VTFXX Van Kampen Tax Free Money Fd (MM)

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 2008

 

Registration Nos. 033-6745

811-4718

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

Form N-1A

 

Van Kampen

Tax Free Money Fund

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust)

 

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(212) 296-6990

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code

 

AMY R. DOBERMAN, ESQ.

Managing Director

Van Kampen Investments Inc.

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10036

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Copies To:

CHARLES B. TAYLOR, ESQ.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(312) 407-0700

 

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable following effectiveness of this Registration Statement.

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

           o  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

           x  on November 1, 2008 pursuant to paragraph (b)

           o  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

           o  on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

           o  75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

           o  on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

 

If appropriate check the following box:

 

Title of Securities Being Registered: Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $0.01 per share.

 

Table of Contents

Risk/Return Summary		3
Fees and Expenses of the Fund		4
Investment Objective, Principal Investment Strategies and Risks		5
Investment Advisory Services		8
Purchase of Shares		9
Redemption of Shares		11
Distributions from the Fund		13
Shareholder Services		13
Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares		15
Federal Income Taxation		16
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings		18
Financial Highlights		19

 

 

No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in this Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained in this Prospectus and, if given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser or the Fund’s distributor. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer by the Fund or by the Fund’s distributor to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful for the Fund to make such an offer in such jurisdiction.

 

Risk/Return Summary

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Investment Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide investors with a high level of current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity through investments in a diversified portfolio of municipal securities that will mature within twelve months of the date of purchase.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund’s investment adviser seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of high-quality municipal securities. Municipal securities generally are issued by state and local governments or regional governmental authorities to raise money for their daily operations or special projects and the interest on municipal securities generally is exempt from federal income tax. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests substantially all of the Fund’s assets in municipal securities whose interest is exempt from federal income tax (including the federal alternative minimum tax) at the time of investment. The Fund seeks to maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share by investing in money market securities with remaining maturities of not more than 12 months and with a dollar-weighted average maturity of not more than 90 days.

 

The Fund buys and sells securities for investment with a view to seeking a high level of tax-exempt interest income. In selecting securities for investment, the Fund’s investment adviser seeks those securities that it believes entail reasonable credit risk considered in relation to the Fund’s investment policies. The Fund’s investment adviser may sell such securities to adjust the average maturity or credit quality of the Fund’s investment portfolio. The Fund’s investments are limited to those securities that meet maturity, quality and diversification standards with which money market funds must comply.

 

Principal Investment Risks

An investment in the Fund is subject to risks. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank or other insured depository institution, and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

 

Income risk.  The income you receive from the Fund is based primarily on short-term interest rates, which can vary widely over time. If short-term interest rates drop, your income from the Fund may drop as well.

 

Credit risk.  Credit risk refers to an issuer’s ability to make timely payments of interest and principal. While credit risk is expected to be low for the Fund because it invests in high-quality securities, an investment in the Fund is not risk free. The Fund is still subject to the risk that the issuers of such securities may experience financial difficulties and, as a result, fail to pay on their obligations.

 

Market risk.  Market risk is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value. The prices of debt securities tend to fall as interest rates rise. Market risk is expected to be low for the Fund because it invests in high-quality, short-term securities.

 

Municipal securities risk.  The Fund invests primarily in municipal securities. The yields of municipal securities may move differently and adversely compared to the yields of the overall debt securities markets. While the interest received from municipal securities generally is exempt from federal income tax, the Fund may from time to time invest a portion of its net assets in taxable securities. In addition, there could be changes in applicable tax laws or tax treatments that reduce or eliminate the current federal income tax exemption on municipal securities or otherwise adversely affect the current federal or state tax status of municipal securities.

 

Manager risk.  As with any managed fund, the Fund’s investment adviser may not be successful in selecting the best-performing securities or investment techniques, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds.

Investor Profile

In light of the Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies, the Fund may be appropriate for investors who:

 

 

Annual Performance

One way to measure the risks of investing in the Fund is to look at how its performance has varied from year to year. The following chart shows the annual returns of the Fund’s shares over the ten calendar years prior to the date of this Prospectus. Remember that past performance of the Fund is not indicative of its future performance.

 

 

The Fund’s return for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 was 0.74%. As a result of market activity, current performance may vary from the figures shown.

 

During the ten-year period shown in the bar chart, the highest quarterly return was 0.89% (for the quarter ended December 31, 2000) and the lowest quarterly return was 0.02% (for the quarter ended March 31, 2004).

 

Comparative Performance

As a basis for evaluating the Fund’s performance and risks, the table below shows the Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2007 (the most recently completed calendar year prior to the date of this Prospectus). Remember that past performance of the Fund is not indicative of its future performance.

 

 

Investors can obtain the current seven-day yield of the Fund by calling (800) 847-2424 or by visiting our web site at www.vankampen.com.

 

Fees and Expenses
of the Fund

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This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 

 

 

Example:

 

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same each year. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

 

Investment Objective,
Principal Investment Strategies and Risks

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 

Investment Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide investors with a high level of current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity through investments in a diversified portfolio of municipal securities that will mature within twelve months of the date of purchase. The Fund’s investment objective is a fundamental policy and may not be changed without shareholder approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund seeks to maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share. There are risks inherent in all investments in securities; accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Fund’s net asset value will not vary or that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

 

Principal Investment
Strategies and Risks

The Fund’s investment adviser seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of high-quality municipal securities. Municipal securities are obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, the interest on which (in the opinion of bond counsel or other counsel to the issuer or the Fund) is exempt from federal income tax at the time of issuance. Under normal market conditions, up to 100%, but not less than 80%, of the Fund’s net assets are invested in such securities. All of the Fund’s investments are subject to the limitation that they mature within one year of the date of their purchase or are subject to repurchase agreements maturing within one year. The foregoing policies in this paragraph are fundamental policies of the Fund and, like the Fund’s investment objective, cannot be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund also may invest in obligations issued, guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or securities that are fully collateralized by such

obligations or other securities acceptable to the Fund’s investment adviser. Under normal market conditions, the Fund may from time to time invest temporarily up to 20% of its net assets in taxable securities (or municipal securities subject to the federal alternative minimum tax) of at least comparable quality to the municipal securities in which the Fund invests.

 

The Fund seeks to maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share by investing in money market securities with remaining maturities of not more than 12 months and with a dollar-weighted average maturity of not more than 90 days.

 

The Fund invests in high-quality municipal securities which are securities (a) rated in one of the two highest ratings categories by any two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”) such as Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) (e.g., at least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody’s for bonds, at least MIG-2 or VMIG-2 by Moody’s for short-term municipal securities or at least A-2 or SP-2 by S&P or P-2 by Moody’s for municipal commercial paper) (or any one NRSRO if the instrument was rated by only one such organization) or (b) unrated municipal securities, if such securities are of comparable quality as determined in accordance with procedures established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees or if such securities were long-term securities at the time of issuance but have remaining lives of 365 days or less and have received long-term ratings in one of the three highest long-term ratings categories by any two NRSROs (e.g., A or higher by S&P and Moody’s) (or any one NRSRO if the instrument was rated by only one such organization). Credit quality at the time of purchase determines which securities may be acquired. Subsequent downgrades in ratings may require reassessment of the credit risks presented by such securities and may even require their sale. NRSROs assign ratings based upon their opinions as to the quality of the securities they undertake to rate, but they do not base their assessment on the market risk of such securities. It should be emphasized that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality.

 

In selecting securities for investment, the Fund’s investment adviser seeks to add value and limit risk through careful security selection and by actively managing the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund focuses on those securities that meet maturity, quality and diversification standards with which money market funds must comply. While the Fund intends to hold portfolio securities until maturity, the Fund’s investment adviser from time to time may sell such securities prior to maturity depending on its assessment of the relative yields available on securities of different maturities and its expectations of future changes in interest rates or to maintain a stable share price or average maturity of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

The Fund’s dividend and yield are expected to change daily based upon changes in interest rates and other market conditions. Although the Fund is managed to maintain a stable $1.00 share price, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to do so.

 

Municipal Securities

The issuers of municipal securities obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as airports, highways, bridges, schools, hospitals, housing, mass transportation, streets and water and sewer works. Other public purposes for which municipal securities may be issued include refunding outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses and obtaining funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities. Certain types of municipal securities are issued to obtain funding for privately operated facilities.

 

The Fund invests in municipal securities scheduled to mature in twelve months or less, which includes, but is not limited to, tax, revenue, bond and grant anticipation notes; construction loan notes; tax-exempt commercial paper; and variable or floating rate demand notes. Anticipation notes generally are sold in anticipation of receiving future taxes, intergovernmental grants or other types of revenues such as those under state aid programs and generally are sold to obtain temporary funds for various public purposes. Construction loan notes generally are issued to provide short-term construction financing for multi-family housing projects, and frequently are insured by U.S. governmental agencies or instrumentalities. Tax-exempt commercial paper is an unsecured promissory obligation issued or guaranteed by a municipal issuer. Variable rate instruments provide for adjustment of the interest rates on set dates and upon such adjustment can reasonably be expected to have market values that approximate amortized cost. Floating rate instruments provide for adjustment of the interest rates based on a

known lending rate, such as a bank’s prime rate, and may be adjusted when such rate changes, or the interest rate may be a market rate that is adjusted at specified intervals, and at any time can reasonably be expected to have market values that approximate amortized cost. Demand instruments generally are long-term obligations which allow the purchaser, at its discretion, to redeem the securities before final maturity (typically 7 to 30 days), which under federal guidelines allow the Fund to consider such securities as having maturities less than the date on the face of such instrument. Municipal securities may not be backed by the faith, credit and taxing power of the issuer.

 

The ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective is dependent on a number of factors, including the skills of the Fund’s investment adviser in purchasing municipal securities with higher yields and whose issuers have the continuing ability to meet their obligations for payment of interest and principal when due. The ability to achieve a high level of income is dependent on the yields of the securities in the portfolio. Yields on municipal securities are the product of a variety of factors, including general money market conditions, general conditions of the municipal securities market, size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and rating of the issue. NRSROs assign ratings based upon their opinions as to the quality of the securities they undertake to rate, but they do not base their assessment on the market risk of such securities. It should be emphasized that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal securities with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while municipal securities of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.

 

Additionally, from time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress that would have the effect of reducing or eliminating the current federal tax exemption on municipal securities. If such a proposal were enacted, the ability of the Fund to pay tax-exempt interest dividends might be adversely affected and the Fund would re-evaluate its investment objective and strategies and consider changes in its structure, including recommending to the shareholders changes in the Fund’s investment objective.

 

Other Investments and Risk Factors

For cash management and investment purposes, the Fund may engage in repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities. Such transactions are subject to the risk of default by the counterparty broker-dealer, bank or other financial institution to the transactions. Investments in repurchase agreements of more than seven days are limited in conjunction with the Fund’s limitation in illiquid securities.

 

The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued and delayed delivery basis, although no more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in such manner. The Fund accrues no income on such securities until the Fund actually takes delivery of such securities. These transactions are subject to market fluctuation; the value of the securities at delivery may be more or less than their purchase price. The yields generally available on comparable securities when delivery occurs may be higher than yields on the securities obtained pursuant to such transactions. Because the Fund relies on the buyer or seller to consummate the transaction, failure by the other party to complete the transaction may result in the Fund missing the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. The Fund will engage in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions for the purpose of acquiring securities consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and not for the purpose of investment leverage.

 

The Fund also may purchase municipal securities which provide for the right to resell them back to an issuer, a bank, or a broker-dealer at an agreed upon price or yield within a specified period of time prior to the maturity date of such securities. These securities are known as “put” securities or securities with stand-by commitments. The Fund may pay a higher price for such securities than would otherwise be paid for the same security without a put. The primary purpose of purchasing these securities is to permit the Fund to be as fully invested as practicable in municipal securities while at the same time providing the Fund with greater liquidity. The Fund’s policy is to enter into these transactions only with issuers, banks or broker-dealers that are determined by the Fund’s investment adviser to present minimal credit risks. If an issuer, bank or broker-dealer should default on its obligation to repurchase, the Fund might be unable to recover all or a

portion of any loss sustained from having to sell the security elsewhere.

 

The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities and certain restricted securities. Such securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like. Thus, the Fund may have to sell such securities at a lower price, sell other securities instead to obtain cash or forego other investment opportunities.

 

Further information about these types of investments and other investment practices that may be used by the Fund is contained in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

 

Investment
Advisory Services

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The adviser.  Van Kampen Asset Management is the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments Inc. (“Van Kampen Investments”). Van Kampen Investments is a diversified asset management company that services more than three million retail investor accounts, has extensive capabilities for managing institutional portfolios, and has more than $112 billion under management or supervision as of September 30, 2008. Van Kampen Funds Inc., the distributor of the Fund (the “Distributor”), is also a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments. Van Kampen Investments is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, a preeminent global financial services firm that provides a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services. The Adviser’s principal office is located at 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036.

 

Advisory agreement.  The Fund retains the Adviser to manage the investment of its assets and to place orders for the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities. Under an investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee computed based upon an annual rate applied to the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

 

Applying this fee schedule, the Fund’s effective advisory fee rate was 0.45% (before voluntary fee waivers; 0.00% after voluntary fee waivers) of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Fund’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. The Fund’s average daily net assets are determined by taking the average of all of the determinations of the net assets during a given calendar month. Such fee is payable for each calendar month as soon as practicable after the end of that month.

 

The Adviser furnishes offices, necessary facilities and equipment and provides administrative services to the Fund. The Fund pays all charges and expenses of its day-to-day operations, including service fees, distribution fees, custodian fees, legal and independent registered public accounting firm fees, the costs of reports and proxies to shareholders, compensation of trustees of the Fund (other than those who are affiliated persons of the Adviser, Distributor or Van Kampen Investments) and all other ordinary business expenses not specifically assumed by the Adviser.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Advisory Agreement is available in the Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.

Purchase of Shares

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General

Shares of the Fund are available without a sales charge at the net asset value per share. The Fund seeks to maintain a constant net asset value of $1.00 per share. Although such share price is not guaranteed, the Fund is managed and securities are purchased seeking to maintain a stable $1.00 per share.

 

How To Buy Shares

The shares are offered on a continuous basis through the Distributor as principal underwriter, which is located at 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036. Shares may be purchased through members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) who are acting as securities dealers (“dealers”) and FINRA members or eligible non-FINRA members who are acting as brokers or agents for investors (“brokers”). Dealers and brokers are sometimes referred to herein as authorized dealers.

 

The Adviser and/or the Distributor may pay compensation (out of their own funds and not as an expense of the Fund) to certain affiliated or unaffiliated authorized dealers in connection with the sale or retention of Fund shares and/or shareholder servicing. Such compensation may be significant in amount and the prospect of receiving, or the receipt of, such compensation may provide both affiliated and unaffiliated entities, and their representatives or employees, with an incentive to favor sales of shares of the Fund over other investment options. Any such payments will not change the net asset value or the price of the Fund’s shares. For more information, please see the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information and/or contact your authorized dealer.

