MUTUAL FUND VARIABLE ANNUITY TRUST
485APOS, 1997-10-30
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1
   
   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 30, 1997
    
                                                               File No. 811-8630
                                                       Registration No. 33-81712
================================================================================

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

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

                                  FORM N-1A

            REGITRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933      [x]
                                      

                          Pre-Effective Amendment No.                   [ ]
                                      
   
                        Post-Effective Amendment No. 6                  [x]
    
                                      
                                      and

        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [x]
                                      
   
                        Post-Effective Amendment No. 6                  [x]
    
                                      
                            ________________________
                       *MUTUAL FUND VARIABLE ANNUITY TRUST
                       -----------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

                                 101 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York  10178            
                           -------------------------
              (Address of Principal Executive Office)  (Zip Code)

      Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code:  (212) 426-1600

   
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>                                 <C>
                                            Copy to:
George Martinez, Esq.                       Peter Eldridge, Esq.                Gary S. Schpero, Esq.
Mutual Fund Variable Annuity Trust          Chase Manhattan Bank                Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
125 West 55th Street                        270 Park Avenue                     425 Lexington Avenue                
New York, New York  10019                   New York, New York 10017            New York, New York 10017
</TABLE>
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
    

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

   
<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                        <C>     <C>
         [ ]     Immediately upon filing pursuant to        [ ]     on (         ) pursuant to
                 paragraph (b)                                      paragraph (b)
         [X]     60 days after filing pursuant to           [ ]     on (             ) pursuant to
                 paragraph (a)(1)                                   paragraph (a)(1)
         [ ]     75 days after filing pursuant to           [ ]     on (          ) pursuant to
                 paragraph (a)(2)                                   paragraph (a)(2) rule 485.
</TABLE>
    

If appropriate, check the following box:

         [ ]  this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for
a previously filed post-effective amendment.

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

The Registrant has registered an indefinite number or amount of its shares of
common stock for each of its series of shares under the Securities Act of 1933
pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on July 18,
1994.  The Registrant filed a Rule 24f-2 Notice on October 27, 1995.


                                        This Filing Consists of _____ Pages.
                                       Exhibit Index is Located on Page ______
<PAGE>
2

Mutual Fund Variable Annuity Trust

                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET

                 (Pursuant to Rule 404 showing location in each form of
Prospectus of the responses to the Items in Part A and location in each form of
Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information of the responses to the
Items in Part B of Form N-1A).

                         INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
                            CAPITAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
                          GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO
                           ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
                        U.S. GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
                             MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Item Number
                           Form N-1A,
                             Part A                              Prospectus Caption
                           ----------                            ------------------
                             <S>                                 <C>
                             1                                   Front Cover Page

                             2(a)                                Not Applicable

                              (b)                                Not Applicable

                             3(a)                                Financial Highlights

                              (b)                                Not Applicable

                              (c)                                Not Applicable

                             4(a)(b)                             Other Information Concerning the Fund;
                                                                 Portfolio Objectives and Investment Approach;
                                                                 Common Investment Policies
                                                                 
                              (c)                                Portfolio Objective and Investment Approach;
                                                                 Common Investment Policies

                             5(a)                                Management

                              (b)                                Management

                              (c)                                Management

                              (d)                                Other Information Concerning the Fund

                              (e)                                Other Information Concerning the Fund

                              (f)                                Other Information Concerning the Fund

                              (g)                                Not Applicable

                             5A                                  Not Applicable

                             6(a)                                Other Information Concerning the Fund

                              (b)                                Not Applicable

                              (c)                                Not Applicable

                              (d)                                Not Applicable

                              (e)                                Shareholder Inquiries

                              (f)                                How Distributions Are Made; Tax Information

                              (g)                                How Distributions Are Made; Tax Information

                             7(a)                                Not Applicable

                              (b)                                How the Portfolios Value Their Shares

                              (c)                                Not Applicable

                              (d)                                Not Applicable

                              (e)                                Not Applicable

                             8(a)                                Not Applicable

                              (b)                                Not Applicable
</TABLE>
                                       -i-
<PAGE>
3

Mutual Fund Variable Annuity Trust
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Item Number
                           Form N-1A,
                             Part A                              Prospectus Caption
                           ----------                            ------------------
                             <S>                                 <C>
                              (c)                                Not Applicable
                              (d)                                Not Applicable

                             9                                   Not Applicable
</TABLE>





                                       -ii-
<PAGE>
4

Mutual Fund Variable Annuity Trust

                         INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
                            CAPITAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
                          GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO
                           ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
                        U.S. GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
                             MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Item Number
                          Form N-1A                         Statement of Additional
                            Part B                            Information Caption  
                          --------------                    -----------------------
                          <S>                               <C>
                          10                                Front Cover Page

                          11                                Front Cover Page

                          12                                Not Applicable

                          13                                Investment Policies
                                                            and Restrictions

                          14                                Management of the Trust and the Portfolios

                          15(a)                             Not Applicable

                            (b)                             General Information

                            (c)                             Management of the Trust and the Portfolios 

                          16(a)                             Management of the Trust and the Portfolios 

                              (b)                           Management of the Trust and the Portfolios

                              (c)                           Management of the Trust and the Portfolios 

                              (d)                           Management of the Portfolios 
                                                            
                              (e)                           Not Applicable

                              (f)                           Not Applicable

                              (g)                           Not Applicable

                              (h)                           Management of the Trust and the Portfolios; 
                                                            Independent Accountants

                              (i)                           Not Applicable

                          17                                Not Applicable

                          18                                General Information

                          19(a)                             Not Applicable

                              (b)                           Determination of Net Asset Value

                              (c)                           Not Applicable
</TABLE>

                                       -iii-
<PAGE>   
5

Mutual Fund Variable Annuity Trust

<TABLE>
                          <S>                               <C>
                          20                                Tax Matters

                          21(a)                             Not Applicable

                              (b)                           Not Applicable

                              (c)                           Not Applicable

                          22                                Performance Information

                          23                                Financial Statements
</TABLE>

Part C

         Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the
         appropriate Item, so numbered in Part C of this Registration
         Statement.





                                       -iv-
<PAGE>


                                   PROSPECTUS

                       MUTUAL FUND VARIABLE ANNUITY TRUST

                  INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO: Total Return
                    CAPITAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO: Capital Growth
             GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO: Income and Capital Growth
                    ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO: Total Return
                    U.S. GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO: Income
                         MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO: Income


   
December 29, 1997
    


Mutual Fund Variable Annuity Trust (the "Trust") is an open-end management
investment company. The Trust consists of six portfolios (the "Portfolios"),
each of which has its own investment objectives and policies.

   
Shares of the Trust are issued and redeemed only in connection with investments
in and payments under variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
contracts issued by life insurance companies ("Participating Insurance
Companies"), as well as to certain qualified retirement plans. The contracts and
plans involve fees and expenses not described in this Prospectus and also may
involve certain restrictions or limitations on the allocation of purchase
payments or contract values to one or more series of the Trust. Certain
Portfolios may not be available in connection with a particular contract or
plan. See the applicable contract prospectus or qualified plan documents for
information regarding contract fees and expenses and any restrictions or
limitations.

This Prospectus explains concisely what you should know before investing. Please
read it carefully in conjunction with any separate account prospectus of the
specific insurance product ("Separate Account Prospectus") or qualified plan
documents that accompany this Prospectus and keep it for future reference. You
can find more detailed information about the Portfolios in their December 29,
1997 Statement of Additional Information, as amended periodically (the "SAI").
For a free copy of the SAI, please contact your Participating Insurance Company
or qualified retirement plan trustee or the Trust at 1-800-____. The SAI has
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated into
this Prospectus by reference.
    


     THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED
UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY AND
RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

     INVESTMENTS IN THE MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO ARE NEITHER INSURED NOR
GUARANTEED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE MONEY
MARKET PORTFOLIO WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER
SHARE.

     INVESTMENTS IN THE PORTFOLIOS ARE SUBJECT TO RISK - INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS
OF PRINCIPAL. INVESTMENTS IN THE PORTFOLIOS OTHER THAN THE MONEY MARKET
PORTFOLIO WILL FLUCTUATE IN VALUE. SHARES OF THE PORTFOLIOS ARE NOT BANK
DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, THE CHASE MANHATTAN
BANK OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ARE NOT INSURED BY, OBLIGATIONS OF OR
OTHERWISE SUPPORTED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.


<PAGE>
                                                                               2


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

Topics                                                                      Page

   
EXPENSE SUMMARY .............................................................
    

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS ........................................................  3

PORTFOLIO OBJECTIVES AND INVESTMENT APPROACH ................................  4
          INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO ....................................  4
          CAPITAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO ..........................................  5
          GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO .......................................  5
          ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO ........................................  6
          U.S. GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO ..................................  6
          MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO ............................................  7

COMMON INVESTMENT POLICIES ..................................................  7
          OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES ........................................  8
          ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MONEY
               MARKET PORTFOLIO ............................................. 12
          LIMITING INVESTMENT RISKS ......................................... 13

MANAGEMENT .................................................................. 15

HOW TO PURCHASE AND REDEEM SHARES ........................................... 16

HOW THE PORTFOLIOS VALUE THEIR SHARES ....................................... 17

HOW DISTRIBUTIONS ARE MADE; TAX INFORMATION ................................. 17

OTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PORTFOLIOS ................................. 18
          ADMINISTRATOR ..................................................... 18
          SUB-ADMINISTRATOR AND DISTRIBUTOR ................................. 18
          CUSTODIAN ......................................................... 18
          EXPENSES .......................................................... 18
          ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF SHARES ............................ 19

SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES ....................................................... 20



<PAGE>

   
                                Expense Summary

Expenses are one of several factors to consider when investing. The following
table summarizes your costs from investing in the Portfolios based on expenses 
incurred in the most recent fiscal year by each Portfolio. The examples show the
cumulative expenses attributable to a hypothetical $1,000 investment over 
specified periods.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                        International  Capital      Growth and     Asset          U.S. Government  Money
                                        Equity         Growth       Income         Allocation     Income           Market
                                        Portfolio      Portfolio    Portfolio      Portfolio      Portfolio        Portfolio
                                        ---------      ---------    ---------      ---------      ---------        ---------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>          <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>  
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
 (as a percentage of average
  net assets)
Investment Advisory Fee (after
 estimated waiver of fee)*               0.00%          0.00%          0.00%          0.00%          0.00%          0.00%
Other Expenses*                          1.10%          0.90%          0.90%          0.85%          0.80%          0.55%
                                         ----           ----           ----           ----           ----           ----
Total Fund Operating Expenses
 (after waiver of fees)                  1.10%          0.90%          0.90%          0.85%          0.80%          0.55%


EXAMPLES
Your investment of $1,000 would
 incur the following expenses,
 assuming 5% annual return:
1 year                                   $ 11           $  9           $  9           $  9           $  8           $  6
3 years                                    35             29             29             27             26             18
5 years                                    61             50             50             47             44             31
10 years                                  134            111            111            105             99             69
</TABLE>

*Reflects current waiver arrangements to maintain Total Operating Expenses at
the levels indicated in the table above. Absent such waivers, the Investment
Advisory Fee would be 0.80%, 0.60%, 0.60%, 0.55%, 0.50% and 0.25% for the
International Equity Portfolio, Capital Growth Portfolio, Growth and Income
Portfolio, Asset Allocation Portfolio, U.S. Government Income Portfolio and
Money Market Portfolio, respectively. Total Fund Operating Expenses reflect
waivers and/or expenses reimbursements by Chase. Absent such waivers and/or
reimbursements, Total Operating Expenses would be 2.50%, 1.70%, 1.70%, 1.85%,
1.65% and 1.40% for the International Equity Portfolio, Capital Growth
Portfolio, Growth and Income Portfolio, Asset Allocation Portfolio, U.S.
Government Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio, respectively.

The table is provided to help you understand the expenses of investing in the
Portfolios and your share of the operating expenses that the Portfolios incur.
THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OF FUTURE EXPENSES
OR RETURNS; ACTUAL EXPENSES AND RETURNS MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN SHOWN. THE
TABLES AND EXAMPLE ABOVE DO NOT REFLECT THE DEDUCTION OF ANY APPLICABLE CHARGES
OR EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO VARIABLE INSURANCE CONTRACTS OR QUALIFIED PLANS
INVESTED IN THE PORTFOLIOS. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD REFER TO THE APPLICABLE
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PROSPECTUS OR QUALIFIED PLAN DOCUMENTS THAT ACCOMPANY THIS
PROSPECTUS FOR INFORMATION PERTAINING TO SUCH CONTRACT CHARGES AND EXPENSES.
    

<PAGE>

                              Financial Highlights



   
The table set forth below provides per share data and ratios for a share
outstanding throughout the periods shown. This information is supplemented by
financial statements and accompanying notes appearing in the Portfolios' Annual
Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997, which is
incorporated by reference into the SAI. Shareholders may obtain a copy of this
annual report by contacting their Participating Insurance Company or qualified
retirement plan trustee. The financial statements and notes, as well as the
financial information set forth in the table below, have been audited by Price
Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, whose report thereon is also included
in the Annual Report to Shareholders. Total returns presented below do not
reflect expenses borne by (i) the separate accounts of Participating Insurance
Companies that invest in the Portfolios and their related insurance policies or
(ii) qualified plans which, if reflected, would reduce the total returns
presented.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                International Equity            Capital Growth                Growth and Income
                                                     Portfolio                     Portfolio                     Portfolio
                                        -----------------------------    ---------------------------   ---------------------------- 
                                          Year      Year     03/01/95*     Year      Year    03/1/95*    Year      Year     03/1/95*
                                         Ended     Ended     through      Ended     Ended    through    Ended    Ended      through 
                                        08/31/97  08/31/96   08/31/95    08/31/97  08/31/96  08/31/95  08/31/97  08/31/96   08/31/95
                                        --------  --------   --------    --------  -------   -------   --------  --------   ------- 
<S>                                     <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>    
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE                                                                                       
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period                $10.89     $10.00                $11.90  $10.00              $11.48     $10.00 
                                                   -------    -------               ------   ------              ------     ------ 
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                                                                                         
Net investment income                                0.216      0.101                0.158    0.055               0.294      0.110 
Net Gains or Losses on Investments                                                                                         
(both realized and unrealized)                       0.034      0.789                2.139    1.845               1.516      1.370 
                                                   -------    -------               ------   ------              ------     ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS                     0.250      0.890                2.297    1.900               1.810      1.480 
                                                   -------    -------               ------   ------              ------     ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:                                                                                                        
Dividends from net investment income                 0.250       --                  0.142     --                 0.300       --   
Distributions from capital gains                     0.300       --                  0.215     --                 0.250       --   
                                                    -------    ------               ------   ------              ------     ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS                                  0.550       --                  0.357     --                 0.550       --   
                                                    -------    ------               ------   ------              ------     ------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                      $10.59     $10.89               $13.84   $11.90              $12.74     $11.48 
                                                    =======    ======               ======   ======              ======     ======
TOTAL RETURN                                          2.42%      8.90%               19.66%   19.00%              16.24%     14.80%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA                                                                                                   
Net Assets, End of Period (000 omitted)             $3,901     $5,482               $7,910   $6,329              $8,081     $6,247 
Ratios to Average Net Assets:#                                                                                             
Ratio of Expenses                                     1.10%      1.09%                0.90%    0.90%               0.90%      0.90%
Ratio of Net Investment Income                        0.82%      1.92%                0.97%    1.04%               1.71%      2.14%
Ratio of expenses without waivers and                                                                                      
assumption of expenses                                4.22%      2.90%                1.97%    1.80%               1.98%      1.80%
Ratio of net investment income without                                                                                     
waivers and assumption of expenses                   (2.30)%     0.11%               (0.09)%   0.14%               0.63%      1.24%
Portfolio Turnover Rate                                200%        75%                 107%      28%                129%        32%
Average commission rate paid**                      $.0631        --                $.0604%     --               $.0599         -- 
                                                                                                                          
               
</TABLE>       
    
                                       
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Asset Allocation                   U.S. Government                Money Market 
                                                Portfolio                      Income Portfolio                  Portfolio 
                                      ------------------------------    ----------------------------   ----------------------------
                                        Year        Year    03/01/95*     Year     Year    03/01/95*     Year     Year     03/01/95*
                                       Ended       Ended      through    Ended     Ended     through    Ended     Ended     through
                                      08/31/97    08/31/96   08/31/95   08/31/97 08/31/96   08/31/95   08/31/97 08/31/96   08/31/95
                                      --------    -------    -------    --------  -------    -------   --------  -------    -------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>   
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE                                                                                     
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period               $11.04     $10.00              $10.69     $10.00              $ 1.00     $ 1.00
                                                   ------     ------              ------     ------              ------     ------
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                                                                            
Net investment income                               0.657      0.205               1.173      0.322               0.050      0.028 
Net Gains or Losses on Investments                                                                            
(both realized and unrealized)                      0.488      0.835              (0.858)     0.368                  --         -- 
                                                   ------     ------              ------     ------              ------     ------ 
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS                    1.145      1.040               0.315      0.690               0.050      0.028 
                                                   ------     ------              ------     ------              ------     ------ 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:                                                                                           
Dividends from net investment income                0.670         --               1.134         --               0.050      0.028 
Distributions from capital gains                    0.365         --               0.341         --                  --         -- 
                                                   ------     ------              ------     ------              ------     ------ 
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS                                 1.035         --               1.475         --               0.050      0.028 
                                                   ------     ------              ------     ------              ------     ------ 
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD                     $11.15     $11.04              $ 9.53     $10.69              $ 1.00     $ 1.00 
                                                   ======      =====              ======     ======              ======     ====== 
TOTAL RETURN                                        10.90%     10.40%               2.62%      6.90%               5.15%      2.79%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA                                                                                      
Net Assets, End of Period (000 omitted)            $4,033     $5,546              $2,994     $5,390              $2,950     $5,422 
Ratios to Average Net Assets:#                                                                                
Ratio of Expenses                                    0.85%      0.85%               0.80%      0.80%               0.55%      0.55%
Ratio of Net Investment Income                       3.18%      3.86%               6.06%      6.19%               5.10%      5.46%
Ratio of expenses without waivers and                                                                                              
assumption of expenses                               2.33%      1.65%               1.79%      1.62%               1.74%      1.21%
Ratio of net investment income without                                                                        
waivers and assumption of expenses                   1.71%      3.06%               5.08%      5.37%               3.90%      4.80%
Portfolio Turnover Rate                               155%        45%                 83%        46%                 --         -- 
Average commission rate paid**                     $.0598         --                  --         --                  --         -- 
                                                                                                      
</TABLE>

*  Commencement of operations.
#  Short periods have been annualized.

** Amount per share required for periods commencing after 9/1/95.
    
                                       3

<PAGE>

                  PORTFOLIO OBJECTIVES AND INVESTMENT APPROACH

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO

     The Portfolio's objective is total return from long-term capital growth and
income.

   
     The Portfolio will invest principally (under normal market conditions, at
least 65% of its total assets) in a broad portfolio of marketable equity
securities of established foreign companies organized in countries other than
the U.S., and foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies participating in foreign
economies. These will include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities
convertible into common stocks, and warrants to purchase common stocks.
    

     The Portfolio's advisers seek to identify those countries and industries
where economic and political factors, including currency movements, are likely
to produce above-average growth rates. The Portfolio's advisers attempt to
identify those companies in such countries and industries that are best
positioned and managed to take advantage of these economic and political
factors. The Portfolio will seek to diversify investments broadly among issuers
in various countries and normally to have represented in the Portfolio business
activities of not less than three different countries other than the U.S. The
Portfolio may invest a substantial portion of its assets in one or more of such
countries.

     The Portfolio intends to invest in companies based in (or governments
located in) the Far East (including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia),
Western Europe (including the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France,
Switzerland, Italy and Spain), Scandinavia, Australia, Canada and such other
areas and countries as the Portfolio's advisers may determine from time to time.
Because the Portfolio invests a large portion of its assets in countries
comprising the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australia and Far
East Index, which is heavily weighted towards companies based in Japan and the
United Kingdom, a substantial portion of the Portfolio's assets may be invested
in companies based in Japan, the United Kingdom and/or other countries
represented in the Index. However, investments may be made from time to time in
companies in, or governments of, developing countries, as well as developed
countries.

   
     The Portfolio's advisers will allocate investments among securities
denominated in the U.S. dollar and currencies of foreign countries. The advisers
may adjust the Portfolio's exposure to each currency based on their perception
of the most favorable markets and issuers. The percentage of the Portfolio's
assets invested in securities of a particular country or denominated in a
particular currency will vary in accordance with the advisers' assessment of the
relative yield and appreciation potential of such securities and the current and
anticipated relationship of a country's currency to the U.S. dollar. Fundamental
economic strength, earnings growth, quality of management, industry growth,
credit quality and interest rate trends are some of the principal factors which
may be considered by the Portfolio's advisers in determining whether to increase
or decrease the emphasis placed upon a particular type of security, industry
sector, country or currency. Securities purchased by the Portfolio may be
denominated in a currency other than that of the country in which the issuer is
domiciled.
    

     Primary emphasis will be placed on equity securities and securities with
equity features. However, the Portfolio may invest in any type of investment
grade debt security including, but not limited to, other convertible securities,
bonds, notes and other debt securities of foreign governmental and private
issuers, and various derivative securities.

   
     The Portfolio will not invest more than 25% of its net assets in debt
securities denominated in a single currency other than the U.S. dollar, nor will
it invest more than 25% of its net assets in debt securities issued by a single
foreign government or supranational organization.
    


                                        4

<PAGE>


     The Portfolio may invest in securities of companies of various sizes,
including smaller companies whose securities may be more volatile and less
liquid than securities of larger companies. With respect to certain countries in
which capital markets are either less developed or not easily accessed,
investments by the Portfolio may be made through investment in closed-end
investment companies that in turn are authorized to invest in the securities of
such countries. You should be aware that an investment in foreign securities
involves a higher degree of risk than investments in U.S. securities, as
described under "Risk Factors" below.

     The Portfolio may invest any portion of its assets not invested as
described above in high quality money market instruments and repurchase
agreements. For temporary defensive purposes, the Portfolio may invest without
limitation in these instruments. At times when the Portfolio's advisers deem it
advisable to limit the Portfolio's exposure to the equity markets, the Portfolio
may invest up to 20% of its total assets in U.S. Government obligations
(exclusive of any investments in money market instruments). To the extent that
the Portfolio departs from its investment policies during temporary defensive
periods, the Portfolio's investment objective may not be achieved.

CAPITAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO

     The Portfolio's objective is long-term capital growth.

     The Portfolio will invest primarily in a broad portfolio of common stocks.
Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its
total assets in common stocks. The Portfolio will seek to invest in stocks of
companies with capitalizations of $750 million to $4.0 billion. Current income,
if any, is a consideration incidental to the Portfolio's objective of long-term
capital growth. The Portfolio's advisers intend to utilize both quantitative and
fundamental research to identify undervalued stocks with a catalyst for positive
change.


     The Portfolio may invest any portion of its assets not invested in common
stocks in high quality money market instruments and repurchase agreements, as
described below. See "Other Investment Practices--Repurchase
Agreements, Securities Loans and Forward Commitments." For temporary defensive
purposes, the Portfolio may invest without limitation in these instruments. At
times when the Portfolio's advisers deem it advisable to limit the Portfolio's
exposure to the equity markets, the Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its total
assets in U.S. Government obligations (exclusive of any investments in money
market instruments). To the extent that the Portfolio departs from its
investment policies during temporary defensive periods, the Portfolio's
investment objective may not be achieved.


GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO

     The Portfolio's objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation and
dividend income.

     The Portfolio invests in common stocks of issuers with a broad range of
market capitalizations. Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio will
invest at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks. In addition, the
Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its total assets in convertible securities.

     The Portfolio's advisers intend to utilize both quantitative and
fundamental research to identify undervalued stocks with a catalyst for positive
change. The advisers believe that the market risk involved in seeking capital
appreciation will be moderated to an extent by the anticipated dividend returns
on the stocks in which the Portfolio invests.

     The Portfolio may invest any portion of its assets not invested as
described above in high quality money market instruments and repurchase
agreements. For temporary defensive purposes, the Portfolio may invest without
limitation in these instruments as well as investment grade debt securities. At
times when the Portfolio's advisers deem it advisable to limit the Portfolio's
exposure to the equity markets, the Portfolio


                                        5

<PAGE>


may invest up to 20% of its total assets in U.S. Government obligations
(exclusive of any investments in money market instruments). To the extent that
the Portfolio departs from its investment policies during temporary defensive
periods, the Portfolio's investment objective may not be achieved.

ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO

     The Portfolio's objective is to maximize total return through long-term
capital growth and current income.

     The Portfolio will invest in equity and debt securities. Under normal
market conditions, 35% to 70% of the Portfolio's total assets will be invested
in equity securities. The majority of the Portfolio's equity investments will be
in well-known, established companies with market capitalizations of at least
$200 million which are traded on established securities markets or
over-the-counter. The equity securities in which the Portfolio may invest
include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common and
preferred stocks and warrants to purchase common stocks.

     Under normal market conditions, at least 25% of the Portfolio's total
assets will be invested in investment grade fixed-income securities. The fixed
income securities in which the Portfolio may invest include non-convertible
corporate debt securities and U.S. Government obligations. Corporate debt
securities in which the Portfolio invests will be rated at the time of purchase
in the category Baa or higher by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. ("Moody's"), or
BBB or higher by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or the equivalent by
another national rating organization, or, if unrated, determined by the
Portfolio's advisers to be of comparable quality.

     The Portfolio's advisers may alter the relative portion of the Portfolio's
assets invested in equity and fixed income securities depending on their
judgment as to general market and economic conditions and trends, yields and
interest rates and changes in monetary policies. The average maturity of the
Portfolio's fixed income investments will vary based upon the advisers'
assessment of the relative yields available on securities of different
maturities.

     The Portfolio may invest any portion of its assets not invested as
described above in high quality money market instruments and repurchase
agreements. For temporary defensive purposes, the Portfolio may invest without
limitation in these instruments. To the extent that the Portfolio departs from
its investment policies during temporary defensive periods, its investment
objective may not be achieved.

U.S. GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO

     The Portfolio's objective is to provide shareholders with monthly dividends
and to protect the value of their investment.

     Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 65% of its
assets in U.S. Treasury obligations, obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S.
government agencies or instrumentalities if such obligations are backed by the
"full faith and credit" of the U.S. Treasury, and securities issued or
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or by agencies or
instrumentalities thereof.

   
     There is no restriction on the average maturity of the Portfolio's
portfolio or on any individual portfolio security. The Portfolio's advisers may
adjust the average maturity of the portfolio based upon their assessment of the
relative yields available on securities of different maturities and their
expectations of future changes in interest rates.
    


                                        6
<PAGE>


MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO

     The Portfolio's objective is to provide maximum current income consistent
with the preservation of capital and the maintenance of liquidity.


