Northern Lights Variable Trust NCSR Certified annual shareholder report (management investment company)

united states
securities and exchange commission
washington, d.c. 20549

form n-csr

certified shareholder report of registered management
investment companies

Investment Company Act file number 811-21853

Northern Lights Variable Fund Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450 Cincinnati, OH 45246

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 631-490-4300

Date of fiscal year end: 12/31

Date of reporting period: 12/31/22

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

(BTS LOGO)

BTS TACTICAL FIXED INCOME VIT FUND

Annual Report

December 31, 2022

1-877-BTS-9820

(1-877-287-9820)

www.btsfunds.com

Distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

Member FINRA/SIPC

Dear Valued Shareholder,

As CEO of BTS Asset Management (“BTS”), I would like to thank you for investing with the BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund (the “Fund”) and take a moment to review our performance relative to the market, discuss how and why we employed the Fund’s principal investment strategies, and finish with a review of market conditions we expect the Funds to navigate in 2023.

2022 Recap

The Fund produced returns comparable to that of its benchmark, the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index (the “Benchmark”), which reported a return of -13.01% for the one-year period ended December 31, 2022. More specifically, the Fund Class 2 slightly underperformed the Benchmark with a -13.12% annual return for 2022.

The Bond Market in 2022 once again delivered negative returns, ending the year down -13.01%, after dropping by -1.54% in 2021. As such, 2022 offered ‘no place to hide, with stocks and bonds both suffering double-digit losses in the backdrop of high inflation and hawkish federal reserve policy, a paradigm which broke the trend of generally positive returns or marginal losses over the last 5 years, illustrated below. The year began with geopolitical uncertainties surrounding the war in Ukraine, which were exasperated by inflation that the Federal Reserve fell behind on containing. Inflation rates not seen since the 1970s-1980s fueled the need to hike interest rates aggressively, the fastest rate of increases seen since 1980. ¹

(BAR CHART)

Investments cannot be made in an index. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses, or sales charges. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and the index performance shown is not indicative of the performance of the Fund.

The narrative of the rest of the year was dominated by speculation as to when the Fed would eventually make its ‘dovish pivot’ and move towards a less restrictive policy, albeit still needing to hold interest rates elevated for a period of time. We believe Chairman Jerome Powell introduced sporadic volatility into the markets, especially at the June Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) meeting where his dovish tone helped fuel a 7.78% gain in the ICE BofA High Yield Index, which was sharply followed by an 8.06% drawdown. Moreover, off only a 1-month surprise decline in the headline CPI print in October, Powell again helped propel the market by another 6.75% with his comments at the November FOMC meeting before finally retracking most of his dovish tilt in December, leading to a drawdown of 2.36% in the final weeks of the year.

(LINE GRAPH)

For a price driven tactical approach, these massive market swings followed by swift declines make it difficult to outperform against the broader aggregate bond market index. Our models have, however, been able to offer returns that were generally in line with the index, while modeling adjustments allowed us to participate for longer in order to accumulate yield when yields were more attractive. As our models were built with capital preservation in mind, key tactical elements have been deployed when the risk of a market crash seems probable based on initial downward trends, as in 2020.

Outlook for 2023

The narrative for 2023 will likely depend on how fast and to what degree, if any, the U.S. economy contracts due to increased rate pressure from Fed policy and how quickly inflation can

abate from such restrictive policy. Another big uncertainty is when the Fed will have received enough confirmation that a less restrictive policy is appropriate. The market will likely begin to discount such effects quickly, even if the time horizon for beginning the easing process is 6-12 months into the future.

During this rate cycle, the Fed has so far done the opposite as compared to 2020 by raising interest rates rapidly above 4% and communicating that they will hold rates higher for longer. This policy, especially with the negative economic effects from inflation, may set up a similar market paradigm to the 2008-2009 period.

In the years leading up to 2008, the Fed was raising rates to similar levels seen today in an attempt to contain an overheated economy, which also came with upward price pressures. However, in the current market environment, inflation is having an analogous effect on price with a relatively robust economy. In both cases, the remedy is higher interest rates, which may eventually be followed by a decline in rates towards a longer-run average, which could offer higher return opportunities in the high yield and stock markets.

The question, of course, is when exactly the Fed will pivot and to what extent the U.S. economy, if it does at all, will go into recession. The Fed historically has a poor track record of a ’soft-landing’, which raises the probability that we will see some sort of economic decline due to their restrictive policy. No single CPI print or economic headline will bring complete clarity to the situation, however, and we believe that a price driven, tactical approach to the markets will reduce risk to capital in extreme crash periods and prolonged bear markets, while offering attractive upside potential when the Fed eventually begins its next easing cycle. Until then, we have yet to see whether the market will make a new low on the backs of recession fears or if the next bull run is one to last years into the future.

Thank you for choosing the Fund, and please stay safe as we enter a new year with new promise.

Sincerely,

Matthew Pasts CMT

CEO, BTS Asset Management

“The complete story behind the Fed’s historic shift in 2022”, Yahoo Finance, 12/22/22.

The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is comprised of government securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and corporate securities with maturities of one year or more to simulate the universe of bonds in the market. Investors cannot directly invest in an index; unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.

5200-NLD-02/08/2023

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

PORTFOLIO REVIEW

December 31, 2022

The Fund’s performance figures* for the periods ended December 31, 2022, compared to its benchmark:

		Annualized	Annualized
	One Year	Five Year	Since Inception **
BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund - Class 1	(12.27)%	(2.50)%	(0.25)%
BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund - Class 2	(13.12)%	(3.43)%	(0.68)%
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index***	(13.01)%	0.02%	1.00%

Comparison of the Change in Value of a $10,000 Investment

(LINE GRAPH)

The performance data quoted is historical. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. The principal value and investment return of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemptions of Fund shares. The total gross operating expenses as stated in the fee table to the Fund’s prospectus dated May 1, 2022 are 1.81% and 2.31% for Class 1 and Class 2 shares, respectively. For performance information current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-877-287-9820.