 

The offering price for shares is based upon the next determined net asset value per share after an order is received timely by the Fund’s shareholder service agent, Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. (“Investor Services”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments, and becomes effective. An order becomes effective when Investor Services receives or converts the purchase amount into federal funds. Payment by check generally will be converted into federal funds on the second business day following receipt of payment for the order by Investor Services. Shares may be purchased on any business day by following the bank wire transfer instructions described below or by completing the application accompanying this Prospectus and forwarding the application, directly or through an authorized dealer, to Investor Services.

 

Except as described below, the minimum initial investment amount when establishing a new account with the Fund is $1,000 for each class of shares for regular accounts; $500 for each class of shares for retirement accounts; and $50 for each class of shares for accounts participating in a systematic investment program established directly with the Fund. The minimum subsequent investment is $50 for each class of shares and all account types, except as described below. The Fund may redeem any shareholder account (other than retirement accounts and accounts established through a broker for which the transfer agent does not have discretion to initiate transactions) that has a balance of less than $500. Shareholders will receive written notice at least 60 days in advance of any involuntary redemption and will be given the opportunity to purchase (subject to any applicable sales charges) the number of additional shares needed to bring the account value to $500.

 

The minimum initial and subsequent investment requirements are not applicable to (i) certain omnibus accounts at financial intermediaries, (ii) employer sponsored retirement plan accounts or pre-approved asset allocation plan accounts, (iii) qualified state tuition plan (529 plan) accounts and (iv) accounts receiving payments through government allotments. In addition, the minimum initial and subsequent investment requirements are not applicable to transactions conducted in any type of account resulting from (i) dividend reinvestment and dividend diversification, (ii) systematic exchange plans, (iii) unit investment trust dividend reinvestments and (iv) transfers between certain types of accounts, transfers from other custodians and/or transfers of ownership.

 

A low balance fee of $12 per year will be deducted in November of each year from all accounts with a value less than $750. This fee will be payable to the transfer agent and will be used by the transfer agent to offset amounts that would otherwise be payable by the Fund to the transfer agent under the transfer agency agreement. The low balance fee is not applicable to (i) certain omnibus accounts at financial intermediaries, (ii) fund

of funds accounts, (iii) qualified state tuition plan (529 plan) accounts, (iv) accounts participating in a systematic investment plan established directly with the Fund that have been in existence for less than 12 months, (v) accounts receiving regular periodic employee salary deferral deposits established through the transfer agent that have been in existence for less than 12 months, (vi) accounts currently receiving assets under a systematic exchange plan, and (vii) certain accounts established through a broker for which the transfer agent does not have discretion to initiate transactions.

 

Initial investment by bank wire.  To open an account by wire an investor should telephone Client Relations at (800) 847-2424 and provide the account registration, the address, tax identification number, the amount being wired and the name of the wiring bank. Investor Services furnishes the investor with an account number and an account application for completion. The investor’s bank should wire the specified amount along with the Fund and account number and account registration to the Fund’s custodian: State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, ABA-011000028, attention Van Kampen Investor Services Inc./Van Kampen Fund Account No. 9900-446-7. To receive same day credit to an account, State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street Bank”) must then receive such funds by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time.

 

Initial investment by mail.  To open an account by mail, an investor should send a check payable to the Fund along with a completed account application form to Investor Services.

 

Subsequent investments by bank wire.  The investor’s bank should wire the specified amount along with the Fund and account number and account registration to the Fund’s custodian: State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, ABA-011000028, attention Van Kampen Investor Services Inc./Van Kampen Fund Account No. 9900-446-7. To receive same day credit to an account, State Street Bank must then receive such funds by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time.

 

Subsequent investments by mail.  Subsequent investments may be sent by mail to Investor Services, indicating the Fund and account number and account registration.

 

Pricing Fund Shares

The offering price of the Fund’s shares is based upon the Fund’s net asset value per share. The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) each day the Exchange is open for trading except on any day on which no purchase or redemption orders are received or there is not a sufficient degree of trading in the Fund’s portfolio securities such that the Fund’s net asset value per share might be materially affected. The Fund’s Board of Trustees reserves the right to calculate the net asset value per share and adjust the offering price more or less frequently if deemed desirable. Net asset value per share is determined by dividing the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets (including accrued interest), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses), by the total number of shares outstanding. The securities held by the Fund are valued on the basis of amortized cost, which does not take into account unrealized capital gains or losses. Amortized cost valuation involves initially valuing a security at its cost and thereafter, applying a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the security. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price that the Fund would receive if it sold the security. Further information about these procedures is contained in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

 

Distribution Plan and Service Plan

The Fund has adopted a distribution plan (the “Distribution Plan”) with respect to its shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Fund also has adopted a service plan (the “Service Plan”) with respect to its shares. Under the Distribution Plan and Service Plan, the Fund may pay distribution fees in connection with the sale and distributions of its shares and service fees in connection with the provision of ongoing services to shareholders and the maintenance of shareholder accounts.

 

Under the Distribution Plan and the Service Plan, the Fund may spend up to a total of 0.25% per year of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to the shares of the Fund. The distribution and service fees on shares offered by the Fund are paid out of the Fund’s assets on

an ongoing basis and will increase the cost of your investment in the Fund. The net income attributable to shares of the Fund will be reduced by the amount of the distribution fees, service fees and other expenses.

 

Other Information

The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject or limit any order to purchase Fund shares through exchange or otherwise and to close any shareholder account when they believe it is in the best interests of the Fund. Certain patterns of past exchanges and/or purchase or sale transactions involving the Fund or other Participating Funds (as defined below) may result in the Fund rejecting or limiting, in the Fund’s or the Distributor’s discretion, additional purchases and/or exchanges or in an account being closed. Determinations in this regard may be made based on the frequency or dollar amount of the previous exchanges or purchase or sale transactions. The Fund also reserves the right to suspend the sale of the Fund’s shares in response to conditions in the securities markets or for other reasons. As used herein, “Participating Funds” refers to Van Kampen investment companies advised by the Adviser and distributed by the Distributor as determined from time to time by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

Investor accounts will automatically be credited with additional shares of the Fund after any Fund distributions, such as dividends and capital gain dividends, unless the investor instructs the Fund otherwise. Investors wishing to receive cash instead of additional shares should contact the Fund by visiting our web site at www.vankampen.com, by writing to the Fund, c/o Van Kampen Investor Services Inc., PO Box 219286, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9286, or by telephone at (800) 847-2424.

 

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, the Fund has implemented an anti-money laundering compliance program and has designated an anti-money laundering compliance officer. As part of the program, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means to you: when you open an account, you will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to not open your account if this information is not provided. If the Fund or the Distributor is unable to verify your identity, the Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to restrict additional transactions and/or liquidate your account at the next calculated net asset value after the account is closed or take any other action required by law.

 

Redemption of Shares

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Generally, shareholders may redeem for cash some or all of their shares without charge by the Fund at any time. Redemptions completed through an authorized dealer, custodian, trustee or record keeper of a retirement plan account may involve fees charged by such person.

 

Except as specified below under “Telephone Redemption Requests,” payment for shares redeemed generally will be made by check mailed within seven days after receipt by Investor Services of the redemption request and any other necessary documents in proper form as described below. Such payment may be postponed or the right of redemption suspended as provided by the rules of the SEC. Such payment may, under certain circumstances, be paid wholly or in part by a distribution-in-kind of portfolio securities. A taxable gain or loss may be recognized by a shareholder upon redemption of shares, including if the redemption proceeds are paid wholly or in part by a distribution-in-kind of portfolio securities. A distribution-in-kind may result in recognition by the shareholder of a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes when such securities are distributed, and the shareholder may have brokerage costs and a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon the shareholder’s disposition of such in-kind securities. If the shares to be redeemed have been recently purchased by check, Investor Services may delay the payment of redemption proceeds until it confirms that the purchase check has cleared, which may take up to 15 calendar days from the date of purchase.

 

Written redemption requests.  Shareholders may request a redemption of shares by written request in proper form sent directly to Van Kampen Investor Services Inc., PO Box 219286, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9286. The request for redemption

should indicate the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, the Fund name and the shareholder’s account number. The redemption request must be signed by all persons in whose names the shares are registered. If the proceeds of the redemption exceed $100,000, or if the proceeds are not to be paid to the record owner at the record address, or if the record address has changed within the previous 15 calendar days, signature(s) must be guaranteed by one of the following: a bank or trust company; a broker-dealer; a credit union; a national securities exchange, a registered securities association or a clearing agency; a savings and loan association; or a federal savings bank.

 

Generally, a properly signed written request with any required signature guarantee is all that is required for a redemption request to be in proper form. In some cases, however, additional documents may be necessary. Certificated shares may be redeemed only by written request. The certificates for the shares being redeemed must be properly endorsed for transfer and must accompany a written redemption request. Generally, in the event a redemption is requested by and registered to a corporation, partnership, trust, fiduciary, estate or other legal entity owning shares of the Fund, a copy of the corporate resolution or other legal documentation appointing the authorized signer and certified within the prior 120 calendar days must accompany the redemption request. Retirement plan distribution requests should be sent to the plan custodian/trustee to be forwarded to Investor Services. Contact the plan custodian/trustee for further information.

 

In the case of written redemption requests sent directly to Investor Services, the redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined after the request in proper form is received by Investor Services.

 

Authorized dealer redemption requests.  Shareholders may place redemption requests through an authorized dealer following procedures specified by such authorized dealer. The redemption price for such shares is the net asset value per share next calculated after an order in proper form is received by an authorized dealer provided such order is transmitted to the Distributor by the time designated by the Distributor. It is the responsibility of authorized dealers to transmit redemption requests received by them to the Distributor so they will be received prior to such time. Redemptions completed through an authorized dealer may involve additional fees charged by the dealer.

 

Expedited telephone redemption requests.  Shareholders of the Fund who have completed the appropriate section of the application may request expedited redemption payment of shares having a value of $1,000 or more by calling (800) 847-2424. Redemption proceeds in the form of federal funds will be wired to the bank designated in the application. Expedited telephone redemption requests received prior to 11:00 a.m. Eastern time are processed and the proceeds are wired on the date of receipt. Redemption requests received by Investor Services after such hour are subsequently processed and the proceeds are wired on the next banking day following receipt of such request. Investor Services reserves the right to deduct the wiring costs from the proceeds of the redemption. A shareholder may change the bank account previously designated at any time by written notice to Investor Services with the signature(s) of the shareholder(s) guaranteed. The Fund reserves the right at any time to terminate, limit or otherwise modify this expedited redemption privilege.

 

Telephone redemption requests.  The Fund permits redemption of shares by telephone and for redemption proceeds to be sent to the address of record for the account or to the bank account of record as described below. A shareholder automatically has telephone redemption privileges unless the shareholder indicates otherwise by checking the applicable box on the account application form. For accounts that are not established with telephone redemption privileges, a shareholder may call the Fund at (800) 847-2424 to establish the privilege, or may visit our web site at www.vankampen.com to download an Account Services form, which may be completed to establish the privilege. Shares may be redeemed by calling (800) 847-2424, our automated telephone system, which is generally accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Van Kampen Investments and its subsidiaries, including Investor Services, and the Fund employ procedures considered by them to be reasonable to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. Such procedures include requiring certain personal identification information prior to acting upon telephone instructions, tape-recording telephone communications and providing written confirmation of instructions communicated by telephone. If reasonable procedures are employed, none of Van Kampen Investments, Investor Services or the Fund will be liable for following telephone instructions which it reasonably believes to be genuine. Telephone redemptions may not

be available if the shareholder cannot reach Investor Services by telephone, whether because all telephone lines are busy or for any other reason; in such case, a shareholder would have to use the Fund’s other redemption procedures previously described. Requests received by Investor Services prior to the close of the Exchange, generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, will be processed at the next determined net asset value per share. These privileges are available for most accounts other than retirement accounts or accounts with shares represented by certificates. If an account has multiple owners, Investor Services may rely on the instructions of any one owner.

 

For redemptions authorized by telephone, amounts of $50,000 or less may be redeemed daily if the proceeds are to be paid by check or by Automated Clearing House and amounts of at least $1,000 up to $1 million may be redeemed daily if the proceeds are to be paid by wire. The proceeds must be payable to the shareholder(s) of record and sent to the address of record for the account or wired directly to their predesignated bank account for this account. This privilege is not available if the address of record has been changed within 15 calendar days prior to a telephone redemption request. Proceeds from redemptions payable by wire transfer are expected to be wired on the next business day following the date of redemption. The Fund reserves the right at any time to terminate, limit or otherwise modify this redemption privilege.

 

Distributions from
the Fund

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 

Shareholders may receive distributions from the Fund of dividends and capital gain dividends.

 

Dividends.  Interest from investments is the Fund’s main source of net investment income. The Fund’s present policy, which may be changed at any time by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, is to declare daily and distribute monthly all, or substantially all, of its net investment income as dividends to shareholders. Dividends are automatically applied to purchase additional shares of the Fund at the next determined net asset value unless the shareholder instructs otherwise.

 

Dividends are paid to shareholders of record immediately prior to the determination of net asset value for that day. Since shares are issued and redeemed at the time net asset value is determined, dividends commence on the day following the date shares are issued and are paid for. A redeeming shareholder receives all dividends accrued through the date of redemption.

 

Capital gain dividends.  Although the Fund expects that its distributions will consist primarily of dividends from interest income, the Fund may realize capital gains or losses when it sells securities, depending on whether the sales prices for the securities are higher or lower than purchase prices. The Fund distributes any net capital gains to shareholders as capital gain dividends at least annually. As in the case of dividends, capital gain dividends are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund at the next determined net asset value unless the shareholder instructs otherwise.

 

Shareholder Services

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 

Listed below are some of the shareholder services the Fund offers to investors. For a more complete description of the Fund’s shareholder services, such as investment accounts, share certificates, retirement plans, automated clearing house deposits, dividend diversification and the systematic withdrawal plan, please refer to the Statement of Additional Information or contact your authorized dealer.

 

Internet transactions.  In addition to performing transactions on your account through written instruction or by telephone, you may also perform certain transactions through the internet (restrictions apply to certain account and transaction types). Please refer to our web site at www.vankampen.com for further instructions regarding internet transactions. Van Kampen Investments and its subsidiaries, including Investor Services, and the Fund employ procedures considered by them to be reasonable to confirm that instructions communicated through the internet are genuine. Such procedures include requiring use of a personal identification number prior to acting upon internet instructions and providing written

confirmation of instructions communicated through the internet. If reasonable procedures are employed, none of Van Kampen Investments, Investor Services or the Fund will be liable for following instructions received through the internet which it reasonably believes to be genuine. If an account has multiple owners, Investor Services may rely on the instructions of any one owner.

