SCHEDULE 14C
SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
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| ¨ | Preliminary information statement |
| ¨ | Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2)) |
| x | Definitive information statement |
The Vantagepoint Funds
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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THE VANTAGEPOINT FUNDS
Low Duration Bond Fund Inflation Protected Securities Fund Equity Income Fund Growth & Income Fund Growth Fund Select Value Fund Aggressive Opportunities Fund Discovery Fund International Fund Diversifying Strategies Fund Core Bond Index Fund 500 Stock Index Fund Broad Market Index Fund Mid/Small Company Index Fund Overseas Equity Index Fund | Model Portfolio Conservative Growth Fund Model Portfolio Traditional Growth Fund Model Portfolio Long-Term Growth Fund Model Portfolio All-Equity Growth Fund Milestone Retirement Income Fund Milestone 2010 Fund Milestone 2015 Fund Milestone 2020 Fund Milestone 2025 Fund Milestone 2030 Fund Milestone 2035 Fund Milestone 2040 Fund Milestone 2045 Fund Milestone 2050 Fund |
777 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NE, SUITE 600
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002
NOTICE OF ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT
To the Shareholders of The Vantagepoint Funds (the “VP Fund”):
We are notifying you that by written consent delivered to the VP Fund pursuant to the VP Fund’s Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust, VantageTrust Company, LLC, on behalf of VantageTrust (the holder of a majority of the VP Fund’s outstanding shares as of May 31, 2013), voted to elect Ms. JoAnn H. Price and Mr. Harold Singleton, III each as a Class 2 director of the VP Fund. Both Ms. Price’s and Mr. Singleton’s service as Class 2 directors is expected to begin on or about October 1, 2013. The VP Fund’s Information Statement accompanies this Notice.
The Information Statement is being furnished by the board of directors (the “Board”) of the VP Fund to inform shareholders about the recent election of Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director of the VP Fund.
After extensive discussion and meetings, the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee determined to recommend to the Board that it nominate Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director. After considering the Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendation, the Board nominated Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director, and determined to recommend to the VP Fund shareholders that they elect Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director. After considering the Board’s recommended nominees, the board of directors of VantageTrust Company, LLC voted all shares of each series of the VP Fund held by VantageTrust in favor of the election of Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director, and instructed the VP Fund’s investment adviser (pursuant to such adviser’s proxy voting policies) to vote all shares of each series of the VP Fund held by the Model Portfolio Funds and Milestone Funds to elect Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Joan McCallen, President
August 21, 2013
THE VANTAGEPOINT FUNDS
Low Duration Bond Fund Inflation Protected Securities Fund Equity Income Fund Growth & Income Fund Growth Fund Select Value Fund Aggressive Opportunities Fund Discovery Fund International Fund Diversifying Strategies Fund Core Bond Index Fund 500 Stock Index Fund Broad Market Index Fund Mid/Small Company Index Fund Overseas Equity Index Fund | Model Portfolio Conservative Growth Fund Model Portfolio Traditional Growth Fund Model Portfolio Long-Term Growth Fund Model Portfolio All-Equity Growth Fund Milestone Retirement Income Fund Milestone 2010 Fund Milestone 2015 Fund Milestone 2020 Fund Milestone 2025 Fund Milestone 2030 Fund Milestone 2035 Fund Milestone 2040 Fund Milestone 2045 Fund Milestone 2050 Fund |
777 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NE, SUITE 600
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002
INFORMATION STATEMENT
Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of this Information Statement:
This Information Statement is available athttp://www.icmarc.org/x3333.xml?RFID=W427.
This Information Statement is being furnished by the board of directors (the “Board”) of The Vantagepoint Funds (the “VP Fund”) to inform shareholders about the election of Ms. JoAnn H. Price and Mr. Harold Singleton, III each as a Class 2 director of the VP Fund.
After extensive discussion and meetings, the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee determined to recommend to the Board that it nominate Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director. After considering the Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendations, the Board nominated Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director, and determined to recommend to the VP Fund shareholders that they elect Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director.
After considering the Board’s recommended nominees, the board of directors of VantageTrust Company, LLC (“VantageTrust Company”) voted all shares of each series of the VP Fund (a “Series”) held by VantageTrust, the holder of a majority of the VP Fund’s outstanding shares (determined as of May 31, 2013), in favor of the election of Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director, and instructed the VP Fund’s investment adviser (pursuant to such adviser’s proxy voting policies) to vote all shares of each series of the VP Fund held by the Model Portfolio Funds and Milestone Funds to elect Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director. By written consent delivered to the VP Fund and without the formality of convening a meeting of the VP Fund shareholders, VantageTrust Company, on behalf of VantageTrust, voted to elect Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director. Both Ms. Price’s and Mr. Singleton’s service as a Class 2 director is expected to begin on or about October 1, 2013.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
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This Information Statement is being made available on or about August 21, 2013 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2013.
The VP Fund will pay the costs associated with preparing and distributing this Information Statement to shareholders.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Shareholders can obtain a copy of the VP Fund’s most recent Annual Report and any Semi-Annual Report following the Annual Report, without charge, by writing the VP Fund at 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002 or by calling the VP Fund toll free at 1-800-669-7400.
INTRODUCTION
The Board nominated, and determined to recommend that the shareholders of the VP Fund elect, Ms. JoAnn H. Price and Mr. Harold Singleton, III, each as a Class 2 director of the VP Fund. The Board also authorized and directed the officers of the VP Fund to seek the written consent of the holder of a majority of the outstanding shares of the VP Fund to the election of Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a director of the VP Fund.
The Board’s recommendations were next presented to the board of directors of VantageTrust Company, a New Hampshire non-depository banking company. As of May 31, 2013 (the record date for this information statement), a majority of the voting shares of each Series were held, either directly, or indirectly through the Model Portfolio Funds and the Milestone Funds, by VantageTrust (the “Majority Shareholder”), a group trust established and maintained by VantageTrust Company. In addition, VantageTrust Company has the power to vote the shares of the VP Fund held directly by the Majority Shareholder, and pursuant to the proxy voting policies of Vantagepoint Investment Advisers, LLC (“VIA”), the VP Fund’s investment adviser, VIA generally will seek instructions from the board of directors of VantageTrust Company on how to vote the shares of each Series held by the Model Portfolio Funds and Milestone Funds, and will cast such Series’ votes in accordance with the instructions received. VantageTrust Company is an affiliate of VIA.
After considering the Board’s recommended nominees, the board of directors of VantageTrust Company voted all shares of each Series held by the Majority Shareholder, and pursuant to VIA’s proxy voting policies, instructed VIA to vote all shares of each Series held by the Model Portfolio Funds and Milestone Funds, in favor of the election of Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director. Pursuant to Article V, Section 4 of the VP Fund’s Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”), this action was documented by written consent and delivered to the VP Fund.
Ms. Price’s service as a Class 2 director to fill the unexpired term of Mr. N. Anthony Calhoun is expected to begin on or about October 1, 2013 and the term will end on October 31, 2016. At the conclusion of this term, Ms. Price is expected to be eligible to serve for more than one additional term.
Mr. Singleton’s service as a Class 2 director to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Donna K. Gilding is expected to begin on or about October 1, 2013 and the term will end on October 31, 2016. At the conclusion of this term, Mr. Singleton is expected to be eligible to serve for more than one additional term.
Both Mr. Calhoun and Ms. Gilding have announced that they will resign from the Board effective at the end of the day on September 30, 2013.
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REASONS FOR AND PROCESS OF ELECTING NEW DIRECTORS
The Declaration of Trust limits the length of service of each Class 1 or Class 2 director to twelve consecutive years (starting October 31, 2001). In anticipation that certain directors would reach their service limits in October 2013, an independent, third-party executive search firm was retained to identify individuals with qualifications appropriate to the Board’s needs for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee as potential candidates for nomination as directors. The executive search firm identified and presented individuals to the Nominating and Governance Committee for its consideration, and the Nominating and Governance Committee selected certain of the individuals presented to be interviewed as potential candidates.