Inception date is April 29, 2013.

***

The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market capitalization-weighted index, meaning the securities in the index are weighted according to the market size of each bond type. Most U.S. traded investment grade bonds are represented. Municipal bonds and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities are excluded, due to tax treatment issues. The index includes U.S. Treasury securities, government agency bonds, mortgage-backed bonds, corporate bonds, and a small amount of foreign bonds traded in U.S. dollars. The index was formerly known as the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and is still commonly referred to as such. Unlike a mutual fund, an index does not reflect any trading costs or management fees. Investors cannot directly invest in an index.

Portfolio Composition as of December 31, 2022

Holdings By Asset Type	% of Net Assets
Exchange-Traded Funds		98.0	%
Money Market Fund		2.5	%
Collateral For Securities Loaned		17.8	%
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets		(18.3	)%
		100.0	%

Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in this annual report for a detailed listing of the Fund’s holdings.

BTS TACTICAL FIXED INCOME VIT FUND

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2022

Shares			Fair Value
		EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — 98.0%
		EQUITY - 8.1%
	13,285	Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF	$	848,912


		FIXED INCOME - 89.9%
	35,746	iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF ^(a)		2,631,978
	35,044	SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF		3,153,959
	43,695	SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF		1,059,167
	78,155	Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF		2,634,605
				9,479,709

		TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS (Cost $10,363,597)		10,328,621

		SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 20.3%
		COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES LOANED - 17.8%
	1,876,250	State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund - Premier Class, 4.32% (Cost $1,876,250)^(b)(c)		1,876,250

		MONEY MARKET FUND - 2.5%
	262,650	Fidelity Government Portfolio, Class I, 4.06% (Cost $262,650)^(c)		262,650

		TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $2,138,900)		2,138,900

		TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 118.3% (Cost $12,502,497)	$	12,467,521
		LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS - (18.3)%		(1,924,799	)
		NET ASSETS - 100.0%	$	10,542,722

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund

SPDR - Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt

(a)

All or a portion of the security is on loan. The total fair value of the securities on loan as of December 31, 2022 was $1,840,750

(b)

Security was purchased with cash received as collateral for securities on loan at December 31, 2022. Total collateral had a fair value of $1,876,250 at December 31, 2022.

(c)

Rate disclosed is the seven day effective yield as of December 31, 2022.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2022

ASSETS
Investment securities:
At cost	$	12,502,497
At fair value (includes securities on loan with a market value of $1,840,750)	$	12,467,521
Dividends and interest receivable		563
Prepaid expenses and other assets		485
TOTAL ASSETS		12,468,569

LIABILITIES
Securities lending collateral payable		1,876,250
Payable to related parties		10,342
Investment advisory fees payable		8,102
Distribution (12b-1) fees payable		4,766
Payable for Fund shares redeemed		2,291
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		24,096
TOTAL LIABILITIES		1,925,847
NET ASSETS	$	10,542,722

Net Assets Consist Of:
Paid in capital ($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)	$	16,209,653
Accumulated losses		(5,666,931	)
NET ASSETS	$	10,542,722

Net Asset Value Per Share:
Class 1 Shares:
Net Assets	$	10
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding		1
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Net assets/Shares of beneficial interest)	$	7.95	(a)
Class 2 Shares:
Net Assets	$	10,542,712
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding		1,392,791
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Net assets/Shares of beneficial interest)	$	7.57

(a)

NAV does not recalculate due to rounding of net assets and shares.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2022

INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividends	$	437,215
Interest		54,412
Securities lending income		23,624
TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME		515,251

EXPENSES
Investment advisory fees		134,228
Distribution (12b-1) fees:
Class 2		78,958
Administrative services fees		30,723
Accounting services fees		24,337
Audit and tax fees		12,800
Legal fees		11,943
Trustees’ fees and expenses		10,522
Transfer agent fees		8,216
Printing and postage expenses		6,967
Custodian fees		6,143
Compliance officer fees		5,572
Insurance expense		2,952
Interest expense		526
Other expenses		1,754
TOTAL EXPENSES		335,641

NET INVESTMENT INCOME		179,610

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS
Net realized loss from investments		(2,533,005	)
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments		(59,525	)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS		(2,592,530	)

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS	$	(2,412,920	)

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

	For the			For the
	Year Ended			Year Ended
	December 31, 2022			December 31, 2021
FROM OPERATIONS
Net investment income	$	179,610		$	204,640
Net realized loss from investments		(2,533,005	)		(347,702	)
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments		(59,525	)		(414,727	)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations		(2,412,920	)		(557,789	)

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Total distributions paid
Class 1		(0	) (a)		(0	) (a)
Class 2		(204,587	)		(71,636	)
Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders		(204,587	)		(71,636	)

FROM SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Proceeds from shares sold:
Class 2		14,460,761			9,712,456
Net asset value of shares issued in
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions to shareholders:
Class 1		0	(a)		0	(a)
Class 2		204,587			71,636
Payments for shares redeemed:
Class 2		(23,594,134	)		(14,484,400	)
Net decrease in net assets from shares of beneficial interest		(8,928,786	)		(4,700,308	)

TOTAL DECREASE IN NET ASSETS		(11,546,293	)		(5,329,733	)

NET ASSETS
Beginning of Year		22,089,015			27,418,748
End of Year	$	10,542,722		$	22,089,015

SHARE ACTIVITY
Class 1:
Share Reinvested		0	(b)		0	(b)
Net increase in shares of beneficial interest outstanding		0	(b)		0	(b)

Class 2:
Shares Sold		1,732,012			1,075,200
Shares Reinvested		26,674			8,085
Shares Redeemed		(2,853,426	)		(1,600,363	)
Net decrease in shares of beneficial interest outstanding		(1,094,740	)		(517,078	)

(a)

Amount is less than $0.50.

(b)

Amount is less than 0.50 shares.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Year Presented

	Class 1
	For the			For the			For the			For the			For the
	Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
	December 31, 2022			December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			December 31, 2019			December 31, 2018

Net asset value, beginning of year	$	9.23		$	9.47		$	9.33		$	9.45		$	10.36
Activity from investment operations:
Net investment income (1)		0.19			0.27			0.19			0.28			0.18
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		(1.32	)		(0.48	)		0.15			0.01			(0.58	)
Total from investment operations		(1.13	)		(0.21	)		0.34			0.29			(0.40	)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income		(0.15	)		(0.03	)		(0.20	)		(0.41	)		(0.36	)
Net realized gains		—			—			—			—			(0.15	)
Total distributions		(0.15	)		(0.03	)		(0.20	)		(0.41	)		(0.51	)
Net asset value, end of year	$	7.95		$	9.23		$	9.47		$	9.33		$	9.45
Total return (2)		(12.27	)%		(2.18	)%		3.71	%		3.12	%		(4.00	)%
Net assets, end of year	$	10		$	11		$	11		$	11		$	11
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (3,4)		1.63	%		1.52	%		1.44	%		1.38	%		1.26	%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (3,5)		2.26	%		2.82	%		1.95	%		3.13	%		2.93	%
Portfolio Turnover Rate		1084	%		579	%		1825	%		501	%		300	%

(1)

Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(2)

Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Total return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder may pay on Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares, as well as other charges and expenses of the insurance contract or separate account. Total returns would have been lower absent fee waivers by the Adviser.

(3)

The ratios of expenses and net investment income to average net assets do not reflect the Fund’s proportionate share of income and expenses of underlying investments companies in which the Fund invests.

(4)

Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or fees recaptured by the advisor.

(5)

Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investments in which the Fund invests.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Year Presented

	Class 2
	For the			For the			For the			For the			For the
	Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
	December 31, 2022			December 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			December 31, 2019			December 31, 2018

Net asset value, beginning of year	$	8.88		$	9.13		$	9.12		$	9.26		$	10.34
Activity from investment operations:
Net investment income (1)		0.09			0.08			0.02			0.24			0.24
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		(1.25	)		(0.30	)		0.20			0.03			(0.87	)
Total from investment operations		(1.16	)		(0.22	)		0.22			0.27			(0.63	)
Less distributions from:
Net investment income		(0.15	)		(0.03	)		(0.21	)		(0.41	)		(0.30	)
Net realized gains		—			—			—			—			(0.15	)
Total distributions		(0.15	)		(0.03	)		(0.21	)		(0.41	)		(0.45	)
Net asset value, end of year	$	7.57		$	8.88		$	9.13		$	9.12		$	9.26
Total return (2)		(13.12	)%		(2.39	)%		2.42	%		2.95	%		(6.17	)%
Net assets, end of period (000s)	$	10,543		$	22,089		$	27,419		$	20,434		$	30,628
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (3,4)		2.13	%		2.02	%		1.94	%		1.88	%		1.76	%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (3,5)		1.14	%		0.85	%		0.26	%		2.52	%		2.43	%
Portfolio Turnover Rate		1084	%		579	%		1825	%		501	%		300	%

(1)

Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

(2)

(3)

(4)

Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or fees recaptured by the advisor.

(5)

Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investments in which the Fund invests.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2022

ORGANIZATION

The BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified series of shares of beneficial interest of Northern Lights Variable Trust (the “Trust”), a trust organized on November 2, 2005 under the laws of the State of Delaware and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek total return. The Fund commenced operations on April 29, 2013.

The Fund currently offers two classes of shares: Class 1 shares and Class 2 shares. Class 1 and Class 2 shares are offered at net asset value. Each class of shares of the Fund has identical rights and privileges except with respect to arrangements pertaining to shareholder servicing or distribution, class-related expenses, voting rights on matters affecting a single class of shares, and the exchange privilege of each class of shares. The Fund’s share classes differ in the fees and expenses charged to shareholders. The Fund’s income, expenses (other than class specific distribution fees) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated proportionately each day based upon the relative net assets of each class.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies”.

Securities Valuation – Securities listed on an exchange are valued at the last reported sale price at the close of the regular trading session of the primary exchange on the business day the value is being determined, or in the case of securities listed on NASDAQ at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). In the absence of a sale, such securities shall be valued at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the day of valuation. Futures and future options are valued at the final settled price or, in the absence of a settled price, at the last sale price on the day of valuation. Debt securities (other than short-term obligations) are valued each day by an independent pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) based on methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type, indications as to values from dealers, and general market conditions or market quotations from a major market maker in the securities. Investments valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. Short-term debt obligations having 60 days or less remaining until maturity, at time of purchase, may be valued at amortized cost.

Valuation of Underlying Funds – The Fund may invest in portfolios of open-end or closed-end investment companies (the “Underlying Funds”). The Underlying Funds value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value to the methods established by the board of directors of the Underlying Funds.

Open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset values as reported by such investment companies. The shares of many closed-end investment companies, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is different than the net asset value per share. The difference represents a market premium or market discount of such shares. There can be no assurance that the market discount or market premium on shares of any closed-end investment company purchased by the Fund will not change.

The Fund may hold securities, such as private investments, interests in commodity pools, other non-traded securities or temporarily illiquid securities, for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable. These securities will be valued using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to the Adviser as its valuation designee (the “Valuation Designee”). The Board may also enlist third party consultants such a valuation specialist at a public accounting firm, valuation consultant or financial officer of a security

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2022

issuer on an as-needed basis to assist the Valuation Designee in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board is responsible for reviewing and approving fair value methodologies utilized by the Valuation Designee, which approval shall be based upon whether the Valuation Designee followed the valuation procedures established by the Board.

Fair Valuation Process – The applicable investments are valued by the Valuation Designee pursuant to valuation procedures established by the Board. For example, fair value determinations are required for the following securities: (i) securities for which market quotations are insufficient or not readily available on a particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source); (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the Valuation Designee, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument; factors which may cause the Valuation Designee to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an ask price is available; the spread between bid and ask prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; and (iv) securities with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred (a “significant event”) since the closing prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to a Fund’s calculation of its net asset value. Specifically, interests in commodity pools or managed futures pools are valued on a daily basis by reference to the closing market prices of each futures contract or other asset held by a pool, as adjusted for pool expenses. Restricted or illiquid securities, such as private investments or non-traded securities are valued based upon the current bid for the security from two or more independent dealers or other parties reasonably familiar with the facts and circumstances of the security (who should take into consideration all relevant factors as may be appropriate under the circumstances). If a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties is unavailable, the Valuation Designee shall determine, the fair value of such security using the following factors: (i) the type of security; (ii) the cost at date of purchase; (iii) the size and nature of the Fund’s holdings; (iv) the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase and subsequent thereto; (v) information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; (vi) the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security and the existence of any registration rights; (vii) how the yield of the security compares to similar securities of companies of similar or equal creditworthiness; (viii) the level of recent trades of similar or comparable securities; (ix) the liquidity characteristics of the security; (x) current market conditions; and (xi) the market value of any securities into which the security is convertible or exchangeable.

The Fund utilizes various methods to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of input are:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2022

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following tables summarizes the inputs used as of December 31, 2022 for the Fund’s investments measured at fair value:

Assets *	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Exchange-Traded Funds	$	10,328,621	$	—	$	—	$	10,328,621
Collateral For Securities Loaned		1,876,250		—		—		1,876,250
Money Market Fund		262,650		—		—		262,650
Total	$	12,467,521	$	—	$	—	$	12,467,521

The Fund did not hold any Level 3 securities during the period.

Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for Classification.

Exchange-Traded Funds – The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). An ETF is a type of open-end fund, however, unlike a mutual fund, its shares are bought and sold on a securities exchange at market price and only certain financial institutions called authorized participants may buy and redeem shares of the ETF at net asset value. ETF shares can trade at either a premium or a discount to net asset value. Each ETF like a mutual fund is subject to specific risks depending on the type of strategy (actively managed or passively tracking an index) and the composition of its underlying holdings. Investing in an ETF involves substantially the same risks as investing directly in the ETF’s underlying holdings. ETFs pay fees and incur operating expenses, which reduce the total return earned by the ETFs from their underlying holdings. An ETF may not achieve its investment objective or execute its investment strategy effectively, which may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.

Security Transactions and Related Income – Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized on securities purchased over the lives of the respective securities. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains or losses from sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds. The accounting records are maintained in U.S. dollars.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders – Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Distributable net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and distributed annually. Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are recorded on ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. The “book/tax” differences are considered either temporary (i.e., deferred losses, capital loss carry forwards) or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets, results from operations or net asset value per share of the Fund.

Federal Income Tax – It is the Fund’s policy to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years ended December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2021, or expected to be taken in the Fund’s December 31, 2022 year-end tax returns. The Fund identifies its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. federal, and Ohio and foreign jurisdictions where the Fund makes significant investments. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.

Expenses – Expenses of the Trust that are directly identifiable to a specific fund are charged to that fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the nature and type of expense and the relative sizes of the funds in the Trust.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2022

Indemnification – The Trust indemnifies its officers and trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnities. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities appears to be remote.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents are held with a financial institution. The assets of the Fund may be placed in deposit accounts at U.S. banks and such deposits can exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits. The FDIC insures deposit accounts up to $250,000 for each account holder. The counterparty is generally a single bank rather than a group of financial institutions; thus there may be a greater counterparty credit risk. The Fund places deposits only with those counterparties which are believed to be creditworthy and there has been no history of loss.

Securities Lending Risk – The Fund may lend portfolio securities to institutions, such as banks and certain broker-dealers. The Fund may experience a loss or delay in the recovery of its securities if the borrowing institution breaches its agreement with the Fund (see additional information at Note 7).

Market and Geopolitical Risk – The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, climate-change and climate related events, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. The current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, has had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your Fund investment.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

For the year ended December 31, 2022, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities, other than short-term investments and U.S. Government Obligations, amounted to $113,662,876 and $120,651,442, respectively.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

BTS Asset Management, Inc. serves as the Fund’s investment advisor (the “Advisor”). Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, the Advisor, under the oversight of the Board, directs the daily operations of the Fund and supervises the performance of administrative and professional services provided by others. As compensation for its services and the related expenses borne by the Advisor, the Fund pays the Advisor an investment advisory fee, computed and accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.85% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Advisor earned advisory fees of $134,228.

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fees and to make payments to limit Fund expenses, until April 30, 2023 so that the total annual operating expenses excluding (i) any front- end or contingent deferred loads; (ii) brokerage fees and commissions; (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses; (iv) fees and expenses associated with investments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example options and swap fees and expenses); (v) borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); (vi) taxes; and (vii) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Advisor)) of the Fund do not exceed 2.00% and 2.50% for Class 1 and Class 2 shares, respectively. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years (within the three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2022

foregoing expense limits. This agreement may be terminated only by the Board, on 60 days’ written notice to the Advisor. During the year ended December 31, 2022 the Advisor did not waive any fees. As of December 31, 2022 there are no previously waived fees available for recapture.

Distributor – The distributor of the Fund is Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (“the “Distributor”). The Trust has adopted, on behalf of the Fund, the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan (the “Plan”), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay for certain distribution activities and shareholder services. Under the Plan, the Fund may pay 0.50% per year of the average daily net assets of Class 2 shares. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund incurred distribution fees under the Plan of $78,958 for Class 2 shares.

The Distributor acts as the Fund’s principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund’s Class 1 and Class 2 shares. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Distributor did not receive any underwriting commissions for sales of the Fund’s shares.

In addition, certain affiliates of the Distributor provide services to the Fund as follows:

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“UFS”) – UFS, an affiliate of the Distributor, provides administration, fund accounting, and transfer agent services to the Trust. Pursuant to separate servicing agreements with UFS, the Fund pays UFS customary fees for providing administration, fund accounting and transfer agency services to the Fund. Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of UFS, and are not paid any fees directly by the Fund for serving in such capacities.

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), an affiliate of UFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust, as well as related compliance services, pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. Under the terms of such agreement, NLCS receives customary fees from the Fund.

Blu Giant, LLC (“Blu Giant”), an affiliate of UFS and the Distributor, provides EDGAR conversion and filing services as well as print management services for the Fund on an ad-hoc basis. For the provision of these services, Blu Giant receives customary fees from the Fund.

AGGREGATE UNREALIZED APPRECIATION AND DEPRECIATION – TAX BASIS

		Gross		Gross			Net Unrealized
		Unrealized		Unrealized			Appreciation
Tax Cost		Appreciation		Depreciation			(Depreciation)
$	12,502,497	$	2,029	$	(37,005	)	$	(34,976	)

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF CAPITAL

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, was as follows:

	Fiscal Year Ended		Fiscal Year Ended
	December 31, 2022		December 31, 2021
Ordinary Income	$	204,587	$	71,636
Long-Term Capital Gain		—		—
Return of Capital		—		—
	$	204,587	$	71,636

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2022

As of December 31, 2022, the components of accumulated earnings/ (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed		Undistributed		Post October Loss		Capital Loss			Other		Unrealized			Total
Ordinary		Long-Term		and		Carry			Book/Tax		Appreciation/			Distributable Earnings/
Income		Gains		Late Year Loss		Forwards			Differences		(Depreciation)			(Accumulated Deficit)
$	179,485	$	—	$	—	$	(5,811,440	)	$	—	$	(34,976	)	$	(5,666,931	)

At December 31, 2022, the Fund had capital loss carry forwards for federal income tax purposes available to offset future capital gains, as follows:

Short-Term				Long-Term				Total				CLCF Utilized
$	5,811,432			$	8			$	5,811,440			$	—

SECURITIES LENDING

Under an agreement (the “Securities Lending Agreement”) with the Securities Finance Trust Company (“SFTC”), the Fund can lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions approved by the Board to earn additional income. For each securities loan, the borrower shall transfer collateral in an amount determined by applying the margin to the market value of the loaned available securities (102% for same currency and 105% for cross currency). Collateral is invested in highly liquid, short-term instruments such as money market funds in accordance with the Fund’s security lending procedures. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Fund has the right under the Securities Lending Agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand; if the borrower fails to deliver the securities on a timely basis, the Fund could experience delays or losses on recovery. Additionally, the Fund is subject to the risk of loss from investments made with the cash received as collateral. The Fund manages credit exposure arising from these lending transactions by, in appropriate circumstances, entering into master netting agreements and collateral agreements with third party borrowers that provide in the event of default (such as bankruptcy or a borrower’s failure to pay or perform), the right to net a third-party borrower’s rights and obligations under such agreement and liquidate and set off collateral against the net amount owed by the counterparty.

The following table breaks out the Fund’s securities lending transactions accounted for as secured borrowings with cash collateral of overnight and continuous maturities as of December 31, 2022.

	Overnight and		Up to				Greater than
	Continuous		30 Days		30-90 days		90 days		Total
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Premier Class	$	1,876,250	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,876,250

At December 31, 2022, the Fund had loaned securities and received cash collateral for the loan. This cash was invested in the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Premier Class as shown in the Schedule of Investments. The Fund receives compensation relating to the lending of the Fund’s securities as reflected in the Statement of Operations. The fair value of the securities loaned for the Fund totaled $1,840,750 as of December 31, 2022. The securities loaned are noted in the Schedule of Investments. The fair value of the “Collateral For Securities Loaned” on the Schedule of Investments includes only cash collateral received and reinvested that totaled $1,876,250 for the Fund as of December 31, 2022.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2022

The amount of Collateral for Securities Loaned is offset by a liability recorded as “Securities Lending Collateral Payable” as shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2022.

Gross

Net Amounts

Amounts of

Presented in the

Financial

Cash

Recognized

Statement of

Instruments

Collateral

Net Amount of

Description of Liability

Counterparty

Assets

Liabilities

Assets & Liabilities

Pledged

Assets & Liabilities

Securities lending collateral

Securities Finance Trust Co.

1,876,250

(1)

—

1,876,250

—

1,876,250

(2)

—

(1)

Value as presented in the Schedule of Investments.

(2)

The amount is limited to the liability balance and does not include excess collateral pledged to the counterparty. Detailed collateral amounts are presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

LINE OF CREDIT

The Fund has entered into a line of credit agreement with U.S. Bank N.A. for investment purposes subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act for borrowings. The maximum amount of borrowing allowed under the agreement is the lesser of $1,000,000 or 33 1/3% of the gross market value (as determined solely by the Bank using consistently applied valuation methods disclosed to the Borrower) of the unencumbered assets of the Fund. Borrowings under this agreement bear interest at the Prime Rate, per annum, on the principal balance outstanding. The maturity date of the line of credit is July 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2022 the Fund accessed the line of credit as follows:

Average Amount							Outstanding
Borrowings		Interest		Average			Borrowings
Outstanding		Expense		Interest Rate			12/31/2022
$	937,000	$	526		4.94	%	$	—

CONTROL OWNERSHIP

The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumption of control of the Fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2022, Nationwide Life Insurance Co. and Jefferson National Life Insurance Co. held approximately 74.18% and 25.82%, respectively, of the voting securities of the Fund for the benefit of others.

10.

UNDERLYING INVESTMENT IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES

The Fund currently invests a portion of its assets in the SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (“JNK”). JNK seeks to obtain as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of principal and liquidity within the limitations prescribed for the fund. The Fund may redeem its investment from JNK at any time if the Advisor determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to do so. The performance of the Fund will be directly affected by the performance of JNK. The financial statements of JNK, including the portfolio of investments, can be found at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website www.sec.gov and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements. As of December 31, 2022, the percentage of the Fund’s net assets invested in JNK was 29.9%.

The Fund currently invests a portion of its assets in the Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (“HYLB”). HYLB seeks investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before fees and expenses, of the Solactive USD High Yield Corporates Total Market Index. The Fund may redeem its investment from HYLB at any time if the Advisor determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to do so. The performance of the Fund will be directly affected by the performance of HYLB. The financial statements of HYLB, including the portfolio of investments, can be found at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website www.sec.gov and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements. As of December 31, 2022, the percentage of the Fund’s net assets invested in HYLB was 25.0%.

The Fund currently invests a portion of its assets in the iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (“HYG”). HYG seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield corporate bonds. The Fund may redeem its investment from HYG at any time if the Advisor determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2022

shareholders to do so. The performance of the Fund will be directly affected by the performance of HYG. The financial statements of HYG, including the portfolio of investments, can be found at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website www.sec.gov and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements. As of December 31, 2022, the percentage of the Fund’s net assets invested in HYG was 25.0%.

11.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events after the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has determined that no events or transactions occurred requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Trustees of Northern Lights Variable Trust and

the Shareholders of BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund (the Fund), including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2022, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements (collectively, the financial statements), and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2022, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2022, by correspondence with the custodians. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ RSM US LLP

We have served as the auditor of one or more BTS Asset Management, Inc. advised investment companies since 2018.

Denver, Colorado

February 16, 2023

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

EXPENSE EXAMPLES (Unaudited)

December 31, 2022

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2022 through December, 2022.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” expenses lines in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The “Hypothetical” expenses lines in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balances or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, or other expenses charged by your insurance contract or separate account. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

	Fund’s	Beginning Account	Ending	Expense Paid
	Annualized	Value	Account Value	During Period
Actual	Expense Ratio	7/1/22	12/31/22	7/1/22 – 12/31/22*
Class 1	0.29%	$1,000.00	$994.70	$1.48
Class 2	0.79%	$1,000.00	$991.60	$3.98
Hypothetical	Fund’s	Beginning	Ending	Expense Paid
(5% return before	Annualized	Account Value	Account Value	During Period
expenses)	Expense Ratio	7/1/22	12/31/22	7/1/22 – 12/31/22*
Class 1	0.29%	$1,000.00	$1,023.73	$1.50
Class 2	0.79%	$1,000.00	$1,021.20	$4.04

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the number of days in the period (184) divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (365).

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

December 31, 2022

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The Fund has adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program as required by Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the 1940 Act. The program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, taking into consideration, among other factors, the Fund’s investment strategy and the liquidity of its portfolio investments during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; its short and long-term cash flow projections; and its cash holdings and access to other funding sources.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Trust’s Liquidity Risk Management Program Committee (the “Committee”) reviewed the Fund’s investments and determined that the Fund held adequate levels of cash and highly liquid investments to meet shareholder redemption activities in accordance with applicable requirements. Accordingly, the Committee concluded that (i) the Fund’s liquidity risk management program is reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Liquidity Rule and (ii) the Fund’s liquidity risk management program has been effectively implemented.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

December 31, 2022

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Portfolio (Adviser – BTS Asset Management, Inc.) *

In connection with the regular meeting held on December 14-15, 2022 of the Board of Trustees (the “Trustees” or the “Board”) of the Northern Lights Variable Trust (the “Trust”), including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, discussed the renewal of an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between BTS Asset Management, Inc. (“BTS” or the “Adviser”) and the Trust, with respect to the BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Portfolio (“BTS Tactical VIT” or the “Portfolio”). In considering the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Board received materials specifically relating to the Advisory Agreement.

The Trustees were assisted by independent legal counsel throughout the Advisory Agreement review process. The Trustees relied upon the advice of independent legal counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating the Advisory Agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached by the Trustees were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all of the information provided and were not the result of any one factor. Moreover, each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors in reaching his conclusions with respect to the Advisory Agreement.

Nature, Extent & Quality of Services. The Board noted that the Adviser, established in 1979, managed approximately $413 million in assets. The Board acknowledged that BTS provided risk management and asset management services through tactically managed fixed income and equity strategies for individuals and registered investment companies. They reviewed the background of key investment personnel responsible for servicing BTS Tactical VIT, taking into consideration the education and financial industry experience of the investment team noting their tenure with the Adviser. They noted that the Adviser’s investment committee regularly reviewed its proprietary investment models and would revise and implement changes as necessary and perform back-testing of the indicators using Bloomberg and other analysis software. The Board discussed the Adviser’s risk mitigation policies, taking note that the Adviser’s investment committee analyzed the impact of current market conditions, interest rates changes, issuers and sector volatility on BTS Tactical VIT. They acknowledged the Adviser’s process for monitoring investment limitations. They noted that the Adviser enhanced its cybersecurity protocols by incorporating ransomware protection and recovery solutions. They noted the Adviser reported no material compliance or litigation issues. The Board agreed that BTS had sufficient resources to continue to provide high quality service to BTS Tactical VIT for the benefit of shareholders.

Performance. The Board acknowledged that BTS Tactical VIT underperformed all metrics presented in the report over all time periods. They noted that Adviser’s assertion that it had desensitized its investment algorithm in 2021, in an effort to reduce whipsaws and participate in upside performance. They discussed the Adviser’s decision to not make any changes to the Portfolio’s investment strategy or its investment algorithm at this time. The Board agreed that the Adviser should be retained and given the opportunity to continue advising the Portfolio and that performance of the Portfolio should be reviewed again in six months.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)(Continued)

December 31, 2022

Fees and Expenses. The Board noted that the Adviser’s advisory fee with respect to BTS Tactical VIT was 0.85%, lower than the peer median and average but higher than the category average and median. They observed that the net expense ratio of the Portfolio was 1.83% which was higher than the peer group and category average and median, but within the range of both metrics. The Board agreed that the Portfolio’s advisory fee was not unreasonable given the tactical nature of the investment strategy. They considered the difference in fees charged to BTS Tactical Fixed Income Fund and BTS Tactical VIT, taking note of the Adviser’s assertion that the difference in fees was reasonable given the daily requirements for implementing the BTS Tactical VIT strategy. The Board considered the range of fees charged by the Adviser for separately managed accounts, and the differences in services provided. The Board concluded the advisory fee was not unreasonable.