 

Reinvestment plan.  A convenient way for investors to accumulate additional shares is by accepting dividends and capital gain dividends in shares of the Fund. Such shares are acquired at net asset value per share on the applicable payable date of the dividend or capital gain dividend. Unless the shareholder instructs otherwise, the reinvestment plan is automatic. This instruction may be made by visiting our web site at www.vankampen.com, by writing to Investor Services or by telephone by calling (800) 847-2424. The investor may, on the account application form or prior to any declaration, instruct that dividends and/or capital gain dividends be paid in cash, be reinvested in the Fund at the next determined net asset value or be reinvested in another Participating Fund at the next determined net asset value. For information regarding Participating Funds, shareholders can call Investor Services at (800) 847-2424.

 

Automatic investment plan.  An automatic investment plan is available under which a shareholder can authorize Investor Services to debit the shareholder’s bank account on a regular basis to invest predetermined amounts in the Fund. Additional information is available from the Distributor or your authorized dealer.

 

Checkwriting privilege.  A shareholder holding shares of the Fund for which certificates have not been issued and which are not in escrow may write checks against such shareholder’s account by completing the Checkwriting Form and the appropriate section of the account application form and returning the forms to Investor Services. Once the forms are properly completed, signed and returned, a supply of checks (redemption drafts) will be sent to the shareholder. Checks can be written to the order of any person in any amount of $100 or more.

 

When a check is presented to the Fund’s custodian bank, State Street Bank for payment, full and fractional shares required to cover the amount of the check are redeemed from the shareholder’s account by Investor Services at the next determined net asset value per share. Checkwriting redemptions represent the sale of shares. Any gain or loss realized on the redemption of shares is a taxable event.

 

Checks will not be honored for redemption of shares held less than 15 calendar days, unless such shares have been paid for by bank wire. Any shares for which there are outstanding certificates may not be redeemed by check. If the amount of the check is greater than the proceeds of all uncertificated shares held in the shareholder’s account, the check will be returned and the shareholder may be subject to additional charges. A shareholder may not liquidate the entire account by means of a check. The checkwriting privilege may be terminated or suspended at any time by the Fund or by State Street Bank and neither shall incur any liability for such amendment or termination or for effecting redemptions to pay checks reasonably believed to be genuine or for returning or not paying on checks which have not been accepted for any reason. Retirement plans and accounts that are subject to backup withholding are not eligible for the checkwriting privilege.

 

Exchange privilege.  Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class A Shares of any Participating Fund based on the next determined net asset value per share of each fund after requesting the exchange, subject to certain limitations. Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of any Participating Fund only if shares of that Participating Fund are available for sale. Shares of the Fund which have not previously been charged a sales charge (except for shares issued under the reinvestment option) or that have been charged a lower sales charge than the sales charge applicable to the shares of the Participating Fund being acquired will have any applicable sales charge differential imposed upon an exchange into such Participating Fund.

 

Shares of Participating Funds generally may be exchanged for shares of the same class of the Fund based on the next determined net asset value per share of each fund after requesting the exchange without any sales charge, subject to certain limitations. Shareholders of Participating Funds seeking to exchange their shares for shares of the Fund are subject to the exchange policies of such Participating Fund, including an exchange fee, if any, assessed by such Participating Fund.

 

Shareholders seeking an exchange amongst Participating Funds should obtain and read the current prospectus for such fund prior to implementing an exchange. A prospectus of any of the Participating Funds may be obtained from an authorized dealer or the Distributor or by visiting our web site at www.vankampen.com.

 

Exchanges of shares are sales of shares of one Participating Fund and purchases of shares of another Participating Fund. The sale may result in a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. If the shares sold have been held for less than 91 days, the sales charge paid on such shares will be carried over and included in the tax basis of the shares acquired.

 

A shareholder wishing to make an exchange may do so by sending a written request to Investor Services, by calling (800) 847-2424, our automated telephone system (which is generally accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week), or by visiting our web site at www.vankampen.com. A shareholder automatically has these exchange privileges unless the shareholder indicates otherwise by checking the applicable box on the account application form. Van Kampen Investments and its subsidiaries, including Investor Services, and the Fund employ procedures considered by them to be reasonable to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. Such procedures include requiring certain personal identification information prior to acting upon telephone instructions, tape-recording telephone communications, and providing written confirmation of instructions communicated by telephone. If reasonable procedures are employed, none of Van Kampen Investments, Investor Services or the Fund will be liable for following telephone instructions which it reasonably believes to be genuine. If the exchanging shareholder does not have an account in the fund whose shares are being acquired, a new account will be established with the same registration, dividend and capital gain dividend options (except dividend diversification) and authorized dealer of record as the account from which shares are exchanged, unless otherwise specified by the shareholder. In order to establish a systematic withdrawal plan for the new account or reinvest dividends from the new account into another fund, however, an exchanging shareholder must submit a specific request.

 

The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject or limit any order to purchase Fund shares through exchange or otherwise and to close any shareholder account when they believe it is in the best interests of the Fund. Certain patterns of past exchanges and/or purchase or sale transactions involving the Fund or other Participating Funds may result in the Fund rejecting or limiting, in the Fund’s or the Distributor’s discretion, additional purchases and/or exchanges or in an account being closed. Determinations in this regard may be made based on the frequency or dollar amount of the previous exchanges or purchase or sale transactions. The Fund may modify, restrict or terminate the exchange privilege at any time. Shareholders will receive 60 days’ notice of any termination or material amendment to this exchange privilege.

 

Exchange requests received on a business day prior to the time shares of the funds involved in the request are priced will be processed on the date of receipt. “Processing” a request means that shares of the fund which the shareholder is redeeming will be redeemed at the net asset value per share next determined on the date of receipt. Shares of the fund that the shareholder is purchasing will also normally be purchased at the net asset value per share, plus any applicable sales charge, next determined on the date of receipt. Exchange requests received on a business day after the time that shares of the funds involved in the request are priced will be processed on the next business day in the manner described herein.

 

Frequent Purchases and
Redemptions of
Fund Shares

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 

Frequent purchases and sales of a mutual fund’s shares by shareholders (“market timing” or “short-term trading”) may present risks for long-term shareholders of such fund, which may include, among other things, diluting the value of fund shares held by long-term shareholders, interfering with the efficient management of the fund’s portfolio, increasing trading and administrative costs, incurring unwanted taxable gains and forcing the fund to hold excess levels of cash. As a money market fund, the Fund seeks to invest in money market securities and maintain a stable share price, and thus frequent purchases and sales of Fund shares

generally do not present the same degree of risks for the Fund as compared to non-money market funds. Funds in the Van Kampen family of funds discourage and do not accommodate frequent purchases and redemptions of fund shares by fund shareholders, and the Boards of Trustees/Directors of funds in the Van Kampen family of funds have adopted policies and procedures to deter such frequent purchases and redemptions. Because the Fund is a money market fund without the same degree of risks as a non-money market fund, procedures regarding frequent purchases and redemptions are not applied to the Fund; however, the Fund may not accept purchases or exchanges when the Fund believes that the Fund is being used as a tool for market timing or short-term trading and the Fund may bar those shareholders who trade excessively from making further purchases or exchanges for an indefinite period.

 

Federal Income Taxation

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 

The Fund intends to invest in sufficient tax-exempt municipal securities to permit payment of “exempt-interest dividends” (as defined under applicable federal income tax law). The aggregate amount of dividends designated as exempt-interest dividends cannot exceed, however, the excess of the amount of interest exempt from tax under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), received by the Fund during the year over any amounts disallowed as deductions under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code. Since the percentage of dividends which are exempt-interest dividends is determined on an average annual method for the taxable year, the percentage of income designated as tax-exempt for any particular dividend may be substantially different from the percentage of the Fund’s income that was tax-exempt during the period covered by the dividend.

 

Exempt-interest dividends paid to shareholders generally are not includable in the shareholders’ gross income for federal income tax purposes. Exempt-interest dividends are included in determining what portion, if any, of a person’s social security and railroad retirement benefits will be includable in gross income subject to federal income tax.

 

Under applicable federal income tax law, the interest on certain municipal securities may be an item of tax preference subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in municipal securities subject to this provision so that a portion of its exempt-interest dividends may be an item of tax preference to the extent such dividends represent interest received from such municipal securities. Accordingly, investment in the Fund could cause shareholders to be subject to (or result in an increased liability under) the federal alternative minimum tax.

 

Although exempt-interest dividends from the Fund generally may be treated by shareholders as interest excludable from their gross income, each shareholder is advised to consult his or her tax adviser with respect to whether exempt-interest dividends retain this exclusion given the shareholder’s particular tax circumstances. For example, exempt-interest dividends may not be excludable if the shareholder would be treated as a “substantial user” (or a “related person” of a substantial user, as each term is defined by applicable federal income tax law) of the facilities financed with respect to any of the tax-exempt obligations held by the Fund.

 

If the Fund distributes exempt-interest dividends during the shareholder’s taxable year, some or all of the interest on indebtedness incurred or continued by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of the Fund will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes, based on the ratio of exempt-interest dividends to the total of exempt-interest dividends plus taxable dividends received by the shareholder (excluding capital gain dividends) during the year. If a shareholder receives an exempt-interest dividend with respect to any shares and such shares are held for six months or less, any loss on the sale or exchange of the shares will be disallowed to the extent of the amount of such exempt-interest dividend.

 

While the Fund expects that a major portion of the Fund’s income will constitute tax-exempt interest, a portion of the Fund’s income may consist of investment company taxable income (generally ordinary income and net short-term capital gain). Distributions of the Fund’s investment company taxable income are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Distributions of the Fund’s net capital gain (which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss)

designated as capital gain dividends, if any, are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares, and regardless of how long the shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders. Fund distributions generally will not qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a shareholder’s shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to such shareholder (assuming such shares are held as a capital asset).

 

Although distributions generally are treated as taxable in the year they are paid, distributions declared in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such month and paid during January of the following year will be treated as having been distributed by the Fund and received by the shareholders on the December 31st prior to the date of payment. The Fund will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.

 

Current law provides for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates on (i) long-term capital gains received by individuals and (ii) “qualified dividend income” received by individuals from certain domestic and foreign corporations. The reduced rates for capital gains generally apply to long-term capital gains from sales or exchanges recognized on or after May 6, 2003, and cease to apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. The reduced rate for dividends generally applies to “qualified dividend income” received in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002 and ceases to apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. Fund shareholders, as well as the Fund itself, must also satisfy certain holding period and other requirements in order for the reduced rate for dividends to apply. Because the Fund intends to invest primarily in municipal securities, ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund generally will not be eligible for the reduced rate applicable to “qualified dividend income.” To the extent that distributions from the Fund are designated as capital gain dividends, such distributions will be eligible for the reduced rates applicable to long-term capital gains.

 

The sale or exchange of shares (including transactions in connection with a redemption or repurchase of shares) may be a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes. Shareholders who sell their shares will generally recognize a gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between their adjusted tax basis in the shares sold and the amount received. If the shares are held by the shareholder as a capital asset, the gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss. The maximum tax rate applicable to net capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers on the sale or exchange of shares is (i) the same as the maximum ordinary income tax rate for capital assets held for one year or less or (ii) for net capital gains recognized on or after May 6, 2003, 15% for capital assets held for more than one year (20% for net capital gains recognized in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010).

 

Backup withholding rules require the Fund, in certain circumstances, to withhold 28% (through 2010) of dividends and certain other payments, including redemption proceeds, paid to shareholders who do not furnish to the Fund their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, their social security number) and make certain required certifications (including certifications as to foreign status, if applicable), or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding.

 

Foreign shareholders, including shareholders who are non-resident aliens, may be subject to U.S. withholding tax on certain distributions (whether received in cash or in shares) at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as prescribed by an applicable treaty.

 

Under current law, the Fund may pay “interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” to its foreign shareholders without having to withhold on such dividends at the 30% rate. The amount of “interest-related dividends” that the Fund may pay each year is limited to the amount of qualified interest income received by the Fund during that year, less the amount of the Fund’s expenses properly allocable to such interest income. The amount of “short-term capital gain dividends” that the Fund may pay each year generally is limited to the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gains over its net long-term capital losses, without any reduction for the Fund’s expenses allocable to such gains (with exceptions for certain gains). The exemption from 30% withholding tax for “short-term capital gain dividends” does not apply with respect to foreign shareholders that are present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year. If the Fund’s income for a taxable year includes

“qualified interest income” or net short-term capital gains, the Fund may designate dividends as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends” by written notice mailed to its foreign shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year. These provisions apply to dividends paid by the Fund with respect to the Fund’s taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005 and will cease to apply to dividends paid by the Fund with respect to the Fund’s taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009.

 

Foreign shareholders must provide documentation to the Fund certifying their non-United States status. Prospective foreign investors should consult their advisers concerning the tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under federal income tax law. If the Fund so qualifies and distributes each year to its shareholders at least an amount equal to the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income, the Fund will not be required to pay federal income taxes on any income it distributes to shareholders. If the Fund distributes less than an amount equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income and 98% of its capital gain net income, plus any amounts that were not distributed in previous taxable years, then the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts.

 

The federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information only. The exemption of interest income for federal income tax purposes may not result in similar exemptions under the laws of a particular state or local taxing authority. Income distributions may be taxable to shareholders under state or local law as dividend income even though a portion of such distributions may be derived from interest on tax-exempt obligations which, if realized directly, would be exempt from such income taxes. The Fund will report annually to its shareholders the percentage and source, on a state-by-state basis, of interest income earned on municipal securities received by the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Dividends and distributions paid by the Fund from sources other than tax-exempt interest are generally subject to taxation at the federal, state and local levels. Shareholders and prospective investors should consult their own advisers regarding the specific federal tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of shares of the Fund, as well as the effects of state, local and foreign tax laws and any proposed tax law changes. For more information, see the “Taxation” section in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

 

Disclosure of
Portfolio Holdings

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

 

Financial Highlights

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the periods indicated. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all distributions and not including taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions). The information has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s most recent financial statements, may be obtained without charge from our web site at www.vankampen.com or by calling the telephone number on the back cover of this Prospectus. This information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Fund’s Annual Report.

 

 

 

For More Information

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 

Existing Shareholders or Prospective Investors

www.vankampen.com

Automated Telephone System 800-847-2424

 

Dealers

www.vankampen.com

Automated Telephone System 800-847-2424

 

Van Kampen Tax Free Money Fund

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10036

 

Investment Adviser

Van Kampen Asset Management

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10036

 

Distributor

Van Kampen Funds Inc.

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10036

 

Transfer Agent

Van Kampen Investor Services Inc.

PO Box 219286

Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9286

Attn: Van Kampen Tax Free Money Fund

 

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Attn: Van Kampen Tax Free Money Fund

 

Legal Counsel

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

233 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

 

Van Kampen Funds Inc.

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10036

www.vankampen.com

Copyright ^© 2008 Van Kampen Funds Inc.

