authorized to hold Property under this Agreement. If the Custodian becomes aware
of any defect in title or forgery of any Property,  the Custodian shall promptly
notify the Client.

(G) The Client shall be responsible for all filings,  tax returns and reports on
any  transactions  undertaken  pursuant to this Agreement,  or in respect of the
Property or  collections  relating to the  Property as may be  requested  by any
relevant authority,  whether  governmental or otherwise,  and for the payment of
all unpaid calls,  Taxes  (including  without  limitation  any value added tax),
imposts,  levies or duties due on or with respect to any principal,  interest or
other  collections,  or any other  liability  or  payment  arising  out of or in
connection  with the  Property,  and in so far as the  Custodian  is  under  any
obligation  (whether of a  governmental  nature or otherwise) to pay the same on
behalf of the  Client  it may do so out of any  Property  held by the  Custodian
pursuant to the terms of this  Agreement. 

(H)  The Custodian is not acting under this Agreement as an investment  manager,
nor as an  investment,  legal or tax  adviser to the Client and the  Custodian's
duty is  solely  to act as a  custodian  in  accordance  with the  terms of this
Agreement.

                                       13

<PAGE>

(I) Nothing  herein shall obligate the Custodian to perform any obligation or to
allow,  take or omit taking any action which will breach any relevant  Rules, or
any  law,  rule,  regulation  or  practice  of any  relevant  government,  stock
exchange, Clearance System, self-regulatory organization or market.

(J) The  Custodian may at any time suspend or terminate  its  participation  and
holding of assets in a Clearance System,  and will give reasonable notice to the
Client  of any such  action.  In such  case,  or in the event of  suspension  as
contemplated in Section 14(C) above,  the Custodian may arrange for the relevant
Securities to be held in certificated form.

(K) The Custodian shall not be responsible for the acts or omissions, default or
insolvency  of any broker,  counterparty,  issuer of  Securities  or,  except as
provided in Section 12(B), Subcustodian, agent or Clearance System.

(L) The Custodian is not  responsible  for the form,  accuracy or content of any
notice, circular,  report,  announcement or other material received from a third
party (not covered under Section 14(A)) forwarded to the Client.

(M) The  Custodian  shall  only have such  duties  and  responsibilities  as are
specifically  set forth or  referred  to in this  Agreement,  and no covenant or
obligation shall be implied in this Agreement against the Custodian.

15.  LITIGATION; INDEMNITY

(A) The  Custodian  or any of its agents,  as the case may be, may (but  without
being under any duty or obligation to) institute or defend legal proceedings, or
take any other action arising out of or in connection  with the Property and the
Client shall  indemnify  the  Custodian or agent against any costs and expenses,
including without  limitation any reasonable  attorneys' fees and disbursements,
arising  from  such  proceedings  or  other  action  and make  available  to the
Custodian  such  security in respect of such costs and expenses as the Custodian
or agent in its absolute  discretion  deems necessary or  appropriate,  provided
that the  Custodian  shall not be entitled to be  indemnified  or  reimbursed of
costs in  connection  with  losses  resulting  from the  Custodian's  failure or
Subcustodian's  failure to exercise the standard of care  required by Section 14
(A) hereof.

(B) In the event the Custodian  does not institute or defend legal  proceedings,
or take any other action arising out of or in connection with the Property,  the
Custodian  hereby agrees that the Client shall, to the extent of any loss of the
Client's  interest in the Property and to the extent permitted by applicable law
and not  prohibited by contract,  be subrogated to all of the rights of recovery
of the  Custodian  therefor  against any third party person or entity;  PROVIDED
THAT nothing  herein shall be  interpreted  as granting the Client any rights to
bring any  direct  action  under  any  insurance  policy  issued in favor of the
Custodian or as limiting the  Custodian's  right to bring any action against any
such third party for any damages suffered by the Custodian.  Notwithstanding any
other provision hereof, in no event shall the Custodian be obliged to bring suit
in its own name or be obliged  to allow suit to be brought in its name.  Subject
to the terms of this  Section  15(B) and to the  extent  permitted  by law,  the
Custodian  shall execute and deliver any and all such  instruments and documents
which  the  Client  may  reasonably  request  and take  such  other  actions  as
reasonably necessary or appropriate to assist the Client in the exercise of such
rights of recovery and to enable the Client to recover  against any and all such
third party  persons or entities.  The Client shall  reimburse the Custodian for
any  reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs  incurred in  connection  with the actions
contemplated by this Section 15(B).

(C) The Client  agrees to  indemnify  the  Custodian  and to defend and hold the
Custodian harmless against all losses, liabilities,  claims, expenses and Taxes,
including any reasonable  legal fees and  disbursements,  (each referred 

                                       14

<PAGE>

to as a "LOSS") arising directly or indirectly:

         (i)      from the fact that the Property is  registered  in the name of
                  or  held by the  Custodian  or any  nominee  or  agent  of the
                  Custodian or any Clearance System;

         (ii)     without limiting the generality of Section 15(C)(i),  from any
                  act which the  Custodian  or any nominee or agent  performs or
                  permits  (including  the  provision of any  overdraft or other
                  financial  accommodation  which  arises  on the  books  of the
                  Custodian,  whether  on an  advised  or  unadvised  basis)  in
                  relation to the  Property  pursuant to this  Agreement  or any
                  Instructions;

         (iii)    from the  Custodian  or any such  nominee,  agent or Clearance
                  System carrying out any Instructions  pursuant to the terms of
                  this Agreement,  including,  without limitation,  Instructions
                  transmitted   orally,   by   telephone,    telex,    facsimile
                  transmission  or any other means  agreed by the Client and the
                  Custodian from time to time or otherwise;

         (iv) from any reclaim or refund of Taxes  effected by the  Custodian or
any agent for the Client; and

         (v) from the Custodian's reliance or action on any information provided
by the Client in connection with this Agreement;

PROVIDED THAT the Custodian  shall not be  indemnified  against or held harmless
from any liability arising out of the Custodian's  negligence,  fraud or willful
default.

(D) The  disclosure by the Client to the  Custodian  that the Client has entered
into this Agreement as the agent or  representative  of another person shall not
prevent the Custodian  from being  entitled to treat the Client as incurring all
obligations as principal under this Agreement.

(E) The  Custodian  shall give notice of any Loss in respect of which the Client
is obliged to provide  indemnification  pursuant to this Agreement.  Such notice
shall  describe the Loss in  reasonable  detail,  and shall  indicate the amount
(estimated,  if necessary, and to the extent feasible) of the Loss that has been
or may be suffered by Custodian.

(F) The  Custodian  agrees to  indemnify  the  Client and to defend and hold the
Client  harmless to the extent of (i) the  replacement  of any  Security or cash
lost from the Custody  Account or the Custody Cash Account,  respectively,  (ii)
compensatory  interest accrued for the time any cash in the Custody Cash Account
cannot be transferred as provided in this Agreement and (iii)  reasonable  legal
fees,  incurred  by the Client as a result of any  failure by the  Custodian  or
Subcustodian  to observe the standard of care specified in Section 14(A) of this
Agreement.

16.  LIEN AND SET-OFF

(A) In addition to any remedies available to the Custodian under applicable law,
the Custodian  shall have,  and the Client hereby grants,  a continuing  general
lien on all Property (other than cash) until the satisfaction of all liabilities
(whether  actual or contingent)  of the Client to the  Custodian,  including any
fees and expenses or credit  exposures  incurred in the  performance of services
under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement
and to the extent  applicable,  no  liabilities  or  obligations  the Client has
arising  out of or  constituting  Purpose  Credit  shall be secured  by, and the
Custodian  shall  have no lien  upon,  any  Margin  Stock,  and any such lien or
security interest being hereby expressly  disclaimed by the Custodian.  "Purpose
Credit" and "Margin Stock",  shall have the same meaning set forth in Regulation
U and X of the Board of  Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System of the United
States of America.


                                       15

<PAGE>

(B)  In  addition  to any  other  remedies  available  to  the  Custodian  under
applicable law, the Custodian may,  without prior notice to the Client,  set off
any payment  obligation owed to it by the Client against any payment  obligation
(whether or not  matured)  owed by it to the Client  regardless  of the place of
payment or currency of either  obligation  (and for such  purposes  may make any
currency   conversion   necessary).   If  any  obligation  is   unliquidated  or
unascertained  the Custodian may set off an amount estimated by it in good faith
to the amount of that obligation.

17.  FEES AND EXPENSES

     The Custodian  agrees that it shall not look to the Client for compensation
for  its  services  provided  under  this  Agreement.  The  Custodian  shall  be
compensated entirely by Janus Capital Corporation, the Client's administrator as
determined in accordance with the terms of the Fee Agreement, attached hereto as
Schedule II, together with any applicable  taxes or levies,  including,  without
limitation,   all  those   items   referred   to  in  Section  8  (ii)   hereof.
Notwithstanding  anything else in this Agreement, the Client shall be liable for
any other  obligation under this Agreement  including  without  limitation,  any
overdraft or advance and any indemnity specified herein.

18. TAX STATUS/WITHHOLDING TAXES

(A) The Client will provide the Custodian with  information as to its tax status
as reasonably requested by the Custodian from time to time.

(B) The Client may be required  from time to time to file such proof of taxpayer
status  or   residence,   to  execute  such   certificates   and  to  make  such
representations and warranties, or to provide any other information or documents
in  respect  of the  Property,  as the  Custodian  or any of its agents may deem
necessary or proper to fulfill the  obligations  of the  Custodian or its agents
under  applicable law. The Client shall provide the Custodian or its agents,  as
appropriate,  in a timely  manner,  with copies,  or originals if necessary  and
appropriate,  of any such  proofs of  residence,  taxpayer  status or  identity,
beneficial  ownership of Property and any other  information or documents  which
the Custodian or its agents may reasonably request.

(C) If any Taxes shall  become  payable  with  respect to any payment due to the
Client,  such  Taxes  may be  withheld  from such  payment  in  accordance  with
applicable  law. The  Custodian  and any agents may withhold any  interest,  any
dividends  or  other  distributions  or  securities  receivable  in  respect  of
Securities,  proceeds from the sale or distribution of Securities  ("Payments"),
or (after prior notice to the Client with a reasonable  opportunity  to respond)
may  sell  for  the  account  of  the  Client  any  part  thereof  or all of the
Securities, and may apply such Payment and/or cash from the Custody Cash Account
in satisfaction of such Taxes,  the Client  remaining liable for any deficiency.
If any Taxes shall become payable with respect to any payment made to the Client
by the Custodian or its agents in a prior year,  the Custodian or its agents may
withhold Payments in satisfaction of such prior year's Taxes.

(D) In the event the  Client  requests  that the  Custodian  provide  tax relief
services and the Custodian agrees to provide such services, the Custodian or any
of its agents,  shall apply for appropriate tax relief (either by way of reduced
tax rates at the time of an income  payment or  retrospective  tax  reclaims  in
certain markets as agreed from time to time);  PROVIDED THAT the Client provides
to the Custodian such  documentation  and  information as is necessary to secure
such tax  relief.  In no event  shall  the  Custodian  or any of its  agents  be
responsible for the difference between the statutory rate of withholding and the
treaty rate of  withholding  if the Custodian or any of its agents are unable to
secure tax relief.

19. TERMINATION

(A) The Custodian or the Client may terminate  this Agreement by giving not less
than 60 days' prior written  notice to the other party;  PROVIDED THAT within 60
days of such notice,  the Client shall provide the Custodian  with  Instructions
specifying  the person to whom the  Custodian  shall deliver the Property in the
Custody  Account  

                                       16

<PAGE>

and Custody Cash Accounts;  PROVIDED  FURTHER THAT if the Custodian has effected
any  transaction  on behalf of the Client the  settlement  of which is likely to
extend  beyond  the  expiration  of such  notice,  then the  Custodian  shall be
entitled in its absolute  discretion to close out or complete  such  transaction
and to retain sufficient funds from the Property for that purpose.  If within 60
days following termination,  the Client fails to give the Custodian Instructions
specifying  the person to whom the  Custodian  shall deliver the Property in the
Custody  Account and Custody  Cash  Account,  the  Custodian  shall  deliver the
Property to the Client at its address set out above.

(B)  The rights and obligations  contained in Sections 15, 16, 17 and 18 of this
Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

20.  ASSIGNMENT

     This  Agreement  shall bind and enure for the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective  successors and permitted assigns, and the Client shall not
assign,  transfer or charge all or any rights or benefits  hereunder without the
written  consent of the  Custodian.  The Custodian  may not assign,  transfer or
charge  all or any of its  rights or  benefits  hereunder  without  the  written
consent of the Client;  PROVIDED  HOWEVER that this Agreement may be assigned by
the Custodian to another member of the Citigroup Organization with prior written
notice to the Client,  and such assignee shall,  without the execution or filing
of any  consents  or other  documents,  succeed  to and be  substituted  for the
Custodian with like effect as though such assignee had been originally  named as
the Custodian hereunder.  Any purported  assignment,  transfer or charge made in
contravention  of  this  Section  shall  be  null  and  void  and  of no  effect
whatsoever.

21.  SEPARATE LIABILITY

     Each Fund that is a party to this Agreement,  as set forth above,  shall be
regarded for all purposes as a separate party apart from any other Fund which is
a party.  Each Fund shall be responsible  for only its own  transactions  and no
property of a Fund shall be commingled  with the property of any other Fund. The
use of this single document to memorialize  the separate  agreement of each Fund
is understood to be for clerical  convenience  only and shall not constitute any
basis for joining the Funds for any respect.

22.  DISCLOSURE

(A) The  Client  agrees and  understands  that the  Custodian  or its agents may
disclose  information  regarding  the Custody  Account  and/or the Custody  Cash
Account if required  to do so (i) to  establish  under the laws of any  relevant
jurisdiction the nominee (or similar) status of the Custodian or its agents with
respect to Property in the Custody  Account  and/or Custody Cash Account for the
purpose of  performing  or  discharging  its duties and  obligations  under this
Agreement,  (ii) to enable auditors to perform auditing services,  (iii) to make
the  required tax  certifications  in the  relevant  jurisdictions,  (iv) by any
applicable  law,  statute or regulation or court order or similar process in any
relevant  jurisdiction,  (v) by  order of an  authority  having  power  over the
Custodian or its agents within the jurisdiction of such authority,  whether of a
governmental nature or otherwise,  or (vi) where required by the operating rules
of any relevant Clearance System.

(B) The Client hereby  authorizes (i) the collection,  storage and processing of
any  information  relating  to the  Client by the  Custodian  and the  Branches,
subsidiaries,  affiliates and agents of, or Clearance Systems used by, Citibank,
N.A.;  and (ii) the  transfer of any  information  relating to the Client to and
between  the  Branches,  subsidiaries,  affiliates  and agents of, or  Clearance
Systems  used by,  Citibank,  N.A.  and third  parties  selected by any of them,
wherever  situated,  for  confidential  use in connection  with the provision of
services  to  the  Client,  and  further  acknowledges  that  any  such  Branch,
subsidiary,  affiliate, agent, third party or Clearance System shall be entitled
to transfer any such information as required by any law, court, legal process or
as requested by any authority in accordance with which it is required to act, as
it shall  reasonably  determine.  

                                       17

<PAGE>

(C) The Client  agrees that the terms of this  Agreement  shall be kept strictly
confidential and no printed materials or other matter in any language (including
without limitation, prospectuses,  statements of additional information, notices
to  shareholders,  annual  reports  and  promotional  materials)  which  mention
Citigroup,  Citibank,  N.A. or the  Custodian's  name, or the rights,  powers or
duties of the Custodian, shall be issued by the Client or on the Client's behalf
unless  Citibank,  N.A.  and/or the Custodian (as  applicable)  shall first have
given its specific written consent thereto; PROVIDED THAT no prior consent shall
be required if the only reference to the Custodian's  name is in identifying the
Custodian as one of the Client's custodians.

(D) The Client  agrees that the  Custodian  or its agents may,  upon  reasonable
request,  review the Client's  premises,  and security  controls and procedures,
where necessary for the performance of the Custodian's obligations regarding any
relevant Clearance System.

23.  NOTICES

     All notices and  communications to be given by one party to the other under
this  Agreement  shall be in writing in the  English  language  and  (except for
notices,  reports and information from the Custodian,  and Instructions given by
electronic  means) shall be made either by telex or facsimile,  other electronic
means agreed to by the parties or by letter  addressed to the party concerned at
the  addresses  set out above (or at such other  addresses as may be notified in
writing  by either  party to the other  from time to time).  Any such  notice or
communication hereunder shall be effective upon actual receipt.

24.  GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

(A) This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in  accordance  with the
internal  laws (and not the laws of  conflict)  of the  state of New  York.  The
Client agrees for the benefit of the  Custodian  and,  without  prejudice to the
right of the  Custodian to take any  proceedings  in relation  hereto before any
other court of competent jurisdiction,  that the courts of the State of New York
shall have  jurisdiction  to hear and determine any suit,  action or proceeding,
and to settle any disputes,  which may arise out of or in  connection  with this
Agreement  and,  for such  purposes,  irrevocably  submits to the  non-exclusive
jurisdiction of such courts.

(B) Each party hereto waives any objection it may have at any time to the laying
of venue of any  actions or  proceedings  brought in a court of the State of New
York,  waives any claim that such actions or proceedings have been brought in an
inconvenient  forum and further  waives the right to object that such court does
not have jurisdiction over such party.

(C) The Client irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets  (irrespective  of their
use or intended  use),  all  immunity on the grounds of  sovereignty  or similar
grounds from (i) suit, (ii)  jurisdiction  of any court,  (iii) relief by way of
injunction,  order for specific  performance  or for recovery of property,  (iv)
attachment of its assets (whether before or after  judgment),  and (v) execution
or  enforcement  of any  judgment to which it or its  revenues  or assets  might
otherwise  be  entitled  in any  actions  or  proceedings  in such  courts,  and
irrevocably  agrees,  to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that it
will not claim such immunity in any such actions or proceedings.

(D) The Client hereby understands and agrees that the opening of, the holding of
all or any part of the Property in, and the delivery of any Securities and other
Property to or from,  the  Custody  Account  and  Custody  Cash  Account and the
performance of any activities  contemplated  in this Agreement by the Custodian,
including  acting on any  Instructions,  are subject to the relevant local laws,
regulations, decrees, orders, government acts, customs, procedures and practices
(i) to which the Custodian,  or any Subcustodian or Clearance System, is subject
and (ii) as exist in the country in which the Property is held.


                                       18

<PAGE>


25.  MISCELLANEOUS

(A) This Agreement  shall not be amended  except by a written  agreement and any
purported amendment made in contravention of this Section shall be null and void
and of no effect whatsoever.

(B) This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement  between the Client and
the Custodian and, unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing, shall supersede
all prior  agreements  relating to global custodial  services,  written or oral,
between the parties hereto.

(C) The  parties  hereto  agree  that (i) the  rights,  powers,  privileges  and
remedies  stated in this  Agreement  are  cumulative  and not  exclusive  of any
rights,  powers,  privileges and remedies  provided by law, unless  specifically
waived,  and (ii) any failure or delay in exercising any right power,  privilege
or remedy  will not be deemed to  constitute  a waiver  thereof  and a single or
partial exercise of any right, power,  privilege or remedy will not preclude any
subsequent or further exercise of that or any other right,  power,  privilege or
remedy.

(D) In the  event  that any  provision  of this  Agreement,  or the  application
thereof to any person or circumstances, shall be determined by a court of proper
jurisdiction  to be  invalid  or  unenforceable  to any  extent,  the  remaining
provisions of this Agreement,  and the application of such provisions to persons
or  circumstances   other  than  those  as  to  which  it  is  held  invalid  or
unenforceable,  shall be unaffected  thereby and such provisions  shall be valid
and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law in such jurisdiction.

(E) Titles to  Sections  of this  Agreement  are  included  for  convenience  of
reference only and shall be disregarded in construing the language  contained in
this Agreement.

(F) This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts,  each of which shall
be an original,  but all of which  together  shall  constitute  one and the same
agreement.

(G) All the parties hereto  acknowledge  and agree that all liabilities of JANUS
ASPEN SERIES arising,  directly or indirectly,  under this Agreement, of any and
every nature  whatsoever,  shall be satisfied  solely out of the assets of JANUS
ASPEN  SERIES and that no  Trustee,  officer  or holder of shares of  beneficial
interest  of JANUS  ASPEN  SERIES  shall  be  personally  liable  for any of the
foregoing liabilities. JANUS ASPEN SERIES's Trust instrument describes in detail
the respective  responsibilities  and  limitations of liability of the Trustees,
officers and holders of shares of beneficial interest of JANUS ASPEN SERIES.

                                       19

<PAGE>

(H) Additional  Funds.  In the event that JANUS ASPEN SERIES  establishes one or
more series of shares in addition to Funds named herein with respect to which it
desires to have the  Custodian  render  services  as  custodian  under the terms
hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and it the Custodian agrees
in writing to provide such  services,  such series of shares shall become a Fund
hereunder.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Agreement to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

CITIBANK, N.A., New York Office          JANUS ASPEN SERIES ON BEHALF
                                         OF MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO


By: ________________________________     By:    ________________________________
  
Name: ______________________________     Name:  ________________________________

Title: _____________________________     Title: ________________________________


                                         JANUS CAPITAL CORPORATION, as principal
                                         with regard to obligations for fees and
                                         expenses as provided in Section 17.


                                         By:    ________________________________
 
                                         Name:  ________________________________

                                         Title: ________________________________








                                       20

                                                               [GRAPHIC OMITTED}

                        FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER ADDENDUM
                                       TO
GLOBAL CUSTODIAL  SERVICES  AGREEMENT,  dated as of , 1999, by and between JANUS
ASPEN SERIES (the "Client") and CITIBANK, N.A. (the "Custodian").

The Client desires to have the Custodian assume and discharge the responsibility
of the Client's board of directors (hereinafter the "Board") to select, contract
with and monitor certain custodians of non-U.S. assets of the Client held by the
Custodian pursuant to the Global Custodial Services Agreement (the "Agreement").
The Custodian agrees to accept the delegation and to perform the  responsibility
as provided in this Addendum.

(A)      Foreign Custody Manager:
         (i) The Board hereby  delegates  to the  Custodian,  and the  Custodian
         hereby  accepts the delegation to it, of the obligation to serve as the
         Client's  "Foreign  Custody  Manager"  (as defined in Rule  17f-5(a)(2)
         under the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940,  as  amended  from time to
         time), in respect to the Client's foreign investments held from time to
         time by the Custodian with any  Subcustodian or Clearance  System (each
         defined in the  Agreement)  that is an Eligible  Foreign  Custodian (as
         defined in Rule 17f-5(a)(1)) and that is not a Compulsory Depository as
         defined below.  Foreign investments are any Property (as defined in the
         Agreement) for which the primary market is outside the U.S.A.

         (ii)     As Foreign Custody Manager, the Custodian shall:

                  (1) select  Eligible  Foreign  Custodians  to serve as foreign
                  custodians  and  place  and  maintain  the  Client's   foreign
                  investments with such foreign custodians;

                           (2) in selecting an Eligible Foreign Custodian, first
                  determine  that foreign  investments  placed and maintained in
                  the  safekeeping of each Eligible  Foreign  Custodian shall be
                  subject to reasonable care, based on the standards  applicable
                  to custodians in the relevant market,  after having considered
                  all factors  relevant to the  safekeeping of such  investments
                  including, without limitation, those factors set forth in Rule
                  17f-5(c)(1)(i)- (iv);

                  (3) enter into written  agreements with each Eligible  Foreign
                  Custodian selected by the Custodian hereunder;

                  (4)  determine  that the written  contract  with each Eligible
                  Foreign  Custodian  (or,  in the case of an  Eligible  Foreign
                  Custodian that is a Clearance  System such contract (which may
                  be between the Custodian  and the Clearance  System or between
                  an Eligible  Foreign  Custodian  selected by the Custodian and
                  the Clearance System),  the rules or established  practices or
                  procedures of the Clearance  System, or any combination of the
                  foregoing)  requires that the Eligible Foreign  Custodian will
                  provide reasonable care for the foreign investments,  based on
                  the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market,
                  and that all such contracts,  rules,  practices and procedures
                  satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2);

                  (5) provide  written  reports (x)  notifying  the Board of the
                  placement of foreign  investments  with each Eligible  Foreign
                  Custodian,  such  reports  to be  provided  at such  regularly
                  scheduled  meetings of the Board,  and (y) promptly  notifying
                  the  Board of the  occurrence  of any  material  change in the
                  arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian;

                  (6) monitor the continued  appropriateness  of (x) maintaining
                  the  foreign  investments  with  Eligible  Foreign  Custodians
                  selected   hereunder   and  (y)  the   governing   contractual
                  arrangements; it being understood,  however, that in the event
                  the  Custodian  shall  determine  that  any  Eligible  Foreign
                  Custodian  would no  longer  afford  the  foreign  investments
                  reasonable  care,  the Custodian  shall promptly so advise the
                  Client and shall then act in accordance with  Instructions 

                                       1

<PAGE>

               (as defined in the Agreement)  with respect to the disposition of
               the foreign  investments held by such Eligible Foreign Custodian;
               and 
               (7) exercise  such  reasonable  care,  prudence and  diligence in
               serving as the Foreign Custody Manager as the Custodian exercises
               in  performing  its  responsibility  under the  Agreement for the
               safekeeping   of  the  Client's   Property  (as  defined  in  the
               Agreement).

         (iii)  Nothing in this  paragraph  shall  relieve the  Custodian of any
         responsibility otherwise provided in the Agreement or this Addendum for
         loss or damage  suffered  by the Client  from an act of  negligence  or
         willful misconduct on the part of the Custodian.

         (iv) Nothing in this  Addendum  shall require the Custodian to make any
         selection  on behalf of the Client that would entail  consideration  of
         any factor reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding assets in
         a  particular  country  including,  but not limited to, such  country's
         financial  infrastructure  and  prevailing  settlement  practices.  The
         Custodian agrees to provide to the Client such information  relating to
         such risk as the Client shall reasonably  request from time to time and
         such other  information as the Custodian  generally  makes available to
         customers  with regard to such  countries and risk.  The Client and the
         Board may  reasonably  rely on the  veracity and  completeness  of such
         information.

(B)      Compulsory Depositories:
         (i)  Notwithstanding  the provisions of Section A above,  the Custodian
         shall not serve as Foreign Custody Manager in respect of any Compulsory
         Depository,  as defined below.  The Custodian,  through its branches or
         any  Subcustodians,  shall be  entitled  to deposit  and  maintain  the
         foreign  investments in Compulsory  Depositories as the Custodian deems
         prudent and appropriate,  unless otherwise  instructed by the Client or
         its delegate;

         (ii) Prior to  depositing  the foreign  investments  in any  Compulsory
         Depository,  the  Custodian  shall  notify the Client that a Compulsory
         Depository  will be used and  provide  the  Client,  in  respect of the
         Compulsory  Depository,  with  current  information  of  the  type  the
         Custodian provided to clients in the Custodian's  informational binders
         entitled  "SEC Rule  17f-5  Package".  The  Custodian,  shall  make its
         representatives  available to consult,  in good faith, with such of the
         Client's  delegates  as  the  Client  shall  designate   regarding  the
         advisability of depositing the Client's  foreign  investments  with any
         Compulsory Depository;

         (iii) The  Custodian  shall  provide the Client with reports  regarding
         Compulsory  Depositories as provided in Section  (A)(ii)(5),  above and
         shall provide the Client with such other information with regard to any
         Compulsory Depository as the Client shall reasonably request;

         (iv) A "Compulsory  Depository" shall mean a Clearance System that is a
         non-U.S.  securities  depository or clearing agency the use of which is
         mandatory (x) by law or regulation,  (y) because  securities  cannot be
         withdrawn  from  the  depository  or  clearing  agency  or (z)  because
         maintaining  securities  outside the securities  depository or clearing
         agency is not consistent with prevailing local custodial practices. The
         Custodian  shall  supply to the Client  from time to time a schedule of
         the Compulsory  Depositories  in which the Custodian holds the Client's
         foreign investments; and

         (v) Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in this Section
         (B), the Custodian  agrees that if, and at such time as, the Securities
         and  Exchange  Commission  further  revises  Rule  17f-5 to modify  the
         application of the Rule with respect to the selection of, monitoring of
         and  contracting  with  Compulsory  Depositories,  the  Custodian  will
         negotiate  with the Client in good faith as to the terms under which it
         will accept such further delegation.


                                       2
<PAGE>



(C)      Termination:
         (i)   The Client may terminate this  delegation  upon written notice to
               the Custodian.

         (ii)  The Custodian may  terminate  its  acceptance of this  delegation
               upon ninety (90) days written notice to the Client.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have caused this Addendum to be executed as of
the day of , 1999, by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

CITIBANK, N.A., NEW YORK OFFICE             JANUS ASPEN SERIES

By: ________________________________        By: _______________________________ 
Name: ______________________________        Name:  ____________________________
Title: _____________________________        Title: ____________________________











                                       3

                                                                      EXHIBIT 10





                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the  Prospectuses  and
Statements of Additional  Information  constituting parts of this Post-Effective
Amendment  No.  18 to the  registration  statement  on N-1A  (the  "Registration
Statement")  of our report  dated  February 3, 1999,  relating to the  financial
statements  and financial  highlights  appearing in the December 31, 1998 Annual
Report to  Shareholders  of Janus Aspen Series,  which is also  incorporated  by
reference into the Registration  Statement. We also consent to the references to
us under the heading  "Financial  Highlights" in the  Prospectuses and under the
heading "Independent Accountants" in the Statements of Additional Information.


/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Denver, Colorado
April 30, 1999





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