     The Portfolio invests in high quality, short-term U.S. dollar-denominated
money market instruments. The Portfolio invests principally in (i) high quality
commercial paper and other short-term obligations, including floating and
variable rate master demand notes of U.S. and foreign corporations; (ii) U.S.
dollar-denominated obligations of foreign governments and supranational agencies
(e.g., the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development); (iii)
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. banks with total assets exceeding $1
billion (including obligations of foreign branches of such banks) and by foreign
banks with total assets exceeding $10 billion (or the equivalent in other
currencies) which have branches or agencies in the U.S. (including U.S. branches
of such banks), or such other U.S. or foreign commercial banks which are judged
by the Portfolio's advisers to meet comparable credit standing criteria; (iv)
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities; and (v) repurchase agreements. See "Other Investment
Practices--Floating and Variable Rate Securities." The dollar weighted average
maturity of the Portfolio will be 90 days or less.


     The Portfolio invests only in U.S. dollar-denominated high quality
obligations which are determined to present minimal credit risks. This credit
determination must be made in accordance with procedures established by the
Board of Trustees. Each investment must be rated in the highest short-term
rating category by at least two national rating organizations ("NROs") (or one
NRO if the instrument was rated only by one such organization) or, if unrated,
must be determined to be of comparable quality in accordance with the procedures
adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees. If a security has an unconditional
guarantee or similar enhancement, the issuer of the guarantee or enhancement may
be relied upon in meeting these rating requirements rather than the issuer of
the security. Securities in which the Portfolio invests may not earn as high a
level of current income as long-term or lower quality securities.

     The Portfolio purchases only instruments which have or are deemed to have
remaining maturities of 397 days or less in accordance with federal regulations.

     Although the Portfolio seeks to be fully invested, at times it may hold
uninvested cash reserves, which would adversely affect its yield.

     There can be no assurance that the Portfolio will achieve its investment
objective.

                           COMMON INVESTMENT POLICIES

     In lieu of investing directly, each Portfolio is authorized to seek to
achieve its objective by investing all of its investable assets in an investment
company having substantially the same objective and policies as such Portfolio.

     The International Equity Portfolio, Capital Growth Portfolio, Growth and
Income Portfolio and U.S. Government Income Portfolio are classified as
"non-diversified" funds under federal securities law, subject to certain tax
diversification requirements and diversification guidelines of the California
Department of Insurance. These Portfolios' assets may be more concentrated in
the securities of any single issuer or group of issuers than if the Portfolios
were diversified. The Asset Allocation Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio are
classified as "diversified" funds under federal securities law.

     No Portfolio is intended to be a complete investment program and there is
no assurance that any Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.


                                        7

<PAGE>


OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES

     Each Portfolio may also engage in the following investment practices, when
consistent with its overall objective and policies. These practices, and certain
associated risks, are more fully described in the Statement of Additional
Information.

     Foreign Securities. The Capital Growth Portfolio, Growth and Income
Portfolio and Asset Allocation Portfolio may invest up to 20% of their
respective total assets in foreign securities, including Depositary Receipts.
The International Equity Portfolio may invest without limitation in foreign
securities. The Money Market Portfolio is permitted to invest any portion of its
assets in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign issuers. The Money
Market Portfolio will limit its investments in foreign government obligations to
commercial paper and other short-term notes issued or guaranteed by the
governments of Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada.


   
   Since foreign securities are normally denominated and traded in foreign
currencies, the values of a Portfolio's foreign investments may be influenced by
currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations. There may be less
information publicly available about foreign issuers than U.S. issuers, and they
are not generally subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards and practices comparable to those in the U.S. Foreign securities may
be less liquid and more volatile than comparable U.S. securities. Foreign
settlement procedures and trade regulations may involve certain risks and
expenses. One risk would be the delay in payment or delivery of securities or in
the recovery of a Portfolio's assets held abroad. It is possible that
nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange
controls, taxation by withholding Portfolio assets, political or financial
instability and diplomatic developments could affect the value of a Portfolio's
investments in certain foreign countries. Foreign laws may restrict the ability
to invest in certain countries or issuers and special tax considerations will
apply to foreign securities. The risks can increase if a Portfolio invests in
emerging markets securities.
    


     The International Equity Portfolio, Capital Growth Portfolio, Growth and
Income Portfolio and Asset Allocation Portfolio (collectively, the "Equity
Portfolios") may invest their assets in securities of foreign issuers in the
form of American Depositary Receipts, European Depositary Receipts, Global
Depositary Receipts or other similar securities representing securities of
foreign issuers (collectively, "Depositary Receipts"). Each such Portfolio
treats Depositary Receipts as interests in the underlying securities for
purposes of its investment policies. Each such Portfolio will limit its
investment in Depositary Receipts not sponsored by the issuer of the underlying
securities to no more than 5% of the value of its net assets (at the time of
investment).

     Supranational and ECU Obligations. The Equity Portfolios and the Money
Market Portfolio may invest in securities issued by supranational organizations,
which include organizations such as The World Bank, the European Community, the
European Coal and Steel Community and the Asian Development Bank. Obligations of
supranational agencies are supported by subscribed, but unpaid, commitments of
member countries. There is no assurance that these commitments will be
undertaken or complied with in the future, and supranational securities are
subject to certain risks associated with foreign investing. Each such Portfolio
may also invest in securities denominated in the ECU, which is a "basket"
consisting of specified amounts of the currencies of certain member states of
the European Community. These securities are typically issued by European
governments and supranational organizations.

     U.S. Government Obligations. U.S. Government obligations include
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities. Certain U.S. Government obligations, such as U.S. Treasury
securities and direct pass-through certificates of the Government National
Mortgage Association (GNMA), are backed by the "full faith and credit" of the
U.S. Government. Other U.S. Government obligations, such as obligations of the
Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Home Loan


                                        8

<PAGE>


Mortgage Corporation, are not backed by the "full faith and credit" of the U.S.
Government. In the case of securities not backed by the "full faith and credit"
of the U.S. Government, the investor must look principally to the agency issuing
or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to
assert a claim against the U.S. Government itself in the event the agency or
instrumentality does not meet its commitments.

   
     Money Market Instruments. In addition to the Money Market Portfolio, each
other Portfolio may invest in cash or high-quality, short-term money market
instruments. These may include U.S. Government securities, commercial
paper of domestic and foreign issuers and obligations of domestic and foreign
banks. Investments in foreign money market instruments may involve certain risks
associated with foreign investment.

     Repurchase Agreements, Securities Loans and Forward and Stand-By
Commitments. Each Portfolio may enter into agreements to purchase and resell
securities at an agreed-upon price and time. Each Portfolio also has the ability
to lend portfolio securities in an amount equal to not more than 30% of its
total assets to generate additional income. These transactions must be fully
collateralized at all times. Each Portfolio may purchase securities for delivery
at a future date, which may increase its overall investment exposure and
involves a risk of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to the
settlement date. Each Portfolio may enter into put transactions, including those
sometimes referred to as stand-by commitments, with respect to securities in its
portfolio. In these transactions, a Portfolio would acquire the right to sell a
security at an agreed upon price within a specified period prior to its maturity
date. A put transaction will increase the cost of the underlying security and
consequently reduce the available yield. Each of these transactions involve some
risk to a Portfolio if the other party should default on its obligation and the
Portfolio is delayed or prevented from recovering the collateral or completing
the transaction.

       Borrowings and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Each Portfolio may borrow
money from banks for temporary or short-term purposes, but will not borrow money
to buy additional securities, known as "leveraging." Each Portfolio may also
sell and simultaneously commit to repurchase a portfolio security at an
agreed-upon price and time. Each Portfolio may use this practice to generate
cash for shareholder redemptions without selling securities during unfavorable
market conditions. Whenever a Portfolio enters into a reverse repurchase
agreement, it will establish a segregated account in which it will maintain
liquid assets on a daily basis in an amount at least equal to the repurchase
price (including accrued interest). Each Portfolio would be required to pay
interest on amounts obtained through reverse repurchase agreements, which are
considered borrowings under federal securities laws.
    

     Convertible Securities. Each Portfolio other than the Money Market
Portfolio and U.S. Government Income Portfolio may invest in convertible
securities, which are securities generally offering fixed interest or dividend
yields which may be converted either at a stated price or stated rate for common
or preferred stock. Each of the Capital Growth Portfolio and Growth and Income
Portfolio limit its investments in convertible securities to 20% of its net
assets. Although to a lesser extent than with fixed-income securities generally,
the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates
increase, and increase as interest rates decline. Because of the conversion
feature, the market value of convertible securities also tends to vary with
fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common or preferred stock.

   
   Other Investment Companies. Apart from being able to invest all of its
investable assets in another investment company having substantially the same
investment objectives and policies, each Portfolio other than the U.S.
Government Income Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio may invest up to 10% of
its total assets in shares of other investment companies when consistent with
its investment objectives and policies, subject to applicable regulatory
limitations. The Money Market Portfolio may invest up to 10% of its total assets
in shares of other money market funds, subject to applicable regulatory
limitations. Additional fees may be charged by other investment companies.
    


                                        9

<PAGE>


     Investment Grade Debt Securities. The Asset Allocation Portfolio, Growth
and Income Portfolio and International Equity Portfolio may invest in investment
grade debt securities. Investment grade debt securities are securities rated in
the category BBB or higher by S&P, or Baa or higher by Moody's or the equivalent
by another national rating organization, or, if unrated, determined by the
advisers to be of comparable quality.


   
   Stripped Obligations. The Asset Allocation Portfolio may invest without
limitation in stripped obligations, which are separately traded principal and
interest components of an underlying obligation. In addition, the U.S.
Government Income Portfolio may invest without limitation, and each other
Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its total assets, in stripped obligations
where the underlying obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. Government, including instruments known as "STRIPS". The value of these
instruments tends to fluctuate more in response to changes in interest rates
than the value of ordinary interest-paying debt securities with similar
maturities. The risk is greater when the period to maturity is longer.
    


     Zero Coupon Securities and Payment-in-Kind Obligations. The Asset
Allocation Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio may invest in zero coupon
securities issued by governmental and private issuers. The U.S. Government
Income Portfolio may invest in zero coupon U.S. Government securities. Zero
coupon securities are debt securities that do not pay regular interest payments,
and instead are sold at substantial discounts from their value at maturity. The
Asset Allocation Portfolio may invest in payment-in-kind obligations, which are
obligations on which the interest is payable in additional securities rather
than cash. The value of these instruments tends to fluctuate more in response to
changes in interest rates than the value of ordinary interest-paying debt
securities with similar maturities. The risk is greater when the period to
maturity is longer.

   
     Mortgage-Related Securities. The Asset Allocation Portfolio may invest in
mortgage-related securities. The U.S. Government Income Portfolio may invest in
mortgage-related U.S. Government securities. Mortgage pass-through securities
are securities representing interests in "pools" of mortgages in which payments
of both interest and principal on the securities are made monthly, in effect
"passing through" monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the
residential mortgage loans which underlie the securities. Early repayment of
principal on mortgage pass-through securities held by such Portfolios (due to
prepayments of principal on the underlying mortgage loans) may result in a lower
rate of return when the Portfolio reinvests such principal. In addition, as with
callable fixed-income securities generally, if the Portfolio purchased the
securities at a premium, sustained early repayment would limit the value of the
premium. Like other fixed-income securities, when interest rates rise the value
of a mortgage-related security generally will decline; however, when interest
rates decline, the value of the mortgage-related securities with prepayment
features may not increase as much as other fixed-income, fixed-maturity
securities which have no prepayment or call features. 


     Payment of principal and interest on the mortgage pass-through certificates
(but not the market value of the securities themselves) in which the U.S.
Government Income Portfolio invests will be guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage pass-through securities (but
not the market value of the securities themselves) in which the Asset Allocation
Portfolio invests may be guaranteed by the U.S. Government, or by agencies or
instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (which guarantees are supported only by
the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency's
obligations). Certain mortgage pass-through securities created by
nongovernmental issuers may be supported by various forms of insurance or
guarantees, while other such securities may be backed only by the underlying
mortgage collateral.
    

     The Asset Allocation Portfolio and U.S. Government Income Portfolio may
also invest in investment grade Collateralized Mortgage Obligations ("CMOs"),
which are hybrid instruments with characteristics of both mortgage-backed bonds
and mortgage pass-through securities. Similar to a bond, interest and prepaid
principal on a CMO are paid, in most cases, monthly. CMOs may be collateralized
by whole residential or commercial mortgage loans but are more typically
collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by
the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. CMOs are structured
into


                                        10

<PAGE>


multiple classes, with each class having a different expected average life
and/or stated maturity. Monthly payments of principal, including prepayments,
are allocated to different classes in accordance with the terms of the
instruments, and changes in prepayment rates or assumptions may significantly
affect the expected average life and value of a particular class.

   

     The Asset Allocation Portfolio may also invest in principal-only or
interest-only stripped mortgage-backed securities. Stripped mortgage-backed
securities have greater volatility than other types of mortgage-related
securities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities which are purchased at a
substantial premium or discount generally are extremely sensitive not only to
changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments
(including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid
rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on such
securities' yield to maturity. In addition, stripped mortgage securities may be
illiquid.
    

     The Asset Allocation Portfolio and U.S. Government Income Portfolio expect
that governmental, government-related or private entities may create other
mortgage-related securities in addition to those described above. As new types
of mortgage-related securities are developed and offered to investors, such
Portfolios will consider making investments in such securities.

     Dollar Rolls. The Asset Allocation Portfolio and U.S. Government Income
Portfolio may enter into mortgage "dollar rolls" in which the Portfolio sells
mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously
contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity)
securities on a specified future date. These transactions involve some risk to
such Portfolios if the other party should default on its obligation and the
Portfolio is delayed or prevented from completing the transaction.

     Asset-backed Securities. The Asset Allocation Portfolio and Money Market
Portfolio may invest in asset-backed securities, which represent a participation
in, or are secured by and payable from, a stream of payments generated by
particular assets, most often a pool of assets similar to one another, such as
motor vehicle receivables or credit card receivables.

     Floating and Variable Rate Securities. The U.S. Government Income Portfolio
and Money Market Portfolio may invest in floating rate securities, whose
interest rates adjust automatically whenever a specified interest rate changes,
and variable rate securities, whose interest rates are periodically adjusted.
Certain of these instruments permit the holder to demand payment of principal
and accrued interest upon a specified number of days' notice from either the
issuer or a third party. As a result of the floating or variable rate nature of
these investments, each such Portfolio's yield may decline and it may forego the
opportunity for capital appreciation during periods when interest rates decline;
however, during periods when interest rates increase, the Portfolio's yield may
increase and it may have reduced risk of capital depreciation. Demand features
on certain floating or variable rate securities may obligate the Portfolio to
pay a "tender fee" to a third party. Demand features provided by foreign banks
involve certain risks associated with foreign investments.

     Indexed Investments. The International Equity Portfolio may invest in
instruments which are indexed to certain specific foreign currency exchange
rates. The terms of such instruments may provide that their principal amounts or
just their coupon interest rates are adjusted upwards or downwards (but not
below zero) at maturity or on established coupon payment dates to reflect
changes in the exchange rate between two or more currencies while the obligation
is outstanding. Such indexed investments entail the risk of loss of principal
and/or interest payments from currency movements in addition to principal risk,
but offer the potential for realizing gains as a result of changes in foreign
currency exchange rates.


      Inverse Floaters and Interest Rate Caps. The Asset Allocation Portfolio
may invest in inverse floaters and in securities with interest rate caps.
Inverse floaters are instruments whose interest rates bear an inverse
relationship to the interest rate on another security or the value of an index.
The market value of an inverse floater will vary inversely with changes in
market interest rates, and will be more volatile in response to interest rates
changes than that of a fixed-rate obligation. Interest rate caps are financial
instruments under which payments occur if an interest rate index exceeds a
certain predetermined interest rate level, known as the cap rate, which is tied
to a specific index. These financial products will be more volatile in price
than securities which do not include such a structure.


     Derivatives and Related Instruments. Each Portfolio other than the Money
Market Portfolio may invest its assets in derivative and related instruments to
hedge various market risks or to increase the


                                       11

<PAGE>



     Portfolio's income or gain. Some of these instruments will be subject to
asset segregation requirements to cover the Portfolio's obligations. Each such
Portfolio may (i) purchase, write and exercise call and put options on
securities and securities indexes (including using options in combination with
securities, other options or derivative instruments) and (ii) enter into futures
contracts and options on futures contracts. Each of the Equity Portfolios may
(i) enter into swaps; (ii) employ forward currency contracts; and (iii) purchase
and sell structured products, which are instruments designed to restructure or
reflect the characteristics of certain other investments. In addition, the Asset
Allocation Portfolio, U.S. Government Income Portfolio and International Equity
Portfolio may employ forward interest rate contracts. A call option gives the
purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell,
an underlying instrument at the exercise price. A put option gives the purchaser
the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, an underlying
instrument at the exercise price. A futures contract creates a firm obligation
on the seller to deliver, and on the buyer to accept, the specific type of
financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a
specified price.

      There are a number of risks associated with the use of derivatives and
related instruments and no assurance can be given that any strategy will
succeed. The value of certain derivatives or related instruments in which a
Portfolio invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing
economic conditions and market value. The ability of a Portfolio to successfully
utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Portfolio's
advisers to forecast these factors correctly. Inaccurate forecasts could expose
a Portfolio to a risk of loss. There can be no guarantee that there will be a
correlation between price movements in a hedging instrument and in the portfolio
assets being hedged. The Portfolios are not required to use any hedging
strategies. Hedging strategies, while reducing risk of loss, can also reduce the
opportunity for gain. Derivatives transactions not involving hedging may have
speculative characteristics, involve leverage and result in losses that may
exceed the original investments of the Fund. There can be no assurance that a
liquid market will exist at a time when a Portfolio seeks to close out a
derivatives position. Activities of large traders in the futures and securities
markets involving arbitrage, "program trading," and other investment strategies
may cause price distortions in derivatives markets. In certain instances,
particularly those involving over-the-counter transactions or forward contracts,
there is a greater potential that a counterparty or broker may default. In the
event of a default, a Portfolio may experience a loss. For additional
information concerning derivatives, related instruments and the associated
risks, see the Statement of Additional Information.


   
     Portfolio Turnover. The frequency of a Portfolio's buy and sell
transactions will vary from year to year. A Portfolio's investment policies may
lead to frequent changes in investments, particularly in periods of rapidly
changing market conditions. High portfolio turnover rates would generally result
in higher transaction costs, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups,
and would make it more difficult for a Portfolio to qualify as a registered
investment company under federal tax law. It is intended that the Money Market
Portfolio will be fully managed by buying and selling securities, as well as
holding securities to maturity. In managing the Money Market Portfolio, the
Portfolio's advisers will seek to take advantage of market developments, yield
disparities and variations in the creditworthiness of investors. See "How
Distributions are Made; Tax Information."
    

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES OF THE MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO

     Participation Certificates. The Money Market Portfolio may invest in
participation certificates and certificates of indebtedness or safekeeping.
Participation certificates are pro rata interests in securities held by others;
certificates of indebtedness or safekeeping are documentary receipts for such
original securities held in custody by others. As a result of the floating or
variable rate nature of these investments, the Portfolio's yield may decline and
it may forego the opportunity for capital appreciation during periods when
interest rates decline; however, during periods when interest rates increase,
the Portfolio's yield may increase and it may have reduced risk of capital
depreciation. Demand features on certain floating or variable rate securities
may obligate the Portfolio to pay a "tender fee" to a third party. Demand
features provided by foreign banks involve certain risks associated with foreign
investments.


     Bank Obligations. Bank obligations include certificates of deposit, time
deposits and bankers' acceptances issued or guaranteed by U.S. banks (including
their foreign branches) and foreign banks


                                       12

<PAGE>


(including their U.S. branches). A bankers' acceptance is a short-term draft on
a commercial bank by a borrower, usually in connection with an international
commercial transaction. These obligations may be general obligations of the
parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific
obligation or by government regulation. Foreign bank obligations involve certain
risks associated with foreign investing.


     Municipal Obligations. The Money Market Portfolio may invest in
high-quality, short-term municipal obligations that carry yields that are
competitive with those of other types of money market instruments in which it
may invest. Dividends paid by the Portfolio that are derived from interest on
municipal obligations will be taxable to shareholders for federal income tax
purposes.

     Custodial Receipts. The Portfolio may acquire securities in the form of
custodial receipts that evidence ownership of future interest payments,
principal payments or both on certain U.S. Treasury notes or bonds in connection
with programs sponsored by banks and brokerage firms. These are not deemed U.S.
Government securities. These note and bonds are held in custody by a bank on
behalf of the owners of the receipts.

     Effect of Rule 2a-7 on Portfolio Management. The management of the Money
Market Portfolio is intended to comply with the provisions of Rule 2a-7 under
the 1940 Act (the "Rule") under which, if a Portfolio meets certain conditions,
it may use the "amortized cost" method of valuing its securities. Under the
Rule, the maturity of an instrument is generally considered to be its stated
maturity (or in the case of an instrument called for redemption, the date on
which the redemption payment must be made), with special exceptions for certain
kinds of instruments. Repurchase agreements and securities loan agreements are,
in general, treated as having a maturity equal to the period remaining until
they can be executed.

     In accordance with the provisions of the Rule, the Money Market Portfolio
must: (i) maintain a dollar weighted average portfolio maturity (see above) not
in excess of 90 days; (ii) limit its investments, including repurchase
agreements, to those instruments which are denominated in U.S. dollars, which
the Board of Trustees determines present minimal credit risks, and which are of
"high quality" as determined by at least two major rating services; or, in the
case of any instrument that is split-rated or not rated, of comparable quality
as determined by the Board; and (iii) not purchase any instruments with a
remaining maturity (see above) of more than 397 days. The Rule also contains
special provisions as to the maturity of variable rate and floating rate
instruments.

LIMITING INVESTMENT RISKS

     Specific investment restrictions help the Portfolios limit investment risks
for the Portfolios' shareholders. These restrictions prohibit the Portfolio
from: (a) investing more than 15% of its net assets (10% in the case of the
Money Market Portfolio) in illiquid securities (which include securities
restricted as to resale unless they are determined to be readily marketable in
accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees of the Trust);
or (b) investing more than 25% of its total assets in any one industry
(excluding U.S. Government obligations and, with respect to the Money Market
Portfolio, bank obligations). In addition, the Money Market Portfolio, with
certain limited exceptions, is prohibited from investing more than 5% of its net
assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government
obligations). The Asset Allocation Portfolio, with respect to 75% of its total
assets, is prohibited from investing more than 5% of its net assets in the
securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government obligations) or holding
more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer. A complete description
of these and other investment policies is included in the Statement of
Additional Information. Except for restriction (b) above and investment policies
designated as fundamental in the Statement of Additional Information, the
investment policies of the Portfolio are not fundamental. The Trustees may
change any non-fundamental investment policy without shareholder approval.
However, in the event of a change in the investment objective of a Portfolio,
such Portfolio's shareholders will be given at least 30 days' prior written
notice.


                                       13
<PAGE>


     Risk Factors. No Portfolio constitutes a complete investment program, and
an investment in certain funds may not be appropriate for all investors. The net
asset value of the shares of each Portfolio other than the Money Market
Portfolio can be expected to fluctuate based on the value of the securities in
the Portfolio's portfolio. There can be no assurance that the Money Market
Portfolio will be able to maintain a stable net asset value. Each Equity
Portfolio is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with
equity investing, as well as the risks discussed herein. The Asset Allocation
Portfolio, U.S. Government Income Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio are also
subject to the general risks and considerations associated with fixed income
investing.

     The performance of the Portfolios, to the extent they invest in convertible
and/or fixed income securities, as applicable, will depend in part on interest
rate changes. As interest rates increase, the value of the fixed income
securities held by a Portfolio tends to decrease. This effect will be more
pronounced with respect to investments by certain Portfolios in mortgage-related
securities, the value of which are more sensitive to interest rate changes. To
the extent a Portfolio invests in fixed income securities with longer
maturities, the volatility of the Portfolio in response to changes in interest
rates can be expected to be greater than if the Portfolio had invested in
comparable securities with shorter maturities. The performance of the Portfolios
will also depend on the quality of these investments. While securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government generally are of high quality, the other fixed
income securities in which certain Portfolios may invest, while of
investment-grade quality, may be of lesser credit quality. Securities rated in
the category Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P lack certain investment
characteristics and may have speculative characteristics. Guarantees of
principal and interest on obligations that may be purchased by the Portfolios
are not guarantees of the market value of such obligations, nor do they extend
to the value of shares in the Portfolios. In addition, with respect to a
Portfolio's investments in convertible securities, the market value of
convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of
the underlying common or preferred stock.

     To the extent permitted by their investment objective and policies, the
Equity Portfolios may invest in the securities of small or mid cap companies.
The securities of small to mid cap companies often trade less frequently and in
more limited volume, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price
movements, than securities of larger, more established companies. Such companies
may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or may depend on
a limited management group.

   
     As the International Equity Portfolio invests primarily in equity
securities of companies outside the U.S., an investment in the Portfolio's
shares involves a higher degree of risk than an investment in a U.S. equity
fund. See "Other Investment Practices--Foreign Securities" above. Investments in
securities of issuers based in developing countries entails certain additional
risks, including greater risks of expropriation, taxation by withholding
Portfolio assets, nationalization, and less social, political and economic
stability. The small size of markets for securities of issuers based in such
countries and the low or non-existent volume of trading may result in a lack of
liquidity and in price volatility. Certain national policies may restrict the
investment opportunities, including restrictions on investing in issuers or
industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests. There may be an
absence of developed legal structures governing private or foreign investment
and private property.
    

     The Money Market Portfolio is permitted to invest any portion of its assets
in obligations of domestic banks (including their foreign branches), and in
obligations of foreign issuers. The ability to concentrate in the banking
industry may involve certain credit risks, such as defaults or downgrades, if at
some future date adverse economic conditions prevail in such industry. U.S.
banks are subject to extensive governmental regulations which may limit both the
amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be
charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is largely
dependent upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing
lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic
conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial
difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operations of this
industry. Securities issued by


                                       14

<PAGE>


foreign banks, foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign governmental and
private issuers involve investment risks in addition to those of obligations of
domestic issuers, including risks relating to future political and economic
developments, more limited liquidity of foreign obligations than comparable
domestic obligations, the possible imposition of withholding taxes on interest
income, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign assets, and the
possible establishment of exchange controls or other restrictions. There may be
less publicly available information concerning foreign issuers, there may be
difficulties in obtaining or enforcing a judgment against a foreign issuer
(including branches), and accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
and practices may differ from those applicable to U.S. issuers. In addition,
foreign banks are not subject to regulations comparable to U.S. banking
regulations.

     Because the International Equity Portfolio, Capital Growth Portfolio and
Growth and Income Portfolio are "non-diversified," the value of such Portfolios'
shares is more susceptible to developments affecting issuers in which such
Portfolios invest.

     For a discussion of certain other risks associated with each Portfolio's
additional investment activities, see "Other Investment Practices" above.

                                   MANAGEMENT


THE PORTFOLIOS' ADVISERS


   
       The Chase Manhattan Bank ("Chase") is the investment adviser to the
Portfolios under an Investment Advisory Agreement and has overall responsibility
for investment decisions of the Portfolios, subject to the oversight of the
Board of Trustees. Chase is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Chase Manhattan
Corporation, a bank holding company. Chase and its predecessors have over 100
years of money management experience.

     For its investment advisory services to the Portfolios, Chase is entitled
to receive an annual fee computed daily and paid monthly based at an annual rate
equal to 0.80%, 0.60%, 0.60%, 0.55%, 0.50% and 0.25% of the average daily net
assets of the International Equity Portfolio, Capital Growth Portfolio, Growth
and Income Portfolio, Asset Allocation Portfolio, U.S. Government Income
Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio, respectively. Chase is located at 270 Park
Avenue, New York, New York 10017.

     Chase Asset Management, Inc. ("CAM"), a registered investment adviser, is
the sub-investment adviser to each of the Portfolios other than International
Equity Portfolio under a Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between CAM and
Chase. CAM is a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of Chase. CAM makes investment
decisions for the Portfolios on a day-to-day basis. For these services, CAM is
entitled to receive a fee, payable by Chase from its advisory fee, at an annual
rate equal to 0.30%, 0.30%, 0.25%, 0.25% and 0.10% of the average daily net
assets of the Capital Growth Portfolio, Growth and Income Portfolio, Asset
Allocation Portfolio, U.S. Government Income Portfolio and Money Market
Portfolio, respectively. CAM provides discretionary investment advisory services
to institutional clients and to consolidate Chase's investment management
function. The same individuals who serve as portfolio managers for Chase also
serve as portfolio managers for CAM. CAM is located at 1211 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10036.

     Chase Asset Management (London) Limited ("CAM London"), a registered
investment adviser, is the sub-investment adviser to the International Equity
Portfolio pursuant to a Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between CAM London and
Chase. CAM London is a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of Chase. CAM London
makes investment decisions for the Portfolio on a day-to-day basis. For these
services, CAM London is entitled to receive a fee, payable by Chase from its
advisory fee, at an annual rate equal to 0.40% of the average daily net assets
of the International Equity Portfolio. CAM London provides discretionary
investment advisory services to institutional clients and to consolidate Chase's
investment management function. The same individuals who serve as


                                       15

<PAGE>


portfolio managers for Chase with respect to the International Equity Portfolio
also serve as portfolio managers for CAM London. CAM London is located at
Colvile House, 32 Curzon Street, London W1Y 8AL.
    


      Portfolio Managers. Michael Browne and David Webb, Vice Presidents of
Chase, are responsible for the day-to-day management of the International Equity
Portfolio. Mr. Browne is responsible for investment management and equity
research for European equities. Mr. Browne joined Chase in 1994. Prior to
joining Chase, Mr. Browne was Assistant Director of European equity fund
management at BZW Investment Management in London for eight years. Mr. Webb is
responsible for investment management and equity research in the Asia region.
Mr. Webb joined Chase in 1992. Prior to joining Chase, Mr. Webb was with Hambros
Bank Limited where he was responsible for the management of the Hambros Equus
Pacific Japan and Hambros Japan Trust.


     David Klassen, Director of Domestic Equity Management at Chase, is
responsible for the day-to-day management of the Capital Growth Portfolio. Mr.
Klassen joined Chase in March 1992 and, in addition to managing the Portfolio,
manages a number of other mutual funds at Chase. Prior to joining Chase, Mr.
Klassen was a vice president and portfolio manager at Dean Witter Reynolds,
responsible for managing several mutual funds and other accounts.

     Greg Adams, Vice President of Chase, is responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Growth and Income Portfolio. Mr. Adams joined Chase in 1987
and has been responsible for overseeing the proprietary computer model program
used in the U.S. equity selection process. Mr. Adams manages a number of mutual
funds at Chase.

     Susan Huang, Vice President and Director of Fixed Income Management at
Chase, and Mr. Adams, are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Asset
Allocation Portfolio. Ms. Huang is responsible for developing the allocation and
risk management strategy for U.S. fixed-income portfolios, and managing the
institutional U.S. fixed income assets under management. Prior to joining Chase
in June of 1995, Ms. Huang was Director of the Insurance Asset Management Group
at Hyperion Capital Management, Inc. Prior to joining Hyperion, Ms. Huang was a
senior portfolio manager with CS First Boston Investment Management Inc.

     Ms. Huang is responsible for the day-to-day management of the U.S.
Government Income Portfolio.

                        HOW TO PURCHASE AND REDEEM SHARES

   
     Shares of the Trust may be offered only to separate accounts of
Participating Insurance Companies or to qualified plans. Investors may not
purchase or redeem shares of the Portfolios directly, but only through variable
annuity contracts or variable life insurance contracts offered through the
separate accounts of Participating Insurance Companies or through qualified
retirement plans. You should refer to the applicable Separate Account Prospectus
or plan documents for information on how to purchase or surrender a contract,
make partial withdrawals of contract values, allocate contract values to one or
more of the Portfolios, change existing allocation among investment
alternatives, including the Portfolios, or select specific Portfolios as
investment options for a qualified plan.


     All shares of each Portfolio may be purchased or redeemed by a separate
account of a Participating Insurance Company or qualified plan without any sales
or redemption charge at the next computed net asset value on any business day
during which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. Purchases and
redemptions are made subsequent to corresponding purchases and redemptions of
units of a separate account or qualified plan without delay. Any applicable
sales charges or redemption or withdrawal fees for the variable insurance
contracts or qualified plans are described in the relevant Separate Account
Prospectus or plan documents.
    



                                       16

<PAGE>


     Except in extraordinary circumstances and as permissible under the 1940
Act, the redemption proceeds are paid on or before the seventh day following the
request for redemption, as described more fully in the applicable contract
prospectus.

                      HOW THE PORTFOLIOS VALUE THEIR SHARES

     The net asset value of each Portfolio's shares is determined once daily
based upon prices determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York
Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, however, options are priced at
4:15 p.m., Eastern time), on each business day of that Portfolio, by dividing
the net assets of the Portfolio by the total number of outstanding shares of
that Portfolio. Values of assets held by each Portfolio other than the Money
Market Portfolio are determined on the basis of their market or other fair
value, as described in the Statement of Additional Information except that
short-term securities with 60 days or less to maturity are valued on an
amortized cost basis.

     The portfolio securities of the Money Market Portfolio are valued at their
amortized cost in accordance with federal securities laws, certain requirements
of which are summarized under "Portfolio Objectives and Investment
Approach-Money Market Portfolio." This method increases stability in valuation,
but may result in periods during which the stated value of a portfolio security
is higher or lower than the price the Portfolio would receive if the instrument
were sold. It is anticipated that the net asset value of each share of the Money
Market Portfolio will remain constant at $1.00 and the Portfolio will employ
specific investment policies and procedures to accomplish this result, although
no assurance can be given that they will be able to do so on a continuing basis.
The Board of Trustees will review the holdings of the Portfolio at intervals it
deems appropriate to determine whether the Portfolio's net asset value
calculated by using available market quotations (or an appropriate substitute
which reflects current market conditions) deviates from $1.00 per share based
upon amortized cost. In the event the Trustees determine that a deviation exists
that may result in material dilution or other unfair results to investors or
existing shareholders, the Trustees will take such corrective action as they
regard as necessary and appropriate.

                   HOW DISTRIBUTIONS ARE MADE; TAX INFORMATION

   
      The Portfolios. Each Portfolio intends to qualify as a "regulated
investment company" for federal income tax purposes under Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and to meet all other
requirements that are necessary for it to be relieved of federal taxes on income
and gain it distributes to shareholders. If a Portfolio does not qualify as a
regulated investment company for any taxable year or does not meet certain other
requirements, such Portfolio will be subject to tax on all of its taxable income
and gains.
    

     Each Portfolio of the Trust is also subject to asset diversification
regulations prescribed by the U.S. Treasury Department under the Code. These
regulations generally provide that, as of the end of each calendar quarter or
within 30 days thereafter, no more than 55% of the total assets of the Portfolio
may be represented by any one investment, no more than 70% by any two
investments, no more than 80% by any three investments, and no more than 90% by
any four investments. For this purpose, all securities of the same issuer are
considered a single investment, but each U.S. agency or instrumentality is
treated as a separate issuer. If a Portfolio fails to comply with these
regulations, the contracts invested in that Portfolio will not be treated as
annuity, endowment or life insurance contracts for tax purposes.

     Portfolio Distributions. It is the policy of each Portfolio to distribute
to its shareholders substantially all of its ordinary income and net long-term
capital gains realized during each fiscal year. All distributions are reinvested
in shares of a Portfolio at net asset value unless the transfer agent is
instructed otherwise.


                                       17

<PAGE>


   
Distributions by each Portfolio are taxable, if at all, to the separate accounts
of Participating Insurance Companies or plans, and not to contract or policy
holders or plan participants. Each separate account or plan will include
distributions in its taxable income in the year in which they are received
(whether paid in cash or reinvested).

     Summary. The foregoing discussion of Federal income tax consequences is
based on tax laws and regulations in effect on the date of this Prospectus, and
is subject to change by legislative or administrative action. The foregoing
discussion also assumes that the separate accounts or plans are the owners of
the shares and that policies or contracts qualify as life insurance policies or
annuities, respectively, under the Code. If either of the foregoing requirements
are not met then the contract or policy holders will be treated as recognizing
income prior to actual receipt of monies under the contracts or policies. The
foregoing discussion is for general information only; a more detailed discussion
of Federal income tax considerations is contained in the Statement of Additional
Information. In addition, contract or policy holders or plan participants must
consult the Separate Account Prospectuses and statements of additional
information of their respective contracts or policies or plan documents for
information concerning the Federal income tax consequences of owning such
investments.
    

                   OTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PORTFOLIOS

ADMINISTRATOR

     Chase acts as the Portfolios' administrator and is entitled to receive a
fee computed daily and paid monthly at an annual rate equal to 0.05% of each
Portfolio's average daily net assets.

SUB-ADMINISTRATOR AND DISTRIBUTOR

     Vista Fund Distributors, Inc. ("VFD") acts as the Portfolios'
sub-administrator and distributor. VFD is a subsidiary of the BISYS Group, Inc.
and is unaffiliated with Chase. For the sub-administrative services it provides
VFD is entitled to receive a fee from each Portfolio at an annual rate equal to
0.15% of the Portfolios' average daily net assets. VFD has agreed to use a
portion of this fee to pay for certain expenses incurred in connection with
organizing new series of the Trust and certain other ongoing expenses of the
Trust. VFD is located at 101 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10178.


CUSTODIAN

     Chase acts as custodian for the Portfolios and receives  compensation under
an agreement with the Trust. Chase may sub-contract for the provision of certain
services.   In  addition,   portfolio   securities  and  cash  may  be  held  by
sub-custodian  banks if such  arrangements  are  reviewed  and  approved  by the
Trustees. 


   
TRANSFER AGENT

      DST Systems, Inc. acts as the transfer agent for the Portfolios and
receives compensation under an agreement with the Trust. DST is located at 210
W. 10th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.
    

EXPENSES

     Each Portfolio pays the expenses incurred in its operations, including its
pro rata share of expenses of the Trust. These expenses include investment
advisory and administrative fees; the compensation of the Trustees; registration
fees; interest charges; taxes; expenses connected with the execution, recording
and settlement of security transactions; fees and expenses of the Portfolios'
custodian for all services to the Portfolios, including safekeeping of funds and
securities and maintaining required books and accounts; expenses of preparing
and mailing reports to investors and to government offices and commissions;
expenses of meetings of investors; fees and expenses of independent accountants,
of legal counsel and of any transfer agent, registrar or dividend disbursing
agent of the Trust; insurance premiums; and expenses of calculating the net
asset value of, and the net income on, shares of the Portfolio. Service
providers to a Portfolio may, from time to time, voluntarily waive all or a
portion of any fees to which they are entitled.


                                       18

<PAGE>


ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

   
      The Portfolios are portfolios of Mutual Fund Variable Annuity Trust, an
open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business
trust in 1994 (the "Trust"). The Trust has reserved the right to create and
issue additional series and classes. Each share of a series or class represents
an equal proportionate interest in that series or class with each other share of
that series or class. The shares of each series or class participate equally in
the earnings, dividends and assets of the particular series or class. Shares
have no pre-emptive or conversion rights. Shares when issued are fully paid and
non-assessable, except as set forth below. Shareholders are entitled to one vote
for each whole share held, and each fractional share shall be entitled to a
proportionate fractional vote, except that Trust shares held in the treasury of
the Trust shall not be voted.
    

     The business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the general
direction and supervision of the Trust's Board of Trustees. The Trust is not
required to hold annual meetings of shareholders but will hold special meetings
of shareholders of all series or classes when in the judgment of the Trustees it
is necessary or desirable to submit matters for a shareholder vote. The Trustees
will promptly call a meeting of shareholders to remove a trustee(s) when
requested to do so in writing by record holders of not less than 10% of all
outstanding shares of the Trust.

     Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a business trust may, under
certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
obligations. However, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on
account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both
inadequate insurance existed and the Trust itself was unable to meet its
obligations.

   
     The separate accounts of Participating Insurance Companies and the trustees
of the qualified plans invested in the Portfolios, rather than individual
contract owners or plan participants, are the shareholders of the Portfolios.
However, each Participating Insurance Company or qualified plan will vote such
shares as required by law and interpretations thereof, as amended or changed
from time to time. Under current law, a Participating Insurance Company is
required to request voting instructions from its contract owners and must vote
portfolio shares held by each of its separate accounts in proportion to the
voting instructions received. Additional information about voting procedures is
contained in the applicable contract prospectus or plan documents.

     Each Portfolio sells its shares only to certain qualified retirement plans
and to variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of
insurance companies that are unaffiliated with Chase and that may be
unaffiliated with one another. The Portfolios currently do not foresee any
disadvantages to individual contract owners or plan participants arising out of
the fact that each Portfolio offers its shares to such entities. Nevertheless,
the Board of Trustees intends to monitor events in order to identify any
material irreconcilable conflicts that may arise and to determine what action,
if any, should be taken in response to such conflicts. If a conflict occurs, the
Trustees may require one or more insurance company separate accounts or plans to
withdraw its investments in one or more of the Portfolios and to substitute
shares of another Portfolio. As a result, a Portfolio may be forced to sell
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 shares of any Portfolio if such action is
required by law or regulatory authority or is deemed by the Portfolio to be in
the best interests of the shareholders of the Portfolio.
    

                                       19

<PAGE>


                              SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES

   
      Shareholder inquiries should be directed to your Participating Insurance
Company or qualified retirement plan trustee or the Trust at 1-800-____.
    


                                       20

<PAGE>


   
                                  STATEMENT OF
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                DECEMBER 29, 1997
    


                       MUTUAL FUND VARIABLE ANNUITY TRUST

                         INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
                            CAPITAL GROWTH PORTFOLIO
                           GROWTH AND INCOME PORTFOLIO
                           ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
                        U.S. GOVERNMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO
                             MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO

                    101 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10178

         This Statement of Additional Information sets forth information which
may be of interest to investors but which is not necessarily included in the
Prospectus offering shares of the Portfolios. This Statement of Additional
Information should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus offering shares of
the International Equity Portfolio, Capital Growth Portfolio, Growth and Income
Portfolio and Asset Allocation Portfolio (collectively the "Equity Portfolios"),
and the U.S. Government Income Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio
(collectively the "Income Portfolios"). Any references to a "Prospectus" in this
Statement of Additional Information is a reference to the foregoing Prospectus.

This Statement of Additional Information is NOT a prospectus and is authorized
for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or accompanied by an
effective prospectus.


   
THE PROSPECTUS CONCISELY SETS FORTH INFORMATION THAT A PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR
SHOULD KNOW BEFORE INVESTING. FOR A COPY OF THE PROSPECTUS DATED DECEMBER 29,
1997, CONTACT YOUR PARTICIPATING INSURANCE COMPANY OR QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN
TRUSTEE OR THE TRUST AT 1-800-____.
    



<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                -----------------

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

THE TRUST .................................................................    3
                                                                             
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS ......................................    3
                                                                             
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ...................................................   21
                                                                             
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE ..........................................   22
                                                                             
TAX MATTERS ...............................................................   23
                                                                             
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST AND THE PORTFOLIOS ................................   27
                                                                             
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ...................................................   35
                                                                             
CERTAIN REGULATORY MATTERS ................................................   35

GENERAL INFORMATION .......................................................   36
                                                                             
APPENDIX A                                                                 

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS
ISSUED OR GUARANTEED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES OR INSTRUMENTALITIES .............................................  A-1

APPENDIX B

DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS ....................................................  B-1

                                       2

<PAGE>



                                    THE TRUST

   
          The Mutual Fund Variable Annuity Trust (the "Trust"), organized as a
Massachusetts business trust on April 14, 1994, is an open-end management
investment company. The Trust presently consists of six separate portfolios (the
"Portfolios"). Shares of the Trust are issued and redeemed only in connection
with investments in and payments under variable annuity contracts and variable
life insurance contracts issued by life insurance companies ("Participating
Insurance Companies"), as well as to certain qualified retirement plans.
    


         The Board of Trustees of the Trust provides broad supervision over the
affairs of the Trust, including the Portfolios. The Chase Manhattan Bank
("Chase") is the investment adviser (the "Adviser") for each Portfolio. Chase
Asset Management, Inc. ("CAM"), an investment adviser subsidiary of Chase, is
the sub-investment adviser to the Portfolios, other than the International
Equity Portfolio. Chase Asset Management (London) Limited ("CAM London"), a
registered investment adviser, is the sub-investment adviser to the
International Equity Portfolio. Chase also serves as the Trust's administrator
(the "Administrator") and supervises the overall administration of the Trust,
including the Portfolios.


         Effective as of December 27, 1996, U.S. Treasury Income Portfolio was
renamed U.S. Government Income Portfolio.



                      INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS

                               Investment Policies

         The Prospectus sets forth the various investment policies of each
Portfolio. The following information supplements and should be read in
conjunction with the related sections of the Prospectus. For descriptions of the
securities ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard &
Poor's Corporation ("S&P") and Fitch Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch"), see
Appendix B.

         U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government Securities include (1) U.S.
Treasury obligations, which generally differ only in their interest rates,
maturities and times of issuance, including: U.S. Treasury bills (maturities of
one year or less), U.S. Treasury notes (maturities of one to ten years) and U.S.
Treasury bonds (generally maturities of greater than ten years); and (2)
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and
instrumentalities which are supported by any of the following: (a) the full
faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, (b) the right of the issuer to borrow any
amount listed to a specific line of credit from the U.S. Treasury, (c)
discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations
of the U.S. Government agency or instrumentality or (d) the credit of the agency
or instrumentality. Agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government
include but are not limited to: Federal Land Banks, Federal Financing Banks,
Banks for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Farm Credit Banks,
Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal
National Mortgage Association, Student Loan Marketing Association, United States
Postal Service, Chrysler Corporate Loan Guarantee Board, Small Business
Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority and any other enterprise established
or sponsored by the U.S. Government. Certain U.S. Government Securities,
including U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds, Government National Mortgage
Association certificates and Federal Housing Administration debentures, are
supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Other U.S.
Government Securities are issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or government
sponsored enterprises and are not supported by the full faith and credit of the
United States. These securities include obligations that are supported by the
right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as obligations of the
Federal Home Loan Banks, and obligations that are supported by the
creditworthiness of the particular instrumentality, such as obligations of the
Federal National Mortgage Association or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
For a description of certain obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government
agencies and instrumentalities, see Appendix A.

         In addition, certain U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities
issue specialized types of securities, such as guaranteed notes of the Small
Business Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Defense,
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Private Export Funding Corporation, which often
provide higher yields than are


<PAGE>

                                        4


available from the more common types of government-backed instruments. However,
such specialized instruments may only be available from a few sources, in
limited amounts, or only in very large denominations; they may also require
specialized capability in portfolio servicing and in legal matters related to
government guarantees. While they may frequently offer attractive yields, the
limited-activity markets of many of these securities means that, if a Portfolio
were required to liquidate any of them, it might not be able to do so
advantageously; accordingly, each Portfolio invests in such securities normally
to hold such securities to maturity or pursuant to repurchase agreements, and
would treat such securities (including repurchase agreements maturing in more
than seven days) as illiquid for purposes of its limitation on investment in
illiquid securities.

         Bank Obligations. Investments in bank obligations are limited to those
of U.S. banks (including their foreign branches) which have total assets at the
time of purchase in excess of $1 billion and the deposits of which are insured
by either the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and foreign banks (including their
U.S. branches) having total assets in excess of $10 billion (or the equivalent
in other currencies), and such other U.S. and foreign commercial banks which are
judged by the advisers to meet comparable credit standing criteria.

         Bank obligations include negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers'
acceptances, fixed time deposits and deposit notes. A certificate of deposit is
a short-term negotiable certificate issued by a commercial bank against funds
deposited in the bank and is either interest-bearing or purchased on a discount
basis. A bankers' acceptance is a short-term draft drawn on a commercial bank by
a borrower, usually in connection with an international commercial transaction.
The borrower is liable for payment as is the bank, which unconditionally
guarantees to pay the draft at its face amount on the maturity date. Fixed time
deposits are obligations of branches of United States banks or foreign banks
which are payable at a stated maturity date and bear a fixed rate of interest.
Although fixed time deposits do not have a market, there are no contractual
restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in the deposit to a
third party. Fixed time deposits subject to withdrawal penalties and with
respect to which a Portfolio cannot realize the proceeds thereon within seven
days are deemed "illiquid" for purposes of its restriction on investments in
illiquid securities. Deposit notes are notes issued by commercial banks which
generally bear fixed rates of interest and typically have original maturities
ranging from eighteen months to five years.

         Banks are subject to extensive governmental regulations that may limit
both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments that may be
made and the interest rates and fees that may be charged. The profitability of
this industry is largely dependent upon the availability and cost of capital
funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money
market conditions. Also, general economic conditions play an important part in
the operations of this industry and exposure to credit losses arising from
possible financial difficulties of borrowers might affect a bank's ability to
meet its obligations. Bank obligations may be general obligations of the parent
bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific
obligations or by government regulation. Investors should also be aware that
securities of foreign banks and foreign branches of United States banks may
involve foreign investment risks in addition to those relating to domestic bank
obligations.

         Depositary Receipts. A Portfolio will limit its investment in
Depositary Receipts not sponsored by the issuer of the underlying security to no
more than 5% of the value of its net assets (at the time of investment). A
purchaser of an unsponsored Depositary Receipt may not have unlimited voting
rights and may not receive as much information about the issuer of the
underlying securities as with a sponsored Depositary Receipt.

         ECU Obligations. The specific amounts of currencies comprising the ECU
may be adjusted by the Council of Ministers of the European Community to reflect
changes in relative values of the underlying currencies. The Trustees do not
believe that such adjustments will adversely affect holders of ECU-denominated
securities or the marketability of such securities.

         Supranational Obligations. Supranational organizations, include
organizations such as the World Bank, which was chartered to finance development
projects in developing member countries; the European Community, which is a
multinational organization engaged in cooperative economic activities; the
European Coal and Steel Community, which is an economic union of various
European nations' steel and coal industries; and the Asian


<PAGE>

                                        5


Development Bank, which is an international development bank established to lend
funds, promote investment and provide technical assistance to member nations of
the Asian and Pacific regions.

         Corporate Reorganizations. In general, securities that are the subject
of a tender or exchange offer or proposal sell at a premium to their historic
market price immediately prior to the announcement of the offer or proposal. The
increased market price of these securities may also discount what the stated or
appraised value of the security would be if the contemplated action were
approved or consummated. These investments may be advantageous when the discount
significantly overstates the risk of the contingencies involved; significantly
undervalues the securities, assets or cash to be received by shareholders of the
prospective portfolio company as a result of the contemplated transaction; or
fails adequately to recognize the possibility that the offer or proposal may be
replaced or superseded by an offer or proposal of greater value. The evaluation
must appraise not only the value of the issuer and its component businesses as
well as the assets or securities to be received as a result of the contemplated
transaction, but also the financial resources and business motivation of the
offeror as well as the dynamics of the business climate when the offer or
proposal is in progress. Investments in reorganization securities may tend to
increase the turnover ratio of a Portfolio and increase its brokerage and other
transaction expenses.

         Warrants and Rights. Warrants basically are options to purchase equity
securities at a specified price for a specific period of time. Their prices do
not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities. Rights
are similar to warrants but normally have a shorter duration and are distributed
directly by the issuer to shareholders. Rights and warrants have no voting
rights, receive no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of
the issuer.

         Commercial Paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from
1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to
finance their current operations. A variable amount master demand note (which is
a type of commercial paper) represents a direct borrowing arrangement involving
periodically fluctuating rates of interest under a letter agreement between a
commercial paper issuer and an institutional lender pursuant to which the lender
may determine to invest varying amounts.

         The commercial paper and other short-term obligations of U.S. and
foreign corporations which may be purchased by the Money Market Portfolio, other
than those of bank holding companies, include obligations which are (i) rated
Prime-1 by Moody's, A-1 by S&P, or F-1 by Fitch, or comparably rated by another
national statistical rating organization ("NRO"); or (ii) determined by the
advisers to be of comparable quality to those rated obligations which may be
purchased by the Money Market Portfolio at the date of purchase or which at the
date of purchase have an outstanding debt issue rated in the highest rating
category by Moody's, S&P, Fitch or another NRO. The commercial paper and other
short-term obligations of U.S. bank holding companies which may be purchased by
the Money Market Portfolio include obligations issued or guaranteed by bank
holding companies with total assets exceeding $1 billion. For purposes of the
size standards with respect to banks and bank holding companies, "total
deposits" and "total assets" are determined on an annual basis by reference to
an institution's then most recent annual financial statements.

   
         Repurchase Agreements. A Portfolio will enter into repurchase
agreements only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System and securities
dealers believed creditworthy, and only if fully collateralized by securities in
which the Portfolio is permitted to invest. Under the terms of a typical
repurchase agreement, a Portfolio would acquire an underlying instrument for a
relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to an
obligation of the seller to repurchase the instrument and the Portfolio to
resell the instrument at a fixed price and time, thereby determining the yield
during the Portfolio's holding period. This procedure results in a fixed rate of
return insulated from market fluctuations during such period. A repurchase
agreement is subject to the risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the
security. Repurchase agreements are considered under the 1940 Act to be loans
collateralized by the underlying securities. All repurchase agreements entered
into by a Portfolio will be fully collateralized at all times during the period
of the agreement in that the value of the underlying security will be at least
equal to 100% of the amount of the loan, including the accrued interest thereon,
and the Portfolio or its custodian or sub-custodian will have possession of the
collateral, which the Board of Trustees believes will give it a valid, perfected
security interest in the collateral. Whether a repurchase agreement is the
purchase and sale of a security or a collateralized loan has not been
conclusively established. This might become an issue in the event of
    


<PAGE>

                                        6


the bankruptcy of the other party to the transaction. In the event of default by
the seller under a repurchase agreement construed to be a collateralized loan,
the underlying securities would not be owned by the Portfolio, but would only
constitute collateral for the seller's obligation to pay the repurchase price.
Therefore, a Portfolio may suffer time delays and incur costs in connection with
the disposition of the collateral. The Board of Trustees believes that the
collateral underlying repurchase agreements may be more susceptible to claims of
the seller's creditors than would be the case with securities owned by the
Portfolio. Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days are treated as
illiquid for purposes of the Portfolios' restrictions on purchases of illiquid
securities. Repurchase agreements are also subject to the same risks described
below with respect to stand-by commitments.