All rights reserved. Member FINRA/SIPC

TFMM PRO 11/08

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

VAN KAMPEN

TAX FREE MONEY FUND

 

 

Van Kampen Tax Free Money Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek to provide investors with a high level of current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity through investments in a diversified portfolio of municipal securities that will mature within twelve months of the date of purchase.

 

The Fund is organized as the sole diversified series of the Van Kampen Tax Free Money Fund, an open-end management investment company (the “Trust”).

 

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. This Statement of Additional Information should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s prospectus dated November 1, 2008 (the “Prospectus”). This Statement of Additional Information does not include all the information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing shares of the Fund. Investors should obtain and read the Prospectus prior to purchasing shares of the Fund. The Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information and the Fund’s Annual and Semiannual Reports may be obtained without charge from our web site at www.vankampen.com or any of these materials may be obtained without charge by writing or calling Van Kampen Funds Inc. at 1 Parkview Plaza — Suite 100, PO Box 5555, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555 or (800) 847-2424.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

This Statement of Additional Information is dated November 1, 2008.

 

TFMM SAI 11/08

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

The Fund was originally organized in 1986 as a Massachusetts business trust under the name Van Kampen Merritt Tax Free Income Fund. As of July 31, 1995, the Fund was reorganized as a series of the Trust under the name Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund. The Trust is a statutory trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. On July 14, 1998, the Fund and the Trust adopted their present names.

 

Van Kampen Asset Management (the “Adviser”), Van Kampen Funds Inc. (the “Distributor”) and Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. (“Investor Services”) are wholly owned subsidiaries of Van Kampen Investments Inc. (“Van Kampen Investments”), which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The principal office of each of the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor and Van Kampen Investments is located at 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036. The principal office of Investor Services is located at 2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056.

 

The authorized capitalization of the Trust consists of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, which can be divided into series, such as the Fund, and further subdivided into classes of each series. Each share represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the series with each other share in such series and no interest in any other series. No series is subject to the liabilities of any other series. The Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders are not liable for any liabilities of the Trust or any of its series, requires inclusion of a clause to that effect in every agreement entered into by the Trust or any of its series and indemnifies shareholders against any such liability.

 

The Fund currently offers one class of shares. Other classes may be established from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Trust. In the event of liquidation, each share of the Fund is entitled to its portion of all of the Fund’s net assets after all debts and expenses of the Fund have been paid. Shares of the Trust entitle their holders to one vote per share. Except as otherwise described in the Prospectus or herein, shares do not have cumulative voting rights, preemptive rights or any conversion, subscription or exchange rights.

 

The Fund does not contemplate holding regular meetings of shareholders to elect trustees or otherwise. However, the holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares may by written request require a meeting to consider the removal of trustees by a vote of two-thirds of the shares then outstanding cast in person or by proxy at such meeting. The Fund will assist such holders in communicating with other shareholders of the Fund to the extent required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), or rules or regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

The trustees may amend the Declaration of Trust (including with respect to any series) in any manner without shareholder approval, except that the trustees may not adopt any amendment adversely affecting the rights of shareholders of any series without approval by a majority of the shares of each affected series outstanding and entitled to vote (or such higher vote as may be required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law) and except that the trustees cannot amend the Declaration of Trust to impose any liability on shareholders, make any assessment on shares or impose liabilities on the trustees without approval from each affected shareholder or trustee, as the case may be.

Statements contained in this Statement of Additional Information as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Statement of Additional Information forms a part, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

 

As of October 1, 2008 no person was known by the Fund to own beneficially or to hold of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund, except as follows:

 

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

 

The following disclosure supplements the disclosure set forth under the caption “Investment Objective, Principal Investment Strategies and Risks” in the Prospectus and does not, standing alone, present a complete or accurate explanation of the matters disclosed. Readers must refer also to this caption in the Prospectus for a complete presentation of the matters disclosed below.

 

Money-Market Securities

 

The Fund seeks to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share for purchases and redemptions. To do so, the Fund uses the amortized cost method of valuing the Fund’s securities pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, certain requirements of which are summarized below.

 

In accordance with Rule 2a-7, the Fund is required to (i) maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or less, (ii) purchase only instruments having remaining maturities of 13 months or less and (iii) invest only in U.S. dollar denominated securities determined in accordance with procedures established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees to

present minimal credit risks. Additionally, securities purchased for investment must be rated in one of the two highest rating categories for debt obligations by any two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”) (or any one NRSRO if the instrument was rated by only one such organization) or, if unrated, are of comparable quality as determined in accordance with procedures established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The NRSROs currently rating instruments of the type the Fund may purchase include, among others, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Standard & Poor’s (“S & P”).

 

In addition, the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities (including the securities collateralizing a repurchase agreement) of a single issuer, except that (i) the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the “first tier securities” of a single issuer for a period of up to three business days in certain limited circumstances, (ii) the Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government without any such limitation, and (iii) the Fund may invest, with limitations, more than 5% of its total assets in securities subject to a guarantee issued by a non-controlled person. First tier securities are those that have been rated in the highest rating category for short-term obligations by at least two NRSROs (or one NRSRO if the instrument was rated by only one such organization), and unrated securities determined in accordance with procedures established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees to be comparable to those rated in the highest category. The Fund will be limited to 5% of the Fund’s total assets for other permitted investments not in the first tier (“second tier securities”), with the investment in any one such issuer being limited to no more than the greater of 1% of the Fund’s total assets or $1,000,000. As to each security, these percentages are measured at the time the Fund purchases the security.

 

If a security’s rating is downgraded, the Adviser and/or the Fund’s Board of Trustees may have to reassess the security’s credit risk. If a security has ceased to be a first tier security, the Adviser will promptly reassess whether the security continues to present minimal credit risk. If the Adviser becomes aware that any NRSRO has downgraded its rating of a second tier security or rated a previously unrated security below its second highest rating category, the Fund’s Board of Trustees shall promptly reassess whether the security presents minimal credit risk and whether it is in the best interests of the Fund to dispose of it. If the Fund disposes of the security within five days of the Adviser learning of the downgrade, the Adviser will provide the Fund’s Board of Trustees with subsequent notice of such downgrade. If a security is in default, ceases to be a security permitted for investment, is determined no longer to present minimal credit risks or if an event of insolvency as defined in Rule 2a-7 occurs, the Fund must dispose of the security as soon as practicable unless the Fund’s Board of Trustees determines it would be in the best interests of the Fund not to dispose of the security. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share.

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions to earn a return on temporarily available cash. A repurchase agreement is a short-term investment in which the purchaser (i.e., the Fund) acquires ownership of a security and the seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a future time and set price, thereby determining the yield during the holding period. Repurchase agreements involve certain risks in the event of default by the other party. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions deemed to be creditworthy by the Adviser under guidelines approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The Fund

will not invest in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days if any such investment, together with any other illiquid securities held by the Fund, would exceed the Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities described herein. The Fund does not bear the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security unless the seller defaults under its repurchase obligation. In the event of the bankruptcy or other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying securities and losses including: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto; (b) possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

 

For the purpose of investing in repurchase agreements, the Adviser may aggregate the cash that certain funds advised or subadvised by the Adviser or certain of its affiliates would otherwise invest separately into a joint account. The cash in the joint account is then invested in repurchase agreements and the funds that contributed to the joint account share pro rata in the net revenue generated. The Adviser believes that the joint account produces efficiencies and economies of scale that may contribute to reduced transaction costs, higher returns, higher quality investments and greater diversity of investments for the Fund than would be available to the Fund investing separately. The manner in which the joint account is managed is subject to conditions set forth in an exemptive order from the SEC permitting this practice, which conditions are designed to ensure the fair administration of the joint account and to protect the amounts in that account.

 

Repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by the underlying securities and are considered to be loans under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays for such securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of book entry transfer to the account of a custodian or bank acting as agent. The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to maintain the value of the underlying securities marked-to-market daily at not less than the repurchase price. The underlying securities (normally securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) may have maturity dates exceeding one year.

 

Stand-By Commitments

 

The Fund may acquire “stand-by commitments” with respect to municipal securities held by the Fund. Under a stand-by commitment, a bank or dealer from which municipal securities are acquired agrees to purchase from the Fund, at the Fund’s option, the municipal securities at a specified price. Such commitments are sometimes called “liquidity puts.” The amount payable to the Fund upon its exercise of a stand-by commitment is normally (i) the Fund’s acquisition cost of the municipal securities (excluding any accrued interest which the Fund paid on their acquisition), less any amortized market premium or plus any amortized market or original issue discount during the period the Fund owned the securities, plus (ii) all interest accrued on the securities since the last interest payment date during that period. Stand-by commitments generally can be acquired when the remaining maturity of the underlying municipal securities is not greater than one year, and are exercisable by the Fund at any time before the maturity of such obligations. The Fund’s right to exercise stand-by commitments is unconditional and unqualified. A stand-by commitment generally is not transferable by the Fund, although the Fund can sell the underlying municipal securities to a third party at any time.

 

The Fund expects that stand-by commitments will generally be available without the payment of any direct or indirect consideration. However, if necessary or advisable, the Fund

may pay for a stand-by commitment either separately in cash or by paying a higher price for portfolio securities which are acquired subject to the commitment (thus reducing the yield to maturity otherwise available for the same securities). The Fund intends to enter into stand-by commitments only with banks and dealers which, in the opinion of the Fund’s investment adviser, present minimal credit risks.

 

The acquisition of a stand-by commitment would not affect the valuation of the underlying municipal securities which would continue to be valued in accordance with the method of valuation employed for the Fund in which they are held. Stand-by commitments acquired by the Fund would be valued at zero in determining net asset value. Where the Fund paid any consideration directly or indirectly for a stand-by commitment, its costs would be reflected as unrealized depreciation for the period during which the commitment was held by the Fund.

 

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions

 

The Fund may purchase and sell portfolio securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis whereby the Fund buys or sells a security with payment and delivery taking place in the future. The payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the Fund enters into the commitment. No income accrues to the Fund on securities in connection with such purchase transactions prior to the date the Fund actually takes delivery of such securities. These transactions are subject to market risk as the value or yield of a security at delivery may be more or less than the purchase price or the yield generally available on comparable securities when delivery occurs. In addition, the Fund is subject to counterparty risk because it relies on the buyer or seller, as the case may be, to consummate the transaction, and failure by the other party to complete the transaction may result in the Fund missing the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. The Fund will only make commitments to purchase such securities with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but the Fund may sell these securities prior to settlement date if it is deemed advisable. When the Fund is the buyer in such a transaction, however, it will segregate cash and/or liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of such purchase commitments until payment is made. The Fund will make commitments to purchase securities on such basis only with the intention of actually acquiring these securities, but the Fund may sell such securities prior to the settlement date if such sale is considered to be advisable. To the extent the Fund engages in when-issued and delayed delivery transactions, it will do so for the purpose of acquiring securities for the Fund’s portfolio consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies and not for the purpose of investment leverage. No specific limitation exists as to the percentage of the Fund’s assets which may be used to acquire securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

 

Illiquid Securities

 

The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which includes securities that are not readily marketable, repurchase agreements which have a maturity of longer than seven days and generally includes securities that are restricted from sale to the public without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). The sale of such securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of liquid securities trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted securities are often

purchased at a discount from the market price of unrestricted securities of the same issuer reflecting the fact that such securities may not be readily marketable without some time delay. Ordinarily, the Fund would invest in restricted securities only when it receives the issuer’s commitment to register the securities without expense to the Fund. However, registration and underwriting expenses (which typically range from 7% to 15% of the gross proceeds of the securities sold) may be paid by the Fund. Restricted securities which can be offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act (“144A Securities”) and are determined to be liquid under guidelines adopted by and subject to the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees are not subject to the limitation on illiquid securities. Such 144A Securities are subject to monitoring and may become illiquid to the extent qualified institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing such securities. Factors used to determine whether 144A Securities are liquid include, among other things, a security’s trading history, the availability of reliable pricing information, the number of dealers making quotes or making a market in such security and the number of potential purchasers in the market for such security. For purposes hereof, investments by the Fund in securities of other investment companies will not be considered investments in restricted securities to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief (such as “no action” letters issued by the staff of the SEC interpreting or providing guidance on the 1940 Act or regulations thereunder) from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

The Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment restrictions which may not be changed without shareholder approval by the vote of a majority of its outstanding voting securities, which is defined by the 1940 Act as the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s voting securities present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. The percentage limitations contained in the restrictions and policies set forth herein apply at the time of purchase of securities. With respect to the limitations on illiquid securities and borrowings, the percentage limitations apply at the time of purchase and on an ongoing basis. These restrictions provide that the Fund shall not:

 

 

 

 

The latter part of certain of the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions (i.e., the references to “as may otherwise be permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time”) provide the Fund with flexibility to change its limitations in connection with changes in applicable law, rules, regulations or exemptive relief. The language used in these restrictions provides the necessary flexibility to allow the Fund’s Board to respond efficiently to these kinds of developments without the delay and expense of a shareholder meeting.

Non-Fundamental Policy

 

The Fund has adopted the following operating policy which may be amended by its Board of Trustees. The Fund shall:

 

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Fund’s Board of Trustees and the Fund’s officers appointed by the Board of Trustees. The tables below list the trustees and executive officers of the Fund and their principal occupations during the last five years, other directorships held by trustees and their affiliations, if any, with Van Kampen Investments, the Adviser, the Distributor, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Exchange Corp. and Investor Services. The term “Fund Complex” includes each of the investment companies advised by the Adviser as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information. Trustees serve until reaching their retirement age or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Officers are annually elected by the trustees.

 

Independent Trustees

 

 

Interested Trustee*

 

 

 

Officers

 

 

Compensation

 

Each trustee/director/managing general partner (hereinafter referred to in this section as “trustee”) who is not an affiliated person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of Van Kampen Investments, the Adviser or the Distributor (each a “Non-Affiliated Trustee”) is compensated

by an annual retainer and meeting fees for services to funds in the Fund Complex. Each fund in the Fund Complex (except Van Kampen Exchange Fund) provides a deferred compensation plan to its Non-Affiliated Trustees that allows such trustees to defer receipt of their compensation until retirement and earn a return on such deferred amounts. Amounts deferred are retained by the Fund and earn a rate of return determined by reference to the return on the common shares of the Fund or other funds in the Fund Complex as selected by the respective Non-Affiliated Trustee. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in securities of those funds selected by the Non-Affiliated Trustees in order to match the deferred compensation obligation. The deferred compensation plan is not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of the Fund. Deferring compensation has the same economic effect as if the Non-Affiliated Trustee reinvested his or her compensation into the funds. Each fund in the Fund Complex (except Van Kampen Exchange Fund) provides a retirement plan to its Non-Affiliated Trustees that provides Non-Affiliated Trustees with compensation after retirement, provided that certain eligibility requirements are met. Under the retirement plan, a Non-Affiliated Trustee who is receiving compensation from the Fund prior to such Non-Affiliated Trustee’s retirement, has at least 10 years of service (including years of service prior to adoption of the retirement plan) and retires at or after attaining the age of 60, is eligible to receive a retirement benefit per year for each of the 10 years following such retirement from the Fund. Non-Affiliated Trustees retiring prior to the age of 60 or with fewer than 10 years but more than 5 years of service may receive reduced retirement benefits from the Fund.