The Nominating and Governance Committee interviewed and evaluated these individuals based generally on the considerations described below under “Nominating and Governance Committee.” The by-laws of the VP Fund (“VP By-laws”) provide that the Chair of the board of directors of VantageTrust Company (“VTC Board Chair”) and the Chair of the board of directors of ICMA Retirement Corporation (“ICMA-RC Board Chair”) each designate one person to serve as an advisor to the Nominating and Governance Committee. The VP By-laws also provide that the selection, nomination and election of directors who are not “interested persons” of the VP Fund, as that terms is defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Independent Directors”), resides with the Independent Directors. Accordingly, the VTC Board Chair and the ICMA-RC Board Chair were present for these interviews, but were not present during, and did not participate in, the Nominating and Governance Committee’s deliberations.
After extensive discussion and meetings, the Nominating and Governance Committee, which is comprised solely of Independent Directors,1 unanimously selected, nominated and determined to recommend Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton to the Board for approval each as a nominee to stand for election by shareholders of the VP Fund as a Class 2 Independent Director.
After consideration of the Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendations, the Board, and separately the Independent Directors, nominated Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director. In addition, the Board resolved to recommend to VP Fund shareholders that they elect Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director.
The Board sought shareholder approval of the new Class 2 directors because, under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the directors can fill a vacancy on the Board without shareholder approval only if, immediately after filling the vacancy, at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors will have been elected by shareholders. If the Board had appointed either Ms. Price or Mr. Singleton as a director without obtaining shareholder approval, less than 2/3 of the directors would have been elected by shareholders. Accordingly, the Board sought approval from shareholders, and did so pursuant to Article V, Section 4 of the Declaration of Trust. Under that section, any action taken by VP Fund shareholders may be taken without a meeting if shareholders holding a majority of shares entitled to be voted on the matter consent to the action in writing. By written consent delivered to the VP Fund and without the formality of convening a meeting of the VP Fund shareholders, VantageTrust Company, on behalf of the Majority Shareholder, elected Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a new Class 2 director, effective on or about October 1, 2013.
1 Ms. Dorothy D. Hayes became a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee on July 1, 2013, which was after the Nominating and Governance Committee selected, nominated and determined to recommend Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton to the Board for approval each as a nominee to stand for election by shareholders of the VP Fund as a Class 2 Independent Director.
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EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MS. JOANN H. PRICE
Current Business Experience and Board Memberships – In 1994, Ms. Price co-founded Fairview Capital Partners, Inc. (“Fairview Capital”), a private equity advisory firm that is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). She is currently President of Fairview Capital.
Ms. Price also serves as a board member of several non-profit organizations. She is currently Treasurer (since 2011) and has been a member of the Apollo Theater Foundation’s board of directors since 2001, a member of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s board of directors since 2010, as well as a former President (2004-2010) and member of The Amistad Center for Art and Culture’s Board of Trustees since 2002. Ms. Price is also currently a Vice Chair (since 2009) and has been a member of the YMCA of Greater Hartford’s board of directors since 2003, a member of the Hartford Communities that Care, Inc.’s board of directors since 2012, a member of the Howard University School of Business’ board of visitors since 2002 and a member of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame’s board of trustees since 2012.
Previous Business Experience –Prior to 1978, Ms. Price was a legislative aide to Senator Richard Schweiker of Pennsylvania. In 1978, Ms. Price became the Deputy Head of the National Association of Investment Companies, a trade association representing minority private equity firms, and later served as President of the organization from 1983 to 1994.
Educational Background– Ms. Price earned a B.A. degree from Howard University.
Information About Ms. Price’s Qualifications, Experience, Attributes and Skills– The Board believes that Ms. Price possesses the specific qualifications, experience, attributes and skills necessary to serve as a director of the VP Fund. In particular, Ms. Price has experience in the investment management field, has executive and financial experience as President of a SEC registered investment adviser firm, and has board membership experience having served as either a director or chair at several non-profit organizations.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MR. HAROLD SINGLETON, III
Previous Business Experience –Mr. Singleton has held several positions within the banking and investment management industries during the past 20 years. From 1990 to 1993, he was a corporate banking analyst and later a corporate banking officer (Transportation Division) of First Chicago Corporation. He later became a portfolio manager/equity analyst at Zaske, Sarafa & Associates, Inc., an investment advisory firm, from 1993 to 1995 and a senior portfolio manager at Fifth Third Bank of Northeastern Ohio from 1995 to 1996. In 1996, he joined Brinson Partners, Inc., an investment management firm, serving as a Partner, Investment Analyst, and a member of its Small Cap Team from 1996 to 2000 and as Team Leader of its Global Media Sector Fund from 1998 to 2000. From 2000 to 2003, he was a Senior Vice President, Small Cap Portfolio Manager and Investment Analyst at Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC, a SEC registered investment adviser firm. From 2003 to 2006, he was an Executive Director,
Co-Manager of the Small Cap Value Equity strategy and a Senior Investment Analyst at UBS Global Asset Management, another SEC registered investment adviser firm.
In 2007, Mr. Singleton joined PineBridge Investments, LLC (“PineBridge”), a SEC registered investment adviser firm, as a Managing Director and Equity Product Specialist. He later became Global Head of Equity and Fixed Income Product Specialist at PineBridge from 2009 to 2010 and Head of Asset Management Companies and Global Head of Retail and Intermediary Sales from 2010 to 2012.
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Current and Previous Board Memberships –Mr. Singleton has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Institute of Technology since 2012. He has served as a member of the Loretto Hospital Foundation’s board of directors from 2004 to 2007, a member of the Central Park Group’s board of directors from 2011 to 2012, as a member of the Perspectives Charter School’s board of directors from 2004 to 2007, and as a member of the American Bridge Association Educational and Charitable Foundation’s board of directors from 2003 to 2006.
While at PineBridge, Mr. Singleton served as either Chair or a board member at several PineBridge advisory firm affiliates, which included PineBridge Investments East Africa Limited (Chair from 2011 to May 2012), PineBridge Investments Taiwan Limited (Chair from 2011 to May 2012), PineBridge Investments Ireland Limited (board member from December 2010 to May 2012) and PineBridge Investments India Limited (board member from April 2011 to May 2012).
Educational Background– Mr. Singleton earned a B.S. degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. In addition, Mr. Singleton is a CFA® charterholder.
Information About Mr. Singleton’s Qualifications, Experience, Attributes and Skills– The Board believes that Mr. Singleton possesses the specific qualifications, experience, attributes and skills necessary to serve as a director of the VP Fund. In particular, Mr. Singleton has experience in the banking and investment management fields, has executive and financial experience having served in a variety of positions at several SEC registered investment adviser firms, and has prior board membership experience at certain non-profit and educational organizations in addition to board experience as either a board member or Chair at several for-profit investment advisory firm affiliates.
MANAGEMENT OF THE VP FUND
The VP Fund is governed by the Board. The directors stand in the position of fiduciaries to the VP Fund and its shareholders and, as such, they have a duty of due care and loyalty, and are responsible for protecting the interests of the VP Fund, and the Series and their shareholders. The directors are responsible for overseeing and managing the business and affairs of the VP Fund and the Series. The VP Fund has three classes of directors: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3. Class 1 and Class 2 directors serve terms that end on or around the fifth anniversary of their commencement. The Class 3 director serves a one year term. The Board is composed of seven directors, six of whom are Independent Directors. After Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton take office on or about October 1, 2013, the composition of the Board in terms of classes of directors and number of Independent Directors will remain the same. The Board met seven times during the VP Fund’s last fiscal year.
The Board has three standing Committees: the Audit Committee, the Investment Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Each Committee is comprised solely of Independent Directors and operates pursuant to a charter adopted by the Board. The Chair of the Board, the Chair of the Audit Committee and the Chair of the Investment Committee are Independent Directors. The Chair of the Board does not serve as the President of the VP Fund.
In addition to presiding at Board or Committee meetings, the Chairs of the Board and the Committees also review agendas for Board and Committee meetings and generally act as liaisons with management. The Chair of the Board or the Chair of a Committee may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board or Committee from time to time. In addition, the Chair of the Board may delegate his or her powers and duties to the other Directors or to the officers of the VP Fund as he or she deems appropriate, provided that such delegation is consistent with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. See also “Board Committees” below.
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The Board believes that its leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed business judgment over matters under its purview and allocates areas of responsibility among Committees of the Board and the full Board in a manner that seeks to enhance effective oversight. The Board also believes its leadership structure is appropriate in light of the current characteristics of the VP Fund and its operations, which include, among other things, the fact that all the Series are organized under a single statutory trust, that the Independent Directors constitute a majority of the Board, the amount of assets under management in the VP Fund, the investment objectives of the Series and the ownership of the VP Fund’s shares.
Risk oversight forms part of the Board’s general oversight of the Series’ investment program and operations and is addressed as part of various regular Board and Committee activities. Like most mutual funds, the actual day-to-day business of the VP Fund, including the day-to-day management of risk is performed by certain of the VP Fund’s third party service providers, such as the VP Fund’s investment adviser, subadvisers, distributor and administrator. The Board and its Audit Committee and Investment Committee consider risk management matters at meetings held throughout the year. For example, the Audit Committee considers risks related to financial reporting and controls and meets regularly with the VP Fund’s independent accountant to review reports on such matters and periodically with the internal auditor of the parent company of the VP Fund’s investment adviser to consider reports on certain internal audits relating to the Series. The Investment Committee considers, and meets regularly with the personnel of the VP Fund’s investment adviser to discuss, the investment performance of the Series, including investment risk and the use by the subadvisers of various investment strategies, such as the use of derivatives. In addition, under the multi-management structure, the VP Fund’s investment adviser is responsible for day-to-day oversight, including risk management oversight, of the services provided by the various subadvisers.
VIA, the VP Fund’s investment adviser, and certain other service providers prepare regular written reports for Board and Committee meetings that address a variety of risk-related matters. In addition, the Board, the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee may request and receive special written reports or presentations on certain risk-related matters. VIA also prepares reports for the Board that enable the Board to monitor the number of fair valued securities in a particular Fund, the reasons for the fair valuation and the methodology used to arrive at the fair value.
The Board also has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) for the VP Fund, who oversees the development and implementation of the VP Fund’s compliance policies and procedures, which are designed to mitigate risks relating to the possibility of non-compliance with the federal securities laws. The CCO meets quarterly with all directors and separately in executive session with the Independent Directors, provides presentations to the Board at its quarterly meetings, and presents an annual written compliance report to the Board concerning compliance matters. The CCO also provides regular, and upon request, special, written reports to the Board regarding the operation of the VP Fund’s compliance policies and procedures. The CCO also discusses relevant risk issues affecting the VP Fund during executive sessions with the Board and the Independent Directors. In addition, in the event any material risk issues arise, the CCO or other officers of the VP Fund report such issues to the Board. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts risk oversight. In addition, it is not possible to identify, prevent or mitigate all risks that may adversely affect the VP Fund.
VIA serves as investment adviser to each Series of the VP Fund, and employs a supporting staff of management personnel needed to provide the requisite services to the Series and also furnishes the VP Fund with necessary office space, furnishings, and equipment. See “VP Fund Service Providers – Investment Adviser” below for more information.
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BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board has established three standing committees: Nominating and Governance Committee, Investment Committee and Audit Committee.
Nominating and Governance Committee– The Nominating and Governance Committee consists of all of the Board’s Independent Directors and operates pursuant to a charter adopted by the Board. The Committee is responsible for evaluating qualifications of candidates for Board membership and making recommendations for nominees to the Board (and, with regard to nominations of independent director candidates, makes recommendations to the other Independent Directors).
As a general matter, the Nominating and Governance Committee seeks candidates (i) who, in its judgment, will serve the best interests of the VP Fund’s shareholders and are willing and able to contribute to the Board’s oversight and decision-making functions, and (ii) whose background will complement the experience, skills and diversity of the other directors and add to the overall effectiveness of the Board.
The Nominating and Governance Committee may retain an executive search firm to identify candidates for Board membership. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee may identify candidates for Board membership through personal and business contacts of directors and any other source the Committee deems appropriate. The Nominating and Governance Committee’s process for evaluating a candidate generally includes a review of the candidate’s background and experience, a check of the candidate’s references and other due diligence, interviews with Nominating and Governance Committee members, and holding meetings of the Committee to deliberate regarding candidate qualifications.
In considering a candidate’s qualifications, the Nominating and Governance Committee generally considers the potential candidate’s educational background, business or professional experience, and reputation. In addition, all candidates for Board membership must demonstrate an ability and willingness to make the considerable time commitment, including personal attendance at Board meetings, believed necessary to his or her function as an effective Board member. The Nominating and Governance Committee may adopt, but has not yet adopted, additional specific, minimum qualifications that the Committee believes a candidate must meet before being considered for Board membership, subject to approval by the full Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee takes into consideration any such factors as it deems appropriate in determining whether to recommend a particular candidate to the Board. These factors may include (but are not limited to): (a) personal integrity and accountability; (b) whether or not the individual has any relationships that might impair his or her ability to act independently of the VP Fund’s investment adviser and principal service providers, such as any business, financial or family relationships with the foregoing (and generally whether the candidate would have any conflicts of interest in serving as a director, if elected or appointed); (c) business judgment; (d) knowledge of the mutual fund industry; (e) skills in matters relevant to the oversight of the VP Funds (e.g., investment-related, accounting/finance); (f) the individual’s perceived ability to work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (g) experience with registered investment company, corporate, non-profit or other institutional oversight bodies having similar responsibilities; and (h) interest and appreciation for the public sector and participation in community, charitable or other similar activities. With respect to a candidate for Independent Director, the Nominating and Governance Committee also considers whether the candidate, if elected, would qualify as an Independent Director for purposes of applicable regulations.
While the Nominating and Governance Committee or Board has not adopted a formal policy on, or a particular definition of, diversity with respect to identifying candidates, when considering a candidate, the Committee and Board generally seek to achieve a group that reflects a diversity of education, background, skills and experiences and that is diversified as to gender and race.
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The Nominating and Governance Committee will review shareholder recommendations to fill vacancies, provided they are submitted in writing, addressed to the Committee and mailed to the VP Fund at 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite, 600, Washington, D.C., 20002. The Committee will periodically review Board member compensation and reviews, as necessary, the responsibilities of any Board committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee also makes recommendations to the Board for nomination for membership on Board committees and reviews committee assignments. The Nominating and Governance Committee held eight meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. The Nominating and Governance Committee’s charter is attached as Appendix A.
Investment Committee– The Investment Committee consists of all of the Board’s Independent Directors and operates pursuant to a charter adopted by the Board. The responsibilities of the Investment Committee include: receiving and reviewing reports from VIA on the investment performance of each Fund, including subadviser performance; reviewing and considering recommendations from VIA regarding proposed new Funds and proposed changes to the investment objectives and strategies for existing Funds; reviewing and considering recommendations from VIA regarding proposed new Fund subadvisers, proposed changes to the target allocations of the assets of a Fund among its existing subadvisers, and the termination of subadvisers; reviewing and considering recommendations from VIA regarding any proposed changes among the underlying Funds in which the Model Portfolio Funds or the Milestone Funds invest and to the target allocations to such underlying Funds; and periodically reviewing the investment performance benchmarks and peer group comparisons for each Fund and any changes to such benchmarks or peer groups that may be proposed from time to time by VIA. The Investment Committee held five meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Audit Committee– The members of the Audit Committee are: N. Anthony Calhoun, Dorothy D. Hayes, and Timothy
M. O’Brien. The Board has determined that Messrs. Calhoun and O’Brien are “audit committee financial experts” as that term has been defined under the federal securities laws. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a charter adopted by the Board. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include: acting as a liaison between the independent registered public accountants and the Board and overseeing the VP Fund’s accounting and financial reporting practices; approving the engagement, retention and termination of auditors; evaluating the independence of the auditors; meeting with the auditors to discuss the scope of the audit, audit results and any matters of concern that may be raised by the auditors. The Audit Committee reports to the Board on significant results of the Committee’s activities. The Audit Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE VP FUND’S DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The following table provides information about the VP Fund’s directors (including directors-elect Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton) and officers. Each director oversees all of the VP Fund’s Series. When Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton take office, they also will oversee all of the VP Fund’s Series. The business mailing address for the directors and officers (including the director-elect) is 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20002.
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
Name and Age | Positions | Term/Service | Principal | Directorship(s) of | ||||
| N. Anthony Calhoun (65) | Director, Audit Committee Member and Chair, Investment Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee Member | October 31, 2013; ° Director since November 1998 | Executive Director—Baltimore City Fire & Police Employees’ Retirement System (July 2013 – present); Independent Consultant (financial consulting) (April 2009 – June 2013); Executive Deputy State Treasurer—Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (August 2007 – March 2009) | N/A | ||||
| George M. Chamberlain, Jr. (66) | Director, Investment Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee Member | October 31, 2014; Director since January 2012 | Director and Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs—SCM Advantage LLC (supply chain consulting) (October 2009 – present); Principal—GMC Consulting (corporate consulting) (May 1999 – present) Board member—Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter (January 2008 – present); Board member—Trapp Family Lodge Cooperative (non-profit) (April 2008 – present); Board member and Vice Chair—Walnut Street Theater (January 2000 – June 2010) | N/A | ||||
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Name and Age | Positions | Term/Service | Principal | Directorship(s) of | ||||
Donna K. Gilding (73) | Director, Investment Committee Member and Chair, and Nominating and Governance Committee Member | October 31, 2013; ° Director since November 1998 | Chief Investment Officer— Lowenhaupt Global Advisors, LLC (Sept. 2006 – present); Trustee (2007 – present) and Chair of Investment Committee (2009 – present)—The National YMCA Fund, Inc. | N/A | ||||
Dorothy D. Hayes (62) | Director, Audit Committee Member, Investment Committee Member, and Nominating and Governance Committee Member | October 31, 2014; Director since April 2013 | Director, Chair of the Enterprise Risk Committee, and member of Executive Committee—First Tech Federal Credit Union (2011 – present); Director and Chair of the Finance Committee—American Leadership Forum—Silicon Valley (2011 – present); Director (2010 – present), Chair of the Audit Committee (2010 – 2013) and Chair of the Board of Directors and member of Executive and Fund Development Committees (2012 – present)—Silicon Valley FACES; Trustee, chair of the finance committee, member of the executive committee, and member of the investment committee—Computer History Museum (2006 – present); Director and Chair of the Audit Committee—Range Fuels (development-stage biofuels company) (2008 – 2012); Director and Chair of the Finance Committee—Addison Avenue Federal Credit Union (2002 – 2010); Trustee—Foothills Foundation, Foothills Congregational Church (church foundation) (2004 – present); Vice President, Internal Audit—Intuit, Inc. (financial software and services company) (2005 –2008) | N/A | ||||
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Name and Age | Positions | Term/Service | Principal | Directorship(s) of | ||||
Arthur R. Lynch (58) | Director, Audit Committee Member, Investment Committee Member, and Nominating and Governance Committee Member | October 31, 2013; Director since November 1998 | President and Chief Executive Officer—SRJ Government Consultants, LLC (October 2009 –present); Deputy City Manager—City of Glendale, Arizona (2005 –October 2009) | N/A | ||||
Timothy M. O’Brien (63) | Chair of the Board and Director, Audit Committee Member, Investment Committee Member, and Nominating and Governance Committee Member | October 31, 2014; Director since September 2005 | Independent Consultant (pension consulting) (2003 – present); Trustee, Chair of Audit Committee and member of Investment and Benefits Committees—Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado (July 2011 – present) | N/A | ||||
NOTES:
† The Declaration of Trust sets forth the length of the Class 1 and Class 2 directors’ terms (five years for Class 1 and Class 2), limits each Class 1 and Class 2 director’s length of service to 12 consecutive years, and prohibits each director from serving a term that begins after he or she has reached age 72. The date shown in this column reflects the expiration date of the director’s current term, the end of the Class 1 or Class 2 director’s 12th year of service, or the director’s retirement date, whichever occurs first.
° Mr. Calhoun and Ms. Gilding have announced that they will each resign as a director effective at the end of the day on September 30, 2013.
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INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS-ELECT
Name and Age | Positions | Term/Service | Principal | Directorship(s) of | ||||
JoAnn H. Price (63) | Director (term to commence on or about October 1, 2013) | October 31, 2016 | President—Fairview Capital Partners, Inc. (private equity advisory firm) (October 1994 – present); Treasurer (2011 – present) and Director (October 2001 – present)—Apollo Theater Foundation; Director—Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (January 2010 – present); Vice Chair (2009 – present) and Director (January 2003 – present);—YMCA of Greater Hartford; Trustee (January 2002 – present) and Former President (2004 – 2010)—The Amistad Center for Art and Culture; Director—Hartford Communities that Care, Inc. (January 2012 – present); Member—Howard University School of Business Board of Visitors (January 2002 – present); Trustee—Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame (January 2012 – present). | N/A | ||||
Harold Singleton, III (51) | Director (term to commence on or about October 1, 2013) | October 31, 2016 | Managing Director (January 2007 – May 2012), Head of Asset Management Company and Global Head of Retail and Intermediary Sales (December 2010 – May 2012), Global Head of Equities and Fixed Income Product Specialists (June 2009 – December 2010), Equity Product Specialist (January 2007 – June 2009)—PineBridge Investments, LLC (investment management firm); Chair of the Board—PineBridge Investments East Africa Limited (January 2011 – May 2012); Chair of the Board—PineBridge Investments Taiwan Limited (January 2011 – May 2012); Director—PineBridge Investments Ireland Limited (December 2010 – May 2012); Director—PineBridge Investments India Limited (April 2011 – May 2012); Trustee—Illinois Institute of Technology (May 2012 – present). | N/A | ||||
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NOTE:
† The Declaration of Trust sets forth the length of the Class 1 and Class 2 directors’ terms (five years for Class 1 and Class 2), limits each Class 1 and Class 2 director’s length of service to 12 consecutive years, and prohibits each director from serving a term that begins after he or she has reached age 72. The date shown in this column reflects the expiration date of the director-elect’s current term, which occurs before each director-elect’s 12th year of service and retirement date.
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INTERESTED DIRECTOR
Name and Age | Positions | Term/Service | Principal | Directorship(s) of | ||||
David R. Mora (68)* | Director | October 31, 2013; Director since November 2011 | Board member (January 2005 – present) and Chair of the Board of Directors (January 2010 – present)—ICMA Retirement Corporation; West Coast Regional Director—International City/County Management Association (February 2009 – April 2011); City Manager—City of Salinas, CA (September 1990 – September 2008); Board member—Public Entity Risk Institute (non-profit) (January 2000 – December 2008) | N/A |
NOTES:
* Mr. Mora is considered to be an “interested person” of the VP Fund (as that term is defined under the 1940 Act), and thus an “interested director,” because he is a director of ICMA Retirement Corporation (“ICMA-RC”), the parent company of VIA and of ICMA-RC Services, LLC (“RC Services”), the distributor of the VP Fund’s shares.
† The Declaration of Trust sets forth the length of the interested director’s term (one year for the Class 3 director), and prohibits each director from serving a term that begins after he or she has reached age 72. The date shown in this column reflects the expiration date of the interested director’s current term, or the director’s retirement date, whichever occurs first.
Additional Information Regarding the Current Directors
Each current director possesses the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills necessary to serve as such. In particular, Mr. Calhoun has financial, executive and public sector experience from previous senior finance-related positions in state, municipal and federal governments; Mr. Chamberlain has experience as a director and officer for other mutual fund complexes, and has investment management, legal and executive experience having served as the Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel for a mutual fund administrator and General Counsel for an SEC registered investment adviser; Ms. Gilding has experience in the field of investment management as well as executive and public sector experience by serving and having served as a chief investment officer for both SEC registered investment advisers and a municipal government; Ms. Hayes has experience in the field of corporate finance as well as executive, audit and financial experience having served in a variety of finance-related positions at publicly traded companies, and she has served as either a director, committee member or committee chair at several non-profit organizations and credit unions; Mr. Lynch has financial, executive and public sector experience from previous senior finance-related positions for a municipal government; Mr. Mora has executive and public sector experience from senior executive positions in local governments and has experience as a director of an SEC registered investment adviser; and Mr. O’Brien has financial and executive experience having served as a pension consultant and as a chief executive officer for a non-profit organization, has government audit and accounting experience having served as auditor of a state government and serves as a trustee, committee member and committee chair at a state pension plan.
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OFFICERS
Name and Age | Positions | Term of Office | Principal | Directorship(s) of | ||||
Joan W. McCallen (61)* | President and Principal Executive Officer | Since September 2003 | Chief Executive Officer—ICMA Retirement Corporation (Aug. 2003 – present); President and Manager—Vantagepoint Investment Advisers, LLC, and ICMA-RC Services, LLC (broker-dealer); President and Manager—Vantagepoint Transfer Agents, LLC (2003 – present); Director and President, VantageTrust Company, LLC (2003 – present) | N/A | ||||
| Bruce James Rohrbacher (61)* | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | Since September 2004 | Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer—ICMA Retirement Corporation (2004 – present); Chief Compliance Officer, Vantagepoint Investment Advisers, LLC (2004 – present) and Chief Compliance Officer, ICMA-RC Services, LLC (broker-dealer) (2004 – present); Chief Compliance Officer—VantageTrust Company, LLC (2004 – present) | N/A | ||||
Elizabeth S. Glista (48)* | Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer | Since March 2009 | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer—ICMA Retirement Corporation (April 2009 – present); Treasurer—Vantagepoint Investment Advisers, LLC, and Vantagepoint Transfer Agents, LLC (April 2009 – present); Treasurer—ICMA-RC Services, LLC (broker-dealer) (April 2009 – present); Treasurer—VantageTrust Company, LLC (April 2009 – present); Managing Vice President, Financial Operations, Analysis & Treasury—ICMA Retirement Corporation (January 2009 – April 2009); Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis and Treasury—ICMA-RC (January 2000 – September 2007 and March 2008 – January 2009) | N/A | ||||
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Name and Age | Positions | Term of Office | Principal | Directorship(s) of | ||||
Angela C. Montez (46)* | Secretary | Since December 2006 | Managing Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary—ICMA Retirement Corporation (2006 – present); Assistant Secretary—Vantagepoint Investment Advisers, LLC, Vantagepoint Transfer Agents, LLP and ICMA-RC Services, LLC (broker dealer) (2011 – present); Assistant Secretary—VantageTrust Company, LLC (February 2008 – present); Secretary—Vantagepoint Investment Advisers, LLC, Vantagepoint Transfer Agents, LLC and ICMA-RC Services, LLC (broker-dealer) (2006 – 2007); Corporate Counsel—ICMA Retirement Corporation (2000 – 2006) | N/A | ||||
Kathryn B. McGrath (68)* | Assistant Secretary | Since March 2008 | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary—ICMA Retirement Corporation (2007 – Present); Secretary—Vantagepoint Investment Advisers, LLC, Vantagepoint Transfer Agents, LLP and ICMA-RC Services, LLC (broker dealer) (2007 – present); Secretary—VantageTrust Company, LLC (February 2008 – present) | N/A | ||||
* Mses. McCallen, Glista, Montez, and McGrath and Mr. Rohrbacher are considered to be “interested persons” of the VP Fund, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act, due to their positions as officers of the following entities: VIA, RC Services, ICMA-RC, and VantageTrust Company.
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VP FUND SHARE OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS
The following table represents VP Fund shares owned by the directors (including directors-elect Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton) as of July 31, 2013.
| Dollar Range of Equity Securities in a Series | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Director in Family of Investment Companies | |||
Independent Directors | ||||
N. Anthony Calhoun | Inflation Protected Securities Fund –$10,001-$50,000; Growth & Income Fund – $10,001-$50,000; Mid/Small Company Index Fund – $10,001-$50,000; Overseas Equity Index Fund – $10,001-$50,000. | $50,001 - $100,000 | ||
George M. Chamberlain | -0- | None | ||
Donna K. Gilding | -0- | None | ||
Dorothy D. Hayes* | -0- | None | ||
Arthur R. Lynch | Low Duration Bond Fund – $50,001-$100,000; Mid/Small Company Index Fund – Over $100,000; Model PortfolioLong-Term Growth Fund – Over $100,000. | Over $100,000 | ||
Timothy M. O’Brien | Equity Income Fund – $10,001-$50,000; Growth & Income Fund – $10,001-$50,000; Select Value Fund – $10,001-$50,000; Discovery Fund – $10,001-$50,000. | $10,001-$50,000 | ||
Independent Directors-Elect | ||||
JoAnn H. Price | -0- | None | ||
Harold Singleton, III | -0- | None | ||
Interested Director | ||||
David R. Mora | -0- | None | ||
| * | Ms. Hayes’ service as a director began on April 1, 2013. |
As of July 31, 2013, directors and officers of the VP Funds (including directors-elect Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton) as a group beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Series (or each class thereof, as applicable).
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Directors are paid a quarterly retainer for their services, in recognition of their duties and responsibilities over and above meeting attendance that require at least two days of service, study and review each quarter. The Chair of the Board is paid a higher quarterly retainer in recognition of the additional responsibilities and time required in serving in that position.
In addition, each director is paid a fee for each regular meeting and each special meeting, attended in-person, at which the approval of an investment advisory or subadvisory agreement is considered. A director also is paid a meeting fee for any committee meeting or other special meeting attended in-person and held on a date other than the date of another compensated meeting. A director does not receive
17
compensation for participating in a meeting by telephone, unless the telephonic meeting is held in lieu of a regular in-person meeting in order to minimize travel costs and achieve a quorum. To promote continuing director education, a director who attends an Investment Company Institute seminar or conference receives an attendance fee, limited to a certain dollar amount per year.
At the conclusion of each calendar year, a stipend is paid to each director who attended all “in-person” regular, special and committee meetings for which he or she was responsible. A lesser stipend is paid to those directors who missed one meeting, and to those directors who missed no more than one regular Board meeting and one committee or special meeting. Attendance at a meeting by telephone does not count as attendance, unless the meeting was scheduled as a teleconference. Failure to attend a meeting caused by flight cancellations or family emergencies or absences from special Board meetings or committee meetings due to prior schedule conflicts announced at the time the meeting was scheduled are not considered missed meetings for purposes of calculating the stipend.
Compensation is adjusted annually for increases in the national CPI/urban index, with a maximum annual increase of five (5) percent.
The VP Fund pays a portion of the cash compensation of Mr. Bruce James Rohrbacher for his services as the VP Fund’s CCO. ICMA-RC, VIA’s parent company, also compensates Mr. Rohrbacher for serving as its Chief Compliance Officer, as well as VIA’s Chief Compliance Officer. The amount paid by the VP Fund during the year ended December 31, 2012 totaled $242,682. The VP Fund does not compensate its other officers for their service as such.
The following table provides information about compensation received by each director for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 for their service as directors. Information for Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton is not included below, as their initial terms have yet to commence.
| Name of Person | Aggregate Compensation From VP Fund | ||||
Independent Directors | |||||
N. Anthony Calhoun | $ | 23,424 | |||
George M. Chamberlain | $ | 24,019 | |||
Donna K. Gilding | $ | 19,632 | |||
Dorothy D. Hayes* | $ | 0 | |||
Arthur R. Lynch | $ | 22,792 | |||
Timothy M. O’Brien | $ | 23,424 | |||
Interested Director | |||||
David R. Mora | $ | 0 | |||
| * | Ms. Hayes’ service as a director began on April 1, 2013. |
VP FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS
Investment Adviser– VIA, 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002, is a wholly owned subsidiary of, and controlled by ICMA-RC, a retirement plan administrator and investment adviser whose principal investment advisory client is VantageTrust Company. ICMA-RC was established as a not-for-profit organization in 1972 to assist state and local governments and their agencies and instrumentalities in the establishment and maintenance of deferred compensation and qualified retirement plans for the employees of such public sector entities. ICMA-RC has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since 1983. VIA is a Delaware limited liability company and is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC.
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VIA provides investment advisory services to each Series pursuant to Master Investment Advisory Agreements (the “Advisory Agreements”). VIA’s advisory services include Series design, establishment of Series investment objectives and strategies, selection and management of subadvisers, performance monitoring, and supervising and directing each Series’ investments. Additionally, VIA furnishes periodic reports to the Board regarding the investment strategy and performance of each Fund. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreements, the Funds compensate VIA for these services by paying VIA an annual advisory fee assessed against average daily net assets under management in each Series.
The day-to-day investment management of certain Series’ assets rests with one or more subadvisers retained with the assistance of VIA. The responsibility for overseeing subadvisers rests with VIA.
Distributor– RC Services, located at 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002, serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the VP Funds’ shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. RC Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of ICMA-RC and an “affiliated person” of VIA (as that term is defined under the 1940 Act). The VP Fund did not pay any commissions to RC Services during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Transfer Agent and Administrator– Vantagepoint Transfer Agents, LLC (“VTA”), located at 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002, is the designated transfer agent of the VP Funds’ shares and, pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Administrative Services Agreement, also provides certain transfer agency and administrative shareholder support services for the VP Fund related to the retirement plans and other investors investing in the VP Fund. The Fund administration and transfer agency services provided by VTA include preparation of shareholder reports and proxies, shareholder recordkeeping and processing of orders. VTA is a wholly owned subsidiary of ICMA-RC and an “affiliated person” of VIA (as that term is defined under the 1940 Act).
The VP Fund has entered into a Mutual Funds Service Agreement with J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (whose successor in interest is JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA) (“JP Morgan”), located at 70 Fargo Street, Boston, MA 02210, whereby JP Morgan performs certain financial reporting, tax services, fund accounting, administrative and portfolio compliance services for the VP Fund.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm– PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) has been selected to serve as the VP Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for the VP Fund’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.
Audit Fees: The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the VP Fund’s principal accountant, PwC, for the audit of the VP Fund’s financial statements (i.e., audit fees) were $451,067 and $470,042 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees: Audit-related fees are for assurance and related services by PwC that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Funds’ financial statements, but are not reported under audit fees above. There were no such audit-related fees billed to the VP Funds by PwC for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
Tax Fees:The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by PwC for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning (i.e., “tax fees”) were $169,669 and $186,186 for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively. These services covered preparation of the VP Fund’s income tax and excise tax returns, and also included related consulting and tax provision work.
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All Other Fees:All other fees would include products and services provided by PwC other than the services described under the prior three categories. There were no such fees billed to the VP Fund by PwC for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services to be performed by the VP Fund’s accountant before the accountant is engaged to perform such services to the VP Fund. The Audit Committee pre-approved all of the services described above.
There were no non-audit fees billed for professional services rendered by PwC to the VP Fund, VIA (the VP Fund’s investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with VIA that provides ongoing services to the VP Fund, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD
If a shareholder wishes to send a communication to the Board or a specific director, the communication should be in writing and sent to the Board at the VP Fund’s offices at 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20002, Attention: Secretary. All correspondence from shareholders will be given to the Board and/or the director, as appropriate, for review and consideration.
SHARES OUTSTANDING AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF FUND SHARES
Shares Outstanding– As of May 31, 2013, the VP Fund had 1,720,529,724 outstanding shares. Each share entitles the holder to one vote. As of the same date, each Series and class thereof (as applicable) had the following outstanding shares:
Fund and Class | Shares Outstanding | |||
Low Duration Bond Fund – Investor Shares | 4,268,849 | |||
Low Duration Bond Fund – T Shares | 51,419,919 | |||
Inflation Protected Securities Fund – Investor Shares | 3,558,126 | |||
Inflation Protected Securities Fund – T Shares | 49,612,376 | |||
Equity Income Fund – Investor Shares | 5,193,774 | |||
Equity Income Fund – T Shares | 208,125,026 | |||
Growth & Income Fund – Investor Shares | 2,804,663 | |||
Growth & Income Fund – T Shares | 113,645,804 | |||
Growth Fund – Investor Shares | 2,506,545 | |||
Growth Fund – T Shares | 189,096,597 | |||
Select Value Fund – Investor Shares | 531,364 | |||
Select Value Fund – T Shares | 31,741,269 | |||
Aggressive Opportunities Fund – Investor Shares | 2,287,454 | |||
Aggressive Opportunities Fund – T Shares | 89,062,727 | |||
Discovery Fund – Investor Shares | 277,306 | |||
Discovery Fund – T Shares | 21,191,205 | |||
International Fund – Investor Shares | 1,487,288 | |||
International Fund – T Shares | 120,146,675 | |||
Diversifying Strategies Fund – T Shares | 97,071,947 | |||
Core Bond Index Fund – Class I Shares | 2,572,554 | |||
Core Bond Index Fund – Class II Shares | 2,453,976 | |||
Core Bond Index Fund – T Shares | 118,236,430 | |||
500 Stock Index Fund – Class I Shares | 1,951,142 | |||
500 Stock Index Fund – Class II Shares | 77,122 | |||
500 Stock Index Fund – T Shares | 40,352,096 | |||
Broad Market Index Fund – Class I Shares | 2,133,849 | |||
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Fund and Class | Shares Outstanding | |||
Broad Market Index Fund – Class II Shares | 695,121 | |||
Broad Market Index Fund – T Shares | 42,556,823 | |||
Mid/Small Company Index Fund – Class I Shares | 1,194,279 | |||
Mid/Small Company Index Fund – Class II Shares | 201,542 | |||
Mid/Small Company Index Fund – T Shares | 30,369,097 | |||
Overseas Index Fund – Class I Shares | 851,124 | |||
Overseas Index Fund – Class II Shares | 200,006 | |||
Overseas Index Fund – T Shares | 20,813,202 | |||
Model Portfolio Conservative Growth Fund – Investor M Shares | 3,598,123 | |||
Model Portfolio Conservative Growth Fund – TM Shares | 20,734,889 | |||
Model Portfolio Traditional Growth Fund – Investor M Shares | 4,387,180 | |||
Model Portfolio Traditional Growth Fund – TM Shares | 57,932,408 | |||
Model Portfolio Long-Term Growth Fund – Investor M Shares | 3,934,576 | |||
Model Portfolio Long-Term Growth Fund – TM Shares | 78,456,130 | |||
Model Portfolio All-Equity Growth Fund – Investor M Shares | 1,672,057 | |||
Model Portfolio All-Equity Growth Fund – TM Shares | 31,373,023 | |||
Milestone Retirement Income Fund – Investor M Shares | 7,375,673 | |||
Milestone Retirement Income Fund – TM Shares | 22,028,842 | |||
Milestone 2010 Fund – Investor M Shares | 5,993,805 | |||
Milestone 2010 Fund – TM Shares | 19,118,303 | |||
Milestone 2015 Fund – Investor M Shares | 8,592,280 | |||
Milestone 2015 Fund – TM Shares | 35,979,902 | |||
Milestone 2020 Fund – Investor M Shares | 7,699,149 | |||
Milestone 2020 Fund – TM Shares | 39,911,873 | |||
Milestone 2025 Fund – Investor M Shares | 6,119,741 | |||
Milestone 2025 Fund – TM Shares | 32,204,211 | |||
Milestone 2030 Fund – Investor M Shares | 4,964,811 | |||
Milestone 2030 Fund – TM Shares | 24,791,089 | |||
Milestone 2035 Fund – Investor M Shares | 3,771,751 | |||
Milestone 2035 Fund – TM Shares | 16,100,139 | |||
Milestone 2040 Fund – Investor M Shares | 3,409,962 | |||
Milestone 2040 Fund – TM Shares | 15,632,288 | |||
Milestone 2045 Fund – Investor M Shares | 1,318,613 | |||
Milestone 2045 Fund – TM Shares | 3,774,087 | |||
Milestone 2050 Fund – Investor M Shares | 377,174 | |||
Milestone 2050 Fund – TM Shares | 590,367 | |||
Control Persons– A majority of the voting shares of each Series are held, either directly, or indirectly through the Vantagepoint Model Portfolio and Milestone Funds, by VantageTrust, a group trust established and maintained by VantageTrust Company. VantageTrust, located at 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002, was established for the purpose of holding and investing the assets of public sector retirement and deferred compensation plans. VantageTrust Company has the power to vote the shares of the Series held directly by VantageTrust, and pursuant to VIA’s proxy voting policies, VIA generally will seek instructions from the board of directors of VantageTrust Company on how to vote the shares of each Series held by the Model Portfolio Funds and Milestone Funds, and will cast such Series’ votes in accordance with the instructions received. VantageTrust Company therefore, directly or indirectly, has the power to vote more than 25% of the VP Fund’s voting securities and thus under the 1940 Act is considered a “control person” of each Series. As a control person of each Series, VantageTrust Company has the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to the vote of shareholders. Both VantageTrust Company and VIA are wholly owned subsidiaries of ICMA-RC.
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The following represents the percentage of total shares outstanding in each of the Series held, directly or indirectly, by VantageTrust as of May 31, 2013:
Fund | Percentage (total shares outstanding) held by VantageTrust | |
Low Duration Bond Fund | 77.14% | |
Inflation Protected Securities Fund | 85.16% | |
Equity Income Fund | 90.30% | |
Growth & Income Fund | 89.73% | |
Growth Fund | 94.78% | |
Select Value Fund | 93.25% | |
Aggressive Opportunities Fund | 95.53% | |
Discovery Fund | 93.83% | |
International Fund | 90.88% | |
Diversifying Strategies Fund | 87.49% | |
Core Bond Index Fund | 88.71% | |
500 Stock Index Fund | 95.21% | |
Broad Market Index Fund | 93.77% | |
Mid/Small Company Index Fund | 87.49% | |
Overseas Index Fund | 95.19% | |
Model Portfolio Conservative Growth Fund | 85.21% | |
Model Portfolio Traditional Growth Fund | 92.96% | |
Model Portfolio Long-Term Growth Fund | 95.22% | |
Model Portfolio All-Equity Growth Fund | 94.94% | |
Milestone Retirement Income Fund | 74.92% | |
Milestone 2010 Fund | 76.13% | |
Milestone 2015 Fund | 80.72% | |
Milestone 2020 Fund | 83.83% | |
Milestone 2025 Fund | 84.03% | |
Milestone 2030 Fund | 83.31% | |
Milestone 2035 Fund | 81.02% | |
Milestone 2040 Fund | 82.09% | |
Milestone 2045 Fund | 74.11% | |
Milestone 2050 Fund | 61.02% |
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Principal Holders– Below are the names, addresses, and amount and percentage of shares owned by class of each person (or entity) that owns of record or is known to own beneficially 5% or more of any class of any Series’ outstanding shares as of May 31, 2013:
Name | Address | Fund and Class | Amount of shares owned | Percentage Owned | ||||||||
VantageTrust | 777 N. Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 | Low Duration Bond Fund – T Shares | 42,955,708 | 83.54 | % | |||||||
| Inflation Protected Securities Fund – T Shares | 45,281,425 | 91.27 | % | |||||||||
| Equity Income Fund – T Shares | 192,631,417 | 92.56 | % | |||||||||
| Growth & Income Fund – T Shares | 104,489,295 | 91.94 | % | |||||||||
| Growth Fund – T Shares | 181,603,809 | 96.04 | % | |||||||||
| Select Value Fund – T Shares | 30,093,605 | 94.81 | % | |||||||||
| Aggressive Opportunities Fund – T Shares | 87,270,627 | 97.99 | % | |||||||||
| Discovery Fund – T Shares | 20,143,372 | 95.06 | % | |||||||||
| International Fund – T Shares | 110,534,897 | 92.00 | % | |||||||||
| Diversifying Strategies Fund – T Shares | 84,930,972 | 87.49 | % | |||||||||
| Core Bond Index Fund – T Shares | 109,348,616 | 92.48 | % | |||||||||
| 500 Stock Index Fund – T Shares | 40,352,096 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Broad Market Index Fund – T Shares | 42,556,823 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Mid/Small Company Index Fund – T Shares | 27,790,268 | 91.51 | % | |||||||||
| Overseas Index Fund – T Shares | 20,813,202 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Model Portfolio Conservative Growth Fund – TM Shares | 20,734,889 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Model Portfolio Traditional Growth Fund – TM Shares | 57,932,408 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Model Portfolio Long-Term Growth Fund – TM Shares | 78,456,130 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Model Portfolio All-Equity Growth Fund – TM Shares | 31,373,023 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Milestone Retirement Income Fund – TM Shares | 22,028,842 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Milestone 2010 Fund – TM Shares | 19,118,303 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Milestone 2015 Fund – TM Shares | 35,979,902 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Milestone 2020 Fund – TM Shares | 39,911,873 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Milestone 2025 Fund – TM Shares | 32,204,211 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Milestone 2030 Fund – TM Shares | 24,791,089 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Milestone 2035 Fund – TM Shares | 16,100,139 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Milestone 2040 Fund – TM Shares | 15,632,288 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Milestone 2045 Fund – TM Shares | 3,774,087 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
| Milestone 2050 Fund – TM Shares | 590,367 | 100.00 | % | |||||||||
Name | Address | Fund and Class | Amount of shares owned | Percentage Owned | ||||||||
| State College Borough General Employees Pension Plan | 243 South Allen Street State College, PA 16801 | International Fund – Investor Shares | 111,067 | 7.47 | % | |||||||
| Growth Fund – Investor Shares | 323,547 | 12.91 | % | |||||||||
| Growth & Income Fund – Investor Shares | 283,649 | 10.11 | % | |||||||||
| Equity Income Fund – Investor Shares | 335,193 | 6.45 | % | |||||||||
| Broad Market Index Fund – Class II | 175,998 | 25.32 | % | |||||||||
| Core Bond Index Fund – Class II | 855,289 | 34.85 | % | |||||||||
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Name | Address | Fund and Class | Amount of shares owned | Percentage Owned | ||||||||
| State College Borough Police Pension Plan | 243 South Allen Street State College, PA 16801 | International Fund – Investor Shares Growth Fund – Investor Shares Growth & Income Fund – Investor Shares Equity Income Fund – Investor Shares Broad Market Index Fund – Class II Core Bond Index Fund – Class II |
| 127,567 371,621 325,790 384,995 202,146 982,372 |
|
| 8.58 14.83 11.62 7.41 29.08 40.03 | % % % % % % | ||||
| ICMA Retirement Corporation | 777 N. Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 | Milestone 2050 Fund – Investor M Shares | 50,079 | 13.28 | % | |||||||
| County of Sacramento | 700 H Street Suite 4667 Sacramento, CA 95814 | Milestone 2020 Fund – Investor M Shares Milestone 2025 Fund – Investor M Shares Milestone 2030 Fund – Investor M Shares Milestone 2035 Fund – Investor M Shares Milestone 2040 Fund – Investor M Shares Milestone 2045 Fund – Investor M Shares |
| 560,919 660,334 665,580 627,190 557,240 403,250 |
|
| 7.29 10.79 13.22 16.65 16.40 30.65 | % % % % % % | ||||
| County of Orange | 333 NW. Santa Anna Blvd. 2nd Floor Santa Ana, CA 92701 | Select Value Fund – Investor Shares Discovery Fund – Investor Shares Overseas Equity Index Fund – Class II Mid/Small Company Index Fund – Class II 500 Stock Index Fund – Class II Milestone 2025 Fund – Investor M Shares Milestone 2030 Fund – Investor M Shares Milestone 2035 Fund – Investor M Shares Milestone 2040 Fund – Investor M Shares |
| 29,810 27,590 37,492 99,694 74,767 364,380 311,576 223,714 179,257 |
|
| 5.56 9.90 18.74 47.49 7.89 5.95 6.28 5.27 5.27 | % % % % % % % % % | ||||
| Orange County Library District | 101 East Central Blvd. Orlando, FL 32801 | Core Bond Index Fund – Class II Overseas Equity Index Fund – Class II Mid/Small Company Index Fund – Class II Broad Market Index Fund – Class II |
| 124,203 155,990 95,715 311,913 |
|
| 5.07 77.97 28.56 44.87 | % % % % | ||||
| City of St. Charles | 200 North Second Street St. Charles, MO 63301 | Core Bond Index Fund – Class II | 191,656 | 7.82 | % | |||||||
| Lancaster County | 555 S. 10th Street Ste. 110 Lincoln, NE | Milestone Retirement Income Fund – Investor TM Shares | 374,986 | 5.08 | % | |||||||
| City of San Ramon | 2226 Camino Ramon San Ramon, CA 94582 | Model Portfolio Conservative Growth Fund – Investor M Shares Model Portfolio Long-Term Growth Fund – Investor M Shares |
| 276,220
325,730 |
|
| 7.68
8.28 | %
% | ||||
| City of San Pablo | 1 Alvarado Square San Pablo, CA 94086 | Model Portfolio Long-Term Growth Fund – Investor M Shares | 252,989 | 6.43 | % | |||||||
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HOUSEHOLDING
If you request a paper copy of this Information Statement, only one copy of this Information Statement will be mailed to your household, even if more than one person in the household is a Fund shareholder of record, unless the VP Fund has received instructions to the contrary. If you need additional copies of this Information Statement, please contact the VP Fund toll free at
1-800-669-7400 or in writing at 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002. If you do not want the mailing of an Information Statement to be combined with those for other members of your household in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would rather receive just one copy for the household, contact the VP Fund in writing at 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002 or toll free at 1-800-669-7400.