         Reverse Repurchase Agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements involve
the sale of securities held by a Portfolio with an agreement to repurchase the
securities at an agreed upon price and date. The repurchase price is generally
equal to the original sales price plus interest. Reverse repurchase agreements
are usually for seven days or less and cannot be repaid prior to their
expiration dates. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market
value of the portfolio securities transferred may decline below the price at
which the Portfolio is obliged to purchase the securities. A Portfolio retains
record ownership and the right to receive interest and principal payments on the
portfolio security involved. The Money Market Portfolio will enter into such
transactions only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or securities
dealers believed creditworthy.

         Forward Commitments. In order to invest a Portfolio's assets
immediately, while awaiting delivery of securities purchased on a forward
commitment basis, short-term obligations that offer same-day settlement and
earnings will normally be purchased. When a commitment to purchase a security on
a forward commitment basis is made, procedures are established consistent with
the General Statement of Policy of the Securities and Exchange Commission
concerning such purchases. Since that policy currently recommends that an amount
of the respective Portfolio's assets equal to the amount of the purchase be held
aside or segregated to be used to pay for the commitment, a separate account of
the Portfolio consisting of cash, cash equivalents or high quality debt
securities equal to the amount of the Portfolio's commitments to purchase
"when-issued" or "forward delivery" securities will be established at the
Portfolio's custodian bank. For the purpose of determining the adequacy of the
securities in the account, the deposited securities will be valued at market
value. If the market value of such securities declines, additional cash, cash
equivalents or highly liquid securities will be placed in the account daily so
that the value of the account will equal the amount of such commitments by the
respective Portfolio.

         Although it is not intended that such purchases would be made for
speculative purposes, purchases of securities on a forward commitment basis may
involve more risk than other types of purchases. Securities purchased on a
forward commitment basis and the securities held in the respective Portfolio's
portfolio are subject to changes in value based upon the public's perception of
the issuer and changes, real or anticipated, in the level of interest rates.
Purchasing securities on a forward commitment basis can involve the risk that
the yields available in the market when the delivery takes place may actually be
higher or lower than those obtained in the transaction itself. On the settlement
date of the forward commitment transaction, the respective Portfolio will meet
its obligations from then available cash flow, sale of securities held in the
separate account, sale of other securities or, although it would not normally
expect to do so, from sale of the forward commitment securities themselves
(which may have a value greater or lesser than the Portfolio's payment
obligations). The sale of securities to meet such obligations may result in the
realization of capital gains or losses.

         To the extent a Portfolio engages in forward commitment transactions,
it will do so for the purpose of acquiring securities consistent with its
investment objective and policies and not for the purpose of investment
leverage, and settlement of such transactions will be within 90 days from the
trade date.

         Floating and Variable Rate Securities; Participation Certificates.
Floating and variable rate demand instruments permit the holder to demand
payment upon a specified number of days' notice of the unpaid principal balance
plus accrued interest either from the issuer or by drawing on a bank letter of
credit, a guarantee or insurance issued with respect to such instrument. While
there is usually no established secondary market for issues of these types of
securities, the dealer that sells an issue of such security frequently will also
offer to repurchase the securities at any time at a repurchase price which
varies and may be more or less than the amount the holder paid for them.


<PAGE>

                                        7


The floating or variable rate demand instruments in which the Money Market
Portfolio may invest are payable on demand on not more than seven calendar days'
notice.

         The terms of these types of securities commonly provide that interest
rates are adjustable at intervals ranging from daily to up to six months and the
adjustments are based upon the prime rate of a bank or other short-term rates,
such as Treasury Bills or LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate), as provided in
the respective instruments. A Portfolio will decide which variable rate
securities to purchase in accordance with procedures prescribed by Board of
Trustees of the Trust in order to minimize credit risks.

         In the case of the Money Market Portfolio, the Board of Trustees may
determine that an unrated floating or variable rate security meets the
Portfolio's high quality criteria if it is backed by a letter of credit or
guarantee or is insured by an insurer that meets such quality criteria, or on
the basis of a credit evaluation of the underlying obligor. If the credit of the
obligor is of "high quality," no credit support from a bank or other financial
institution will be necessary. The Board of Trustees will re-evaluate each
unrated floating or variable rate security on a quarterly basis to determine
that it continues to meet the Money Market Portfolio's high quality criteria. If
an instrument is ever deemed to fall below the Money Market Portfolio's high
quality standards, either it will be sold in the market or the demand feature
will be exercised.

         The securities in which the Money Market Portfolio may be invested
include participation certificates issued by a bank, insurance company or other
financial institution in securities owned by such institutions or affiliated
organizations ("Participation Certificates"). A Participation Certificate gives
the Money Market Portfolio an undivided interest in the security in the
proportion that the Portfolio's participation interest bears to the total
principal amount of the security and generally provides the demand feature
described below. Each Participation Certificate is backed by an irrevocable
letter of credit or guaranty of a bank (which may be the bank issuing the
Participation Certificate, a bank issuing a confirming letter of credit to that
of the issuing bank, or a bank serving as agent of the issuing bank with respect
to the possible repurchase of the Participation Certificate) or insurance policy
of an insurance company that the Board of Trustees of the Trust has determined
meets the prescribed quality standards for the Money Market Portfolio.

         The Money Market Portfolio may have the right to sell the Participation
Certificate back to the institution and draw on the letter of credit or
insurance on demand after the prescribed notice period, for all or any part of
the full principal amount of the Portfolio's participation interest in the
security, plus accrued interest. The institutions issuing the Participation
Certificates would retain a service and letter of credit fee and a fee for
providing the demand feature, in an amount equal to the excess of the interest
paid on the instruments over the negotiated yield at which the Participation
Certificates were purchased by the Portfolio. The total fees generally range
from 5% to 15% of the applicable prime rate or other short-term rate index. With
respect to insurance, the Money Market Portfolio will attempt to have the issuer
of the participation certificate bear the cost of any such insurance, although
the Portfolio retains the option to purchase insurance if deemed appropriate.
Obligations that have a demand feature permitting the Portfolio to tender the
obligation to a foreign bank may involve certain risks associated with foreign
investment. The Portfolio's ability to receive payment in such circumstances
under the demand feature from such foreign banks may involve certain risks such
as future political and economic developments, the possible establishment of
laws or restrictions that might adversely affect the payment of the bank's
obligations under the demand feature and the difficulty of obtaining or
enforcing a judgment against the bank.

         The advisers have been instructed by the Board of Trustees to monitor
on an ongoing basis the pricing, quality and liquidity of the floating and
variable rate securities held by the Portfolios, including Participation
Certificates, on the basis of published financial information and reports of the
rating agencies and other bank analytical services to which the Portfolios may
subscribe. Although these instruments may be sold by a Portfolio, it is intended
that they be held until maturity.

         Past periods of high inflation, together with the fiscal measures
adopted to attempt to deal with it, have seen wide fluctuations in interest
rates, particularly "prime rates" charged by banks. While the value of the
underlying floating or variable rate securities may change with changes in
interest rates generally, the floating or variable rate nature of the underlying
floating or variable rate securities should minimize changes in value of the
instruments.


<PAGE>

                                        8


Accordingly, as interest rates decrease or increase, the potential for capital
appreciation and the risk of potential capital depreciation is less than would
be the case with a portfolio of fixed income securities. A Portfolio's portfolio
may contain floating or variable rate securities on which stated minimum or
maximum rates, or maximum rates set by state law, limit the degree to which
interest on such variable rate securities may fluctuate; to the extent it does,
increases or decreases in value may be somewhat greater than would be the case
without such limits. Because the adjustment of interest rates on the variable
rate securities is made in relation to movements of the applicable banks' "prime
rates" or other short-term rate adjustment indices, the floating or variable
rate securities are not comparable to long-term fixed rate securities.
Accordingly, interest rates on the floating or variable rate securities may be
higher or lower than current market rates for fixed rate obligations of
comparable quality with similar maturities.

         The maturity of variable rate securities is deemed to be the longer of
(i) the notice period required before a Portfolio is entitled to receive payment
of the principal amount of the security upon demand or (ii) the period remaining
until the security's next interest rate adjustment. With respect to the Money
Market Portfolio, the maturity of a variable rate demand instrument will be
determined in the same manner for purposes of computing the Portfolio's
dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity.

         Zero Coupon, Payment-in-Kind and Stripped Obligations. The principal
and interest components of United States Treasury bonds with remaining
maturities of longer than ten years are eligible to be traded independently
under the Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities
("STRIPS") program. Under the STRIPS program, the principal and interest
components are separately issued by the United States Treasury at the request of
depository financial institutions, which then trade the component parts
separately. The interest component of STRIPS may be more volatile than that of
United States Treasury bills with comparable maturities.

         Zero coupon obligations are sold at a substantial discount from their
value at maturity and, when held to maturity, their entire return, which
consists of the amortization of discount, comes from the difference between
their purchase price and maturity value. Because interest on a zero coupon
obligation is not distributed on a current basis, the obligation tends to be
subject to greater fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates than
are ordinary interest-paying securities with similar maturities. The value of
zero coupon obligations appreciates more than such ordinary interest-paying
securities during periods of declining interest rates and depreciates more
during periods of rising interest rates. Under the stripped bond rules of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, investments by a Portfolio in zero
coupon obligations will result in the accrual of interest income on such
investments in advance of the receipt of the cash corresponding to such income.

         Zero coupon securities may be created when a dealer deposits a U.S.
Treasury or federal agency security with a custodian and then sells the coupon
payments and principal payment that will be generated by this security
separately. Proprietary receipts, such as Certificates of Accrual on Treasury
Securities, Treasury Investment Growth Receipts and generic Treasury Receipts,
are examples of stripped U.S. Treasury securities separated into their component
parts through such custodial arrangements.

         Payment-in-kind ("PIK") bonds are debt obligations which provide that
the issuer thereof may, at its option, pay interest on such bonds in cash or in
the form of additional debt obligations. Such investments benefit the issuer by
mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service, but also require a higher
rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of such
cash. Such investments experience greater volatility in market value due to
changes in interest rates than debt obligations which provide for regular
payments of interest. A Portfolio will accrue income on such investments for tax
and accounting purposes, as required, which is distributable to shareholders and
which, because no cash is received at the time of accrual, may require the
liquidation of other portfolio securities to satisfy the Portfolio's
distribution obligations.

         Illiquid Securities. As a matter of nonfundamental policy, the
Portfolios may invest up to 15% (10% in the case of the Money Market Portfolio)
of their respective total assets in illiquid securities, including repurchase
agreements maturing in more than seven days and fixed time deposits subject to
withdrawal penalties having notice periods of more than seven days.


<PAGE>

                                        9


         For purposes of its limitation on investments in illiquid securities,
each Portfolio may elect to treat as liquid, in accordance with procedures
established by the Board of Trustees, certain investments in restricted
securities for which there may be a secondary market of qualified institutional
buyers as contemplated by Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act") and commercial obligations issued in reliance on the
so-called "private placement" exemption from registration afforded by Section
4(2) of the Securities Act ("Section 4(2) paper"). Rule 144A provides an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the
resale of certain restricted securities to qualified institutional buyers.
Section 4(2) paper is restricted as to disposition under the federal securities
laws, and generally is sold to institutional investors such as a Portfolio which
agrees that it is purchasing the paper for investment and not with a view to
public distribution. Any resale of Section 4(2) paper by the purchaser must be
in an exempt transaction.

         One effect of Rule 144A and Section 4(2) is that certain restricted
securities may now be liquid, though there is no assurance that a liquid market
for Rule 144A securities or Section 4(2) paper will develop or be maintained.
The Trustees have adopted policies and procedures for the purpose of determining
whether securities that are eligible for resale under Rule 144A and Section 4(2)
paper are liquid or illiquid for purposes of the limitation on investment in
illiquid securities. Pursuant to those policies and procedures, the Trustees
have delegated to the advisers the determination as to whether a particular
instrument is liquid or illiquid, requiring that consideration be given to,
among other things, the frequency of trades and quotes for the security, the
number of dealers willing to sell the security and the number of potential
purchasers, dealer undertakings to make a market in the security, the nature of
the security and the time needed to dispose of the security. The Trustees will
periodically review the Portfolio's purchases and sales of Rule 144A securities
and Section 4(2) paper.

         Stand-By Commitments. In a put transaction, a Portfolio acquires the
right to sell a security at an agreed upon price within a specified period prior
to its maturity date, and a stand-by commitment entitles a Portfolio to same-day
settlement and to receive an exercise price equal to the amortized cost of the
underlying security plus accrued interest, if any, at the time of exercise.
Stand-by commitments are subject to certain risks, which include the inability
of the issuer of the commitment to pay for the securities at the time the
commitment is exercised, the fact that the commitment is not marketable by a
Portfolio, and that the maturity of the underlying security will generally be
different from that of the commitment.

   
         Tender Option Floating or Variable Rate Certificates. The Money Market
Portfolio may invest in tender option bonds. A tender option bond is a synthetic
floating or variable rate security issued when long term bonds are purchased in
the secondary market and are then deposited into a trust. Custodial receipts are
then issued to investors, such as the Money Market Portfolio, evidencing
ownership interests in the trust. The trust sets a floating or variable rate on
a daily or weekly basis which is established through a remarketing agent. These
types of instruments, to be money market eligible under Rule 2a-7, must have a
liquidity facility in place which provides additional comfort to the investors
in case the remarketing fails. The sponsor of the trust keeps the difference
between the rate on the long term bond and the rate on the short term floating
or variable rate security.

         Securities Loans. To the extent specified in the Prospectus, each
Portfolio is permitted to lend its securities to broker-dealers and other
institutional investors in order to generate additional income. Such loans of
portfolio securities may not exceed 30% of the value of the Portfolio's total
assets. In connection with such loans, a Portfolio will receive collateral
consisting of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities or irrevocable
letters of credit issued by financial institutions. Such collateral will be
maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current
market value plus accrued interest of the securities loaned. A Portfolio can
increase its income through the investment of such collateral. A Portfolio
continues to be entitled to the interest payable or any dividend-equivalent
payments received on a loaned security and, in addition, to receive interest on
the amount of the loan. However, the receipt of any dividend-equivalent payments
by a Portfolio on a loaned security from the borrower will not qualify for the
dividends-received deduction. Such loans will be terminable at any time upon
specified notice. A Portfolio might experience risk of loss if the institutions
with which they have engaged in portfolio loan transactions breach their
agreements with such Portfolio. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as
with other extensions of secured credit, consist of possible delays in receiving
additional collateral or in the recovery of the securities or possible loss of
rights in the collateral should the borrower experience financial difficulty.
Loans will
    


<PAGE>

                                       10


be made only to firms deemed by the advisers to be of good standing and will not
be made unless, in the judgment of the advisers, the consideration to be earned
from such loans justifies the risk.


        Additional Policies Regarding Derivative and Related Transactions

         Introduction. As explained more fully below, the Equity Portfolios and
the U.S. Government Income Portfolio may employ derivative and related
instruments as tools in the management of portfolio assets. Put briefly, a
"derivative" instrument may be considered a security or other instrument which
derives its value from the value or performance of other instruments or assets,
interest or currency exchange rates, or indexes. For instance, derivatives
include futures, options, forward contracts, structured notes and various
over-the-counter instruments.

         Like other investment tools or techniques, the impact of using
derivatives strategies or similar instruments depends to a great extent on how
they are used. Derivatives are generally used by portfolio managers in three
ways: First, to reduce risk by hedging (offsetting) an investment position.
Second, to substitute for another security particularly where it is quicker,
easier and less expensive to invest in derivatives. Lastly, to speculate or
enhance portfolio performance. When used prudently, derivatives can offer
several benefits, including easier and more effective hedging, lower transaction
costs, quicker investment and more profitable use of portfolio assets. However,
derivatives also have the potential to significantly magnify risks, thereby
leading to potentially greater losses for a Portfolio.

         Each of the Portfolios may invest their assets in derivative and
related instruments subject only to their respective investment objectives and
policies and the requirement that the Portfolio maintain segregated accounts
consisting of liquid assets, such as cash, U.S. Government securities, or other
high-grade debt obligations (or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter
into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under such
instruments with respect to positions where there is no underlying portfolio
asset so as to avoid leveraging the Portfolio.

         The value of some derivative or similar instruments in which a
Portfolio invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing
interest rates or other economic factors, and -- like other investments of the
Portfolios -- the ability of a Portfolio to successfully utilize these
instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the advisers to forecast
interest rates and other economic factors correctly. If the advisers incorrectly
forecast such factors and have taken positions in derivative or similar
instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, a Portfolio could be exposed
to the risk of a loss. The Portfolios might not employ any or all of the
strategies described herein, and no assurance can be given that any strategy
used will succeed.

         Set forth below is an explanation of the various derivatives strategies
and related instruments the Portfolios may employ along with risks or special
attributes associated with them. This discussion is intended to supplement the
Portfolios' current Prospectus as well as provide useful information to
prospective investors.

         Risk Factors. As explained more fully below and in the discussions of
particular strategies or instruments, there are a number of risks associated
with the use of derivatives and related instruments. There can be no guarantee
that there will be a correlation between price movements in a hedging vehicle
and in the portfolio assets being hedged. An incorrect correlation could result
in a loss on both the hedged assets in a Portfolio and the hedging vehicle so
that the portfolio return might have been greater had hedging not been
attempted. This risk is particularly acute in the case of "cross-hedges" between
currencies. The advisers may incorrectly forecast interest rates, market values
or other economic factors in utilizing a derivatives strategy. In such a case,
the Portfolio may have been in a better position had it not entered into such
strategy. Hedging strategies, while reducing risk of loss, can also reduce the
opportunity for gain. In other words, hedging usually limits both potential
losses as well as potential gains. Strategies not involving hedging may increase
the risk to a Portfolio. Certain strategies, such as yield enhancement, can have
speculative characteristics and may result in more risk to a Portfolio than
hedging strategies using the same instruments. There can be no assurance that a
liquid market will exist at a time when a Portfolio seeks to close out an
option, futures contract or other derivative or related position. Many exchanges
and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in option or
futures contract prices during a single day; once the daily limit has been


<PAGE>

                                       11



reached on a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price
beyond that limit. In addition, certain instruments are relatively new and
without a significant trading history. As a result, there is no assurance that
an active secondary market will develop or continue to exist. Finally,
over-the-counter instruments typically do not have a liquid market. Lack of a
liquid market for any reason may prevent a Portfolio from liquidating an
unfavorable position. Activities of large traders in the futures and securities
markets involving arbitrage, "program trading," and other investment strategies
may cause price distortions in these markets. In certain instances, particularly
those involving over-the-counter transactions, forward contracts, foreign
exchanges or foreign boards of trade, there is a greater potential that a
counterparty or broker may default or be unable to perform on its commitments.
In the event of such a default, a Portfolio may experience a loss. In
transactions involving currencies, the value of the currency underlying an
instrument may fluctuate due to many factors, including economic conditions,
interest rates, governmental policies and market forces.

                          Specific Uses and Strategies

         Set forth below are explanations of various strategies involving
derivatives and related instruments which may be used by the Equity Portfolios
and the U.S. Government Income Portfolio.

         Options on Securities, Securities Indexes, Currencies and Debt
Instruments. A Portfolio may PURCHASE, SELL or EXERCISE call and put options on
(i) securities, (ii) securities indexes, and (iii) debt instruments.

         Although in most cases these options will be exchange-traded, the
Portfolios may also purchase, sell or exercise over-the-counter options.
Over-the-counter options differ from exchange-traded options in that they are
two-party contracts with price and other terms negotiated between buyer and
seller. As such, over-the-counter options generally have much less market
liquidity and carry the risk of default or nonperformance by the other party.

         One purpose of purchasing put options is to protect holdings in an
underlying or related security against a substantial decline in market value.
One purpose of purchasing call options is to protect against substantial
increases in prices of securities the Portfolio intends to purchase pending its
ability to invest in such securities in an orderly manner. A Portfolio may also
use combinations of options to minimize costs, gain exposure to markets or take
advantage of price disparities or market movements. For example, a Portfolio may
sell put or call options it has previously purchased or purchase put or call
options it has previously sold. These transactions may result in a net gain or
loss depending on whether the amount realized on the sale is more or less than
the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put or call option which is
sold. A Portfolio may write a call or put option in order to earn the related
premium from such transactions. Prior to exercise or expiration, an option may
be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of a similar option. The
Portfolios will not write uncovered options.

         In addition to the general risk factors noted above, the purchase and
writing of options involve certain special risks. During the option period, a
Portfolio writing a covered call (i.e., where the underlying securities are held
by the Portfolio) has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the
opportunity to profit from a price increase in the underlying securities above
the exercise price, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the
underlying securities decline. The writer of an option has no control over the
time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the
option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect
a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the
option and must deliver the underlying securities at the exercise price.

         If a put or call option purchased by a Portfolio is not sold when it
has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security, in the
case of a put, remains equal to or greater than the exercise price or, in the
case of a call, remains less than or equal to the exercise price, such Portfolio
will lose its entire investment in the option. Also, where a put or call option
on a particular security is purchased to hedge against price movements in a
related security, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than
the price of the related security. There can be no assurance that a liquid
market will exist when a Portfolio seeks to close out an option position.
Furthermore, if trading restrictions or suspensions are imposed on the options
markets, a Portfolio may be unable to close out a position.


<PAGE>

                                       12


         Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A Portfolio may
purchase or sell (i) interest-rate futures contracts, (ii) futures contracts on
specified instruments or indices, and (iii) options on these futures contracts
("futures options").

         The futures contracts and futures options may be based on various
instruments or indices in which the Portfolios may invest such as foreign
currencies, certificates of deposit, Eurodollar time deposits, securities
indices, economic indices (such as the Consumer Price Indices compiled by the
U.S. Department of Labor).

         Futures contracts and futures options may be used to hedge portfolio
positions and transactions as well as to gain exposure to markets. For example,
a Portfolio may sell a futures contract -- or buy a futures option -- to protect
against a decline in value, or reduce the duration, of portfolio holdings.
Likewise, these instruments may be used where a Portfolio intends to acquire an
instrument or enter into a position. For example, a Portfolio may purchase a
futures contract -- or buy a futures option -- to gain immediate exposure in a
market or otherwise offset increases in the purchase price of securities or
currencies to be acquired in the future. Futures options may also be written to
earn the related premiums.

         When writing or purchasing options, the Portfolios may simultaneously
enter into other transactions involving futures contracts or futures options in
order to minimize costs, gain exposure to markets, or take advantage of price
disparities or market movements. Such strategies may entail additional risks in
certain instances. The Portfolios may engage in cross-hedging by purchasing or
selling futures or options on a security or currency different from the security
or currency position being hedged to take advantage of relationships between the
two securities or currencies.

         Investments in futures contracts and options thereon involve risks
similar to those associated with options transactions discussed above. The
Portfolios will only enter into futures contracts or options or futures
contracts which are traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange or board of trade, or
similar entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system.

         Forward Contracts. A Portfolio may use foreign currency and
interest-rate forward contracts for various purposes as described below.

         Foreign currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short
periods of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply and
demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in
different countries, actual or perceived changes in interest rates and other
complex factors, as seen from an international perspective. A Portfolio that may
invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies may, in addition to
buying and selling foreign currency futures contracts and options on foreign
currencies and foreign currency futures, enter into forward foreign currency
exchange contracts to reduce the risks or otherwise take a position in
anticipation of changes in foreign exchange rates. A forward foreign currency
exchange contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency
at a future date, which may be a fixed number of days from the date of the
contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract.
By entering into a forward foreign currency contract, a Portfolio "locks in" the
exchange rate between the currency it will deliver and the currency it will
receive for the duration of the contract. As a result, a Portfolio reduces its
exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will deliver and increases
its exposure to changes in the value of the currency it will exchange into. The
effect on the value of a Portfolio is similar to selling securities denominated
in one currency and purchasing securities denominated in another. Transactions
that use two foreign currencies are sometimes referred to as "cross- hedges."

         A Portfolio may enter into these contracts for the purpose of hedging
against foreign exchange risk arising from the Portfolio's investments or
anticipated investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies. A
Portfolio may also enter into these contracts for purposes of increasing
exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency
fluctuations from one country to another.


<PAGE>
                                       13

         A Portfolio may also use forward contracts to hedge against changes in
interest-rates, increase exposure to a market or otherwise take advantage of
such changes. An interest-rate forward contract involves the obligation to
purchase or sell a specific debt instrument at a fixed price at a future date.

         Interest Rate and Currency Transactions. A Portfolio may employ
currency and interest rate management techniques, including transactions in
options (including yield curve options), futures, options on futures, forward
foreign currency exchange contracts, currency options and futures and currency
and interest rate swaps. The aggregate amount of a Portfolio's net currency
exposure will not exceed the total net asset value of its portfolio. However, to
the extent that a Portfolio is fully invested while also maintaining currency
positions, it may be exposed to greater combined risk.

         The Portfolios will only enter into interest rate and currency swaps on
a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Portfolio
receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two
payments. Interest rate and currency swaps do not involve the delivery of
securities, the underlying currency, other underlying assets or principal.
Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate and currency swaps
is limited to the net amount of interest or currency payments that a Portfolio
is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate or
currency swap defaults, a Portfolio's risk of loss consists of the net amount of
interest or currency payments that the Portfolio is contractually entitled to
receive. Since interest rate and currency swaps are individually negotiated, the
Portfolios expect to achieve an acceptable degree of correlation between their
portfolio investments and their interest rate or currency swap positions.

         A Portfolio may hold foreign currency received in connection with
investments in foreign securities when it would be beneficial to convert such
currency into U.S. dollars at a later date, based on anticipated changes in the
relevant exchange rate.

         A Portfolio may purchase or sell without limitation as to a percentage
of its assets forward foreign currency exchange contracts when the advisers
anticipate that the foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value, but
securities denominated in that currency do not present attractive investment
opportunities and are not held by such Portfolio. In addition, a Portfolio may
enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to protect
against adverse changes in future foreign currency exchange rates. A Portfolio
may engage in cross-hedging by using forward contracts in one currency to hedge
against fluctuations in the value of securities denominated in a different
currency if its advisers believe that there is a pattern of correlation between
the two currencies. Forward contracts may reduce the potential gain from a
positive change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign
currencies. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer
overall performance for a Portfolio than if it had not entered into such
contracts. The use of foreign currency forward contracts will not eliminate
fluctuations in the underlying U.S. dollar equivalent value of the prices of or
rates of return on a Portfolio's foreign currency denominated portfolio
securities and the use of such techniques will subject the Portfolio to certain
risks.

         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. In
addition, a Portfolio may not always be able to enter into foreign currency
forward contracts at attractive prices, and this will limit a Portfolio's
ability to use such contract to hedge or cross-hedge its assets. Also, with
regard to a Portfolio's use of cross-hedges, there can be no assurance that
historical correlations between the movement of certain foreign currencies
relative to the U.S. dollar will continue. Thus, at any time poor correlation
may exist between movements in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies
underlying a Portfolio's cross-hedges and the movements in the exchange rates of
the foreign currencies in which the Portfolio's assets that are the subject of
such cross-hedges are denominated.

         A Portfolio may enter into interest rate and currency swaps to the
maximum allowed limits under applicable law. A Portfolio will typically use
interest rate swaps to shorten the effective duration of its portfolio. Interest
rate swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio with another party of their
respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of fixed
rate payments for floating rate payments. Currency swaps involve the exchange of
their respective rights to make or receive payments in specified currencies.


<PAGE>
                                       14

         Mortgage-Related Securities. A Portfolio may purchase mortgage-backed
securities -- i.e., securities representing an ownership interest in a pool of
mortgage loans issued by lenders such as mortgage bankers, commercial banks and
savings and loan associations. Mortgage loans included in the pool -- but not
the security itself -- may be insured by the Government National Mortgage
Association or the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Federal
National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the
Veterans Administration. Mortgage-backed securities provide investors with
payments consisting of both interest and principal as the mortgages in the
underlying mortgage pools are paid off. Although providing the potential for
enhanced returns, mortgage-backed securities can also be volatile and result in
unanticipated losses.

         The average life of a mortgage-backed security is likely to be
substantially less than the original maturity of the mortgage pools underlying
the securities. Prepayments of principal by mortgagors and mortgage foreclosures
will usually result in the return of the greater part of the principal invested
far in advance of the maturity of the mortgages in the pool. The actual rate of
return of a mortgage-backed security may be adversely affected by the prepayment
of mortgages included in the mortgage pool underlying the security.

         A Portfolio may also invest in securities representing interests in
collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), real estate mortgage investment
conduits ("REMICs") and in pools of certain other asset-backed bonds and
mortgage pass-through securities. Like a bond, interest and prepaid principal
are paid, in most cases, monthly. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage
loans but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage
pass-through securities guaranteed by the U.S. Government, or U.S.
Government-related, entities, and their income streams.

         CMOs are structured into multiple classes, each bearing a different
stated maturity. Actual maturity and average life will depend upon the
prepayment experience of the collateral. Monthly payment of principal received
from the pool of underlying mortgages, including prepayments, is allocated to
different classes in accordance with the terms of the instruments, and changes
in prepayment rates or assumptions may significantly affect the expected average
life and value of a particular class.

         REMICs include governmental and/or private entities that issue a fixed
pool of mortgages secured by an interest in real property. REMICs are similar to
CMOs in that they issue multiple classes of securities. REMICs issued by private
entities are not U.S. Government securities and are not directly guaranteed by
any government agency. They are secured by the underlying collateral of the
private issuer.

         The advisers expect that governmental, government-related or private
entities may create mortgage loan pools and other mortgage-related securities
offering mortgage pass-through and mortgage-collateralized investments in
addition to those described above. The mortgages underlying these securities may
include alternative mortgage instruments, that is, mortgage instruments whose
principal or interest payments may vary or whose terms to maturity may differ
from customary long-term fixed-rate mortgages. A Portfolio may also invest in
debentures and other securities of real estate investment trusts. As new types
of mortgage-related securities are developed and offered to investors, the
Portfolios may consider making investments in such new types of mortgage-related
securities.

       Dollar Rolls. Under a mortgage "dollar roll," a Portfolio sells
mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously
contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity)
securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, a Portfolio
forgoes principal and interest paid on the mortgage-backed securities. A
Portfolio is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and
the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the
"drop") as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial
sale. A Portfolio may only enter into covered rolls. A "covered roll" is a
specific type of dollar roll for which there is an offsetting cash position
which matures on or before the forward settlement date of the dollar roll
transaction. At the time a Portfolio enters into a mortgage "dollar roll", it
will establish a segregated account with its custodian bank in which it will
maintain cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid high grade debt
obligations equal in value to its obligations in respect of dollar rolls, and
accordingly, such dollar rolls will not be considered borrowings. Mortgage
dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the
Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the
repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities under a mortgage dollar
roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Portfolio's use of proceeds
of the dollar roll may be restricted pending a determination by the other party,
or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Portfolio's obligation to
repurchase the securities.

         Asset-Backed Securities. Each Portfolio, including the Money Market
Portfolio, may invest in asset-backed securities, including conditional sales
contracts, equipment lease certificates and equipment trust certificates. The
advisers expects that other asset-backed securities (unrelated to mortgage
loans) will be offered to investors in the future. Several types of asset-backed
securities already exist, including, for example, "Certificates for Automobile
ReceivablesSM" or CARSSM ("CARS"). CARS represent undivided fractional interests
in a trust whose assets consist of a pool of motor vehicle retail installment
sales contracts and security interests in the vehicles securing the contracts.
Payments of principal and interest on CARS are passed-through monthly to
certificate holders, and are guaranteed up to certain amounts and for a certain
time period by a letter of credit issued by a financial institution unaffiliated
with the trustee or originator of the CARS trust. An investor's return on CARS
may be affected by early prepayment of principal on the underlying vehicle sales
contracts. If the letter of credit is exhausted, the CARS trust may be prevented
from realizing the full amount due on a sales contract because of state law
requirements and restrictions relating to foreclosure sales of vehicles and the
obtaining of deficiency judgments following such sales or because of
depreciation, damage or loss of a vehicle, the application of federal and state
bankruptcy and

<PAGE>
                                       15


insolvency laws, the failure of servicers to take appropriate steps to perfect
the CARS trust's rights in the underlying loans and the servicer's sale of such
loans to bona fide purchasers, giving rise to interests in such loans superior
to those of the CARS trust, or other factors. As a result, certificate holders
may experience delays in payments or losses if the letter of credit is
exhausted. A Portfolio also may invest in other types of asset-backed
securities. In the selection of other asset-backed securities, the advisers will
attempt to assess the liquidity of the security giving consideration to the
nature of the security, the frequency of trading in the security and the overall
nature of the marketplace for the security.

         Structured Products. A Portfolio may invest in interests in entities
organized and operated solely for the purpose of restructuring the investment
characteristics of certain other investments. This type of restructuring
involves the deposit with or purchase by an entity, such as a corporation or
trust, or specified instruments (such as commercial bank loans) and the issuance
by that entity of one or more classes of securities ("structured products")
backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash
flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued
structured products to create securities with different investment
characteristics such as varying maturities, payment priorities and interest rate
provisions, and the extent of the payments made with respect to structured
products is dependent on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying
instruments. A Portfolio may invest in structured products which represent
derived investment positions based on relationships among different markets or
asset classes.

         A Portfolio may also invest in other types of structured products,
including among others, inverse floaters, spread trades and notes linked by a
formula to the price of an underlying instrument. Inverse floaters have coupon
rates that vary inversely at a multiple of a designated floating rate (which
typically is determined by reference to an index rate, but may also be
determined through a dutch auction or a remarketing agent or by reference to
another security) (the "reference rate"). As an example, inverse floaters may
constitute a class of CMOs with a coupon rate that moves inversely to a
designated index, such as LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) or the Cost of
Funds Index. Any rise in the reference rate of an inverse floater causes an
increase in the coupon rate. A spread trade is an investment position relating
to a difference in the prices or interest rates of two securities where the
value of the investment position is determined by movements in the difference
between the prices or interest rates, as the case may be, of the respective
securities. When a Portfolio invests in notes linked to the price of an
underlying instrument, the price of the underlying security is determined by a
multiple (based on a formula) of the price of such underlying security. A
structured product may be considered to be leveraged to the extent its interest
rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index
rate of interest. Because they are linked to their underlying markets or
securities, investments in structured products generally are subject to greater
volatility than an investment directly in the underlying market or security.
Total return on the structured product is derived by linking return to one or
more characteristics of the underlying instrument. Because certain structured
products of the type in which a Portfolio may invest may involve no credit
enhancement, the credit risk of those structured products generally would be
equivalent to that of the underlying instruments. A Portfolio may invest in a
class of structured products that is either subordinated or unsubordinated to
the right of payment of another class. Subordinated structured products
typically have higher yields and present greater risks than unsubordinated
structured products. Although a Portfolio's purchase of subordinated structured
products would have similar economic effect to that of borrowing against the
underlying securities, the purchase will not be deemed to be leverage for
purposes of a Portfolio's fundamental investment limitation related to borrowing
and leverage.

         Certain issuers of structured products may be deemed to be "investment
companies" as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, a Portfolio's investments in
these structured products may be limited by the restrictions contained in the
1940 Act. Structured products are typically sold in private placement
transactions, and there currently is no active trading market for structured
products. As a result, certain structured products in which a Portfolio invests
may be deemed illiquid and subject to its limitation on illiquid investments.

         Investments in structured products generally are subject to greater
volatility than an investment directly in the underlying market or security. In
addition, because structured products are typically sold in private placement
transactions, there currently is no active trading market for structured
products.


<PAGE>

                                       16


         Additional Restrictions on the Use of Futures and Option Contracts.
None of the Portfolios is a "commodity pool" (i.e., a pooled investment vehicle
which trades in commodity futures contracts and options thereon and the operator
of which is registered with the CFTC), and futures contracts and futures options
will be purchased, sold or entered into only for bona fide hedging purposes,
provided that a Portfolio may enter into such transactions for purposes other
than bona fide hedging purposes, provided that a Portfolio may enter into such
transactions for purposes other that bona fide hedging if, immediately
thereafter, the sum of the amount of its initial margin and premiums on open
contracts and options would not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the
Portfolio's portfolio, provided, further, that, in the case of an option that is
in-the-money, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5%
limitation.

         When a Portfolio purchases a futures contract, an amount of cash or
cash equivalents or high quality debt securities will be deposited in a
segregated account with such Portfolio's custodian or sub-custodian so that the
amount so segregated, plus the initial deposit and variation margin held in the
account of its broker, will at all times equal the value of the futures
contract, thereby insuring that the use of such futures is unleveraged.

         A Portfolio's ability to engage in the hedging transactions described
herein may be limited by the current federal income tax requirement that a
Portfolio derive less than 30% of its gross income from the sale or other
disposition of stock or securities held for less than three months.

                             Investment Restrictions

         The Portfolios have adopted the following investment restrictions which
may not be changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding shares" of
a Portfolio which, as used in this Statement of Additional Information, means
the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the shares of a Portfolio present
at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a
Portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the
outstanding shares of the Portfolio.

         Each Portfolio may not:

                           (1) borrow money, except that each Portfolio may
                  borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes, or by
                  engaging in reverse repurchase transactions, in an amount not
                  exceeding 33-1/3% of the value of its total assets at the time
                  when the loan is made and may pledge, mortgage or hypothecate
                  no more than 1/3 of its net assets to secure such borrowings.
                  Any borrowings representing more than 5% of a Portfolio's
                  total assets must be repaid before the Portfolio may make
                  additional investments;

                           (2) make loans, except that each Portfolio may: (i)
                  purchase and hold debt instruments (including without
                  limitation, bonds, notes, debentures or other obligations and
                  certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and fixed time
                  deposits) in accordance with its investment objectives and
                  policies; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements with respect
                  to portfolio securities; and (iii) lend portfolio securities
                  with a value not in excess of one-third of the value of its
                  total assets;

                           (3) purchase the securities of any issuer (other than
                  securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any
                  of its agencies or instrumentalities, or repurchase agreements
                  secured thereby) if, as a result, more than 25% of the
                  Portfolio's total assets would be invested in the securities
                  of companies whose principal business activities are in the
                  same industry. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) there is no
                  limitation with respect to securities issued by banks, or
                  repurchase agreements secured thereby, (ii) with respect to a
                  Portfolio's permissible futures and options transactions in
                  U.S. government securities, positions in such options and
                  futures shall not be subject to this restriction and (iii) the
                  Money Market Portfolio may invest more than 25% of its total
                  assets in obligations issued by banks, including U.S. banks,
                  and in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
                  Government, its agencies or instrumentalities;


<PAGE>

                                       17


                           (4) purchase or sell physical commodities unless
                  acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other
                  instruments but this shall not prevent a Portfolio from (i)
                  purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from
                  investing in securities or other instruments backed by
                  physical commodities or (ii) engaging in forward purchases or
                  sales of foreign currencies or securities;

                           (5) purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a
                  result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but
                  this shall not prevent a Portfolio from investing in
                  securities or other instruments backed by real estate or
                  securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).
                  Investments by the Portfolio in securities backed by mortgages
                  on real estate or in marketable securities of companies
                  engaged in such activities are not hereby precluded;

                           (6) issue any senior security (as defined in the 1940
                  Act), except that (a) a Portfolio may engage in transactions
                  that may result in the issuance of senior securities to the
                  extent permitted under applicable regulations and
                  interpretations of the 1940 Act or an exemptive order; (b) a
                  Portfolio may acquire other securities, the acquisition of
                  which may result in the issuance of a senior security, to the
                  extent permitted under applicable regulations or
                  interpretations of the 1940 Act; (c) subject to the
                  restrictions set forth above, a Portfolio may borrow money as
                  authorized by the 1940 Act. For purposes of this restriction,
                  collateral arrangements with respect to a Portfolio's
                  permissible options and futures transactions, including
                  deposits of initial and variation margin, are not considered
                  to be the issuance of a senior security; or

                           (7) underwrite securities issued by other persons
                  except insofar as the Portfolio may technically be deemed an
                  underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933 in selling a
                  portfolio security.

         In addition, as a matter of fundamental policy, notwithstanding any
other investment policy or restriction, a Portfolio may seek to achieve its
investment objective by investing all of its investable assets in another
investment company having substantially the same investment objective and
policies as the Portfolio. For purposes of investment restriction (5) above,
real estate includes Real Estate Limited Partnerships. For purposes of
investment restriction (3) above, industrial development bonds, where the
payment of principal and interest is the ultimate responsibility of companies
within the same industry, are grouped together as an "industry." Investment
restriction (3) above, however, is not applicable to investments by a Portfolio
in municipal obligations where the issuer is regarded as a state, city,
municipality or other public authority since such entities are not members of
any "industry." Supranational organizations are collectively considered to be
members of a single "industry" for purposes of restriction (3) above.

         In addition, the Portfolios will be subject to the following
nonfundamental restrictions which may be changed without shareholder approval:

                           (1) Each Portfolio other than the Asset Allocation
                  Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio may not, with respect to
                  50% of its assets, hold more than 10% of the outstanding
                  voting securities of any issuer. Each of the Asset Allocation
                  Portfolio and Money Market Portfolio may not, with respect to
                  75% of its assets, hold more than 10% of the outstanding
                  voting securities of any issuer or invest more than 5% of its
                  assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than
                  obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and
                  instrumentalities).


                           (2) Each Portfolio may not make short sales of
                  securities, other than short sales "against the box" (i.e.,
                  where the Portfolio contemporaneously owns or has the right to
                  obtain at no added cost securities identical to those sold
                  short) or purchase securities on margin except for short-term
                  credit necessary for clearance of portfolio transactions,
                  provided that this restriction will not be applied to limit
                  the use of options, futures contracts and related options, in
                  the manner otherwise permitted by the investment restrictions,
                  policies and investment program of a Portfolio.


                           (3) Each Portfolio may not purchase or sell interests
                  in oil, gas or mineral leases.


<PAGE>

                                       18


                           (4) Each Equity Portfolio and the U.S. Government
                  Income Portfolio may not invest more than 15% of its net
                  assets in illiquid securities; the Money Market Portfolio may
                  not invest more than 10% of its net assets in illiquid
                  securities

                           (5) Each Portfolio may not write, purchase or sell
                  any put or call option or any combination thereof, provided
                  that this shall not prevent (i) with respect to the Growth and
                  Income Portfolio and the Capital Growth Portfolio only, the
                  purchase, ownership, holding or sale of warrants where the
                  grantor of the warrants is the issuer of the underlying
                  securities, (ii) with respect to all of the Portfolios, the
                  writing, purchasing or selling of puts, calls or combinations
                  thereof with respect to portfolio securities or (iii) with
                  respect to a Portfolio's permissible futures and options
                  transactions, the writing, purchasing, ownership, holding or
                  selling of futures and options positions or of puts, calls or
                  combinations thereof with respect to futures.

                           (6) Each Portfolio may invest up to 5% of its total
                  assets in the securities of any one investment company, but
                  may not own more than 3% of the securities of any one
                  investment company or invest more than 10% of its total assets
                  in the securities of other investment companies.


         It is the Trust's position that proprietary strips, such as CATS and
TIGRS (both of which are stripped U.S. Treasury securities separated into their
component parts through custodial arrangements established by their broker
sponsors) are United States Government securities. However, the Trust has been
advised that the staff of the Commission's Division of Investment Management
does not consider these to be United States Government securities, as deemed
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.


         For purposes of the Portfolios' investment restrictions, the issuer of
a tax-exempt security is deemed to be the entity (public or private) ultimately
responsible for the payment of the principal of and interest on the security.

         With respect to the International Equity Portfolio, as a matter of
nonfundamental policy, to the extent permitted under applicable law, the above
restrictions do not apply to the following investments ("OECD investments"): (i)
any security issued by or the payment of principal and interest on which is
guaranteed by the government of any member state of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development ("OECD country"); (ii) any fixed income
security issued in any OECD country by any public or local authority or
nationalized industry or under taking of any OECD country or anywhere in the
world by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European
Investment Bank, Asian Development Bank or any body which is, in the Trustees'
opinion, of similar standing. However, no investment may be made in any OECD
investment of any one issue if that would result in the value of a Portfolio's
holding of that issue exceeding 30% of the net asset value of the Portfolio and,
if the Portfolio's portfolio consists only of OECD investments, those OECD
investments shall be of at least six different issues.

     In order to permit the sale of its shares in certain states, a Portfolio
may make commitments more restrictive than the investment policies and
limitations described above and in the Prospectus. Should a Portfolio determine
that any such commitment is no longer in its best interests, it will revoke the
commitment by terminating sales of its shares in the state involved. In order to
comply with certain regulatory policies, as a matter of operating policy, each
Portfolio will not: (i) invest more than 5% of its assets in companies, which,
including predecessors, have a record of less than three years' continuous
operation, (ii) invest in warrants, valued at the lower of cost or market, in
excess of 5% of the value of its net assets, and no more than 2% of such value
may be warrants which are not listed on the New York or American Stock
Exchanges, (iii) with respect to the Money Market Portfolio, invest for the
purpose of exercising control or management, or (iv) purchase or retain in its
portfolio any securities issued by an issuer any of whose officers, directors,
trustees or security holders is an officer or Trustee of the Trust, or is an
officer or director of the adviser, if after the purchase of the securities of
such issuer by the Portfolio one or more of such persons owns beneficially more
than 1/2 of 1% of the shares or securities, or both, all taken at market value,
of such issuer, and such persons owning more than 1/2 of 1% of such shares or
securities together own beneficially more than 5% of such shares or securities,
or both, all taken at market value.


<PAGE>

                                       19


         If a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets
set forth herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is
effected, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than
actions by a Portfolio will not be considered a violation. If the value of a
Portfolio's holdings of illiquid securities at any time exceeds the percentage
limitation applicable at the time of acquisition due to subsequent fluctuations
in value or other reasons, the Board of Trustees will consider what actions, if
any, are appropriate to maintain adequate liquidity.

                 Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation

         Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for a Portfolio are
made by a portfolio manager who is an employee of the adviser or sub-adviser to
such Portfolio and who is appointed and supervised by senior officers of such
adviser or sub-adviser. Changes in the Portfolios' investments are reviewed by
the Board of Trustees. The portfolio managers may serve other clients of the
advisers in a similar capacity. Money market instruments are generally purchased
in principal transactions; thus, the Money Market Portfolio generally pays no
brokerage commissions.

         The frequency of a Portfolio's portfolio transactions -- the portfolio
turnover rate -- will vary from year to year depending upon market conditions.
Because a high turnover rate may increase transaction costs and the possibility
of taxable short-term gains, the advisers will weigh the added costs of
short-term investment against anticipated gains. Each Portfolio will engage in
portfolio trading if its advisers believe a transaction, net of costs (including
custodian charges), will help it achieve its investment objective. Portfolios
investing in both equity and debt securities apply this policy with respect to
both the equity and debt portions of their portfolios.


   
         For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997, the annual rates of
portfolio turnover for the International Equity Portfolio, Capital Growth
Portfolio, Growth and Income Portfolio, Asset Allocation Portfolio and U.S.
Government Income Portfolio were ___%, __%, __%, ___% and __%, respectively.
    


         For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, the annual rates of
portfolio turnover for the International Equity Portfolio, Capital Growth
Portfolio, Growth and Income Portfolio, Asset Allocation Portfolio and U.S.
Government Income Portfolio were 200%, 107%, 129%, 155% and 83%, respectively.

   
         For the period from March 1, 1995 through August 31, 1995, the annual
rates of portfolio turnover for the International Equity Portfolio, Capital
Growth Portfolio, Growth and Income Portfolio, Asset Allocation Portfolio and
U.S. Government Income Portfolio were 75%, 28%, 32%, 45% and 46%, respectively.
    


         Under the advisory agreement and the sub-advisory agreement and the
sub-advisory agreements, the adviser and sub-advisers shall use their best
efforts to seek to execute portfolio transactions at prices which, under the
circumstances, result in total costs or proceeds being the most favorable to the
Portfolios. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction,
the adviser and sub-advisers consider all factors they deem relevant, including
the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the
financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, research
services provided to the adviser or sub-advisers, and the reasonableness of the
commissions, if any, both for the specific transaction and on a continuing
basis. The adviser and sub-advisers are not required to obtain the lowest
commission or the best net price for any Portfolio on any particular
transaction, and are not required to execute any order in a fashion either
preferential to any Portfolio relative to other accounts they manage or
otherwise materially adverse to such other accounts.

         Debt securities are traded principally in the over-the-counter market
through dealers acting on their own account and not as brokers. In the case of
securities traded in the over-the-counter market (where no stated commissions
are paid but the prices include a dealer's markup or markdown), the adviser or
sub-adviser to a Portfolio normally seeks to deal directly with the primary
market makers unless, in its opinion, best execution is available elsewhere. In
the case of securities purchased from underwriters, the cost of such securities
generally includes a fixed underwriting commission or concession. From time to
time, soliciting dealer fees are available to the adviser or sub-adviser on the
tender of a Portfolio's portfolio securities in so-called tender or exchange
offers. Such soliciting dealer fees are in effect recaptured for the Portfolios
by the adviser and sub-advisers. At present, no other recapture arrangements are
in effect.

         Under the advisory and sub-advisory agreements and as permitted by
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the adviser and
sub-advisers may cause the Portfolios to pay a broker-dealer which provides


<PAGE>

                                       20


brokerage and research services to the adviser and sub-advisers, the Portfolios
and/or other accounts for which they exercise investment discretion an amount of
commission for effecting a securities transaction for the Portfolios in excess
of the amount of the broker-dealers would have charged for the transaction if
they determine in good faith that the total commission is reasonable in relation
to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing
broker-dealer viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or their
overall responsibilities to accounts over which they exercise investment
discretion. Not all of such services are useful or of value in advising the
Portfolios. The adviser and sub-advisers report to the Board of Trustees
regarding overall commissions paid by the Portfolios and their reasonableness in
relation to the benefits to the Portfolios. The term "brokerage and research
services" includes advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of
investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of
securities or of purchasers or sellers of securities, furnishing analyses and
reports concerning issues, industries, securities, economic factors and trends,
portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts, and effecting securities
transactions and performing functions incidental thereto such as clearance and
settlement.

         The management fees that the Portfolios pay to the adviser will not be
reduced as a consequence of the adviser's or sub-advisers' receipt of brokerage
and research services. To the extent the Portfolios' portfolio transactions are
used to obtain such services, the brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolios
will exceed those that might otherwise be paid by an amount which cannot be
presently determined. Such services generally would be useful and of value to
the adviser or sub-advisers in serving one or more of the Portfolios and other
clients and, conversely, such services obtained by the placement of brokerage
business of other clients generally would be useful to the adviser and
sub-advisers in carrying out their obligations to the Portfolios. While such
services are not expected to reduce the expenses of the adviser or sub-advisers,
the advisers would, through use of the services, avoid the additional expenses
which would be incurred if they should attempt to develop comparable information
through their own staffs.

         In certain instances, there may be securities that are suitable for one
or more of the Portfolios as well as one or more of the adviser's or
sub-advisers' other clients. Investment decisions for the Portfolios and for
other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment
objectives. It may develop that the same investment decision is made for more
than one client or that a particular security is bought or sold for only one
client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients.
Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one
or more clients are selling that same security. Some simultaneous transactions
are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same
investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the
investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more Portfolios or
other clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same
security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be
equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a
detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the
Portfolios are concerned. However, it is believed that the ability of the
Portfolios to participate in volume transactions will generally produce better
executions for the Portfolios.

         No portfolio transactions are executed with the advisers or with any
affiliate of the advisers, acting either as principal or as broker.

   
         For the period from March 1, 1995 through August 31, 1995, and the
fiscal years ended August 31, 1996 and 1997, the International Equity Portfolio
paid aggregate brokerage commissions of $48,240, $65,365 and $______,
respectively.

         For the period from March 1, 1995 through August 31, 1995, and the
fiscal years ended August 31, 1996 and 1997, the Capital Growth Portfolio paid
aggregate brokerage commissions of $13,386, $15,336 and $______, respectively.

         For the period from March 1, 1995 through August 31, 1995, and the
fiscal years ended August 31, 1996 and 1997, the Growth and Income Portfolio
paid aggregate brokerage commissions of $28,176, $18,421 and $______,
respectively.

         For the period from March 1, 1995 through August 31, 1995, and the
fiscal years ended August 31, 1996 and 1997, the Asset Allocation Portfolio paid
aggregate brokerage commissions of $4,830, $7,092 and $_____, respectively.
    
<PAGE>


                                       21

                             PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

         From time to time, a Portfolio may use hypothetical investment examples
and performance information in advertisements, shareholder reports or other
communications to shareholders. Because such performance information is based on
past investment results, it should not be considered as an indication or
representation of the performance of any classes of a Portfolio in the future.
From time to time, the performance and yield of classes of a Portfolio may be
quoted and compared to those of other mutual funds with similar investment
objectives, unmanaged investment accounts, including savings accounts, or other
similar products and to stock or other relevant indices or to rankings prepared
by independent services or other financial or industry publications that monitor
the performance of mutual funds. For example, the performance of a Portfolio or
its classes may be compared to data prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.
or Morningstar Mutual Funds on Disc, widely recognized independent services
which monitor the performance of mutual funds. Performance and yield data as
reported in national financial publications including, but not limited to, Money
Magazine, Forbes, Barron's, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, or
in local or regional publications, may also be used in comparing the performance
and yield of a Portfolio or its classes. A Portfolio's performance may be
compared with indices such as the Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond
Index, the Lehman Brothers Government Bond Index, the Lehman Government Bond 1-3
Year Index and the Lehman Aggregate Bond Index; the S&P 500 Index, the Dow Jones
Industrial Average or any other commonly quoted index of common stock prices;
and the Russell 2000 Index and the NASDAQ Composite Index. Additionally, a
Portfolio may, with proper authorization, reprint articles written about such
Portfolio and provide them to prospective shareholders.

         A Portfolio may provide period and average annual "total rates of
return." The "total rate of return" refers to the change in the value of an
investment in a Portfolio over a period (which period shall be stated in any
advertisement or communication with a shareholder) based on any change in net
asset value per share including the value of any shares purchased through the
reinvestment of any dividends or capital gains distributions declared during
such period.

         Unlike some bank deposits or other investments which pay a fixed yield
for a stated period of time, the yields and the net asset values of the classes
of shares of a Portfolio will vary based on market conditions, the current
market value of the securities held by a Portfolio and changes in the
Portfolio's expenses. The advisers, the Administrator, the sub-administrator and
other service providers may voluntarily waive a portion of their fees on a
month-to-month basis. In addition, the sub-administrator may assume a portion of
a Portfolio's operating expenses on a month-to-month basis. These actions would
have the effect of increasing the net income (and therefore the yield and total
rate of return) of the classes of shares of a Portfolio during the period such
waivers are in effect. These factors and possible differences in the methods
used to calculate the yields and total rates of return should be considered when
comparing the yields or total rates of return of the classes of shares of a
Portfolio to yields and total rates of return published for other investment
companies and other investment vehicles (including different classes of shares).

         Advertising or communications to shareholders may contain the views of
the advisers as to current market, economic, trade and interest rate trends, as
well as legislative, regulatory and monetary developments, and may include
investment strategies and related matters believed to be of relevance to a
Portfolio.

<PAGE>

                                       22

                              Total Rate of Return

         A Portfolio's or class' total rate of return for any period will be
calculated by (a) dividing (i) the sum of the net asset value per share on the
last day of the period and the net asset value per share on the last day of the
period of shares purchasable with dividends and capital gains declared during
such period with respect to a share held at the beginning of such period and
with respect to shares purchased with such dividends and capital gains
distributions, by (ii) the public offering price per share on the first day of
such period, and (b) subtracting 1 from the result. The average annual rate of
return quotation will be calculated by (x) adding 1 to the period total rate of
return quotation as calculated above, (y) raising such sum to a power which is
equal to 365 divided by the number of days in such period, and (z) subtracting 1
from the result.

         The Portfolios may also from time to time include in advertisements or
other communications a total return figure that is not calculated according to
the formula set forth above in order to compare more accurately the performance
of a Portfolio with other measures of investment return.

                                Yield Quotations

         Any current "yield" quotation for a class of shares of a Portfolio,
other than the Money Market Portfolio, shall consist of an annualized
hypothetical yield, carried at least to the nearest hundredth of one percent,
based on a thirty calendar day period and shall be calculated by (a) raising to
the sixth power the sum of 1 plus the quotient obtained by dividing the
Portfolio's net investment income earned during the period by the product of the
average daily number of shares outstanding during the period that were entitled
to receive dividends and the maximum offering price per share on the last day of
the period, (b) subtracting 1 from the result, and (c) multiplying the result by
2.

         Any current "yield" for a class of shares of the Money Market Portfolio
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 and shall be calculated by
dividing the net change in the value of an account having a balance of one share
at the beginning of the period by the value of the account at the beginning of
the period and multiplying the quotient by 365/7. For this purpose, the net
change in account value would 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 would not reflect any
realized gains or losses from the sale of securities or any unrealized
appreciation or depreciation on portfolio securities. In addition, any effective
yield quotation for a class of shares of the Money Market Portfolio so used
shall be calculated by compounding the current yield quotation for such period
by multiplying such quotation by 7/365, adding 1 to the product, raising the sum
to a power equal to 365/7, and subtracting 1 from the result.

   
     Because of the charges and deduction imposed by the plans and separate
accounts, the total rate of return and yield realized by plan participants or
owners in the subdivisions of the accounts will be lower than the total rate of
return and yield for the corresponding Portfolio.
    

                        DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE


       As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading every weekday except for the following
holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Since the
International Equity Portfolio invests in securities primarily listed on foreign
exchanges which may trade on Saturdays or other customary United States national
business holidays on which the Portfolio does not price, the Portfolio's
portfolio will trade and the net asset value of the Portfolio's shares may be
significantly affected on days when the investor has no access to the Portfolio.

<PAGE>

                                       23


         The Money Market Portfolio's portfolio securities are valued at their
amortized cost. Amortized cost valuation involves valuing an instrument at its
cost and thereafter at a constant rate to maturity accreting discounts and
amortizing premiums. Pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Board of Trustees has established procedures to stabilize the
net asset value of the Money Market Portfolio at $1.00 per share. These
procedures include a review of the extent of any deviation of net asset value
per share, based on available market rates, from the $1.00 amortized cost price
per share. If fluctuating interest rates cause the market value of the Money
Market Portfolio's portfolio to approach a deviation of more than 1/2 of 1% from
the value determined on the basis of amortized cost, the Board of Trustees will
consider what action, if any, should be initiated. Such action may include
redemption of shares in kind (as described in greater detail below), 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 Money Market Portfolio has established procedures to ensure that
its portfolio securities meet its high quality criteria.

         Equity securities in a Portfolio's portfolio are valued at the last
sale price on the exchange on which they are primarily trade on or on the NASDAQ
National Market System, or at the last quoted bid price for securities in which
there were no sales during the day or for other unlisted (over-the-counter)
securities. Bonds and other fixed income securities (other than short-term
obligations, but including listed issues) in a Portfolio's portfolio are valued
on the basis of valuations furnished by a pricing service, the use of which has
been approved by the Board of Trustees. In making such valuations, the pricing
service utilizes both dealer-supplied valuations and electronic data processing
techniques that take into account appropriate factors such as institutional-size
trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity,
type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data, without exclusive
reliance upon quoted prices or exchange or over-the-counter prices, since such
valuations are believed to reflect more accurately the fair value of such
securities. Short-term obligations which mature in 60 days or less are valued at
amortized cost, which constitutes fair value as determined by the Board of
Trustees. Futures and option contracts that are traded on commodities or
securities exchanges are normally valued at the settlement price on the exchange
on which they are traded. Portfolio securities (other than short-term
obligations) for which there are no such quotations or valuations are valued at
fair value as determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Board of
Trustees.

         Interest income on long-term obligations in a Portfolio's portfolio is
determined on the basis of interest accrued plus amortization of discount
(generally, the difference between issue price and stated redemption price at
maturity) and premiums (generally, the excess of purchase price over stated
redemption price at maturity). Interest income on short-term obligations is
determined on the basis of interest and discount accrued less amortization of
premium.

                                   TAX MATTERS

       The following is only a summary of certain additional tax considerations
generally affecting the Portfolios and their shareholders that are not described
in the Portfolios' Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed
explanation of the tax treatment of the Portfolios or its shareholders, and the
discussions here and in the Portfolios' Prospectus are not intended as
substitutes for careful tax planning.

   
     The holders of the variable insurance or annuity contracts should not be
subject to tax with respect to distributions made on Portfolio shares, assuming
that the variable insurance and annuity contracts qualify under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), as life insurance or annuities,
respectively, and that the separate accounts of Participating Insurance
Companies are treated as the owners of the Portfolio shares. See "Qualifications
of Segregated Asset Accounts." The summary describes tax consequences to the
owner of the Portfolio shares (i.e. the plans or separate accounts), and the
Portfolio itself. It does not describe the tax consequences to a holder of a
life insurance contract or annuity contract as a result of the ownership of such
policies or contracts. Contract or policy holders must consult the prospectuses
of their respective contracts or policies ("Separate Account Prospectuses") for
information concerning the Federal income tax consequences of owning such
contracts or policies.
    

                 Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company

<PAGE>

                                       24


         Each Portfolio has elected to be taxed as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Code. As a regulated investment company, a
Portfolio is not subject to federal income tax on the portion of its net
investment income (i.e., its investment company taxable income, as that term is
defined in the Code, without a deduction for dividends paid) and net capital
gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term
capital losses) that it distributes to shareholders, provided that it
distributes at least 90% of its net investment income for the taxable year (the
"Distribution Requirement"), and satisfies certain other requirements of the
Code that are described below. Distributions by a Portfolio made during the
taxable year or, under specified circumstances, within twelve months after the
close of the taxable year, will be considered distributions of income and gains
of the taxable year and can therefore satisfy the Distribution Requirement.


   
       In addition to satisfying the Distribution Requirement, a regulated
investment company must: (1) derive at least 90% of its gross income from
dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains
from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies
(to the extent such currency gains are directly related to the regulated
investment company's principal business of investing in stock or securities) and
other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or
forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such
stock, securities or currencies (the "Income Requirement"); and for taxable
years beginning on or before August 5, 1997 (2) derive less than 30% of its
gross income (exclusive of certain gains on designated hedging transactions that
are offset by realized or unrealized losses on offsetting positions) from the
sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies (or
options, futures or forward contracts thereon) held for less than three months
(the "Short-Short Gain Test"). Foreign currency gains, including those derived
from options, futures and forwards, will not be characterized as Short-Short
Gain if they are directly related to the regulated investment company's
investments in stock or securities (or options or futures thereon). The
Short-Short Gain test has been repealed for taxable years beginning after August
5, 1997.
    


         In general, gain or loss recognized by a Portfolio on the disposition
of an asset will be a capital gain or loss. However, gain recognized on the
disposition of a debt obligation purchased by a Portfolio at a market discount
(generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as
ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount which
accrued during the period of time the Portfolio held such obligation. In
addition, under the rules of Code Section 988, gain or loss recognized on the
disposition of a debt obligation denominated in a foreign currency or an option
with respect thereto (but only to the extent attributable to changes in foreign
currency exchange rates), and gain or loss recognized on the disposition of a
foreign currency forward contract, futures contract, option or similar financial
instrument, or of foreign currency itself, except for regulated futures
contracts or non-equity options subject to Code Section 1256 (unless a Portfolio
elects otherwise), will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss.

   
       In general, for purposes of determining whether capital gain or loss
recognized by a Portfolio on the disposition of an asset is long-term or
short-term, the holding period of the asset may be affected if (1) the asset is
used to close a "short sale" (which includes for certain purposes the
acquisition of a put option) or is substantially identical to another asset so
used, (2) the asset is otherwise held by the Portfolio as part of a "straddle"
(as defined) or (3) the asset is stock and the Portfolio grants an in-the-money
qualified covered call option with respect thereto. In addition, the Portfolio
may be required to defer the recognition of a loss on the disposition of an
asset held as part of a straddle to the extent of any unrecognized gain on the
offsetting position.


         Any gain recognized by a Portfolio on the lapse of, or any gain or loss
recognized by a Portfolio from a closing transaction with respect to, an option
written by the Portfolio will be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss.
    


<PAGE>

                                       25

   
         Transactions that may be engaged in by a Portfolio (such as regulated
futures contracts, certain foreign currency contracts, and options on stock
indexes and futures contracts) will be subject to special tax treatment as
"Section 1256 contracts." Section 1256 contracts are treated as if they are sold
for their fair market value on the last business day of the taxable year, even
though a taxpayer's obligations (or rights) under such contracts have not
terminated (by delivery, exercise, entering into a closing transaction or
otherwise) as of such date. Any gain or loss recognized as a consequence of the
year-end deemed disposition of Section 1256 contracts is taken into account for
the taxable year together with any other gain or loss that was previously
recognized upon the termination of Section 1256 contracts during the year. Any
capital gain or loss for the taxable year with respect to Section 1256 contracts
(including any capital gain or loss arising as a consequence of the year-end
deemed sale of such contracts) is generally treated as 60% long-term and 40%
short-term capital gain or loss. A Portfolio, however, may elect not to have
this special tax treatment apply to Section 1256 contracts that are part of a
"mixed straddle" with other investments of the Portfolio that are not Section
1256 contracts. 
    

         Each Portfolio may purchase securities of certain foreign investment
funds or trusts which constitute passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs")
for federal income tax purposes. If a Portfolio invests in a PFIC, it may elect
to treat the PFIC as a qualifying electing fund (a "QEF") in which event the
Portfolio will each year have ordinary income and long-term capital gain equal
to its respective pro rata share of the PFIC's ordinary earnings and net capital
gain for the year, regardless of whether the Portfolio receives distributions of
any such ordinary earning or capital gain from the PFIC. If the Portfolio does
not (because it is unable to, chooses not to or otherwise) elect to treat the
PFIC as a QEF, then in general (1) any gain recognized by the Portfolio upon a
sale or other disposition of its interest in the PFIC or any "excess
distribution" (as defined) received by the Portfolio from the PFIC will be
allocated ratably over the Portfolio's holding period of the underlying PFIC
stock, (2) the portion of such gain or excess distribution so allocated to the
year in which the gain is recognized or the excess distribution is received
shall be included in the Portfolio's gross income for such year as ordinary
income (and the distribution of such portion by the Portfolio to the Accounts
will be treated as an ordinary income dividend, but such portion will not be
subject to tax at the Portfolio level), (3) the Portfolio shall be liable for
tax on the portions of such gain or excess distribution so allocated to prior
years in an amount equal to, for each such prior year, (i) the amount of gain or
excess distribution allocated to such prior year multiplied by the highest
corporate tax rate in effect for such prior year plus (ii) interest on the
amount determined under clause (i) for the period from the due date for filing a
return for such prior year until the date for filing a return for the year in
which the gain is recognized or the excess distribution is received at the rates
applicable to underpayments of tax for such period, and (4) the distribution by
the Portfolio to the Accounts of such gain or excess distribution so allocated
to prior years (net of the tax payable by the Portfolio thereon) will again be
treated as the distribution of an ordinary income dividend.

         Under proposed Treasury Regulations (not yet in effect) a Portfolio
will be able to elect to recognize as gain the excess, if any, as of the last
day of its taxable year, of the fair market value of each share of PFIC stock
over the Portfolio's adjusted tax basis in such share ("mark to market gain").
Such gain will be included by a Portfolio as ordinary income and will not be
subject to the Short-Short Gain Test; the Portfolio's holding period with
respect to such PFIC stock will commence on the first day of the next taxable
year. If a Portfolio makes such an election in the first taxable year it holds
PFIC stock, it will not incur the tax described in the previous paragraph.

   
       A Portfolio may enter into notional principal contracts, including
interest rate swaps, caps, floors and collars. Under Treasury Regulations, in
general, the net income or deduction from a notional principal contract for a
taxable year is included in or deducted from gross income for that taxable year.
The net income or deduction from a notional principal contract for a taxable
year equals the total of all of the periodic payments (generally, payments that
are payable or receivable at fixed periodic intervals of one year or less during
the entire term of the contract) that are recognized from that contract for the
taxable year and all of the non-periodic payments (including premiums for caps,
floors and collars) that are recognized from that contract for the taxable year.
No portion of a payment by a party to a notional principal contract is
recognized prior to the first year to which any portion of a payment by the
counterparty relates. A periodic payment is recognized ratably over the period
to which it relates. In general, a non-periodic payment must be recognized over
the term of the notional principal contract in a manner that reflects the
economic substance of the contract. A non-periodic payment that relates to an
interest rate swap, cap, floor or collar shall be recognized over the term of
the contract by allocating it in accordance with the values of a series of
cash-settled forward or option contracts that reflect the specified index and
notional principal amount upon which the notional principal contract is based
under an alternative method contained in the proposed regulations.

       Under recently enacted legislation, a Portfolio must generally recognize
gain (but not loss) upon entering into a "constructive sale" of an appreciated
financial position. A constructive sale of an appreciated financial position is
generally: (1) a short sale of, (2) an offsetting notional principal contract
with respect to, or (3) a forward or futures contract to deliver, the same or
substantially identical property. In the case of such a transaction, a Portfolio
will be treated as having entered into the constructive sale when it acquires
the related long position. To the extent provided in regulations, a constructive
sale will occur if a Portfolio enters into one or more transactions that have
substantially the same effect as the above-described transactions. The
legislation contains certain exceptions from constructive sale treatment,
including an exception for any position which is marked-to-market under any
other provision of the Code. When a constructive sale occurs, a Portfolio will
recognize gain as if the position were sold at its fair market value on the date
of the constructive sale and immediately repurchased. The basis of the property
is adjusted and a new holding period begins on the date of the constructive
sale. Constructive sale treatment does not apply to a transaction that is closed
within 30 days after the end of the taxable year during which the transaction is
entered into. However, if the transaction is closed during the last 90 days of
this period, then the exception will only apply if the Portfolio holds the
appreciated financial position (without reducing the risk of loss with respect
thereto) throughout the 60-day period following the closing of the transaction.
    

         Treasury Regulations permit a regulated investment company, in
determining its investment company taxable income and net capital gain for any
taxable year, to elect (unless it has made a taxable year election for excise
tax purposes as discussed below) to treat all or any part of any net capital
loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net foreign currency loss incurred
after October 31 as if it had been incurred in the succeeding year.

         In addition to satisfying the requirements described above, a Portfolio
must satisfy an asset diversification test in order to qualify as a regulated
investment company. Under this test, at the close of each quarter of its taxable


<PAGE>

                                       26

year, at least 50% of the value of the Portfolio's assets must consist of cash
and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated
investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to which the Portfolio
has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of
such issuer and as to which it does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such issuer), and no more than 25% of the value of its
total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than
U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment
companies), or in two or more issuers which the Portfolio controls and which are
engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses. Generally, an option (call
or put) with respect to a security is treated as issued by the issuer of the
security and not the issuer of the option. For purposes of asset diversification
testing, obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of
the U.S. Government such as the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, the
Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation, a Federal Home Loan Bank,
the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage
Association, the Government National Mortgage Corporation, and the Student Loan
Marketing Association are treated as U.S. Government securities.

         If for any taxable year a Portfolio does not qualify as a regulated
investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain)
will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for
distributions to shareholders, and such distributions will be treated by the
shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Portfolio's current and
accumulated earnings and profits.

                  Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies

         A 4% non-deductible excise tax is imposed on a regulated investment
company that fails to distribute in each calendar year an amount equal to 98% of
ordinary taxable income for the calendar year and 98% of capital gain net income
for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year (or, at the
election of a regulated investment company having a taxable year ending November
30 or December 31, for its taxable year (a "taxable year election")). The
balance of such income must be distributed during the next calendar year.

         Each Portfolio intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed
distributions of its ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income prior
to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for the excise tax. However,
investors should note that a Portfolio may in certain circumstances be required
to liquidate portfolio investments to make sufficient distributions to avoid
excise tax liability.

                   Qualification of Segregated Asset Accounts

         A variable life insurance or annuity contract will not be treated as a
life insurance contract or annuity, respectively, under the Code, if the
segregated asset account upon which such contracts are based is not "adequately
diversified." A segregated asset account will be "adequately diversified" if it
satisfies one of two alternative tests set forth in the Treasury Regulations as
of the end of each calendar quarter (or within 30 days thereafter). First, the
Treasury Regulations provide that a segregated asset account will be adequately
diversified if no more than 55% of the value of its total assets are represented
by any one investment, no more than 70% by any two investments, no more than 80%
by any three investments, and no more than 90% by any four investments. For this
purpose, all securities of the same issuer are considered a single investment,
and each U.S. Government agency and instrumentality is considered a separate
issuer. As a safe harbor, a segregated asset account will be treated as
adequately diversified if the diversification requirements under Subchapter M,
as set forth above, are satisfied and no more than 55% of the value of the
account's total assets are cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S.
Government securities, and securities of other regulated investment companies.
In addition, a segregated asset account with respect to a variable life
insurance contract can also be considered adequately diversified if, instead of
satisfying either of the above-noted tests, the segregated asset account,
excluding U.S. Government securities, satisfies the general diversification
percentages noted above increased by the product of (a) .5 and (b) the
percentage of value of the total assets of the segregated asset account
represented by the Treasury securities. The effect of this special test is that
a segregated asset account is treated as adequately diversified to the extent it
holds securities issued by the U.S. Government.


<PAGE>

                                       27

         For purposes of these diversification tests, a segregated asset account
invested in shares of a regulated investment company will be entitled to
"look-through" the shares of the regulated investment company to its pro rata
portion of the assets of the regulated investment company based on its stock
ownership in the company, provided that the shares of the regulated investment
company are generally held only by insurance companies, certain fund managers,
and trustees of qualified pension or retirement plans (a "Closed Fund").

         If the segregated asset account upon which a variable contract is based
is not treated as "adequately diversified" under the foregoing rules for each
calendar quarter, then (a) the variable contract is not treated as a life
insurance policy or annuity contract under the Code for all subsequent periods
and (b) the holders of such policy or contract must include as ordinary income
the "income on the contract" for each taxable year. The "income on the contract"
is generally the excess of (a) the sum of the increase in net surrender value of
the contract during the taxable year and the cost of the life insurance
protection provided under the contract during the year over (b) the premiums
paid under the contract during the taxable year. In addition, it is also
possible that if the Portfolio does not satisfy the requirements of a Closed
Fund set forth above, the holders of the contracts and annuities, which invest
in the Portfolio through the segregated asset account, will be treated as the
owners of such shares and taxable with respect to distributions paid by the
Portfolio, as described herein.

                             Portfolio Distributions

         Each Portfolio anticipates distributing substantially all of its
investment company taxable income for each taxable year. Such distributions are
generally offset by deductible life insurance reserves and should therefore not
be taxable to the Accounts. Contract or policy holders should consult the
prospectuses of their respective contracts or policies concerning the tax
treatment of the Accounts.


                             MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST


                              Trustees and Officers

         The Trustees and officers of the Trust and their principal occupations
for at least the past five years are set forth below. Their titles may have
varied during that period.


   
         Fergus Reid, III--Chairman of the Trust. Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Lumelite Corporation, since September 1985; Trustee, Morgan Stanley
Funds. Age: 65. Address: 202 June Road, Stamford, CT 06903.

         *H. Richard Vartabedian--Trustee and President of the Trust.
Investment Management Consultant; formerly, Senior Investment Officer,
Division Executive of the Investment Management Division of The Chase Manhattan
Bank, N.A., 1980 through 1991. Age: 61. Address: P.O. Box 296, Beach Road,
Hendrick's Head, Southport, ME 04576.

         William J. Armstrong--Trustee. Vice President and Treasurer,
Ingeroll-Rand Company. Age: 55. Address: 49 Aspen Way, Upper Saddle River, NJ
07458.

         John R.H. Blum--Trustee. Attorney in private practice; formerly,
partner in the law firm of Richards, O'Neil & Allegaert; Commissioner of
Agriculture - State of Connecticut, 1992-1995. Age: 68. Address: 322 Main
Street, Lakeville, CT 06039.

         Stuart W. Cragin, Jr.--Trustee. Retired; formerly President, Fairfield
Testing Laboratory, Inc. He has previously served in a variety of marketing,
manufacturing and general management positions with Union Camp Corp., Trinity
Paper & Plastics Corp., and Conover Industries. Age: 64. Address: 108 Valley
Road, Cos Cob, CT 06807.

         Roland R. Eppley, Jr.--Trustee. Retired: formerly President and Chief
Executive Officer, Eastern States Bankcard Association Inc. (1971-1988);
Director, Janel Hydraulics, Inc.; formerly Director of The Hanover Funds, Inc.
Age: 65. Address: 105 Ceventry Place, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418.

         Joseph J. Harkins--Trustee. Retired; Commercial Sector Executive and
Executive Vice President of The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. from 1985 through
1989. He was employed by Chase in numerous capacities and offices from 1954
through 1989. Director of Blessings Corporation, Jefferson Insurance Company of
New York, Monticello Insurance Company and National. Age: 66. Address: 257
Plantation Circle South, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.
    


<PAGE>

                                       28


   
        *Sarah E. Jones--Trustee. President and Chief Operating Officer of
Chase Mutual Funds Corp.; formerly Managing Director for the Global Asset
Management and Private Banking Division of The Chase Manhattan Bank. Age: 46.
Address: 101 Park Avenue, Suite 15, New York, NY 10178.

         W.D. MacCallan--Trustee. Director of The Adams Express Co. and
Petroleum & Resources Corp.; formerly Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of The Adams Express Co. and Petroleum & Resources Corp.; formerly
Director of The Hanover Funds, Inc. and The Hanover Investment Funds, Inc. Age:
69. Address: 624 East 45th Street, Savannah, GA 31405.

         W. Perry Neff--Trustee. Independent Financial Consultant; Director of
North America Life Assurance Co., Petroleum & Resources Corp. and The Adams
Express Co.; formerly Director and Chairman of The Hanover Funds, Inc.; formerly
Director, Chairman and President of The Hanover Investment Funds, Inc. Age: 70.
Address: RR1 Box 102, Weston, VT 05181.

        *Leonard M. Spalding, Jr.--Trustee. Chief Executive Officer of Chase
Mutual Funds Corp.; formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of Vista
Capital Management and formerly Chief Investment Executive of The Chase
Manhattan Private Bank, Age: 62. Address: 101 Park Avenue, Suite 15, New York,
New York 10178.

         Richard E. Ten Haken--Trustee; Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Formerly District Superintendent of Schools, Monroe No. 2 and Orleans Counties,
New York; Chairman of the Board and President, New York State Teachers'
Retirement System. Age: 63. Address: 4 Barnfield Road, Pittsford, NY 14534.

         Irving L. Thode--Trustee. Retired; formerly Vice President of Quotron
Systems. He has previously served in a number of executive positions with
Control Data Corp., including President of its Latin American Operations, and
General Manager of its Data Services business. Age: 66. Address: 80 Perkins
Road, Greenwich, CT 06830.

         Martin R. Dean--Treasurer. Associate Director, Accounting Services,
BISYS Fund Services; formerly Senior Manager, KPMG Peat Marwick (1987-1994).
Age: 33. Address: 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH 43219.

         W. Anthony Turner--Secretary. Senior Vice President and Regional Client
Executive, BISYS Fund Services; formerly Senior Vice President, First Union
Brokerage Services, Inc. and Senior Vice President, NationsBank. Age: 37.
Address 125 W. 55th Street, New York, NY 10019.

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

*   Asterisks indicate those Trustees that are "interested persons" (as defined
    in the 1940 Act). Mr. Reid is not an interested person of the Trust's
    investment advisers or principal underwriter, but may be deemed an
    interested person of the Trust solely by reason of being Chairman of the
    Trust.


       The Board of Trustees of the Trust presently has an Audit Committee. The
members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Ten Haken (Chairman), Armstrong,
Eppley, MacCallan and Thode. The function of the Audit Committee is to
recommend independent auditors and monitor accounting and financial matters. The
Audit Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997.
    

       The Board of Trustees of the Trust has established an Investment
Committee. The members of the Investment Committee are Messrs. Vartabedian
(Chairman), Reid and Spalding. The function of the Investment Committee is to
review the investment management process of the Trust.

   
         The Trustees and officers of the Trust appearing in the table above
also serve in the same capacities with respect to Mutual Fund Group, Mutual Fund
Trust, Mutual Fund Select Group, Mutual Fund Select Trust, Capital Growth
Portfolio, Growth and Income Portfolio and International Equity Portfolio (these
entities, together with the Trust, are referred to below as the "Vista Funds").
    

            Remuneration of Trustees and Certain Executive Officers:

   
         Each Trustee is reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending each
meeting of the Board of Trustees or any committee thereof. Each Trustee who is
not an affiliate of the advisers is compensated for his or her services
according to a fee schedule which recognizes the fact that each Trustee also
serves as a Trustee of other investment companies advised by the advisers. Each
Trustee receives a fee, allocated among all investment companies for which

<PAGE>

                                       29

the Trustee serves, which consists of an annual retainer component and a meeting
fee component.
    

   
     Set forth below is information regarding compensation paid or accrued
during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997 for each Trustee of the Trust:

                                      International     Capital       Growth and
                                          Equity         Growth         Income  
                                        Portfolio      Portfolio      Portfolio 
                                        ---------      ---------      --------- 
                                                                 
Fergus Reid, III, Trustee
H. Richard Vartabedian, Trustee
William J. Armstrong, Trustee
John R.H. Blum, Trustee
Stuart W. Cragin, Jr., Trustee
Roland R. Eppley, Jr., Trustee
Joseph J. Harkins, Trustee
Sarah E. Jones, Trustee
W.D. MacCallan, Trustee
W. Perry Neff, Trustee
Leonard M. Spalding, Jr., Trustee
Richard E. Ten Haken, Trustee
Irving L. Thode, Trustee

                                                         U.S.    
                                          Asset       Government       Money   
                                        Allocation      Income         Market  
                                        Portfolio      Portfolio      Portfolio 
                                        ---------      ---------      --------- 
                                                                 
Fergus Reid, III, Trustee
H. Richard Vartabedian,  Trustee
William J. Armstrong, Trustee
John R.H. Blum, Trustee
Stuart W. Cragin, Jr., Trustee
Roland R. Eppley, Jr., Trustee
Joseph J. Harkins, Trustee
Sarah E. Jones, Trustee
W.D. MacCallan, Trustee
W. Perry Neff, Trustee
Leonard M. Spalding, Jr., Trustee
Richard E. Ten Haken, Trustee
Irving L. Thode, Trustee


                                      Pension or
                                      Retirement
                                   Benefits Accrued        Total Compensation
                                   as Fund Expenses(1)   from "Fund Complex"(2)
                                   ------------------    ---------------------

Fergus Reid, III, Trustee               $                        
                                                                
H. Richard Vartabedian, Trustee                                  
                                                                
William J. Armstrong, Trustee                                    
                                                                
John R.H. Blum, Trustee                                          
                                                                
Stuart W. Cragin, Jr., Trustee                                   
                                                                
Ronald R. Eppley, Jr., Trustee                                   
                                                                
Joseph J. Harkins, Trustee                                       
                                                                
Sarah E. Jones, Trustee                                          
                                                                
W.D. MacCallan, Trustee                                          
                                                                
W. Perry Neff, Trustee                                           
                                                                
Leonard M. Spalding, Jr., Trustee                                
                                                                
Richard E. Ten Haken, Trustee                                    
                                                                
Irving L. Thode, Trustee                                         
    


<PAGE>

                                       30

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

   
(1)      Data reflects total benefits accrued by the Trust and Mutual Fund Trust
         for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997 and by Mutual Fund Group,
         Capital Growth Portfolio, Growth and Income Portfolio and International
         Equity Portfolio for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997.

(2)      Data reflects total compensation earned during the period January 1,
         1997 to December 31, 1997 for service as a Trustee to all Funds
         advised by the adviser.
    


Vista Funds Retirement Plan for Eligible Trustees

   
         Effective August 21, 1995, the Trustees also instituted a Retirement
Plan for Eligible Trustees (the "Plan") pursuant to which each Trustee (who is
not an employee of any of the Vista Funds, the advisers, administrator or
distributor or any of their affiliates) may be entitled to certain benefits upon
retirement from the Board of Trustees. Pursuant to the Plan, the normal
retirement date is the date on which the eligible Trustee has attained age 65
and has completed at least five years of continuous service with one or more of
the investment companies advised by the adviser (collectively, the "Covered
Funds"). Each Eligible Trustee is entitled to receive from the Covered Funds an
annual benefit commencing on the first day of the calendar quarter coincident
with or following his date of retirement equal to the sum of (i) 8% of the
highest annual compensation received from the Covered Funds multiplied by the
number of such Trustee's years of service (not in excess of 10 years) completed
with respect to any of the Covered Funds and (ii) 4% of the highest annual
compensation received from the Covered Funds for each year of service in excess
of 10 years, provided that no Trustee's annual benefit will exceed the highest
annual compensation received by that Trustee from the Covered Funds. Such
benefit is payable to each eligible Trustee in monthly installments for the life
of the Trustee.

         Set forth below in the table are the estimated annual benefits payable
to an eligible Trustee upon retirement assuming various compensation and years
of service classifications. As of October 31, 1997, the estimated credited
years of service for Messrs. Reid, Ten Haken, Armstrong, Blum, Harkins,
Vartabedian, Cragin, Thode, Neff, Eppley, MacCallan and Spalding and Ms. Jones
are 12, 12, 9, 12, 6, 5, 4, 4, 12, 8, 7, 0 and 0, respectively.


                  Highest Annual Compensation Paid by All Vista Funds
                 ------------------------------------------------------------

                 $60,000       $70,000       $80,000       $90,000   $100,000
      
    Years of
     Service          Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement
     -------          -----------------------------------------

     14          $57,600       $67,200       $76,800       $86,400    $96,000
                                                                               
     12           52,800        61,600        70,400        79,200     88,000
                                                                               
     10           48,000        56,000        64,000        72,000     80,000
                                                                               
      8           38,400        44,800        51,200        57,600     64,000
                                                                               
      6           28,800        33,600        38,400        43,200     48,000
                                                                               
      4           19,200        22,400        25,600        28,800     32,000
                                                                               

         Effective August 21, 1995, the Trustees instituted a Deferred
Compensation Plan for Eligible Trustees (the "Deferred Compensation Plan")
pursuant to which each Trustee (who is not an employee of any of the Funds, the
advisers, administrator or distributor or any of their affiliates) may enter
into agreements with the Funds whereby payment of the Trustee's fees are
deferred until the payment date elected by the Trustee (or the Trustee's
termination of service). The deferred amounts are invested in shares of Vista
funds selected by the Trustee. The deferred amounts are paid out in a lump sum
or over a period of several years as elected by the Trustee at the time of
deferral. If a deferring Trustee dies prior to the distribution of amounts held
in the deferral account, the balance of the deferral account will be distributed
to the Trustee's designated beneficiary in a single lump sum payment as soon as
practicable after such deferring Trustee's death.
    
<PAGE>

                                       31


   
         Messrs. Ten Haken, Thode, Vartabedian and Eppley have each executed a
deferred compensation agreement for the 1997 calendar year and as of October 31,
1997 they had contributed $______, $______, $______ and $______, respectively.
    

         The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust will indemnify its
Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection
with litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the
Trust, unless, as to liability to the Trust or its shareholders, it is finally
adjudicated that they engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in their offices or with
respect to any matter unless it is finally adjudicated that they did not act in
good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in the best interest
of the Trust. In the case of settlement, such indemnification will not be
provided unless it has been determined by a court or other body approving the
settlement or other disposition, or by a reasonable determination based upon a
review of readily available facts, by vote of a majority of disinterested
Trustees or in a written opinion of independent counsel that such officers or
Trustees have not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of their duties.


   
         As of October 31, 1997, the Trustees and officers as a group owned less
than _% of each Portfolio's outstanding shares, all of which were acquired for
investment purposes. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997, the Trust paid
its disinterested Trustees fees and expenses for all of the meetings of the
Board and any committees attended in the aggregate amount of approximately
$_____, which amount was then apportioned between the Portfolios comprising the
Trust.
    


                             Adviser and Sub-Adviser

         Chase acts as investment adviser to the Portfolios pursuant to an
Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of May 6, 1996 (the "Advisory
Agreement"). Subject to such policies as the Board of Trustees may determine,
Chase is responsible for investment decisions for the Portfolios. Pursuant to
the terms of the Advisory Agreement, Chase provides the Portfolios with such
investment advice and supervision as it deems necessary for the proper
supervision of the Portfolios' investments. The advisers continuously provide
investment programs and determine from time to time what securities shall be
purchased, sold or exchanged and what portion of the Portfolios' assets shall be
held uninvested. The advisers to the Portfolios furnish, at their own expense,
all services, facilities and personnel necessary in connection with managing the
investments and effecting portfolio transactions for their Portfolios. The
Advisory Agreement for the Portfolios will continue in effect from year to year
only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board
of Trustees or by vote of a majority of a Portfolio's outstanding voting
securities and by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory
Agreement or interested persons of any such party, at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such Advisory Agreement.

         Under the Advisory Agreement, the adviser may utilize the specialized
portfolio skills of all its various affiliates, thereby providing the Portfolios
with greater opportunities and flexibility in accessing investment expertise.

         Pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the sub-advisers'
agreements with the adviser, the adviser and sub-advisers are permitted to
render services to others. Each advisory agreement is terminable without penalty
by the Trust on behalf of the Portfolios on not more than 60 days', nor less
than 30 days', written notice when authorized either by a majority vote of a
Portfolio's shareholders or by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of
the Trust, or by the adviser or sub-adviser on not more than 60 days', nor less
than 30 days', written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of
its "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act). The advisory agreements provide
that the adviser or sub-adviser under such agreement shall not be liable for any
error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any
investment or for any act or omission in the execution of portfolio transactions
for the respective Portfolio, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties thereunder.

         With respect to the Equity Portfolios, the equity research team of the
adviser looks for two key variables when analyzing stocks for potential
investment by equity portfolios: value and momentum. To undercover these
qualities, the team uses a combination of quantitative analysis, fundamental
research and computer technology to help identify undervalued stocks.


<PAGE>

                                       32


         In the event the operating expenses of the Portfolios, including all
investment advisory, administration and sub-administration fees, but excluding
brokerage commissions and fees, taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses such
as litigation, for any fiscal year exceed the most restrictive expense
limitation applicable to the Portfolios imposed by the securities laws or
regulations thereunder of any state in which the shares of the Portfolios are
qualified for sale, as such limitations may be raised or lowered from time to
time, the adviser shall reduce its advisory fee (which fee is described below)
to the extent of its share of such excess expenses. The amount of any such
reduction to be borne by the adviser shall be deducted from the monthly advisory
fee otherwise payable with respect to the Portfolios during such fiscal year;
and if such amounts should exceed the monthly fee, the adviser shall pay to a
Portfolio its share of such excess expenses no later than the last day of the
first month of the next succeeding fiscal year.

         Under the Advisory Agreement, Chase may delegate a portion of its
responsibilities to a sub-adviser. In addition, the Advisory Agreement provides
that Chase may render services through its own employees or the employees of one
or more affiliated companies that are qualified to act as an investment adviser
of the Portfolio and are under the common control of Chase as long as all such
persons are functioning as part of an organized group of persons, managed by
authorized officers of Chase.

         Chase, on behalf of the Portfolios (except the International Equity
Portfolio), has entered into an investment sub-advisory agreement with Chase
Asset Management, Inc. ("CAM"). With respect to the International Equity
Portfolio, Chase has entered into an investment sub-advisory agreement with
Chase Asset Management (London) Limited ("CAM London"). With respect to the
day-to-day management of the Portfolios, under the sub-advisory agreements, the
sub-advisers make decisions concerning, and place all orders for, purchases and
sales of securities and help maintain the records relating to such purchases and
sales. The sub-advisers may, in their discretion, provide such services through
their own employees or the employees of one or more affiliated companies that
are qualified to act as an investment adviser to the Company under applicable
laws and are under the common control of Chase; provided that (i) all persons,
when providing services under the sub-advisory agreement, are functioning as
part of an organized group of persons, and (ii) such organized group of persons
is managed at all times by authorized officers of the sub-advisers. This
arrangement will not result in the payment of additional fees by the Portfolios.

         Chase, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Chase Manhattan Corporation, a
registered bank holding company, is a commercial bank offering a wide range of
banking and investment services to customers throughout the United States and
around the world. Also included among Chase's accounts are commingled trust
funds and a broad spectrum of individual trust and investment management
portfolios. These accounts have varying investment objectives.

         CAM is a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of the adviser. CAM is
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser
and was formed for the purpose of providing discretionary investment advisory
services to institutional clients and to consolidate Chase's investment
management function, and the same individuals who serve as portfolio managers
for CAM also serve as portfolio managers for Chase.

         CAM London is an indirect wholly-owned operating subsidiary of the
adviser. CAM London is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and is regulated by the Investment Management Regulatory Organization (IMRO) as
an investment adviser and was formed for the purpose of providing discretionary
investment advisory services to institutional clients and to consolidate Chase's
investment management function, and the same individuals who serve as portfolio
managers for CAM London also serve as portfolio managers for Chase.

         In consideration of the services provided by the adviser pursuant to
the Advisory Agreement, the adviser is entitled to receive from each Portfolio
an investment advisory fee computed daily and paid monthly based on a rate equal
to a percentage of such Portfolio's average daily net assets specified in the
Prospectus. However, the adviser may voluntarily agree to waive a portion of the
fees payable to it on a month-to-month basis. For their services under their
sub-advisory agreements, CAM and CAM London will be entitled to receive, with
respect to each such Portfolio, such compensation, payable by the adviser out of
its advisory fee, as is described in the Prospectus.


<PAGE>

                                       33


         For the fiscal years ended August 31, 1995, 1996, and 1997, Chase was
paid or accrued the following investment advisory fees with respect to the
following Portfolios, and voluntarily waived the amounts in parentheses
following such fees with respect to each such period:


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           Fiscal Year-Ended August 31,
                                               ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            1995                         1996                   1997
                                               ------------------------------ --------------------------- -----------------
Portfolio 
- --------- 
                                                  paid/accrued       waived    paid/accrued      waived    paid/accrued    waived   
                                               ----------------- ------------ ---------------  ---------- --------------- ----------
<S>                                               <C>              <C>            <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>     
U.S. Government Income Portfolio                  $13,126          $13,126        $18,220       $18,220       
Growth and Income Portfolio.................       16,671           16,671         35,435        35,435       
Capital Growth Portfolio....................       16,843           16,843         37,336        37,336       
Asset Allocation Portfolio..................       14,637           14,637         22,327        22,327       
International Equity Portfolio..............       21,099           21,099         31,059        31,059       
Money Market Portfolio......................        6,468            6,468          8,923         8,923       
</TABLE>
    
           


                                  Administrator

         Pursuant to an Administration Agreement (the "Administration
Agreement"), Chase is the administrator of each Portfolio. Chase provides
certain administrative services to the Portfolios, including, among other
responsibilities, coordinating the negotiation of contracts and fees with, and
the monitoring of performance and billing of, the Portfolios' independent
contractors and agents; preparation for signature by an officer of the Trust and
Portfolios of all documents required to be filed for compliance by the Trust and
Portfolios with applicable laws and regulations excluding those of the
securities laws of various states; arranging for the computation of performance
data, including net asset value and yield; responding to shareholder inquiries;
and arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Portfolios and
providing, at its own expense, office facilities, equipment and personnel
necessary to carry out its duties. Chase in its capacity as administrator does
not have any responsibility or authority for the management of the Portfolios,
the determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the
distribution of Portfolio shares.

         Under the Administration Agreement, Chase is permitted to render
administrative services to others. The Administration Agreement will continue in
effect from year to year with respect to each Portfolio only if such continuance
is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust
or by vote of a majority of such Portfolio's outstanding voting securities and,
in either case, by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the
Administration Agreements or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act)
of any such party. The Administration Agreement is terminable without penalty by
the Trust on behalf of each Portfolio on 60 days' written notice when authorized
either by a majority vote of such Portfolio's shareholders or by vote of a
majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are
not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or
Portfolios, or by Chase on 60 days' written notice, and will automatically
terminate in the event of their "assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act). The
Administration Agreement also provides that neither Chase nor its personnel
shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or
omission in the administration of the Portfolios, except for willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its or their
duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its or their obligations and duties
under the Administration Agreement.

         In addition, the Administration Agreement provides that, in the event
the operating expenses of any Portfolio, including all investment advisory,
administration and sub-administration fees, but excluding brokerage commissions
and fees, taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses such as litigation, for any
fiscal year exceed the most restrictive expense limitation applicable to that
Portfolio imposed by the securities laws or regulations thereunder of any state
in which the shares of such Portfolio are qualified for sale, as such
limitations may be raised or lowered from time to time, Chase shall reduce its
administration fee (which fee is described below) to the extent of its share of
such excess expenses. The amount of any such reduction to be borne by Chase
shall be deducted from the monthly administration fee otherwise payable to Chase
during such fiscal year; and if such amounts should
<PAGE>
                                       34

exceed the monthly fee, Chase shall pay to such Portfolio its share of such
excess expenses no later than the last day of the first month of the next
succeeding fiscal year.

         In consideration of the services provided by Chase pursuant to the
Administration Agreement, Chase receives from each Portfolio a fee computed
daily and paid monthly at an annual rate equal to 0.05% of each of the
Portfolio's average daily net assets, on an annualized basis for the Portfolio's
then-current fiscal year. Chase may voluntarily waive a portion of the fees
payable to it with respect to each Portfolio on a month-to-month basis.

                          Sub-Administration Agreement

         The Trust has entered into a Sub-Administration Agreement (the
"Sub-Administration Agreement") with Vista Fund Distributors, Inc. ("VFD"),
pursuant to which VFD provides certain administration services, including
providing officers, clerical staff and office space. VFD is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of BISYS Fund Services, Inc. The Sub-Administration Agreement
provides that the Trust will bear the expenses of printing, distributing and
filing prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports used
for sales purposes, and of preparing and printing sales literature and
advertisements. The Trust pays for all of the expenses for qualification of the
shares of each Portfolio for sale in connection with the public offering of such
shares, and all legal expenses in connection therewith. In addition, pursuant to
the Sub-Administration Agreement, VFD provides certain sub-administration
services to the Trust, including providing officers, clerical staff and office
space.

         The Sub-Administration Agreement is currently in effect until November,
1997, and will continue in effect thereafter with respect to each Portfolio only
if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of
Trustees or by vote of a majority of such Portfolio's outstanding voting
securities and, in either case, by a majority of the Trustees who are not
parties to the Sub-Administration Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined
in the 1940 Act) of any such party. The Sub-Administration Agreement is
terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of each Portfolio on 60 days'
written notice when authorized either by a majority vote of such Portfolio's
shareholders or by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust,
including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, or by VFD on 60 days' written notice, and
will automatically terminate in the event of its "assignment" (as defined in the
1940 Act). The Sub-Administration Agreement also provides that neither VFD nor
its personnel shall be liable for any act or omission in the course of, or
connected with, rendering services under the Sub-Administration Agreement,
except for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of its obligations or duties.

         In the event the operating expenses of any Portfolio, including all
investment advisory, administration and sub-administration fees, but excluding
brokerage commissions and fees, taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses such
as litigation, for any fiscal year exceed the most restrictive expense
limitation applicable to that Portfolio imposed by the securities laws or
regulations thereunder of any state in which the shares of such Portfolio are
qualified for sale, as such limitations may be raised or lowered from time to
time, VFD shall reduce its sub-administration fee with respect to such Portfolio
(which fee is described below) to the extent of its share of such excess
expenses. The amount of any such reduction to be borne by VFD shall be deducted
from the monthly sub-administration fee otherwise payable with respect to such
Portfolio during such fiscal year; and if such amounts should exceed the monthly
fee, VFD shall pay to such Portfolio its share of such excess expenses no later
than the last day of the first month of the next succeeding fiscal year.

         In consideration of the sub-administration services provided by VFD
pursuant to the Sub-Administration Agreement, VFD receives an annual fee,
payable monthly, of .15% of the net assets of each Portfolio. VFD may
voluntarily waive a portion of the fees payable to it under the
Sub-Administration Agreement with respect to each Portfolio on a month-to-month
basis.
   
         For the fiscal years ended August 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, Chase and
VFD were paid or accrued the following administration fees and
sub-administration fees and voluntarily waived the amounts in parentheses
following such fees:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Fiscal Year-Ended August 31,
                                                               --------------------------------------------------               
                                                        1995                       1996                           1997          
                                             ------------------------  ----------------------------   -------------------------
Portfolio                                                                                                                       
                                             paid/accrued    waived      paid/accrued     waived       paid/accrued   waived    
                                             ------------  ----------  --------------   -----------    ------------  ----------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>            <C>              <C>          <C>            <C>     
U.S. Government Income Portfolio............  $5,251        $5,251         $ 7,289       $ 7,289        
Growth and Income Portfolio.................   5,557         5,557          11,812        11,812        
Capital Growth Portfolio....................   5,614         5,614          12,445        12,445        
Asset Allocation Portfolio..................   5,322         5,322           8,119         8,119        
International Equity Portfolio..............   5,275         5,275           7,765         7,765        
Money Market Portfolio......................   5,174         5,174           7,139         7,139        
</TABLE>                                                         
                                                                 
<PAGE>

                                       35

   
In addition, certain expenses were borne by the Sub-Administrator for each 
Porfolio for the fiscal years ended August 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997:

                                            Fiscal Year-Ended August 31, 
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                          1995          1996           1997   
                                      -----------  --------------  ----------
U.S. Government Income Portfolio      $ 3,210        $ 10,383        
Growth and Income Portfolio             2,849          16,884        
Capital Growth Portfolio                2,849          16,834        
Asset Allocation Portfolio              1,401          29,444        
International Equity Portfolio         21,524          82,093        
Money Market Portfolio                  5,358          26,505        
                                                                     

                          Transfer Agent and Custodian

       The Trust has entered into a Transfer Agency Agreement with DST Systems,
Inc. ("DST") pursuant to which DST acts as transfer agent for the Trust. DST's
address is 210 West 10th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105. Pursuant to a Custodian
Agreement, Chase acts as the custodian of the assets of each Portfolio for which
Chase receives compensation as is from time to time agreed upon by the Trust and
the Custodian. As custodian, Chase provides oversight and record keeping for the
assets held in the portfolios of each Portfolio. Chase also provides fund
accounting services for the income, expenses and shares outstanding for such
Portfolios. Chase is located at 3 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11245.
    

                             INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

   
       The financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997 for
the Portfolios which appear in this Statement of Additional Information, and the
related financial highlights for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1997 which
appear in the Prospectus have been included herein and in the Prospectus in
reliance on the reports of Price Waterhouse LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York 10036, independent accountants of the Portfolios, given on
the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. Price
Waterhouse LLP provides the Portfolios with audit services, tax return
preparation and assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    

                           CERTAIN REGULATORY MATTERS

     Banking laws, including the Glass-Steagall Act as currently
interpreted, prohibit bank holding companies and their affiliates from
sponsoring, organizing, controlling, or distributing shares of, mutual funds,
and generally prohibit banks from issuing, underwriting, selling or distributing
securities. These laws do not prohibit banks or their affiliates from acting as
investment adviser or administrator. Chase and the Trust believe that Chase
(including its affiliates) may perform the services to be performed by it as
described in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information without
violating such laws. If future changes in these laws or interpretations required
Chase to alter or discontinue any of these services, it is expected that the
Board of Trustees would recommend alternative arrangements and that investors
would not suffer adverse financial consequences. State securities laws may
differ from the interpretations of banking law described above and banks may be
required to register as dealers pursuant to state law.

     Chase and its affiliates may have deposit, loan and other commercial
banking relationships with the issuers of securities purchased on behalf of any
of the Portfolios, including outstanding loans to such issuers which may be
repaid in whole or in part with the proceeds of securities so purchased. Chase
and its affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in U.S.
Government obligations, municipal obligations and commercial paper and are among
the leading dealers of various types of U.S. Government obligations and
municipal obligations. Chase and its affiliates may sell U.S. Government
obligations and municipal obligations to, and purchase them from, other
investment companies sponsored by the Portfolios' distributor or affiliates of
the distributor. Chase will not invest any Portfolio assets in any U.S.
Government obligations, municipal obligations or commercial paper purchased from
itself or any affiliate, although under certain circumstances such securities
may be purchased from other members of an underwriting syndicate in which Chase
or an affiliate is a non-principal member. This restriction may limit the amount
or type of U.S. Government obligations, municipal obligations or commercial
paper available to be purchased by any Portfolio. Chase has informed the
Portfolios that in making its investment decisions, it does not obtain or use
material inside information in the possession of any other division or
department of Chase, including the division that performs services for the Trust
as custodian, or in the possession of any affiliate of Chase. Shareholders of
the Portfolios should be aware that, subject to applicable legal or regulatory
restrictions, Chase and its affiliates may exchange among themselves certain
information about the shareholder and his account. Transactions with affiliated
broker-dealers will only be executed on an agency basis in accordance with
applicable federal regulations.

<PAGE>

                                       36


                               GENERAL INFORMATION

              Description of Shares, Voting Rights and Liabilities

         Mutual Fund Variable Annuity Trust is an open-end, management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1994. The Trust currently consists of six
Portfolios of shares of beneficial interest (par value $0.001 per share). The
Trust has reserved the right to create and issue additional series or classes.
Each share of a series or class represents an equal proportionate interest in
that series or class with each other share of that series or class. The shares
of each series or class participate equally in the earnings, dividends and
assets of the particular series or class. Expenses of the Trust which are not
attributable to a specific series or class are allocated among all the series in
a manner believed by management of the Trust to be fair and equitable. Shares
have no preemptive or conversion rights. Shares when issued are fully paid and
non-assessable, except as set forth below. Shareholders are entitled to one vote
for each share held. Shares of each series or class generally vote together,
except when required under federal securities laws to vote separately on matters
that only affect a particular class, such as the approval of distribution plans
for a particular class. To the extent required by applicable law, shares of the
Portfolios held by Accounts will be voted at meetings of the shareholders of the
Trust in accordance with instructions received from persons having the voting
interest in the Portfolios. Shares for which no instructions have been received
will be voted in the same proportion as shares for which instructions have been
received. The Trust does not hold regular meetings of shareholders.

         The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders but
will hold special meetings of shareholders of a series or class when, in the
judgment of the Trustees, it is necessary or desirable to submit matters for a
shareholder vote. Shareholders have, under certain circumstances, the right to
communicate with other shareholders in connection with requesting a meeting of
shareholders for the purpose of removing one or more Trustees. Shareholders also
have, in certain circumstances, the right to remove one or more Trustees without
a meeting. No material amendment may be made to the Trust's Declaration of Trust
without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of each Portfolio affected by the amendment. Shares have no preemptive or
conversion rights. Shares, when issued, are fully paid-and non-assessable,
except as set forth below. Any series or class may be terminated (i) upon the
merger or consolidation with, or the sale or disposition of all or substantially
all of its assets to, another entity, if approved by the vote of the holders of
two-thirds of its outstanding shares, except that if the Board of Trustees
recommends such merger, consolidation or sale or disposition of assets, the
approval by vote of the holders of a majority of the series' or class'
outstanding shares will be sufficient, or (ii) by the vote of the holders of a
majority of its outstanding shares, or (iii) by the Board of Trustees by written
notice to the series' or class' shareholders. Unless each series and class is so
terminated, the Trust will continue indefinitely.

         Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a business trust may,
under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its
obligations. However, the Trust's Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and
provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Trust
property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Trust. The Trust's Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall
maintain appropriate insurance (for example, fidelity bonding and errors and
omissions insurance) for the protection of the Trust, its shareholders,
Trustees, officers, employees and agents covering possible tort and other
liabilities. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account
of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate
insurance existed and the Trust itself was unable to meet its obligations.

         The Trust's Declaration of Trust further provides that obligations of
the Trust are not binding upon the Trustees individually but only upon the
property of the Trust and that the Trustees will not be liable for any action or
failure to act, errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in
the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to which he
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office.

         The Board of Trustees has adopted a code of ethics addressing personal
securities transactions by investment personnel and access persons and other
related matters. The code has been designated to address potential conflicts


<PAGE>

                                       37


of interest that can arise in connection with the personal trading activities of
such persons. Persons subject to the code are generally permitted to engage in
personal securities transactions, subject to certain prohibitions, pre-clearance
requirements and blackout periods.

                                Principal Holders


   
     As of __________  30, 1997, 100% of each of the Portfolios were
beneficially owned by Variable Annuity Account Two, a separate account of Anchor
National Life Insurance Company and First SunAmerica Life Insurance Company.
    



<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A

                       DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS
                     ISSUED OR GUARANTEED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT
                          AGENCIES OR INSTRUMENTALITIES


         Federal Farm Credit System Notes and Bonds--are bonds issued by a
cooperatively owned nationwide system of banks and associations supervised by
the Farm Credit Administration, an independent agency of the U.S.
Government.  These bonds are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         Maritime Administration Bonds--are bonds issued and provided by the
Department of Transportation of the U.S. Government and are guaranteed by the
U.S. Government.

         FNMA Bonds--are bonds guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage
Association. These bonds are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         FHA Debentures--are debentures issued by the Federal Housing
Administration of the U.S. Government and are guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         FHA Insured Notes--are bonds issued by the Farmers Home Administration
of the U.S. Government and are guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         GNMA Certificates--are mortgage-backed securities which represent a
partial ownership interest in a pool of mortgage loans issued by lenders such as
mortgage bankers, commercial banks and savings and loan associations. Each
mortgage loan included in the pool is either insured by the Federal Housing
Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration and therefore
guaranteed by the U.S. Government. As a consequence of the fees paid to GNMA and
the issuer of GNMA Certificates, the coupon rate of interest of GNMA
Certificates is lower than the interest paid on the VA-guaranteed or FHA-insured
mortgages underlying the Certificates. The average life of a GNMA Certificate is
likely to be substantially less than the original maturity of the mortgage pools
underlying the securities. Prepayments of principal by mortgagors and mortgage
foreclosures may result in the return of the greater part of principal invested
far in advance of the maturity of the mortgages in the pool. Foreclosures impose
no risk to principal investment because of the GNMA guarantee. As the prepayment
rate of individual mortgage pools will vary widely, it is not possible to
accurately predict the average life of a particular issue of GNMA Certificates.
The yield which will be earned on GNMA Certificates may vary from their coupon
rates for the following reasons: (i) Certificates may be issued at a premium or
discount, rather than at par: (ii) Certificates may trade in the secondary
market at a premium or discount after issuance: (iii) interest is earned and
compounded monthly which has the effect of raising the effective yield earned on
the Certificates; and (iv) the actual yield of each Certificate is affected by
the prepayment of mortgages included in the mortgage pool underlying the
Certificates. Principal which is so prepaid will be reinvested although possibly
at a lower rate. In addition, prepayment of mortgages included in the mortgage
pool underlying a GNMA Certificate purchased at a premium could result in a loss
to a Portfolio. Due to the large amount of GNMA Certificates outstanding and
active participation in the secondary market by securities dealers and
investors, GNMA Certificates are highly liquid instruments. Prices of GNMA
Certificates are readily available from securities dealers and depend on, among
other things, the level of market rates, the Certificate's coupon rate and the
prepayment experience of the pool of mortgages backing each Certificate. If
agency securities are purchased at a premium above principal, the premium is not
guaranteed by the issuing agency and a decline in the market value to par may
result in a loss of the premium, which may be particularly likely in the event
of a prepayment. When and if available, U.S. Government obligations may be
purchased at a discount from face value.

         FHLMC Certificates and FNMA Certificates--are mortgage-backed bonds
issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National
Mortgage Association, respectively, and are guaranteed by the U.S. Government.


                                       A-1

<PAGE>


         GSA Participation Certificates--are participation certificates issued
by the General Services Administration of the U.S. Government and are guaranteed
by the U.S. Government.

         New Communities Debentures--are debentures issued in accordance with
the provisions of Title IV of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1 968, as
supplemented and extended by Title VII of the Housing and Urban Development Act
of 1970, the payment of which is guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         Public Housing Bonds--are bonds issued by public housing and urban
renewal agencies in connection with programs administered by the Department of
Housing and Urban Development of the U.S. Government, the payment of which is
secured by the U.S. Government.

         Penn Central Transportation Certificates--are certificates issued by
Penn Central Transportation and guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         SBA Debentures--are debentures fully guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the Small Business Administration of the U.S. Government.

         Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Bonds--are bonds issued
by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Some of the bonds issued
prior to 1993 are guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         FHLMC Bonds--are bonds issued and guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation. These bonds are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         Federal Home Loan Bank Notes and Bonds--are notes and bonds issued by
the Federal Home Loan Bank System and are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         Student Loan Marketing Association ("Sallie Mae") Notes and Bonds--are
notes and bonds issued by the Student Loan Marketing Association and are not
guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         D.C. Armory Board Bonds--are bonds issued by the District of Columbia
Armory Board and are guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         Export-Import Bank Certificates--are certificates of beneficial
interest and participation certificates issued and guaranteed by the
Export-Import Bank of the U.S. and are guaranteed by the U.S. Government.

         In the case of securities not backed by the "full faith and credit" of
the U.S. Government, the investor must look principally to the agency issuing or
guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to
assert a claim against the U.S. Government itself in the event the agency or
instrumentality does not meet its commitments.

         Investments may also be made in obligations of U.S. Government agencies
or instrumentalities other than those listed above.


                                       A-2

<PAGE>


                                   APPENDIX B

                             DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS

A description of the rating policies of Moody's, S&P and Fitch with respect to
bonds and commercial paper appears below.

Moody's Investors Service's Corporate Bond Ratings

Aaa--Bonds which are rated "Aaa" are judged to be of the best quality and carry
the smallest degree of investment risk. Interest payments are protected by a
large or by an exceptionally stable margin, and principal is secure. While the
various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be
visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such
issues.

Aa--Bonds which are 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. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of
protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective
elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present
which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

A--Bonds which are rated "A" possess many favorable investment qualities and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa--Bonds which are rated "Baa" are considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba--Bonds which are rated "Ba" are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.

B--Bonds which are rated "B" generally lack characteristics of a desirable
investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance and
other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa--Bonds which are rated "Caa" are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.

Ca--Bonds which are rated "Ca" represent obligations which are speculative in
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C--Bonds which are rated "C" are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so
rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any
real investment standing.

Moody's applies numerical modifiers "1", "2", and "3" to certain of its rating
classifications. The modifier "1" indicates that the security ranks in the
higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier "2" indicates a
mid-range ranking; and the modifier "3" indicates that the issue ranks in the
lower end of its generic rating category.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Group Corporate Bond Ratings


                                       B-1

<PAGE>


AAA--This is the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's to a debt
obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity to repay principal and pay
interest.

AA--Bonds rated "AA" also qualify as high quality debt obligations. Capacity to
pay principal and interest is very strong, and differs from "AAA" issues only in
small degree.

A--Bonds rated "A" have a strong capacity to repay principal and pay interest,
although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

BBB--Bonds rated "BBB" are regarded as having an adequate capacity to repay
principal and pay interest. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection
parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to repay principal and pay interest for
bonds in this category than for higher rated categories.

BB-B-CCC-CC-C--Bonds rated "BB", "B", "CCC", "CC" and "C" are regarded, on
balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to
pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the
obligations. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and C the highest
degree of speculation. While such bonds will likely have some quality and
protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major
risk exposures to adverse conditions.

C1--Bonds rated "C1" are income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

D--Bonds rated "D" are in default. The "D" category is used when interest
payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired unless S&P believes that such payments
will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating is also used upon the
filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.

The ratings set forth above may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus
to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

Moody's Investors Service's Commercial Paper Ratings

Prime-1--Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated "Prime-1" have a
superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. "Prime-1"
repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following
characteristics: leading market positions in well-established industries, high
rates of return on funds employed, conservative capitalization structures 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.

Prime-2--Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated "Prime-2" have a
strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will
normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser
degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject
to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be
more affected by external conditions. Ample alternative liquidity is maintained.

Prime-3--Issuers (or related supporting institutions) rated "Prime-3" have an
acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of
industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced.
Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of
debt protection measurements and the requirement for relatively high financial
leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

Not Prime--Issuers rated "Not Prime" do not fall within any of the Prime rating
categories.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Group Commercial Paper Ratings


                                       B-2

<PAGE>


A S&P commercial paper rating is current assessment of the likelihood of timely
payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings
are graded in several categories, ranging from "A-1" for the highest quality
obligations to "D" for the lowest. The four categories are as follows:

A-1--This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely
payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety
characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign designation.

A-2--Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated "A-1".

A-3--Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely payment.
They are, however, somewhat more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.

B--Issues rate "B" are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely
payment.

C--This rating is assigned to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful
capacity for payment.

D--Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due, even if
the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such
payments will be made during such grace period.

Fitch Bond Ratings

AAA--Bonds rated AAA by Fitch are considered to be investment grade and of the
highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay
interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably
foreseeable events.

AA--Bonds rated AA by Fitch are considered to be investment grade and of very
high credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal
is very strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated AAA. Because bonds
rated in the AAA and AA categories are not significantly vulnerable to
foreseeable future developments, short-term debt of these issues is generally
rated F-1+ by Fitch.

A--Bonds rated A by Fitch are considered to be investment grade and of high
credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is
considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in
economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.

BBB--Bonds rated BBB by Fitch are considered to be investment grade and of
satisfactory credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay
principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions
and circumstances, however, are more likely to have adverse consequences on
these bonds, and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the
ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds
with higher ratings.

Plus and minus signs are used by Fitch to indicate the relative position of a
credit within a rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in
the AAA category.

Fitch Short-Term Ratings

Fitch's short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand
or have original maturities of generally up to three years, including commercial
paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and municipal and investment
notes.

The short-term rating places greater emphasis than a long-term rating on the
existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a timely
manner.


                                       B-3
<PAGE>


F-1+--Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of
assurance for timely payment.

F-1--Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of timely payment only
slightly less in degree than issues rated F-l+.

F-2--Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory degree of assurance for
timely payment but the margin of safety is not as great as for issues assigned
F-1+ and F-1 ratings.

F-3--Issues assigned this rating have characteristics suggesting that the degree
of assurance for timely payment is adequate, although near-term adverse changes
could cause these securities to be rated below investment grade.

LOC--The symbol LOC indicates that the rating is based on a letter of credit
issued by a commercial bank.

Like higher rated bonds, bonds rated in the Baa or BBB categories are considered
to have adequate capacity to pay principal and interest. However, such bonds may
have speculative characteristics, and changes in economic conditions or other
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal
and interest payments than is the case with higher grade bonds.

After purchase by a Portfolio, a security may cease to be rated or its rating
may be reduced below the minimum required for purchase by such Portfolio.
Neither event will require a sale of such security by a Portfolio. However, a
Portfolio's investment manager will consider such event in its determination of
whether such Portfolio should continue to hold the security. To the extent the
ratings given by Moody's, S&P or Fitch may change as a result of changes in such
organizations or their rating systems, a Portfolio will attempt to use
comparable ratings as standards for investments in accordance with the
investment policies contained in this Prospectus and in the Statement of
Additional Information.

                                       B-4
<PAGE>
84


                       MUTUAL FUND VARIABLE ANNUITY TRUST

                           PART C.  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 24.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

                 List all financial statements and exhibits filed as part of
the Registration Statement for the Vista Funds of Mutual Fund Variable Annuity
Trust filed herein as part of this post-effective amendment.

                 (a)  Financial statements:

                      In Part A:  Financial Highlights

   
                      In Part B:  Financial Statements and the Reports thereon
                      for the Portfolios filed herein are incorporated by 
                      reference into Part B as part of the 1997 Annual Reports 
                      to Shareholders for such Portfolios as filed with the 
                      Securities and Exchange Commission by Mutual Fund 
                      Variable Annuity Trust on Form N-30D on October __, 1997,
                      accession number 0000927053-97-______, which are 
                      incorporated into Part B by reference.

                      In Part C:  None.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number 
- - -------
<S>      <C>                        
1        Declaration of Trust. (1)
2        By-laws. (1)
3        None.
4        None.
5(a)     Form of Investment Advisory Agreement. (4)
5(b)     Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement (4)
5(c)     Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement (4)
6        None.
7        None.
8        Form of Custodian Agreement. (2)
9(a)     Form of Transfer Agency Agreement. (3)
9(b)     Form of Administration Agreement. (4)
9(c)     Form of Sub-Administration Agreement. (2)
10       Opinion and Consent of Counsel as to Legality of Securities Being Registered. (2)
11       Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP (5)
12       None.
13       None.
14       None.
15       None.
16       Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotation. (N/A)
17       Financial Data Schedule (5)
18.      None. 
99(a)    Powers of attorney for: Fergus Reid, III, H. Richard
         Vartabedian, William J. Armstrong, John R.H. Blum,
         Stuart W. Cragin, Jr., Joseph J. Harkins, Richard E.
         Ten Haken, Irving L. Thode, W. Perry Neff, Roland R.
         Eppley, Jr., W.D. MacCallan. (6)
99(b)    Powers of Attorney for: Sarah E. Jones and Leonard M.
         Spalding, Jr.  (7)
- - ----------------------------
</TABLE>
    

   
(1)      Filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of the
         Registrant (File No. 33-81712) as filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission on July 18, 1994.
(2)      Filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's
         Registration Statement on Form N-1A as filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission on February 22, 1994.
(3)      Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's
         Registration Statement on Form N-1A as filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission on September 29, 1995.
(4)      Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Registrant's
         Registration Statement on Form N-1A as filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission on October 30, 1996.
(5)      To be filed by amendment.
(6)      Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 7 to the
         Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Mutual Fund Trust
         (File No. 33-75270) as filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission on September 6, 1996.

(7)      Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 10 to the
         Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Mutual Fund Trust
         (File No. 33-75270) as filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission on October 28, 1997.
    

ITEM 25.  Persons Controlled by or Under Common
          Control with Registrant                      

          Not applicable

                                       C-1
<PAGE>
85

ITEM 26.  Number of Holders of Securities


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                            Number of Record
                                                             Holders as of
       Title of Series                                     September 30, 1997
       ---------------                                     ------------------
<S>                                                               <C>
International Equity Portfolio                                    2
Capital Growth Portfolio                                          2
Growth and Income Portfolio                                       2
Asset Allocation Portfolio                                        2
U.S. Government Income Portfolio                                  2
Money Market Portfolio                                            2
</TABLE>
    

ITEM 27.  Indemnification

         Reference is hereby made to Article V of the Registrant's Declaration
of Trust.

         The Trustees and officers of the Registrant and the personnel of the
Registrant's investment adviser, administrator and distributor are insured
under an errors and omissions liability insurance policy. The Registrant and
its officers are also insured under the fidelity bond required by Rule 17g-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

         Under the terms of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust, the
Registrant may indemnify any person who was or is a Trustee, officer or
employee of the Registrant to the maximum extent permitted by law; provided,
however, that any such indemnification (unless ordered by a court) shall be
made by the Registrant only as authorized in the specific case upon a
determination that indemnification of such persons is proper in the
circumstances.  Such determination shall be made (i) by the Trustees, by a
majority vote of a quorum which consists of Trustees who are neither in Section
2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor parties to the proceeding,
or (ii) if the required quorum is not obtainable or, if a quorum of such
Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion.  No
indemnification will be provided by the Registrant to any Trustee or officer of
the Registrant for any liability to the Registrant or shareholders to which he
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of duty.

         Insofar as the conditional advancing of indemnification monies
for actions based upon the Investment Company Act of 1940 may be concerned,
such payments will be made only on the following conditions: (i) the advances
must be limited to amounts used, or to be used, for the preparation or
presentation of a defense to the action, including costs connected with the
preparation of a settlement; (ii) advances may be made only upon receipt of a
written promise by, or on behalf of, the recipient to repay that amount of the
advance which exceeds that amount to which it is ultimately determined that he
is entitled to receive from the Registrant by reason of indemnification; and
(iii) (a) such promise must be secured by a surety bond, other suitable
insurance or an equivalent form of security which assures that any repayments
may be obtained by the Registrant without delay or litigation, which bond,
insurance or other form of security must be provided by the recipient of the
advance, or (b) a majority of a quorum of the Registrant's disinterested,
non-party Trustees, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall
determine, based upon a review of readily available facts, that the recipient
of the advance ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

         Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a





                                       C-2
<PAGE>  
86

trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer
or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of it counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.


ITEM 28(a).  Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

         The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Adviser") is a commercial bank
providing a wide range of banking and investment services.

         To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the Directors or executive
officers of the Adviser, except those described below, are or have been, at any
time during the past two years, engaged in any other business, profession,
vocation or employment of a substantial nature, except that certain Directors
and executive officers of the Adviser also hold or have held various positions
with bank and non-bank affiliates of the Adviser, including its parent, The
Chase Manhattan Corporation.  Each Director listed below is also a Director of
The Chase Manhattan Corporation.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Principal Occupation or Other
                                       Position with                            Employment of a Substantial
Name                                   the Adviser                              Nature During Past Two Years
- ----                                   -------------                            -----------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                                      <C>

Thomas G. Labreque                     President and Chief Operating Officer    Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
                                       and Director                             and a Director of The Chase
                                                                                Manhattan Corporation and a
                                                                                Director of AMAX, Inc.

M. Anthony Burns                       Director                                 Chairman of the Board, President
                                                                                and Chief Executive Officer of
                                                                                Ryder System, Inc.

</TABLE>


                                       C-3

<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                    <C>                                      <C>

H. Laurance Fuller                     Director                                 Chairman, President, Chief
                                                                                Executive Officer and Director of
                                                                                Amoco Corporation and Director of
                                                                                Abbott Laboratories

Henry B. Schacht                       Director                                 Chairman and Chief Executive
                                                                                Officer of Cummins Engine
                                                                                Company, Inc. and a Director of
                                                                                each of American Telephone and
                                                                                Telegraph Company and CBS Inc.


</TABLE>
    


                                       C-4
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                    <C>                                      <C>
William H. Gray III                    Director                                 President and Chief Executive
                                                                                Officer of the United Negro College
                                                                                Fund, Inc.

Frank A. Bennack, Jr.                  Director                                 President and Chief Executive Officer
                                                                                The Hearst Corporation

Susan V. Berresford                    Director                                 President, The Ford Foundation


Melvin R. Goodes                       Director                                 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
                                                                                Officer, The Warner-Lambert Company

George V. Grune                        Director                                 Retired Chairman and Chief Executive
                                                                                Officer, The Reader's Digest Association,
                                                                                Inc.; Chairman, The DeWitt Wallace-
                                                                                Reader's Digest Fund; The Lila-Wallace
                                                                                Reader's Digest Fund

William B. Harrison, Jr.               Vice Chairman of the Board

Harold S. Hook                         Director                                 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
                                                                                General Corporation

Helen L. Kaplan                        Director                                 Of Counsel, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
                                                                                & Flom

Walter V. Shipley                      Chairman of the Board and
                                       Chief Executive Officer

Andrew C. Sigler                       Director                                 Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                                                                Executive Officer, Champion International
                                                                                Corporation

John R. Stafford                       Director                                 Chairman, President and Chief Executive
                                                                                Officer, American Home Products
                                                                                Corporation

Marina v. N. Whitman                   Director                                 Professor of Business Administration and
                                                                                Public Policy, University of Michigan
</TABLE>
    

                                      C-5
<PAGE>

Item 28(b)

Chase Asset Management ("CAM") is an Investment Advisor providing investment
services to institutional clients.

        To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the Directors or executive
officers of the CAM, except those described below, are or have been, at any time
during the past two years, engaged in any other business, profession, vocation
or employment of a substantial nature, except that certain Directors and
executive officers of the CAM also hold or have held various positions with bank
and non-bank affiliates of the Advisor, including its parent, The Chase
Manhattan Corporation.

                                                   Principal Occupation or Other
                      Position with                Employment of a Substantial
Name                  the Sub-Advisor              Nature During Past Two Years
- ----                  ---------------              ----------------------------

James Zeigon          Chairman and Director        Director of Chase
                                                   Asset Management
                                                   (London) Limited

Steven Prostano       Executive Vice President     Chief Operating Officer
                      and Chief Operating Officer  and Director of Chase
                                                   Asset Management
                                                   (London) Limited

Mark Richardson       President and Chief          Chief Investment Officer
                      Investment Officer           and Director of Chase
                                                   Asset Management
                                                   (London) Limited


Item 28(c)

        Chase Asset Management (London) Limited ("CAM London") is an Investment
Advisor providing investment services to institutional clients.

        To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the Directors or executive
officers of CAM London, except those described below, are or have been, at any
time during the past two years, engaged in any other business, profession,
vocation or employment of a substantial nature, except that certain Directors
and executive officers of CAM London also hold or have held various positions
with bank and non-bank affiliates of the Advisor, including its parent, The
Chase Manhattan Corporation.

                                           Principal Occupation or Other
                     Position with         Employment of a Substantial
Name                 the Sub-Advisor       Nature During Past Two Years
- ----                 ---------------       ----------------------------

Michael Browne       Director              Fund Manager, The Chase Manhattan
                                           Bank, N.A.; Fund Manager, BZW
                                           Investment Management

David Gordon Ross    Director              Head of Global Fixed Income
                                           Management, Chase Asset
                                           Management, Inc.; Vice President,
                                           The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.

Brian Harte          Director              Investment Manager, The Chase
                                           Manhattan Bank, N.A.

Cornelia L. Kiley    Director

James Zeigon         Director              Chairman and Director of Chase
                                           Asset Management, Inc.

Mark Richardson      Chief Investment      Director, President and Chief
                     Officer and Director  Operating Officer of Chase Asset
                                           Management, Inc.

Steve Prostano       Chief Operating       Director, Executive Vice President
                     Officer and           and Chief Operating Officer of Chase
                     Director              Asset Management, Inc.


                                      C-6

<PAGE>   
ITEM 29.  Principal Underwriters

                 (a)  Not Applicable.

                 (b)  Not Applicable.

                 (c)  Not Applicable.


ITEM 30.  Location of Accounts and Records

          The accounts and records of the Registrant are located, in whole or 
in part, at the office of the Registrant and the following locations:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Name                                                                Address
         ----                                                                -------
<S>                                                                 <C>
The Chase Manhattan Bank                                            270 Park Avenue,
                                                                             New York, NY 10017

Chase Asset Management, Inc.                                        1211 Avenue of the Americas,
                                                                             New York, NY 10036

Chase Asset Management, Ltd. (London)                               Colvile House
                                                                    32 Curzon Street
                                                                             London, England W1Y8AL

Chase Manhattan Bank                                                One Chase Square
 (administrator)                                                             Rochester, NY 14363

Vista Fund Distributors, Inc. a wholly-owned                        101 Park Avenue
subsidiary of BISYS Fund Services, Inc. (sub-administrator)                  New York, NY 10178
</TABLE>

ITEM 31.  Management Services

          Not applicable


ITEM 32.  Undertakings

          Registrant undertakes that its trustees shall promptly call a meeting
of shareholders of the Trust for the purpose of voting upon the question of
removal of any such trustee or trustees when requested in writing so to do by
the record holders of not less than 10 per centum of the outstanding shares of
the Trust.  In addition, the Registrant shall, in certain circumstances, give
such shareholders assistance in communicating with other shareholders of a fund 
as required by Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.


                                       C-7
<PAGE>   
89

                                   SIGNATURES

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this
Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New
York and the State of New York on the 29th day of October, 1997.


                                               MUTUAL FUND VARIABLE
                                               ANNUITY TRUST



                                               By /s/ H. Richard Vartabedian
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                      H. Richard Vartabedian
                                                      President

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


               *                       Chairman and Trustee     October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------                                                
   Fergus Reid, III

               *                       Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------                                              
   William J. Armstrong

               *                       Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------                                                
   John R.H. Blum

               *                       Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------
   Joseph J. Harkins                      

               *                       Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------                                              
   Richard E. Ten Haken

/s/ H. Richard Vartabedian             Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------   
   H. Richard Vartebedian

               *                       Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------                                            
   Irving L. Thode

               *                       Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------               
   Stuart W. Cragin

               *                       Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------                                 
   W. Perry Neff                                      

               *                       Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------                                 
   Roland R. Eppley           

               *                       Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------                                 
   W. D. McCallan                                      

/s/ Martin R. Dean                     Treasurer and            October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------       Principal Financial                      
   Martin R. Dean                      Officer            

               *                       Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------                                 
   Sarah E. Jones           

               *                       Trustee                  October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------                                 
   Leonard M. Spalding          
                                          

/s/  H. Richard Vartebedian            Attorney-in-Fact         October 29, 1997
- --------------------------------                                 
     H. Richard Vartebedian
    



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