 

Additional information regarding compensation and benefits for trustees is set forth below for the periods described in the notes accompanying the table.

 

Compensation Table

 

 

 

 

 

Board Committees

 

The Board of Trustees has three standing committees (an audit committee, a brokerage and services committee and a governance committee). Each committee is comprised solely of “Independent Trustees”, which is defined for purposes herein as trustees who: (1) are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined by the 1940 Act and (2) are “independent” of the Fund as defined by the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange and Chicago Stock Exchange listing standards.

 

The Board’s audit committee consists of Jerry D. Choate, Rod Dammeyer and R. Craig Kennedy. In addition to being Independent Trustees as defined above, each of these trustees also meets the additional independence requirements for audit committee members as defined by the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange and Chicago Stock Exchange listing standards. The audit committee makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees concerning the selection of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, reviews with such independent registered public accounting firm the scope and results of the Fund’s annual audit and considers any comments which the independent registered public accounting firm may have regarding the Fund’s financial statements, accounting records or internal controls. The Board of Trustees has adopted a formal written charter for the audit committee which sets forth the audit committee’s responsibilities. The audit committee has reviewed and discussed the financial statements of the Fund with management as well as with the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund, and discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed under the Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61. The audit committee has received the written disclosures and the

letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required under Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence. Based on this review, the audit committee recommended to the Board of Trustees of the Fund that the Fund’s audited financial statements be included in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the most recent fiscal year for filing with the SEC.

 

The Board’s brokerage and services committee consists of Linda Hutton Heagy, Hugo F. Sonnenschein and Suzanne H. Woolsey. The brokerage and services committee reviews the Fund’s allocation of brokerage transactions and soft-dollar practices and reviews the transfer agency and shareholder servicing arrangements with Investor Services.

 

The Board’s governance committee consists of David C. Arch, Howard J Kerr and Jack E. Nelson. In addition to being Independent Trustees as defined above, each of these trustees also meets the additional independence requirements for nominating committee members as defined by the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange and Chicago Stock Exchange listing standards. The governance committee identifies individuals qualified to serve as Independent Trustees on the Board and on committees of the Board, advises the Board with respect to Board composition, procedures and committees, develops and recommends to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Fund, monitors corporate governance matters and makes recommendations to the Board, and acts as the administrative committee with respect to Board policies and procedures, committee policies and procedures and codes of ethics. The Independent Trustees of the Fund select and nominate any other nominee Independent Trustees for the Fund. While the Independent Trustees of the Fund expect to be able to continue to identify from their own resources an ample number of qualified candidates for the Board of Trustees as they deem appropriate, they will consider nominations from shareholders to the Board. Nominations from shareholders should be in writing and sent to the Independent Trustees as described below.

 

During the Fund’s last fiscal year, the Board of Trustees held 13 meetings. During the Fund’s last fiscal year, the audit committee of the Board held 4 meetings, the brokerage and services committee of the Board held 4 meetings and the governance committee of the Board held 4 meetings.

 

Shareholder Communications

 

Shareholders may send communications to the Board of Trustees. Shareholders should send communications intended for the Board by addressing the communication directly to the Board (or individual Board members) and/or otherwise clearly indicating in the salutation that the communication is for the Board (or individual Board members) and by sending the communication to either the Fund’s office or directly to such Board member(s) at the address specified for such trustee above. Other shareholder communications received by the Fund not directly addressed and sent to the Board will be reviewed and generally responded to by management, and will be forwarded to the Board only at management’s discretion based on the matters contained therein.

 

Share Ownership

 

Excluding deferred compensation balances as described in the Compensation Table, as of December 31, 2007, the most recently completed calendar year prior to the date of this Statement of Additional Information, each trustee of the Fund beneficially owned equity

securities of the Fund and all of the funds in the Fund Complex overseen by the trustee in the dollar range amounts specified below.

 

2007 TRUSTEE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

 

Independent Trustees

 

 

Interested Trustee

 

 

Including deferred compensation balances (which are amounts deferred and thus retained by the Fund as described in the Compensation Table), as of December 31, 2007, the most recently completed calendar year prior to the date of this Statement of Additional Information, each trustee of the Fund had in the aggregate, combining beneficially owned equity securities and deferred compensation of the Fund and of all of the funds in the Fund Complex overseen by the trustee, the dollar range amounts specified below.

 

2007 TRUSTEE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION

 

Independent Trustees

 

 

Interested Trustee

 

 

As of October 1, 2008, the trustees and officers of the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of the Fund.

 

Code of Ethics

 

The Fund, the Adviser and the Distributor have adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that sets forth general and specific standards relating to the securities trading activities of their employees. The Code of Ethics does not prohibit employees from acquiring securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, but is intended to ensure that all employees conduct their personal transactions in a manner that does not interfere with the portfolio transactions of the Fund or other Van Kampen funds, or that such employees take unfair advantage of their relationship with the Fund. Among other things, the Code of Ethics prohibits certain types of transactions absent prior approval, imposes various trading restrictions (such as time periods during which personal transactions may or may not be made) and requires quarterly reporting of securities transactions and other reporting matters. All reportable securities transactions and other required reports are to be reviewed by appropriate personnel for compliance with the Code of Ethics. Additional restrictions apply to portfolio managers, traders, research analysts and others who may have access to nonpublic information about the trading activities of the Fund or other Van Kampen funds or who otherwise are involved in the investment advisory process. Exceptions to these and other provisions of the Code of Ethics may be granted in particular circumstances after review by appropriate personnel.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

The Fund and the Adviser are parties to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund retains the Adviser to manage the investment of the Fund’s assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Adviser obtains and evaluates economic, statistical and financial information to formulate strategy and implement the Fund’s investment objective. The Adviser also furnishes offices, necessary facilities and equipment, provides administrative services to the Fund, renders periodic reports to the Fund’s Board of Trustees and permits its officers and employees to serve without compensation as trustees or officers of the Fund if elected to such positions. The Fund, however, bears the costs of its day-to-day operations, including service fees, distribution fees, custodian fees, legal and independent registered public accounting firm fees, the costs of reports and proxies to shareholders, compensation of trustees of the Fund (other than those who are affiliated persons of the Adviser, Distributor or Van Kampen Investments) and all other ordinary business expenses not specifically assumed by the Adviser. The Advisory Agreement also provides that the Adviser shall not be liable to the Fund for any error of judgment or of law, or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Advisory Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement.

 

The Advisory Agreement also provides that, in the event the expenses of the Fund for any fiscal year exceed the most restrictive expense limitation applicable in any jurisdiction in which the Fund’s shares are qualified for offer and sale (excluding any expenses permitted to be excluded from the computation under applicable law or regulation), the compensation due

the Adviser will be reduced by the amount of such excess and that, if a reduction in and refund of the advisory fee is insufficient, the Adviser will pay the Fund monthly an amount sufficient to make up the deficiency, subject to readjustment during the fiscal year.

 

Advisory Fees

 

 

Litigation Involving the Adviser

 

The Adviser and one of the investment companies advised by the Adviser are named as defendants in a class action complaint generally alleging that the defendants breached their duties of care to long-term shareholders of the investment company by valuing portfolio securities at the closing prices of the foreign exchanges on which they trade without accounting for significant market information that became available after the close of the foreign exchanges but before calculation of net asset value. As a result, the complaint alleges, short-term traders were able to exploit stale pricing information to capture arbitrage profits that diluted the value of shares held by long-term investors. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory damages, punitive damages, fees and costs. In October 2006, pursuant to an order of the United States Supreme Court finding a lack of appellate jurisdiction, the federal court of appeals vacated a prior order of the federal district court dismissing the case with prejudice, and remanded the case to the Illinois state court where it had been filed. In November 2006, defendants again removed the case to the federal district court based on intervening authority. In July 2007, the district court granted plaintiff’s motion to remand the case back to Illinois state court. The Illinois state court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss the compliant in May 2008. Defendants are seeking an interlocutory appeal of that ruling. While defendants believe that they have meritorious defenses, the ultimate outcome of this matter is not presently determinable at this stage in the litigation.

 

OTHER AGREEMENTS

 

Accounting Services Agreement

 

The Fund has entered into an accounting services agreement pursuant to which the Adviser provides accounting services to the Fund supplementary to those provided by the custodian. Such services are expected to enable the Fund to more closely monitor and maintain its accounts and records. The Fund pays all costs and expenses related to such services, including all salary and related benefits of accounting personnel, as well as the overhead and expenses of office space and the equipment necessary to render such services. The Fund shares together with the other Van Kampen funds in the cost of providing such services with 25% of such costs shared proportionately based on the respective number of classes of securities issued per fund and the remaining 75% of such costs based proportionately on the respective net assets per fund.

Legal Services Agreement

 

The Fund and certain other Van Kampen funds have entered into legal services agreements pursuant to which Van Kampen Investments provides legal services, including without limitation: accurate maintenance of each fund’s minute books and records, preparation and oversight of each fund’s regulatory reports and other information provided to shareholders, as well as responding to day-to-day legal issues on behalf of the funds. Payment by the funds for such services is made on a cost basis for the salary and salary-related benefits, including but not limited to bonuses, group insurance and other regular wages for the employment of personnel. Other funds distributed by the Distributor also receive legal services from Van Kampen Investments. Of the total costs for legal services provided to funds distributed by the Distributor, one half of such costs are allocated equally to each fund and the remaining one-half of such costs are allocated among funds based on the type of fund and the relative net assets of the Fund.

 

Chief Compliance Officer Employment Agreement

 

The Fund has entered into an employment agreement with John Sullivan and Morgan Stanley pursuant to which Mr. Sullivan, an employee of Morgan Stanley, serves as Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund and other Van Kampen funds. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer and his staff are responsible for administering the compliance policies and procedures of the Fund and other Van Kampen funds. The Fund reimburses Morgan Stanley for the costs and expenses of such services, including compensation and benefits, insurance, occupancy and equipment, information processing and communication, office services, conferences and travel, postage and shipping. The Fund shares together with the other Van Kampen funds in the cost of providing such services with 25% of such costs shared proportionately based on the respective number of classes of securities issued per fund and the remaining 75% of such costs based proportionately on the respective net assets per fund.

 

Fund Payments Pursuant to these Agreements

 

 

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE

 

The Distributor acts as the principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a written agreement (the “Distribution and Service Agreement”). The Distributor has the exclusive right to distribute shares of the Fund through authorized dealers on a continuous basis. The Distributor’s obligation is an agency or “best efforts” arrangement under which the Distributor is required to take and pay for only such shares of the Fund as may be sold to the public. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any stated number of shares. The Distributor bears the cost of printing (but not typesetting) prospectuses used in connection with this offering and certain other costs including the cost of supplemental sales literature and advertising. The Distribution and Service Agreement is renewable from year to year if approved (a)(i) by the Fund’s Board of Trustees or (ii) by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and (b) by a vote of a majority of trustees who are not parties to

the Distribution and Service Agreement or interested persons of any party, by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Distribution and Service Agreement provides that it will terminate if assigned, and that it may be terminated without penalty by either party on 90 days’ written notice.

 

The Fund has adopted a distribution plan (the “Distribution Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Fund also adopted a service plan (the “Service Plan”). The Distribution Plan and the Service Plan sometimes are referred to herein as the “Plans.” The Plans provide that the Fund may spend a portion of the Fund’s average daily net assets in connection with the distribution of its shares and in connection with the provision of ongoing services to shareholders. The Distribution Plan and the Service Plan are being implemented through the Distribution and Service Agreement with the Distributor of the Fund’s shares, sub-agreements between the Distributor and members of FINRA who are acting as securities dealers and FINRA members or eligible non-members who are acting as brokers or agents and similar agreements between the Fund and financial intermediaries who are acting as brokers (collectively, “Selling Agreements”) that may provide for their customers or clients certain services or assistance, which may include, but not be limited to, processing purchase and redemption transactions, establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts regarding the Fund, and such other services as may be agreed to from time to time and as may be permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation. Brokers, dealers and financial intermediaries that have entered into sub-agreements with the Distributor and sell shares of the Fund are referred to herein as “financial intermediaries.”

 

Certain financial intermediaries may be prohibited under law from providing certain underwriting or distribution services. If a financial intermediary was prohibited from acting in any capacity or providing any of the described services, the Distributor would consider what action, if any, would be appropriate. The Distributor does not believe that termination of a relationship with a financial intermediary would result in any material adverse consequences to the Fund.

 

The Distributor must submit quarterly reports to the Fund’s Board of Trustees setting forth all amounts paid under the Distribution Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made, together with such other information as from time to time is reasonably requested by the trustees. The Plans provide that they will continue in full force and effect from year to year so long as such continuance is specifically approved by a vote of the trustees, and also by a vote of the disinterested trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plans. Each of the Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares and all material amendments to either of the Plans must be approved by the trustees and also by the disinterested trustees. Each of the Plans may be terminated at any time by a vote of a majority of the disinterested trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares.

 

In any given year in which the Plans are in effect, the Plans generally provide for the Fund to pay the Distributor the lesser of (i) the amount of the Distributor’s actual expenses incurred during such year (the “actual net expenses”) or (ii) the distribution and service fees at the rates specified in the Prospectus (the “plan fees”). Therefore, to the extent the Distributor’s actual net expenses in a given year are less than the plan fees for such year, the Fund only pays the actual net expenses. Alternatively, to the extent the Distributor’s actual net expenses in a given year exceed the plan fees for such year, the Fund only pays the plan fees

for such year. There is no carryover of any unreimbursed actual net expenses to succeeding years. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, the Fund’s aggregate expenses paid under the Plans were $51,423 or 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

The Distributor may from time to time implement programs under which an authorized dealer’s sales force may be eligible to win nominal awards for certain sales efforts or under which the Distributor will pay to any authorized dealer that sponsors sales contests or recognition programs conforming to criteria established by the Distributor or participates in sales programs sponsored by the Distributor. Also, the Distributor in its discretion may from time to time, pursuant to objective criteria established by the Distributor, pay fees to, and sponsor business seminars for, qualifying authorized dealers for certain services or activities which are primarily intended to result in sales of shares of the Fund or other Van Kampen funds. Fees may include payment for travel expenses, including lodging, incurred in connection with trips taken by invited registered representatives for meetings or seminars of a business nature.