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Appendix A
THE VANTAGEPOINT FUNDS
NOMINATING AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER
| I. | The Committee. |
The Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Committee”) is a committee of, and established by, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of The Vantagepoint Funds (the “Fund”). The Committee consists of such number of members as set by the Board from time to time and its members shall be selected by the Board. The Committee shall be comprised entirely of “independent members.” For purposes of this Charter, independent members shall mean members who are not interested persons of the Fund (“Independent Board members”) as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
| II. | Board Nominations and Functions. |
| 1. | The Committee shall make recommendations for nominations for Independent Board members on the Board to the incumbent Independent Board members and to the full Board. The Committee shall evaluate candidates’ qualifications for Board membership and the independence of such candidates from the Fund’s investment manager and other principal service providers. Persons selected must be independent in terms of both the letter and spirit of the 1940 Act. The Committee shall also consider the effect of any relationships that an Independent Board member candidate may have that are (i) explicitly prohibited under the 1940 Act; and (ii) beyond those delineated in the 1940 Act that might impair independence,e.g., business, financial or family relationships with investment managers or service providers. |
| 2. | The Committee also shall evaluate the qualifications of candidates for “interested” members of the Board and make recommendations for nominees for “interested” members to the full Board. |
| 3. | In considering a candidate’s qualifications, the Committee shall generally consider the potential candidate’s educational background, business or professional experience, and reputation. In addition, all candidates as members of the Board must demonstrate an ability and willingness to make the considerable time commitment, including personal attendance at Board meetings, believed necessary to his or her function as an effective Board member. The Committee may adopt from time to time additional specific, minimum qualifications that the Committee believes a candidate must meet before being considered as a candidate for Board membership, subject to approval by the full Board. |
| 4. | When the Board has, or expects to have, a vacancy the Committee shall receive and review information on candidates qualified to be recommended to the full Board as nominees for election as directors, including any recommendations by shareholders. Such candidates shall be evaluated based upon the criteria described above and such other additional qualifications as the Committee may adopt from time to time, subject to approval by the full Board. The Committee shall review shareholder recommendations for nominations to fill vacancies on the Board if such recommendations are submitted in writing and addressed to the Committee at the Fund’s offices. |
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| 5. | The Committee shall periodically review the composition of the Board to determine whether it may be appropriate to add individuals with different backgrounds or skill sets from those already on the Board. |
| 6. | The Committee shall periodically review Board member compensation and shall recommend any appropriate changes to the full Board. |
| III. | Committee Nominations and Functions. |
| 1. | The Committee shall make recommendations to the full Board for nomination for membership on all committees of the Board and shall review committee assignments at least annually and report the results of its review to the Board. |
| 2. | The Committee shall review as necessary the responsibilities of any committees of the Board, whether there is a continuing need for each committee, whether there is a need for additional committees of the Board, and whether committees should be combined or reorganized. The Committee shall make recommendations for any such action to the full Board. |
| IV. | Other Powers and Responsibilities. |
| 1. | The Committee shall meet at least once each year or more frequently, in open or executive sessions, as it deems appropriate. The Committee may invite members of management, counsel, advisers and others to attend its meetings as it deems appropriate. The Committee shall have separate sessions with management and others, as and when it deems appropriate. |
| 2. | The Committee shall monitor the performance of legal counsel employed by the Independent Board members. |
| 3. | The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including authority to retain special counsel and other experts or consultants at the expense of the Fund. |
| 4. | The Committee shall report its activities to the Board and make such recommendations as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate. |
| 5. | A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Committee. The action of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Committee. The Committee may meet in person or by telephone, and the Committee may act by written consent, to the extent permitted by law and by the Fund’s governing instrument. In the event of any inconsistency between this Charter and the Fund’s governing instrument, the provisions of the Fund’s governing instrument shall be given precedence. |
| 6. | The Committee shall review this Charter at least annually and recommend any changes to the full Board. |
Date Adopted: March 5, 2004; Amended March 30, 2012
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THE VANTAGEPOINT FUNDS
Low Duration Bond Fund Inflation Protected Securities Fund Equity Income Fund Growth & Income Fund Growth Fund Select Value Fund Aggressive Opportunities Fund Discovery Fund International Fund Diversifying Strategies Fund Core Bond Index Fund 500 Stock Index Fund Broad Market Index Fund Mid/Small Company Index Fund Overseas Equity Index Fund | Model Portfolio Conservative Growth Fund Model Portfolio Traditional Growth Fund Model Portfolio Long-Term Growth Fund Model Portfolio All-Equity Growth Fund Milestone Retirement Income Fund Milestone 2010 Fund Milestone 2015 Fund Milestone 2020 Fund Milestone 2025 Fund Milestone 2030 Fund Milestone 2035 Fund Milestone 2040 Fund Milestone 2045 Fund Milestone 2050 Fund |
777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20002
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION STATEMENT
Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Information Statement:
An Information Statement regarding The Vantagepoint Funds (the “VP Fund”) is available at
http://www.icmarc.org/x3333.xml?RFID=W427.
This Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement is being sent on or about August 21, 2013 to shareholders of record of the VP Fund as of May 31, 2013.
This Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement presents only an overview of the more complete information statement that is available to you on the internet relating to the VP Fund. We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the full Information Statement.
We are notifying you that by written consent delivered to the VP Fund pursuant to the VP Fund’s Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust, VantageTrust Company, LLC, on behalf of VantageTrust (the holder of a majority of the VP Fund’s outstanding shares as of May 31, 2013), voted to elect Ms. JoAnn H. Price and Mr. Harold Singleton, III each as a Class 2 director of the VP Fund. Both Ms. Price’s and Mr. Singleton’s service as Class 2 directors is expected to begin on or about October 1, 2013.
The Information Statement is being furnished by the board of directors of the VP Fund (the “Board”) to inform shareholders of the VP Fund about the recent election of Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director. After extensive discussion and meetings, the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee recommended to the Board that it nominate Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director. After considering the Nominating and Governance Committee’s recommendations, the Board nominated Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director, and determined to recommend to the VP Fund shareholders that they elect Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director. After considering the Board’s recommended nominees, the board of directors of VantageTrust Company, LLC voted all shares of each series of the VP Fund held by VantageTrust in favor of the election of Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director, and pursuant to the proxy voting policies of Vantagepoint Investment Advisers, LLC (“VIA”), the VP Fund’s investment adviser, instructed VIA to vote all shares of each series of the VP Fund held indirectly through the Model Portfolio and Milestone Funds,
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to elect Ms. Price and Mr. Singleton each as a Class 2 director. VantageTrust Company, LLC has the power to vote the shares of the VP Fund held directly by VantageTrust, and pursuant to the proxy voting policies of Vantagepoint Investment Advisers, LLC (“VIA”), the VP Fund’s investment adviser, VIA generally will seek instructions from the board of directors of VantageTrust Company, LLC on how to vote the shares of each series of the VP Fund held by the Model Portfolio Funds and Milestone Funds, and will cast such Series’ votes in accordance with the instructions received. VantageTrust Company, LLC is an affiliate of VIA.
This Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement isnot an information statement. The full Information Statement regarding the above matters is available on the VP Fund’s website at:http://www.icmarc.org/x3333.xml?RFID=W427. The full Information Statement will be available at that address until October 31, 2013. The Information Statement is available as a PDF (Portable Document Format), which may be viewed and printed using Adobe Acrobat® Reader, which is available without charge from Adobe Systems, Inc. athttp://get.adobe.com/reader/.
Obtaining Copies of the Information Statement
You may request a paper or email copy of the full Information Statement, without charge, by contacting the VP Fund toll free at 1-800-669-7400, by email atinvestorservices@icmarc.org, or in writing at 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002.
Householding
Only one copy of this Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement (or if requested, only one paper copy of the full Information Statement) will be mailed to your household, even if more than one person in the household is a VP Fund shareholder of record, unless the VP Fund has received instructions to the contrary. If you need additional copies of this Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement (or if requested, additional paper copies of the full Information Statement) please contact the VP Fund toll free at 1-800-669-7400 or in writing at 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002. If you do not want the mailing of this Notice of Internet Availability of Information Statement (or if requested, a paper copy of the full Information Statement) to be combined with those for other members of your household in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would rather receive just one copy for the household, contact the VP Fund in writing at 777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20002 or toll free at 1-800-669-7400.
We Are Not Asking You for a Proxy and You are Requested Not to Send us a Proxy.
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