Profitability. The Board reviewed the profitability analysis provided by the Adviser, with respect to the Portfolio. They commented that the Adviser had realized a profit in connection with its services provided to the Portfolio. They considered the Adviser’s profits in light of the services provided to the Portfolio. The Board concluded that excessive profitability was not a concern at this time.

Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether economies of scale had been realized in connection with the advisory services provided to the Portfolio. They noted the Adviser’s willingness to consider fee reductions as the Portfolio’s assets continue to grow. The Board discussed the Adviser’s position on appropriate breakpoint levels and agreed to continue to monitor the Portfolio’s asset levels and revisit the matter as the Portfolio continued to grow.

Conclusion. Having requested and received such information from the Adviser as the Board believed to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Advisory Agreement, and as assisted by the advice of counsel, the Board concluded that renewal of the Advisory Agreements was in the best interests of the Portfolio and the shareholders of the Portfolio.

Due to the timing of the contract renewal schedule, these deliberations may or may not relate to the current performance results of the Portfolio.

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)

December 31, 2022

The Trustees and the executive officers of the Trust are listed below with their present positions with the Trust and principal occupations over at least the last five years. The business address of each Trustee and Officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. All correspondence to the Trustees and Officers should be directed to c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLP, P.O. Box 541150, Omaha, Nebraska 68154.

Independent Trustees

Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position/Term of Office	Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex* Overseen by Trustee	Other Directorships held by Trustee During the Past Five Years
Mark Garbin Born in 1951	Trustee Since 2013	Managing Principal, Coherent Capital Management LLC (since 2007).	1	Northern Lights Variable Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2013); Two Roads Shared Trust (since 2012); Forethought Variable Insurance Trust (since 2013); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2013); OHA Mortgage Strategies Fund (offshore), Ltd. (2014 -2017); and Altegris KKR Commitments Master Fund (since 2014); OFI Carlyle Global Private Credit Fund (since March 2018) and Independent Director OHA CLO Enhanced Equity II Genpar LLP (since June 2021).
Mark D. Gersten Born in 1950	Trustee Since 2013	Independent Consultant (since 2012).	1	Northern Lights Variable Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2013); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2013); Two Roads Shared Trust (since 2012); Altegris KKR Commitments Master Fund (since 2014); previously, Ramius Archview Credit and Distressed Fund (2015-2017); Schroder Global Series Trust (2012 - 2017).
Anthony J. Hertl Born in 1950	Trustee Since 2005; Chairman of the Board since 2013	Retired, previously held several positions in a major Wall Street firm including Capital Markets Controller, Director of Global Taxation, and CFO of the Specialty Finance Group.	1	Northern Lights Variable Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2006); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2005); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2010); Satuit Capital Management Trust (2007- 2019).
Gary W. Lanzen Born in 1954	Trustee Since 2005	Retired since 2012. Formerly, Founder, President, and Chief Investment Officer, Orizon Investment Counsel, Inc. (2000-2012).	1	Northern Lights Variable Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2006); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2005); AdvisorOne Funds (since 2003); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2010); and previously, CLA Strategic Allocation Fund (2014-2015).
John V. Palancia Born in 1954	Trustee Since 2011	Retired (since 2011). Formerly, Director of Futures Operations, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. (1975-2011).	1	Northern Lights Variable Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2011); Northern Lights Fund Trust III (since February 2012); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2012) and Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2011).
Mark H. Taylor Born in 1964	Trustee Since 2007; Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2013	Director, Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy Muma College of Business, University of South Florida, Tampa FL (since 2019); Chair, Department of Accountancy and Andrew D. Braden Professor of Accounting and Auditing, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University (2009-2019); Vice President-Finance, American Accounting Association (2017-2020); President, Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association (2012-2015). AICPA Auditing Standards Board Member (2009-2012).	1	Northern Lights Variable Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2007); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2010); Northern Lights Fund Trust III (since 2012); and Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2007).

12/31/21-NLVT-v1

BTS Tactical Fixed Income VIT Fund

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)(Continued)

December 31, 2021

Officers

Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position/Term of Office*	Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex* Overseen by Trustee	Other Directorships held by Trustee During the Past Five Years
Kevin E. Wolf Born in 1969	President Since June 2017	Executive Vice President, Head of Fund Administration, and Product; Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since 2020); Vice President of The Ultimus Group, LLC (since 2019); Executive Vice President of Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2019-2020) President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012 - 2019).	N/A	N/A
Eric Kane Born in 1981	Vice President Since December 2022	Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since 2022); Vice President and Managing Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2020-2022); Vice President and Counsel, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2017-2020); Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2014- 2017).	N/A	N/A
James Colantino Born in 1969	Treasurer Since June 2017	Senior Vice President Fund Administration, Ultimus Fund Solutions (since 2020); Senior Vice President Fund Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012-2020); Assistant Treasurer of the Trust (2006-June 2017).	N/A	N/A
Stephanie Shearer Born in 1979	Secretary Since February 2017	Assistant Secretary of the Trust (2012-February 2017); Associate Director, Ultimus Fund Solutions (since 2022); Manager of Legal Administration, Ultimus Fund Solutions (since 2020-2022); Manager of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2018-2020); Senior Paralegal, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2013 - 2018).	N/A	N/A
Michael J. Nanosky Born in 1966	Chief Compliance Officer since January 2021	Chief Compliance Officer, of the Trust (Since January 2021); Vice President-Senior Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions (Since 2020); Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer for Williamsburg Investment Trust (2020-current); Senior Vice President- Chief Compliance Officer, PNC Funds (2014-2019).	N/A	N/A

The term of office for each Trustee and officer listed above will continue indefinitely until the individual resigns or is removed.

As of December 31,2022, the Trust was comprised of 13 active portfolios managed by unaffiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the Portfolios managed by the Adviser. The Portfolios do not hold themselves out as related to any other series within the Trust for investment purposes, nor do they share the same investment adviser with any other series.

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available free of charge, upon request, by calling toll-free at 1-877-287-9820.

12/31/21-NLVT-v1

PRIVACY NOTICE

Northern Lights Variable Trust

Rev. February 2014

FACTS

WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS VARIABLE TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some, but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depends on the product or service that you have with us. This information can include:

● Social Security number and wire transfer instructions

● account transactions and transaction history

● investment experience and purchase history

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Northern Lights Variable Trust chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

Reasons we can share your personal information:	Does Northern Lights Variable Trust share information?	Can you limit this sharing?
For our everyday business purposes - such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus.	YES	NO
For our marketing purposes - to offer our products and services to you.	NO	We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies.	NO	We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your transactions and records.	NO	We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your credit worthiness.	NO	We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you	NO	We don’t share

QUESTIONS?

Call 1-402-493-4603

PRIVACY NOTICE

Northern Lights Variable Trust

Page 2

What we do:

How does Northern Lights Variable Trust protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How does Northern Lights Variable Trust collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

● open an account or deposit money

● direct us to buy securities or direct us to sell your securities

● seek advice about your investments

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only:

● sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness.

● affiliates from using your information to market to you.

● sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you.

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions
Affiliates	Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. ● Northern Lights Variable Trust does not share with our affiliates.
Nonaffiliates	Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. ● Northern Lights Variable Trust does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.
Joint marketing	A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. ● Northern Lights Variable Trust doesn’t jointly market.

PROXY VOTING POLICY

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent twelve month period ended June 30 as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-877-287-9820 or by referring to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. Form N-PORT is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The information on Form N-PORT is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-877-287-9820.

INVESTMENT ADVISOR

BTS Asset Management, Inc.

55 Old Bedford Road, Suite 203

Lincoln, MA 01773

ADMINISTRATOR

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450

Cincinnati, OH 45246

BTSVIT-AR22

(a) Include a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30e-1).

(b) Include a copy of each notice transmitted to stockholders in reliance on Rule 30e-3 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30e-3) that contains disclosures specified by paragraph (c)(3) of that rule. Not Applicable.

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

(a) As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

(b) For purposes of this item, “code of ethics” means written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

(1)

Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;

(2)

Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Commission and in other public communications made by the registrant;

(3) Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;

(4)

The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and

(5) Accountability for adherence to the code.

(c) Amendments: During the period covered by the report, there have not been any amendments to the provisions of the code of ethics.

(d) Waivers: During the period covered by the report, the registrant has not granted any express or implicit waivers from the provisions of the code of ethics.

(e) The Code of Ethics is not posted on Registrant’ website.

(f) A copy of the Code of Ethics is attached as an exhibit.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

(a)(1)ii The Registrant’s board of trustees has determined that Mark Gersten, Anthony J. Hertl, and Mark H. Taylor are audit committee financial experts, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mr. Gersten, Mr. Hertl and Mr. Taylor are independent for purposes of this Item 3.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a)

Audit Fees

FYE 2022 - $15,250

FYE 2021 - $14,850

(b)

Audit-Related Fees

FYE 2022 – None

FYE 2021 – None

(c)

Tax Fees

FYE 2022 - $3,450

FYE 2021 - $3,400

Preparation of Federal & State income tax returns, assistance with calculation of required income, capital gain and excise distributions and preparation of Federal excise tax returns.

(d)

All Other Fees

FYE 2022 – None

FYE 2021 – None

(e)

(1) Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies

The registrant’s Audit Committee is required to pre-approve all audit services and, when appropriate, any non-audit services (including audit-related, tax and all other services) to the registrant. The registrant’s Audit Committee also is required to pre-approve, when appropriate, any non-audit services (including audit-related, tax and all other services) to its adviser, or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant, to the extent that the services may be determined to have an impact on the operations or financial reporting of the

registrant. Services are reviewed on an engagement by engagement basis by the Audit Committee.

(2)

Percentages of Services Approved by the Audit Committee

2022 2021

Audit-Related Fees: 0.00% 0.00%

Tax Fees: 0.00% 0.00%

All Other Fees: 0.00% 0.00%

(f)

During the audit of registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year, less than 50 percent of the hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.

(g)

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant:

2022 - $3,450

2021 - $3,400

(h) The registrant's audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant, that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Companies. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments. Schedule of investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers is included under Item 1.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Funds. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Funds. Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. None

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) Based on an evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of filing date of this Form N-CSR, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Registrant have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Registrant are reasonably designed to ensure that the information required in filings on Form N-CSR is recorded,

processed, summarized, and reported by the filing date, including that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) There were no significant changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s last fiscal half-year that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Disclosure of securities lending activities for closed-end management investment companies.

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

Item 13. Exhibits.

(a)(1) Code of Ethics filed herewith.

(a)(2) Certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (and Item 11(a)(2) of Form N-CSR) are filed herewith.

(a)(3) Not applicable for open-end investment companies.

(b)

Certifications required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (and Item 11(b) of Form N-CSR) are filed herewith.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant) Northern Lights Variable Fund Trust

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Kevin E. Wolf

Kevin E. Wolf, Principal Executive Officer/President

Date 3/10/23

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ Kevin E. Wolf

Kevin E. Wolf, Principal Executive Officer/President

Date 3/10/23

By (Signature and Title)

/s/ James Colantino

James Colantino, Principal Financial Officer/Treasurer

Date 3/10/23

Northern Lights Variable Trust N-CSRCertified annual shareholder report (management investment company)