 

TRANSFER AGENT

 

The Fund has entered into a transfer agency and service agreement with Investor Services, pursuant to which Investor Services serves as the Fund’s transfer agent, shareholder service agent and dividend disbursing agent. As consideration for the services it provides, Investor Services receives transfer agency fees in amounts that are determined through negotiations with the Fund and are approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The transfer agency fees are based on competitive benchmarks. The Fund and Investor Services may enter into agreements with third party intermediaries, pursuant to which such intermediaries agree to provide recordkeeping and other administrative services for their clients who invest in the Fund. In such instances, the Fund will pay certain fees to the intermediaries for the services they provide that otherwise would have been performed by Investor Services.

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION

 

The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions and the negotiation of prices and any brokerage commissions on such transactions. While the Adviser will be primarily responsible for the placement of the Fund’s portfolio business, the policies and practices in this regard are subject to review by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

As most transactions made by the Fund are principal transactions at net prices, the Fund generally incurs little or no brokerage costs. The portfolio securities in which the Fund invests are normally purchased directly from the issuer or in the over-the-counter market from an underwriter or market maker for the securities. Purchases from underwriters of portfolio securities include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers serving as market makers include a spread or markup to the dealer between the bid and asked price. Sales to dealers are effected at bid prices. The Fund may also purchase certain money market instruments directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid, or may purchase and sell listed securities on an exchange, which are effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services.

 

The Adviser is responsible for placing portfolio transactions and does so in a manner deemed fair and reasonable to the Fund and not according to any formula. The primary consideration in all portfolio transactions is prompt execution of orders in an effective manner at the most favorable price. In selecting broker-dealers and in negotiating prices and any brokerage commissions on such transactions, the Adviser considers the firm’s reliability, integrity and financial condition and the firm’s execution capability, the size and breadth of the market for the security, the size of and difficulty in executing the order, and the best net price. In selecting among firms, consideration may be given to those firms which supply research and other services in addition to execution services. The Adviser is authorized to pay higher commissions to brokerage firms that provide it with investment and research information than to firms which do not provide such services if the Adviser determines that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the overall services provided. In certain instances, the Adviser may instruct certain broker-dealers to pay for research services provided by executing brokers or third party research providers, which are selected independently by the Adviser. No specific value can be assigned to such research services which are furnished without cost to the Adviser. Since statistical and other research information is only supplementary to the research efforts of the Adviser to the Fund and still must be analyzed and reviewed by its staff, the receipt of research information is not expected to reduce its expenses materially. The investment advisory fee is not reduced as a result of the Adviser’s receipt of such research services. Services provided may include (a) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (b) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (c) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement and custody). When a particular item (such as proxy services) has both research and non-research related uses, the Adviser will make a reasonable allocation of the cost of the item between the research and non-research uses and may pay for the portion of the cost allocated to research uses with commissions. Research services furnished by firms through which the Fund effects its securities transactions may be used by the Adviser in servicing all of its advisory accounts and/or accounts managed by its affiliates that are registered investment advisers; not all of such services may be used by the Adviser in connection with the Fund. To the extent that the Adviser receives these services from broker-dealers, it will not have to pay for these services itself.

 

The Adviser also may place portfolio transactions, to the extent permitted by law, with brokerage firms (and futures commission merchants) affiliated with the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor and with brokerage firms participating in the distribution of the Fund’s shares if it reasonably believes that the quality of execution and the commission are comparable to that available from other qualified firms. Similarly, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the same considerations on quality of execution and comparable commission rates, the Adviser may direct an executing broker to pay a portion or all of any commissions, concessions or discounts to a firm supplying research or other services.

 

The Adviser may place portfolio transactions at or about the same time for other advisory accounts, including other investment companies. The Adviser seeks to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell securities for the Fund and another advisory account. In some cases, this procedure could have an adverse effect on the price or the amount of securities available to the Fund. In making such allocations among the Fund and other advisory accounts, the main factors considered by the Adviser are the respective sizes of the Fund and other advisory accounts, the respective

investment objectives, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment, the size of investment commitments generally held and opinions of the persons responsible for recommending the investment.

 

During the past three fiscal years, the Fund paid no commissions to brokers on the purchase or sale of portfolio securities.

 

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

 

The Fund offers a number of shareholder services designed to facilitate investment in its shares at little or no extra cost to the investor. Below is a description of such services. The following information supplements the section in the Fund’s Prospectus captioned “Shareholder Services.”

 

Investment Account

 

Each shareholder has an investment account under which the investor’s shares of the Fund are held by Investor Services, the Fund’s transfer agent. Investor Services performs bookkeeping, data processing and administrative services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Except as described in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, after each share transaction in an account, the shareholder receives a statement showing the activity in the account. Each shareholder who has an account in any of the Van Kampen funds will receive statements quarterly from Investor Services showing any reinvestments of dividends and capital gain dividends and any other activity in the account since the preceding statement. Such shareholders also will receive separate confirmations for each purchase or sale transaction other than reinvestment of dividends and capital gain dividends and systematic purchases or redemptions. Additional shares may be purchased at any time through authorized dealers, by bank wire or by mailing a check and detailed instructions directly to Investor Services.

 

Share Certificates

 

Generally, the Fund will not issue share certificates. However, upon written or telephone request to the Fund, a share certificate will be issued representing shares (with the exception of fractional shares) of the Fund. A shareholder will be required to surrender such certificates upon an exchange or redemption of the shares represented by the certificate. In addition, if such certificates are lost the shareholder must write to Van Kampen Funds Inc., c/o Investor Services, PO Box 219286, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9286, requesting an “Affidavit of Loss” and obtain a Surety Bond in a form acceptable to Investor Services. On the date the letter is received, Investor Services will calculate the fee for replacing the lost certificate equal to no more than 1.50% of the net asset value of the issued shares, and bill the party to whom the replacement certificate was mailed.

 

Retirement Plans

 

Eligible investors may establish individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”); SEP; 401(k) plans; 403(b)(7) plans in the case of employees of public school systems and certain non-profit organizations; or other pension or profit sharing plans. Documents and forms containing detailed information regarding these plans are available from the Distributor.

Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Deposits

 

Shareholders can use ACH to have redemption proceeds up to $50,000 deposited electronically into their bank accounts. Redemption proceeds transferred to a bank account via the ACH plan are available to be credited to the account on the second business day following normal payment. To utilize this option, the shareholder’s bank must be a member of ACH. In addition, the shareholder must fill out the appropriate section of the account application form. The shareholder must also include a voided check or deposit slip from the bank account into which redemption proceeds are to be deposited together with the completed application. Once Investor Services has received the application and the voided check or deposit slip, such shareholder’s designated bank account, following any redemption, will be credited with the proceeds of such redemption. Once enrolled in the ACH plan, a shareholder may terminate participation at any time by writing Investor Services or by calling (800) 847-2424.

 

Dividend Diversification

 

A shareholder may elect, by completing the appropriate section of the account application form or by calling (800) 847-2424, to have all dividends and capital gain dividends paid on shares of the Fund invested into shares of any of the Participating Funds (as defined in the Prospectus) so long as the investor has a pre-existing account for such shares of the other fund. Both accounts must be of the same type, either non-retirement or retirement. If the accounts are retirement accounts, they must both be for the same type of retirement plan (e.g. IRA, 403(b)(7), 401(k), Money Purchase and Profit Sharing plans) and for the benefit of the same individual. If a qualified, pre-existing account does not exist, the shareholder must establish a new account subject to any requirements of the Participating Fund into which distributions will be invested. Distributions are invested into the selected Participating Fund, provided that shares of such Participating Fund are available for sale, at its net asset value per share as of the payable date of the distribution from the Fund.

 

Systematic Withdrawal Plan

 

A shareholder may establish a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual withdrawal plan if the shareholder owns shares in a single account valued at $5,000 or more at the next determined net asset value per share at the time the plan is established. This plan provides for the orderly use of the entire account, not only the income but also the capital, if necessary. Each payment represents the proceeds of a redemption of shares on which any capital gain or loss will be recognized. The plan holder may arrange for periodic checks in any amount not less than $25. Such a systematic withdrawal plan may also be maintained by an investor purchasing shares for a retirement plan and may be established on a form made available by the Fund. See “Shareholder Services—Retirement Plans.”

 

Under the plan, sufficient shares of the Fund are redeemed to provide the amount of the periodic withdrawal payment. Dividends and capital gain dividends on shares held in accounts with systematic withdrawal plans are reinvested in additional shares at the next determined net asset value per share. If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed reinvested dividends and capital gain dividends, the shareholder’s original investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted. Any gain or loss realized by the shareholder upon redemption of shares is a taxable event. The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the systematic withdrawal program upon 30 days’ notice to its shareholders.

REDEMPTION OF SHARES

 

Redemptions are not made on days during which the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) is closed. The right of redemption may be suspended and the payment therefor may be postponed for more than seven days during any period when (a) the Exchange is closed for other than customary weekends or holidays; (b) the SEC determines trading on the Exchange is restricted; (c) the SEC determines an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets; or (d) the SEC, by order, so permits.

 

In addition, if the Fund’s Board of Trustees determines that payment wholly or partly in cash would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of the Fund, the Fund may pay the redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution-in-kind of portfolio securities held by the Fund in lieu of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC. A distribution-in-kind may result in recognition by the shareholder of a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes when such securities are distributed, and the shareholder may have brokerage costs and a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon the shareholder’s disposition of such in-kind securities.

 

NET ASSET VALUE

 

Calculations are made to compare the amortized cost basis of the portfolio with current market rates at such intervals as the Fund or the Board of Trustees deem appropriate, to determine the extent, if any, to which the net asset value per share calculated by using available market quotations deviates from the price per share based on amortized cost. Market valuations are obtained using market quotations provided by market makers, estimates of market values or values obtained from published yield data of money market instruments. In the event such deviation should exceed 1 / 2 of one percent, the Board of Trustees is required to promptly consider what action, if any, should be initiated. If the Board of Trustees believes that the extent of any deviation from a $1.00 amortized cost price per share may result in material dilution or other unfair results to new or existing shareholders, it will take such steps as it considers appropriate to eliminate or reduce these consequences to the extent reasonably practicable. Such steps may include, among other things: selling Fund securities prior to maturity; shortening the average maturity of the Fund; withholding or reducing dividends; or utilizing a net asset value per share determined by using available market quotations.

 

TAXATION

 

Federal Income Taxation of the Fund

 

The following discussion and the taxation discussion in the Prospectus are summaries of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders. The discussions reflect applicable U.S. federal income tax laws of the United States as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) retroactively or prospectively. These discussions assume that the Fund’s shareholders hold their shares as capital assets for federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment). No

attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax considerations, or any state, local or foreign tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders, and the discussions set forth herein and in the Prospectus do not constitute tax advice. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of an investment in the Fund and any proposed tax law changes.

 

The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must comply with certain requirements of the Code relating to, among other things, the sources of its income and diversification of its assets.

 

If the Fund so qualifies and distributes each year to its shareholders at least an amount equal to the sum of (i) 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally including ordinary income and net short-term capital gain, but not net capital gain, which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), and (ii) 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income and meets certain other requirements, it will not be required to pay federal income taxes on any income it distributes to shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute at least the minimum amount necessary to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement. The Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on any net capital gain distributed to shareholders and designated as capital gain dividends.

 

To avoid a nondeductible 4% excise tax, the Fund will be required to distribute, by December 31st of each year, at least an amount equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not including tax-exempt income) for such year, (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income (the latter of which generally is computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31st of such year), and (iii) any amounts that were not distributed in previous taxable years. For purposes of the excise tax, any ordinary income or capital gain net income retained by, and subject to U.S. federal income tax in the hands of, the Fund will be treated as having been distributed.

 

If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company or failed to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, the Fund would be taxed as an ordinary corporation on its taxable income (even if such income were distributed to its shareholders) and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (which could be subject to interest charges) before requalifying for taxation as a regulated investment company.

 

Some of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gain or “qualified dividend income” into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and/or (vii) produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the annual gross income requirement that the Fund must meet to be treated as a regulated investment company. The Fund intends to monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections or take other

actions to mitigate the effect of these provisions and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company.

 

Investments of the Fund in securities issued at a discount or providing for deferred interest or payment of interest in kind are subject to special tax rules that will affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. For example, with respect to securities issued at a discount, the Fund generally will be required to accrue as income each year a portion of the discount and to distribute such income each year to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and to avoid income and excise taxes. To generate sufficient cash to make distributions necessary to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement and to avoid income and excise taxes, the Fund may have to either borrow money or dispose of securities that it would otherwise have continued to hold.

 

Distributions to Shareholders

 

The Fund intends to invest in sufficient tax-exempt municipal securities to permit payment of “exempt-interest dividends” (as defined in the Code). Dividends paid by the Fund from the net tax-exempt interest earned from municipal securities qualify as exempt-interest dividends if, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the total assets of the Fund consists of such securities.

 

Certain limitations on the use and investment of the proceeds of state and local government bonds and other funds must be satisfied to maintain the exclusion from gross income for interest on such bonds. These limitations generally apply to bonds issued after August 15, 1986. In light of these requirements, bond counsel qualify their opinions as to the federal tax status of bonds issued after August 15, 1986 by making them contingent on the issuer’s future compliance with these limitations. Any failure on the part of an issuer to comply could cause the interest on its bonds to become taxable to investors retroactive to the date the bonds were issued.

 

Except as provided below, exempt-interest dividends paid to shareholders generally are not includable in the shareholders’ gross income for federal income tax purposes. The percentage of the total dividends paid by the Fund during any taxable year that qualify as exempt-interest dividends will be the same for all shareholders of the Fund receiving dividends during the year.

 

Interest on certain “private-activity bonds” is an item of tax preference subject to the federal alternative minimum tax on individuals and corporations. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in municipal securities subject to this provision so that a portion of its exempt-interest dividends may be an item of tax preference to the extent such dividends represent interest received from these private-activity bonds. Accordingly, investment in the Fund could cause shareholders to be subject to (or result in an increased liability under) the alternative minimum tax. Per capita volume limitations on certain private-activity bonds could limit the amount of such bonds available for investment by the Fund.

 

Exempt-interest dividends are included in determining what portion, if any, of a person’s social security and railroad retirement benefits will be includable in gross income subject to federal income tax.

 

Although exempt-interest dividends generally may be treated by Fund shareholders as items of interest excludable from their gross income for federal income tax purposes, each

shareholder is advised to consult his tax adviser with respect to whether exempt-interest dividends retain this exclusion if the shareholder would be treated as a “substantial user” (or a “related person” of a substantial user) of the facilities financed with respect to any of the tax-exempt obligations held by the Fund. “Substantial user” is defined under U.S. Treasury regulations to include a non-exempt person who regularly uses in his trade or business a part of any facilities financed with the tax-exempt obligations and whose gross revenues derived from such facilities exceed 5% of the total revenues derived from the facilities by all users, or who occupies more than 5% of the useable area of the facilities or for whom the facilities or a part thereof were specifically constructed, reconstructed or acquired. Examples of “related persons” include certain related natural persons, affiliated corporations, a partnership and its partners and an S corporation and its shareholders.

