UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrantx
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant¨
Check the appropriate box:
x | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
¨ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
¨ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12 |
Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x | No fee required. | |||
¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | |||
1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5) | Total fee paid:
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¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | |||
¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | |||
1) | Amount Previously Paid:
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2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3) | Filing Party:
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4) | Date Filed:
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Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust
225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Variable Portfolio – Goldman Sachs Commodity Strategy Fund
(the “Fund”)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND AND VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL
This is a brief overview of the matter on which you are being asked to vote. The accompanying Proxy Statement contains more detailed information about the proposal, and we encourage you to read it in its entirety before voting. Your vote is important.
Q. | Why are you sending me this information? |
A. | On April 24, 2015, a Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund (the “Meeting”) will be held at 225 Franklin Street (Room 3100 on the 31st floor), Boston, MA 02110, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern). You are receiving the Proxy Statement and one or more proxy cards (the “Proxy Cards”) or voting instruction cards (the “Voting Instruction Cards”) because you own shares of the Fund and have the right to vote on this important proposal concerning your investment. |
The Fund is owned of record by sub-accounts of insurance companies (the “Participating Insurance Companies”) established to fund benefits under variable annuity contracts and/or variable life insurance policies (each a “Contract”) issued by the Participating Insurance Companies, qualified pension or retirement plans, and other permissible investors under relevant U.S. federal income tax rules. Persons holding Contracts are referred to herein as “Contract Owners.” If you are a Contract Owner with Contract values allocated to the Fund, you are being asked to provide voting instructions to the Participating Insurance Company that issued your Contract regarding a proposal involving the Fund. For simplicity, references to Fund shareholders include, as applicable, Contract Owners.
Q. | What is the proposal? |
A. | Shareholders of the Fund are being asked to approve a transaction (the “Transaction”) that will result in the liquidation of the Fund and the substitution of shares of Columbia Variable Portfolio – Cash Management Fund (the “Cash Management Fund”) for shares of the Fund held by the Participating Insurance Companies on behalf of Contract Owners (the “Proposal”). |
Q. | Why is a shareholder vote being solicited? |
A. | Absent the receipt of instructions from Contract Owners otherwise, upon liquidation of the Fund, the Participating Insurance Companies are expected to reinvest the liquidation proceeds in the Cash Management Fund. This reinvestment in the Cash Management Fund may constitute a substitution of securities under Section 26(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. In order to effect the Transaction without the delay and expense of seeking an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Participating Insurance Companies are relying on SEC guidance that requires shareholder approval. |
Q. | Why is the Fund being liquidated? |
A. | The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”) determined it is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to liquidate and terminate the Fund. The Board approved the Fund’s liquidation based on, among other factors, consideration of a recommendation by the Fund’s adviser, Columbia Management |
Investment Advisers, LLC (“Columbia Management”), and its distributor to liquidate the Fund, the Fund’s relatively small size, the Fund’s performance and portfolio management changes at the Fund’s subadviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. |
Q. | What will happen to my shares after the Fund is Liquidated? |
A. | If the Transaction is approved, the Fund will pay out all distributable income and capital gains and then will be liquidated completely on or about May 1, 2015 (the “Liquidation Date”). The Participating Insurance Companies, as shareholders of the Fund on behalf of Contract Owners, have stated an intention to reinvest the liquidation proceeds in the Cash Management Fund, absent instructions from the Contract Owners who have allocated Contract value to the Fund to reallocate their Contract value to another fund available under their Contract. Contract Owners will receive additional information regarding the reinvestment of liquidation proceeds from the Participating Insurance Companies. Contract Owners will not incur a taxable event, since their ownership is through a life insurance policy or annuity contract (a tax-deferred vehicle). Neither the Participating Insurance Companies nor Columbia Management will assess any charges or transaction fees as a result of the Transaction. |
Q. | Do I have to reinvest my liquidation proceeds in the Cash Management Fund? |
A. | Contract Owners may reallocate their Contract values from the Fund to another fund available under their Contract at any time prior to the Liquidation Date or within 90 days thereafter. Any such reallocation will not count as a transfer for purposes of any applicable limitations on the number of transfers. If no other election is made, the Participating Insurance Companies will reinvest liquidation proceeds in the Cash Management Fund. Contract Owners will receive additional information regarding the reinvestment of liquidation proceeds from the Participating Insurance Companies. |
Q. | How can I get more information about the Cash Management Fund? |
A. | The Cash Management Fund is a money market fund that seeks to provide shareholders with maximum current income consistent with liquidity and stability of principal. For more information about the Cash Management Fund, contact your Participating Insurance Company or Columbia Funds by writing to Columbia Funds, c/o Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., P.O. Box 8081, Boston, MA 02266-8081 or by calling (800) 345-6611. |
Q. | How does the Board recommend that I vote? |
A. | The Board unanimously recommends that you vote (or instruct your Participating Insurance Company to vote) FOR the Proposal. |
Q. | Will my Fund pay for this proxy solicitation? |
A. | No. Columbia Management will bear proxy solicitation costs. |
Q. | How can I vote my proxy or instruct my Participating Insurance Company to cast my vote? |
A. | You can vote or provide voting instructions in one of four ways: |
• | By telephone: Call the toll-free number printed on the enclosed Proxy Card(s) or Voting Instruction Card(s) and follow the directions. |
• | By Internet: Access the website address printed on the enclosed Proxy Card(s) or Voting Instruction Card(s) and follow the directions on the website. |
• | By mail: Complete, sign and return the enclosed Proxy Card(s) or Voting Instruction Card(s) in the enclosed self-addressed, postage-paid envelope. |
• | In person at the Meeting scheduled to occur at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 (31st Floor, Room 3100) on April 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern). If you decide to vote in person, you must attend the Meeting at the time and place described in the accompanying Proxy Statement. To attend the Meeting in person, you will need proof of ownership of the shares of the Fund, such as your Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Card (or a copy thereof) or, if your shares are held of record by a financial intermediary, such as a broker, or nominee, a Proxy Card from the record holder or other proof of beneficial ownership, such as a brokerage statement showing your holdings of the shares of the Fund. See the enclosed Proxy Statement for more information. |
Q. | Why might I receive more than one Voting Instruction Card or Proxy Card? |
A. | If you own shares of the Fund in more than one Contract, you may receive a separate Voting Instruction Card or Proxy Card for each such Contract, and should vote each card received. |
Q. | Whom should I call if I have questions? |
A. | If you have questions about the Proposal described in the Proxy Statement or about voting procedures, please call the Fund’s proxy solicitor, Computershare Fund Services, toll free at (877) 632-0899. |
NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Variable Portfolio – Goldman Sachs Commodity Strategy Fund (the “Fund”)
To be held on April 24, 2015
A Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of the Fund will be held at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 (31st Floor, Room 3100), at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) on April 24, 2015. At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve a transaction that will result in the liquidation of the Fund and the substitution of shares of Columbia Variable Portfolio – Cash Management Fund, a series of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II (the “Cash Management Fund”), for shares of the Fund held by sub-accounts of insurance companies (the “Participating Insurance Companies”) established to fund benefits under variable annuity contracts and variable insurance policies (each a “Contract”) (that is, a reinvestment of liquidation proceeds into the Cash Management Fund).
Please take some time to read the enclosed Proxy Statement. It discusses the proposal in more detail. If you were a shareholder of the Fund or held a variable annuity and/or variable insurance contract with Contract values allocated to the Fund as of the close of business on March 6, 2015, you may vote, or instruct your Participating Insurance Company how to vote, at the Meeting or at any adjournment of the Meeting on the proposal applicable to the Fund. You are welcome to attend the Meeting in person. If you cannot attend in person to cast your vote, please vote (or instruct your Participating Insurance Company how to vote) by mail, telephone or Internet. Just follow the instructions on the enclosed Voting Instruction Card(s) or Proxy Card(s). If you have questions, please call the Fund’s proxy solicitor toll free at (877) 632-0899. It is important that you vote. The Board unanimously recommends that you vote (or instruct your Participating Insurance Company to vote) FOR the proposal.
By order of the Board of Trustees,
Ryan C. Larrenaga, Secretary
Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust
225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Variable Portfolio – Goldman Sachs Commodity Strategy Fund
(the “Fund”)
PROXY STATEMENT
Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 24, 2015
This Proxy Statement is furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust (the “Trust”), relating to the special meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Variable Portfolio – Goldman Sachs Commodity Strategy Fund, a series of Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, that will be held at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 (31st Floor, Room 3100), at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) on April 24, 2015. It is expected that this Proxy Statement will be mailed to shareholders on or about March 16, 2015.
A portion of the Fund is owned of record by sub-accounts of insurance companies (the “Participating Insurance Companies”) established to fund benefits under variable annuity contracts and/or variable life insurance policies (each a “Contract”) issued by the Participating Insurance Companies, qualified pension or retirement plans, and other permissible investors under relevant U.S. federal income tax rules. Persons holding Contracts are referred to herein as “Contract Owners.” For simplicity, references to Fund shareholders include, as applicable, Contract Owners.
The purpose of the Meeting is to ask Fund shareholders to approve a transaction (the “Transaction”) that will result in the liquidation of the Fund and the substitution of shares of Columbia Variable Portfolio – Cash Management Fund, a series of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II (the “Cash Management Fund”), for shares of the Fund held by Participating Insurance Companies on behalf of Contract Owners (the “Proposal”).
Additional information about the Fund is available in its prospectus, statement of additional information and annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. The Fund’s most recent annual and semi-annual reports previously have been mailed to shareholders. Additional copies of any of these documents are available without charge upon request by writing to Columbia Funds, c/o Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., P.O. Box 8081, Boston, MA 02266-8081 or by calling (800) 345-6611. All of these documents also are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
The Proposal – Approve a Transaction to Liquidate the Fund and Substitute Shares of
the Cash Management Fund for Shares of the Fund
The shareholders of the Fund are being asked to approve a transaction (the “Transaction”) that will result in the liquidation of the Fund and the substitution of shares of the Cash Management Fund for shares of the Fund held by Participating Insurance Companies on behalf of Contract Owners.
The Board has unanimously approved a Plan of Liquidation pursuant to which the Fund will be liquidated on or about May 1, 2015 (the “Liquidation Date”), at which time the Fund’s shareholders will receive a liquidating distribution in an amount equal to the net asset value of their Fund shares. In preparation for the liquidation, the Fund’s portfolio securities and other assets will be sold and the Fund will pay liabilities incurred or expected to be incurred at or prior to the Liquidation Date. At any time prior to the Liquidation Date, the Board may postpone or abandon the liquidation. Shareholders of the Fund may redeem their investments in the Fund at any time prior to the Liquidation Date.
The Board approved the Fund’s liquidation based on, among other factors, consideration of a recommendation by the Fund’s adviser and its distributor to liquidate the Fund, the Fund’s relatively small size, the Fund’s performance and portfolio management changes at the Fund’s subadviser, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. Given these challenges, the Board determined that it was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to liquidate and terminate the Fund.
If the Transaction is approved, Participating Insurance Companies, as shareholders of the Fund on behalf of Contract Owners, have stated an intention to reinvest the liquidation proceeds in the Cash Management Fund, a series of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II, which is overseen by a board of trustees different than the Fund’s Board. The Cash Management Fund is a money market fund that seeks to provide shareholders with maximum current income consistent with liquidity and stability of principal. For more information about the Cash Management Fund, contact your Participating Insurance Company or Columbia Funds by writing to Columbia Funds, c/o Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., P.O. Box 8081, Boston, MA 02266-8081 or by calling (800) 345-6611.
This reinvestment of liquidation proceeds in the Cash Management Fund may constitute a substitution of securities under Section 26(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). In order to effect the Transaction without the delay and expense of seeking an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Participating Insurance Companies are relying on SEC guidance that requires shareholder approval. Shareholder approval of the liquidation is not otherwise required under the 1940 Act or the organizational instruments of Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust.
Contract Owners who have allocated Contract values to the Fund may reallocate such Contract values to another fund available under their Contract at any time prior to the Liquidation Date or within 90 days thereafter. Any such reallocation will not count as a transfer for purposes of any applicable limitations on the number of transfers. Contract Owners will receive additional information regarding the reinvestment of liquidation proceeds from their Participating Insurance Company.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE (OR INSTRUCT YOUR PARTICIPATING INSURANCE COMPANY TO VOTE)FOR THE PROPOSAL.
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PROXY VOTING AND SHAREHOLDER MEETING INFORMATION
Proxy Solicitation
If you properly authorize your proxy through the Internet or telephonically, or by executing and returning the enclosed Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Card, and your proxy is not subsequently revoked, your votes will be cast at the Meeting. If you return your signed Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Card without instructions, your votes will be cast FOR the approval of the Proposal. Your votes will be cast in the discretion of the proxy holders on any other matter that may properly come before the Meeting, including, but not limited to, proposing and/or voting on the adjournment and/or postponement of the Meeting with respect to the Proposal in the event that a quorum is not obtained and/or sufficient votes in favor of the Proposal are not received.
Revocation of Proxies and Voting Instructions
If you execute and submit a proxy, you may revoke that proxy or change it by written notice to the Fund’s proxy solicitor at Computershare Fund Services, c/o Operations Department, 280 Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788, by submitting a subsequently executed and dated Proxy Card, by authorizing your proxy by telephone or Internet, or by attending the Meeting and casting your vote in person, or as otherwise permitted. Attending the Meeting in person will not automatically revoke your prior proxy.
If you execute, date and submit a Voting Instruction Card, you may revoke or change those voting instructions by (i) submitting written notice of revocation to your Participating Insurance Company, (ii) submitting a subsequently executed and dated Voting Instruction Card or (iii) submitting voting instructions by telephone or Internet at a later date. If you submit your voting instructions by telephone or through the Internet, you may revoke those voting instructions by submitting timely subsequent voting instructions by telephone or Internet, or by completing, signing and returning a Voting Instruction Card dated as of a date that is later than your last telephone or Internet voting instructions.
If you intend to vote in person at the Meeting, please call Computershare Fund Services toll free at (877) 632-0899 to obtain important information regarding your attendance at the Meeting, including directions.
Quorum and Methods of Tabulation
Thirty percent (30%) of the votes entitled to be cast at the Meeting, present at the Meeting in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum. A quorum is required to take action on the Proposal. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held of record by a financial intermediary, such as a broker, or nominee, typically in “street name,” as to which proxies have been returned but (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote and (ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a particular matter) will be treated as present for purposes of determining a quorum but will not be considered a vote cast. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the Proposal. The Fund does not currently expect any broker non-votes because of the composition of its shareholders.
In the event that a quorum of shareholders of the Fund is not present at the Meeting or, even if such a quorum is so present, in the event that sufficient votes in favor of the Proposal are not received and tabulated prior to the time the Meeting is called to order, the Meeting may be adjourned by the vote of a majority of the shares represented at the Meeting, either in person or by proxy, and further solicitations may be made.
3
Shareholders of record of the Fund at the close of business on March 6, 2015 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. The number of outstanding shares of each class of shares of the Fund held on the Record Date is listed in Appendix A. Shareholders of the Fund are entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value (number of shares owned times net asset value per share) determined at the close of business on the Record Date and each fractional dollar amount is entitled to a proportionate fractional vote.
If your shares are held in an IRA, you have the right to vote those shares. If you do not provide voting instructions with respect to your shares, your IRA custodian may or may not, depending upon the terms of your IRA agreement, vote shares for which it has not received your voting instructions. Please consult your IRA agreement and/or financial advisor for more information.
Required Vote
Approval of the Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the Meeting.
Voting Information
Separate accounts of Participating Insurance Companies established to fund benefits under variable annuity contracts and/or variable life insurance policies are shareholders of the Fund. The Participating Insurance Companies generally vote the shares of the Fund that are attributable to such separate accounts in accordance with timely instructions received from Contract Owners that have Contract values allocated to such separate accounts invested in shares of the Fund. A Participating Insurance Company may determine what it deems to be timely instructions and, accordingly, may establish cut-off times for submitting voting instructions that are earlier than the date and time of the Meeting. The number of shares of the Fund for which a Contract Owner may give voting instructions is based on the number of shares, including fractions of shares, held in the separate account attributable to the Contract Owner’s Contract on the Record Date.
If a voting instruction is not received from a Contract Owner, the Participating Insurance Company will vote the shares attributable to that Contract Owner in the same proportions (for, against or abstaining as to the Proposal) as all shares for which voting instructions have been received from other Contract Owners. If a Voting Instruction Card is received from a Contract Owner without indicating a voting instruction, the Participating Insurance Company will vote those sharesFOR the approval of the Transaction.
As a result of these proportional voting procedures, a relatively small number of Contract Owners can determine the outcome of the votes cast by a Participating Insurance Company.
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OTHER INFORMATION
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (“Columbia Management”), located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, serves as the investment manager and administrator of the Fund as well as for funds that invest in the Fund. Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., also located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, serves as the principal underwriter of the Fund. Columbia Management and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. are subsidiaries of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and are affiliated with RiverSource Life Insurance Company and RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York.
Other Matters to Come Before the Meeting
Columbia Management does not know of any matters to be presented at the Meeting other than those described in this Proxy Statement. If other business should properly come before the Meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment.
Principal Shareholders
Appendix A to this Proxy Statement lists the persons that, to the knowledge of the Fund, owned beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of the Fund as of March 6, 2015. A shareholder who owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the Fund’s voting securities is presumed to be a “control person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. Funds-of-funds managed by Columbia Management may be presumed under securities laws to control the Fund and may be able to determine the outcome of issues that are submitted to shareholders for vote. The Trustees and officers of the Trust, in the aggregate, owned less than 1% of each class of the Fund’s outstanding shares as of March 6, 2015.
Expenses and Solicitation Activities
The expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting, including preparation, filing, printing, mailing and solicitation expenses, out-of-pocket expenses and expenses of any proxy solicitation firm, will be paid separately by Columbia Management. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally or via facsimile, telephone or the Internet by trustees, officers and employees of the Columbia Funds Variable Insurance Trust, Columbia Management and Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. The Fund has engaged Computershare Fund Services to assist in soliciting at an estimated cost of approximately $3,659. The agreement with Computershare provides for indemnification of Computershare in certain circumstances and requires Computershare to keep certain information confidential.
Proxy Statement Delivery
“Householding” is the term used to describe the practice of delivering one copy of a document to a household of shareholders instead of delivering one copy of a document to each shareholder in the household. Shareholders of the Fund who share a common address and who have not opted out of the householding process should receive a single copy of the Proxy Statement together with one Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Card, as applicable, for each Contract. If you received more than one copy of the Proxy Statement, you may elect to household in the future; if you received a single copy of the Proxy Statement, you may opt out of householding in the future; and you may, in any event, obtain an additional copy of this Proxy Statement by writing to the Fund at the following address: 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 01776, Attention: Secretary.
5
Shareholder Reports
The Fund’s most recent semi-annual and annual reports previously have been mailed to shareholders. The Fund will furnish, without charge, a copy of its most recent annual report to its shareholders on request. Additional copies of any of these documents are available by writing to Columbia Funds, c/o Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., P.O. Box 8081, Boston, MA 02266-8081 or by calling (800) 345-6611. All of these documents also are filed with the SEC and are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
PROMPT EXECUTION AND RETURN OF THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD OR VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD IS REQUESTED. A PRE-ADDRESSED, POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, AND TELEPHONE AND INTERNET VOTING IS AVAILABLE.
By order of the Board of Trustees,
Ryan C. Larrenaga, Secretary
It is important that you authorize proxies promptly. All shareholders, including those who expect to attend the Meeting in person, are urged to authorize their proxy as soon as possible by accessing the Internet site listed on the enclosed Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Card, by calling the toll-free number listed on the enclosed Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Card, or by mailing the enclosed Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Card in the enclosed return envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. To enter the Meeting, you will need proof of ownership of the shares of the Fund, such as your Proxy Card or Voting Instruction Card (or a copy thereof) or, if your shares are held of record by a financial intermediary, such as a broker, or nominee, a Proxy Card from the record holder or other proof of beneficial ownership, such as a brokerage statement showing your holdings of the shares of the Fund.
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APPENDIX A
Shares Outstanding
As of the Record Date, the Fund had outstanding the following number of shares of the classes indicated below.
Class 1 | Class 2 | Total | ||||
[—] | [—] | [— | ] |
Number of Votes to Which Each Class Is Entitled
As of the Record Date, each class of the Fund is entitled to the following number of votes:
Class 1 | Class 2 | Total | ||||
[—] | [—] | [— | ] |
Principal Holders and Control Persons
As of the Record Date, the name, address and percentage of ownership of each person who may be deemed to be a “principal holder” (i.e., owns of record or is known by the Trust to own beneficially 5% or more of any class of the Fund’s outstanding shares) and each investor who owned 25% or more of the Fund’s shares (all share classes taken together) is listed below. Investors who own more than 25% of the Fund’s shares may be presumed under securities laws to control the Fund and may be able to determine the outcome of issues that are submitted to shareholders for vote.
Shareholder Name, City and State | Share Class | % of Share Class | % of Fund (if greater than 25%) | |||||||
[—] | 1 | [— | ] | [— | ] | |||||
[—] | 2 | [— | ] | [— | ] |
A-1
EVERY SHAREHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
EASY VOTING OPTIONS: | ||||
![]() | VOTE ON THE INTERNET Log on to: www.proxy-direct.com or scan the QR code Follow the on-screen instructions available 24 hours | |||
![]() | VOTE BY PHONE Call 1-800-337-3503 Follow the recorded instructions available 24 hours | |||
![]() | VOTE BY MAIL Vote, sign and date this Proxy Card and return in the postage-paid envelope | |||
![]() | VOTE IN PERSON Attend Shareholder Meeting 225 Franklin St, 31st Floor Room 3100 Boston, MA 02110 on April 24, 2015 |
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
![]() | COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST | PROXY | ||
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO – GOLDMAN SACHS COMMODITY STRATEGY FUND (the “Fund”) | ||||
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS | ||||
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 24, 2015 |
The undersigned shareholder of the Fund hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy Statement for the special meeting of shareholders (for the Fund and the Trust as a whole, including any postponements or adjournments thereof, the “Meeting”) to be held at 225 Franklin Street, Floor 31 Room 3100, Boston, MA 02110, on April 24, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and, revoking any previous proxies, hereby appoints Michael G. Clarke, Joseph L. D’Alessandro, Michael E. DeFao, Joseph DiMaria, Ryan C. Larrenaga, Christopher O. Petersen, Marybeth Pilat and Julian Quero (the “Proxies”) (or any of them) as proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution in each of them, to attend the Meeting and to cast on behalf of the undersigned all the votes the undersigned is entitled to cast at the Meeting and otherwise represent the undersigned at the Meeting with all the powers possessed by the undersigned as if personally present at the Meeting.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Mark, sign, date and return this proxy card as soon as possible.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: www.proxy-direct.com | ||
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: 1-800-337-3503 |
Note: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy card, and date it. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing in a representative capacity, please give title. | ||||
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Signature and Title, if applicable | ||||
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Signature (if held jointly) | ||||
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Date | COL_26466_030215 |
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED ABOVE.
EVERY SHAREHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Shareholder Meeting to be Held on April 24, 2015.
This Proxy Statement and the Notice of Special Meeting are available at:
https://www.proxy-direct.com/col-26466
IF YOU VOTE ON THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE,
YOU NEED NOT RETURN THIS PROXY CARD
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTEFOR THE PROPOSAL BELOW. THE PROXIES ARE ALSO AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT(S) THEREOF, INCLUDING ANY ADJOURNMENT(S) NECESSARY TO OBTAIN QUORUMS AND/OR APPROVALS.
PLEASE MARK BOXES BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS. Example:¢
FOR | AGAINST | ABSTAIN | ||||||
1. | To approve a Transaction that will result in the liquidation of the Fund and the substitution of shares of a money market fund for shares of the Fund held by Participating Insurance Companies on behalf of Contract Owners. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
EVERY VOTE IS IMPORTANT! PLEASE VOTE TODAY USING ONE OF THE FOUR AVAILABLE OPTIONS!
COL_26466_030215
EVERY VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
EASY VOTING OPTIONS: | ||||
![]() | VOTE ON THE INTERNET Log on to: www.proxy-direct.com or scan the QR code Follow the on-screen instructions available 24 hours | |||
![]() | VOTE BY PHONE Call 1-866-298-8476 Follow the recorded instructions available 24 hours | |||
![]() | VOTE BY MAIL Vote, sign and date this Voting Instruction Card and return in the postage-paid envelope | |||
![]() | VOTE IN PERSON Attend Shareholder Meeting 225 Franklin St, 31st Floor Room 3100 Boston, MA 02110 on April 24, 2015 |
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
![]() | COLUMBIA FUNDS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD | |||
VARIABLE PORTFOLIO – GOLDMAN SACHS COMMODITY STRATEGY FUND (the “Fund”) | ||||
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS | ||||
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 24, 2015 |
INSURANCE COMPANY DROP-IN
The above-referenced insurance company (the “Company”) is using this Voting Instruction Card to solicit voting instructions from its contract owners who have contract values allocated to the above-named fund (the “Fund”).
The undersigned contract owner instructs the Company to vote, at the Special Meeting of Shareholders and at any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Meeting”), all shares of the Fund attributable to his or her contract values allocated to the Fund. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Fund’s Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement.
If you sign below but do not mark instructions, the Company will vote all shares of the Fund attributable to your contract values FOR the proposal. If you fail to return this Voting Instruction Card, the Company will vote all shares attributable to your contract values in proportion to the timely voting instructions actually received from contract owners.
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: www.proxy-direct.com | ||
VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE: 1-866-298-8476 |
Note: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this Voting Instruction card, and date it. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing in a representative capacity, please give title. | ||||
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Signature and Title, if applicable | ||||
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Signature (if held jointly) | ||||
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Date | COL_26466_030215-VI |
THIS VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED ABOVE.
EVERY VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Shareholder Meeting to be Held on April 24, 2015.
This Proxy Statement and the Notice of Special Meeting are available at:
https://www.proxy-direct.com/col-26466
IF YOU VOTE ON THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE,
YOU NEED NOT RETURN THIS VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD
Please detach at perforation before mailing.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTEFOR THE PROPOSAL BELOW. THE PROXIES ARE ALSO AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT(S) THEREOF, INCLUDING ANY ADJOURNMENT(S) NECESSARY TO OBTAIN QUORUMS AND/OR APPROVALS.
PLEASE MARK BOXES BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS. Example:¢
FOR | AGAINST | ABSTAIN | ||||||
1. | To approve a Transaction that will result in the liquidation of the Fund and the substitution of shares of a money market fund for shares of the Fund held by Participating Insurance Companies on behalf of Contract Owners. | ¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
EVERY VOTE IS IMPORTANT! PLEASE VOTE TODAY USING ONE OF THE FOUR AVAILABLE OPTIONS!
COL_26466_030215-VI