 

While the Fund expects that a major portion of its net investment income will constitute tax-exempt interest, a portion may consist of investment company taxable income. Distributions of the Fund’s investment company taxable income are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Distributions of the Fund’s net capital gains designated as capital gain dividends, if any, are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of time shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a shareholder’s shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such shareholder (assuming such shares are held as a capital asset).

 

Current law provides for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates on (i) long-term capital gains received by individuals and (ii) “qualified dividend income” received by individuals from certain domestic and foreign corporations. The reduced rates for capital gains generally apply to long-term capital gains from sales or exchanges recognized on or after May 6, 2003, and cease to apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. The reduced rate for dividends generally applies to “qualified dividend income” received in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002, and ceases to apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. Fund shareholders, as well as the Fund itself, must also satisfy certain holding period and other requirements in order for the reduced rate for dividends to apply. Because the Fund intends to invest primarily in debt securities, ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund generally will not be eligible for the reduced rate applicable to “qualified dividend income.” To the extent that distributions from the Fund are designated as capital gain dividends, such distributions will be eligible for the reduced rates applicable to long-term capital gains. For a summary of the maximum tax rates applicable to capital gains (including capital gain dividends), see “Capital Gains Rates” below. Some or all of the interest on indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of the Fund will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes, depending upon the ratio of the exempt-interest dividends to the total of exempt-interest dividends plus taxable dividends received by the shareholder (excluding capital gain dividends) during the year.

 

Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares issued by the Fund will be treated for federal income tax purposes as receiving a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received, determined as of the distribution date. The tax basis of such shares will equal their fair market value on the distribution date.

 

The Fund will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year. The aggregate amount of dividends designated

as exempt-interest dividends cannot exceed the excess of the amount of interest exempt from tax under Section 103 of the Code received by the Fund during the year over any amounts disallowed as deductions under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Code. Since the percentage of dividends which are exempt-interest dividends is determined on an average annual method for the taxable year, the percentage of income designated as tax-exempt for any particular dividend may be substantially different from the percentage of the Fund’s income that was tax exempt during the period covered by the dividend. Distributions from the Fund generally will not be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction.

 

Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, dividends declared in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such month and paid during January of the following year will be treated as having been distributed by the Fund and received by the shareholders on the December 31st prior to the date of payment. In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be “spilled back” and treated as paid by the Fund (except for purposes of the nondeductible 4% excise tax) during such taxable year. In such case, shareholders will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distribution was actually made.

 

Sale of Shares

 

The sale of shares (including transfers in connection with a redemption or repurchase of shares) may be a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes. Selling shareholders will generally recognize a capital gain or capital loss in an amount equal to the difference between their adjusted tax basis in the shares sold and the amount received. For a summary of the maximum tax rates applicable to capital gains, see “Capital Gains Rates” below. Any loss recognized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares and will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. For purposes of determining whether shares have been held for six months or less, the holding period is suspended for any periods during which the shareholder’s risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in substantially similar or related property or through certain options or short sales.

 

Capital Gains Rates

 

Under current law, the maximum tax rate applicable to net capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers investing in the Fund is (i) the same as the maximum ordinary income tax rate for capital assets held for one year or less or (ii) for net capital gains recognized on or after May 6, 2003, 15% for capital assets held for more than one year (20% for net capital gains recognized in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010). The maximum long-term capital gains rate for corporations is 35%.

 

Withholding on Payments to Non-U.S. Shareholders

 

For purposes of this and the following paragraphs, a “Non-U.S. Shareholder” shall include any shareholder who is not:

 

 

A Non-U.S. Shareholder generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or lower applicable treaty rate), rather than backup withholding (discussed below), on dividends from the Fund (other than capital gain dividends, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends) that are not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such shareholder, provided that the shareholder furnishes to the Fund a properly completed Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8 BEN certifying the shareholder’s non-United States status.

 

Under current law, the Fund may pay “interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” to Non-U.S. Shareholders without having to withhold on such dividends at the 30% rate. The amount of “interest-related dividends” that the Fund may pay each year is limited to the amount of qualified interest income received by the Fund during that year, less the amount of the Fund’s expenses properly allocable to such interest income. “Qualified interest income” includes, among other items, interest paid on debt obligations of a U.S. issuer and interest paid on deposits with U.S. banks, subject to certain exceptions. The amount of “short-term capital gain dividends” that the Fund may pay each year generally is limited to the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gains over its net long-term capital losses, without any reduction for the Fund’s expenses allocable to such gains (with exceptions for certain gains). The exemption from 30% withholding tax for “short-term capital gain dividends” does not apply with respect to Non-U.S. Shareholders that are present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year. If the Fund’s income for a taxable year includes “qualified interest income” or net short-term capital gains, the Fund may designate dividends as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends” by written notice mailed to Non-U.S. Shareholders not later than 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year. These provisions apply to dividends paid by the Fund with respect to the Fund’s taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005 and will cease to apply to dividends paid by the Fund with respect to the Fund’s taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009.

 

If income from the Fund or gains realized from the sale of shares are effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Shareholder’s U.S. trade or business, then such amounts will not be subject to the 30% withholding described above, but rather will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at the tax rates applicable to U.S. citizens and residents or domestic corporations. To establish that income from the Fund or gains realized from the sale of shares are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, a Non-U.S. Shareholder must provide the Fund with a properly completed IRS Form W-8ECI certifying that such amounts are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s U.S. trade or business. Non-U.S. Shareholders that are corporations may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” with respect to income from the Fund that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business.

The tax consequences to a Non-U.S. Shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described in this section. To claim tax treaty benefits, Non-U.S. Shareholders will be required to provide the Fund with a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN certifying their entitlement to the benefits. In addition, in certain cases where payments are made to a Non-U.S. Shareholder that is a partnership or other pass-through entity, both the entity and the persons holding an interest in the entity will need to provide certification. For example, an individual Non-U.S. Shareholder who holds shares in the Fund through a non-U.S. partnership must provide an IRS Form W-8BEN to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty. Non-U.S. Shareholders are advised to consult their advisers with respect to the tax implications of purchasing, holding and disposing of shares of the Fund.

 

Backup Withholding

 

The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 28% (through 2010) (“backup withholding”) from dividends and redemption proceeds paid to non-corporate shareholders. This tax may be withheld from dividends paid to a shareholder (other than a Non-U.S. Shareholder that properly certifies its non-United States status) if (i) the shareholder fails to properly furnish the Fund with its correct taxpayer identification number or to certify its non-U.S. status (in the case of a Non-U.S. Shareholder), (ii) the IRS notifies the Fund that the shareholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect or (iii) when required to do so, the shareholder fails to certify that the taxpayer identification number provided is correct, that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding and that the shareholder is a U.S. person (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Redemption proceeds may be subject to backup withholding under the circumstances described in (i) above.

 

Generally, dividends paid to Non-U.S. Shareholders that are subject to the 30% federal income tax withholding described above under “Withholding on Payments to Non-U.S. Shareholders” are not subject to backup withholding. To avoid backup withholding on capital gain dividends, interest-related dividends, short-term capital gain dividends and redemption proceeds from the sale of shares, Non-U.S. Shareholders must provide a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN certifying their non-United States status.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from payments made to a shareholder may be refunded or credited against such shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

Information Reporting

 

The Fund must report annually to the IRS and to each shareholder (other than a Non-U.S. Shareholder that properly certifies its non-United States status) the amount of dividends, capital gain dividends and redemption proceeds paid to such shareholder and the amount, if any, of tax withheld pursuant to backup withholding rules with respect to such amounts. In the case of a Non-U.S. Shareholder, the Fund must report to the IRS and such shareholder the amount of dividends, capital gain dividends, interest-related dividends, short-term capital gain dividends and redemption proceeds paid that are subject to withholding (including backup withholding, if any) and the amount of tax withheld, if any, with respect to such amounts.

This information may also be made available to the tax authorities in the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s country of residence.

 

YIELD INFORMATION

 

From time to time, the Fund may advertise its “yield” and “effective yield for prior periods.”

 

Both yield figures are based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate future performance. The “yield” of the Fund refers to the income generated by an investment in the Fund over a seven-day period (which period will be stated in the advertisement). This income is then “annualized.” That is, the amount of income generated by the investment during that week is assumed to be generated each week over a 52-week period and is shown as a percentage of the investment. The “effective yield” is calculated similarly but, when annualized, the income earned by an investment in the Fund is assumed to be reinvested. The “effective yield” will be slightly higher than the “yield” because of the compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment.

 

The yield of the Fund is its net income expressed in annualized terms. The SEC requires by rule that a yield quotation set forth in an advertisement for a “money market” fund be computed by a standardized method based on a historical seven-calendar-day period. The standardized yield is computed by determining the net change (exclusive of realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation) in the value of a hypothetical pre-existing account having a balance of one share at the beginning of the period, dividing the net change in account value by the value of the account at the beginning of the base period to obtain the base period return, and multiplying the base period return by 365/7. The determination of net change in account value reflects the value of additional shares purchased with dividends from the original share, dividends declared on both the original share and such additional shares, and all fees that are charged to all shareholder accounts, in proportion to the length of the base period and the Fund’s average account size. The Fund may also calculate its effective yield by compounding the unannualized base period return (calculated as described above) by adding 1 to the base period return, raising the sum to a power equal to 365 divided by 7, and subtracting one.

 

The yield and effective yield quoted at any time represent the amounts being earned on a current basis for the indicated period and are a function of the types of instruments held in the Fund’s portfolio, their quality and length of maturity, and the Fund’s operating expenses. The length of maturity for the Fund is the average dollar-weighted maturity of the Fund. This means that the Fund has an average maturity of a stated number of days for all of its issues. The calculation is weighted by the relative value of the investment.

 

The yield and effective yield fluctuate daily as the income earned on the investments of the Fund fluctuates. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the yield and effective yield quoted on any given occasion will remain in effect for any period of time. It should also be emphasized that there is no guarantee that the net asset value will remain constant. A shareholder’s investment in the Fund is not insured. Investors comparing results of the Fund with investment results and yields from other sources such as banks or savings and loan associations should understand this distinction.

Other funds of the money market type as well as banks and savings and loan associations may calculate their yield on a different basis, and the yield quoted by the Fund could vary upwards or downwards if another method of calculation or base period were used.

 

Additionally, since yield and effective yield fluctuate, yield data cannot necessarily be used to compare an investment in the Fund’s shares with bank deposits, savings accounts and similar investment alternatives which often provide an agreed or guaranteed fixed yield for a stated period of time. Shareholders should remember that yield and effective yield are generally a function of the types of instruments held in a fund’s portfolio, their quality, and length of maturity, such Fund’s operating expenses and market conditions.

 

From time to time, the Fund’s marketing materials may include an update from the portfolio manager or the Adviser and a discussion of general economic conditions and outlooks. The Fund’s marketing materials may also show the Fund’s asset class diversification, top sector holdings and largest holdings. Materials may also mention how the Distributor believes the Fund compares relative to other Van Kampen funds. The Fund may also be marketed on the internet.

 

In reports or other communications to shareholders or in advertising material, the Fund may compare its performance with that of other mutual funds as listed in the rankings or ratings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., CDA, Morningstar Mutual Funds or similar independent services which monitor the performance of mutual funds with the Consumer Price Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor’s indices, NASDAQ Composite Index, other appropriate indices of investment securities, or with investment or savings vehicles. The performance information may also include evaluations of the Fund published by nationally recognized ranking or rating services and by nationally recognized financial publications. Such comparative performance information will be stated in the same terms in which the comparative data or indices are stated. Such advertisements and sales material may also include a yield quotation as of a current period. Such yield information, if any, will be calculated pursuant to rules established by the SEC and will be computed separately for each class of the Fund’s shares. For these purposes, the performance of the Fund, as well as the performance of other mutual funds or indices, do not reflect sales charges, the inclusion of which would reduce the Fund’s performance. The Fund will include performance data for each class of shares of the Fund in any advertisement or information including performance data of the Fund.

 

The Fund may also utilize performance information in hypothetical illustrations. For example, the Fund may, from time to time: (1) illustrate the benefits of tax-deferral by comparing taxable investments to investments made through tax-deferred retirement plans; (2) illustrate in graph or chart form, or otherwise, the benefits of dollar-cost averaging by comparing investments made pursuant to a systematic investment plan to investments made in a rising market; (3) illustrate allocations among different types of mutual funds for investors at different stages of their lives; and (4) in reports or other communications to shareholders or in advertising material, illustrate the benefits of compounding at various assumed yields.

 

The Fund’s Annual Report and Semiannual Report contain additional performance information. A copy of the Annual Report or Semiannual Report may be obtained without charge from our web site at www.vankampen.com or by calling or writing the Fund at the telephone number or address printed on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees and the Adviser have adopted policies and procedures regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings information (the “Policy”). Pursuant to the Policy, information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed only if such disclosure is consistent with the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the fiduciary duties owed by the Fund and the Adviser to the Fund’s shareholders. The Fund and the Adviser may not receive compensation or any other consideration (which includes any agreement to maintain assets in the Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser) in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information of the Fund. The Fund’s Policy is implemented and overseen by the Portfolio Holdings Review Committee (the “PHRC”), which is described in more detail below.

 

Public Portfolio Holdings Information Disclosure Policy.  Portfolio holdings information will be deemed public when it has been posted to the Fund’s public web site. On its public web site, the Fund currently makes available:

 

 

The Fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth fiscal quarters in its Semiannual and Annual Reports, and for the first and third fiscal quarters in its filings with the SEC on Form N-Q.

 

Non-Public Portfolio Holdings Information Policy.  All portfolio holdings information that has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally as described above is considered non-public portfolio holdings information for the purposes of the Policy. Pursuant to the Policy, disclosing non-public portfolio holdings information to third parties may occur only when the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so and the recipients of such information are subject to a duty of confidentiality, which prohibits such recipients from disclosing or trading on the basis of the non-public portfolio holdings information. Any disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings information made to third parties must be approved by both the Fund’s Board of Trustees (or a designated committee thereof) and the PHRC. The Policy provides for disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings information to certain pre-authorized categories of entities, executing broker-dealers and shareholders, in each case under specific restrictions and limitations described below, and the Policy provides a process for approving any other entities.

 

Pre-Authorized Categories.  Pursuant to the Policy, the Fund may disclose non-public portfolio holdings information to certain third parties who fall within pre-authorized categories. These third parties include fund rating agencies, information exchange subscribers, consultants and analysts, portfolio analytics providers, and service providers, provided that the third party expressly agrees to maintain the non-public portfolio holdings information in confidence and not to trade portfolio securities based on the non-public portfolio holdings information. Subject to the terms and conditions of any agreement between the Adviser or the Fund and the third party, if these conditions for disclosure are satisfied, there shall be no restriction on the frequency with which Fund non-public portfolio holdings information is released, and no lag period shall apply. In addition, persons who owe a duty of trust or

confidence to the Fund or the Adviser (including legal counsel) may receive non-public portfolio holdings information without entering into a non-disclosure agreement. The PHRC is responsible for monitoring and reporting on such entities to the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Procedures to monitor the use of such non-public portfolio holdings information may include requiring annual certifications that the recipients have utilized such information only pursuant to the terms of the agreement between the recipient and the Adviser and, for those recipients receiving information electronically, acceptance of the information will constitute reaffirmation that the third party expressly agrees to maintain the disclosed information in confidence and not to trade portfolio securities based on the material non-public portfolio holdings information.

 

Broker-Dealer Interest Lists.  Pursuant to the Policy, the Adviser may provide “interest lists” to broker-dealers who execute securities transactions for the Fund. Interest lists may specify only the CUSIP numbers and/or ticker symbols of the securities held in all registered management investment companies advised by the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser on an aggregate basis. Interest lists will not disclose portfolio holdings on a fund by fund basis and will not contain information about the number or value of shares owned by a specified fund. The interest lists may identify the investment strategy to which the list relates, but will not identify particular funds or portfolio managers/management teams. Broker-dealers need not execute a non-disclosure agreement to receive interest lists.

 

Shareholders In-Kind Distributions.  The Fund’s shareholders may, in some circumstances, elect to redeem their shares of the Fund in exchange for their pro rata share of the securities held by the Fund. In such circumstances, pursuant to the Policy, such Fund shareholders may receive a complete listing of the portfolio holdings of the Fund up to seven (7) calendar days prior to making the redemption request provided that they represent orally or in writing that they agree not to disclose or trade on the basis of the portfolio holdings information.

 

Attribution Analyses.  Pursuant to the Policy, the Fund may discuss or otherwise disclose performance attribution analyses (i.e., mention the effects of having a particular security in the portfolio) where such discussion is not contemporaneously made public, provided that the particular holding has been disclosed publicly. Any discussion of the analyses may not be more current than the date the holding was disclosed publicly.

 

Transition Managers.  Pursuant to the Policy, the Fund may disclose portfolio holdings to transition managers, provided that the Fund has entered into a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement with the party requesting that the information be provided to the transition manager and the party to the non-disclosure agreement has, in turn, entered into a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement with the transition manager.

 

Other Entities.  Pursuant to the Policy, the Fund or the Adviser may disclose non-public portfolio holdings information to a third party who does not fall within the pre-approved categories, and who are not executing broker-dealers, shareholders receiving in-kind distributions, persons receiving attribution analyses, or transition managers; however, prior to the receipt of any non-public portfolio holdings information by such third party, the recipient must have entered into a non-disclosure agreement and the disclosure arrangement must have been approved by the PHRC and the Fund’s Board of Trustees (or a designated committee thereof). The PHRC will report to the Board of Trustees of the Fund on a quarterly basis regarding any other approved recipients of non-public portfolio holdings information.

PHRC and Board of Trustees Oversight.  The PHRC, which consists of executive officers of the Fund and the Adviser, is responsible for overseeing and implementing the Policy and determining how portfolio holdings information will be disclosed on an ongoing basis. The PHRC will periodically review and has the authority to amend the Policy as necessary. The PHRC will meet at least quarterly to (among other matters):

 

 

The PHRC will regularly report to the Board of Trustees on the Fund’s disclosure of portfolio holdings information and the proceedings of PHRC meetings.

 

Ongoing Arrangements of Portfolio Holdings Information.  The Adviser and/or the Fund have entered into ongoing arrangements to make available public and/or non-public information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The Fund currently may disclose portfolio holdings information based on ongoing arrangements to the following pre-authorized parties:

 

 

 

 

 

The Fund may also provide Fund portfolio holdings information, as part of its normal business activities, to persons who owe a duty of trust or confidence to the Fund or the Adviser. These persons currently are (i) the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm (as of the Fund’s fiscal year end and on an as needed basis), (ii) counsel to the Fund (on an as needed basis), (iii) counsel to the independent trustees (on an as needed basis) and (iv) members of the Board of Trustees (on an as needed basis).

 

Custody of Assets

 

All securities owned by the Fund and all cash, including proceeds from the sale of shares of the Fund and of securities in the Fund’s investment portfolio, are held by State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, as custodian. The custodian also provides accounting services to the Fund.

 

Shareholder Reports

 

Semiannual statements are furnished to shareholders, and annually such statements are audited by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Record

 

The Board of Trustees believes that the voting of proxies on securities held by the Fund is an important element of the overall investment process. The Board has delegated the day-to-day responsibility to the Adviser to vote such proxies pursuant to the Board approved Proxy Voting Policy. Attached hereto as Appendix A is the Proxy Voting Policy which is currently in effect as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

 

The Proxy Voting Policy is subject to change over time and investors seeking the most current copy of the Proxy Voting Policy should go to our web site at www.vankampen.com. The Fund’s most recent proxy voting record filed with the SEC is also available without

charge on our web site at www.vankampen.com. The Fund’s proxy voting record is also available without charge on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

An independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund performs an annual audit of the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s Board of Trustees has engaged Ernst & Young LLP, located at 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, to be the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Legal Counsel

 

Counsel to the Fund is Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The audited financial statements of the Fund are incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report to shareholders of the Fund dated June 30, 2008. The Annual Report may be obtained by following the instructions on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information. The Annual Report is included as part of the Fund’s filing on Form N-CSR as filed with the SEC on August 29, 2008. The Annual Report may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC or on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

APPENDIX A — MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

 

Introduction  — Morgan Stanley Investment Management’s (“MSIM”) policy and procedures for voting proxies (“Policy”) with respect to securities held in the accounts of clients applies to those MSIM entities that provide discretionary investment management services and for which a MSIM entity has authority to vote proxies. This Policy is reviewed and updated as necessary to address new and evolving proxy voting issues and standards.

 

The MSIM entities covered by this Policy currently include the following: Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company, Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited, Van Kampen Asset Management, and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. (each an “MSIM Affiliate” and collectively referred to as the “MSIM Affiliates” or as “we” below).

 

Each MSIM Affiliate will use its best efforts to vote proxies as part of its authority to manage, acquire and dispose of account assets. With respect to the MSIM registered management investment companies (Van Kampen, Institutional and Advisor Funds — collectively referred to herein as the “MSIM Funds”), each MSIM Affiliate will vote proxies under this Policy pursuant to authority granted under its applicable investment advisory agreement or, in the absence of such authority, as authorized by the Board of Directors/Trustees of the MSIM Funds. An MSIM Affiliate will not vote proxies if the “named fiduciary” for an ERISA account has reserved the authority for itself, or in the case of an account not governed by ERISA, the investment management or investment advisory agreement does not authorize the MSIM Affiliate to vote proxies. MSIM Affiliates will vote proxies in a prudent and diligent manner and in the best interests of clients, including beneficiaries of and participants in a client’s benefit plan(s) for which the MSIM Affiliates manage assets, consistent with the objective of maximizing long-term investment returns (“Client Proxy Standard”). In certain situations, a client or its fiduciary may provide an MSIM Affiliate with a proxy voting policy. In these situations, the MSIM Affiliate will comply with the client’s policy.

 

Proxy Research Services  — Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis (together with other proxy research providers as we may retain from time to time, the “Research Providers”) are independent advisers that specialize in providing a variety of fiduciary-level proxy-related services to institutional investment managers, plan sponsors, custodians, consultants, and other institutional investors. The services provided include in-depth research, global issuer analysis, and voting recommendations. While we may review and utilize the recommendations of the Research Providers in making proxy voting decisions, we are in no way obligated to follow such recommendations. In addition to research, ISS provides vote execution, reporting, and recordkeeping.

 

Voting Proxies for Certain Non-U.S. Companies  — Voting proxies of companies located in some jurisdictions, particularly emerging markets, may involve several problems that can restrict or prevent the ability to vote such proxies or entail significant costs. These problems include, but are not limited to: (i) proxy statements and ballots being written in a language other than English; (ii) untimely and/or inadequate notice of shareholder meetings;

(iii) restrictions on the ability of holders outside the issuer’s jurisdiction of organization to exercise votes; (iv) requirements to vote proxies in person; (v) the imposition of restrictions on the sale of the securities for a period of time in proximity to the shareholder meeting; and (vi) requirements to provide local agents with power of attorney to facilitate our voting instructions. As a result, we vote clients’ non-U.S. proxies on a best efforts basis only, after weighing the costs and benefits of voting such proxies, consistent with the Client Proxy Standard. ISS has been retained to provide assistance in connection with voting non-U.S. proxies.

 

 

To promote consistency in voting proxies on behalf of its clients, we follow this Policy (subject to any exception set forth herein), including the guidelines set forth below. These guidelines address a broad range of issues, and provide general voting parameters on proposals that arise most frequently. However, details of specific proposals vary, and those details affect particular voting decisions, as do factors specific to a given company. Pursuant to the procedures set forth herein, we may vote in a manner that is not in accordance with the following general guidelines, provided the vote is approved by the Proxy Review Committee and is consistent with the Client Proxy Standard. Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP will follow the procedures as described in Appendix A.

 

We endeavor to integrate governance and proxy voting policy with investment goals and to follow the Client Proxy Standard for each client. At times, this may result in split votes, for example when different clients have varying economic interests in the outcome of a particular voting matter (such as a case in which varied ownership interests in two companies involved in a merger result in different stakes in the outcome). We also may split votes at times based on differing views of portfolio managers, but such a split vote must be approved by the Proxy Review Committee.

 

A. Routine Matters. We generally support routine management proposals. The following are examples of routine management proposals:

 

 

B. Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

C. Corporate transactions and proxy fights. We examine proposals relating to mergers, acquisitions and other special corporate transactions (i.e., takeovers, spin-offs, sales of assets, reorganizations, restructurings and recapitalizations) on a case-by-case basis. However, proposals for mergers or other significant transactions that are friendly and approved by the Research Providers generally will be supported and in those instances will not need to be reviewed by the Proxy Review Committee, where there is no portfolio manager objection and where there is no material conflict of interest. We also analyze proxy contests on a case-by-case basis.

 

D. Changes in legal and capital structure. We generally vote in favor of management proposals for technical and administrative changes to a company’s charter, articles of association or bylaws. We review non-routine proposals, including reincorporation to a different jurisdiction, on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

E. Takeover Defenses and Shareholder Rights

 

 

F. Auditors. We generally support management proposals for selection or ratification of independent auditors. However, we may consider opposing such proposals with reference to incumbent audit firms if the company has suffered from serious accounting irregularities, or if fees paid to the auditor for non-audit-related services are excessive. Generally, to determine if non-audit fees are excessive, a 50% test will be applied (i.e., non-audit-related fees should be less than 50% of the total fees paid to the auditor). Proposals requiring auditors to attend the annual meeting of shareholders will be supported. We generally vote against proposals to indemnify auditors.

 

G. Executive and Director Remuneration.

 

 

 

 

H. Social, Political and Environmental Issues. We consider proposals relating to social, political and environmental issues on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they will have a financial impact on shareholder value. However, we generally vote against proposals requesting reports that are duplicative, related to matters not material to the business, or that would impose unnecessary or excessive costs. We may abstain from voting on proposals that do not have a readily determinable financial impact on shareholder value. We generally oppose proposals requiring adherence to workplace standards that are not required or customary in market(s) to which the proposals relate.

 

I. Fund of Funds. Certain Funds advised by an MSIM Affiliate invest only in other MSIM Funds. If an underlying fund has a shareholder meeting, in order to avoid any potential conflict of interest, such proposals will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of the other shareholders of the underlying fund, unless otherwise determined by the Proxy Review Committee.

 

 

The MSIM Proxy Review Committee (the “Committee”) has overall responsibility for creating and implementing the Policy, working with an MSIM staff group (the “Corporate Governance Team”). The Committee, which is appointed by MSIM’s Chief Investment Officer of Global Equities (“CIO”), consists of senior investment professionals who represent the different investment disciplines and geographic locations of the firm. Because proxy voting is an investment responsibility and impacts shareholder value, and because of their knowledge of companies and markets, portfolio managers and other members of investment staff play a key role in proxy voting, although the Committee has final authority over proxy votes.

 

The Committee Chairperson is the head of the Corporate Governance Team, and is responsible for identifying issues that require Committee deliberation or ratification. The Corporate Governance Team, working with advice of investment teams and the Committee, is responsible for voting on routine items and on matters that can be addressed in line with these Policy guidelines. The Corporate Governance Team has responsibility for voting case-by-case where guidelines and precedent provide adequate guidance, and to refer other case-by-case decisions to the Proxy Review Committee.

 

The Committee will periodically review and have the authority to amend, as necessary, the Policy and establish and direct voting positions consistent with the Client Proxy Standard.

 

The Committee will meet at least monthly to (among other matters) address any outstanding issues relating to the Policy or its implementation. The Corporate Governance Team will timely communicate to ISS MSIM’s Policy (and any amendments and/or any additional guidelines or procedures the Committee may adopt).

 

The Committee will meet on an ad hoc basis to (among other matters): (1) authorize “split voting” (i.e., allowing certain shares of the same issuer that are the subject of the same proxy solicitation and held by one or more MSIM portfolios to be voted differently than other shares) and/or “override voting” (i.e., voting all MSIM portfolio shares in a manner contrary to the Policy); (2) review and approve upcoming votes, as appropriate, for matters for which specific direction has been provided in this Policy; and (3) determine how to vote matters for which specific direction has not been provided in this Policy.

 

Members of the Committee may take into account Research Providers’ recommendations and research as well as any other relevant information they may request or receive, including portfolio manager and/or analyst research, as applicable. Generally, proxies related to securities held in accounts that are managed pursuant to quantitative, index or index-like strategies (“Index Strategies”) will be voted in the same manner as those held in actively managed accounts, unless economic interests of the accounts differ. Because accounts managed using Index Strategies are passively managed accounts, research from portfolio managers and/or analysts related to securities held in these accounts may not be available. If the affected securities are held only in accounts that are managed pursuant to Index Strategies, and the proxy relates to a matter that is not described in this Policy, the Committee will consider all available information from the Research Providers, and to the extent that the holdings are significant, from the portfolio managers and/or analysts.

 

 

In addition to the procedures discussed above, if the Committee determines that an issue raises a material conflict of interest, the Committee will request a special committee to review, and recommend a course of action with respect to, the conflict(s) in question (“Special Committee”).

 

The Special Committee shall be comprised of the Chairperson of the Proxy Review Committee, the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee, a senior portfolio manager (if practicable, one who is a member of the Proxy Review Committee) designated by the Proxy Review Committee, and MSIM’s relevant Chief Investment Officer or his/her designee, and any other persons deemed necessary by the Chairperson. The Special Committee may request the assistance of MSIM’s General Counsel or his/her designee who will have sole discretion to cast a vote. In addition to the research provided by Research Providers, the Special Committee may request analysis from MSIM Affiliate investment professionals and outside sources to the extent it deems appropriate.

 

A potential material conflict of interest could exist in the following situations, among others: