PIONEER GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
Supplement dated December 1, 2015
to Summary Prospectus, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information
Dated December 1, 2015
The Board of Trustees of Pioneer Government Income Fund has approved the
reorganization of the fund with and into Pioneer Bond Fund (the
"Reorganization"). Each fund is managed by Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.
("Pioneer"). The Reorganization, which does not require shareholder approval,
is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, and is expected to be
completed in the first half of 2016.
Following is a brief description of certain aspects of the Reorganization:
. Pioneer Government Income Fund and Pioneer Bond Fund have similar
investment objectives. Pioneer Government Income Fund invests primarily
in U.S. government securities. In contrast, Pioneer Bond Fund has a more
flexible investment strategy, and may invest in corporate bonds and
other debt instruments in addition to U.S. government securities.
Pioneer Bond Fund also may invest up to 20% of its assets in debt
securities rated below investment grade (known as "junk bonds").
Accordingly, as a result of the Reorganization, Pioneer Government
Income Fund's shareholders, as shareholders of the combined fund, will
be exposed to greater investment risk in general, including greater
credit exposure, and may experience greater volatility.
. The combined fund will pay a lower management fee rate than the
management fee rate paid by Pioneer Government Income Fund.
. The expense ratio of each class of shares of the combined fund is
expected to be lower than the expense ratio of the corresponding class
of shares of Pioneer Government Income Fund.
. Pioneer Government Income Fund is relatively small in asset size. The
larger asset size of the combined fund should allow it to have lower
expenses, relative to Pioneer Government Income Fund, as fixed expenses
will be shared over a larger asset base.
. The Reorganization generally is not expected to result in income, gain
or loss being recognized for federal income tax purposes by either fund
or by the shareholders of either fund as a direct result of the
Reorganization.
Shareholders of Pioneer Government Income Fund who determine that they do not
wish to become shareholders of Pioneer Bond Fund may (a) redeem their shares of
Pioneer Government Income Fund prior to the Reorganization's closing date
("Closing Date") or (b) exchange their shares of Pioneer Government Income Fund
prior to the Closing Date for shares of another Pioneer Fund by contacting
Pioneer or their investment professional or financial intermediary. Please note
that a redemption or an exchange of shares of Pioneer Government Income Fund
will be a taxable event and a shareholder may recognize a gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes in connection with that transaction.
Prior to consummation of the Reorganization, you will be sent an Information
Statement containing important information about the Reorganization, including
the date on which the Reorganization is expected to occur. Each fund's summary
prospectus, prospectus and statement of additional information is available
free upon request at www.pioneerinvestments.com or by calling 1-800-225-6292.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND RISKS
Each fund has a similar investment objective:
. Pioneer Government Income Fund - Current income.
. Pioneer Bond Fund - To provide current income from an investment grade
portfolio with due regard to preservation of capital and prudent
investment risk. The fund also seeks a relatively stable level of
dividends; however, the level of dividends will be maintained only if
consistent with preserving the investment grade quality of the portfolio.
In addition, each fund invests primarily in investment grade debt securities.
However, there are differences in the funds' investment strategies. In
particular, Pioneer Government Income Fund invests at least 80% of its assets
in U.S. government securities. In contrast, Pioneer Bond Fund may invest in a
significantly broader range of debt securities. Pioneer Bond Fund invests at
least 80% of its assets in investment grade debt securities, including
corporate bonds and other debt instruments in addition to U.S. government
securities. Also, Pioneer Bond Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in
debt securities rated below investment grade.
As a result of the Reorganization, Pioneer Government Income Fund's
shareholders, as shareholders of the combined fund, will be exposed to greater
investment risk in general, including greater credit exposure, and may
experience greater volatility.
. CREDIT RISK. If an issuer or guarantor of a security held by the fund or
a counterparty to a financial contract with the fund defaults on its
obligation to pay principal and/or interest, has its credit rating
downgraded or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or the credit
quality or value of any underlying assets declines, the value of your
investment will typically decline.
. HIGH YIELD OR "JUNK" BOND RISK. Debt securities that are below
investment grade, called "junk bonds," are speculative, have a higher
risk of default or are already in default, tend to be less liquid and
are more difficult to value than higher grade securities. Junk bonds
tend to be volatile and more susceptible to adverse events and negative
sentiments. These risks are more pronounced for securities that are
already in default.
MANAGEMENT FEES
The combined fund will pay a lower management fee rate than the management fee
rate paid by Pioneer Government Income Fund:
. Pioneer Government Income Fund's annual management fee is equal to 0.50%
of the fund's average daily net assets up to $1 billion and 0.45% of the
fund's average daily net assets over $1 billion.
. The combined fund will pay an annual management fee equal to 0.40% of
the fund's average daily net assets.
TOTAL EXPENSES
The expense ratio of each class of shares of the combined fund is expected to
be lower than the expense ratio of the corresponding class of shares of Pioneer
Government Income Fund:
. The total annual fund operating expenses of Pioneer Government Income
Fund for the twelve-month period ended July 31, 2015 were: Class A:
1.33%; Class C: 2.02%; Class Y: 0.96%.
. The pro forma total annual fund operating expenses of the combined
fund, based on the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2015, are:
Class A: 0.93%; Class C: 1.63%; Class Y: 0.58%. The net expense ratio
for Class A shares is 0.85% based on current expense limitation
arrangements.*
* For Pioneer Bond Fund, the fund's investment adviser has contractually
agreed to limit ordinary operating expenses (ordinary operating expenses
means all fund expenses other than extraordinary expenses, such as
litigation, taxes, brokerage commissions and acquired fund fees and
expenses) to the extent required to reduce fund expenses to 0.85% of the
average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares. This expense
limitation is in effect through November 1, 2017. There can be no assurance
that the adviser will extend the expense limitation beyond such time.
FUND ASSETS
It is anticipated that the combined fund will have assets of approximately $3.3
billion. As of September 30, 2015, Pioneer Government Income Fund had assets of
approximately $108 million.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Day-to-day management of Pioneer Bond Fund is the responsibility of Kenneth J.
Taubes. Mr. Taubes is supported by Charles Melchreit. Mr. Taubes and
Mr. Melchreit are supported by the fixed income team. Members of this team
manage other Pioneer funds investing primarily in fixed income securities. The
portfolio managers and the team also may draw upon the research and investment
management expertise of the global research teams, which provide fundamental
and quantitative research on companies and include members from one or more of
Pioneer's affiliates.
Mr. Taubes, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, U.S. of
Pioneer, is responsible for overseeing the U.S. and global fixed income teams.
He joined Pioneer as a senior vice president in September 1998 and has been an
investment professional since 1982. Mr. Taubes has served as portfolio manager
of the fund since 2004.
Mr. Melchreit, Senior Vice President, joined Pioneer in 2006, and has served as
portfolio manager of the fund since 2012.
Day-to-day management of Pioneer Government Income Fund is the responsibility
of Richard Schlanger and Charles Melchreit.
28998-00-1215
(C) 2015 Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Underwriter of Pioneer mutual funds
Member SIPC
December 1, 2015
Pioneer Funds
Supplement to the Prospectus and Summary Prospectus, as
in effect and as may be amended from time to time, for:
Fund Date of Prospectus
---- -------------------------------
Pioneer Classic Balanced Fund December 1, 2015
PPioneer Government Income Fund December 1, 2015
Pioneer Multi-Asset Income Fund December 1, 2015
Pioneer Solutions - Balanced Fund December 1, 2015
Pioneer Solutions - Conservative Fund December 1, 2015
Pioneer Solutions - Growth Fund December 1, 2015
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. (the "Adviser"), each fund's investment
adviser, is currently an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of UniCredit S.p.A.
("UniCredit"). On November 11, 2015, UniCredit announced that it signed a
binding master agreement with Banco Santander and affiliates of Warburg Pincus
and General Atlantic (the "Private Equity Firms") with respect to Pioneer
Investments ("Pioneer") and Santander Asset Management ("SAM")
(the "Transaction").
The Transaction, as previously announced by UniCredit, will establish a holding
company, with the name Pioneer Investments, to be owned by UniCredit (50%) and
the Private Equity Firms (50% between them). The holding company will control
Pioneer's U.S. operations, including the Adviser. The holding company also will
own 66.7% of Pioneer's and SAM's combined operations outside the U.S., while
Banco Santander will own directly the remaining 33.3% stake. The closing of the
Transaction is expected to happen in 2016, subject to certain regulatory and
other approvals.
Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, completion of the Transaction will
cause each fund's current investment advisory agreement with the Adviser to
terminate. Accordingly, each fund's Board of Trustees will be asked to approve
a new investment advisory agreement. If approved by the Board, each fund's new
investment advisory agreement will be submitted to the shareholders of the fund
for their approval.
29010-00-1215
(C) 2015 Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Underwriter of Pioneer mutual funds
Member SIPC
PIONEER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
Class A Shares (AMGEX)
Class C Shares (GOVCX)
Class Y Shares (ATGIX)
Prospectus, December 1, 2015
CONTENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund summary................................... 1
More on the fund's investment objective
and strategies................................. 14
More on the risks of investing in the fund..... 21
Management..................................... 34
Pricing of shares.............................. 36
Choosing a class of shares..................... 38
Distribution and service arrangements.......... 40
Sales charges.................................. 42
Buying, exchanging and selling shares.......... 49
Account options................................ 60
Shareholder services and policies.............. 64
Dividends, capital gains and taxes............. 71
Financial highlights........................... 73
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities agency
has approved or disapproved the fund's shares or determined whether this
prospectus is
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a crime.
An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
government agency.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact your investment professional to discuss how the fund may fit
into your portfolio.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund summary
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Current income.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the fund.
You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you or your family invest, or
agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in Class A shares of the
Pioneer funds. More information about these and other discounts is available
from your investment professional and in the "Sales charges" section of the
prospectus beginning on page 42 and the "Sales charges" section of the
statement of additional information beginning on page 51.
SHAREOWNER FEES
(fees paid directly from your investment) CLASS A CLASS C CLASS Y
------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- --------
Maximum sales charge (load) when you buy shares as a
percentage of offering price 4.50% None None
------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ --------- --------
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) as a percentage of offering
price or the amount you receive when you sell shares, whichever is
less None/1/ 1% None
------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ --------- --------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of
your investment) CLASS A CLASS C CLASS Y
----------------------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- --------
Management Fees 0.50% 0.50% 0.50%
----------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ---- ----
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees 0.25% 1.00% 0.00%
----------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ---- ----
Other Expenses 0.58% 0.52% 0.46%
----------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ---- ----
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.33% 2.02% 0.96%
----------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ---- ----
1 Class A purchases of $500,000 or more that are not subject to an initial
sales charge may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%.
See "Sales charges."
EXAMPLE
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you
invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods shown and then, except as
indicated, redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also
assumes that (a) your investment has a 5% return each year and
1
Fund summary
(b) the fund's total annual operating expenses remain the same. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs
would be:
IF YOU REDEEM YOUR SHARES IF YOU DO NOT REDEEM YOUR SHARES
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
NUMBER OF YEARS YOU OWN YOUR SHARES
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 3 5 10 1 3 5 10
------- ------- --------- --------- ------- ------- --------- ---------
Class A $579 $852 $1,146 $1,979 $579 $852 $1,146 $1,979
--------- ---- ---- ------ ------ ---- ---- ------ ------
Class C 305 634 1,088 2,348 205 634 1,088 2,348
--------- ---- ---- ------ ------ ---- ---- ------ ------
Class Y 98 306 531 1,178 98 306 531 1,178
--------- ---- ---- ------ ------ ---- ---- ------ ------
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate
may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's
performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover
rate was 27% of the average value of its portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Normally, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of
borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in U.S. government securities, and
repurchase agreements and "when-issued" commitments with respect to these
securities. For purposes of satisfying the 80% requirement, the fund also may
invest in derivative instruments that provide exposure to U.S. government
securities or have similar economic characteristics. U.S. government securities
include U.S. Treasury obligations, such as bills, bonds and notes; obligations
issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Treasury and
certain U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, such as Government
National Mortgage Association (GNMA); obligations of issuers that are supported
by the ability of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; and obligations
of U.S. government-sponsored entities that are neither issued nor guaranteed by
the U.S. government, such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)
and Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA). The fund may invest in
mortgage-backed securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S.
government. The fund's investments in mortgage-backed securities may include
collateralized
2
mortgage obligations (CMOs). The fund also may invest in asset-backed
securities, subordinated debt securities and municipal securities, and may
enter into mortgage dollar roll transactions.
The fund may invest in securities with a broad range of maturities, and
maintains an average portfolio maturity which varies based upon the judgment of
the fund's investment adviser. The fund's investments may have fixed or
variable principal payments and all types of interest rate payment and reset
terms, including fixed rate, floating rate, inverse floating rate, zero coupon,
contingent, deferred and payment in kind and auction rate features.
The fund may, but is not required to, use derivatives such as interest rate
futures. The fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including: in
an attempt to hedge against adverse changes in the market price of securities,
interest rates or currency exchange rates; as a substitute for purchasing or
selling securities; to attempt to increase the fund's return as a non-hedging
strategy that may be considered speculative; to manage portfolio
characteristics; and as a cash flow management technique. The fund may choose
not to make use of derivatives for a variety of reasons, and any use may be
limited by applicable law and regulations.
The adviser considers both broad economic and issuer specific factors in
selecting investments. In assessing the appropriate maturity and sector
weighting of the fund's portfolio, the adviser considers a variety of factors
that are expected to influence economic activity and interest rates. The
adviser selects individual securities to buy and sell based upon such factors
as a security's yield and sector diversification.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
You could lose money on your investment in the fund. As with any mutual fund,
there is no guarantee that the fund will achieve its objective.
MARKET RISK. The values of securities held by the fund may go up or down,
sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as
real or perceived adverse economic, political, or regulatory conditions,
inflation, changes in interest or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the bond
markets or adverse investor sentiment. In the past several years, financial
markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have
experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and
heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers have
defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts. These conditions may
continue, recur, worsen or spread. The U.S. government
3
Fund summary
and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and their
central banks, have taken steps to support financial markets, including by
keeping interest rates at historically low levels. This and other government
intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are
perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The
Federal Reserve recently has reduced its market support activities. Further
reduction or withdrawal of Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S.
governmental or central bank support, including interest rate increases, could
negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and
reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the fund invests. Policy
and legislative changes in the U.S. and in other countries are affecting many
aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances contribute to
decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The
impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for
market participants, may not be fully known for some time. Economies and
financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly
interconnected. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities of
issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing
economic and financial difficulties, the value and liquidity of the fund's
investments may be negatively affected. The fund may experience a substantial
or complete loss on any individual security or derivative position.
INTEREST RATE RISK. Interest rates may go up, causing the value of the fund's
investments to decline (this risk generally will be greater for securities with
longer maturities or durations). For example, if interest rates increase by 1%,
the value of a fund's portfolio with a portfolio duration of ten years would be
expected to decrease by 10%, all other things being equal. Interest rates in
the U.S. recently have been historically low, so the fund faces a heightened
risk that interest rates may rise. A general rise in interest rates may cause
investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale, which could
adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities and could
also result in increased redemptions from the fund.
CREDIT RISK. If an issuer or guarantor of a security held by the fund or a
counterparty to a financial contract with the fund defaults on its obligation
to pay principal and/or interest, has its credit rating downgraded or is
perceived to be less creditworthy, or the credit quality or value of any
underlying assets declines, the value of your investment will typically
decline.
4
PREPAYMENT OR CALL RISK. Many issuers have a right to prepay their securities.
If interest rates fall, an issuer may exercise this right. If this happens, the
fund will not benefit from the rise in market price that normally accompanies a
decline in interest rates, and will be forced to reinvest prepayment proceeds
at a time when yields on securities available in the market are lower than the
yield on the prepaid security. The fund also may lose any premium it paid on
the security.
EXTENSION RISK. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of
certain types of securities may be extended because of slower than expected
principal payments. This may lock in a below market interest rate, increase the
security's duration and reduce the value of the security.
LIQUIDITY RISK. Some securities and derivatives held by the fund may be
impossible or difficult to purchase, sell or unwind, particularly during times
of market turmoil. An instrument's liquidity may be affected by reduced trading
volume, a relative lack of market makers or legal restrictions, and illiquid
securities and derivatives also may be difficult to value. Liquidity risk may
be magnified in a rising interest rate environment. If the fund is forced to
sell an illiquid asset or unwind a derivatives position to meet redemption
requests or other cash needs, the fund may be forced to sell at a loss.
PORTFOLIO SELECTION RISK. The adviser's judgment about the quality, relative
yield, relative value or market trends affecting a particular sector or region,
market segment, security or about interest rates generally may prove to be
incorrect.
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS RISK. The market value of direct obligations of the
U.S. Treasury may vary due to changes in interest rates. In addition, changes
to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause
the value of the fund's investments in obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury
to decline.
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS RISK. The fund invests in obligations issued
by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government. Government-sponsored
entities such as Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), Federal Home
Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) and the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs),
although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by congressional
appropriations and the debt and mortgage-backed securities issued by them are
neither guaranteed nor issued by the U.S. government. Such debt and
mortgage-backed securities
5
Fund summary
are subject to the risk of default on the payment of interest and/or principal,
similar to debt of private issuers. Although the U.S. government has provided
financial support to FNMA and FHLMC in the past, there can be no assurance that
it will support these or other government-sponsored entities in the future.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT RISK. In the event that the other party to a repurchase
agreement defaults on its obligations, the fund may encounter delay and incur
costs before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of
interest or a decline in price of the security. In addition, if the fund is
characterized by a court as an unsecured creditor, it would be at risk of
losing some or all of the principal and interest involved in the transaction.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN WHEN-ISSUED, DELAYED DELIVERY, TO BE ANNOUNCED AND
FORWARD COMMITMENT TRANSACTIONS. The market value of these transactions may
increase or decrease as a result of changes in interest rates. These
transactions involve risk of loss if the value of the underlying security
changes unfavorably before the settlement date or if the assets set aside to
pay for these securities decline in value prior to the settlement date.
Therefore, these transactions may have a leveraging effect on the fund, making
the value of an investment in the fund more volatile and increasing the fund's
overall investment exposure. There is also a risk that the other party to the
transaction will default on its obligation to purchase or sell the security,
which may result in the fund missing the opportunity to obtain a favorable
price or yield elsewhere.
MORTGAGE-RELATED AND ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES RISK. The value of
mortgage-related and asset-backed securities will be influenced by factors
affecting the housing market and the assets underlying such securities. As a
result, during periods of declining asset value, difficult or frozen credit
markets, swings in interest rates, or deteriorating economic conditions,
mortgage-related and asset-backed securities may decline in value, face
valuation difficulties, become more volatile and/or become illiquid.
Mortgage-backed securities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest
rate than other types of debt securities. These securities are also subject to
prepayment and extension risks. Some of these securities may receive little or
no collateral protection from the underlying assets and are thus subject to the
risk of default. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of
mortgage-backed investments that include so-called "sub-prime" mortgages. The
structure of some of these securities may be complex and there may be less
available information than for other types of debt securities.
6
Upon the occurrence of certain triggering events or defaults, the fund may
become the holder of underlying assets at a time when those assets may be
difficult to sell or may be sold only at a loss.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN FLOATING RATE LOANS. Floating rate loans and similar
investments may be illiquid or less liquid than other investments and difficult
to value. The value of collateral, if any, securing a floating rate loan can
decline or may be insufficient to meet the issuer's obligations or may be
difficult to liquidate. Market quotations for these securities may be volatile
and/or subject to large spreads between bid and ask prices. No active trading
market may exist for many floating rate loans, and many loans are subject to
restrictions on resale. Any secondary market may be subject to irregular
trading activity and extended trade settlement periods. In particular, loans
may take longer than seven days to settle, potentially leading to the sale
proceeds of loans not being available to meet redemptions for a substantial
period of time after the sale of the loans. To the extent that sale proceeds of
loans are not available, the fund may sell securities that have shorter
settlement periods or may access other sources of liquidity to meet redemption
requests. Loans may not be considered "securities", and purchasers, such as the
fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections
afforded by federal securities laws.
RISKS OF SUBORDINATED SECURITIES. A holder of securities that are subordinated
or "junior" to more senior securities of an issuer is entitled to payment after
holders of more senior securities of the issuer. Subordinated securities are
more likely to suffer a credit loss than non-subordinated securities of the
same issuer, any loss incurred by the subordinated securities is likely to be
proportionately greater, and any recovery of interest or principal may take
more time. As a result, even a perceived decline in creditworthiness of the
issuer is likely to have a greater impact on them.
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES RISK. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to
unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities.
Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic
conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by
rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the
phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable
conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal
securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities,
potentially resulting in defaults. Issuers often depend on revenues from these
projects to make principal and interest payments. The value of municipal
7
Fund summary
securities can also be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition
of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers,
regulatory and political developments, tax law changes or other legislative
actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other
factors. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults
during recessions or similar periods of economic stress. In recent periods, an
increasing number of municipal issuers in the United States have defaulted on
obligations and commenced insolvency proceedings. Financial difficulties of
municipal issuers may continue or get worse. To the extent the fund invests
significantly in a single state, or in securities the payments on which are
dependent upon a single project or source of revenues, or that relate to a
sector or industry, the fund will be more susceptible to associated risks and
developments.
RISKS OF ZERO COUPON BONDS, PAYMENT IN KIND, DEFERRED AND CONTINGENT PAYMENT
SECURITIES. These securities may be more speculative and may fluctuate more in
value than securities which pay income periodically and in cash. In addition,
although the fund receives no periodic cash payments on such securities, the
fund is deemed for tax purposes to receive income from such securities, which
applicable tax rules require the fund to distribute to shareholders. Such
distributions may be taxable when distributed to shareholders.
MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLL TRANSACTIONS RISK. The benefits to the fund from mortgage
dollar roll transactions depend upon the adviser's ability to forecast mortgage
prepayment patterns on different mortgage pools. The fund may lose money if,
during the period between the time it agrees to the forward purchase of the
mortgage securities and the settlement date, these securities decline in value
due to market conditions or prepayments on the underlying mortgages.
DERIVATIVES RISK. Using futures and other derivatives can increase fund losses
and reduce opportunities for gains when market prices, interest rates or the
derivative instruments themselves behave in a way not anticipated by the fund.
Using derivatives may increase the volatility of the fund's net asset value and
may not provide the result intended. Derivatives may have a leveraging effect
on the fund. Some derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless
of the size of the fund's initial investment. Changes in a derivative's value
may not correlate well with the referenced asset or metric. The fund also may
have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations.
Derivatives may be difficult to sell, unwind or value, and the
8
counterparty may default on its obligations to the fund. The U.S. government is
in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives
markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and
reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear.
Additional regulation of derivatives may make them more costly, may limit their
availability, may disrupt markets or may otherwise adversely affect their value
or performance.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN INVERSE FLOATING RATE OBLIGATIONS. The interest rate on
inverse floating rate obligations will generally decrease as short-term
interest rates increase, and increase as short-term rates decrease. Due to
their leveraged structure, the sensitivity of the market value of an inverse
floating rate obligation to changes in interest rates is generally greater than
a comparable long-term bond issued by the same issuer and with similar credit
quality, redemption and maturity provisions. Inverse floating rate obligations
may be volatile and involve leverage risk.
LEVERAGING RISK. The value of your investment may be more volatile and other
risks tend to be compounded if the fund borrows or uses derivatives or other
investments , such as ETFs, that have embedded leverage. Leverage generally
magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the fund's
underlying assets and creates a risk of loss of value on a larger pool of
assets than the fund would otherwise have, potentially resulting in the loss of
all assets. Engaging in such transactions may cause the fund to liquidate
positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations
or meet segregation requirements.
MARKET SEGMENT RISK. To the extent the fund emphasizes, from time to time,
investments in a market segment, the fund will be subject to a greater degree
to the risks particular to that segment, and may experience greater market
fluctuation than a fund without the same focus.
VALUATION RISK. The sales price the fund could receive for any particular
portfolio investment may differ from the fund's last valuation of the
investment, particularly for illiquid securities and securities that trade in
thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology.
Investors who purchase or redeem fund shares on days when the fund is holding
fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher
redemption proceeds than they would have received if the fund had not
fair-valued the security or had used a different valuation methodology.
9
Fund summary
EXPENSE RISK. Your actual costs of investing in the fund may be higher than the
expenses shown in "Annual fund operating expenses" for a variety of reasons.
For example, expense ratios may be higher than those shown if overall net
assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and fund expense ratios
are more likely to increase when markets are volatile.
Please note that there are many other factors that could adversely affect your
investment and that could prevent the fund from achieving its goals.
An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
agency.
THE FUND'S PAST PERFORMANCE
The bar chart and table indicate the risks and volatility of an investment in
the fund by showing how the fund has performed in the past. The bar chart shows
changes in the performance of the fund's Class A shares from calendar year to
calendar year. The table shows the average annual total returns for each class
of the fund over time and compares these returns to the returns of the Barclays
Capital Government Bond Index and the Barclays Capital U.S. Mortgage-Backed
Securities Index, each a broad-based measure of market performance that has
characteristics relevant to the fund's investment strategies. You can obtain
updated performance information by visiting
https://us.pioneerinvestments.com/performance or by calling 1-800-225-6292.
The fund acquired the assets and liabilities of AmSouth Government Income Fund
(the predecessor fund) on September 23, 2005. Prior to September 23, 2005, the
fund was advised by a different investment adviser.
The performance of the Class A shares of the fund includes the net asset value
performance of the predecessor fund's Class A shares prior to the
reorganization, which has been restated to reflect differences in any
applicable sales charges (but not differences in expenses). The performance of
Class Y shares of the fund includes the net asset value performance of the
predecessor fund's Class I shares prior to the reorganization, which has not
been restated to reflect differences in expenses. If all the expenses of the
Pioneer fund were reflected, the performance would be lower.
The fund's past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily
indicate how it will perform in the future.
10
The bar chart does not reflect any sales charge you may pay when you buy fund
shares. If this amount was reflected, returns would be less than those shown.
ANNUAL RETURN CLASS A SHARES (%)
(Year ended December 31)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
'05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14
1.49 3.01 6.42 7.64 3.75 5.51 6.99 2.49 -3.07 3.15
For the period covered by the bar chart:
THE HIGHEST CALENDAR QUARTERLY RETURN WAS 4.41% (10/01/2008 TO 12/31/2008).
THE LOWEST CALENDAR QUARTERLY RETURN WAS -2.20% (04/01/2013 TO 06/30/2013).
At September 30, 2015, the year-to-date return was 0.99%.
11
Fund summary
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (%)
(for periods ended December 31, 2014)
SINCE INCEPTION
1 YEAR 5 YEAR 10 YEAR INCEPTION DATE
-------- -------- --------- ----------- ----------
Class A 10/1/93
---------------------------------------- ----- ---- ---- ---- -------
Return before taxes -1.47 2.01 3.22 4.53
---------------------------------------- ------ ---- ---- ---- -------
Return after taxes on distributions -2.61 0.60 1.73 2.62
---------------------------------------- ------ ---- ---- ---- -------
Return after taxes on distributions and
sale of shares -0.84 0.99 1.91 2.71
---------------------------------------- ------ ---- ---- ---- -------
Class C 2.40 2.23 N/A 3.08 9/23/05
---------------------------------------- ------ ---- ---- ---- -------
Class Y 3.53 3.38 4.12 5.01 10/1/93
---------------------------------------- ------ ---- ---- ---- -------
Barclays Capital Government Bond
Index (reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses or taxes) 4.92 3.70 4.29 5.32 10/31/93
---------------------------------------- ------ ---- ---- ---- --------
Barclays Capital U.S. Mortgage-Backed
Securities Index (reflects no deduction
for fees, expenses or taxes) 6.08 3.73 4.75 5.75 10/31/93
---------------------------------------- ------ ---- ---- ---- --------
* Index comparisons begin on October 31, 1993. Index information is not
available for prior periods.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual
federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and
local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation
and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant
to investors who hold fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as
401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares. After-tax returns for
Class C and Class Y shares will vary.
MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT ADVISER Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT Richard Schlanger, Vice President of Pioneer
(portfolio manager of the fund since 2005) and
Charles Melchreit, Senior Vice President and
Director of Investment Grade of Pioneer
(portfolio manager of the fund since 2006)
12
PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES
You may purchase, exchange or sell (redeem) shares each day the New York Stock
Exchange is open through your financial intermediary or, for accounts held
directly with the fund, by contacting the fund in writing or by telephone:
Pioneer Funds, P.O. Box 55014, Boston, MA 02205-5014, tel. 1-800-225-6292.
Your initial investment for Class A or Class C shares must be at least $1,000.
Additional investments must be at least $100 for Class A shares and $500 for
Class C shares. The initial investment for Class Y shares must be at least $5
million. This amount may be invested in one or more of the Pioneer mutual funds
that currently offer Class Y shares. There is no minimum additional investment
amount for Class Y shares.
TAX INFORMATION
The fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
If you purchase the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial
intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the
intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments
create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other
intermediary and your salesperson or investment professional to recommend the
fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or investment professional
or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.
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More on the fund's investment objective
and strategies
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Current income.
The fund's investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval.
The fund will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to implementing any change
to its investment objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Normally, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of
borrowings, if any, for investment purposes) in U.S. government securities, and
repurchase agreements and "when-issued" commitments with respect to these
securities. For purposes of satisfying the 80% requirement, the fund also may
invest in derivative instruments that provide exposure to U.S. government
securities or have similar economic characteristics.
U.S. government securities include U.S. Treasury obligations, such as bills,
bonds and notes; obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies
or instrumentalities, and obligations of U.S. government-sponsored entities.
Securities in which the fund may invest include:
o U.S. Treasury obligations, which differ only in their interest rates,
maturities and times of issuance, including U.S. Treasury bills (maturities
of one year or less), U.S. Treasury notes (maturities of one to 10 years),
and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally maturities greater than 10 years)
o Obligations issued by or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S.
Treasury and certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government,
such as Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) certificates and
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) debentures, for which the U.S. Treasury
unconditionally guarantees payment of principal and interest
o Obligations of issuers that are supported by the ability of the issuer to
borrow from the U.S. Treasury
o Obligations of the Private Export Funding Corporation (PEFCO), which may be
guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (Ex-Im Bank), an agency of
the U.S. government
o Obligations of U.S. government-sponsored entities that do not have any form
of credit support from the U.S. government, including the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), the Federal National Mortgage Association
(Fannie Mae), Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs), Federal Farm Credit Banks
(FFCB) and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
14
Government-sponsored entities, such as FHLMC, FNMA, the FHLBs, the PEFCO, the
FFCBs and the TVA, although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded
by congressional appropriations and the debt and mortgage-backed securities
issued by them are neither guaranteed nor issued by the U.S. government.
The fund will provide written notice to shareholders at least 60 days prior to
any change to the requirement that it invest at least 80% of its assets in U.S
government securities, and other instruments as described above.
The fund's investments in mortgage-backed securities may include collateralized
mortgage obligations (CMOs). The fund also may invest in asset-backed
securities, subordinated debt securities and municipal securities, and may
enter into mortgage dollar roll transactions.
The fund may invest in securities with a broad range of maturities, and
maintains an average portfolio maturity which varies based upon the judgment of
the fund's investment adviser. The fund's investments may have fixed or
variable principal payments and all types of interest rate payment and reset
terms, including fixed rate, floating rate, inverse floating rate, zero coupon,
contingent, deferred and payment in kind and auction rate features.
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. (Pioneer), the fund's investment adviser,
considers both broad economic and issuer specific factors in selecting a
portfolio designed to achieve the fund's investment objectives. In assessing
the appropriate maturity and sector weighting of the fund's portfolio, Pioneer
considers a variety of factors that are expected to influence economic activity
and interest rates. These factors include fundamental economic indicators, such
as the rates of economic growth and inflation, Federal Reserve monetary policy
and the relative value of the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies. Once
Pioneer determines the preferable portfolio characteristics, Pioneer selects
individual securities based upon the terms of the securities (such as yields
compared to U.S. Treasuries or comparable issues) and sector diversification.
In making portfolio decisions, Pioneer relies on the knowledge, experience and
judgment of its staff and the staff of its affiliates who have access to a wide
variety of research.
The fund's investment strategies and policies may be changed from time to time
without shareholder approval, unless specifically stated otherwise in this
prospectus or in the statement of additional information.
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More on the fund's investment objective
and strategies
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Repurchase agreements are arrangements under which the fund purchases
securities and the seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a specific
time and at a specific price. The repurchase price is generally higher than the
fund's purchase price, with the difference being income to the fund. The other
party's obligations under the repurchase agreement are collateralized with U.S.
Treasury and/or agency obligations with a market value of not less than 100% of
the obligations, valued daily. Repurchase agreements afford the fund an
opportunity to earn income on temporarily available cash at low risk.
"WHEN-ISSUED", DELAYED DELIVERY, TO BE ANNOUNCED AND FORWARD COMMITMENT
TRANSACTIONS
The fund may purchase and sell securities, including mortgaged-backed
securities, on a when-issued, delayed delivery, to be announced or forward
commitment basis. These transactions arise when securities are purchased or
sold by the fund with payment and delivery taking place at a fixed future date.
The fund will not earn income on these securities until delivered. The fund may
engage in these transactions when it believes they would result in a favorable
price and yield for the security being purchased or sold.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
The fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities
may be issued by private issuers, by government-sponsored entities such as the
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (FHLMC) or by agencies of the U.S. government, such as the
Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA). Mortgage-backed securities
represent direct or indirect participation in, or are collateralized by and
payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. The fund's investments
in mortgage-related securities may include mortgage derivatives and structured
securities.
The fund may invest in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs). A CMO is a
mortgage-backed bond that is issued in multiple classes, each with a specified
fixed or floating interest rate and a final scheduled distribution date. The
holder of an interest in a CMO is entitled to receive specified cash flows from
a pool of underlying mortgages or other mortgage-backed securities. Depending
upon the class of CMO purchased, the holder may be entitled to payment before
the cash flow from the pool is used to pay holders of other classes of the CMO
or, alternatively, the holder may be
16
paid only to the extent that there is cash remaining after the cash flow has
been used to pay other classes. A subordinated interest may serve as a credit
support for the senior securities purchased by other investors.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
The fund may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities
represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, assets such as
installment sales or loan contracts, leases, credit card receivables and other
categories of receivables. The fund's investments in asset-backed securities
may include derivative and structured securities.
SUBORDINATED SECURITIES
The fund may invest in securities that are subordinated or "junior" to more
senior securities of the issuer. The investor in a subordinated security of an
issuer is entitled to payment after other holders of debt in that issuer.
MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLL TRANSACTIONS
The fund may enter into mortgage dollar roll transactions to earn additional
income. In these transactions, the fund sells a U.S. agency mortgage-backed
security and simultaneously agrees to purchase at a future date another U.S.
agency mortgage-backed security with the same interest rate and maturity date,
but generally backed by a different pool of mortgages. The fund loses the right
to receive interest and principal payments in the security it sold. However,
the fund benefits from the interest earned on investing the proceeds of the
sale and may receive a fee or a lower repurchase price.
FLOATING RATE LOANS
Floating rate loans are provided by banks and other financial institutions to
large corporate customers in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions,
and refinancings. These loans are generally acquired as a participation
interest in, or assignment of, loans originated by a lender or other financial
institution. These loans are rated below investment grade, but typically are
secured with specific collateral and have a senior position in the capital
structure of the borrower. These loans typically have rates of interest that
are reset periodically by reference to a base lending rate, such as the London
Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus a premium.
DEBT RATING CONSIDERATIONS
For purposes of the fund's credit quality policies, if a security receives
different ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations,
the fund will use the rating chosen by the portfolio manager as most
17
More on the fund's investment objective
and strategies
representative of the security's credit quality. The ratings of nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations represent their opinions as to the
quality of the securities that they undertake to rate and may not accurately
describe the risks of the securities. A rating organization may have a conflict
of interest with respect to a security for which it assigns a quality rating.
In addition, there may be a delay between a change in the credit quality of a
security or other asset and a change in the quality rating assigned to the
security or other asset by a rating organization. If a rating organization
changes the quality rating assigned to one or more of the fund's securities,
Pioneer will consider if any action is appropriate in light of the fund's
investment objective and policies. An investor can still lose significant
amounts when investing in investment grade securities. These ratings are used
as criteria for the selection of portfolio securities, in addition to Pioneer's
own assessment of the credit quality of potential investments.
DERIVATIVES
The fund may, but is not required to, use futures and options on securities,
indices and currencies, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps and
other derivatives. The fund also may enter into credit default swaps, which can
be used to acquire or to transfer the credit risk of a security or index of
securities without buying or selling the security or securities comprising the
relevant index. A derivative is a security or instrument whose value is
determined by reference to the value or the change in value of one or more
securities, currencies, indices or other financial instruments. The fund may
use derivatives for a variety of purposes, including:
o In an attempt to hedge against adverse changes in the market prices of
securities, interest rates or currency exchange rates
o As a substitute for purchasing or selling securities
o To attempt to increase the fund's return as a non-hedging strategy that may
be considered speculative
o To manage portfolio characteristics (for example, the duration or credit
quality of the fund's portfolio)
o As a cash flow management technique
The fund may choose not to make use of derivatives for a variety of reasons,
and any use may be limited by applicable law and regulations.
INVERSE FLOATING RATE OBLIGATIONS
The fund may invest in inverse floating rate obligations (a type of derivative
instrument). The interest rate on inverse floating rate obligations will
generally decrease as short-term interest rates increase, and increase as
short-term
18
rates decrease. Due to their leveraged structure, the sensitivity of the market
value of an inverse floating rate obligation to changes in interest rates is
generally greater than a comparable long-term bond issued by the same issuer
and with similar credit quality, redemption and maturity provisions. Inverse
floating rate obligations may be volatile and involve leverage risk.
CASH MANAGEMENT AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
Normally, the fund invests substantially all of its assets to meet its
investment objective. The fund may invest the remainder of its assets in
securities with remaining maturities of less than one year or cash equivalents,
or may hold cash. For temporary defensive purposes, including during periods of
unusual cash flows, the fund may depart from its principal investment
strategies and invest part or all of its assets in these securities or may hold
cash. The fund may adopt a defensive strategy when the adviser believes
securities in which the fund normally invests have special or unusual risks or
are less attractive due to adverse market, economic, political or other
conditions. During such periods, it may be more difficult for the fund to
achieve its investment objective.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
In addition to the principal investment strategies discussed above, the fund
may also use other techniques, including the following non-principal investment
strategies.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND BORROWING
The fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements pursuant to which the
fund transfers securities to a counterparty in return for cash, and the fund
agrees to repurchase the securities at a later date and for a higher price.
Reverse repurchase agreements are treated as borrowings by the fund, are a form
of leverage and may make the value of an investment in the fund more volatile
and increase the risks of investing in the fund. The fund also may borrow money
from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes. The fund may borrow up to
33 1/3% of its total assets. Entering into reverse repurchase agreements and
other borrowing transactions may cause the fund to liquidate positions when it
may not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations or meet
segregation requirements.
SHORT-TERM TRADING
The fund usually does not trade for short-term profits. The fund will sell an
investment, however, even if it has only been held for a short time, if it no
longer meets the fund's investment criteria. If the fund does a lot of trading,
19
More on the fund's investment objective
and strategies
it may incur additional operating expenses, which would reduce performance, and
could cause shareowners to incur a higher level of taxable income or capital
gains.
20
More on the risks of investing in the fund
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
You could lose money on your investment in the fund. As with any mutual fund,
there is no guarantee that the fund will achieve its objective.
MARKET RISK. The values of securities held by the fund may go up or down,
sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions, such as
real or perceived adverse economic, political, or regulatory conditions,
inflation, changes in interest or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the bond
markets or adverse investor sentiment. Changes in market conditions may not
have the same impact on all types of securities. The values of securities may
also fall due to specific conditions that affect a particular sector of the
securities market or a particular issuer. In the past several years, financial
markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have
experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and
heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers have
defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts. These conditions may
continue, recur, worsen or spread. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve,
as well as certain foreign governments and their central banks, have taken
steps to support financial markets, including by keeping interest rates at
historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as
intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being
unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve recently has
reduced its market support activities. Further reduction or withdrawal of
Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank support,
including interest rate increases, could negatively affect financial markets
generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of
securities in which the fund invests. Policy and legislative changes in the
U.S. and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation,
and may in some instances contribute to decreased liquidity and increased
volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the
markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be
fully known for some time. Economies and financial markets throughout the world
are becoming increasingly interconnected. As a result, whether or not the fund
invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to
countries experiencing economic and financial difficulties, the value and
liquidity of the fund's investments may be negatively affected. The fund may
experience a substantial or complete loss on any individual security or
derivative position. Particularly during periods of declining or illiquid
markets, the fund may experience periods of heavy redemptions that could cause
the fund to liquidate its assets at
21
More on the risks of investing in the fund
inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value, and could cause the
remaining shareholders in the fund to lose money. This redemption risk is
greater to the extent that the fund has investors with large shareholdings,
short investment horizons or unpredictable cash flow needs.
INTEREST RATE RISK. The market prices of securities may fluctuate significantly
when interest rates change. When interest rates rise, the value of fixed income
securities and therefore the value of your investment in the fund, generally
falls. Interest rates have been historically low, so the fund faces a
heightened risk that interest rates may rise. A general rise in interest rates
may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale,
which could adversely affect the price and liquidity of fixed income securities
and could also result in increased redemptions from the fund. A change in
interest rates will not have the same impact on all fixed income securities.
Generally, the longer the maturity or duration of a fixed income security, the
greater the impact of a rise in interest rates on the security's value. For
example, if interest rates increase by 1%, the value of a fund's portfolio with
a portfolio duration of ten years would be expected to decrease by 10%, all
other things being equal. Calculations of duration and maturity may be based on
estimates and may not reliably predict a security's price sensitivity to
changes in interest rates. Moreover, securities can change in value in response
to other factors, such as credit risk. In addition, different interest rate
measures (such as short- and long-term interest rates and U.S. and foreign
interest rates), or interest rates on different types of securities or
securities of different issuers, may not necessarily change in the same amount
or in the same direction. When interest rates go down, the income received by
the fund, and the fund's yield, may decline. Also, when interest rates decline,
investments made by the fund may pay a lower interest rate, which would reduce
the income received and distributed by the fund.
Certain fixed income securities pay interest at variable or floating rates.
Variable rate securities tend to reset at specified intervals, while floating
rate securities may reset whenever there is a change in a specified index rate.
In most cases, these reset provisions reduce the impact of changes in market
interest rates on the value of the security. However, some securities do not
track the underlying index directly, but reset based on formulas that may
produce a leveraging effect; others may also provide for interest payments that
vary inversely with market rates. The market prices of these securities may
fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. Yield generated by the fund
may decline due to a decrease in market interest rates.
22
CREDIT RISK. If an obligor (such as the issuer itself or a party offering
credit enhancement) for a security held by the fund fails to pay, otherwise
defaults, is perceived to be less creditworthy, becomes insolvent or files for
bankruptcy, a security's credit rating is downgraded or the credit quality or
value of an underlying asset declines, the value of your investment could
decline. If the fund enters into financial contracts (such as certain
derivatives, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and
when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions), the fund
will be subject to the credit risk presented by the counterparty. In addition,
the fund may incur expenses in an effort to protect the fund's interests or to
enforce its rights. Credit risk is broadly gauged by the credit ratings of the
securities in which the fund invests. However, ratings are only the opinions of
the companies issuing them and are not guarantees as to quality. Securities
rated in the lowest category of investment grade (Baa/BBB) may possess certain
speculative characteristics.
PREPAYMENT OR CALL RISK. Many fixed income securities give the issuer the
option to prepay or call the security prior to its maturity date. Issuers often
exercise this right when interest rates fall. Accordingly, if the fund holds a
fixed income security that can be prepaid or called prior to its maturity date,
it will not benefit fully from the increase in value that other fixed income
securities generally experience when interest rates fall. Upon prepayment of
the security, the fund also would be forced to reinvest the proceeds at then
current yields, which would be lower than the yield of the security that was
prepaid or called. In addition, if the fund purchases a fixed income security
at a premium (at a price that exceeds its stated par or principal value), the
fund may lose the amount of the premium paid in the event of prepayment.
EXTENSION RISK. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of
certain types of securities may be extended because of slower than expected
principal payments. This may lock in a below market interest rate, increase the
security's duration and reduce the value of the security.
To the extent the fund invests significantly in mortgage-related and
asset-backed securities, its exposure to extension risks may be greater than if
it invested in other fixed income securities.
LIQUIDITY RISK. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are
impossible or difficult to purchase or sell. Although most of the fund's
securities and other investments must be liquid at the time of investment,
securities and other investments may become illiquid after purchase by the
fund, particularly
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More on the risks of investing in the fund
during periods of market turmoil. Markets may become illiquid when, for
instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers and sellers or when dealers
are unwilling to make a market for certain securities or when dealer
market-making capacity is otherwise reduced, and this is more likely to occur
as a result of the reduction of market support activity by the Federal Reserve.
A lack of liquidity or other adverse credit market conditions may affect the
fund's ability to sell the securities in which it invests or to find and
purchase suitable investments. These illiquid investments may also be difficult
to value. If the fund is forced to sell or unwind an illiquid investment to
meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the fund may suffer a loss.
In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities and
other investments, the fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid
securities, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain
sector. Liquidity risk may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment
in which investor redemptions from fixed income mutual funds may be higher than
normal. If an auction fails for an auction rate security, there may be no
secondary market for the security and the fund may be forced to hold the
security until the security is refinanced by the issuer or a secondary market
develops. To the extent the fund holds a material percentage of the outstanding
debt securities of an issuer, this practice may impact adversely the liquidity
and market value of those investments.
PORTFOLIO SELECTION RISK. The adviser's judgment about the quality, relative
yield, relative value or market trends affecting a particular sector or region,
market segment, security or about interest rates generally may prove to be
incorrect.
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS RISK. The market value of direct obligations of the
U.S. Treasury may vary due to changes in interest rates. In addition, changes
to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause
the value of the fund's investments in obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury
to decline.
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY OBLIGATIONS RISK. The fund invests in obligations issued
by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government. Government-sponsored
entities such as Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), Federal Home
Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) and the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs),
although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by congressional
appropriations and the debt and mortgage-backed securities issued by them are
neither guaranteed nor issued by the U.S. government. Such debt and
mortgage-backed securities
24
are subject to the risk of default on the payment of interest and/or principal,
similar to debt of private issuers. Although the U.S. government has provided
financial support to FNMA and FHLMC in the past, there can be no assurance that
it will support these or other government-sponsored entities in the future.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT RISK. In the event that the other party to a repurchase
agreement defaults on its obligations, the fund may encounter delay and incur
costs before being able to sell the security. Such a delay may involve loss of
interest or a decline in price of the security. In addition, if the fund is
characterized by a court as an unsecured creditor, it would be at risk of
losing some or all of the principal and interest involved in the transaction.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN "WHEN-ISSUED", DELAYED DELIVERY, TO BE ANNOUNCED AND
FORWARD COMMITMENT TRANSACTIONS. The market value of these transactions may
increase or decrease as a result of changes in interest rates. These
transactions involve risk of loss if the value of the underlying security
changes unfavorably before the settlement date or if the assets set aside to
pay for these securities decline in value prior to the settlement date.
Therefore, these transactions may have a leveraging effect on the fund, making
the value of an investment in the fund more volatile and increasing the fund's
overall investment exposure. There is also a risk that the security will not be
issued or that the other party to the transaction will default on its
obligation to purchase or sell the security, which may result in the fund
missing the opportunity to obtain a favorable price or yield elsewhere.
MORTGAGE-RELATED AND ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES RISK. The repayment of certain
mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities depends primarily on the cash
collections received from the issuer's underlying asset portfolio and, in
certain cases, the issuer's ability to issue replacement securities. As a
result, there could be losses to the fund in the event of credit or market
value deterioration in the issuer's underlying portfolio, mismatches in the
timing of the cash flows of the underlying asset interests and the repayment
obligations of maturing securities, or the issuer's inability to issue new or
replacement securities. Mortgage-backed securities tend to be more sensitive to
changes in interest rate than other types of debt securities. These securities
are also subject to prepayment and extension risks. Upon the occurrence of
certain triggering events or defaults, the fund may become the holder of
underlying assets at a time when those assets may be difficult to sell or may
be sold only at a loss. In the event of a default, the value of the underlying
collateral may be insufficient to pay certain expenses, such as litigation and
foreclosure expenses, and inadequate to pay any principal
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More on the risks of investing in the fund
or unpaid interest. Privately issued mortgage-backed and asset-backed
securities are not traded on an exchange and may have a limited market. Without
an active trading market, these securities may be particularly difficult to
value given the complexities in valuing the underlying collateral.
Certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may pay principal only at
maturity or may represent only the right to receive payments of principal or
interest on the underlying obligations, but not both. The value of these types
of instruments may change more drastically than debt securities that pay both
principal and interest during periods of changing interest rates. Principal
only instruments generally increase in value if interest rates decline, but are
also subject to the risk of prepayment. Interest only instruments generally
increase in value in a rising interest rate environment when fewer of the
underlying obligations are prepaid. Interest only instruments could lose their
entire value in a declining interest rate environment if the underlying
obligations are prepaid.
Unlike mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government
or its agencies and instrumentalities, mortgage-related securities issued by
private issuers do not have a government or government-sponsored entity
guarantee (but may have other credit enhancement), and may, and frequently do,
have less favorable collateral, credit risk or other characteristics. The fund
may invest in other mortgage-related securities, including mortgage derivatives
and structured securities. These securities typically are not secured by real
property. Because these securities have embedded leverage features, small
changes in interest or prepayment rates may cause large and sudden price
movements. These securities also can become illiquid and difficult to value in
volatile or declining markets.
Mortgage-backed securities are particularly susceptible to prepayment and
extension risks, because prepayments on the underlying mortgages tend to
increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise.
Prepayments may also occur on a scheduled basis or due to foreclosure. When
market interest rates increase, mortgage refinancings and prepayments slow,
which lengthens the effective duration of these securities. As a result, the
negative effect of the interest rate increase on the market value of
mortgage-backed securities is usually more pronounced than it is for other
types of fixed income securities, potentially increasing the volatility of the
fund. Conversely, when market interest rates decline, while the value of
mortgage-backed securities may increase, the rates of prepayment of the
26
underlying mortgages tend to increase, which shortens the effective duration of
these securities. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to the risk that
the underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations.
At times, some of the mortgage-backed securities in which the fund may invest
will have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at
a premium above their par value. Prepayments may cause losses on securities
purchased at a premium.
The value of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may be affected by
changes in credit quality or value of the mortgage loans or other assets that
support the securities. In addition, for mortgage-backed securities, when
market conditions result in an increase in the default rates on the underlying
mortgages and the foreclosure values of the underlying real estate are below
the outstanding amount of the underlying mortgages, collection of the full
amount of accrued interest and principal on these investments may be less
likely.
The fund may invest in CMOs. Principal prepayments on the underlying mortgage
loans may cause a CMO to be retired substantially earlier than its stated
maturity or final distribution date. If there are defaults on the underlying
mortgage loans, the fund will be less likely to receive payments of principal
and interest, and will be more likely to suffer a loss. This risk may be
increased to the extent the underlying mortgages include sub-prime mortgages.
As market conditions change, and particularly during periods of rapid or
unanticipated changes in market interest rates, the attractiveness of a CMO
class and the ability of the structure to provide the anticipated investment
characteristics may be significantly reduced. Such changes can result in
volatility in the market value, and in some instances reduced liquidity, of a
CMO class.
In response to the financial crisis that began in 2008, the Federal Reserve has
attempted to keep mortgage rates low by acting as a buyer of mortgage-backed
assets. This support has recently ended. As a result, mortgage rates may rise
and prices of mortgage-backed securities may fall. To the extent the fund's
assets are invested in mortgage-backed securities, returns to fund investors
may decline.
Asset-backed securities are structured like mortgage-backed securities and are
subject to many of the same risks. The ability of an issuer of asset-backed
securities to enforce its security interest in the underlying asset or to
otherwise recover from the underlying obligor may be limited.
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More on the risks of investing in the fund
Certain asset-backed securities present a heightened level of risk because, in
the event of default, the liquidation value of the underlying assets may be
inadequate to pay any unpaid principal or interest.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN FLOATING RATE LOANS. Floating rate loans and similar
investments may be illiquid or less liquid than other investments and difficult
to value. The value of collateral, if any, securing a floating rate loan can
decline or may be insufficient to meet the issuer's obligations or may be
difficult to liquidate. In the event of a default, the fund may have difficulty
collecting on any collateral and would not have the ability to collect on any
collateral for an uncollateralized loan. Further, the fund's access to
collateral, if any, may be limited by bankruptcy law. Market quotations for
these securities may be volatile and/or subject to large spreads between bid
and ask prices. No active trading market may exist for many floating rate
loans, and many loans are subject to restrictions on resale. Any secondary
market may be subject to irregular trading activity and extended trade
settlement periods. In particular, loans may take longer than seven days to
settle, potentially leading to the sale proceeds of loans not being available
to meet redemptions for a substantial period of time after the sale of the
loans. To the extent that sale proceeds of loans are not available, the fund
may sell securities that have shorter settlement periods or may access other
sources of liquidity to meet redemption requests. An economic downturn
generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a loan may lose significant
value before a default occurs. There is less readily available, reliable
information about most floating rate loans than is the case for many other
types of securities. Normally, Pioneer will seek to avoid receiving material,
non-public information about the issuer of a loan either held by, or considered
for investment by, the fund, and this decision could adversely affect the
fund's investment performance. Loans may not be considered "securities," and
purchasers, such as the fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the
anti-fraud protections afforded by federal securities laws.
RISKS OF SUBORDINATED SECURITIES. A holder of securities that are subordinated
or "junior" to more senior securities of an issuer is entitled to payment after
holders of more senior securities of the issuer. Subordinated securities are
more likely to suffer a credit loss than non-subordinated securities of the
same issuer, any loss incurred by the subordinated securities is likely to be
proportionately greater, and any recovery of interest or principal may take
more time. If there is a default, bankruptcy or liquidation of the issuer, most
subordinated securities are paid only if sufficient assets remain after
28
payment of the issuer's non-subordinated securities. As a result, even a
perceived decline in creditworthiness of the issuer is likely to have a greater
impact on them.
MUNICIPAL SECURITIES RISK. The municipal bond market can be susceptible to
unusual volatility, particularly for lower-rated and unrated securities.
Liquidity can be reduced unpredictably in response to overall economic
conditions or credit tightening. Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by
rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the
phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable
conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal
securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities,
potentially resulting in defaults. Issuers often depend on revenues from these
projects to make principal and interest payments. The value of municipal
securities can also be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition
of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers,
regulatory and political developments, tax law changes or other legislative
actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other
factors. Municipal securities may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults
during recessions or similar periods of economic stress. In recent periods, an
increasing number of municipal issuers in the United States have defaulted on
obligations and commenced insolvency proceedings. Financial difficulties of
municipal issuers may continue or get worse. To the extent the fund invests
significantly in a single state, or in securities the payments on which are
dependent upon a single project or source of revenues, or that relate to a
sector or industry, the fund will be more susceptible to associated risks and
developments.
RISKS OF ZERO COUPON BONDS, PAYMENT IN KIND, DEFERRED AND CONTINGENT PAYMENT
SECURITIES. Zero coupon bonds (which do not pay interest until maturity) and
payment in kind securities (which pay interest in the form of additional
securities) may be more speculative and may fluctuate more in value than
securities which pay income periodically and in cash. These securities are more
likely to respond to changes in interest rates than interest-bearing securities
having similar maturities and credit quality. These securities are more
sensitive to the credit quality of the underlying issuer. Payment in kind
securities may be difficult to value because their continuing accruals require
judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of
any collateral. Deferred interest securities are obligations that generally
provide for a period of delay before the regular payment of interest begins and
are issued at a significant discount from face value.
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More on the risks of investing in the fund
The interest rate on contingent payment securities is determined by the outcome
of an event, such as the performance of a financial index. If the financial
index does not increase by a prescribed amount, the fund may receive no
interest.
Unlike bonds that pay interest throughout the period to maturity, the fund
generally will realize no cash until maturity and, if the issuer defaults, the
fund may obtain no return at all on its investment. In addition, although the
fund receives no periodic cash payments on such securities, the fund is deemed
for tax purposes to receive income from such securities, which applicable tax
rules require the fund to distribute to shareholders. Such distributions may be
taxable when distributed to shareholders and, in addition, could reduce the
fund's reserve position and require the fund to sell securities and incur a
gain or loss at a time it may not otherwise want in order to provide the cash
necessary for these distributions.
MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLL TRANSACTIONS RISK. The benefits to the fund from mortgage
dollar roll transactions depend upon the adviser's ability to forecast mortgage
prepayment patterns on different mortgage pools. The fund may lose money if,
during the period between the time it agrees to the forward purchase of the
mortgage securities and the settlement date, these securities decline in value
due to market conditions or prepayments on the underlying mortgages.
DERIVATIVES RISK. Using futures and other derivatives exposes the fund to
special risks and costs and may result in losses to the fund, even when used
for hedging purposes. Using derivatives can increase losses and reduce
opportunities for gain when market prices, interest rates or currencies, or the
derivative instruments themselves, behave in a way not anticipated by the fund,
especially in abnormal market conditions. Using derivatives can have a
leveraging effect (which may increase investment losses) and increase the
fund's volatility, which is the degree to which the fund's share price may
fluctuate within a short time period. Certain derivatives have the potential
for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the fund's initial investment. If
changes in a derivative's value do not correspond to changes in the value of
the fund's other investments or do not correlate well with the underlying
assets, rate or index, the fund may not fully benefit from, or could lose money
on, or could experience unusually high expenses as a result of, the derivative
position. The other parties to certain derivative transactions present the same
types of credit risk as issuers of fixed income securities. Derivatives also
tend to involve greater liquidity risk and they
30
may be difficult to value. The fund may be unable to terminate or sell its
derivative positions. In fact, many over-the-counter derivatives will not have
liquidity beyond the counterparty to the instrument. Use of derivatives or
similar instruments may have different tax consequences for the fund than an
investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the
amount, timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The fund's
use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by
shareholders. Risks associated with the use of derivatives are magnified to the
extent that an increased portion of the fund's assets are committed to
derivatives in general or are invested in just one or a few types of
derivatives.
The U.S. government and foreign governments are in the process of adopting and
implementing regulations governing derivative markets, including mandatory
clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements. The
ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of
derivatives may make derivatives more costly, may limit their availability or
utility or otherwise adversely affect their performance, or may disrupt
markets. The fund may be exposed to additional risks as a result of the
additional regulations. The extent and impact of the regulations are not yet
fully known and may not be for some time.
The fund will be required to maintain its positions with a clearing
organization through one or more clearing brokers. The clearing organization
will require the fund to post margin and the broker may require the fund to
post additional margin to secure the fund's obligations. The amount of margin
required may change from time to time. In addition, cleared transactions may be
more expensive to maintain than over-the-counter transactions and may require
the fund to deposit larger amounts of margin. The fund may not be able to
recover margin amounts if the broker has financial difficulties. Also, the
broker may require the fund to terminate a derivatives position under certain
circumstances. This may cause the fund to lose money. The fund's ability to use
certain derivative instruments currently is limited by Commodity Futures
Trading Commission rules.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN INVERSE FLOATING RATE OBLIGATIONS. The interest rate on
inverse floating rate obligations will generally decrease as short-term
interest rates increase, and increase as short-term rates decrease. Due to
their leveraged structure, the sensitivity of the market value of an inverse
floating rate obligation to changes in interest rates is generally greater than
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More on the risks of investing in the fund
a comparable long-term bond issued by the same issuer and with similar credit
quality, redemption and maturity provisions. Inverse floating rate obligations
may be volatile and involve leverage risk.
LEVERAGING RISK. The value of your investment may be more volatile and other
risks tend to be compounded if the fund borrows or uses derivatives or other
investments , such as ETFs, that have embedded leverage. Leverage generally
magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the fund's
underlying assets and creates a risk of loss of value on a larger pool of
assets than the fund would otherwise have, potentially resulting in the loss of
all assets. Engaging in such transactions may cause the fund to liquidate
positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations
or meet segregation requirements.
MARKET SEGMENT RISK. To the extent the fund emphasizes, from time to time,
investments in a market segment, the fund will be subject to a greater degree
to the risks particular to that segment, and may experience greater market
fluctuation, than a fund without the same focus. For example, industries in the
financial segment, such as banks, insurance companies, broker-dealers and real
estate investment trusts (REITs), may be sensitive to changes in interest rates
and general economic activity and are generally subject to extensive government
regulation.
VALUATION RISK. Many factors may influence the price at which the fund could
sell any particular portfolio investment. The sales price may well differ -
higher or lower - from the fund's last valuation of the investment, and such
differences could be significant, particularly for illiquid securities and
securities that trade in thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme
volatility. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments,
the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods. Investors
who purchase or redeem fund shares on days when the fund is holding fair-valued
securities may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher redemption
proceeds than they would have received if the fund had not fair-valued the
security or had used a different valuation methodology. Fixed income securities
are typically valued using fair value methodologies. The value of foreign
securities, certain fixed income securities and currencies, as applicable, may
be materially affected by events after the close of the market on which they
are valued, but before the fund determines its net asset value.
32
CASH MANAGEMENT RISK. The value of the investments held by the fund for cash
management or temporary defensive purposes may be affected by market risks,
changing interest rates and by changes in credit ratings of the investments. To
the extent that the fund has any uninvested cash, the fund would be subject to
credit risk with respect to the depository institution holding the cash. If the
fund holds cash uninvested, the fund will not earn income on the cash and the
fund's yield will go down. During such periods, it may be more difficult for
the fund to achieve its investment objective.
EXPENSE RISK. Your actual costs of investing in the fund may be higher than the
expenses shown in "Annual fund operating expenses" for a variety of reasons.
For example, expense ratios may be higher than those shown if overall net
assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and fund expense ratios
are more likely to increase when markets are volatile.
To learn more about the fund's investments and risks, you should obtain and
read the statement of additional information. Please note that there are many
other factors that could adversely affect your investment and that could
prevent the fund from achieving its goals.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The fund's policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of the fund's
securities are described in the statement of additional information.
33
Management
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Pioneer, the fund's investment adviser, selects the fund's investments and
oversees the fund's operations.
Pioneer is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of UniCredit S.p.A., one of the
largest banking groups in Italy. Pioneer is part of the global asset management
group providing investment management and financial services to mutual funds,
institutional and other clients. As of September 30, 2015, assets under
management were approximately $243 billion worldwide, including over $66
billion in assets under management by Pioneer (and its U.S. affiliates).
Pioneer's main office is at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
The firm's U.S. mutual fund investment history includes creating in 1928 one of
the first mutual funds.
Pioneer has received an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission that
permits Pioneer, subject to the approval of the fund's Board of Trustees, to
hire and terminate a subadviser that is not affiliated with Pioneer (an
"unaffiliated subadviser") or to materially modify an existing subadvisory
contract with an unaffiliated subadviser for the fund without shareholder
approval. Pioneer retains the ultimate responsibility to oversee and recommend
the hiring, termination and replacement of any unaffiliated subadviser.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Day-to-day management of the fund's portfolio is the responsibility of Richard
Schlanger and Charles Melchreit. Mr. Schlanger and Mr. Melchreit are supported
by the fixed income team. Members of this team manage other Pioneer funds
investing primarily in fixed income securities. The portfolio managers and the
team also may draw upon the research and investment management expertise of the
global research teams, which provide fundamental and quantitative research on
companies and include members from one or more of Pioneer's affiliates. Mr.
Schlanger, a Vice President, joined Pioneer as a portfolio manager in 1988 and
has served as a portfolio manager of the fund since 2005. Mr. Melchreit, a
Senior Vice President and Director of Investment Grade of Pioneer, joined
Pioneer in 2006 and has served as a portfolio manager of the fund since 2006.
From 2003 to 2004 Mr. Melchreit was a managing director at Cigna Investment
Management. Prior thereto, he was a senior vice president and portfolio manager
at Aeltus Investment Management. Mr. Melchreit received an MS degree in
Statistics from Yale University in 2005.
34
The fund's statement of additional information provides additional information
about the portfolio managers' compensation, other accounts managed by the
portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers' ownership of shares of the
fund.
MANAGEMENT FEE
The fund pays Pioneer a fee for managing the fund and to cover the cost of
providing certain services to the fund. Pioneer's annual fee is equal to 0.50%
of the fund's average daily net assets up to $1 billion and 0.45% of the fund's
average daily net assets over $1 billion. The fee is accrued daily and paid
monthly.
For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, the fund paid management fees
(excluding waivers and/or assumption of expenses) equivalent to 0.50% of the
fund's average daily net assets.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' approval of the
management contract is available in the fund's semiannual report to
shareholders for the period ended January 31, 2015.
DISTRIBUTOR
Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc. is the fund's distributor. The fund compensates
the distributor for its services. The distributor is an affiliate of Pioneer.
35
Pricing of shares
NET ASSET VALUE
The fund's net asset value is the value of its securities plus any other assets
minus its accrued operating expenses and other liabilities. The fund calculates
a net asset value for each class of shares every day the New York Stock
Exchange is open as of the scheduled close of regular trading (normally 4:00
p.m. Eastern time). If the New York Stock Exchange closes at another time, the
fund will calculate a net asset value for each class of shares as of the actual
closing time. On days when the New York Stock Exchange is closed for trading,
including certain holidays listed in the statement of additional information, a
net asset value is not calculated. The fund's most recent net asset value is
available on the fund's website, us.pioneerinvestments.com.
The fund generally values debt securities and certain derivative instruments by
using the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services. A
pricing service may use market prices or quotations from one or more brokers or
other sources, or may use a pricing matrix or other fair value methods or
techniques to provide an estimated value of the security or instrument. A
pricing matrix is a means of valuing a debt security on the basis of current
market prices for other debt securities, historical trading patterns in the
market for fixed income securities and/or other factors. Non-U.S. debt
securities that are listed on an exchange will be valued at the bid price
obtained from an independent third party pricing service.
Senior loans are valued at the mean between the last available bid and asked
prices for one or more brokers or dealers as obtained from an independent third
party pricing service. If no reliable price quotes are available from either
the primary or an alternative pricing service, broker quotes will be solicited.
To the extent that the fund invests in shares of other mutual funds that are
not traded on an exchange, such shares of other mutual funds are valued at
their net asset values as provided by those funds. The prospectuses for those
funds explain the circumstances under which those funds will use fair value
pricing methods and the effects of using fair value pricing methods.
The valuations of securities traded in non-U.S. markets and certain fixed
income securities will generally be determined as of the earlier closing time
of the markets on which they primarily trade. When the fund holds securities or
other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the fund will normally
use the currency exchange rates as of 3:00 p.m. (Eastern time). Non-U.S.
markets are open for trading on weekends and other days when
36
the fund does not price its shares. Therefore, the value of the fund's shares
may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem fund shares.
When independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for
an investment, or when prices or market quotations are considered by Pioneer to
be unreliable, the value of that security may be determined using quotations
from one or more broker-dealers. When such prices or quotations are not
available, or when they are considered by Pioneer to be unreliable, the fund
uses fair value methods to value its securities pursuant to procedures adopted
by the Board of Trustees. The fund also may use fair value methods if it is
determined that a significant event has occurred between the time at which a
price is determined and the time at which the fund's net asset value is
calculated. Valuing securities using fair value methods may cause the net asset
value of the fund's shares to differ from the net asset value that would be
calculated only using market prices.
The prices used by the fund to value its securities may differ from the amounts
that would be realized if these securities were sold and these differences may
be significant, particularly for securities that trade in relatively thin
markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility.
37
Choosing a class of shares
The fund offers three classes of shares through this prospectus. Each class has
different eligibility requirements, sales charges and expenses, allowing you to
choose the class that best meets your needs.
Factors you should consider include:
o The eligibility requirements that apply to purchases of a particular share
class
o The expenses paid by each class
o The initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), if
any, applicable to each class
o Whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges
o How long you expect to own the shares
o Any services you may receive from a financial intermediary
Your investment professional can help you determine which class meets your
goals. Your investment professional or financial intermediary may receive
different compensation depending upon which class you choose. If you are not a
U.S. citizen and are purchasing shares outside the U.S., you may pay different
sales charges under local laws and business practices.
For information on the fund's expenses, please see "Fund Summary."
CLASS A SHARES
o You pay a sales charge of up to 4.50% of the offering price, which is reduced
or waived for large purchases and certain types of investors. At time of
your purchase, your investment firm may receive a commission from the
distributor of up to 4%, declining as the size of your investment increases.
o There is no contingent deferred sales charge, except in certain circumstances
when no initial sales charge is charged.
o Distribution and service fees of 0.25% of average daily net assets.
CLASS C SHARES
o A 1% contingent deferred sales charge is assessed if you sell your shares
within one year of purchase. Your investment firm may receive a commission
from the distributor at the time of your purchase of up to 1%.
o Distribution and service fees of 1.00% of average daily net assets.
o Does not convert to another share class.
o Maximum purchase amount (per transaction) of $499,999.
CLASS Y SHARES
o No initial or contingent deferred sales charge.
38
o Initial investments are subject to a $5 million investment minimum, which may
be waived in some circumstances.
39
Distribution and service arrangements
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The fund has adopted a distribution plan for Class A and Class C shares in
accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under the
plan, the fund pays distribution and service fees to the distributor. Because
these fees are an ongoing expense of the fund, over time they increase the cost
of your investment and your shares may cost more than shares that are subject
to other types of sales charges.
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Your financial intermediary may receive compensation from the fund, Pioneer and
its affiliates for the sale of fund shares and related services. Compensation
may include sales commissions and distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees,
as well as compensation for administrative services and transaction processing.
Pioneer and its affiliates may make additional payments to your financial
intermediary. These payments may provide your financial intermediary with an
incentive to favor the Pioneer funds over other mutual funds or assist the
distributor in its efforts to promote the sale of the fund's shares. Financial
intermediaries include broker-dealers, banks (including bank trust
departments), registered investment advisers, financial planners, retirement
plan administrators and other types of intermediaries.
Pioneer makes these additional payments (sometimes referred to as "revenue
sharing") to financial intermediaries out of its own assets, which may include
profits derived from services provided to the fund, or from the retention of a
portion of sales charges or distribution and service fees. Pioneer may base
these payments on a variety of criteria, including the amount of sales or
assets of the Pioneer funds attributable to the financial intermediary or as a
per transaction fee.
Not all financial intermediaries receive additional compensation and the amount
of compensation paid varies for each financial intermediary. In certain cases,
these payments may be significant. Pioneer determines which firms to support
and the extent of the payments it is willing to make, generally choosing firms
that have a strong capability to effectively distribute shares of the Pioneer
funds and that are willing to cooperate with Pioneer's promotional efforts.
Pioneer also may compensate financial intermediaries (in addition to amounts
that may be paid by the fund) for providing certain administrative services and
transaction processing services.
40
Pioneer may benefit from revenue sharing if the intermediary features the
Pioneer funds in its sales system (such as by placing certain Pioneer funds on
its preferred fund list or giving access on a preferential basis to members of
the financial intermediary's sales force or management). In addition, the
financial intermediary may agree to participate in the distributor's marketing
efforts (such as by helping to facilitate or provide financial assistance for
conferences, seminars or other programs at which Pioneer personnel may make
presentations on the Pioneer funds to the intermediary's sales force). To the
extent intermediaries sell more shares of the Pioneer funds or retain shares of
the Pioneer funds in their clients' accounts, Pioneer receives greater
management and other fees due to the increase in the Pioneer funds' assets. The
intermediary may earn a profit on these payments if the amount of the payment
to the intermediary exceeds the intermediary's costs.
The compensation that Pioneer pays to financial intermediaries is discussed in
more detail in the fund's statement of additional information. Your
intermediary may charge you additional fees or commissions other than those
disclosed in this prospectus. Intermediaries may categorize and disclose these
arrangements differently than in the discussion above and in the statement of
additional information. You can ask your financial intermediary about any
payments it receives from Pioneer or the Pioneer funds, as well as about fees
and/or commissions it charges.
Pioneer and its affiliates may have other relationships with your financial
intermediary relating to the provision of services to the Pioneer funds, such
as providing omnibus account services or effecting portfolio transactions for
the Pioneer funds. If your intermediary provides these services, Pioneer or the
Pioneer funds may compensate the intermediary for these services. In addition,
your intermediary may have other relationships with Pioneer or its affiliates
that are not related to the Pioneer funds.
41
Sales charges
INITIAL SALES CHARGES (CLASS A SHARES ONLY)
You pay the offering price (the net asset value per share plus any initial
sales charge) when you buy Class A shares unless you qualify to purchase shares
at net asset value. You pay a lower sales charge as the size of your investment
increases. You do not pay a sales charge when you reinvest dividends or capital
gain distributions paid by the fund.
SALES CHARGES FOR CLASS A SHARES
SALES CHARGE AS % OF
----------------------
OFFERING NET AMOUNT
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE PRICE INVESTED
--------------------------------- ---------- -----------
Less than $100,000 4.50 4.71
--------------------------------- ---- ----
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63
--------------------------------- ---- ----
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.50 2.56
--------------------------------- ---- ----
$500,000 or more -0- -0-
--------------------------------- ---- ----
The dollar amount of the sales charge is the difference between the offering
price of the shares purchased (based on the applicable sales charge in the
table) and the net asset value of those shares. Since the offering price is
calculated to two decimal places using standard rounding methodology, the
dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and of
the net amount invested for any particular purchase of fund shares may be
higher or lower due to rounding.
REDUCED SALES CHARGES
You may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge if you own or are purchasing
shares of Pioneer mutual funds. The investment levels required to obtain a
reduced sales charge are commonly referred to as "breakpoints." Pioneer offers
two principal means of taking advantage of breakpoints in sales charges for
aggregate purchases of Class A shares of the Pioneer funds over time if:
o The amount of shares you own of the Pioneer funds plus the amount you are
investing now is at least $100,000 (Rights of accumulation)
o You plan to invest at least $100,000 over the next 13 months (Letter of
intent)
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION
If you qualify for rights of accumulation, your sales charge will be based on
the combined value (at the current offering price) of all your Pioneer mutual
fund shares, the shares of your spouse and the shares of any children under the
age of 21.
42
LETTER OF INTENT
You can use a letter of intent to qualify for reduced sales charges in
two situations:
o If you plan to invest at least $100,000 (excluding any reinvestment of
dividends and capital gain distributions) in the fund's Class A shares
during the next 13 months
o If you include in your letter of intent the value (at the current offering
price) of all of your Class A shares of the fund and Class A or Class C
shares of all other Pioneer mutual fund shares held of record in the amount
used to determine the applicable sales charge for the fund shares you plan
to buy
Completing a letter of intent does not obligate you to purchase additional
shares, but if you do not buy enough shares to qualify for the projected level
of sales charges by the end of the 13-month period (or when you sell your
shares, if earlier), the distributor will recalculate your sales charge. You
must pay the additional sales charge within 20 days after you are notified of
the recalculation or it will be deducted from your account (or your sale
proceeds). Any share class for which no sales charge is paid cannot be included
under the letter of intent. For more information regarding letters of intent,
please contact your investment professional or obtain and read the statement of
additional information.
QUALIFYING FOR A REDUCED CLASS A SALES CHARGE
In calculating your total account value in order to determine whether you have
met sales charge breakpoints, you can include your Pioneer mutual fund shares,
those of your spouse and the shares of any children under the age of 21.
Pioneer will use each fund's current offering price to calculate your total
account value. Certain trustees and fiduciaries may also qualify for a reduced
sales charge.
To receive a reduced sales charge, you or your investment professional must, at
the time of purchase, notify the distributor of your eligibility. In order to
verify your eligibility for a discount, you may need to provide your investment
professional or the fund with information or records, such as account numbers
or statements, regarding shares of the fund or other Pioneer mutual funds held
in all accounts by you, your spouse or children under the age of 21 with that
investment professional or with any other financial intermediary. Eligible
accounts may include joint accounts, retirement plan accounts, such as IRA and
401(k) accounts, and custodial accounts, such as ESA, UGMA and UTMA accounts.
43
Sales charges
It is your responsibility to confirm that your investment professional has
notified the distributor of your eligibility for a reduced sales charge at the
time of sale. If you or your investment professional do not notify the
distributor of your eligibility, you will risk losing the benefits of a reduced
sales charge.
For this purpose, Pioneer mutual funds include any fund for which the
distributor is principal underwriter and, at the distributor's discretion, may
include funds organized outside the U.S. and managed by Pioneer or an
affiliate.
You can locate information regarding the reduction or waiver of sales charges,
in a clear and prominent format and free of charge, on Pioneer's website at
us.pioneerinvestments.com. The website includes hyperlinks that facilitate
access to this information.
CLASS A PURCHASES AT NET ASSET VALUE
You may purchase Class A shares at net asset value (without a sales charge) as
follows. If you believe you qualify for any of the Class A sales charge waivers
discussed below, contact your investment professional or the distributor. You
are required to provide written confirmation of your eligibility. You may not
resell these shares except to or on behalf of the fund.
CLASS A PURCHASES AT NET ASSET VALUE ARE AVAILABLE TO:
o Current or former trustees and officers of the fund;
o Partners and employees of legal counsel to the fund (at the time of initial
share purchase);
o Directors, officers, employees or sales representatives of Pioneer and its
affiliates (at the time of initial share purchase);
o Directors, officers, employees or sales representatives of any subadviser or
a predecessor adviser (or their affiliates) to any investment company for
which Pioneer serves as investment adviser (at the time of initial share
purchase);
o Officers, partners, employees or registered representatives of broker-dealers
(at the time of initial share purchase) which have entered into sales
agreements with the distributor;
o Employees of Regions Financial Corporation and its affiliates (at the time of
initial share purchase);
o Members of the immediate families of any of the persons above;
o Any trust, custodian, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan of the
foregoing persons;
o Insurance company separate accounts;
44
o Certain wrap accounts for the benefit of clients of investment professionals
or other financial intermediaries adhering to standards established by the
distributor;
o Other funds and accounts for which Pioneer or any of its affiliates serves as
investment adviser or manager;
o Investors in connection with certain reorganization, liquidation or
acquisition transactions involving other investment companies or personal
holding companies;
o Certain unit investment trusts;
o Group employer-sponsored retirement plans with at least $500,000 in total
plan assets. Waivers for group employer-sponsored retirement plans do not
apply to traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, KEOGHs,
individual 401(k) or individual 403(b) plans, or to brokerage relationships
in which sales charges are customarily imposed;
o Group employer-sponsored retirement plans with accounts established with
Pioneer on or before March 31, 2004 with 100 or more eligible employees or
at least $500,000 in total plan assets;
o Participants in an employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or employer-sponsored 457
plan if (i) your employer has made special arrangements for your plan to
operate as a group through a single broker, dealer or financial intermediary
and (ii) all participants in the plan who purchase shares of a Pioneer
mutual fund do so through a single broker, dealer or other financial
intermediary designated by your employer;
o Investors purchasing shares pursuant to the reinstatement privilege
applicable to Class A shares; and
o Shareholders of record (i.e., shareholders whose shares are not held in the
name of a broker or an omnibus account) on the date of the reorganization of
a predecessor Safeco fund into a corresponding Pioneer fund, shareholders
who owned shares in the name of an omnibus account provider on that date
that agrees with the fund to distinguish beneficial holders in the same
manner, and retirement plans with assets invested in the predecessor Safeco
fund on that date.
In addition, Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value through certain
mutual fund programs sponsored by qualified intermediaries, such as
broker-dealers and investment advisers. In each case, the intermediary has
entered into an agreement with Pioneer to include the Pioneer funds in their
program without the imposition of a sales charge. The intermediary provides
investors participating in the program with additional services, including
advisory, asset allocation, recordkeeping or other services. You
45
Sales charges
should ask your investment firm if it offers and you are eligible to
participate in such a mutual fund program and whether participation in the
program is consistent with your investment goals. The intermediaries sponsoring
or participating in these mutual fund programs also may offer their clients
other classes of shares of the funds and investors may receive different levels
of services or pay different fees depending upon the class of shares included
in the program. Investors should consider carefully any separate transaction
and other fees charged by these programs in connection with investing in each
available share class before selecting a share class. Such mutual fund programs
include certain self-directed brokerage services accounts held through
qualified intermediaries that may or may not charge participating investors
transaction fees.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES (CDSCS)
CLASS A SHARES
Purchases of Class A shares of $500,000 or more may be subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge upon redemption. A contingent deferred sales charge is
payable to the distributor in the event of a share redemption within 12 months
following the share purchase at the rate of 1% of the lesser of the value of
the shares redeemed (exclusive of reinvested dividend and capital gain
distributions) or the total cost of such shares. However, the contingent
deferred sales charge is waived for redemptions of Class A shares purchased by
an employer-sponsored retirement plan that has at least $500,000 in total plan
assets (or that has 1,000 or more eligible employees for plans with accounts
established with Pioneer on or before March 31, 2004).
CLASS C SHARES
You buy Class C shares at net asset value per share without paying an initial
sales charge. However, if you sell your Class C shares within one year of
purchase, upon redemption you will pay the distributor a contingent deferred
sales charge of 1% of the current market value or the original cost of the
shares you are selling, whichever is less.
PAYING THE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC)
Several rules apply for calculating CDSCs so that you pay the lowest possible
CDSC.
o The CDSC is calculated on the current market value or the original cost of
the shares you are selling, whichever is less
o You do not pay a CDSC on reinvested dividends or distributions
46
o If you sell only some of your shares, the transfer agent will first sell your
shares that are not subject to any CDSC and then the shares that you have
owned the longest
o You may qualify for a waiver of the CDSC normally charged. See "Waiver or
reduction of contingent deferred sales charges"
WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
It is your responsibility to confirm that your investment professional has
notified the distributor of your eligibility for a reduced sales charge at the
time of sale. If you or your investment professional do not notify the
distributor of your eligibility, you will risk losing the benefits of a reduced
sales charge.
The distributor may waive or reduce the CDSC for Class A shares that are
subject to a CDSC or for Class C shares if:
o The distribution results from the death of all registered account owners or a
participant in an employer-sponsored plan. For UGMAs, UTMAs and trust
accounts, the waiver applies only upon the death of all beneficial owners;
o You become disabled (within the meaning of Section 72 of the Internal Revenue
Code) after the purchase of the shares being sold. For UGMAs, UTMAs and
trust accounts, the waiver only applies upon the disability of all
beneficial owners;
o The distribution is made in connection with limited automatic redemptions as
described in "Systematic withdrawal plans" (limited in any year to 10% of
the value of the account in the fund at the time the withdrawal plan is
established);
o The distribution is from any type of IRA, 403(b) or employer-sponsored plan
described under Section 401(a) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code and, in
connection with the distribution, one of the following applies:
- It is part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments made over
the life expectancy of the participant or the joint life expectancy of the
participant and his or her beneficiary (limited in any year to 10% of the
value of the participant's account at the time the distribution amount is
established);
- It is a required minimum distribution due to the attainment of age 70 1/2,
in which case the distribution amount may exceed 10% (based solely on
total plan assets held in Pioneer mutual funds);
- It is rolled over to or reinvested in another Pioneer mutual fund in the
same class of shares, which will be subject to the CDSC of the shares
originally held; or
47
Sales charges
- It is in the form of a loan to a participant in a plan that permits loans
(each repayment applied to the purchase of shares will be subject to a
CDSC as though a new purchase);
o The distribution is to a participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan
described under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or to a
participant in an employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or employer-sponsored 457
plan if (i) your employer has made special arrangements for your plan to
operate as a group through a single broker, dealer or financial intermediary
and (ii) all participants in the plan who purchase shares of a Pioneer
mutual fund do so through a single broker, dealer or other financial
intermediary designated by your employer and is or is in connection with:
- A return of excess employee deferrals or contributions;
- A qualifying hardship distribution as described in the Internal Revenue
Code;
- Due to retirement or termination of employment;
- From a qualified defined contribution plan and represents a participant's
directed transfer, provided that this privilege has been preauthorized
through a prior agreement with the distributor regarding participant
directed transfers;
o The distribution is made pursuant to the fund's right to liquidate or
involuntarily redeem shares in a shareholder's account;
o The distribution is made to pay an account's advisory or custodial fees; or
o The distributor does not pay the selling broker a commission normally paid at
the time of the sale.
Please see the fund's statement of additional information for more information
regarding reduced sales charges and breakpoints.
48
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT
You may open an account by completing an account application and sending it to
the fund by mail or by fax. Please call the fund to obtain an account
application. Certain types of accounts, such as retirement accounts, have
separate applications.
Use your account application to select options and privileges for your account.
You can change your selections at any time by sending a completed account
options form to the fund. You may be required to obtain a signature guarantee
to make certain changes to an existing account.
Call or write to the fund for account applications, account options forms and
other account information:
PIONEER FUNDS
P.O. Box 55014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5014
Telephone 1-800-225-6292
Please note that there may be a delay in receipt by the fund's transfer agent
of applications submitted by regular mail to a post office address.
Each fund is generally available for purchase in the United States, Puerto
Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Except to the extent
otherwise permitted by the funds' distributor, the funds will only accept
accounts from U.S. citizens with a U.S. address (including an APO or FPO
address) or resident aliens with a U.S. address (including an APO or FPO
address) and a U.S. taxpayer identification number.
IDENTITY VERIFICATION
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering
activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify
and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When
you open an account, you will need to supply your name, address, date of birth,
and other information that will allow the fund to identify you.
The fund may close your account if we cannot adequately verify your identity.
The redemption price will be the net asset value on the date of redemption.
INVESTING THROUGH FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES AND RETIREMENT PLANS
If you invest in the fund through your financial intermediary or through a
retirement plan, the options and services available to you may be different
from those discussed in this prospectus. Shareholders investing through
49
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
financial intermediaries, programs sponsored by financial intermediaries and
retirement plans may only purchase funds and classes of shares that are
available. When you invest through an account that is not in your name, you
generally may buy and sell shares and complete other transactions only through
the account. Ask your investment professional or financial intermediary for
more information.
Additional conditions may apply to your investment in the fund, and the
investment professional or intermediary may charge you a transaction-based,
administrative or other fee for its services. These conditions and fees are in
addition to those imposed by the fund and its affiliates. You should ask your
investment professional or financial intermediary about its services and any
applicable fees.
SHARE PRICES FOR TRANSACTIONS
If you place an order to purchase, exchange or sell shares that is received in
good order by the transfer agent or an authorized agent by the close of regular
trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), the
share price for your transaction will be based on the net asset value
determined as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange on that day (plus or minus any applicable sales charges). If your
order is received by the transfer agent or an authorized agent after the
scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, or your
order is not in good order, the share price will be based on the net asset
value next determined after your order is received in good order by the fund or
authorized agent. The authorized agent is responsible for transmitting your
order to the fund in a timely manner.
GOOD ORDER MEANS THAT:
o You have provided adequate instructions
o There are no outstanding claims against your account
o There are no transaction limitations on your account
o If you have any fund share certificates, you submit them and they are signed
by each record owner exactly as the shares are registered
o Your request includes a signature guarantee if you:
- Are selling over $100,000 or exchanging over $500,000 worth of shares
- Changed your account registration or address within the last 30 days
- Instruct the transfer agent to mail the check to an address different from
the one on your account
- Want the check paid to someone other than the account's record owner(s)
50
- Are transferring the sale proceeds to a Pioneer mutual fund account with a
different registration
TRANSACTION LIMITATIONS
Your transactions are subject to certain limitations, including the limitation
on the purchase of the fund's shares within 30 calendar days of a redemption.
See "Excessive trading."
BUYING
You may buy fund shares from any financial intermediary that has a sales
agreement or other arrangement with the distributor.
You can buy shares at net asset value per share plus any applicable sales
charge. The distributor may reject any order until it has confirmed the order
in writing and received payment. Normally, your financial intermediary will
send your purchase request to the fund's transfer agent. CONSULT YOUR
INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL FOR MORE INFORMATION. Your investment firm receives a
commission from the distributor, and may receive additional compensation from
Pioneer, for your purchase of fund shares.
MINIMUM INVESTMENT AMOUNTS
CLASS A AND CLASS C SHARES
Your initial investment must be at least $1,000. Additional investments must be
at least $100 for Class A shares and $500 for Class C shares.
You may qualify for lower initial or subsequent investment minimums if you are
opening a retirement plan account, establishing an automatic investment plan or
placing your trade through your investment firm. The fund may waive the initial
or subsequent investment minimums. Minimum investment amounts may be waived
for, among other things, share purchases made through certain mutual fund
programs (e.g., asset based fee program accounts) sponsored by qualified
intermediaries, such as broker-dealers and investment advisers, that have
entered into an agreement with Pioneer.
CLASS Y SHARES
Your initial investment in Class Y shares must be at least $5 million. This
amount may be invested in one or more of the Pioneer mutual funds that
currently offer Class Y shares. There is no minimum additional investment
amount. The fund may waive the initial investment amount.
51
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
WAIVERS OF THE MINIMUM INVESTMENT AMOUNT FOR CLASS Y
The fund will accept an initial investment of less than $5 million if:
(a) The investment is made by a trust company or bank trust department
which is initially investing at least $1 million in any of the
Pioneer mutual funds and, at the time of the purchase, such assets
are held in a fiduciary, advisory, custodial or similar capacity
over which the trust company or bank trust department has full or
shared investment discretion; or
(b) The investment is at least $1 million in any of the Pioneer mutual
funds and the purchaser is an insurance company separate account; or
(c) The account is not represented by a broker-dealer and the investment
is made by (1) an ERISA-qualified retirement plan that meets the
requirements of Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, (2) an
employer-sponsored retirement plan that meets the requirements of
Sections 403 or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code, (3) a private
foundation that meets the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code or (4) an endowment or other organization that
meets the requirements of Section 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue
Code; or
(d) The investment is made by an employer-sponsored retirement plan
established for the benefit of (1) employees of Pioneer or its
affiliates, or (2) employees or the affiliates of broker-dealers who
have a Class Y shares sales agreement with the distributor; or
(e) The investment is made through certain mutual fund programs
sponsored by qualified intermediaries, such as broker-dealers and
investment advisers. In each case, the intermediary has entered into
an agreement with Pioneer to include Class Y shares of the Pioneer
mutual funds in their program. The intermediary provides investors
participating in the program with additional services, including
advisory, asset allocation, recordkeeping or other services. You
should ask your investment firm if it offers and you are eligible to
participate in such a mutual fund program and whether participation
in the program is consistent with your investment goals. The
intermediaries sponsoring or participating in these mutual fund
programs may also offer their clients other classes of shares of the
funds and investors may receive different levels of services or pay
different fees depending upon the class of shares
52
included in the program. Investors should consider carefully any separate
transaction and other fees charged by these programs in connection with
investing in each available share class before selecting a share class; or
(f) The investment is made by another Pioneer fund.
The fund reserves the right to waive the initial investment minimum in other
circumstances.
MAXIMUM PURCHASE AMOUNTS
Purchases of fund shares are limited to $499,999 for Class C shares. This limit
is applied on a per transaction basis. Class A and Class Y shares are not
subject to a maximum purchase amount.
RETIREMENT PLAN ACCOUNTS
You can purchase fund shares through tax-deferred retirement plans for
individuals, businesses and tax-exempt organizations.
Your initial investment for most types of retirement plan accounts must be at
least $250. Additional investments for most types of retirement plans must be
at least $100.
You may not use the account application accompanying this prospectus to
establish a Pioneer retirement plan. You can obtain retirement plan
applications from your investment firm or by calling the Retirement Plans
Department at 1-800-622-0176.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
THROUGH YOUR INVESTMENT FIRM
Normally, your investment firm will send your purchase request to the fund's
distributor and/or transfer agent. CONSULT YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL FOR
MORE INFORMATION. Your investment firm receives a commission from the
distributor, and may receive additional compensation from Pioneer, for your
purchase of fund shares.
BY PHONE OR ONLINE
YOU CAN USE THE TELEPHONE OR ONLINE PURCHASE PRIVILEGE IF you have an existing
non-retirement account. Certain IRAs can use the telephone purchase privilege.
If your account is eligible, you can purchase additional fund shares by phone
or online if:
53
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
o You established your bank account of record at least 30 days ago
o Your bank information has not changed for at least 30 days
o You are not purchasing more than $100,000 worth of shares per account per day
o You can provide the proper account identification information
When you request a telephone or online purchase, the transfer agent will
electronically debit the amount of the purchase from your bank account of
record. The transfer agent will purchase fund shares for the amount of the
debit at the offering price determined after the transfer agent receives your
telephone or online purchase instruction and good funds. It usually takes three
business days for the transfer agent to receive notification from your bank
that good funds are available in the amount of your investment.
IN WRITING, BY MAIL
You can purchase fund shares for an existing fund account by MAILING A CHECK TO
THE FUND. Make your check payable to the fund. Neither initial nor subsequent
investments should be made by third party check, travelers check, or credit
card check. Your check must be in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank.
Include in your purchase request the fund's name, the account number and the
name or names in the account registration. Please note that there may be a
delay in receipt by the fund's transfer agent of purchase orders submitted by
regular mail to a post office address.
BY WIRE (CLASS Y SHARES ONLY)
If you have an existing (Class Y shares only) account, you may wire funds to
purchase shares. Note, however, that:
o State Street Bank must receive your wire no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern
time on the business day after the fund receives your request to purchase
shares
o If State Street Bank does not receive your wire by 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on
the next business day, your transaction will be canceled at your expense and
risk
o Wire transfers normally take two or more hours to complete and a fee may be
charged by the sending bank
o Wire transfers may be restricted on holidays and at certain other times
54
INSTRUCT YOUR BANK TO WIRE FUNDS TO:
Receiving Bank: State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02101
ABA Routing No. 011000028
For further credit to: Shareholder Name
Existing Pioneer Account No.
Government Income Fund
The fund's transfer agent must receive your account application before you send
your initial check or federal funds wire. In addition, you must provide a bank
wire address of record when you establish your account.
EXCHANGING
You may, under certain circumstances, exchange your shares for shares of the
same class of another Pioneer mutual fund.
Your exchange request must be for at least $1,000. The fund allows you to
exchange your shares at net asset value without charging you either an initial
or contingent deferred sales charge at the time of the exchange. Shares you
acquire as part of an exchange will continue to be subject to any contingent
deferred sales charge that applies to the shares you originally purchased. When
you ultimately sell your shares, the date of your original purchase will
determine your contingent deferred sales charge.
Before you request an exchange, consider each fund's investment objective and
policies as described in the fund's prospectus. You generally will have to pay
income taxes on an exchange.
SAME-FUND EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Certain shareholders may be eligible to exchange their shares for the fund's
Class Y shares. If eligible, no sales charges or other charges will apply to
any such exchange. Generally, shareholders will not recognize a gain or loss
for federal income tax purposes upon such an exchange. Investors should contact
their financial intermediary to learn more about the details of this privilege.
55
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
THROUGH YOUR INVESTMENT FIRM
Normally, your investment firm will send your exchange request to the fund's
transfer agent. CONSULT YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
EXCHANGING YOUR SHARES.
BY PHONE OR ONLINE
After you establish an eligible fund account, YOU CAN EXCHANGE FUND SHARES BY
PHONE OR ONLINE IF:
o You are exchanging into an existing account or using the exchange to
establish a new account, provided the new account has a registration
identical to the original account
o The fund into which you are exchanging offers the same class of shares
o You are not exchanging more than $500,000 worth of shares per account per day
o You can provide the proper account identification information
IN WRITING, BY MAIL OR BY FAX
You can exchange fund shares by MAILING OR FAXING A LETTER OF INSTRUCTION TO
THE FUND. You can exchange fund shares directly through the fund only if your
account is registered in your name. However, you may not fax an exchange
request for more than $500,000. Include in your letter:
o The name and signature of all registered owners
o A signature guarantee for each registered owner if the amount of the exchange
is more than $500,000
o The name of the fund out of which you are exchanging and the name of the fund
into which you are exchanging
o The class of shares you are exchanging
o The dollar amount or number of shares you are exchanging
Please note that there may be a delay in receipt by the fund's transfer agent
of exchange requests submitted by regular mail to a post office address.
SELLING
Your shares will be sold at the share price (net asset value less any
applicable sales charge) next calculated after the fund or its authorized
agent, such as a broker-dealer, receives your request in good order. If a
signature guarantee is required, you must submit your request in writing.
56
If the shares you are selling are subject to a deferred sales charge, it will
be deducted from the sale proceeds. The fund generally will send your sale
proceeds by check, bank wire or electronic funds transfer. Normally you will be
paid within seven days. If you recently sent a check to purchase the shares
being sold, the fund may delay payment of the sale proceeds until your check
has cleared. This may take up to 10 calendar days from the purchase date.
If you are selling shares from a non-retirement account or certain IRAs, you
may use any of the methods described below. If you are selling shares from a
retirement account other than an IRA, you must make your request in writing.
You generally will have to pay income taxes on a sale.
If you must use a written request to exchange or sell your shares and your
account is registered in the name of a corporation or other fiduciary you must
include the name of an authorized person and a certified copy of a current
corporate resolution, certificate of incumbency or similar legal document
showing that the named individual is authorized to act on behalf of the record
owner.
HOW TO SELL SHARES
THROUGH YOUR INVESTMENT FIRM
Normally, your investment firm will send your request to sell shares to the
fund's transfer agent. CONSULT YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL FOR MORE
INFORMATION. The fund has authorized the distributor to act as its agent in the
repurchase of fund shares from qualified investment firms. The fund reserves
the right to terminate this procedure at any time.
BY PHONE OR ONLINE
IF YOU HAVE AN ELIGIBLE NON-RETIREMENT ACCOUNT, YOU MAY SELL UP TO $100,000 PER
ACCOUNT PER DAY BY PHONE OR ONLINE. You may sell fund shares held in a
retirement plan account by phone only if your account is an eligible IRA (tax
penalties may apply). You may not sell your shares by phone or online if you
have changed your address (for checks) or your bank information (for wires and
transfers) in the last 30 days.
You may receive your sale proceeds:
o By check, provided the check is made payable exactly as your account is
registered
57
Buying, exchanging and selling shares
o By bank wire or by electronic funds transfer, provided the sale proceeds are
being sent to your bank address of record
For Class Y shares, shareholders may sell up to $5 million per account per day
if the proceeds are directed to your bank account of record ($100,000 per
account per day if the proceeds are not directed to your bank account of
record).
IN WRITING, BY MAIL OR BY FAX
You can sell some or all of your fund shares by WRITING DIRECTLY TO THE FUND
only if your account is registered in your name. Include in your request your
name, the fund's name, your fund account number, the class of shares to be
sold, the dollar amount or number of shares to be sold and any other applicable
requirements as described below. The fund's transfer agent will send the sale
proceeds to your address of record unless you provide other instructions. Your
request must be signed by all registered owners and be in good order.
The fund's transfer agent will not process your request until it is received in
good order.
You may sell up to $100,000 per account per day by fax.
Please note that there may be a delay in receipt by the fund's transfer agent
of redemption requests submitted by regular mail to a post office address.
HOW TO CONTACT US
BY PHONE
For information or to request a telephone transaction between 8:00 a.m. and
7:00 p.m. (Eastern time) by speaking with a shareholder services
representative call
1-800-225-6292
To request a transaction using FactFone/SM/ call
1-800-225-4321
BY MAIL
Send your written instructions to:
PIONEER FUNDS
P.O. Box 55014
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5014
58
PIONEER WEBSITE
us.pioneerinvestments.com
BY FAX
Fax your exchange and sale requests to:
1-800-225-4240
59
Account options
See the account application form for more details on each of the following
services or call the fund for details and availability.
TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PRIVILEGES
If your account is registered in your name, you can buy, exchange or sell fund
shares by telephone. If you do not want your account to have telephone
transaction privileges, you must indicate that choice on your account
application or by writing to the fund.
When you request a telephone transaction the fund's transfer agent will try to
confirm that the request is genuine. The transfer agent records the call,
requires the caller to provide validating information for the account and sends
you a written confirmation. The fund may implement other confirmation
procedures from time to time. Different procedures may apply if you have a
non-U.S. account or if your account is registered in the name of an
institution, broker-dealer or other third party. If the fund's confirmation
procedures are followed, neither the fund nor its agents will bear any
liability for these transactions.
ONLINE TRANSACTION PRIVILEGES
If your account is registered in your name, you may be able to buy, exchange or
sell fund shares online. Your investment firm may also be able to buy, exchange
or sell your fund shares online.
To establish online transaction privileges:
o For new accounts, complete the online section of the account application
o For existing accounts, complete an account options form, write to the
fund or complete the online authorization screen at
us.pioneerinvestments.com
To use online transactions, you must read and agree to the terms of an online
transaction agreement available on the Pioneer website. When you or your
investment firm requests an online transaction, the fund's transfer agent
electronically records the transaction, requires an authorizing password and
sends a written confirmation. The fund may implement other procedures from time
to time. Different procedures may apply if you have a non-U.S. account or if
your account is registered in the name of an institution, broker-dealer or
other third party. You may not be able to use the online transaction privilege
for certain types of accounts, including most retirement accounts.
60
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS
You can make regular periodic investments in the fund by setting up monthly
bank drafts, government allotments, payroll deductions, a Pioneer Investomatic
Plan and other similar automatic investment plans. Automatic investments may be
made only through U.S. banks. You may use an automatic investment plan to
establish a Class A share account with a small initial investment. If you have
a Class C share account and your balance is at least $1,000, you may establish
an automatic investment plan.
PIONEER INVESTOMATIC PLAN
If you establish a Pioneer Investomatic Plan, the transfer agent will make a
periodic investment in fund shares by means of a preauthorized electronic funds
transfer from your bank account. Your plan investments are voluntary. You may
discontinue your plan at any time or change the plan's dollar amount, frequency
or investment date by calling or writing to the transfer agent. You should
allow up to 30 days for the transfer agent to establish your plan.
AUTOMATIC EXCHANGES
You can automatically exchange your fund shares for shares of the same class of
another Pioneer mutual fund. The automatic exchange will begin on the day you
select when you complete the appropriate section of your account application or
an account options form. In order to establish automatic exchange:
o You must select exchanges on a monthly or quarterly basis
o Both the originating and receiving accounts must have identical registrations
o The originating account must have a minimum balance of $5,000
You may have to pay income taxes on an exchange.
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS
The fund offers three distribution options. Any fund shares you buy by
reinvesting distributions will be priced at the applicable net asset value per
share.
(1) Unless you indicate another option on your account application, any
dividends and capital gain distributions paid to you by the fund will
automatically be invested in additional fund shares.
(2) You may elect to have the amount of any dividends paid to you in cash and
any capital gain distributions reinvested in additional shares.
61
Account options
(3) You may elect to have the full amount of any dividends and/or capital
gain distributions paid to you in cash.
Options (2) and (3) are not available to retirement plan accounts or accounts
with a current value of less than $500.
If you are under 59 1/2, taxes and tax penalties may apply.
If your distribution check is returned to the transfer agent or you do not cash
the check for six months or more, the transfer agent may reinvest the amount of
the check in your account and automatically change the distribution option on
your account to option (1) until you request a different option in writing. If
the amount of a distribution check would be less than $25, the fund may
reinvest the amount in additional shares of the fund instead of sending a
check. Additional shares of the fund will be purchased at the then-current net
asset value.
DIRECTED DIVIDENDS
You can invest the dividends paid by one of your Pioneer mutual fund accounts
in a second Pioneer mutual fund account. The value of your second account must
be at least $1,000. You may direct the investment of any amount of dividends.
There are no fees or charges for directed dividends. If you have a retirement
plan account, you may only direct dividends to accounts with identical
registrations.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS
When you establish a systematic withdrawal plan for your account, the transfer
agent will sell the number of fund shares you specify on a periodic basis and
the proceeds will be paid to you or to any person you select. You must obtain a
signature guarantee to direct payments to another person after you have
established your systematic withdrawal plan. Payments can be made either by
check or by electronic transfer to a U.S. bank account you designate.
To establish a systematic withdrawal plan:
o Your account must have a total value of at least $10,000 when you establish
your plan
o You may not request a periodic withdrawal of more than 10% of the value of
any Class C share account (valued at the time the plan is implemented)
62
These requirements do not apply to scheduled (Internal Revenue Code Section
72(t) election) or mandatory (required minimum distribution) withdrawals from
IRAs and certain retirement plans.
Systematic sales of fund shares may be taxable transactions for you. While you
are making systematic withdrawals from your account, you may pay unnecessary
initial sales charges on additional purchases of Class A shares or contingent
deferred sales charges.
DIRECT DEPOSIT
If you elect to take dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions in
cash, or if you establish a systematic withdrawal plan, you may choose to have
those cash payments deposited directly into your savings, checking or NOW bank
account.
VOLUNTARY TAX WITHHOLDING
You may have the transfer agent withhold 28% of the dividends and capital gain
distributions paid from your fund account (before any reinvestment) and forward
the amount withheld to the Internal Revenue Service as a credit against your
federal income taxes. Voluntary tax withholding is not available for retirement
plan accounts or for accounts subject to backup withholding.
63
Shareholder services and policies
EXCESSIVE TRADING
Frequent trading into and out of the fund can disrupt portfolio management
strategies, harm fund performance by forcing the fund to hold excess cash or to
liquidate certain portfolio securities prematurely and increase expenses for
all investors, including long-term investors who do not generate these costs.
An investor may use short-term trading as a strategy, for example, if the
investor believes that the valuation of the fund's portfolio securities for
purposes of calculating its net asset value does not fully reflect the
then-current fair market value of those holdings. The fund discourages, and
does not take any intentional action to accommodate, excessive and short-term
trading practices, such as market timing. Although there is no generally
applied standard in the marketplace as to what level of trading activity is
excessive, we may consider trading in the fund's shares to be excessive for a
variety of reasons, such as if:
o You sell shares within a short period of time after the shares were
purchased;
o You make two or more purchases and redemptions within a short period of time;
o You enter into a series of transactions that indicate a timing pattern or
strategy; or
o We reasonably believe that you have engaged in such practices in connection
with other mutual funds.
The fund's Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures with respect
to frequent purchases and redemptions of fund shares by fund investors.
Pursuant to these policies and procedures, we monitor selected trades on a
daily basis in an effort to detect excessive short-term trading. If we
determine that an investor or a client of a broker or other intermediary has
engaged in excessive short-term trading that we believe may be harmful to the
fund, we will ask the investor, broker or other intermediary to cease such
activity and we will refuse to process purchase orders (including purchases by
exchange) of such investor, broker, other intermediary or accounts that we
believe are under their control. In determining whether to take such actions,
we seek to act in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the
fund's shareholders.
While we use our reasonable efforts to detect excessive trading activity, there
can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that market timers
will not employ tactics designed to evade detection. If we are not successful,
your return from an investment in the fund may be adversely affected.
Frequently, fund shares are held through omnibus accounts maintained by
financial intermediaries such as brokers and retirement plan administrators,
64
where the holdings of multiple shareholders, such as all the clients of a
particular broker or other intermediary, are aggregated. Our ability to monitor
trading practices by investors purchasing shares through omnibus accounts may
be limited and dependent upon the cooperation of the broker or other
intermediary in taking steps to limit this type of activity.
The fund may reject a purchase or exchange order before its acceptance or the
issuance of shares. The fund may also restrict additional purchases or
exchanges in an account. Each of these steps may be taken for any transaction,
for any reason, without prior notice, including transactions that the fund
believes are requested on behalf of market timers. The fund reserves the right
to reject any purchase or exchange request by any investor or financial
institution if the fund believes that any combination of trading activity in
the account or related accounts is potentially disruptive to the fund. A
prospective investor whose purchase or exchange order is rejected will not
achieve the investment results, whether gain or loss, that would have been
realized if the order had been accepted and an investment made in the fund. A
fund and its shareholders do not incur any gain or loss as a result of a
rejected order. The fund may impose further restrictions on trading activities
by market timers in the future.
To limit the negative effects of excessive trading on the fund, the fund has
adopted the following restriction on investor transactions. If an investor
redeems $5,000 or more (including redemptions that are a part of an exchange
transaction) from the fund, that investor shall be prevented (or "blocked")
from purchasing shares of the fund (including purchases that are a part of an
exchange transaction) for 30 calendar days after the redemption. This policy
does not apply to systematic purchase or withdrawal plan transactions,
transactions made through employer-sponsored retirement plans described under
Section 401(a), 403(b) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code or employee benefit
plans, scheduled (Internal Revenue Code Section 72(t) election) or mandatory
(required minimum distribution) withdrawals from IRAs, rebalancing transactions
made through certain asset allocation or "wrap" programs, transactions by
insurance company separate accounts or transactions by other funds that invest
in the fund. This policy does not apply to purchase or redemption transactions
of less than $5,000 or to Pioneer U.S. Government Money Market Fund or Pioneer
Multi-Asset Ultrashort Income Fund.
65
Shareholder services and policies
We rely on financial intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts to apply to
their customers either the fund's policy described above or their own policies
or restrictions designed to limit excessive trading of fund shares. However, we
do not impose this policy at the omnibus account level.
Purchases pursuant to the reinstatement privilege (for Class A shares) are
subject to this policy.
PURCHASES IN KIND
You may use securities you own to purchase shares of the fund provided that
Pioneer, in its sole discretion, determines that the securities are consistent
with the fund's objective and policies and their acquisition is in the best
interests of the fund. If the fund accepts your securities, they will be valued
for purposes of determining the number of fund shares to be issued to you in
the same way the fund will value the securities for purposes of determining its
net asset value. For federal income tax purposes, you may be taxed in the same
manner as if you sold the securities that you use to purchase fund shares for
cash in an amount equal to the value of the fund shares that you purchase. Your
broker may also impose a fee in connection with processing your purchase of
fund shares with securities.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE (CLASS A SHARES)
If you recently sold all or part of your Class A shares, you may be able to
reinvest all or part of your sale proceeds without a sales charge in Class A
shares of any Pioneer mutual fund. To qualify for reinstatement:
o You must send a written request to the fund no more than 90 days after
selling your shares and
o The registration of the account in which you reinvest your sale proceeds must
be identical to the registration of the account from which you sold your
shares.
Purchases pursuant to the reinstatement privilege are subject to limitations on
investor transactions, including the limitation on the purchase of the fund's
shares within 30 calendar days of redemption. See "Excessive trading."
When you elect reinstatement, you are subject to the provisions outlined in the
selected fund's prospectus, including the fund's minimum investment
requirement. Your sale proceeds will be reinvested in shares of the fund at the
Class A net asset value per share determined after the fund receives your
written request for reinstatement. You may realize a gain or loss for
66
federal income tax purposes as a result of your sale of fund shares, and
special tax rules may apply if you elect reinstatement. Consult your tax
adviser for more information.
PIONEER WEBSITE
US.PIONEERINVESTMENTS.COM
The website includes a full selection of information on mutual fund investing.
You can also use the website to get:
o Your current account information
o Prices, returns and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual funds
o Prospectuses, statements of additional information and shareowner reports for
all the Pioneer mutual funds
o A copy of Pioneer's privacy notice
If you or your investment firm authorized your account for the online
transaction privilege, you may buy, exchange and sell shares online.
FACTFONE/SM/ 1-800-225-4321
You can use FactFone/SM/ to:
o Obtain current information on your Pioneer mutual fund accounts
o Inquire about the prices and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual
funds
o Make computer-assisted telephone purchases, exchanges and redemptions for
your fund accounts
o Request account statements
If you plan to use FactFone/SM/ to make telephone purchases and redemptions,
first you must activate your personal identification number and establish your
bank account of record. If your account is registered in the name of a
broker-dealer or other third party, you may not be able to use FactFone/SM/.
If your account is registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other third
party, you may not be able to use FactFone/SM/ to obtain account information.
HOUSEHOLD DELIVERY OF FUND DOCUMENTS
With your consent, Pioneer may send a single proxy statement, prospectus and
shareowner report to your residence for you and any other member of your
household who has an account with the fund. If you wish to revoke your consent
to this practice, you may do so by notifying Pioneer, by phone
67
Shareholder services and policies
or in writing (see "How to contact us"). Pioneer will begin mailing separate
proxy statements, prospectuses and shareowner reports to you within 30 days
after receiving your notice.
CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS
The fund's transfer agent maintains an account for each investment firm or
individual shareowner and records all account transactions. You will be sent
confirmation statements showing the details of your transactions as they occur,
except automatic investment plan transactions, which are confirmed quarterly.
If you have more than one Pioneer mutual fund account registered in your name,
the Pioneer combined account statement will be mailed to you each quarter.
TAX INFORMATION
Early each year, the fund will mail you information about the tax status of the
dividends and distributions paid to you by the fund.
TAX INFORMATION FOR IRA ROLLOVERS
In January (or by the applicable Internal Revenue Service deadline) following
the year in which you take a reportable distribution, the fund's transfer agent
will mail you a tax form reflecting the total amount(s) of distribution(s)
received by the end of January.
PRIVACY
The fund has a policy designed to protect the privacy of your personal
information. A copy of Pioneer's privacy notice was given to you at the time
you opened your account. The fund will send you a copy of the privacy notice
each year. You may also obtain the privacy notice by calling the fund or
through Pioneer's website.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
You are required to obtain a signature guarantee when:
o Requesting certain types of exchanges or sales of fund shares
o Redeeming shares for which you hold a share certificate
o Requesting certain types of changes for your existing account
You can obtain a signature guarantee from most broker-dealers, banks, credit
unions (if authorized under state law) and federal savings and loan
associations. You cannot obtain a signature guarantee from a notary public.
68
The Pioneer funds generally accept only medallion signature guarantees. A
medallion signature guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust
company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association, or other
financial institution that is participating in a medallion program recognized
by the Securities Transfer Association. Signature guarantees from financial
institutions that are not participating in one of these programs are not
accepted as medallion signature guarantees. The fund may accept other forms of
guarantee from financial intermediaries in limited circumstances.
Fiduciaries and corporations are required to submit additional documents to
sell fund shares.
MINIMUM ACCOUNT SIZE
The fund requires that you maintain a minimum account value of $500. If you
hold less than $500 in your account, the fund reserves the right to notify you
that it intends to sell your shares and close your account. You will be given
60 days from the date of the notice to make additional investments to avoid
having your shares sold. This policy does not apply to certain qualified
retirement plan accounts.
TELEPHONE AND WEBSITE ACCESS
You may have difficulty contacting the fund by telephone or accessing
us.pioneerinvestments.com during times of market volatility or disruption in
telephone or Internet service. On New York Stock Exchange holidays or on days
when the exchange closes early, Pioneer will adjust the hours for the telephone
center and for online transaction processing accordingly. If you are unable to
access us.pioneerinvestments.com or reach the fund by telephone, you should
communicate with the fund in writing.
SHARE CERTIFICATES
The fund does not offer share certificates. Shares are electronically recorded.
Any existing certificated shares can only be sold by returning your certificate
to the transfer agent, along with a letter of instruction or a stock power (a
separate written authority transferring ownership) and a signature guarantee.
OTHER POLICIES
The fund and the distributor reserve the right to:
o reject any purchase or exchange order for any reason, without prior notice
69
Shareholder services and policies
o charge a fee for exchanges or to modify, limit or suspend the exchange
privilege at any time without notice. The fund will provide 60 days' notice
of material amendments to or termination of the exchange privilege
o revise, suspend, limit or terminate the account options or services available
to shareowners at any time, except as required by the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission
The fund reserves the right to:
o suspend transactions in shares when trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
closed or restricted, or when the Securities and Exchange Commission
determines an emergency or other circumstances exist that make it
impracticable for the fund to sell or value its portfolio securities, or
otherwise as permitted by the rules of or by the order of the Securities and
Exchange Commission
o redeem in kind by delivering to you portfolio securities owned by the fund
rather than cash. Securities you receive this way may increase or decrease
in value while you hold them and you may incur brokerage and transaction
charges and tax liability when you convert the securities to cash
o charge transfer, shareholder servicing or similar agent fees, such as an
account maintenance fee for small balance accounts, directly to accounts
upon at least 30 days' notice. The fund may do this by deducting the fee
from your distribution of dividends and/or by redeeming fund shares to the
extent necessary to cover the fee
o close your account after a period of inactivity, as determined by state law,
and transfer your shares to the appropriate state
70
Dividends, capital gains and taxes
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS
The fund declares dividends daily. The daily dividends consist of substantially
all of the fund's net income (excluding any net short- and long-term capital
gains). You begin to earn dividends on the first business day following receipt
of payment for shares. You continue to earn dividends up to and including the
date of sale. Dividends are normally paid on the last business day of each
month.
The fund generally pays any distribution of net short- and long-term capital
gains in November. The fund may also pay dividends and capital gain
distributions at other times if necessary for the fund to avoid U.S. federal
income or excise tax. If you invest in the fund shortly before a distribution
described in this paragraph, generally you will pay a higher price per share
and, unless you are exempt from tax, you will pay taxes on the amount of the
distribution whether you reinvest the distribution in additional shares or
receive it as cash.
TAXES
You will normally have to pay federal income taxes, and any state or local
taxes, on the dividends and other distributions you receive from the fund,
whether you take the distributions in cash or reinvest them in additional
shares. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions from the fund's net
capital gains (if any) are considered long-term capital gains and are generally
taxable to noncorporate shareholders at rates of up to 20%. Distributions from
the fund's net short-term capital gains are generally taxable as ordinary
income. Other dividends are generally taxable as ordinary income. Since the
fund's income is derived from sources that do not pay dividends, it is not
expected that any portion of the dividends paid by the fund will qualify either
for the dividends-received deduction for corporations or for any favorable U.S.
federal income tax rate available to non-corporate shareholders on "qualified
dividend income."
The fund will report to shareholders annually the U.S. federal income tax
status of all fund distributions.
If the fund declares a dividend in October, November or December, payable to
shareholders of record in such a month, and pays it in January of the following
year, you will be taxed on the dividend as if you received it in the year in
which it was declared.
71
Dividends, capital gains and taxes
Sales and exchanges generally will be taxable transactions to shareowners. When
you sell or exchange fund shares you will generally recognize a capital gain or
capital loss in an amount equal to the difference between the net amount of
sale proceeds (or, in the case of an exchange, the fair market value of the
shares) that you receive and your tax basis for the shares that you sell or
exchange.
A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax generally applies to all or a portion of the
net investment income of a shareholder who is an individual and not a
nonresident alien for federal income tax purposes and who has adjusted gross
income (subject to certain adjustments) that exceeds a threshold amount. This
3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment
income of certain shareholders that are estates and trusts. For these purposes,
dividends, interest and certain capital gains are generally taken into account
in computing a shareholder's net investment income.
You must provide your social security number or other taxpayer identification
number to the fund along with the certifications required by the Internal
Revenue Service when you open an account. If you do not or if it is otherwise
legally required to do so, the fund will apply "backup withholding" tax on your
dividends and other distributions, sale proceeds and any other payments to you
that are subject to backup withholding. The backup withholding rate is 28%.
Distributions derived from interest on U.S. government obligations (but
generally not distributions of gain from the sale of such obligations) may be
exempt from certain state and local taxes.
You should ask your tax adviser about any federal, state, local and foreign tax
considerations relating to an investment in the fund. You may also consult the
fund's statement of additional information for a more detailed discussion of
the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may affect the fund and its
shareowners.
72
Financial highlights
The financial highlights table helps you understand the fund's financial
performance for the past five years.
Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. The
total returns in the table represent the rate that you would have earned or
lost on an investment in Class A, Class C and Class Y shares of the fund
(assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The information below for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2015 and July 31,
2014 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, whose report is included in the fund's annual report along
with the fund's financial statements. The information below for each of the
periods ended on or prior to July 31, 2013 was audited by another independent
registered public accounting firm. The fund's annual report is incorporated by
reference in the statement of additional information and is available upon
request.
73
Financial highlights
PIONEER GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
CLASS A SHARES
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
7/31/15 7/31/14 7/31/13 7/31/12 7/31/11
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
Net asset value,
beginning of period $ 9.42 $ 9.67 $ 10.33 $ 10.07 $ 10.15
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Increase (decrease) from
investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.16 $ 0.26 $ 0.38 $ 0.27 $ 0.32
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments 0.01 (0.07) (0.69) 0.33 (0.03)
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) from
investment operations $ 0.17 $ 0.19 $ (0.31) $ 0.60 $ 0.29
Distribution to shareowners:
Net investment income $ (0.20) $ (0.44) $ (0.35) $ (0.34) $ (0.37)
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in net
asset value $ (0.03) $ (0.25) $ (0.66) $ 0.26 $ (0.08)
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, end of period $ 9.39 $ 9.42 $ 9.67 $ 10.33 $ 10.07
------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Total return* 1.83% 2.07% (3.04)% 6.03% 2.95%
Ratio of net expenses to average
net assets 1.33% 1.28% 1.22% 1.14% 1.17%
Ratio of net investment income
(loss) to average net assets 1.75% 2.70% 3.72% 2.57% 3.29%
Portfolio turnover rate 27% 16% 19% 67% 19%
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $89,273 $90,932 $109,054 $152,020 $131,758
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of all distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
74
PIONEER GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
CLASS C SHARES
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
7/31/15 7/31/14 7/31/13 7/31/12 7/31/11
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
Net asset value,
beginning of period $ 9.42 $ 9.68 $ 10.34 $ 10.08 $ 10.15
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Increase (decrease) from
investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.10 $ 0.20 $ 0.32 $ 0.22 $ 0.25
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments 0.00(a) (0.08) (0.69) 0.31 (0.02)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net increase (decrease) from
investment operations $ 0.10 $ 0.12 $ (0.37) $ 0.53 $ 0.23
Distribution to shareowners:
Net investment income $ (0.13) $ (0.38) $ (0.29) $ (0.27) $ (0.30)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in net
asset value $ (0.03) $ (0.26) $ (0.66) $ 0.26 $ (0.07)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net asset value, end of period $ 9.39 $ 9.42 $ 9.68 $ 10.34 $ 10.08
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total return* 1.09% 1.24% (3.68)% 5.29% 2.32%
Ratio of net expenses to average
net assets 2.02% 2.02% 1.90% 1.83% 1.87%
Ratio of net investment income
(loss) to average net assets 1.06% 1.98% 3.10% 1.73% 2.61%
Portfolio turnover rate 27% 16% 19% 67% 19%
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $12,043 $13,586 $19,225 $50,230 $26,113
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of all distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
(a) Amount rounds to less than $0.01 or $(0.01) per share.
75
Financial highlights
PIONEER GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
CLASS Y SHARES
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
7/31/15 7/31/14 7/31/13 7/31/12 7/31/11
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
Net asset value,
beginning of period $ 9.43 $ 9.68 $ 10.34 $ 10.07 $10.16
------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Increase (decrease) from
investment operations:
Net investment income (loss) $ 0.16 $ 0.33 $ 0.39 $ 0.33 $ 0.36
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments 0.04 (0.10) (0.65) 0.32 (0.03)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Net increase (decrease) from
investment operations $ 0.20 $ 0.23 $ (0.26) $ 0.65 $ 0.33
Distribution to shareowners:
Net investment income $ (0.23) $ (0.48) $ (0.40) $ (0.38) $(0.42)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Net increase (decrease) in net
asset value $ (0.03) $ (0.25) $ (0.66) $ 0.27 $(0.09)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Net asset value, end of period $ 9.40 $ 9.43 $ 9.68 $ 10.34 $10.07
------- ------- ------- ------- ------
Total return* 2.17% 2.48% (2.65)% 6.56% 3.32%
Ratio of net expenses to average
net assets 0.96% 0.92% 0.85% 0.74% 0.69%
Ratio of net investment income
(loss) to average net assets 2.11% 3.03% 3.80% 2.83% 3.85%
Portfolio turnover rate 27% 16% 19% 67% 19%
Net assets, end of period
(in thousands) $ 4,474 $10,219 $14,057 $13,092 $6,496
* Assumes initial investment at net asset value at the beginning of each
period, reinvestment of all distributions, the complete redemption of the
investment at net asset value at the end of each period and no sales
charges. Total return would be reduced if sales charges were taken into
account.
76
Pioneer
Government Income Fund
YOU CAN OBTAIN MORE FREE INFORMATION about the fund from your investment firm
or by writing to Pioneer Funds, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
You may also call 1-800-225-6292 for more information about the fund, to
request copies of the fund's statement of additional information and shareowner
reports, and to make other inquiries.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
us.pioneerinvestments.com
The fund makes available the statement of additional information and shareowner
reports, free of charge, on the fund's website at us.pioneerinvestments.com.
You also may find other information and updates about Pioneer and the fund,
including fund performance information and the fund's most recent net asset
value, on the fund's website.
SHAREOWNER REPORTS
Annual and semiannual reports to shareowners, and quarterly reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, provide additional information about
the fund's investments. The annual report discusses market conditions and
investment strategies that significantly affected the fund's performance during
its last fiscal year.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The statement of additional information provides more detailed information
about the fund.
The statement of additional information, dated December 1, 2015, as may be
amended from time to time, and filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
You can also review and copy the fund's shareowner reports, prospectus and
statement of additional information at the Securities and Exchange Commission's
Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call 1-202-551-8090 for information.
The Commission charges a fee for copies. You can get the same information free
from the Commission's EDGAR database on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov). You
may also e-mail requests for these documents to publicinfo@sec.gov or make a
request in writing to the Commission's Public Reference Section, Washington,
D.C. 20549-1520.
(Investment Company Act file no. 811-21781)
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
PIONEER FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
60 STATE STREET 20087-09-1215
BOSTON, MA 02109 (Copyright)2015 Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
US.PIONEERINVESTMENTS.COM Member SIPC
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
us.pioneerinvestments.com
This is not part of the prospectus.
20087-09-1215
(Copyright)2015 Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.
Underwriter of Pioneer mutual funds
Member SIPC
PIONEER GOVERNMENT INCOME FUND
(PIONEER SERIES TRUST IV)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
CLASS A SHARES (AMGEX)
CLASS C SHARES (GOVCX)
CLASS Y SHARES (ATGIX)
Statement of Additional Information
December 1, 2015
This statement of additional information is not a prospectus. It should be read
in conjunction with the fund's Class A, Class C and Class Y shares prospectus
dated December 1, 2015, as supplemented or revised from time to time. A copy of
the prospectus can be obtained free of charge by calling the fund at
1-800-225-6292 or by written request to the fund at 60 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109. You can also obtain a copy of the prospectus from our
website at: us.pioneerinvestments.com. The fund's financial statements for the
fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, including the independent registered public
accounting firm's report thereon, are incorporated into this statement of
additional information by reference.
CONTENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAGE
1. Fund history............................................... 1
2. Investment policies, risks and restrictions................ 1
3. Trustees and officers...................................... 30
4. Investment adviser......................................... 38
5. Principal underwriter and distribution plan................ 41
6. Shareholder servicing/transfer agent....................... 43
7. Custodian and sub-administrator............................ 43
8. Independent registered public accounting firm.............. 43
9. Portfolio management....................................... 43
10. Portfolio transactions..................................... 46
11. Description of shares...................................... 48
12. Sales charges.............................................. 51
13. Redeeming shares........................................... 56
14. Telephone and online transactions.......................... 57
15. Pricing of shares.......................................... 58
16. Tax status................................................. 59
17. Financial statements....................................... 65
18. Annual fee, expense and other information.................. 66
19. Appendix A - Description of short-term debt, corporate bond
and preferred stock ratings//.............................. 70
20. Appendix B - Proxy voting policies and procedures.......... 74
[GRAPHIC APPEARS HERE]
1. FUND HISTORY
The fund is a diversified open-end management investment company. The fund is a
series of Pioneer Series Trust IV (the "Trust"). The Trust was organized as a
Delaware statutory trust on June 28, 2005. The fund originally was established
as AmSouth Government Income Fund, a series of AmSouth Funds, a Massachusetts
business trust, on October 1, 1987. Pursuant to an agreement and plan of
reorganization, the fund was reorganized as a series of Pioneer Series Trust
IV, a Delaware statutory trust, on September 23, 2005.
2. INVESTMENT POLICIES, RISKS AND RESTRICTIONS
The prospectus presents the investment objective and the principal investment
strategies and risks of the fund. This section supplements the disclosure in
the fund's prospectus and provides additional information on the fund's
investment policies or restrictions. Restrictions or policies stated as a
maximum percentage of the fund's assets are only applied immediately after a
portfolio investment to which the policy or restriction is applicable (other
than the limitations on borrowing and illiquid securities). Accordingly, any
later increase or decrease in a percentage resulting from a change in values,
net assets or other circumstances will not be considered in determining whether
the investment complies with the fund's restrictions and policies.
DEBT SECURITIES AND RELATED INVESTMENTS
DEBT SECURITIES RATING INFORMATION
Investment grade debt securities are those rated "BBB" or higher by Standard &
Poor's Ratings Group ("Standard & Poor's") or the equivalent rating of other
nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. Debt securities rated
BBB are considered medium grade obligations with speculative characteristics,
and adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances may weaken the
issuer's ability to pay interest and repay principal.
Below investment grade debt securities are those rated "BB" and below by
Standard & Poor's or the equivalent rating of other nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations. See "Appendix A" for a description of rating
categories.
Below investment grade debt securities or comparable unrated securities are
commonly referred to as "junk bonds" and are considered predominantly
speculative and may be questionable as to principal and interest payments.
Changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity
to make principal payments and interest payments. The issuers of high yield
securities also may be more adversely affected than issuers of higher rated
securities by specific corporate or governmental developments or the issuers'
inability to meet specific projected business forecasts. The amount of high
yield securities outstanding has proliferated as an increasing number of
issuers have used high yield securities for corporate financing. The recent
economic downturn has severely affected the ability of many highly leveraged
issuers to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon
maturity. Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of lower quality
securities will have an adverse effect on the fund's net asset value to the
extent that it invests in such securities. In addition, the fund may incur
additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a
default in payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings or to
take other steps to protect its investment in an issuer.
The secondary market for high yield securities is not usually as liquid as the
secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an
adverse effect on the fund's ability to dispose of a particular security when
necessary to meet its liquidity needs. Under adverse market or economic
conditions, such as those recently prevailing, the secondary market for high
yield securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse
changes in the condition of a particular issuer. As a result, the fund
1
could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell
the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded.
Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under
these and other circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating
the fund's net asset value.
Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with
lower quality debt securities of the type in which the fund may invest, the
yields and prices of such securities may tend to fluctuate more than those for
higher rated securities. In the lower quality segments of the debt securities
market, changes in perceptions of issuers' creditworthiness tend to occur more
frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality
segments of the debt securities market, resulting in greater yield and price
volatility.
Lower rated and comparable unrated debt securities tend to offer higher yields
than higher rated securities with the same maturities because the historical
financial condition of the issuers of such securities may not have been as
strong as that of other issuers. However, lower rated securities generally
involve greater risks of loss of income and principal than higher rated
securities.
For purposes of the fund's credit quality policies, if a security receives
different ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations,
the fund will use the rating chosen by the portfolio manager as most
representative of the security's credit quality. The ratings of nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations represent their opinions as to the
quality of the securities that they undertake to rate and may not accurately
describe the risk of the security. If a rating organization changes the quality
rating assigned to one or more of the fund's portfolio securities, Pioneer will
consider if any action is appropriate in light of the fund's investment
objectives and policies.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
U.S. government securities in which the fund invests include debt obligations
of varying maturities issued by the U.S. Treasury or issued or guaranteed by an
agency, authority or instrumentality of the U.S. government, including the
Federal Housing Administration, Federal Financing Bank, Farm Service Agency,
Export-Import Bank of the U.S., Small Business Administration, Government
National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), General Services Administration,
National Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan
Banks ("FHLBs"), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), Federal
National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Maritime Administration, Tennessee
Valley Authority and various institutions that previously were or currently are
part of the Farm Credit System (which has been undergoing reorganization since
1987). Some U.S. government securities, such as U.S. Treasury bills, Treasury
notes and Treasury bonds, which differ only in their interest rates, maturities
and times of issuance, are supported by the full faith and credit of the United
States. Others are supported by: (i) the right of the issuer to borrow from the
U.S. Treasury, such as securities of the FHLBs; (ii) the discretionary
authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency's obligations, such as
securities of FNMA; or (iii) only the credit of the issuer. Such debt
securities are subject to the risk of default on the payment of interest and/or
principal, similar to debt of private issuers. The maximum potential liability
of some U.S. government securities may greatly exceed their current resources,
including any legal right to support from the U.S. government. Although the
U.S. government provided financial support to FNMA and FHLMC in the past, no
assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support
in the future to these or other U.S. government agencies, authorities or
instrumentalities that are not supported by the full faith and credit of the
United States. Securities guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S.
government, its agencies, authorities or instrumentalities include: (i)
securities for which the payment of principal and interest is backed by an
irrevocable letter of credit issued by the U.S. government or any of its
agencies, authorities or instrumentalities; and (ii) participations in loans
made to non-U.S. governments or other entities that are so guaranteed. The
secondary market for certain loan participations described above is limited
and, therefore, the participations may be regarded as illiquid.
2
U.S. government securities may include zero coupon securities that may be
purchased when yields are attractive and/or to enhance portfolio liquidity.
Zero coupon U.S. government securities are debt obligations that are issued or
purchased at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates
the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound over the
period until maturity or the particular interest payment date at a rate of
interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance.
Zero coupon U.S. government securities do not require the periodic payment of
interest. These investments may experience greater volatility in market value
than U.S. government securities that make regular payments of interest. The
fund accrues income on these investments for tax and accounting purposes, which
is distributable to shareholders and which, because no cash is received at the
time of accrual, may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to
satisfy the fund's distribution obligations, in which case the fund will forgo
the purchase of additional income producing assets with these funds. Zero
coupon U.S. government securities include STRIPS and CUBES, which are issued by
the U.S. Treasury as component parts of U.S. Treasury bonds and represent
scheduled interest and principal payments on the bonds.
MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS
The fund may purchase municipal obligations. The term "municipal obligations"
generally is understood to include debt obligations issued by municipalities to
obtain funds for various public purposes, the income from which is, in the
opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, excluded from gross income for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. In addition, if the proceeds from private activity
bonds are used for the construction, repair or improvement of privately
operated industrial or commercial facilities, the interest paid on such bonds
may be excluded from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
although current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of
these issues. The fund's distributions of any interest it earns on municipal
obligations will be taxable as ordinary income to shareholders that are
otherwise subject to tax.
The two principal classifications of municipal obligations are "general
obligation" and "revenue" bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the
issuer's pledge of its faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of
principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable from the revenues derived
from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the
proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source, but not from the
general taxing power. Sizable investments in these obligations could involve an
increased risk to the fund should any of the related facilities experience
financial difficulties. Private activity bonds are in most cases revenue bonds
and do not generally carry the pledge of the credit of the issuing
municipality. There are, of course, variations in the security of municipal
obligations, both within a particular classification and between
classifications.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
The fund may invest in mortgage pass-through certificates and multiple-class
pass-through securities, such as real estate mortgage investment conduits
("REMIC") pass-through certificates, collateralized mortgage obligations
("CMOs") and stripped mortgage-backed securities ("SMBS"), and other types of
mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") that may be available in the future. A
mortgage-backed security is an obligation of the issuer backed by a mortgage or
pool of mortgages or a direct interest in an underlying pool of mortgages. Some
mortgage-backed securities, such as CMOs, make payments of both principal and
interest at a variety of intervals; others make semiannual interest payments at
a predetermined rate and repay principal at maturity (like a typical bond).
Mortgage-backed securities are based on different types of mortgages including
those on commercial real estate or residential properties. Mortgage-backed
securities often have stated maturities of up to thirty years when they are
issued, depending upon the length of the mortgages underlying the securities.
In practice, however, unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest
on the underlying mortgages may make the securities' effective maturity shorter
than this, and the prevailing interest rates may be higher or lower than the
current yield of the portfolio at the time the fund receives the payments for
reinvestment. Mortgage-backed securities may have less potential for capital
appreciation than comparable fixed income securities, due to the likelihood of
increased prepayments of mortgages as interest rates
3
decline. If the fund buys mortgage-backed securities at a premium, mortgage
foreclosures and prepayments of principal by mortgagors (which may be made at
any time without penalty) may result in some loss of the fund's principal
investment to the extent of the premium paid.
The value of mortgage-backed securities may also change due to shifts in the
market's perception of issuers. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may
adversely affect the mortgage securities markets as a whole. Non-governmental
mortgage-backed securities may offer higher yields than those issued by
government entities, but also may be subject to greater price changes than
governmental issues.
Through its investments in mortgage-backed securities, including those that are
issued by private issuers, the fund may have exposure to subprime loans as well
as to the mortgage and credit markets generally. Private issuers include
commercial banks, savings associations, mortgage companies, investment banking
firms, finance companies and special purpose finance entities (called special
purpose vehicles or "SPVs") and other entities that acquire and package
mortgage loans for resale as MBS.
Unlike mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by the U. S. government
or one of its sponsored entities, mortgage-backed securities issued by private
issuers do not have a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee, but
may have credit enhancement provided by external entities such as banks or
financial institutions or achieved through the structuring of the transaction
itself. Examples of such credit support arising out of the structure of the
transaction include the issue of senior and subordinated securities (e.g., the
issuance of securities by an SPV in multiple classes or "tranches", with one or
more classes being senior to other subordinated classes as to the payment of
principal and interest, with the result that defaults on the underlying
mortgage loans are borne first by the holders of the subordinated class);
creation of "reserve funds" (in which case cash or investments, sometimes
funded from a portion of the payments on the underlying mortgage loans, are
held in reserve against future losses); and "overcollateralization" (in which
case the scheduled payments on, or the principal amount of, the underlying
mortgage loans exceeds that required to make payment of the securities and pay
any servicing or other fees). However, there can be no guarantee that credit
enhancements, if any, will be sufficient to prevent losses in the event of
defaults on the underlying mortgage loans.
In addition, mortgage-backed securities that are issued by private issuers are
not subject to the underwriting requirements for the underlying mortgages that
are applicable to those mortgage-backed securities that have a government or
government-sponsored entity guarantee. As a result, the mortgage loans
underlying private mortgage-backed securities may, and frequently do, have less
favorable collateral, credit risk or other underwriting characteristics than
government or government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities and have wider
variances in a number of terms including interest rate, term, size, purpose and
borrower characteristics. Privately issued pools more frequently include second
mortgages, high loan-to-value mortgages and manufactured housing loans. The
coupon rates and maturities of the underlying mortgage loans in a private
mortgage-backed securities pool may vary to a greater extent than those
included in a government guaranteed pool, and the pool may include subprime
mortgage loans. Subprime loans refer to loans made to borrowers with weakened
credit histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their
loans. For these reasons, the loans underlying these securities have had in
many cases higher default rates than those loans that meet government
underwriting requirements.
The risk of non-payment is greater for mortgage-backed securities that are
backed by mortgage pools that contain subprime loans, but a level of risk
exists for all loans. Market factors adversely affecting mortgage loan
repayments may include a general economic turndown, high unemployment, a
general slowdown in the real estate market, a drop in the market prices of real
estate, or an increase in interest rates resulting in higher mortgage payments
by holders of adjustable rate mortgages.
If the fund purchases subordinated mortgage-backed securities, the subordinated
mortgage-backed securities may serve as a credit support for the senior
securities purchased by other investors. In addition, the payments of principal
and interest on these subordinated securities generally will be made only after
4
payments are made to the holders of securities senior to the fund's securities.
Therefore, if there are defaults on the underlying mortgage loans, the fund
will be less likely to receive payments of principal and interest, and will be
more likely to suffer a loss.
Privately issued mortgage-backed securities are not traded on an exchange and
there may be a limited market for the securities, especially when there is a
perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Without an
active trading market, mortgage-backed securities held in the portfolio may be
particularly difficult to value because of the complexities involved in
assessing the value of the underlying mortgage loans.
In the case of private issue mortgage-related securities whose underlying
assets are neither U.S. government securities nor U.S. government-insured
mortgages, to the extent that real properties securing such assets may be
located in the same geographical region, the security may be subject to a
greater risk of default than other comparable securities in the event of
adverse economic, political or business developments that may affect such
region and, ultimately, the ability of residential homeowners to make payments
of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages.
GUARANTEED MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES. Guaranteed mortgage pass-through
securities represent participation interests in pools of residential mortgage
loans and are issued by U.S. governmental or private lenders and guaranteed by
the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, including but
not limited to GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC. GNMA certificates are guaranteed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. government for timely payment of principal
and interest on the certificates. FNMA certificates are guaranteed by FNMA, a
federally chartered and privately owned corporation, for full and timely
payment of principal and interest on the certificates. FHLMC certificates are
guaranteed by FHLMC, a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. government, for
timely payment of interest and the ultimate collection of all principal of the
related mortgage loans.
Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance
companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create
pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers
may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying
mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities.
Because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of
payments in pools created by such non-governmental issuers, they generally
offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools.
Timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by
insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard
insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by
governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers. There can be
no assurance that the private insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations
under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements.
Mortgage-related securities without insurance or guarantees may be purchased if
Pioneer determines that the securities meet the fund's quality standards.
Mortgage-related securities issued by certain private organizations may not be
readily marketable.
MULTIPLE-CLASS PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES AND COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS
("CMOS"). CMOs and REMIC pass-through or participation certificates may be
issued by, among others, U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities as well
as private issuers. REMICs are CMO vehicles that qualify for special tax
treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and
invest in mortgages principally secured by interests in real property and other
investments permitted by the Code. CMOs and REMIC certificates are issued in
multiple classes and the principal of and interest on the mortgage assets may
be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC certificates in various
ways. Each class of CMO or REMIC certificate, often referred to as a "tranche,"
is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must be fully
retired no later than its final distribution date. Generally, interest is paid
or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC certificates on a monthly basis.
5
Typically, CMOs are collateralized by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC certificates but also
may be collateralized by other mortgage assets such as whole loans or private
mortgage pass-through securities. Debt service on CMOs is provided from
payments of principal and interest on collateral of mortgaged assets and any
reinvestment income thereon.
STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES ("SMBS"). SMBS are multiple-class
mortgage-backed securities that are created when a U.S. government agency or a
financial institution separates the interest and principal components of a
mortgage-backed security and sells them as individual securities. The fund may
invest in SMBS that are usually structured with two classes that receive
different proportions of interest and principal distributions on a pool of
mortgage assets. A typical SMBS will have one class receiving some of the
interest and most of the principal, while the other class will receive most of
the interest and the remaining principal. The holder of the "principal-only"
security ("PO") receives the principal payments made by the underlying
mortgage-backed security, while the holder of the "interest-only" security
("IO") receives interest payments from the same underlying security. The prices
of stripped mortgage-backed securities may be particularly affected by changes
in interest rates. As interest rates fall, prepayment rates tend to increase,
which tends to reduce prices of IOs and increase prices of POs. Rising interest
rates can have the opposite effect. Pioneer may determine that certain stripped
mortgage-backed securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies or
instrumentalities are not readily marketable. If so, these securities, together
with privately-issued stripped mortgage-backed securities, will be considered
illiquid for purposes of the fund's limitation on investments in illiquid
securities. The yields and market risk of interest-only and principal-only
SMBS, respectively, may be more volatile than those of other fixed income
securities.
The fund also may invest in planned amortization class ("PAC") and target
amortization class ("TAC") CMO bonds which involve less exposure to prepayment,
extension and interest rate risks than other mortgage-backed securities,
provided that prepayment rates remain within expected prepayment ranges or
"collars." To the extent that the prepayment rates remain within these
prepayment ranges, the residual or support tranches of PAC and TAC CMOs assume
the extra prepayment, extension and interest rate risks associated with the
underlying mortgage assets.
OTHER RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. Investing in
mortgage-backed securities involves certain risks, including the failure of a
counterparty to meet its commitments, adverse interest rate changes and the
effects of prepayments on mortgage cash flows. In addition, investing in the
lowest tranche of CMOs and REMIC certificates involves risks similar to those
associated with investing in equity securities. However, due to adverse tax
consequences under current tax laws, the fund does not intend to acquire
"residual" interests in REMICs. Further, the yield characteristics of
mortgage-backed securities differ from those of traditional fixed income
securities. The major differences typically include more frequent interest and
principal payments (usually monthly), the adjustability of interest rates of
the underlying instrument, and the possibility that prepayments of principal
may be made substantially earlier than their final distribution dates.
Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in current interest rates and a
variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors and cannot be
predicted with certainty. Both adjustable rate mortgage loans and fixed rate
mortgage loans may be subject to a greater rate of principal prepayments in a
declining interest rate environment and to a lesser rate of principal
prepayments in an increasing interest rate environment. Under certain interest
rate and prepayment rate scenarios, the fund may fail to recoup fully its
investment in mortgage-backed securities notwithstanding any direct or indirect
governmental, agency or other guarantee. When the fund reinvests amounts
representing payments and unscheduled prepayments of principal, it may obtain a
rate of interest that is lower than the rate on existing adjustable rate
mortgage pass-through securities. Thus, mortgage-backed securities, and
adjustable rate mortgage pass-through securities in particular, may be less
effective than other types of U.S. government securities as a means of "locking
in" interest rates.
6
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
The fund may invest in asset-backed securities, which are securities that
represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, a stream of
payments generated by particular assets, most often a pool or pools of similar
assets (e.g., trade receivables). The credit quality of these securities
depends primarily upon the quality of the underlying assets and the level of
credit support and/or enhancement provided.
The underlying assets (e.g., loans) are subject to prepayments which shorten
the securities' weighted average maturity and may lower their return. If the
credit support or enhancement is exhausted, losses or delays in payment may
result if the required payments of principal and interest are not made. The
value of these securities also may change because of changes in the market's
perception of the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the
originator of the pool, or the financial institution or trust providing the
credit support or enhancement. There may be no perfected security interest in
the collateral that relates to the financial assets that support asset-backed
securities. Asset backed securities have many of the same characteristics and
risks as mortgage-backed securities.
The fund may purchase commercial paper, including asset-backed commercial paper
("ABCP") that is issued by structured investment vehicles or other conduits.
These conduits may be sponsored by mortgage companies, investment banking
firms, finance companies, hedge funds, private equity firms and special purpose
finance entities. ABCP typically refers to a debt security with an original
term to maturity of up to 270 days, the payment of which is supported by cash
flows from underlying assets, or one or more liquidity or credit support
providers, or both. Assets backing ABCP include credit card, car loan and other
consumer receivables and home or commercial mortgages, including subprime
mortgages. The repayment of ABCP issued by a conduit depends primarily on the
cash collections received from the conduit's underlying asset portfolio and the
conduit's ability to issue new ABCP. Therefore, there could be losses to a fund
investing in ABCP in the event of credit or market value deterioration in the
conduit's underlying portfolio, mismatches in the timing of the cash flows of
the underlying asset interests and the repayment obligations of maturing ABCP,
or the conduit's inability to issue new ABCP. To protect investors from these
risks, ABCP programs may be structured with various protections, such as credit
enhancement, liquidity support, and commercial paper stop-issuance and
wind-down triggers. However there can be no guarantee that these protections
will be sufficient to prevent losses to investors in ABCP.
Some ABCP programs provide for an extension of the maturity date of the ABCP
if, on the related maturity date, the conduit is unable to access sufficient
liquidity through the issue of additional ABCP. This may delay the sale of the
underlying collateral and a fund may incur a loss if the value of the
collateral deteriorates during the extension period. Alternatively, if
collateral for ABCP deteriorates in value, the collateral may be required to be
sold at inopportune times or at prices insufficient to repay the principal and
interest on the ABCP. ABCP programs may provide for the issuance of
subordinated notes as an additional form of credit enhancement. The
subordinated notes are typically of a lower credit quality and have a higher
risk of default. A fund purchasing these subordinated notes will therefore have
a higher likelihood of loss than investors in the senior notes.
Asset-backed securities include collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs"), such
as collateralized bond obligations ("CBOs"), collateralized loan obligations
("CLOs") and other similarly structured securities. A CBO is a trust backed by
a pool of fixed income securities. A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by
a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior
secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans,
including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated
loans. CDOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses. Certain
CDOs may use derivatives, such as credit default swaps, to create synthetic
exposure to assets rather than holding such assets directly.
The trust is typically split into two or more portions, called tranches,
varying in credit quality and yield. The riskiest portion is the "equity"
tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust
and helps protect the other, more senior tranches from default. Since it is
partially protected from defaults,
7
a senior tranche from a CBO trust or CLO trust typically has higher ratings and
lower yields than its underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade.
Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CBO or CLO tranches can
experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to
defaults due to collateral default and the disappearance of protecting
tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CBO or CLO
securities as a class.
The risks of an investment in a CDO depend largely on the type of the
collateral securities and the class of the CDO in which the fund invests.
Normally, CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are privately offered and sold, and thus
are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CDOs
may be characterized by the fund as illiquid securities. However, an active
dealer market may exist under some market conditions for some CDOs. In addition
to the normal risks associated with fixed income securities (e.g., interest
rate risk and default risk), CDOs carry additional risks including, but not
limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities
will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of
the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the fund may invest in
CDOs that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of
the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may
produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.
SUBORDINATED SECURITIES
The fund may also invest in other types of fixed income securities which are
subordinated or "junior" to more senior securities of the issuer, or which
represent interests in pools of such subordinated or junior securities. Such
securities may include so-called "high yield" or "junk" bonds (i.e., bonds that
are rated below investment grade by a rating agency or that are of equivalent
quality) and preferred stock. Under the terms of subordinated securities,
payments that would otherwise be made to their holders may be required to be
made to the holders of more senior securities, and/or the subordinated or
junior securities may have junior liens, if they have any rights at all, in any
collateral (meaning proceeds of the collateral are required to be paid first to
the holders of more senior securities). As a result, subordinated or junior
securities will be disproportionately adversely affected by a default or even a
perceived decline in creditworthiness of the issuer.
STRUCTURED SECURITIES
The fund may invest in structured securities. The value of the principal and/or
interest on such securities is determined by reference to changes in the value
of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial
indicators (the "Reference") or the relative change in two or more References.
The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption
may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the Reference. The
terms of the structured securities may provide in certain circumstances that no
principal is due at maturity and therefore may result in a loss of the fund's
investment. Changes in the interest rate or principal payable at maturity may
be a multiple of the changes in the value of the Reference. Structured
securities are a type of derivative instrument and the payment and credit
qualities from these securities derive from the assets embedded in the
structure from which they are issued. Structured securities may entail a
greater degree of risk than other types of fixed income securities.
FLOATING RATE LOANS
A floating rate loan is typically originated, negotiated and structured by a
U.S. or foreign commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or other
financial institution for a group of investors. The financial institution
typically acts as an agent for the investors, administering and enforcing the
loan on their behalf. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the
agent, holds any collateral on behalf of the investors.
The interest rates are adjusted based on a base rate plus a premium or spread
or minus a discount. The base rate usually is the London Interbank Offered Rate
("LIBOR"), the Federal Reserve federal funds rate, the prime rate or other base
lending rates used by commercial lenders. LIBOR usually is an average of the
interest rates quoted by several designated banks as the rates at which they
pay interest to major depositors in the London interbank market on U.S.
dollar-denominated deposits.
8
Floating rate loans include loans to corporations and institutionally traded
floating rate debt obligations issued by an asset-backed pool, and interests
therein. The fund may invest in loans in different ways. The fund may: (i) make
a direct investment in a loan by participating as one of the lenders; (ii)
purchase an assignment of a loan; or (iii) purchase a participation interest in
a loan.
DIRECT INVESTMENT IN LOANS. It can be advantageous to the fund to make a direct
investment in a loan as one of the lenders. When a new issue is purchased, such
an investment is typically made at par. This means that the fund receives a
return at the full interest rate for the loan. Secondary purchases of loans may
be made at par, at a premium from par or at a discount from par. When the fund
invests in an assignment of, or a participation interest in, a loan, the fund
may pay a fee or forgo a portion of the interest payment. Consequently, the
fund's return on such an investment may be lower than it would have been if the
fund had made a direct investment in the underlying corporate loan. The fund
may be able, however, to invest in corporate loans only through assignments or
participation interests at certain times when reduced direct investment
opportunities in corporate loans may exist. At other times, however, such as
recently, assignments or participation interests may trade at significant
discounts from par.
ASSIGNMENTS. An assignment represents a portion of a loan previously
attributable to a different lender. The purchaser of an assignment typically
succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the
assigning investor and becomes an investor under the loan agreement with the
same rights and obligations as the assigning investor. Assignments may,
however, be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees
and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the
purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those
held by the assigning investor.
PARTICIPATION INTERESTS. Participation interests are interests issued by a
lender or other financial institution, which represent a fractional interest in
a corporate loan. The fund may acquire participation interests from the
financial institution or from another investor. The fund typically will have a
contractual relationship only with the financial institution that issued the
participation interest. As a result, the fund may have the right to receive
payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from
the financial institution and only upon receipt by such entity of such payments
from the borrower. In connection with purchasing a participation interest, the
fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with
the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights with respect to any funds
acquired by other investors through set-off against the borrower and the fund
may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the loan in which it
has purchased the participation interest. As a result, the fund may assume the
credit risk of both the borrower and the financial institution issuing the
participation interest. In the event of the insolvency of the financial
institution issuing a participation interest, the fund may be treated as a
general creditor of such entity.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT FLOATING RATE LOANS. Loans typically have a senior
position in a borrower's capital structure. The capital structure of a borrower
may include loans, senior unsecured loans, senior and junior subordinated debt,
preferred stock and common stock, typically in descending order of seniority
with respect to claims on the borrower's assets. Although loans typically have
the most senior position in a borrower's capital structure, they remain subject
to the risk of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. Such non-payment
would result in a reduction of income to the fund, a reduction in the value of
the investment and a potential decrease in the net asset value of the fund.
There can be no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral securing a
loan would satisfy a borrower's obligation in the event of non-payment of
scheduled interest or principal payments, or that such collateral could be
readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of a borrower, the fund could
experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the
benefits of the collateral securing a loan. Although a loan may be senior to
equity and other debt securities in an issuer's capital structure, such
obligations may be structurally subordinated to obligations of the issuer's
subsidiaries. For example, if a holding company were to issue a loan, even if
that issuer pledges the capital stock of its subsidiaries to secure the
obligations under the loan, the assets of the operating companies are available
to the direct creditors of an operating company before they would be available
to the holders of the loan issued by the holding company.
9
In order to borrow money pursuant to a loan, a borrower will frequently, for
the term of the loan, pledge collateral, including but not limited to, (i)
working capital assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory; (ii)
tangible fixed assets, such as real property, buildings and equipment; (iii)
intangible assets, such as trademarks and patent rights (but excluding
goodwill); and (iv) security interests in shares of stock of subsidiaries or
affiliates. In the case of loans made to non-public companies, the company's
shareholders or owners may provide collateral in the form of secured guarantees
and/or security interests in assets that they own. In many instances, a loan
may be secured only by stock in the borrower or its subsidiaries. Collateral
may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no
assurance that the liquidation of such assets would satisfy fully a borrower's
obligations under a loan.
In the process of buying, selling and holding loans, the fund may receive
and/or pay certain fees. Any fees received are in addition to interest payments
received and may include facility fees, commitment fees, commissions and
prepayment penalty fees. When the fund buys a loan it may receive a facility
fee and when it sells a loan it may pay a facility fee. On an ongoing basis,
the fund may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the
underlying line of credit portion of a loan. In certain circumstances, the fund
may receive a prepayment penalty fee upon the prepayment of a loan by a
borrower. Other fees received by the fund may include covenant waiver fees and
covenant modification fees.
A borrower must comply with various restrictive covenants contained in a loan
agreement or note purchase agreement between the borrower and the holders of
the loan. Such covenants, in addition to requiring the scheduled payment of
interest and principal, may include restrictions on dividend payments and other
distributions to stockholders, provisions requiring the borrower to maintain
specific minimum financial ratios, and limits on total debt.
In a typical loan, the agent administers the terms of the loan agreement. In
such cases, the agent is normally responsible for the collection of principal
and interest payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments
to the credit of all institutions that are parties to the loan agreement. The
fund will generally rely upon the agent or an intermediate participant to
receive and forward to the fund its portion of the principal and interest
payments on the loan. Furthermore, unless the fund has direct recourse against
the borrower, the fund will rely on the agent and the other investors to use
appropriate credit remedies against the borrower.
For some loans, such as revolving credit facility loans ("revolvers"), an
investor may have certain obligations pursuant to the loan agreement that may
include the obligation to make additional loans in certain circumstances. The
fund generally will reserve against these contingent obligations by segregating
or otherwise designating a sufficient amount of permissible liquid assets.
Delayed draw term loans are similar to revolvers, except that once drawn upon
by the borrower during the commitment period, they remain permanently drawn and
become term loans. A prefunded L/C term loan is a facility created by the
borrower in conjunction with an agent, with the loan proceeds acting as
collateral for the borrower's obligations in respect of the letters of credit.
Each participant in a prefunded L/C term loan fully funds its commitment amount
to the agent for the facility.
The fund may acquire interests in loans that are designed to provide temporary
or "bridge" financing to a borrower pending the sale of identified assets or
the arrangement of longer-term loans or the issuance and sale of debt
obligations. Bridge loans often are unrated. The fund may also invest in loans
of borrowers that have obtained bridge loans from other parties. A borrower's
use of bridge loans involves a risk that the borrower may be unable to locate
permanent financing to replace the bridge loan, which may impair the borrower's
perceived creditworthiness.
From time to time, Pioneer and its affiliates may borrow money from various
banks in connection with their business activities. Such banks may also sell
interests in loans to or acquire them from the fund or may be intermediate
participants with respect to loans in which the fund owns interests. Such banks
may also act as agents for loans held by the fund.
10
INVERSE FLOATING RATE SECURITIES
The fund may invest in inverse floating rate obligations. The interest on an
inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of
interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floater may be
considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a
magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of
interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is
associated with greater volatility in their market values.
AUCTION RATE SECURITIES
The fund may invest in auction rate securities. Auction rate securities consist
of auction rate debt securities and auction rate preferred securities issued by
closed-end investment companies. Provided that the auction mechanism is
successful, auction rate securities usually permit the holder to sell the
securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend is
reset by "Dutch" auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other
institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield.
The dividend rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate
that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to
permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is the risk
that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. If an
auction fails, the dividend rate of the securities generally adjusts to a
maximum rate specified in the issuer's offering or charter documents. Security
holders that submit sell orders in a failed auction may not be able to sell any
or all of the shares for which they have submitted sell orders. Broker-dealers
may try to facilitate secondary trading in auction rate securities, although
such secondary trading may be limited and may only be available for
shareholders willing to sell at a discount. Since February 2008, nearly all
such auctions have failed, significantly affecting the liquidity of auction
rate securities. Holders of such securities have generally continued to receive
dividends at the above-mentioned maximum rate. There is no assurance that
auctions will resume or that any market will develop for auction rate
securities. Valuations of such securities are highly speculative. With respect
to auction rate securities issued by a closed-end fund, the fund will
indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees paid by the
closed-end fund in addition to the advisory fee payable directly by the fund.
ZERO COUPON, PAY-IN-KIND, DEFERRED AND CONTINGENT PAYMENT SECURITIES
The fund may invest in zero coupon securities, which are securities that are
sold at a discount to par value and on which interest payments are not made
during the life of the security. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to
receive the par value of the security. Pay-in-kind securities are securities
that have interest payable by delivery of additional securities. Upon maturity,
the holder is entitled to receive the aggregate par value of the securities. A
fund accrues income with respect to zero coupon and pay-in-kind securities
prior to the receipt of cash payments. Deferred payment securities are
securities that remain zero coupon securities until a predetermined date, at
which time the stated coupon rate becomes effective and interest becomes
payable at regular intervals. The interest rate on contingent payment
securities is determined by the outcome of an event, such as the performance of
a financial index. If the financial index does not increase by a prescribed
amount, the fund may receive no interest.
NON-U.S. ECONOMIC FACTORS. Some countries in Europe have experienced severe
economic and financial difficulties. Many non-governmental issuers, and even
certain governments, have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their
debts; many other issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or
refinancing existing obligations; financial institutions have in many cases
required government or central bank support, have needed to raise capital,
and/or have been impaired in their ability to extend credit; and financial
markets in Europe and elsewhere have experienced extreme volatility and
declines in asset values and liquidity. These difficulties may continue, worsen
or spread within and beyond Europe. Responses to the financial problems by
European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures
and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future
growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further
defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have
additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations
around the world. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro, the
common currency of the
11
European Union, and/or withdraw from the European Union. The impact of these
actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but
could be significant and far-reaching. Whether or not the fund invests in
securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to
European issuers or countries, these events could negatively affect the value
and liquidity of the fund's investments due to the interconnected nature of the
global economy and capital markets.
NATURAL DISASTERS
Certain areas of the world, including areas within the United States,
historically have been prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes,
earthquakes, typhoons, flooding, tidal waves, tsunamis, erupting volcanoes,
wildfires or droughts. Such disasters, and the resulting damage, could have a
significant adverse impact on the economies of those areas and on the ability
of issuers in which the fund invests to conduct their businesses, and thus on
the investments made by the fund in such geographic areas and/or issuers.
Adverse weather conditions could have a significant adverse impact on issuers
in the agricultural sector and on insurance companies that insure against the
impact of natural disasters.
CYBERSECURITY ISSUES
With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct
business, the fund is susceptible to operational, information security and
related risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks
or unintentional events. Cyber attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining
unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through "hacking" or malicious
software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive
information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber attacks
may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized
access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to
make network services unavailable to intended users). Cybersecurity failures or
breaches by the fund's adviser, transfer agent, distributor and other service
providers (including, but not limited to, the fund's custodian and financial
intermediaries), and the issuers of securities in which the fund invests, have
the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations potentially
resulting in financial losses, interference with the fund's ability to
calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of fund shareholders
to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws,
regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other
compensation costs, or additional compliance costs. In addition, substantial
costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future.
While the fund or its adviser has established business continuity plans in the
event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber attacks, there are
inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that
certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, the fund cannot control
the cyber security plans and systems put in place by service providers to the
fund and issuers in which the fund invests. The fund and its shareholders could
be negatively impacted as a result.
INVESTMENT COMPANY SECURITIES
OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES
The fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies to the
extent that such investments are consistent with the fund's investment
objective and policies and permissible under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and the rules thereunder. Investing in other
investment companies subjects the fund to the risks of investing in the
underlying securities held by those investment companies. The fund, as a holder
of the securities of other investment companies, will bear its pro rata portion
of the other investment companies' expenses, including advisory fees. These
expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the fund's own operations.
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
The fund may invest in exchange traded funds ("ETFs"). ETFs, such as SPDRs,
iShares and various country index funds, are funds whose shares are traded on a
national exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers' Automated
Quotation System ("NASDAQ"). ETFs may be based on underlying equity or fixed
income securities. SPDRs, for example, seek to provide investment results that
generally correspond
12
to the performance of the component common stocks of the Standard & Poor's 500
Stock Index (the "S&P 500"). ETFs do not sell individual shares directly to
investors and only issue their shares in large blocks known as "creation
units." The investor purchasing a creation unit then sells the individual
shares on a secondary market. Therefore, the liquidity of ETFs depends on the
adequacy of the secondary market. There can be no assurance that an ETF's
investment objective will be achieved. ETFs based on an index may not replicate
and maintain exactly the composition and relative weightings of securities in
the index. ETFs are subject to the risks of investing in the underlying
securities. The fund, as a holder of the securities of the ETF, will bear its
pro rata portion of the ETF's expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses
are in addition to the direct expenses of the fund's own operations. Many ETFs
have received exemptive orders issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission
that would permit the fund to invest in those ETFs beyond the limitations
applicable to other investment companies, subject to certain terms and
conditions. Some ETFs are not structured as investment companies and thus are
not regulated under the 1940 Act.
Certain ETFs, including leveraged ETFs and inverse ETFs, may have embedded
leverage. Leveraged ETFs seek to multiply the return of the tracked index
(e.g., twice the return) by using various forms of derivative transactions.
Inverse ETFs seek to negatively correlate with the performance of a particular
index by using various forms of derivative transactions, including by
short-selling the underlying index. An investment in an inverse ETF will
decrease in value when the value of the underlying index rises. By investing in
leveraged ETFs or inverse ETFs, the fund can commit fewer assets to the
investment in the securities represented on the index than would otherwise be
required.
Leveraged ETFs and inverse ETFs present all of the risks that regular ETFs
present. In addition, leveraged ETFs and inverse ETFs determine their return
over a specific, pre-set time period, typically daily, and, as a result, there
is no guarantee that the ETF's actual long term returns will be equal to the
daily return that the fund seeks to achieve. For example, on a long-term basis
(e.g., a period of 6 months or a year), the return of a leveraged ETF may in
fact be considerably less than two times the long-term return of the tracked
index. Furthermore, because leveraged ETFs and inverse ETFs achieve their
results by using derivative instruments, they are subject to the risks
associated with derivative transactions, including the risk that the value of
the derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, thereby
causing the ETF to lose money and, consequently, the value of the fund's
investment to decrease. Investing in derivative instruments also involves the
risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their
obligations, which could cause losses to the ETF. Short sales in particular are
subject to the risk that, if the price of the security sold short increases,
the inverse ETF may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the
short sale price, resulting in a loss to the inverse ETF and, indirectly, to
the fund. An ETF's use of these techniques will make the fund's investment in
the ETF more volatile than if the fund were to invest directly in the
securities underlying the tracked index, or in an ETF that does not use
leverage or derivative instruments. However, by investing in a leveraged ETF or
an inverse ETF rather than directly purchasing and/or selling derivative
instruments, the fund will limit its potential loss solely to the amount
actually invested in the ETF (that is, the fund will not lose more than the
principal amount invested in the ETF).
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
DERIVATIVES
The fund may, but is not required to, use futures and options on securities,
indices and currencies, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and other
derivatives. A derivative is a security or instrument whose value is determined
by reference to the value or the change in value of one or more securities,
currencies, indices or other financial instruments. The fund may use
derivatives for a variety of purposes, including: in an attempt to hedge
against adverse changes in the market prices of securities, interest rates or
currency exchange rates; as a substitute for purchasing or selling securities;
to attempt to increase the fund's return as a non-hedging strategy that may be
considered speculative; to manage portfolio characteristics (for example, for
funds investing in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies, a portfolio's
currency exposure,
13
or, for funds investing in fixed income securities, a portfolio's duration or
credit quality); and as a cash flow management technique. The fund may choose
not to make use of derivatives for a variety of reasons, and any use may be
limited by applicable law and regulations.
Using derivatives exposes the fund to additional risks and may increase the
volatility of the fund's net asset value and may not provide the expected
result. Derivatives may have a leveraging effect on the portfolio. Leverage
generally magnifies the effect of a change in the value of an asset and creates
a risk of loss of value in a larger pool of assets than the fund would
otherwise have had. Therefore, using derivatives can disproportionately
increase losses and reduce opportunities for gain. If changes in a derivative's
value do not correspond to changes in the value of the fund's other investments
or do not correlate well with the underlying assets, rate or index, the fund
may not fully benefit from, or could lose money on, or could experience
unusually high expenses as a result of, the derivative position. Derivatives
involve the risk of loss if the counterparty defaults on its obligation.
Certain derivatives may be less liquid, which may reduce the returns of the
fund if it cannot sell or terminate the derivative at an advantageous time or
price. The fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy
its obligations. The fund may not be able to purchase or sell a portfolio
security at a time that would otherwise be favorable for it to do so, or may
have to sell a portfolio security at a disadvantageous time or price to
maintain cover or to segregate securities in connection with its use of
derivatives. Some derivatives may involve the risk of improper valuation.
Suitable derivatives may not be available in all circumstances or at reasonable
prices and may not be used by the fund for a variety of reasons.
Financial reform laws enacted after the financial crisis of 2008-2009, such as
the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank"),
are changing many aspects of financial regulation applicable to derivatives.
For instance, Dodd-Frank calls for the comprehensive regulation of swaps by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") and the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The CFTC and the SEC are in the process of
adopting and implementing new regulations applicable to these instruments,
including rules with respect to recordkeeping, reporting, business conduct,
relationship documentation, margin, collateral, clearing, and trade execution
requirements. In addition, Dodd-Frank requires the registration of certain
parties that deal or engage in substantial trading, execution or advisory
activities in the markets for swaps. The extent and impact of these regulations
are not yet fully known and may not be known for some time.
The fund's use of derivatives may be affected by other applicable laws and
regulations and may be subject to review by the SEC, the CFTC, exchange and
market authorities and other regulators in the United States and abroad. The
fund's ability to use derivatives may be limited by tax considerations.
Certain derivatives transactions, including certain options, swaps, forward
contracts, and certain options on foreign currencies, are entered into directly
by the counterparties or through financial institutions acting as market makers
(OTC derivatives), rather than being traded on exchanges or in markets
registered with the CFTC or the SEC. Many of the protections afforded to
exchange participants will not be available to participants in OTC derivatives
transactions. For example, OTC derivatives transactions are not subject to the
guarantee of an exchange, and only OTC derivatives that are either required to
be cleared or submitted voluntarily for clearing to a clearinghouse will enjoy
all of the protections that central clearing provides against default by the
original counterparty to the trade. In an OTC derivatives transaction that is
not cleared, the fund bears the risk of default by its counterparty. In a
cleared derivatives transaction, the fund is instead exposed to the risk of
default of the clearinghouse and, to the extent the fund has posted any margin,
the risk of default of the broker through which it has entered into the
transaction. Information available on counterparty creditworthiness may be
incomplete or outdated, thus reducing the ability to anticipate counterparty
defaults.
14
Derivatives involve operational risk. There may be incomplete or erroneous
documentation or inadequate collateral or margin, or transactions may fail to
settle. For derivatives not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse, the
fund may have only contractual remedies in the event of a counterparty default,
and there may be delays, costs, or disagreements as to the meaning of
contractual terms and litigation in enforcing those remedies.
Swap contracts that are required to be cleared must be traded on a regulated
execution facility or contract market that makes them available for trading.
The establishment of a centralized exchange or market for swap transactions may
disrupt or limit the swap market and may not result in swaps being easier to
trade or value. Market-traded swaps may become more standardized, and the fund
may not be able to enter into swaps that meet its investment needs. The fund
also may not be able to find a clearinghouse willing to accept the swaps for
clearing. The new regulations may make using swaps more costly, may limit their
availability, or may otherwise adversely affect their value or performance.
Risks associated with the use of derivatives are magnified to the extent that a
large portion of the fund's assets are committed to derivatives in general or
are invested in just one or a few types of derivatives.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES AND SECURITIES INDICES
The fund may purchase and write put and call options on any security in which
it may invest or options on any securities index based on securities in which
it may invest. The fund may also be able to enter into closing sale
transactions in order to realize gains or minimize losses on options it has
purchased.
WRITING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. A call option written by the fund
obligates the fund to sell specified securities to the holder of the option at
a specified price if the option is exercised at any time before the expiration
date. The exercise price may differ from the market price of an underlying
security. The fund has the risk of loss that the price of an underlying
security may decline during the call period. The risk may be offset to some
extent by the premium the fund receives. If the value of the investment does
not rise above the call price, it's likely that the call will lapse without
being exercised. In that case, the fund would keep the cash premium and the
investment. All call options written by the fund are covered, which means that
the fund will own the securities subject to the options as long as the options
are outstanding, or the fund will use the other methods described below. The
fund's purpose in writing covered call options is to realize greater income
than would be realized on portfolio securities transactions alone. However, the
fund may forgo the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price
of the underlying security.
A put option written by the fund would obligate the fund to purchase specified
securities from the option holder at a specified price if the option is
exercised at any time before the expiration date. The fund has no control over
when it may be required to purchase the underlying securities. All put options
written by the fund would be covered, which means that the fund would have
segregated assets with a value at least equal to the exercise price of the put
option. The purpose of writing such options is to generate additional income
for the fund. However, in return for the option premium, the fund accepts the
risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying security at a price in
excess of its market value at the time of purchase.
Call and put options written by the fund will also be considered to be covered
to the extent that the fund's liabilities under such options are wholly or
partially offset by its rights under call and put options purchased by the
fund. In addition, a written call option or put may be covered by entering into
an offsetting forward contract and/or by purchasing an offsetting option or any
other option which, by virtue of its exercise price or otherwise, reduces the
fund's net exposure on its written option position.
WRITING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. The fund may also write
(sell) covered call and put options on any securities index composed of
securities in which it may invest. Options on securities indices are similar to
options on securities, except that the exercise of securities index options
requires cash payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of
securities. In addition, securities index options are designed to reflect price
fluctuations in a group of securities or segments of the securities market
rather than price fluctuations in a single security.
15
The fund may cover call options on a securities index by owning securities
whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying
index, or by having an absolute and immediate right to acquire such securities
without additional cash consideration (or for additional consideration if cash
in such amount is segregated) upon conversion or exchange of other securities
in its portfolio. The fund may cover call and put options on a securities index
by segregating assets with a value equal to the exercise price.
Index options are subject to the timing risk inherent in writing index options.
When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is
entitled to receive is determined by the difference between the exercise price
and the closing index level on the date when the option is exercised. If a fund
has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value
for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying
index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the exercised option to
fall "out-of-the-money", the fund will be required to pay cash in an amount of
the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the
option.
PURCHASING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS. The fund would normally purchase call options
in anticipation of an increase in the market value of securities of the type in
which it may invest. The purchase of a call option would entitle the fund, in
return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified
price during the option period. The fund would ordinarily realize a gain if,
during the option period, the value of such securities exceeded the sum of the
exercise price, the premium paid and transaction costs; otherwise the fund
would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of the call option.
The fund would normally purchase put options in anticipation of a decline in
the market value of securities in its portfolio ("protective puts") or in
securities in which it may invest. The purchase of a put option would entitle
the fund, in exchange for the premium paid, to sell specified securities at a
specified price during the option period. The purchase of protective puts is
designed to offset or hedge against a decline in the market value of the fund's
securities. Put options may also be purchased by the fund for the purpose of
affirmatively benefiting from a decline in the price of securities which it
does not own. The fund would ordinarily realize a gain if, during the option
period, the value of the underlying securities decreased below the exercise
price sufficiently to more than cover the premium and transaction costs;
otherwise the fund would realize either no gain or a loss on the purchase of
the put option. Gains and losses on the purchase of protective put options
would tend to be offset by countervailing changes in the value of the
underlying portfolio securities.
The fund may terminate its obligations under an exchange-traded call or put
option by purchasing an option identical to the one it has written. Obligations
under over-the-counter options may be terminated only by entering into an
offsetting transaction with the counterparty to such option. Such purchases are
referred to as "closing purchase transactions."
OPTIONS SPREADS AND STRADDLES. Option spread and straddle transactions require
a fund to purchase and/or write more than one option simultaneously. A fund may
engage in option spread transactions in which it purchases and writes put or
call options on the same underlying instrument, with the options having
different exercise prices and/or expiration dates.
A fund also may engage in option straddles, in which it purchases or sells
combinations of put and call options on the same instrument. A long straddle is
a combination of a call and a put option purchased on the same security where
the exercise price of the put is less than or equal to the exercise price of
the call. A short straddle is a combination of a call and a put written on the
same security where the exercise price of the put is less than or equal to the
exercise price of the call and where the same issue of security or currency is
considered cover for both the put and the call.
RISKS OF TRADING OPTIONS. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market
on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option, or
at any particular time. If the fund is unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction with respect to covered options it has written, the fund will not
be able to sell the underlying securities or dispose of its segregated assets
until the options expire or are exercised.
16
Similarly, if the fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with
respect to options it has purchased, it will have to exercise the options in
order to realize any profit and will incur transaction costs upon the purchase
or sale of underlying securities.
Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the
following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options;
(ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening or closing
transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions
may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv)
unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an
exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation
(the "OCC") may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume;
or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or
be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a
particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on
that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist,
although it is expected that outstanding options on that exchange, if any, that
had been issued by the OCC as a result of trades on that exchange would
continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
The fund may purchase and sell both options that are traded on U.S. and
non-U.S. exchanges and options traded over-the-counter with broker-dealers who
make markets in these options. The ability to terminate over-the-counter
options is more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the
risk that broker-dealers participating in such transactions will not fulfill
their obligations. Until such time as the staff of the SEC changes its
position, the fund will treat purchased over-the-counter options and all assets
used to cover written over-the-counter options as illiquid securities, except
that with respect to options written with primary dealers in U.S. government
securities pursuant to an agreement requiring a closing purchase transaction at
a formula price, the amount of illiquid securities may be calculated with
reference to the formula.
Transactions by the fund in options on securities and indices will be subject
to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other
trading facilities governing the maximum number of options in each class which
may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting
in concert. Thus, the number of options which the fund may write or purchase
may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory
clients of Pioneer. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may
order the liquidations of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and
it may impose certain other sanctions.
The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which
involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The successful use of protective
puts for hedging purposes depends in part on the ability of Pioneer to predict
future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and
securities markets.
The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the
underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close
before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price movements
can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the
options markets.
In addition to the risks of imperfect correlation between the portfolio and the
index underlying the option, the purchase of securities index options involves
the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the fund in purchasing
an option will be lost. This could occur as a result of unanticipated movements
in the price of the securities comprising the securities index on which the
option is based.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
The fund may purchase and sell various kinds of futures contracts and purchase
and write (sell) call and put options on such future contracts. The fund may
enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to any futures
contracts and options on futures contracts. The futures contracts may be based
on various securities (such as U.S. government securities), securities indices,
foreign currencies and other financial instruments and indices. The fund may
invest in futures contracts based on the Chicago Board of
17
Exchange Volatility Index ("VIX Futures"). The VIX is an index of market
sentiment derived from S&P 500 Index option prices, and is designed to reflect
investors' consensus view of expected stock market volatility over future
periods. An interest rate futures contract provides for the future sale by one
party and the purchase by the other party of a specified amount of a particular
financial instrument (debt security) at a specified price, date, time and
place. The fund will engage in futures and related options transactions for
bona fide hedging and non-hedging purposes as described below. All futures
contracts entered into by the fund are traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of
trade that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (the "CFTC") or on non-U.S. exchanges.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. A futures contract may generally be described as an
agreement between two parties to buy and sell particular financial instruments
for an agreed price during a designated month (or to deliver the final cash
settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise
not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contract).
When interest rates are rising or securities prices are falling, the fund can
seek to offset a decline in the value of its current portfolio securities
through the sale of futures contracts. When interest rates are falling or
securities prices are rising, the fund, through the purchase of futures
contracts, can attempt to secure better rates or prices than might later be
available in the market when it effects anticipated purchases.
Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity but
are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a
profit or a loss. While futures contracts on securities will usually be
liquidated in this manner, the fund may instead make, or take, delivery of the
underlying securities whenever it appears economically advantageous to do so. A
clearing corporation associated with the exchange on which futures on
securities are traded guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will
be performed on the settlement date.
HEDGING STRATEGIES. Hedging, by use of futures contracts, seeks to establish
with more certainty the effective price and rate of return on portfolio
securities and securities that the fund owns or proposes to acquire. The fund
may, for example, take a "short" position in the futures market by selling
futures contracts in order to hedge against an anticipated rise in interest
rates or a decline in market prices that would adversely affect the value of
the fund's portfolio securities. Such futures contracts may include contracts
for the future delivery of securities held by the fund or securities with
characteristics similar to those of the fund's portfolio securities. If, in the
opinion of Pioneer, there is a sufficient degree of correlation between price
trends for the fund's portfolio securities and futures contracts based on other
financial instruments, securities indices or other indices, the fund may also
enter into such futures contracts as part of its hedging strategies. Although
under some circumstances prices of securities in the fund's portfolio may be
more or less volatile than prices of such futures contracts, Pioneer will
attempt to estimate the extent of this volatility difference based on
historical patterns and compensate for any such differential by having the fund
enter into a greater or lesser number of futures contracts or by attempting to
achieve only a partial hedge against price changes affecting the fund's
portfolio securities. When hedging of this character is successful, any
depreciation in the value of portfolio securities will be substantially offset
by appreciation in the value of the futures position. On the other hand, any
unanticipated appreciation in the value of the fund's portfolio securities
would be substantially offset by a decline in the value of the futures
position.
On other occasions, the fund may take a "long" position by purchasing futures
contracts. This may be done, for example, when the fund anticipates the
subsequent purchase of particular securities when it has the necessary cash,
but expects the prices then available in the applicable market to be less
favorable than prices or rates that are currently available.
OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS. The acquisition of put and call options on
futures contracts will give the fund the right (but not the obligation) for a
specified price to sell or to purchase, respectively, the underlying futures
contract at any time during the option period. As the purchaser of an option on
a futures contract, the fund obtains the benefit of the futures position if
prices move in a favorable direction, but limits its risk of loss in the event
of an unfavorable price movement to the loss of the premium and transaction
costs.
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The writing of a call option on a futures contract generates a premium which
may partially offset a decline in the value of the fund's assets. By writing a
call option, the fund becomes obligated, in exchange for the premium, to sell a
futures contract (if the option is exercised), which may have a value higher
than the exercise price. Conversely, the writing of a put option on a futures
contract generates a premium which may partially offset an increase in the
price of securities that the fund intends to purchase. However, the fund
becomes obligated to purchase a futures contract (if the option is exercised)
which may have a value lower than the exercise price. Thus, the loss incurred
by the fund in writing options on futures is potentially unlimited and may
exceed the amount of the premium received. The fund will incur transaction
costs in connection with the writing of options on futures.
The holder or writer of an option on a futures contract may terminate its
position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option on the same series.
There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. The
fund's ability to establish and close out positions on such options will be
subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING FUTURES CONTRACTS. The fund will engage in
futures and related options transactions only in accordance with CFTC
regulations which permit principals of an investment company registered under
the 1940 Act to engage in such transactions without registering as commodity
pool operators.
The fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options
only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of
the Code for maintaining its qualification as a regulated investment company
for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Futures contracts and related options involve brokerage costs, require margin
deposits and, in the case of contracts and options obligating the fund to
purchase securities, require the fund to segregate assets to cover such
contracts and options.
While transactions in futures contracts and options on futures may reduce
certain risks, such transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus,
while the fund may benefit from the use of futures and options on futures,
unanticipated changes in interest rates or securities prices may result in a
poorer overall performance for the fund than if it had not entered into any
futures contracts or options transactions. When futures contracts and options
are used for hedging purposes, perfect correlation between the fund's futures
positions and portfolio positions may be impossible to achieve, particularly
where futures contracts based on individual securities are currently not
available. In the event of an imperfect correlation between a futures position
and a portfolio position which is intended to be protected, the desired
protection may not be obtained and the fund may be exposed to risk of loss.
FINANCIAL FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS
Pioneer has claimed an exclusion from registration as a "commodity pool
operator" with respect to the fund under the Commodity Exchange Act (the
"CEA"), and, therefore, Pioneer will not, with respect to its management of the
fund, be subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator.
Under this exemption, the fund will remain limited in its ability to trade
instruments subject to the jurisdiction of the CFTC, including commodity
futures (which include futures on broad-based securities indexes and interest
rate futures), options on commodity futures and swaps. This limitation also
applies with respect to any indirect exposure that the fund may have to these
instruments through investments in other funds. Pioneer may have to rely on
representations from the underlying fund's manager about the amount (or maximum
permitted amount) of investment exposure that the underlying fund has to
instruments such as commodity futures, options on commodity futures and swaps.
Under this exemption, the fund must satisfy one of the following two trading
limitations at all times: (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums
required to establish the fund's positions in commodity futures, options on
commodity futures, swaps and other CFTC-regulated instruments may not exceed 5%
of the liquidation value of the fund's portfolio (after accounting for
unrealized profits and unrealized losses on
19
any such investments); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of such
instruments, determined at the time the most recent position was established,
may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the fund's portfolio (after
accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions).
The fund would not be required to consider its exposure to such instruments if
they were held for "bona fide hedging" purposes, as such term is defined in the
rules of the CFTC. In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading
limitations, the fund may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as
a vehicle for trading in the markets for CFTC-regulated instruments.
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
For temporary defensive or cash management purposes, the fund may invest in all
types of short-term investments including, but not limited to, (a) commercial
paper and other short-term commercial obligations; (b) obligations (including
certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances) of banks; (c) obligations
issued or guaranteed by a governmental issuer, including governmental agencies
or instrumentalities; (d) fixed income securities of non-governmental issuers;
and (e) other cash equivalents or cash. Subject to the fund's restrictions
regarding investment in non-U.S. securities, these securities may be
denominated in any currency. Although these investments generally are rated
investment grade or are determined by Pioneer to be of equivalent credit
quality, the fund may also invest in these instruments if they are rated below
investment grade in accordance with its investment objective, policies and
restrictions.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
The fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid and other
securities that are not readily marketable. If due to subsequent fluctuations
in value or any other reasons, the value of the fund's illiquid securities
exceeds this percentage limitation, the fund will consider what actions, if
any, are necessary to maintain adequate liquidity. Repurchase agreements
maturing in more than seven days will be included for purposes of the foregoing
limit. Securities subject to restrictions on resale under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), are considered illiquid unless they are
eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or another exemption from the
registration requirements of the 1933 Act and are determined to be liquid by
Pioneer. Pioneer determines the liquidity of Rule 144A and other restricted
securities according to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. Under the
direction of the Board of Trustees, Pioneer monitors the application of these
guidelines and procedures. The inability of the fund to dispose of illiquid
investments readily or at reasonable prices could impair the fund's ability to
raise cash for redemptions or other purposes. If the fund sold restricted
securities other than pursuant to an exception from registration under the 1933
Act such as Rule 144A, it may be deemed to be acting as an underwriter and
subject to liability under the 1933 Act.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, member banks
of the Federal Reserve System and other financial institutions. Repurchase
agreements are arrangements under which the fund purchases securities and the
seller agrees to repurchase the securities within a specific time and at a
specific price. The repurchase price is generally higher than the fund's
purchase price, with the difference being income to the fund. A repurchase
agreement may be considered a loan by the fund collateralized by securities.
Under the direction of the Board of Trustees, Pioneer reviews and monitors the
creditworthiness of any institution which enters into a repurchase agreement
with the fund. The counterparty's obligations under the repurchase agreement
are collateralized with U.S. Treasury and/or agency obligations with a market
value of not less than 100% of the obligations, valued daily. Collateral is
held by the fund's custodian in a segregated, safekeeping account for the
benefit of the fund. Repurchase agreements afford the fund an opportunity to
earn income on temporarily available cash. In the event of commencement of
bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings with respect to the seller of the security
before repurchase of the security under a repurchase agreement, the fund may
encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the security. Such a
delay may involve loss of interest or a decline in price of the security. If
the court characterizes the
20
transaction as a loan and the fund has not perfected a security interest in the
security, the fund may be required to return the security to the seller's
estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor of the seller. As an unsecured
creditor, the fund would be at risk of losing some or all of the principal and
interest involved in the transaction. There is no specific limit on the fund's
ability to enter into repurchase agreements. The SEC frequently treats
repurchase agreements as loans for purposes of the 1940 Act.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities to a bank or other
institution with an agreement that the fund will buy back the securities at a
fixed future date at a fixed price plus an agreed amount of "interest" which
may be reflected in the repurchase price. Reverse repurchase agreements involve
the risk that the market value of securities purchased by the fund with
proceeds of the transaction may decline below the repurchase price of the
securities sold by the fund that it is obligated to repurchase. The fund will
also continue to be subject to the risk of a decline in the market value of the
securities sold under the agreements because it will reacquire those securities
upon effecting their repurchase. Reverse repurchase agreements may be
considered to be a type of borrowing. The 1940 Act permits a fund to borrow
money in amounts of up to one-third of the fund's total assets from banks for
any purpose and up to 5% of the fund's total assets from banks and other
lenders for temporary purposes. The fund will segregate assets in an amount at
least equal to the repurchase price of the securities.
SHORT SALES AGAINST THE BOX
The fund may sell securities "short against the box." A short sale involves the
fund borrowing securities from a broker and selling the borrowed securities.
The fund has an obligation to return securities identical to the borrowed
securities to the broker. In a short sale against the box, the fund at all
times owns an equal amount of the security sold short or securities convertible
into or exchangeable for, with or without payment of additional consideration,
an equal amount of the security sold short. The fund intends to use short sales
against the box to hedge. For example when the fund believes that the price of
a current portfolio security may decline, the fund may use a short sale against
the box to lock in a sale price for a security rather than selling the security
immediately. In such a case, any future losses in the fund's long position
should be offset by a gain in the short position and, conversely, any gain in
the long position should be reduced by a loss in the short position. The fund
may engage in short sales of securities only against the box.
If the fund effects a short sale against the box at a time when it has an
unrealized gain on the security, it may be required to recognize that gain as
if it had actually sold the security (a "constructive sale") on the date it
effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply
if the fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the
appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale provided that certain
other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of
effecting short sales may limit the extent to which the fund may make short
sales against the box.
DOLLAR ROLLS
The fund may enter into mortgage "dollar rolls" in which the fund sells
securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with
the same counterparty to repurchase similar (same type, coupon and maturity),
but not identical securities on a specified future date. During the roll
period, the fund loses the right to receive principal and interest paid on the
securities sold. However, the fund would benefit to the extent of any
difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower
forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the "drop") or fee
income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold
until the settlement date of the forward purchase. Unless such benefits exceed
the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments
that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the mortgage
dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance
of the fund compared with what such performance would have been without
21
the use of mortgage dollar rolls. All cash proceeds will be invested in
instruments that are permissible investments for the fund. The fund will hold
and maintain in a segregated account until the settlement date cash or liquid
securities in an amount equal to its forward purchase price.
For financial reporting and tax purposes, the fund treats mortgage dollar rolls
as two separate transactions; one involving the purchase of a security and a
separate transaction involving a sale.
Dollar rolls involve certain risks including the following: if the
broker-dealer to whom the fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the fund's
right to purchase or repurchase the securities subject to the dollar roll may
be restricted and the instrument which the fund is required to repurchase may
be worth less than an instrument which the fund originally held. Successful use
of dollar rolls will depend upon Pioneer's ability to manage its interest rate
and prepayment exposure. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be
successfully employed.
ASSET SEGREGATION
The 1940 Act requires that the fund segregate assets in connection with certain
types of transactions that may have the effect of leveraging the portfolio. If
the fund enters into a transaction requiring segregation, such as a forward
commitment or a reverse repurchase agreement, the custodian or Pioneer will
segregate liquid assets in an amount required to comply with the 1940 Act. If a
fund sells or writes credit default swaps, it will segregate liquid assets at
least equal to the full notional value of such credit default swaps. Such
segregated assets will be valued at market daily. If the aggregate value of
such segregated assets declines below the aggregate value required to satisfy
the 1940 Act, additional liquid assets will be segregated. In some instances a
fund may "cover" its obligation using other methods to the extent permitted
under the 1940 Act, orders or releases issued by the SEC thereunder, or
no-action letters or other guidance of the SEC staff.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
It is the policy of the fund not to engage in trading for short-term profits,
although portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the
execution of investment decisions for the fund. A high rate of portfolio
turnover (100% or more) involves correspondingly greater transaction costs
which must be borne by the fund and its shareholders. See "Annual Fee, Expense
and Other Information" for the fund's annual portfolio turnover rate.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The fund may lend portfolio securities to registered broker-dealers or other
institutional investors deemed by Pioneer to be of good standing under
agreements which require that the loans be secured continuously by collateral
in the form of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities or
irrevocable letters of credit issued by banks approved by the fund. The value
of the collateral is monitored on a daily basis and the borrower is required to
maintain the collateral at an amount at least equal to the market value of the
securities loaned. The fund continues to receive the equivalent of the interest
or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned and continues to have
all of the other risks associated with owning the securities. Where the
collateral received is cash, the cash will be invested and the fund will be
entitled to a share of the income earned on the investment, but will also be
subject to investment risk on the collateral and will bear the entire amount of
any loss in connection with investment of such collateral. The fund may pay
administrative and custodial fees in connection with loans of securities and,
where the collateral received is cash, the fund may pay a portion of the income
earned on the investment of collateral to the borrower, lending agent or other
intermediary. Fees and expenses paid by the fund in connection with loans of
securities are not reflected in the fee table or expense example in the fund's
prospectus. If the income earned on the investment of the cash collateral is
insufficient to pay these amounts or if the value of the securities purchased
with such cash collateral declines, the fund may take a loss on the loan. Where
the fund receives securities as collateral, the fund will earn no income on the
collateral, but will earn a fee from the borrower. The fund reserves the right
to recall loaned securities so that it may exercise voting rights on loaned
securities according to the fund's Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.
22
The risk in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit,
consists of the possibility of loss to the fund due to (i) the inability of the
borrower to return the securities, (ii) a delay in receiving additional
collateral to adequately cover any fluctuations in the value of securities on
loan, (iii) a delay in recovery of the securities, or (iv) the loss of rights
in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. In addition, as noted
above, the fund continues to have market risk and other risks associated with
owning the securities on loan. Where the collateral delivered by the borrower
is cash, the fund will also have the risk of loss of principal and interest in
connection with its investment of collateral. If a borrower defaults, the value
of the collateral may decline before the fund can dispose of it. The fund will
lend portfolio securities only to firms that have been approved in advance by
Pioneer, which will monitor the creditworthiness of any such firms. However,
this monitoring may not protect the fund from loss. At no time would the value
of the securities loaned exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the fund's total
assets.
INTERFUND LENDING
To satisfy redemption requests or to cover unanticipated cash shortfalls, a
fund may enter into lending agreements ("Interfund Lending Agreements") under
which the fund would lend money and borrow money for temporary purposes
directly to and from another Pioneer fund through a credit facility ("Interfund
Loan"), subject to meeting the conditions of an SEC exemptive order granted to
the funds permitting such interfund lending. All Interfund Loans will consist
only of uninvested cash reserves that the fund otherwise would invest in
short-term repurchase agreements or other short-term instruments.
If a fund has outstanding borrowings, any Interfund Loans to the fund (a) will
be at an interest rate equal to or lower than any outstanding bank loan, (b)
will be secured at least on an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent
percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding bank loan that
requires collateral, (c) will have a maturity no longer than any outstanding
bank loan (and in any event not over seven days) and (d) will provide that, if
an event of default occurs under any agreement evidencing an outstanding bank
loan to the fund, the event of default will automatically (without need for
action or notice by the lending fund) constitute an immediate event of default
under the Interfund Lending Agreement entitling the lending fund to call the
Interfund Loan (and exercise all rights with respect to any collateral) and
that such call will be made if the lending bank exercises its right to call its
loan under its agreement with the borrowing fund.
A fund may make an unsecured borrowing through the credit facility if its
outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the interfund
borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided, that if the fund has
a secured loan outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to
another Pioneer fund, the fund's interfund borrowing will be secured on at
least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of
collateral to loan value as any outstanding loan that requires collateral. If a
fund's total outstanding borrowings immediately after an interfund borrowing
would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the fund may borrow through the
credit facility on a secured basis only. A fund may not borrow through the
credit facility nor from any other source if its total outstanding borrowings
immediately after the interfund borrowing would be more than 33 1/3% of its
total assets.
No fund may lend to another fund through the interfund lending credit facility
if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the credit
facility to exceed 15% of the lending fund's net assets at the time of the
loan. A fund's Interfund Loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the
lending fund's net assets. The duration of Interfund Loans is limited to the
time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event more than
seven days. Loans effected within seven days of each other will be treated as
separate loan transactions for purposes of this condition. Each Interfund Loan
may be called on one business day's notice by a lending fund and may be repaid
on any day by a borrowing fund.
The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive
order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks
associated with interfund lending for both the lending fund and the borrowing
fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a fund
borrows money
23
from another fund, there is a risk that the loan could be called on one day's
notice or not renewed, in which case the fund may have to borrow from a bank at
higher rates if an Interfund Loan were not available from another fund. A delay
in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost opportunity or additional
lending costs.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES
The fund may purchase securities, including U.S. government securities, on a
when-issued basis or may purchase or sell securities for delayed delivery. In
such transactions, delivery of the securities occurs beyond the normal
settlement period, but no payment or delivery is made by the fund prior to the
actual delivery or payment by the other party to the transaction. The fund will
not earn income on these securities until delivered. The purchase of securities
on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis involves the risk that the value of
the securities purchased will decline prior to the settlement date. The sale of
securities for delayed delivery involves the risk that the prices available in
the market on the delivery date may be greater than those obtained in the sale
transaction. When the fund enters into when-issued or delayed delivery
transactions it will segregate liquid assets with a value equal to the fund's
obligations. See "Asset Segregation."
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures relating to
disclosure of the Pioneer funds' portfolio securities. These policies and
procedures are designed to provide a framework for disclosing information
regarding portfolio holdings, portfolio composition or other portfolio
characteristics consistent with applicable federal securities laws and
regulations and general principles of fiduciary duty relating to fund
shareholders. While Pioneer may manage other separate accounts and unregistered
products that have substantially similar investment strategies to those of
another Pioneer fund, and therefore portfolio holdings that may be
substantially similar, and in some cases nearly identical, to such fund, these
policies and procedures only relate to the disclosure of portfolio information
of the Pioneer funds that are registered management companies. Separate account
and unregistered product clients are not subject to these policies and
procedures. Separate account and unregistered product clients of Pioneer have
access to their portfolio holdings, and prospective clients have access to
representative holdings.
Generally, Pioneer will make a fund's full portfolio information available to
the public on a monthly basis with an appropriate delay based upon the nature
of the information disclosed. Pioneer normally will publish a fund's full
portfolio holdings thirty (30) days after the end of each month (this time
period may be different for certain funds. Such information shall be made
available on the funds' website (us.pioneerinvestments.com) and may be sent to
rating agencies, reporting/news services and financial intermediaries, upon
request. In addition, Pioneer generally makes publicly available information
regarding a fund's top ten holdings (including the percentage of a fund's
assets represented by each security), the percentage breakdown of a fund's
investments by country, sector and industry, various volatility measures (such
as beta, standard deviation, etc.), market capitalization ranges and other
portfolio characteristics (such as alpha, average P/E ratio, etc.) three (3)
business days after the end of each month.
Pioneer may provide a fund's full portfolio holdings or other information to
certain entities prior to the date such information is made public, provided
that certain conditions are met. The entities to which such disclosure may be
made as of the date of this statement of additional information are rating
agencies, plan sponsors, prospective separate account clients and other
financial intermediaries (i.e., organizations evaluating a fund for purposes of
investment by their clients, such as broker-dealers, investment advisers,
banks, insurance companies, financial planning firms, plan sponsors, plan
administrators, shareholder servicing organizations and pension consultants).
The third party must agree to a limited use of that information which does not
conflict with the interests of the fund's shareholders, to use the information
only for that authorized purpose, to keep such information confidential, and
not to trade on such information. The Board of Trustees considered the
disclosure of portfolio holdings information to these categories of entities to
be consistent with the best interests of shareholders in light of the agreement
to maintain the confidentiality of such information and only to use such
information for the limited and approved purposes. Pioneer's compliance
department, the local head of investment management and the global chief
investment
24
officer may, but only acting jointly, grant exemptions to this policy.
Exemptions may be granted only if these persons determine that providing such
information is consistent with the interests of shareholders and the third
party agrees to limit the use of such information only for the authorized
purpose, to keep such information confidential, and not to trade on such
information. Although the Board of Trustees will periodically be informed of
exemptions granted, granting exemptions entails the risk that portfolio
holdings information may be provided to entities that use the information in a
manner inconsistent with their obligations and the best interests of a fund.
Currently, Pioneer, on behalf of the Pioneer funds, has ongoing arrangements
whereby the following entities may receive a fund's full portfolio holdings or
other information prior to the date such information is made public:
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (within 30 days after month end for board
materials and advance preparation of marketing materials, as needed to evaluate
Pioneer funds); Roszel Advisors (within 30 days after month end for due
diligence and review of certain Pioneer funds included in fund programs);
Oppenheimer & Co. (within 30 days after month end for due diligence and review
of certain Pioneer funds included in fund programs); UBS (within 15 days after
month end for due diligence and review of certain Pioneer funds included in
fund programs); Beacon Pointe Advisors (as needed for quarterly review of
certain Pioneer funds); Commonwealth Financial Network (within 30 days after
month end for risk analysis on funds on behalf of their clients); Hartford
Retirement Services, LLC (as needed for risk analysis on funds on behalf of
their clients); Transamerica Life Insurance Company (as needed for performance
and risk analysis on funds on behalf of their clients); TIBCO Software
Inc./Spotfire Division (as needed to evaluate and develop portfolio reporting
software); Curcio Webb, LLC (as needed for evaluation and research purposes);
Fidelity Investments (as needed to evaluate Pioneer funds); Egan Jones Ratings
Company (as needed in order to evaluate and select Nationally Recognized
Statistical Rating Organizations (NRSROs)); DBRS Limited (as needed in order to
evaluate and select NRSROs); Wells Fargo Advisors (as needed for risk analysis
on funds on behalf of their clients and product review); and Capital Market
Consultants (as needed to complete quarterly due diligence research).
Compliance with the funds' portfolio holdings disclosure policy is subject to
periodic review by the Board of Trustees, including a review of any potential
conflicts of interest in the disclosures made by Pioneer in accordance with the
policy or the exceptions permitted under the policy. Any change to the policy
to expand the categories of entities to which portfolio holdings may be
disclosed or an increase in the purposes for which such disclosure may be made
would be subject to approval by the Board of Trustees and, reflected, if
material, in a supplement to the fund's statement of additional information.
The funds' full portfolio holdings disclosure policy is not intended to prevent
the disclosure of any and all portfolio information to the funds' service
providers who generally need access to such information in the performance of
their contractual duties and responsibilities, such as Pioneer, the funds'
custodian, fund accounting agent, principal underwriter, investment
sub-adviser, if any, independent registered public accounting firm or counsel.
In approving the policy, the Board of Trustees considered that the service
providers are subject to duties of confidentiality and duties not to trade on
non-public information arising under law or contract that provide an adequate
safeguard for such information. None of Pioneer, the funds, or any other party
receive any compensation or other consideration from any arrangement pertaining
to the release of a fund's full portfolio holdings information.
In addition, the funds make their portfolio holdings available semi-annually in
shareholder reports filed on Form N-CSR and after the first and third fiscal
quarters in regulatory filings on Form N-Q. These shareholder reports and
regulatory filings are filed with the SEC, as required by the federal
securities laws. Form N-Q is filed with the SEC within sixty (60) days after
the end of a fund's first and third fiscal quarters. Form N-CSR is filed with
the SEC within ten (10) days after the transmission to shareholders of a fund's
annual or semi-annual report, as applicable.
25
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The fund has adopted certain fundamental investment policies which may not be
changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a "majority of the
outstanding voting securities" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the fund. For
this purpose, a majority of the outstanding shares of the fund means the vote
of the lesser of:
(1) 67% or more of the shares represented at a meeting, if the holders of
more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or by
proxy; or
(2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund.
The fund's fundamental policies are as follows:
(1) The fund may not borrow money except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or
interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority
of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or
permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent
jurisdiction.
(2) The fund may not engage in the business of underwriting the securities of
other issuers except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations
or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent
jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the
SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction.
(3) The fund may lend money or other assets to the extent permitted by (i)
the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff
or other authority of competent jurisdiction or (ii) exemptive or other
relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of
competent jurisdiction.
(4) The fund may not issue senior securities except as permitted by (i) the
1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or
other authority of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other
relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of
competent jurisdiction.
(5) The fund may not purchase or sell real estate except as permitted by (i)
the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff
or other authority of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other
relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of
competent jurisdiction.
(6) The fund may purchase or sell commodities or contracts related to
commodities to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or
interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority
of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or
permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent
jurisdiction.
(7) Except as permitted by exemptive or other relief or permission from the
SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, the fund may
not make any investment if, as a result, the fund's investments will be
concentrated in any one industry.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to borrowing money set forth in
(1) above, the 1940 Act permits a fund to borrow money in amounts of up to
one-third of the fund's total assets from banks for any purpose, and to borrow
up to 5% of the fund's total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary
purposes (the fund's total assets include the amounts being borrowed). To limit
the risks attendant to borrowing, the 1940 Act requires the fund to maintain at
all times an "asset coverage" of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings.
Asset coverage means the ratio that the value of the fund's total assets
(including amounts borrowed), minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to
the aggregate amount of all borrowings. Borrowing money to increase a fund's
investment portfolio is known as "leveraging." Borrowing, especially when used
for leverage, may cause the value of a fund's shares to be more volatile than
if the fund did not borrow. This is because borrowing tends to magnify the
effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the fund's portfolio
holdings. Borrowed money thus creates an opportunity for greater gains, but
also greater losses. To repay borrowings, the fund may have to sell securities
at a time and at a price
26
that is unfavorable to the fund. There also are costs associated with borrowing
money, and these costs would offset and could eliminate a fund's net investment
income in any given period. Currently, the fund does not contemplate borrowing
for leverage, but if the fund does so, it will not likely do so to a
substantial degree. The policy in (1) above will be interpreted to permit the
fund to engage in trading practices and investments that may be considered to
be borrowing to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Reverse repurchase
agreements may be considered to be a type of borrowing. Short-term credits
necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with
respect to securities lending will not be considered to be borrowings under the
policy. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not
considered to be borrowings are not subject to the policy. Such trading
practices may include futures, options on futures, forward contracts and other
derivative investments.
A fund may pledge its assets and guarantee the securities of another company
without limitation, subject to the fund's investment policies (including the
fund's fundamental policy regarding borrowing) and applicable laws and
interpretations. Pledges of assets and guarantees of obligations of others are
subject to many of the same risks associated with borrowings and, in addition,
are subject to the credit risk of the obligor for the underlying obligations.
To the extent that pledging or guaranteeing assets may be considered the
issuance of senior securities, the issuance of senior securities is governed by
the fund's policies on senior securities. If the fund were to pledge its
assets, the fund would take into account any then-applicable legal guidance,
including any applicable SEC staff position, would be guided by the judgment of
the fund's Board and Pioneer regarding the terms of any credit facility or
arrangement, including any collateral required, and would not pledge more
collateral than, in their judgment, is necessary for the fund to obtain the
credit sought. Shareholders should note that in 1973, the SEC staff took the
position in a no-action letter that a mutual fund could not pledge 100% of its
assets without a compelling business reason. In more recent no-action letters,
including letters that address the same statutory provision of the 1940 Act
(Section 17) addressed in the 1973 letter, the SEC staff has not mentioned any
limitation on the amount of collateral that may be pledged to support credit
obtained. This does not mean that the staff's position on this issue has
changed.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to underwriting set forth in
(2) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from engaging in the
underwriting business or from underwriting the securities of other issuers; in
fact, the 1940 Act permits a fund to have underwriting commitments of up to 25%
of its assets under certain circumstances. Those circumstances currently are
that the amount of the fund's underwriting commitments, when added to the value
of the fund's investments in issuers where the fund owns more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of those issuers, cannot exceed the 25% cap. A
fund engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of
portfolio securities may be considered to be an underwriter under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). Under the 1933 Act, an
underwriter may be liable for material omissions or misstatements in an
issuer's registration statement or prospectus. Securities purchased from an
issuer and not registered for sale under the 1933 Act are considered restricted
securities. There may be a limited market for these securities. If these
securities are registered under the 1933 Act, they may then be eligible for
sale but participating in the sale may subject the seller to underwriter
liability. These risks could apply to a fund investing in restricted
securities. Although it is not believed that the application of the 1933 Act
provisions described above would cause a fund to be engaged in the business of
underwriting, the policy in (2) above will be interpreted not to prevent the
fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of
portfolio securities, regardless of whether the fund may be considered to be an
underwriter under the 1933 Act.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to lending set forth in (3)
above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from making loans; however, SEC
staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending more than one-third
of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the
use of repurchase agreements. (A repurchase agreement is an agreement to
purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to
the original seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that reflects current
interest rates. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreements as loans.)
While lending securities may be a source of income to a fund, as with other
extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery
27
or even loss of rights in the underlying securities should the borrower fail
financially. However, loans would be made only when the fund's manager or a
subadviser believes the income justifies the attendant risks. The fund also
will be permitted by this policy to make loans of money, including to other
funds. The fund has obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to make short-term
loans to other Pioneer funds through a credit facility in order to satisfy
redemption requests or to cover unanticipated cash shortfalls; as discussed in
this Statement of Additional Information under "Interfund Lending". The
conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed
to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending, however no lending
activity is without risk. A delay in repayment to a lending fund could result
in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs. The policy in (3) above will
be interpreted not to prevent the fund from purchasing or investing in debt
obligations and loans. In addition, collateral arrangements with respect to
options, forward currency and futures transactions and other derivative
instruments, as well as delays in the settlement of securities transactions,
will not be considered loans.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to issuing senior securities
set forth in (4) above, "senior securities" are defined as fund obligations
that have a priority over the fund's shares with respect to the payment of
dividends or the distribution of fund assets. The 1940 Act prohibits a fund
from issuing senior securities except that the fund may borrow money in amounts
of up to one-third of the fund's total assets from banks for any purpose. A
fund also may borrow up to 5% of the fund's total assets from banks or other
lenders for temporary purposes, and these borrowings are not considered senior
securities. The issuance of senior securities by a fund can increase the
speculative character of the fund's outstanding shares through leveraging.
Leveraging of a fund's portfolio through the issuance of senior securities
magnifies the potential for gain or loss on monies, because even though the
fund's net assets remain the same, the total risk to investors is increased.
Certain widely used investment practices that involve a commitment by a fund to
deliver money or securities in the future are not considered by the SEC to be
senior securities, provided that a fund segregates cash or liquid securities in
an amount necessary to pay the obligation or the fund holds an offsetting
commitment from another party. These investment practices include repurchase
and reverse repurchase agreements, swaps, dollar rolls, options, futures and
forward contracts. The policy in (4) above will be interpreted not to prevent
collateral arrangements with respect to swaps, options, forward or futures
contracts or other derivatives, or the posting of initial or variation margin.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to real estate set forth in (5)
above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from owning real estate; however,
a fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase. Investing
in real estate may involve risks, including that real estate is generally
considered illiquid and may be difficult to value and sell. Owners of real
estate may be subject to various liabilities, including environmental
liabilities. To the extent that investments in real estate are considered
illiquid, the current SEC staff position generally limits a fund's purchases of
illiquid securities to 15% of net assets. The policy in (5) above will be
interpreted not to prevent the fund from investing in real estate-related
companies, companies whose businesses consist in whole or in part of investing
in real estate, instruments (like mortgages) that are secured by real estate or
interests therein, or real estate investment trust securities.
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to commodities set forth in (6)
above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from owning commodities, whether
physical commodities and contracts related to physical commodities (such as oil
or grains and related futures contracts), or financial commodities and
contracts related to financial commodities (such as currencies and, possibly,
currency futures). However, a fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets
it may purchase. To the extent that investments in commodities are considered
illiquid, the current SEC staff position generally limits a fund's purchases of
illiquid securities to 15% of net assets. If a fund were to invest in a
physical commodity or a physical commodity-related instrument, the fund would
be subject to the additional risks of the particular physical commodity and its
related market. The value of commodities and commodity-related instruments may
be extremely volatile and may be affected either directly or indirectly by a
variety of factors. There also may be storage charges and risks of loss
associated with physical commodities. The policy in (6) above will be
interpreted to permit investments in exchange traded funds that invest in
physical and/or financial commodities.
28
With respect to the fundamental policy relating to concentration set forth in
(7) above, the 1940 Act does not define what constitutes "concentration" in an
industry. The SEC staff has taken the position that investment of 25% or more
of a fund's total assets in one or more issuers conducting their principal
activities in the same industry or group of industries constitutes
concentration. It is possible that interpretations of concentration could
change in the future. A fund that invests a significant percentage of its total
assets in a single industry may be particularly susceptible to adverse events
affecting that industry and may be more risky than a fund that does not
concentrate in an industry. The policy in (7) above will be interpreted to
refer to concentration as that term may be interpreted from time to time. The
policy also will be interpreted to permit investment without limit in the
following: securities of the U.S. government and its agencies or
instrumentalities; and repurchase agreements collateralized by any such
obligations. Accordingly, issuers of the foregoing securities will not be
considered to be members of any industry. The policy also will be interpreted
to give broad authority to the fund as to how to classify issuers within or
among industries. When identifying industries for purposes of its concentration
policy, the fund may rely upon available industry classifications. As of the
date of the SAI, the fund relies primarily on the Bloomberg L.P. ("Bloomberg")
classifications, and, with respect to securities for which no industry
classification under Bloomberg is available or for which the Bloomberg
classification is determined not to be appropriate, the fund may use industry
classifications published by another source, which, as of the date of the SAI,
is MSCI Global Industry Classification Standard. As of the date of the SAI, the
fund's adviser may assign an industry classification for an exchange-traded
fund in which the fund invests based on the constituents of the index on which
the exchange-traded fund is based. The fund may change any source used for
determining industry classifications without shareholder approval.
The fund's fundamental policies are written and will be interpreted broadly.
For example, the policies will be interpreted to refer to the 1940 Act and the
related rules as they are in effect from time to time, and to interpretations
and modifications of or relating to the 1940 Act by the SEC, SEC staff or other
authority of competent jurisdiction as they are given from time to time. When a
policy provides that an investment practice may be conducted as permitted by
the 1940 Act, the policy will be interpreted to mean either that the 1940 Act
expressly permits the practice or that the 1940 Act does not prohibit the
practice.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICY
The following policy is non-fundamental and may be changed by a vote of the
Board of Trustees without approval of shareholders.
The fund may not invest in any investment company in reliance on Section
12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, which would allow the fund to invest in other
investment companies, or in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act,
which would allow the fund to invest in other Pioneer funds, in each case
without being subject to the limitations discussed above under "Other
Investment Companies" so long as another investment company invests in the fund
in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G). The fund has adopted this non-fundamental
policy in order that the fund may be a permitted investment of the series of
Pioneer Asset Allocation Trust. If the series of Pioneer Asset Allocation Trust
do not invest in the fund, then this non-fundamental restriction will not
apply.
In addition, the fund's investment objective is non-fundamental and it and the
fund's non-fundamental investment policies may be changed by a vote of the
Board of Trustees without approval of shareholders at any time.
DIVERSIFICATION
The fund is currently classified as a diversified fund under the 1940 Act. A
diversified fund may not purchase securities of an issuer (other than
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or
instrumentalities) if, with respect to 75% of the fund's total assets, (a) more
than 5% of the fund's total assets would be invested in securities of that
issuer, or (b) the fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of that issuer. Under the 1940 Act, the fund cannot change its
classification from diversified to non-diversified without shareholder
approval.
29
3. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The fund's Trustees and officers are listed below, together with their
principal occupations during at least the past five years. Trustees who are
interested persons of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act are referred
to as Interested Trustees. Trustees who are not interested persons of the fund
are referred to as Independent Trustees. Each of the Trustees serves as a
Trustee of each of the 50 U.S. registered investment portfolios for which
Pioneer serves as investment adviser (the "Pioneer Funds"). The address for all
Trustees and all officers of the fund is 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02109.
NAME, AGE AND TERM OF OFFICE AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
POSITION HELD WITH THE FUND LENGTH OF SERVICE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION HELD BY TRUSTEE
----------------------------- -------------------------- ------------------------------------------- --------------------------
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES:
----------------------------- -------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ----
THOMAS J. PERNA (65) Trustee since 2006. Private investor (2004 - 2008 and Director, Broadridge
Chairman of the Board and Serves until a successor 2013 - present); Chairman (2008 - Financial Solutions,
Trustee trustee is elected or 2013) and Chief Executive Officer Inc. (investor
----
earlier retirement or (2008 - 2012), Quadriserv, Inc. communications and
removal. (technology products for securities securities processing
--------------------------
lending industry); and Senior provider for financial
Executive Vice President, The Bank services industry)
of New York (financial and securities (2009 - present);
services) (1986 - 2004) Director, Quadriserv,
-------------------------------------------
Inc. (2005 - 2013);
and Commissioner,
New Jersey State
Civil Service
Commission (2011 -
present)
----
DAVID R. BOCK (71) Trustee since 2005. Managing Partner, Federal City Director of New York
Trustee Serves until a successor Capital Advisors (corporate advisory Mortgage Trust
----
trustee is elected or services company) (1997 - 2004 (publicly-traded
earlier retirement or and 2008 - present); Interim Chief mortgage REIT)
removal. Executive Officer, Oxford Analytica, (2004 - 2009, 2012
--------------------------
Inc. (privately held research and - present); Director of
consulting company) (2010); The Swiss Helvetia
Executive Vice President and Chief Fund, Inc.
Financial Officer, I-trax, Inc. (publicly (closed-end fund)
traded health care services (2010 - present);
company) (2004 - 2007); and Director of Oxford
Executive Vice President and Chief Analytica, Inc. (2008
Financial Officer, Pedestal Inc. - present); and
(internet-based mortgage trading Director of Enterprise
company) (2000 - 2002); Private Community
Consultant (1995 - 1997); Investment, Inc.
Managing Director, Lehman (privately-held
Brothers (1992 - 1995); Executive, affordable housing
The World Bank (1979 - 1992) finance company)
-------------------------------------------
(1985 - 2010);
--------------------------
BENJAMIN M. FRIEDMAN Trustee since 2008. William Joseph Maier Professor of Trustee, Mellon
(71) Serves until a successor Political Economy, Harvard Institutional Funds
Trustee trustee is elected or University (1972 - present) Investment Trust and
---- -------------------------------------------
earlier retirement or Mellon Institutional
removal. Funds Master
--------------------------
Portfolio (oversaw
17 portfolios in fund
complex) (1989 -
2008)
----
30
NAME, AGE AND TERM OF OFFICE AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
POSITION HELD WITH THE FUND LENGTH OF SERVICE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION HELD BY TRUSTEE
----------------------------- -------------------------- --------------------------------------- ---------------------
MARGARET B.W. GRAHAM Trustee since 2005. Founding Director, Vice-President None
---------
(68) Serves until a successor and Corporate Secretary, The
Trustee trustee is elected or Winthrop Group, Inc. (consulting
---
earlier retirement or firm) (1982 - present); Desautels
removal. Faculty of Management, McGill
--------------------------
University (1999 - present); and
Manager of Research Operations
and Organizational Learning, Xerox
PARC, Xerox's advance research
center (1990-1994)
---------------------------------------
MARGUERITE A. PIRET (67) Trustee since 2005. President and Chief Executive Director of New
Trustee Serves until a successor Officer, Newbury, Piret & Company, America High Income
---
trustee is elected or Inc. (investment banking firm) Fund, Inc.
earlier retirement or (1981 - present) (closed-end
-------------------------------------
removal. investment company)
--------------------------
(2004 - present);
and Member, Board
of Governors,
Investment Company
Institute (2000 -
2006)
---------
FRED J. RICCIARDI (68) Trustee since 2014. Consultant (investment company None
---------
Trustee Serves until a successor services) (2012 - present);
---
trustee is elected or Executive Vice President, BNY
earlier retirement or Mellon (financial and investment
removal. company services) (1969 - 2012);
--------------------------
Director, BNY International
Financing Corp. (financial services)
(2002 - 2012); Director, Mellon
Overseas Investment Corp.
(financial services) (2009 - 2012)
-------------------------------------
INTERESTED TRUSTEE:
----------------------------- -------------------------- ------ ---------
KENNETH J. TAUBES (57)* Trustee since 2014. Director and Executive Vice None
---------
Trustee Serves until a successor President (since 2008) and Chief
---
trustee is elected or Investment Officer, U.S. (since
earlier retirement or 2010) of PIM-USA; Executive Vice
removal President and Chief Investment
--------------------------
Officer, U.S. of Pioneer (since
2008); Executive Vice President of
Pioneer Institutional Asset
Management, Inc. (since 2009);
Portfolio Manager of Pioneer (since
1999)
------
31
NAME, AGE AND TERM OF OFFICE AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
POSITION HELD WITH THE FUND LENGTH OF SERVICE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION HELD BY TRUSTEE
----------------------------- ------------------------ -------------------------------------- ---------------------
ADVISORY TRUSTEE:
----------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------- ----
LORRAINE H. MONCHAK Advisory Trustee since Chief Investment Officer, 1199 SEIU Trustee of Pioneer
(59)** 2014. Funds (healthcare workers union closed-end
----
Advisory Trustee pension funds) (2001 - present); investment
-----------------------------
Vice President - International companies (5
Investments Group, American portfolios) (Sept.
International Group, Inc. (insurance 2015-present)
----
company) (1993 - 2001); Vice
President Corporate Finance and
Treasury Group, Citibank, N.A.(1980
- 1986 and 1990 - 1993); Vice
President - Asset/Liability
Management Group, Federal Farm
Funding Corporation
(government-sponsored issuer of
debt securities) (1988 - 1990);
Mortgage Strategies Group,
Shearson Lehman Hutton, Inc.
(investment bank) (1987 - 1988);
Mortgage Strategies Group, Drexel
Burnham Lambert, Ltd. (investment
bank) (1986 - 1987)
--------------------------------------
FUND OFFICERS:
----------------------------- ---- -------------------------------------- ----
LISA M. JONES (53) Since 2014. Serves at Chair, Director, CEO and President None
----
President and Chief the discretion of the of Pioneer Investment Management
Executive Officer Board USA Inc. ("PIM_USA") (since
----------------------------- ----
September 2014); Chair, Director,
CEO and President of Pioneer
Investment Management, Inc. (since
September 2014); Chair, Director
and CEO of Pioneer Funds
Distributor, Inc. (since September
2014); Chair, Director, CEO and
President of Pioneer Institutional
Asset Management, Inc. (since
September 2014); and Chair,
Director, President and CEO of
Pioneer Investment Management
Shareholder Services, Inc. (since
September 2014); Managing
Director, Morgan Stanley Investment
Management (2010 - 2013);
Director of Institutional Business,
CEO of International, Eaton Vance
Management (2005 - 2010)
--------------------------------------
CHRISTOPHER J. KELLEY (50) Since 2005. Serves at Vice President and Associate None
----
Secretary and Chief Legal the discretion of the General Counsel of Pioneer since
Officer Board January 2008; Secretary and Chief
--- ----
Legal Officer of all of the Pioneer
Funds since June 2010; Assistant
Secretary of all of the Pioneer Funds
from September 2003 to May
2010; Vice President and Senior
Counsel of Pioneer from July 2002
to December 2007
--------------------------------------
32
NAME, AGE AND TERM OF OFFICE AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
POSITION HELD WITH THE FUND LENGTH OF SERVICE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION HELD BY TRUSTEE
----------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------------------------- ---------------------
CAROL B. HANNIGAN (54) Since 2010. Serves at Fund Governance Director of None
---------------------
Assistant Secretary the discretion of the Pioneer since December 2006 and
-----------------------------
Board Assistant Secretary of all the
-----------------------
Pioneer Funds since June 2010;
Manager - Fund Governance of
Pioneer from December 2003 to
November 2006; and Senior
Paralegal of Pioneer from January
2000 to November 2003
---------------------------------------
THOMAS REYES (53) Since 2010. Serves at Senior Counsel of Pioneer since None
---------------------
Assistant Secretary the discretion of the May 2013 and Assistant Secretary
-----------------------------
Board of all the Pioneer Funds since June
-----------------------
2010; Counsel of Pioneer from June
2007 to May 2013
---------------------------------------
MARK E. BRADLEY (56) Since 2008. Serves at Vice President - Fund Treasury of None
---------------------
Treasurer and Chief the discretion of the Pioneer; Treasurer of all of the
Financial and Accounting Board Pioneer Funds since March 2008;
-----------------------
Officer Deputy Treasurer of Pioneer from
-----------------------------
March 2004 to February 2008; and
Assistant Treasurer of all of the
Pioneer Funds from March 2004 to
February 2008
---------------------------------------
LUIS I. PRESUTTI (50) Since 2005. Serves at Director - Fund Treasury of Pioneer; None
---------------------
Assistant Treasurer the discretion of the and Assistant Treasurer of all of the
-----------------------------
Board Pioneer Funds
----------------------- ---------------------------------------
GARY SULLIVAN (57) Since 2005. Serves at Fund Accounting Manager - Fund None
---------------------
Assistant Treasurer the discretion of the Treasury of Pioneer; and Assistant
-----------------------------
Board Treasurer of all of the Pioneer Funds
----------------------- ---------------------------------------
DAVID F. JOHNSON (36) Since 2009. Serves at Fund Administration Manager - Fund None
---------------------
Assistant Treasurer the discretion of the Treasury of Pioneer since November
-----------------------------
Board 2008; Assistant Treasurer of all of
-----------------------
the Pioneer Funds since January
2009; Client Service Manager -
Institutional Investor Services at
State Street Bank from March 2003
to March 2007
---------------------------------------
JEAN M. BRADLEY (63) Since 2010. Serves at Chief Compliance Officer of Pioneer None
---------------------
Chief Compliance Officer the discretion of the and of all the Pioneer Funds since
-----------------------------
Board March 2010; Chief Compliance
-----------------------
Officer of Pioneer Institutional Asset
Management, Inc. since January
2012; Chief Compliance Officer of
Vanderbilt Capital Advisors, LLC
since July 2012: Director of Adviser
and Portfolio Compliance at Pioneer
since October 2005; Senior
Compliance Officer for Columbia
Management Advisers, Inc. from
October 2003 to October 2005
---------------------------------------
KELLY O'DONNELL (44) Since 2006. Serves at Director - Transfer Agency None
---------------------
Anti-Money Laundering the discretion of the Compliance of Pioneer and
Officer Board Anti-Money Laundering Officer of all
----------------------------- -----------------------
the Pioneer Funds since 2006
---------------------------------------
33
* Mr. Taubes is an Interested Trustee because he is an officer or director
of the fund's investment adviser and certain of its affiliates.
** Ms. Monchak is a non-voting advisory trustee.
BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the fund's management and
operations. The Chairman of the Board is an Independent Trustee. Independent
Trustees constitute more than 75% of the Board. During the most recent fiscal
year, the Board of Trustees held 6 meetings. Each Trustee attended at least 75%
of such meetings.
The Trustees were selected to join the Board based upon the following as to
each Board member: such person's character and integrity; such person's
willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a
Trustee; as to each Independent Trustee, his or her status as not being an
"interested person" as defined under the 1940 Act; and, as to Mr. Taubes, his
association with Pioneer. Each of the Independent Trustees also was selected to
join the Board based on the criteria and principles set forth in the Nominating
Committee Charter. In evaluating a Trustee's prospective service on the Board,
the Trustee's experience in, and ongoing contributions toward, overseeing the
fund's business as a Trustee also are considered. In addition, the following
specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills apply as to each
Trustee: Mr. Bock, accounting, financial, business and public company
experience as a chief financial officer and an executive officer and experience
as a board member of other organizations; Mr. Friedman, academic leadership,
economic and finance experience and investment company board experience; Ms.
Graham, academic leadership, experience in business, finance and management
consulting; Mr. Perna, accounting, financial, and business experience as an
executive officer and experience as a board member of other organizations; Ms.
Piret, accounting, financial and entrepreneurial experience as an executive,
valuation experience and investment company board experience; Mr. Ricciardi,
financial, business and investment company experience as an executive officer
of a financial and investment company services organization, and experience as
a board member of offshore investment companies and other organizations; and
Mr. Taubes, portfolio management experience and leadership roles with Pioneer.
However, in its periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the Board, the
Board considers the complementary skills and experience of individual Trustees
primarily in the broader context of the Board's overall composition so that the
Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills
and experience to oversee the business of the fund.
The Trust's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides
that the appointment, designation (including in any proxy or registration
statement or other document) of a Trustee as an expert on any topic or in any
area, or as having experience, attributes or skills in any area, or any other
appointment, designation or identification, shall not impose on that person any
standard of care or liability that is greater than that imposed on that person
as a Trustee in the absence of the appointment, designation or identification,
and no Trustee who has special attributes, skills, experience or expertise, or
is appointed, designated, or identified as aforesaid, shall be held to a higher
standard of care by virtue thereof.
The Board of Trustees has five standing committees: the Independent Trustees
Committee, the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, the
Policy Administration Committee and the Valuation Committee. Each committee is
chaired by an Independent Trustee and all members of each committee are
Independent Trustees.
The Chairs of the committees work with the Chairman of the Board and fund
management in setting the agendas for Board meetings. The Chairs of the
committees set the agendas for committee meetings with input from fund
management. As noted below, through the committees, the Independent Trustees
consider and address important matters involving the fund, including those
presenting conflicts or potential conflicts of interest for management. The
Independent Trustees also regularly meet without the presence of management and
are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board has determined that
delegation to the committees of specified oversight responsibilities helps
ensure that the fund has effective and independent governance
34
and oversight. Notwithstanding the fact that the Chairman of the Board is an
Independent Trustee, the Board continues to believe that the committee
structure enables the Board more effectively to provide governance and
oversight of the fund's affairs. Mr. Perna, Chairman of the Board, is a member
of each committee except the Audit Committee and the Valuation Committee, of
each of which he is a non-voting, ex-officio member.
During the most recent fiscal year, the Independent Trustees, Audit, Governance
and Nominating, Policy Administration, and Valuation Committees held 7, 6, 2, 4
and 5 meetings, respectively.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES COMMITTEE
David R. Bock, Benjamin M. Friedman, Margaret B.W. Graham, Thomas J. Perna
(Chair), Marguerite A. Piret and Fred J. Ricciardi.
The Independent Trustees Committee is comprised of all of the Independent
Trustees. The Independent Trustees Committee serves as the forum for
consideration of a number of issues required to be considered separately by the
Independent Trustees under the 1940 Act, including the assessment and review of
the fund's advisory agreement and other related party contracts. The
Independent Trustees Committee also considers issues that the Independent
Trustees believe it is advisable for them to consider separately from the
Interested Trustees.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
David R. Bock (Chair), Benjamin M. Friedman and Marguerite A. Piret.
The Audit Committee, among other things, oversees the accounting and financial
reporting policies and practices of the fund, oversees the quality and
integrity of the fund's financial statements, approves, and recommends to the
Independent Trustees for their ratification, the engagement of the fund's
independent registered public accounting firm, reviews and evaluates the
accounting firm's qualifications, independence and performance, and approves
the compensation of the accounting firm. The Audit Committee also approves all
audit and permissible non-audit services provided to the fund by the fund's
accounting firm and all permissible non-audit services provided by the fund's
accounting firm to Pioneer and any affiliated service providers of the fund if
the engagement relates directly to the fund's operations and financial
reporting.
GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Margaret B.W. Graham (Chair) and Thomas J. Perna.
The Governance and Nominating Committee considers governance matters affecting
the Board and the fund. Among other responsibilities, the Governance and
Nominating Committee reviews the performance of the Independent Trustees as a
whole, and reviews and recommends to the Independent Trustees Committee any
appropriate changes concerning, among other things, the size and composition of
the Board, the Board's committee structure and the Independent Trustees'
compensation. The Governance and Nominating Committee also makes
recommendations to the Independent Trustees Committee or the Board on matters
delegated to it.
In addition, the Governance and Nominating Committee screens potential
candidates for Independent Trustees. Among other responsibilities, the
Governance and Nominating Committee reviews periodically the criteria for
Independent Trustees and the spectrum of desirable experience and expertise for
Independent Trustees as a whole, and reviews periodically the qualifications
and requisite skills of persons currently serving as Independent Trustees and
being considered for re-nomination. The Governance and Nominating Committee
also reviews the qualifications of any person nominated to serve on the Board
by a shareholder or recommended by any Trustee, management or another person
and makes a recommendation as to the qualifications of such nominated or
recommended person to the Independent Trustees and the Board, and reviews
periodically the Committee's procedure, if any, regarding candidates submitted
by shareholders. The Governance and Nominating Committee does not have
specific, minimum qualifications for nominees, nor has it established specific
qualities or skills that it regards as necessary for one or more of the
Independent
35
Trustees to possess (other than qualities or skills that may be required by
applicable law or regulation). However, in evaluating a person as a potential
nominee to serve as an Independent Trustee, the Governance and Nominating
Committee will consider the following general criteria and principles, among
any others that it may deem relevant:
o whether the person has a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to
high ethical standards;
o whether the person has demonstrated business acumen and ability to exercise
sound judgment in matters that relate to the objectives of the fund and
whether the person is willing and able to contribute positively to the
decision-making process of the fund;
o whether the person has a commitment and ability to devote the necessary time
and energy to be an effective Independent Trustee, to understand the fund
and the responsibilities of a trustee of an investment company;
o whether the person has the ability to understand the sometimes conflicting
interests of the various constituencies of the fund and to act in the
interests of all shareholders;
o whether the person has a conflict of interest that would impair his or her
ability to represent the interests of all shareholders and to fulfill the
responsibilities of a trustee; and
o the value of diversity on the Board. The Governance and Nominating Committee
Charter provides that nominees shall not be discriminated against on the
basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation,
disability or any other basis proscribed by law.
The Governance and Nominating Committee also will consider whether the nominee
has the experience or skills that the Governance and Nominating Committee
believes would maintain or enhance the effectiveness of the Independent
Trustees' oversight of the fund's affairs, based on the then current
composition and skills of the Independent Trustees and experience or skills
that may be appropriate in light of changing business conditions and regulatory
or other developments. The Governance and Nominating Committee does not
necessarily place the same emphasis on each criterion.
The Governance and Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy for
considering trustee nominees submitted by the fund's shareholders. Nonetheless,
the Nominating Committee may, on an informal basis, consider any shareholder
recommendations of nominees that it receives. Shareholders who wish to
recommend a nominee should send recommendations to the fund's Secretary that
include all information relating to such persons that is required to be
included in solicitations of proxies for the election of trustees.
POLICY ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Margaret B.W. Graham (Chair), Thomas J. Perna, and Fred J. Ricciardi.
The Policy Administration Committee, among other things, oversees and monitors
the fund's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that are not
directly related to financial reporting, internal financial controls,
independent audits or the performance of the fund's internal audit function.
The Policy Administration Committee also oversees the adoption and
implementation of certain of the fund's policies and procedures.
VALUATION COMMITTEE
David R. Bock, Benjamin M. Friedman and Marguerite A. Piret (Chair).
The Valuation Committee, among other things, determines with Pioneer the value
of securities under certain circumstances and considers other matters with
respect to the valuation of securities, in each case in accordance with the
fund's valuation procedures.
OVERSIGHT OF RISK MANAGEMENT
Consistent with its responsibility for oversight of the fund in the interests
of shareholders, the Board of Trustees oversees risk management of the fund's
investment management and business operations. In performing this oversight
function, the Board considers various risks and risk management practices
relating to the fund. The Board has delegated certain aspects of its risk
oversight responsibilities to the committees.
36
The fund faces a number of risks, such as investment risk, counterparty risk,
valuation risk, enterprise risk, reputational risk, cybersecurity risk, risk of
operational failure or lack of business continuity, and legal, compliance and
regulatory risk. The goal of risk management is to identify and address risks,
i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the
business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or
reputation of the fund.
Most of the fund's investment management and business operations are carried
out by or through Pioneer, its affiliates, and other service providers, each of
which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the
methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may
differ from the fund's and each other's in the setting of priorities, the
resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls.
Under the overall supervision of the Board or the applicable committee of the
Board, the fund, or Pioneer and the affiliates of Pioneer or other service
providers to the fund employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls in
an effort to identify, address and mitigate risks. Different processes,
procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks.
Various personnel, including the fund's and Pioneer's chief compliance officer
and Pioneer's chief risk officer and director of internal audit, as well as
various personnel of Pioneer and of other service providers, make periodic
reports to the applicable committee or to the Board with respect to various
aspects of risk management. The reports received by the Trustees related to
risks typically are summaries of relevant information. During the course of the
most recent fiscal year, the Trustees increased the number of presentations
from the directors of Internal Audit and Risk Management at Pioneer, as well as
the Chief Operating Officer to whom they report, concerning the results and
process of their responsibilities.
The Trustees recognize that not all risks that may affect the fund can be
identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or
mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as
investment-related risks) to achieve the fund's goals, that the processes,
procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in
their effectiveness, and that some risks are simply beyond the control of the
fund or Pioneer and its affiliates or other service providers. As a result of
the foregoing and other factors, the fund's ability to manage risk is subject
to substantial limitations.
In addition, it is important to note that the fund is designed for investors
that are prepared to accept investment risk, including the possibility that as
yet unforeseen risks may emerge in the future.
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
The Pioneer Funds, including the fund, compensate their Trustees. The
Independent Trustees review and set their compensation annually, taking into
consideration the committee and other responsibilities assigned to specific
Trustees. The table under "Annual Fees, Expense and Other Information -
Compensation of Officers and Trustees" sets forth the compensation paid to each
of the Trustees. The compensation paid to the Trustees is then allocated among
the funds as follows:
o each fund with assets less than $250 million pays each Independent Trustee an
annual fee of $1,000.
o the remaining compensation of the Independent Trustees is allocated to each
fund with assets greater than $250 million based on the fund's net assets.
o the Interested Trustees receive an annual fee of $500 from each fund, except
in the case of funds with net assets of $50 million or less, which pay each
Interested Trustee an annual fee of $200. Pioneer reimburses these funds for
the fees paid to the Interested Trustees.
Except for the chief compliance officer, the fund does not pay any salary or
other compensation to its officers. The fund pays a portion of the chief
compliance officer's compensation for her services as the fund's chief
compliance officer. Pioneer pays the remaining portion of the chief compliance
officer's compensation.
See "Compensation of Officers and Trustees" in "Annual Fee, Expense and Other
Information."
37
SALES LOADS
The fund offers its shares to Trustees and officers of the fund and employees
of Pioneer and its affiliates without a sales charge in order to encourage
investment in the fund by individuals who are responsible for its management
and because the sales to such persons do not entail any sales effort by the
fund, brokers or other intermediaries.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that no
Trustee, officer or employee of the fund shall be liable to the fund or any
shareholder for any action, failure to act, error or mistake except in cases of
bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty.
The Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust requires the fund
to indemnify each Trustee, director, officer, employee and authorized agent to
the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses
reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit
or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of
his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee, or agent
and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof. The 1940 Act
currently provides that no officer or director shall be protected from
liability to the fund or shareholders for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties of office. The Amended and
Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust extends to Trustees, officers and
employees of the fund the full protection from liability that the law allows.
MATERIAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
Steven K. West, who retired as an Independent Trustee on July 15, 2014, is
Senior Counsel to Sullivan & Cromwell, which acts as counsel to the Independent
Trustees and the Independent Trustees of the other Pioneer Funds. The aggregate
compensation paid to Sullivan & Cromwell by the fund and the other Pioneer
Funds was approximately $445,775 and $279,743 in each of 2013 and 2014.
SHARE OWNERSHIP
See "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for information on the
ownership of fund shares by the Trustees, the fund's officers and owners in
excess of 5% of any class of shares of the fund and a table indicating the
value of shares that each Trustee beneficially owns in the fund and in all the
Pioneer Funds.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio
securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available to
shareowners without charge at http://us.pioneerinvestments.com and on the SEC's
website at http://www.sec.gov. The fund's proxy voting policies and procedures
are attached as "Appendix B".
4. INVESTMENT ADVISER
The fund has entered into an amended and restated management agreement
(hereinafter, the "management contract") with Pioneer pursuant to which Pioneer
acts as the fund's investment adviser. Pioneer is an indirect, wholly owned
subsidiary of UniCredit. Certain Trustees or officers of the fund are also
directors and/or officers of certain of UniCredit's subsidiaries (see
management biographies above). Pioneer has entered into an agreement with its
affiliate, Pioneer Investment Management Limited ("PIML"), pursuant to which
PIML provides certain services to Pioneer.
As the fund's investment adviser, Pioneer provides the fund with investment
research, advice and supervision and furnishes an investment program for the
fund consistent with the fund's investment objective and policies, subject to
the supervision of the fund's Trustees. Pioneer determines what portfolio
securities will be purchased or sold, arranges for the placing of orders for
the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, selects brokers or dealers to
place those orders, maintains books and records with respect to the fund's
securities transactions, and reports to the Trustees on the fund's investments
and performance.
38
The management contract will continue in effect from year to year provided such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Trustees of
the fund or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund (as
defined in the 1940 Act), and (ii) in either event, by a majority of the
Independent Trustees of the fund, with such Independent Trustees casting votes
in person at a meeting called for such purpose.
The management contract may be terminated without penalty by the Trustees of
the fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
fund on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice to
Pioneer, or by Pioneer on not less than 90 days' written notice to the fund,
and will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in
the 1940 Act) by Pioneer. The management contract is not assignable by the fund
except with the consent of Pioneer.
The Trustees' approval of and the terms, continuance and termination of the
management contract are governed by the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the management
contract, Pioneer assumes no responsibility other than to render the services
called for under the management contract, in good faith, and Pioneer will not
be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising
out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of securities
or other transactions for the fund. Pioneer, however, is not protected against
liability by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in
the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under the management contract. The management contract
requires Pioneer to furnish all necessary services, facilities and personnel in
connection with the performance of its services under the management contract,
and except as specifically stated therein, Pioneer is not responsible for any
of the fund's ordinary and extraordinary expenses.
ADVISORY FEE
As compensation for its management services and expenses incurred, the fund
pays Pioneer a fee at the annual rate equal to 0.50% of the fund's average
daily net assets up to $1 billion and 0.45% of the fund's average daily net
assets over $1 billion. The fee is computed daily and paid monthly.
See the table in "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for management
fees paid to Pioneer during recently completed fiscal years.
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
The fund has entered into an amended and restated administration agreement with
Pioneer pursuant to which Pioneer acts as the fund's administrator, performing
certain accounting, administration and legal services for the fund. Pioneer is
reimbursed for its cost of providing such services. The cost of providing these
services is based on direct costs and costs of overhead, subject to review by
the Board of Trustees. See "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for fees
the fund paid to Pioneer for administration and related services. In addition,
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. performs certain sub-administration services to
the fund pursuant to an agreement with Pioneer and the fund.
Under the terms of the amended and restated administration agreement with the
fund, Pioneer pays or reimburses the fund for expenses relating to its services
for the fund, with the exception of the following, which are to be paid by the
fund: (a) charges and expenses for fund accounting, pricing and appraisal
services and related overhead, including, to the extent such services are
performed by personnel of Pioneer, or its affiliates, office space and
facilities and personnel compensation, training and benefits; (b) the charges
and expenses of auditors; (c) the charges and expenses of any custodian,
transfer agent, plan agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar appointed
by the fund; (d) issue and transfer taxes, chargeable to the fund in connection
with securities transactions to which the fund is a party; (e) insurance
premiums, interest charges, dues and fees for membership in trade associations
and all taxes and corporate fees payable by the fund to federal, state or other
governmental agencies; (f) fees and expenses involved in registering and
maintaining registrations of the fund and/or its shares with federal regulatory
agencies, state or blue sky securities agencies and foreign jurisdictions,
including the preparation of prospectuses and statements of additional
information for filing with such regulatory authorities; (g) all expenses of
shareholders' and Trustees' meetings and of preparing, printing and
distributing prospectuses, notices,
39
proxy statements and all reports to shareholders and to governmental agencies;
(h) charges and expenses of legal counsel to the fund and the Trustees; (i) any
distribution fees paid by the fund in accordance with Rule 12b-1 promulgated by
the SEC pursuant to the 1940 Act; (j) compensation of those Trustees of the
fund who are not affiliated with or interested persons of Pioneer, the fund
(other than as Trustees), PIM-USA or PFD; (k) the cost of preparing and
printing share certificates; (l) interest on borrowed money, if any; (m) fees
payable by the fund under management agreements and the administration
agreement; and (n) extraordinary expenses. The fund shall also assume and pay
any other expense that the fund, Pioneer or any other agent of the fund may
incur not listed above that is approved by the Board of Trustees (including a
majority of the Independent Trustees) as being an appropriate expense of the
fund. The fund shall pay all fees and expenses to be paid by the fund under the
sub-administration agreement with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. In addition,
the fund shall pay all brokers' and underwriting commissions chargeable to the
fund in connection with securities transactions to which the fund is a party.
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The fund is managed by Pioneer, which also serves as investment adviser to
other Pioneer mutual funds and other accounts (including separate accounts and
unregistered products) with investment objectives identical or similar to those
of the fund. Securities frequently meet the investment objectives of the fund,
the other Pioneer mutual funds and such other accounts. In such cases, the
decision to recommend a purchase to one fund or account rather than another is
based on a number of factors. The determining factors in most cases are the
amount of securities of the issuer then outstanding, the value of those
securities and the market for them. Other factors considered in the investment
recommendations include other investments which each fund or account presently
has in a particular industry and the availability of investment funds in each
fund or account.
It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by more than one
fund and/or account. However, positions in the same issue may vary and the
length of time that any fund or account may choose to hold its investment in
the same issue may likewise vary. To the extent that more than one of the
Pioneer mutual funds or a private account managed by Pioneer seeks to acquire
the same security at about the same time, the fund may not be able to acquire
as large a position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay a
higher price for the security. Similarly, the fund may not be able to obtain as
large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any particular
portfolio security if Pioneer decides to sell on behalf of another account the
same portfolio security at the same time. On the other hand, if the same
securities are bought or sold at the same time by more than one fund or
account, the resulting participation in volume transactions could produce
better executions for the fund. In the event more than one account purchases or
sells the same security on a given date, the purchases and sales will normally
be made as nearly as practicable on a pro rata basis in proportion to the
amounts desired to be purchased or sold by each account. Although the other
Pioneer mutual funds may have the same or similar investment objectives and
policies as the fund, their portfolios do not generally consist of the same
investments as the fund or each other, and their performance results are likely
to differ from those of the fund.
PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
The fund, Pioneer, and PFD have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under
the 1940 Act which is applicable to officers, trustees/directors and designated
employees of Pioneer and certain of Pioneer's affiliates. The code permits such
persons to engage in personal securities transactions for their own accounts,
including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund, and is designed
to prescribe means reasonably necessary to prevent conflicts of interest from
arising in connection with personal securities transactions. The code is on
public file with and available from the SEC.
40
5. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND DISTRIBUTION PLAN
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
PFD, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is the principal underwriter
for the fund in connection with the continuous offering of its shares. PFD is
an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of PIM-USA.
The fund entered into an underwriting agreement with PFD which provides that
PFD will bear expenses for the distribution of the fund's shares, except for
expenses incurred by PFD for which it is reimbursed or compensated by the fund
under the distribution plan (discussed below). PFD bears all expenses it incurs
in providing services under the underwriting agreement. Such expenses include
compensation to its employees and representatives and to securities dealers for
distribution-related services performed for the fund. PFD also pays certain
expenses in connection with the distribution of the fund's shares, including
the cost of preparing, printing and distributing advertising or promotional
materials, and the cost of printing and distributing prospectuses and
supplements to prospective shareholders. The fund bears the cost of registering
its shares under federal and state securities law and the laws of certain
non-U.S. countries. Under the underwriting agreement, PFD will use its best
efforts in rendering services to the fund.
See "Sales Charges" for the schedule of initial sales charge reallowed to
dealers as a percentage of the offering price of the fund's Class A shares.
See the tables under "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for
commissions retained by PFD and reallowed to dealers in connection with PFD's
offering of the fund's Class A and Class C shares during recently completed
fiscal years.
The fund will not generally issue fund shares for consideration other than
cash. At the fund's sole discretion, however, it may issue fund shares for
consideration other than cash in connection with a bona fide reorganization,
statutory merger or other acquisition of portfolio securities.
It is the fund's general practice to repurchase its shares of beneficial
interest for cash consideration in any amount; however, the redemption price of
shares of the fund may, at Pioneer's discretion, be paid in portfolio
securities. The fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act pursuant to which the fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up
to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the fund's net asset value during any 90-day
period for any one shareholder. Should the amount of redemptions by any
shareholder exceed such limitation, the fund will have the option of redeeming
the excess in cash or portfolio securities. In the latter case, the securities
are taken at their value employed in determining the fund's net asset value.
You may incur additional costs, such as brokerage fees and taxes, and risks,
including a decline in the value of the securities you receive, if the fund
makes an in-kind distribution.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The fund has adopted a distribution plan (the "Distribution Plan") pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to its Class A and Class C shares.
The fund has not adopted a distribution plan with respect to its Class Y
shares.
For each Class that has adopted a Distribution Plan, fees under the
Distribution Plan may be used to make payments to one or more principal
underwriters, broker-dealers, financial intermediaries (which may include
banks) and other parties that enter into a distribution, selling or service
agreement with respect to the shares of such Class (each of the foregoing, a
"Service Party"). The fund, its principal underwriter or other parties also may
incur expenses in connection with the distribution or marketing and sales of
the fund's shares that may be paid or reimbursed by the fund. The aggregate
amount in respect of such fees and expenses with respect to each Class shall be
the amount calculated at a percentage per annum of the average daily net assets
attributable to such Class as set forth below:
41
APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE
CLASS PER ANNUM
--------- ----------------------
Class A 0.25%
--------- ----
Class C 1.00%
--------- ----
Payments are made under the Distribution Plan for distribution services and
other activities in respect of the sale of shares of the fund and to make
payments for advertising, marketing or other promotional activity, and for
preparation, printing, and distribution of prospectuses, statements of
additional information and reports for recipients other than regulators and
existing shareholders. The fund also may make payments to Service Parties under
the Distribution Plan for providing personal service or the maintenance of
shareholder accounts. The amounts paid to each recipient may vary based upon
certain factors, including, among other things, the levels of sales of fund
shares and/or shareholder services provided; provided, however, that the fees
paid to a recipient with respect to a particular Class that may be used to
cover expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of that
Class, or that may be used to cover expenses primarily intended for personal
service and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts, may not exceed the maximum
amounts, if any, as may from time to time be permitted for such services under
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") Conduct Rule 2830 or any
successor rule, in each case as amended or interpreted by FINRA.
The Distribution Plan also provides that the Service Parties may receive all or
a portion of any sales charges paid by investors.
The Distribution Plan permits the fund to pay fees to the Service Parties as
compensation for their services, not as reimbursement for specific expenses
incurred. Thus, even if their expenses exceed the fees provided for by the
Distribution Plan, the fund will not be obligated to pay more than those fees
and, if their expenses are less than the fees paid to them, they will realize a
profit. The fund may pay the fees to the Service Parties until the Distribution
Plan or any related distribution agreement is terminated or not renewed. In
that event, a Service Party's expenses in excess of fees received or accrued
through the termination date will be such Service Party's sole responsibility
and not obligations of the fund. In their annual consideration of the
continuation of the Distribution Plan for the fund, the Trustees will review
the Distribution Plan and the expenses for each Class within the fund
separately. The fund may participate in joint distribution activities with
other Pioneer funds. The costs associated with such joint distribution
activities are allocated to a fund based on the number of shares sold.
The Distribution Plan also recognizes that Pioneer, PFD or any other Service
Party may make payments for distribution-related expenses out of its own
resources, including past profits, or payments received from the fund for other
purposes, such as management fees, and that the Service Parties may from time
to time use their own resources for distribution-related services, in addition
to the fees paid under the Distribution Plan. The Distribution Plan
specifically provides that, to the extent that such payments might be deemed to
be indirect financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale
of shares of the fund within the context of Rule 12b-1, then the payments are
deemed to be authorized by the Distribution Plan but not subject to the maximum
amounts set forth above.
Under its terms, the Distribution Plan continues in effect for one year and
thereafter for successive annual periods, provided such continuance is
specifically approved at least annually by vote of the Board, including a
majority of the Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan. The Distribution Plan may
not be amended to increase materially the amount of the service and
distribution fees without shareholder approval, and all material amendments of
the Distribution Plan also must be approved by the Trustees, including all of
the Independent Trustees, in the manner described above. The Distribution Plan
may be terminated with respect to a Class of the fund at any time, without
penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Class of the fund (as
defined in the 1940 Act).
42
See "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for fund expenses under the
Distribution Plan paid to PFD for the most recently completed fiscal year.
CLASS C SHARES
PFD will advance to dealers the first-year service fee at a rate equal to 0.25%
of the amount invested. As compensation therefor, PFD may retain the service
fee paid by the fund with respect to such shares for the first year after
purchase. Commencing in the 13th month following the purchase of Class C
shares, dealers will become eligible for additional annual distribution fees
and service fees of up to 0.75% and 0.25%, respectively, of the net asset value
of such shares. Dealers may from time to time be required to meet certain other
criteria in order to receive service fees.
6. SHAREHOLDER SERVICING/TRANSFER AGENT
The fund has contracted with Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., 2000 Crown
Colony Drive, Quincy, Massachusetts, 02169, to act as shareholder servicing and
transfer agent for the fund.
Under the terms of its contract with the fund, Boston Financial Data Services,
Inc. services shareholder accounts, and its duties include: (i) processing
sales, redemptions and exchanges of shares of the fund; (ii) distributing
dividends and capital gains associated with the fund's portfolio; and (iii)
maintaining account records and responding to shareholder inquiries.
7. CUSTODIAN AND SUB-ADMINISTRATOR
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. ("BBH"), 50 Post Office Square, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, is the custodian of the fund's assets. The custodian's
responsibilities include safekeeping and controlling the fund's cash and
securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting
interest and dividends on the fund's investments.
BBH also performs certain fund accounting and fund administration services for
the Pioneer Fund complex, including the fund. For performing such services, BBH
receives fees based on complex-wide assets.
8. INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116, independent
registered public accounting firm, provided audit services, tax return review
services, and assistance and consultation with respect to filings with the SEC
for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.
9. PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The table below indicates, for the portfolio managers of the fund, information
about the accounts other than the fund over which the portfolio manager has
day-to-day investment responsibility. All information on the number of accounts
and total assets in the table is as of July 31, 2015. For purposes of the
table, "Other Pooled Investment Vehicles" may include investment partnerships,
undertakings for collective investments in transferable securities ("UCITS")
and other non-U.S. investment funds and group trusts, and "Other Accounts" may
include separate accounts for institutions or individuals, insurance company
general or separate accounts, pension funds and other similar institutional
accounts but generally do not
43
include the portfolio manager's personal investment accounts or those which the
manager may be deemed to own beneficially under the code of ethics. Certain
funds and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager may have
substantially similar investment strategies.
NUMBER OF ASSETS
ACCOUNTS MANAGED
MANAGED FOR FOR WHICH
WHICH ADVISORY ADVISORY
NUMBER OF FEE IS FEE IS
NAME OF ACCOUNTS TOTAL ASSETS PERFORMANCE- PERFORMANCE-
PORTFOLIO MANAGER TYPE OF ACCOUNT MANAGED MANAGED (000'S) BASED BASED (000'S)
------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------- ----------------- ---------------- --------------
Richard Schlanger Other Registered Investment
Companies 2 $ 885,246 N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 1 $ 398,135 N/A N/A
Other Accounts 2 $ 27,706 N/A N/A
------------------- ---------------------------------- -- ----------- ---------------- ----------
Charles Melchreit Other Registered $16,372,613
Investment Companies 11 N/A N/A
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles 4 $ 6,218,437 1 $4,317,586
Other Accounts 8 $ 1,474,916 N/A N/A
------------------- ---------------------------------- -- ----------- ---------------- ----------
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
When a portfolio manager is responsible for the management of more than one
account, the potential arises for the portfolio manager to favor one account
over another. The principal types of potential conflicts of interest that may
arise are discussed below. For the reasons outlined below, Pioneer does not
believe that any material conflicts are likely to arise out of a portfolio
manager's responsibility for the management of the fund as well as one or more
other accounts. Although Pioneer has adopted procedures that it believes are
reasonably designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities
laws and to mitigate the potential for conflicts of interest to affect its
portfolio management decisions, there can be no assurance that all conflicts
will be identified or that all procedures will be effective in mitigating the
potential for such risks. Generally, the risks of such conflicts of interest
are increased to the extent that a portfolio manager has a financial incentive
to favor one account over another. Pioneer has structured its compensation
arrangements in a manner that is intended to limit such potential for conflicts
of interest. See "Compensation of Portfolio Managers" below.
o A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in allocating new
investment opportunities that have limited supply, such as initial public
offerings and private placements. If, for example, an initial public
offering that was expected to appreciate in value significantly shortly
after the offering was allocated to a single account, that account may be
expected to have better investment performance than other accounts that did
not receive an allocation of the initial public offering. Generally,
investments for which there is limited availability are allocated based upon
a range of factors including available cash and consistency with the
accounts' investment objectives and policies. This allocation methodology
necessarily involves some subjective elements but is intended over time to
treat each client in an equitable and fair manner. Generally, the investment
opportunity is allocated among participating accounts on a pro rata basis.
Although Pioneer believes that its practices are reasonably designed to
treat each client in an equitable and fair manner, there may be instances
where a fund may not participate, or may participate to a lesser degree than
other clients, in the allocation of an investment opportunity.
o A portfolio manager could favor one account over another in the order in
which trades for the accounts are placed. If a portfolio manager determines
to purchase a security for more than one account in an aggregate amount that
may influence the market price of the security, accounts that purchased or
sold the security first may receive a more favorable price than accounts
that made subsequent transactions. The less liquid the market for the
security or the greater the percentage that the proposed aggregate
44
purchases or sales represent of average daily trading volume, the greater the
potential for accounts that make subsequent purchases or sales to receive a
less favorable price. When a portfolio manager intends to trade the same
security on the same day for more than one account, the trades typically are
"bunched," which means that the trades for the individual accounts are
aggregated and each account receives the same price. There are some types of
accounts as to which bunching may not be possible for contractual reasons
(such as directed brokerage arrangements). Circumstances may also arise where
the trader believes that bunching the orders may not result in the best
possible price. Where those accounts or circumstances are involved, Pioneer
will place the order in a manner intended to result in as favorable a price as
possible for such client.
o A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager's
compensation is tied to the performance of that account to a greater degree
than other accounts managed by the portfolio manager. If, for example, the
portfolio manager receives a bonus based upon the performance of certain
accounts relative to a benchmark while other accounts are disregarded for
this purpose, the portfolio manager will have a financial incentive to seek
to have the accounts that determine the portfolio manager's bonus achieve
the best possible performance to the possible detriment of other accounts.
Similarly, if Pioneer receives a performance-based advisory fee, the
portfolio manager may favor that account, whether or not the performance of
that account directly determines the portfolio manager's compensation.
o A portfolio manager could favor an account if the portfolio manager has a
beneficial interest in the account, in order to benefit a large client or to
compensate a client that had poor returns. For example, if the portfolio
manager held an interest in an investment partnership that was one of the
accounts managed by the portfolio manager, the portfolio manager would have
an economic incentive to favor the account in which the portfolio manager
held an interest.
o If the different accounts have materially and potentially conflicting
investment objectives or strategies, a conflict of interest could arise. For
example, if a portfolio manager purchases a security for one account and
sells the same security for another account, such trading pattern may
disadvantage either the account that is long or short. In making portfolio
manager assignments, Pioneer seeks to avoid such potentially conflicting
situations. However, where a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts
with differing investment objectives and policies, it is possible that the
portfolio manager will conclude that it is in the best interest of one
account to sell a portfolio security while another account continues to hold
or increase the holding in such security.
COMPENSATION OF PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Pioneer has adopted a system of compensation for portfolio managers that seeks
to align the financial interests of the portfolio managers with those of
shareholders of the accounts (including Pioneer funds) the portfolio managers
manage, as well as with the financial performance of Pioneer. The compensation
program for all Pioneer portfolio managers includes a base salary (determined
by the rank and tenure of the employee) and an annual bonus program, as well as
customary benefits that are offered generally to all full-time employees. Base
compensation is fixed and normally reevaluated on an annual basis. Pioneer
seeks to set base compensation at market rates, taking into account the
experience and responsibilities of the portfolio manager. The bonus plan is
intended to provide a competitive level of annual bonus compensation that is
tied to the portfolio manager achieving superior investment performance and
align the interests of the investment professional with those of shareholders,
as well as with the financial performance of Pioneer. Any bonus under the plan
is completely discretionary, with a maximum annual bonus that may be in excess
of base salary. The annual bonus is based upon a combination of the following
factors:
o QUANTITATIVE INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE. The quantitative investment performance
calculation is based on pre-tax investment performance of all of the
accounts managed by the portfolio manager (which includes the fund and any
other accounts managed by the portfolio manager) over a one-year period (20%
weighting) and four-year period (80% weighting), measured for periods ending
on December 31.
45
The accounts, which include the fund, are ranked against a group of mutual
funds with similar investment objectives and investment focus (60%) and a
broad-based securities market index measuring the performance of the same type
of securities in which the accounts invest (40%), which, in the case of the
fund, is the Barclays Capital Government Bond Index and the Barclays Capital
U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index. As a result of these two benchmarks,
the performance of the portfolio manager for compensation purposes is measured
against the criteria that are relevant to the portfolio manager's competitive
universe.
o QUALITATIVE PERFORMANCE. The qualitative performance component with respect
to all of the accounts managed by the portfolio manager includes objectives,
such as effectiveness in the areas of teamwork, leadership, communications
and marketing, that are mutually established and evaluated by each portfolio
manager and management.
o PIONEER RESULTS AND BUSINESS LINE RESULTS. Pioneer's financial performance,
as well as the investment performance of its investment management group,
affect a portfolio manager's actual bonus by a leverage factor of plus or
minus (+/-) a predetermined percentage.
The quantitative and qualitative performance components comprise 80% and 20%,
respectively, of the overall bonus calculation (on a pre-adjustment basis). A
portion of the annual bonus is deferred for a specified period and may be
invested in one or more Pioneer funds.
Certain portfolio managers participate in other programs designed to reward and
retain key contributors. Senior executives or other key employees are granted
performance units based on the stock price performance of UniCredit and the
financial performance of Pioneer Global Asset Management S.p.A., which are
affiliates of Pioneer. Portfolio managers also may participate in a deferred
compensation program, whereby deferred amounts are invested in one or more
Pioneer funds.
SHARE OWNERSHIP BY PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The following table indicates as of July 31, 2015 the value, within the
indicated range, of shares beneficially owned by the portfolio managers of the
fund.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
NAME OF PORTFOLIO MANAGER OF THE FUND*
--------------------------- ---------------------
Richard Schlanger E
--------------------------- ---------------------
B
Charles Melchreit
--------------------------- ---------------------
* Key to Dollar Ranges
A. None
B. $1 - $10,000
C. $10,001 - $50,000
D. $50,001 - $100,000
E. $100,001 - $500,000
F. $500,001 - $1,000,000
G. Over $1,000,000
10. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities are placed on
behalf of the fund by Pioneer pursuant to authority contained in the fund's
management contract. Securities purchased and sold on behalf of the fund
normally will be traded in the over-the-counter market on a net basis (i.e.
without commission) through dealers acting for their own account and not as
brokers or otherwise through transactions directly with the issuer of the
instrument. The cost of securities purchased from underwriters includes an
underwriter's commission or concession, and the prices at which securities are
purchased and sold from and to dealers include a dealer's markup or markdown.
Pioneer normally seeks to deal
46
directly with the primary market makers unless, in its opinion, better prices
are available elsewhere. Pioneer seeks to obtain overall best execution on
portfolio trades. The price of securities and any commission rate paid are
always factors, but frequently not the only factors, in judging best execution.
In selecting brokers or dealers, Pioneer considers various relevant factors,
including, but not limited to, the size and type of the transaction; the nature
and character of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold; the
execution efficiency, settlement capability and financial condition of the
dealer; the dealer's execution services rendered on a continuing basis; and the
reasonableness of any dealer spreads. Transactions in non-U.S. equity
securities are executed by broker-dealers in non-U.S. countries in which
commission rates may not be negotiable (as such rates are in the U.S.).
Pioneer may select broker-dealers that provide brokerage and/or research
services to the fund and/or other investment companies or other accounts
managed by Pioneer over which it or its affiliates exercise investment
discretion. In addition, consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, if Pioneer determines in good faith that the
amount of commissions charged by a broker-dealer is reasonable in relation to
the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker, the
fund may pay commissions to such broker-dealer in an amount greater than the
amount another firm may charge. Such services may include advice concerning the
value of securities; the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling
securities; the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of
securities; providing stock quotation services, credit rating service
information and comparative fund statistics; furnishing analyses, electronic
information services, manuals and reports concerning issuers, industries,
securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and performance of
accounts and particular investment decisions; and effecting securities
transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and
settlement). Pioneer maintains a listing of broker-dealers who provide such
services on a regular basis. However, because many transactions on behalf of
the fund and other investment companies or accounts managed by Pioneer are
placed with broker-dealers (including broker-dealers on the listing) without
regard to the furnishing of such services, it is not possible to estimate the
proportion of such transactions directed to such dealers solely because such
services were provided. Pioneer believes that no exact dollar value can be
calculated for such services.
The research received from broker-dealers may be useful to Pioneer in rendering
investment management services to the fund as well as other investment
companies or other accounts managed by Pioneer, although not all such research
may be useful to the fund. Conversely, such information provided by brokers or
dealers who have executed transaction orders on behalf of such other accounts
may be useful to Pioneer in carrying out its obligations to the fund. The
receipt of such research enables Pioneer to avoid the additional expenses that
might otherwise be incurred if it were to attempt to develop comparable
information through its own staff.
The fund may participate in third-party brokerage and/or expense offset
arrangements to reduce the fund's total operating expenses. Pursuant to
third-party brokerage arrangements, the fund may incur lower expenses by
directing brokerage to third-party broker-dealers which have agreed to use part
of their commission to pay the fund's fees to service providers unaffiliated
with Pioneer or other expenses. Since the commissions paid to the third party
brokers reflect a commission cost that the fund would generally expect to incur
on its brokerage transactions but not necessarily the lowest possible
commission, this arrangement is intended to reduce the fund's operating
expenses without increasing the cost of its brokerage commissions. Since use of
such directed brokerage is subject to the requirement to achieve best execution
in connection with the fund's brokerage transactions, there can be no assurance
that such arrangements will be utilized. Pursuant to expense offset
arrangements, the fund may incur lower transfer agency expenses due to interest
earned on cash held with the transfer agent. See "Financial highlights" in the
prospectus.
47
See the table in "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for aggregate
brokerage and underwriting commissions paid by the fund in connection with its
portfolio transactions during recently completed fiscal years. The Board of
Trustees periodically reviews Pioneer's performance of its responsibilities in
connection with the placement of portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund.
11. DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
As an open-end management investment company, the fund continuously offers its
shares to the public and under normal conditions must redeem its shares upon
the demand of any shareholder at the next determined net asset value per share
less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC"). See "Sales
Charges." When issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the
prospectus and statement of additional information, shares of the fund are
fully paid and non-assessable. Shares will remain on deposit with the fund's
transfer agent and certificates will not normally be issued.
The fund is a series of Pioneer Series Trust IV, a Delaware statutory trust.
The Trustees have authorized the issuance of the following classes of shares of
the fund, designated as Class A shares, Class C shares, Class R shares and
Class Y shares. Class R shares have not been issued as of the date of this
statement of additional information. Until November 10, 2014, the fund offered
Class B shares. All outstanding Class B shares were converted to Class A shares
on November 10, 2014. Each share of a class of the fund represents an equal
proportionate interest in the assets of the fund allocable to that class. Upon
liquidation of the fund, shareholders of each class of the fund are entitled to
share pro rata in the fund's net assets allocable to such class available for
distribution to shareholders. The Trust reserves the right to create and issue
additional series or classes of shares, in which case the shares of each class
of a series would participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets
allocable to that class of the particular series.
The shares of each class represent an interest in the same portfolio of
investments of the fund. Each class has identical rights (based on relative net
asset values) to assets and liquidation proceeds. Share classes can bear
different class-specific fees and expenses such as transfer agent and
distribution fees. Differences in class-specific fees and expenses will result
in differences in net investment income and, therefore, the payment of
different dividends by each class. Share classes have exclusive voting rights
with respect to matters affecting only that class, including with respect to
the distribution plan for that class.
THE TRUST
The Trust's operations are governed by the Amended and Restated Agreement and
Declaration of Trust, dated as of July 1, 2008 (referred to in this section as
the declaration). A copy of the Trust's Certificate of Trust dated as of June
28, 2005, as amended, is on file with the office of the Secretary of State of
Delaware.
Delaware law provides a statutory framework for the powers, duties, rights and
obligations of the board (referred to in this section as the trustees) and
shareholders of the Delaware statutory trust, while the more specific powers,
duties, rights and obligations of the trustees and the shareholders are
determined by the trustees as set forth in the declaration. Some of the more
significant provisions of the declaration are described below.
SHAREHOLDER VOTING
The declaration provides for shareholder voting as required by the 1940 Act or
other applicable laws but otherwise permits, consistent with Delaware law,
actions by the trustees without seeking the consent of shareholders. The
trustees may, without shareholder approval, where approval of shareholders is
not otherwise required under the 1940 Act, merge or consolidate the Trust into
other entities, reorganize the
48
Trust or any series or class into another trust or entity or a series or class
of another entity, sell the assets of the Trust or any series or class to
another entity, or a series or class of another entity, or terminate the Trust
or any series or class.
The fund is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders, but the
fund will call special meetings of shareholders whenever required by the 1940
Act or by the terms of the declaration. The declaration gives the board the
flexibility to specify either per share voting or dollar-weighted voting. Under
per share voting, each share of the fund is entitled to one vote. Under
dollar-weighted voting, a shareholder's voting power is determined, not by the
number of shares the shareholder owns, but by the dollar value of those shares
determined on the record date. All shareholders of all series and classes of
the Trust vote together, except where required by the 1940 Act to vote
separately by series or by class, or when the trustees have determined that a
matter affects only the interests of one or more series or classes of shares.
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES
The declaration provides that the trustees may establish the number of trustees
and that vacancies on the board may be filled by the remaining trustees, except
when election of trustees by the shareholders is required under the 1940 Act.
Trustees are then elected by a plurality of votes cast by shareholders at a
meeting at which a quorum is present. The declaration also provides that a
mandatory retirement age may be set by action of two-thirds of the trustees and
that trustees may be removed at any time or for any reason by a majority of the
board or by a majority of the outstanding shareholders of the Trust.
AMENDMENTS TO THE DECLARATION
The trustees are authorized to amend the declaration without the vote of
shareholders, but no amendment may be made that impairs the exemption from
personal liability granted in the declaration to persons who are or have been
shareholders, trustees, officers or, employees of the trust or that limit the
rights to indemnification or insurance provided in the declaration with respect
to actions or omissions of persons entitled to indemnification under the
declaration prior to the amendment.
ISSUANCE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The fund may issue an unlimited number of shares for such consideration and on
such terms as the trustees may determine. Shareholders are not entitled to any
appraisal, preemptive, conversion, exchange or similar rights, except as the
trustees may determine. The fund may involuntarily redeem a shareholder's
shares upon certain conditions as may be determined by the trustees, including,
for example, if the shareholder fails to provide the fund with identification
required by law, or if the fund is unable to verify the information received
from the shareholder. Additionally, as discussed below, shares may be redeemed
in connection with the closing of small accounts.
DISCLOSURE OF SHAREHOLDER HOLDINGS
The declaration specifically requires shareholders, upon demand, to disclose to
the fund information with respect to the direct and indirect ownership of
shares in order to comply with various laws or regulations, and the fund may
disclose such ownership if required by law or regulation.
SMALL ACCOUNTS
The declaration provides that the fund may close out a shareholder's account by
redeeming all of the shares in the account if the account falls below a minimum
account size (which may vary by class) that may be set by the trustees from
time to time. Alternately, the declaration permits the fund to assess a fee for
small accounts (which may vary by class) and redeem shares in the account to
cover such fees, or convert the shares into another share class that is geared
to smaller accounts.
49
SERIES AND CLASSES
The declaration provides that the trustees may establish series and classes in
addition to those currently established and to determine the rights and
preferences, limitations and restrictions, including qualifications for
ownership, conversion and exchange features, minimum purchase and account size,
expenses and charges, and other features of the series and classes. The
trustees may change any of those features, terminate any series or class,
combine series with other series in the trust, combine one or more classes of a
series with another class in that series or convert the shares of one class
into another class.
Each share of the fund, as a series of the Trust, represents an interest in the
fund only and not in the assets of any other series of the Trust.
SHAREHOLDER, TRUSTEE AND OFFICER LIABILITY
The declaration provides that shareholders are not personally liable for the
obligations of the fund and requires a fund to indemnify a shareholder against
liability arising solely from the shareholder's ownership of shares in the
fund. In addition, the fund will assume the defense of any claim against a
shareholder for personal liability at the request of the shareholder. The
declaration further provides that no trustee, officer or employee of the fund
shall be liable to the fund or any shareholder for any action, failure to act,
error or mistake except in cases of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of duty. The declaration requires the fund to
indemnify each trustee, director, officer, employee and authorized agent to the
fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses
reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit
or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of
his being or having been such a trustee, director, officer, employee, or agent
and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof. The 1940 Act
currently provides that no officer or director shall be protected from
liability to the fund or shareholders for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties of office. The declaration
extends to trustees, officers and employees of the fund the full protection
from liability that the law allows.
The declaration provides that the appointment, designation or identification of
a trustee as chairperson, a member of a committee, an expert, lead independent
trustee, or any other special appointment, designation or identification shall
not impose any heightened standard of care or liability on such trustee.
DERIVATIVE ACTIONS
The declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative
actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims
while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be
caused to the fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder
demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand
by three unrelated shareholders must first be made on the fund's trustees. The
declaration details various information, certifications, undertakings and
acknowledgements that must be included in the demand. Following receipt of the
demand, the trustees have a period of 90 days, which may be extended by an
additional 60 days, to consider the demand. If a majority of the trustees who
are considered independent for the purposes of considering the demand determine
that maintaining the suit would not be in the best interests of the fund, the
trustees are required to reject the demand and the complaining shareholders may
not proceed with the derivative action unless the shareholders are able to
sustain the burden of proof to a court that the decision of the trustees not to
pursue the requested action was not a good faith exercise of their business
judgment on behalf of the fund. The declaration further provides that
shareholders owning shares representing at least 10% of the voting power of the
affected fund must join in bringing the derivative action. If a demand is
rejected, the complaining shareholders will be responsible for the costs and
expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by the fund in connection with
the consideration of the demand, if a court determines that the demand was made
without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose. If a
50
derivative action is brought in violation of the declaration, the shareholders
bringing the action may be responsible for the fund's costs, including
attorneys' fees, if a court determines that the action was brought without
reasonable cause or for an improper purpose.
The declaration further provides that the fund shall be responsible for payment
of attorneys' fees and legal expenses incurred by a complaining shareholder
only if required by law, and any attorneys' fees that the fund is obligated to
pay shall be calculated using reasonable hourly rates. The declaration also
requires that actions by shareholders against the fund be brought only in
federal court in Boston, Massachusetts, or if not permitted to be brought in
federal court, then in state court in Boston, Massachusetts, and that
shareholders have no right to jury trial for such actions.
12. SALES CHARGES
The fund continuously offers the following classes of shares: Class A, Class C
and Class Y shares, as described in the prospectus. The fund offers its shares
at a reduced sales charge to investors who meet certain criteria that permit
the fund's shares to be sold with low distribution costs. These criteria are
described below or in the prospectus.
CLASS A SHARE SALES CHARGES
You may buy Class A shares at the public offering price, including a sales
charge, as follows:
SALES CHARGE AS A % OF
--------------------------------------
OFFERING NET AMOUNT DEALER
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE PRICE INVESTED REALLOWANCE
--------------------------------- ---------- ------------ ------------
Less than $100,000 4.50 4.71 4.00
--------------------------------- ---- ---- ----
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63 3.00
--------------------------------- ---- ---- ----
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.50 2.56 2.00
--------------------------------- ---- ---- ----
$500,000 or more 0.00 0.00 see below
--------------------------------- ---- ---- ------------
The schedule of sales charges above is applicable to purchases of Class A
shares of the fund by (i) an individual, (ii) an individual and his or her
spouse and children under the age of 21 and (iii) a trustee or other fiduciary
of a trust estate or fiduciary account or related trusts or accounts including
pension, profit-sharing and other employee benefit trusts qualified under
Sections 401 or 408 of the Code although more than one beneficiary is involved.
The sales charges applicable to a current purchase of Class A shares of the
fund by a person listed above is determined by adding the value of shares to be
purchased to the aggregate value (at the then current offering price) of shares
of any of the other Pioneer mutual funds previously purchased and then owned,
provided PFD is notified by such person or his or her broker-dealer each time a
purchase is made which would qualify. Pioneer mutual funds include all mutual
funds for which PFD serves as principal underwriter. At the sole discretion of
PFD, holdings of funds domiciled outside the U.S., but which are managed by
affiliates of Pioneer, may be included for this purpose.
No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $500,000
or more, or for purchases by participants in employer-sponsored retirement
plans described below subject to a CDSC of 1% which may be imposed in the event
of a redemption of Class A shares within 12 months of purchase. PFD may, in its
discretion, pay a commission to broker-dealers who initiate and are responsible
for such purchases as follows:
1.00% Up to $4 million
---- ---------------------------------
Greater than $4 million and less
0.50% than or equal to $50 million
---- ---------------------------------
0.25% Over $50 million
---- ---------------------------------
51
Commissions are based on cumulative investments in Class A shares of the
Pioneer funds. These commissions shall not be payable if the purchaser is
affiliated with the broker-dealer or if the purchase represents the
reinvestment of a redemption made during the previous 12 calendar months.
Broker-dealers who receive a commission in connection with Class A share
purchases at net asset value by employer-sponsored retirement plans with at
least $500,000 in total plan assets (or that has 1,000 or more eligible
participants for employer-sponsored retirement plans with accounts established
with Pioneer on or before March 31, 2004) will be required to return any
commissions paid or a pro rata portion thereof if the retirement plan redeems
its shares within 12 months of purchase.
LETTER OF INTENT ("LOI")
Reduced sales charges are available for purchases of $100,000 or more of Class
A shares (excluding any reinvestments of dividends and capital gain
distributions) made within a 13-month period pursuant to an LOI which may be
established by completing the Letter of Intent section of the Account
Application. The reduced sales charge will be the charge that would be
applicable to the purchase of the specified amount of Class A shares as if the
shares had all been purchased at the same time. A purchase not made pursuant to
an LOI may be included if the LOI is submitted to the fund's transfer agent
within 90 days of such purchase. You may also obtain the reduced sales charge
by including the value (at current offering price) of all your Class A shares
in the fund and all other Pioneer mutual funds held of record as of the date of
your LOI in the amount used to determine the applicable sales charge for the
Class A shares to be purchased under the LOI. Five percent of your total
intended purchase amount will be held in escrow by the fund's transfer agent,
registered in your name, until the terms of the LOI are fulfilled. When you
sign the Account Application, you agree to irrevocably appoint the fund's
transfer agent your attorney-in-fact to surrender for redemption any or all
shares held in escrow with full power of substitution. An LOI is not a binding
obligation upon the investor to purchase, or the fund to sell, the amount
specified in the LOI. Any share class for which no sales charge is paid cannot
be included under the LOI.
If the total purchases exceed the amount specified under the LOI and are in an
amount that would qualify for a further quantity discount, all transactions
will be recomputed on the expiration date of the LOI to effect the lower sales
charge. Any difference in the sales charge resulting from such recomputation
will be either delivered to you in cash or invested in additional shares at the
lower sales charge. The dealer, by signing the Account Application, agrees to
return to PFD, as part of such retroactive adjustment, the excess of the
commission previously reallowed or paid to the dealer over that which is
applicable to the actual amount of the total purchases under the LOI.
If the total purchases are less than the amount specified under the LOI, you
must remit to PFD any difference between the sales charge on the amount
actually purchased and the amount originally specified in the LOI. When the
difference is paid, the shares held in escrow will be deposited to your
account. If you do not pay the difference in sales charge within 20 days after
written request from PFD or your dealer, the fund's transfer agent, after
receiving instructions from PFD, will redeem the appropriate number of shares
held in escrow to realize the difference and release any excess.
If sufficient shares are not purchased to complete the LOI because all
registered account owners died within the 13-month period, PFD will consider
the LOI complete and will not adjust past transactions for purposes of the
sales charges paid. Commissions to dealers will not be adjusted or paid on the
difference between the LOI amount and the amount actually invested before the
shareholders' deaths.
CLASS C SHARES
You may buy Class C shares at the net asset value per share next computed after
receipt of a purchase order without the imposition of an initial sales charge;
however, Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase will be subject to
a CDSC of 1%. The charge will be assessed on the amount equal to the lesser of
the current market value or the original purchase cost of the shares being
redeemed. No CDSC
52
will be imposed on increases in account value above the initial purchase price,
including shares derived from the reinvestment of dividends or capital gain
distributions. Class C shares do not convert to any other class of fund shares.
In processing redemptions of Class C shares, the fund will first redeem shares
not subject to any CDSC and then shares held for the longest period of time
during the one-year period. As a result, you will pay the lowest possible CDSC.
Proceeds from the CDSC are paid to PFD and are used in whole or in part to
defray PFD's expenses related to providing distribution-related services to the
fund in connection with the sale of Class C shares, including the payment of
compensation to broker-dealers.
CLASS Y SHARES
No front-end, deferred or asset-based sales charges are applicable to Class Y
shares.
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
The financial intermediaries through which shares are purchased may receive all
or a portion of the sales charges and Rule 12b-1 fees discussed above. In
addition to those payments, Pioneer or one or more of its affiliates
(collectively, "Pioneer Affiliates") may make additional payments to financial
intermediaries in connection with the promotion and sale of shares of Pioneer
funds. Pioneer Affiliates make these payments from their own resources, which
include resources that derive from compensation for providing services to the
Pioneer funds. These additional payments are described below. The categories
described below are not mutually exclusive. The same financial intermediary may
receive payments under more than one or all categories. Many financial
intermediaries that sell shares of Pioneer funds receive one or more types of
these payments. The financial intermediary typically initiates requests for
additional compensation. Pioneer negotiates these arrangements individually
with financial intermediaries and the amount of payments and the specific
arrangements may differ significantly. A financial intermediary also may
receive different levels of compensation with respect to sales or assets
attributable to different types of clients of the same intermediary or
different Pioneer funds. Where services are provided, the costs of providing
the services and the overall array of services provided may vary from one
financial intermediary to another. Pioneer Affiliates do not make an
independent assessment of the cost of providing such services. While the
financial intermediaries may request additional compensation from Pioneer to
offset costs incurred by the financial intermediary in servicing its clients,
the financial intermediary may earn a profit on these payments, since the
amount of the payment may exceed the financial intermediary's costs. In this
context, "financial intermediary" includes any broker, dealer, bank (including
bank trust departments), insurance company, transfer agent, registered
investment adviser, financial planner, retirement plan administrator and any
other financial intermediary having a selling, administrative and shareholder
servicing or similar agreement with a Pioneer Affiliate.
A financial intermediary's receipt of additional compensation may create
conflicts of interest between the financial intermediary and its clients. Each
type of payment discussed below may provide your financial intermediary with an
economic incentive to actively promote the Pioneer funds over other mutual
funds or cooperate with the distributor's promotional efforts. The receipt of
additional compensation for Pioneer Affiliates may be an important
consideration in a financial intermediary's willingness to support the sale of
the Pioneer funds through the financial intermediary's distribution system.
Pioneer Affiliates are motivated to make the payments described above since
they promote the sale of Pioneer fund shares and the retention of those
investments by clients of financial intermediaries. In certain cases these
payments could be significant to the financial intermediary. The financial
intermediary may charge additional fees or commissions other than those
disclosed in the prospectus. Financial intermediaries may categorize and
disclose these arrangements differently than Pioneer Affiliates do. To the
extent financial intermediaries
53
sell more shares of the funds or retain shares of the funds in their clients'
accounts, Pioneer Affiliates benefit from the incremental management and other
fees paid to Pioneer Affiliates by the funds with respect to those assets.
REVENUE SHARING PAYMENTS
Pioneer Affiliates make revenue sharing payments as incentives to certain
financial intermediaries to promote and sell shares of Pioneer funds. The
benefits Pioneer Affiliates receive when they make these payments include,
among other things, entry into or increased visibility in the financial
intermediary's sales system, participation by the intermediary in the
distributor's marketing efforts (such as helping facilitate or providing
financial assistance for conferences, seminars or other programs at which
Pioneer personnel may make presentations on the funds to the intermediary's
sales force), placement on the financial intermediary's preferred fund list,
and access (in some cases, on a preferential basis over other competitors) to
individual members of the financial intermediary's sales force or management.
Revenue sharing payments are sometimes referred to as "shelf space" payments
because the payments compensate the financial intermediary for including
Pioneer funds in its fund sales system (on its "shelf space"). Pioneer
Affiliates also may pay financial intermediaries "finders'" or "referral" fees
for directing investors to the Pioneer funds. Pioneer Affiliates compensate
financial intermediaries differently depending typically on the level and/or
type of considerations provided by the financial intermediary.
The revenue sharing payments Pioneer Affiliates make may be calculated on sales
of shares of Pioneer funds ("Sales-Based Payments"); although there is no
policy limiting the amount of Sales-Based Payments any one financial
intermediary may receive, the total amount of such payments normally does not
exceed 0.25% per annum of those assets. Such payments also may be calculated on
the average daily net assets of the applicable Pioneer funds attributable to
that particular financial intermediary ("Asset-Based Payments"); although there
is no policy limiting the amount of Asset-Based Payments any one financial
intermediary may receive, the total amount of such payments normally does not
exceed 0.16% per annum of those assets. Sales-Based Payments primarily create
incentives to make new sales of shares of Pioneer funds and Asset-Based
Payments primarily create incentives to retain previously sold shares of
Pioneer funds in investor accounts. Pioneer Affiliates may pay a financial
intermediary either or both Sales-Based Payments and Asset-Based Payments.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROCESSING SUPPORT PAYMENTS
Pioneer Affiliates also may make payments to certain financial intermediaries
that sell Pioneer fund shares for certain administrative services, including
record keeping and sub-accounting shareholder accounts, to the extent that the
funds do not pay for these costs directly. Pioneer Affiliates also may make
payments to certain financial intermediaries that sell Pioneer fund shares in
connection with client account maintenance support, statement preparation and
transaction processing. The types of payments that Pioneer Affiliates may make
under this category include, among others, payment of ticket charges per
purchase or exchange order placed by a financial intermediary, payment of
networking fees in connection with certain mutual fund trading systems, or
one-time payments for ancillary services such as setting up funds on a
financial intermediary's mutual fund trading system.
OTHER PAYMENTS
From time to time, Pioneer Affiliates, at their expense, may provide additional
compensation to financial intermediaries which sell or arrange for the sale of
shares of the Pioneer funds. Such compensation provided by Pioneer Affiliates
may include financial assistance to financial intermediaries that enable
Pioneer Affiliates to participate in and/or present at conferences or seminars,
sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other
employees, client entertainment, client and investor events, and other
financial intermediary-sponsored events, and travel expenses, including lodging
incurred by registered representatives and other employees in connection with
client prospecting, retention and due diligence trips. Other compensation may
be offered to the extent not prohibited by federal or state
54
laws or any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA. Pioneer Affiliates make
payments for entertainment events they deem appropriate, subject to Pioneer
Affiliates' guidelines and applicable law. These payments may vary depending
upon the nature of the event or the relationship.
As of January 1, 2015, Pioneer anticipates that the following broker-dealers or
their affiliates will receive additional payments as described in the fund's
prospectus and statement of additional information:
AIG VALIC
ADP Retirement Services
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc.
BB&T Securities, LLC
Cetera Advisors Networks LLC
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Commonwealth Financial Network
D.A. Davidson & Co.
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC
First Clearing, LLC
First Command Financial Planning, Inc.
FSC Securities Corporation
Guardian Investor Services LLC
GWFS Equities, Inc.
H.D. Investment Services
Hartford Securities Distribution Company, Inc.
ING
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Jefferson National Securities Corporation
Legend Equities Corporation
Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc.
LPL Financial Corp.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
MetLife Securities Inc.
Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation
Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.
MSCS Financial Services, LLC
Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc.
Mutual Service Corporation
N.I.S. Financial Services, Inc.
National Financial Services LLC
Nationwide Securities, Inc.
Northwestern Investment Services, LLC
NYLife Securities, LLC
OneAmerica Securities, Inc.
Pershing LLC
PFS Investments Inc.
PNC Investments
Prudential Financial
Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.
RBC Dain Rauscher Inc.
55
Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc.
Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
SagePoint Financial
Sammons Financial Network, LLC
Securities America, Inc.
Symetra Investment Services, Inc.
TD Ameritrade, Inc.
T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc.
Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
UBS Financial Services Inc.
U.S.Bancorp Investments, Inc.
Vanguard Marketing Corporation
Wells Fargo Investments, LLC
Woodbury Financial Services
Please contact your financial intermediary for details about any payments it
receives from Pioneer Affiliates or the funds, as well as about fees and/or
commissions it charges.
13. REDEEMING SHARES
Redemptions may be suspended or payment postponed during any period in which
any of the following conditions exist: the New York Stock Exchange (the
"Exchange") is closed or trading on the Exchange is restricted; an emergency
exists as a result of which disposal by the fund of securities owned by it is
not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the fund to
fairly determine the value of the net assets of its portfolio; or otherwise as
permitted by the rules of or by the order of the SEC.
Redemptions and repurchases are taxable transactions for shareholders that are
subject to U.S. federal income tax. The net asset value per share received upon
redemption or repurchase may be more or less than the cost of shares to an
investor, depending on the market value of the portfolio at the time of
redemption or repurchase..
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN(S) ("SWP") (CLASS A AND CLASS C SHARES)
A SWP is designed to provide a convenient method of receiving fixed payments at
regular intervals from fund share accounts having a total value of not less
than $10,000. You must also be reinvesting all dividends and capital gain
distributions to use the SWP option.
Periodic payments will be deposited monthly, quarterly, semiannually or
annually directly into a bank account designated by the applicant or will be
sent by check to the applicant, or any person designated by the applicant.
Payments can be made either by check or electronic funds transfer to a bank
account designated by you. Withdrawals from Class C share accounts are limited
to 10% of the value of the account at the time the SWP is established. See
"Qualifying for a reduced sales charge" in the prospectus. If you direct that
withdrawal payments be paid to another person, want to change the bank where
payments are sent or designate an address that is different from the account's
address of record after you have opened your account, a medallion signature
guarantee must accompany your instructions. Withdrawals under the SWP are
redemptions that may have tax consequences for you.
While you are making systematic withdrawals from your account, you may pay
unnecessary initial sales charges on additional purchases of Class A shares or
contingent deferred sales charges. SWP redemptions reduce and may ultimately
exhaust the number of shares in your account. In addition, the amounts received
by a shareholder cannot be considered as yield or income on his or her
investment because part of such payments may be a return of his or her
investment.
56
A SWP may be terminated at any time (1) by written notice to the fund or from
the fund to the shareholder; (2) upon receipt by the fund of appropriate
evidence of the shareholder's death; or (3) when all shares in the
shareholder's account have been redeemed.
You may obtain additional information by calling the fund at 1-800-225-6292.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE (CLASS A SHARES)
Subject to the provisions outlined in the prospectus, you may reinvest all or
part of your sale proceeds from Class A shares without a sales charge into
Class A shares of a Pioneer mutual fund. However, the distributor will not pay
your investment firm a commission on any reinvested amount.
14. TELEPHONE AND ONLINE TRANSACTIONS
You may purchase, exchange or sell shares by telephone or online. Class Y
shares may not be purchased by telephone, and Class Y shareowners are not
eligible for online transaction privileges. See the prospectus for more
information. For personal assistance, call 1-800-225-6292 between 8:00 a.m. and
7:00 p.m. (Class Y account holders should contact Pioneer's Group Plans
Department at 1-800-665-8839 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.) Eastern time on
weekdays. Computer-assisted telephone transactions may be available to
shareholders who have prerecorded certain bank information (see
"FactFone/SM/"). YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT WITH YOUR INVESTMENT
PROFESSIONAL PRIOR TO REQUESTING ANY TELEPHONE OR ONLINE TRANSACTION.
TELEPHONE TRANSACTION PRIVILEGES
To confirm that each transaction instruction received by telephone is genuine,
the fund will record each telephone transaction, require the caller to provide
validating information for the account and send you a written confirmation of
each telephone transaction. Different procedures may apply to accounts that are
registered to non-U.S. citizens or that are held in the name of an institution
or in the name of an investment broker-dealer or other third party. If
reasonable procedures, such as those described above, are not followed, the
fund may be liable for any loss due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.
The fund may implement other procedures from time to time. In all other cases,
neither the fund, the fund's transfer agent nor PFD will be responsible for the
authenticity of instructions received by telephone; therefore, you bear the
risk of loss for unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transactions.
ONLINE TRANSACTION PRIVILEGES
If your account is registered in your name, you may be able buy, exchange or
sell fund shares online. Your investment firm may also be able to buy, exchange
or sell your fund shares online.
To establish online transaction privileges:
o For new accounts, complete the online section of the account application
o For existing accounts, complete an account options form, write to the fund or
complete the online authorization screen on us.pioneerinvestments.com
To use online transactions, you must read and agree to the terms of an online
transaction agreement available on the Pioneer website. When you or your
investment firm requests an online transaction the transfer agent
electronically records the transaction, requires an authorizing password and
sends a written confirmation. The fund may implement other procedures from time
to time. Different procedures may apply if you have a non-U.S. account or if
your account is registered in the name of an institution, broker-dealer or
other third party. You may not be able to use the online transaction privilege
for certain types of accounts, including most retirement accounts.
57
TELEPHONE AND WEBSITE ONLINE ACCESS
You may have difficulty contacting the fund by telephone or accessing
us.pioneerinvestments.com during times of market volatility or disruption in
telephone or Internet services. On Exchange holidays or on days when the
Exchange closes early, Pioneer will adjust the hours for the telephone center
and for online transaction processing accordingly. If you are unable to access
us.pioneerinvestments.com or to reach the fund by telephone, you should
communicate with the fund in writing.
FACTFONE/SM/
FactFone/SM/ is an automated inquiry and telephone transaction system available
to Pioneer mutual fund shareholders by dialing 1-800-225-4321. FactFone/SM/
allows shareholder access to current information on Pioneer mutual fund
accounts and to the prices and yields of all publicly available Pioneer mutual
funds. In addition, you may use FactFone/SM/ to make computer-assisted
telephone purchases, exchanges or redemptions from your Pioneer mutual fund
accounts, access your account balances and last three transactions and order a
duplicate statement if you have activated your PIN. Telephone purchases or
redemptions require the establishment of a bank account of record. YOU ARE
STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT WITH YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL PRIOR TO REQUESTING
ANY TELEPHONE TRANSACTION. Shareholders whose accounts are registered in the
name of a broker-dealer or other third party may not be able to use
FactFone/SM/. Call the fund at 1-800-225-6292 for assistance.
FactFone/SM/ allows shareholders to hear the following recorded fund
information:
o net asset value prices for all Pioneer mutual funds;
o annualized 30-day yields on Pioneer's fixed income funds;
o annualized 7-day yields and 7-day effective (compound) yields for Pioneer's
money market funds; and
o dividends and capital gain distributions on all Pioneer mutual funds.
Yields are calculated in accordance with SEC mandated standard formulas.
All performance numbers communicated through FactFone/SM/ represent past
performance, and figures include the maximum applicable sales charge. A
shareholder's actual yield and total return will vary with changing market
conditions. The value of each class of shares (except for Pioneer Cash Reserves
Fund, which seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 share price) will also vary, and
such shares may be worth more or less at redemption than their original cost.
15. PRICING OF SHARES
The net asset value per share of each class of the fund is determined as of the
scheduled close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time) on each day on which the Exchange is open for trading. As of the date of
this statement of additional information, the Exchange is open for trading
every weekday except for the days the following holidays are observed: New
Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The net
asset value per share of each class of the fund is also determined on any other
day on which the level of trading in its portfolio securities is sufficiently
high that the current net asset value per share might be materially affected by
changes in the value of its portfolio securities. The fund is not required to
determine its net asset value per share on any day on which no purchase orders
in good order for fund shares are received and no shares are tendered and
accepted for redemption.
Ordinarily, investments in debt securities are valued on the basis of
information furnished by a pricing service which utilizes primarily a matrix
system (which reflects such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and
ratings), supplemented by dealer and exchange quotations. Other securities are
valued at the last sale price on the principal exchange or market where they
are traded. Securities which have not traded on the date of valuation or
securities for which sales prices are not generally reported are valued at the
mean between the current bid and asked prices.
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Securities quoted in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars utilizing
foreign exchange rates employed by the fund's independent pricing services.
Generally, trading in non U.S. securities is substantially completed each day
at various times prior to the close of regular trading on the Exchange. The
values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the fund's
shares are determined as of such times. Foreign currency exchange rates are
also generally determined prior to the close of regular trading on the
Exchange. Occasionally, events which affect the values of such securities and
such exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined
and the close of regular trading on the Exchange and will therefore not be
reflected in the computation of the fund's net asset value. International
securities markets may be open on days when the U.S. markets are closed. For
this reason, the value of any international securities owned by the fund could
change on a day you cannot buy or sell shares of the fund.
When prices determined using the foregoing methods are not available or are
considered by Pioneer to be unreliable, the fund uses fair value methods to
value its securities in accordance with procedures approved by the fund's
trustees. The fund also may use fair value pricing methods to value its
securities, including a non-U.S. security, when Pioneer determines that prices
determined using the foregoing methods no longer accurately reflect the value
of the security due to factors affecting one or more relevant securities
markets or the specific issuer. Valuing securities using fair value methods may
cause the net asset value of the fund's shares to differ from the net asset
value that would be calculated using closing market prices. In connection with
making fair value determinations of the value of fixed income securities, the
fund may use a pricing matrix. The prices used for these securities may differ
from the amounts received by the fund upon sale of the securities, and these
differences may be substantial.
The net asset value per share of each class of the fund is computed by taking
the value of all of the fund's assets attributable to a class, less the fund's
liabilities attributable to that class, and dividing the result by the number
of outstanding shares of that class. For purposes of determining net asset
value, expenses of the classes of the fund are accrued daily and taken into
account. The fund's maximum offering price per Class A share is determined by
adding the maximum sales charge to the net asset value per Class A share. Class
C and Class Y are offered at net asset value without the imposition of an
initial sales charge (Class C may be subject to a CDSC).
16. TAX STATUS
The fund is treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The fund has elected to be treated, and has qualified and intends to continue
to qualify each year, as a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of
the Code, so that it will not pay U.S. federal income tax on income and capital
gains distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the fund must, among other
things, (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from
dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains
from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies,
or other income (including gains from options, futures and forward contracts)
derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or
currencies, and net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly
traded partnership (as defined in Section 851(h) of the Code) (the "90% income
test") and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of
each taxable year: (a) at least 50% of the value of the fund's total assets is
represented by (1) cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities
of other regulated investment companies, and (2) other securities, with such
other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not
greater than 5% of the value of the fund's total assets and to not more than
10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than
25% of the value of the fund's total assets is invested in (1) the securities
(other than U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated
investment companies) of any one issuer, (2) the securities (other than
59
securities of other regulated investment companies) of two or more issuers that
the fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades
or businesses, or (3) the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded
partnerships.
For purposes of the 90% income test, the character of income earned by certain
entities in which the fund invests that are not treated as corporations for
U.S. federal income tax purposes (e.g., partnerships other than certain
publicly traded partnerships or trusts that have not elected to be classified
as corporations under the "check-the-box" regulations) will generally pass
through to the fund. Consequently, in order to qualify as a regulated
investment company, the fund may be required to limit its equity investments in
such entities that earn fee income, rental income or other nonqualifying
income.
If the fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and properly
distributes to its shareholders each taxable year an amount equal to or
exceeding the sum of (i) 90% of its "investment company taxable income" as that
term is defined in the Code (which includes, among other things, dividends,
taxable interest, and the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net
long-term capital losses, as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without
regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the excess of its
gross tax-exempt interest income, if any, over certain disallowed deductions,
the fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any income
of the fund, including "net capital gain" (the excess of net long-term capital
gain over net short-term capital loss), distributed to shareholders. However,
if the fund meets such distribution requirements, but chooses to retain some
portion of its taxable income or gains, it generally will be subject to U.S.
federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. The fund
may designate certain amounts retained as undistributed net capital gain in a
notice to its shareholders, who (i) will be required to include in income for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their
proportionate shares of the undistributed amount so designated, (ii) will be
entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the income tax paid by the
fund on that undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities
and to claim refunds to the extent such credits exceed their liabilities and
(iii) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for federal income tax
purposes, in their shares by an amount equal to the excess of the amount of
undistributed net capital gain included in their respective income over their
respective income tax credits. The fund intends to distribute at least annually
all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed
without regard to the dividends-paid deduction), net tax-exempt interest
income, and net capital gain.
If, for any taxable year, the fund does not qualify as a regulated investment
company or does not satisfy the 90% distribution requirement, it will be
treated as a U.S. corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, thereby
subjecting any income earned by the fund to tax at the corporate level and to a
further tax at the shareholder level when such income is distributed. Under
certain circumstances, the fund may be able to cure a failure to qualify as a
regulated investment company, but in order to do so, the fund may incur
significant fund-level taxes and may be forced to dispose of certain assets.
Under the Code, the fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal
excise tax on a portion of its undistributed ordinary income and capital gain
net income if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect
to each calendar year and year ending October 31, respectively. The fund
intends to make distributions in a timely manner and accordingly does not
expect to be subject to the excise tax. The fund declares a dividend from any
net investment income (other than capital gains) each business day. The fund
generally pays dividends from any net investment income (other than capital
gains) on the last business day of the month or shortly thereafter. The fund
distributes any net short-term and long-term capital gains in November. The
fund does not anticipate making any distributions of net long-term capital
gains. Dividends from income and/or capital gains may also be paid at such
other times as may be necessary for the fund to avoid U.S. federal income or
excise tax.
60
Unless a shareholder specifies otherwise, all distributions from the fund to
that shareholder will be automatically reinvested in additional full and
fractional shares of the fund. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, all
dividends generally are taxable whether a shareholder takes them in cash or
reinvests them in additional shares of the fund. In general, assuming that the
fund has sufficient earnings and profits, dividends from net investment income
and net short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Since the
fund's income is derived from sources that do not pay dividends, it is not
expected that any portion of dividends paid by the fund will qualify for either
the dividends-received deduction for corporations or any favorable U.S. federal
income tax rates available to individual and certain other noncorporate
shareholders on "qualified dividend income."
Distributions by the fund in excess of the fund's current and accumulated
earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of
(and in reduction of) the shareholder's tax basis in its shares and any such
amount in excess of that basis will be treated as gain from the sale of shares,
as discussed below.
Distributions from net capital gains, if any, that are reported as capital gain
dividends by the fund are taxable as long-term capital gains for U.S. federal
income tax purposes without regard to the length of time the shareholder has
held shares of the fund. Capital gain dividends distributed by the fund to
individual and certain other noncorporate shareholders will be taxed as
long-term capital gains, which are generally taxable to noncorporate taxpayers
at U.S. federal income tax rates of up to 20%. A shareholder should also be
aware that the benefits of the favorable tax rates applicable to long-term
capital gains may be affected by the application of the alternative minimum tax
to individual shareholders.
The U.S. federal income tax status of all distributions will be reported to
shareholders annually.
A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax generally applies to all or a portion of the
net investment income of a shareholder who is an individual and not a
nonresident alien for federal income tax purposes and who has adjusted gross
income (subject to certain adjustments) that exceeds a threshold amount
($250,000 if married filing jointly or if considered a "surviving spouse" for
federal income tax purposes, $125,000 if married filing separately, and
$200,000 in other cases). This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the
undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates
and trusts. For these purposes, interest, dividends and certain capital gains
(among other categories of income) are generally taken into account in
computing a shareholder's net investment income.
Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, any
dividend declared by the fund in October, November or December and payable to
shareholders of record in such a month that is paid during the following
January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as received by
shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it was declared. In
addition, certain distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the
fund may be "spilled back" and treated for certain purposes as paid by the fund
during such taxable year. In such case, shareholders generally will be treated
as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the
distributions were actually made. For purposes of calculating the amount of a
regulated investment company's undistributed income and gain subject to the 4%
excise tax described above, such "spilled back" dividends are treated as paid
by the regulated investment company when they are actually paid.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the fund is permitted to carry forward a
net capital loss from any taxable year that began on or before December 22,
2010 to offset its capital gains, if any, for up to eight years following the
year of the loss. The fund is permitted to carry forward indefinitely a net
capital loss from any taxable year that began after December 22, 2010 to offset
its capital gains, if any, in years following the year of the loss. To the
extent subsequent capital gains are offset by such losses, they will not result
in U.S. federal income tax liability to the fund and may not be distributed as
capital gains to shareholders. Carryforwards of losses from taxable years that
began after December 22, 2010 must be fully utilized before the fund may
utilize carryforwards of losses from taxable years that began on or before
December 22, 2010. See "Annual Fee, Expense and Other Information" for the
fund's available capital
61
loss carryforwards. Generally, the fund may not carry forward any losses other
than net capital losses. Under certain circumstances, the fund may elect to
treat certain losses as though they were incurred on the first day of the
taxable year immediately following the taxable year in which they were actually
incurred.
At the time of an investor's purchase of fund shares, a portion of the purchase
price may be attributable to realized or unrealized appreciation in the fund's
portfolio or to undistributed capital gains of the fund. Consequently,
subsequent distributions by the fund with respect to these shares from such
appreciation or gains may be taxable to such investor even if the net asset
value of the investor's shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced
below the investor's cost for such shares and the distributions economically
represent a return of a portion of the investment.
Redemptions and exchanges generally are taxable events for shareholders that
are subject to tax. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with
reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular
transaction in fund shares is properly treated as a sale for tax purposes, as
the following discussion assumes, and to ascertain the tax treatment of any
gains or losses recognized in such transactions. In general, if fund shares are
sold, the shareholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference
between the amount realized on the sale and the shareholder's adjusted basis in
the shares. Such gain or loss generally will be treated as long-term capital
gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year and otherwise
generally will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Any loss
recognized by a shareholder upon the redemption, exchange or other disposition
of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to
the shareholder of long-term capital gain with respect to such shares
(including any amounts credited to the shareholder as undistributed capital
gains).
The fund will report to the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") the amount of
sale proceeds that a shareholder receives from a sale or exchange of fund
shares. For sales or exchanges of shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012,
the fund will also report the shareholder's basis in those shares and whether
any gain or loss that the shareholder realizes on the sale or exchange is
short-term or long-term gain or loss. For purposes of calculating and reporting
basis, shares acquired prior to January 1, 2012 and shares acquired on or after
January 1, 2012 will generally be treated as held in separate accounts. If a
shareholder has a different basis for different shares of the fund, acquired on
or after January 1, 2012, in the same account (e.g., if a shareholder purchased
fund shares in the same account at different times for different prices), the
fund will calculate the basis of the shares sold using its default method
unless the shareholder has properly elected to use a different method. The
fund's default method for calculating basis will be the average basis method,
under which the basis per share is reported as the average of the bases of all
of the shareholder's fund shares in the account. A shareholder may elect, on an
account-by-account basis, to use a method other than average basis by following
procedures established by the fund. If such an election is made on or prior to
the date of the first exchange or redemption of shares in the account and on or
prior to the date that is one year after the shareholder receives notice of the
fund's default method, the new election will generally apply as if the average
basis method had never been in effect for such account. If such an election is
not made on or prior to such dates, the shares in the account at the time of
the election will retain their averaged bases. Shareholders should consult
their tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of applying the average
basis method or electing another method of basis calculation.
Losses on redemptions or other dispositions of shares may be disallowed under
"wash sale" rules in the event of other investments in the fund (including
those made pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain
distributions) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending
30 days after a redemption or other disposition of shares. In such a case, the
disallowed portion of any loss generally would be included in the U.S. federal
tax basis of the shares acquired in the other investments.
62
Gain may be increased (or loss reduced) upon a redemption of Class A shares of
the fund within 90 days after their purchase followed by any purchase
(including purchases by exchange or by reinvestment), without payment of an
additional sales charge, of Class A shares of the fund or of another Pioneer
fund (or any other shares of a Pioneer fund generally sold subject to a sales
charge) before February 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in
which the original Class A shares were redeemed.
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to
fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder, or $10 million
or more for a corporate shareholder, in any single taxable year (or certain
greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with
the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Shareholders who own portfolio
securities directly are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement
but, under current guidance, shareholders of regulated investment companies are
not excepted. A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the
IRS may be subject to substantial penalties. The fact that a loss is reportable
under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether or
not the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult
with their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in
light of their individual circumstances.
Shareholders that are exempt from U.S. federal income tax, such as retirement
plans that are qualified under Section 401 of the Code, generally are not
subject to U.S. federal income tax on fund dividends or distributions, or on
sales or exchanges of fund shares unless the fund shares are "debt-financed
property" within the meaning of the Code. However, in the case of fund shares
held through a non-qualified deferred compensation plan, fund dividends and
distributions received by the plan and gains from sales and exchanges of fund
shares by the plan generally are taxable to the employer sponsoring such plan
in accordance with the U.S. federal income tax laws that are generally
applicable to shareholders receiving such dividends or distributions from
regulated investment companies such as the fund.
A plan participant whose retirement plan invests in the fund, whether such plan
is qualified or not, generally is not taxed on fund dividends or distributions
received by the plan or on gains from sales or exchanges of fund shares by the
plan for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, distributions to plan
participants from a retirement plan account generally are taxable as ordinary
income, and different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess
contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement
distributions and certain prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts
maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax
advisers for more information.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the fund in connection with
certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities,
certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign
currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables
denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which
generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income and
losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to
shareholders. Under Treasury regulations that may be promulgated in the future,
any gains from such transactions that are not directly related to the fund's
principal business of investing in stock or securities (or its options
contracts or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may have to
be limited in order to enable the fund to satisfy the 90% income test.
The fund may invest in or hold debt obligations of issuers not currently paying
interest or that are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at
risk of or are in default present special tax issues for the fund. Federal
income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the fund may
cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and
to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities,
how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between
principal and interest and whether certain exchanges of debt obligations in a
workout
63
context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the fund, in
the event it invests in or holds such securities, in order to seek to ensure
that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated
investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise
tax.
If the fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities,
deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original
issue discount (or with market discount if the fund elects to include market
discount in income currently), the fund generally must accrue income on such
investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt
of the corresponding cash payments. However, the fund must distribute to its
shareholders, at least annually, all or substantially all of its investment
company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for
dividends paid), including such accrued income, to qualify to be treated as a
regulated investment company under the Code and avoid U.S. federal income and
excise taxes. Therefore, the fund may have to dispose of its portfolio
securities, potentially under disadvantageous circumstances, to generate cash,
or may have to borrow the cash, to satisfy distribution requirements. Such a
disposition of securities may potentially result in additional taxable gain or
loss to the fund.
Options written or purchased and futures contracts entered into by the fund on
certain securities, indices and foreign currencies, as well as certain forward
foreign currency contracts, may cause the fund to recognize gains or losses
from marking-to-market even though such options may not have lapsed or been
closed out or exercised, or such futures or forward contracts may not have been
performed or closed out. The tax rules applicable to these contracts may affect
the characterization of some capital gains and losses realized by the fund as
long-term or short-term. Certain options, futures and forward contracts
relating to foreign currency may be subject to Section 988 of the Code, as
described above, and accordingly may produce ordinary income or loss.
Additionally, the fund may be required to recognize gain if an option, futures
contract, forward contract, short sale or other transaction that is not subject
to the mark-to-market rules is treated as a "constructive sale" of an
"appreciated financial position" held by the fund under Section 1259 of the
Code. Any net mark-to-market gains and/or gains from constructive sales may
also have to be distributed to satisfy the distribution requirements referred
to above even though the fund may receive no corresponding cash amounts,
possibly requiring the disposition of portfolio securities or borrowing to
obtain the necessary cash. Such a disposition of securities may potentially
result in additional taxable gain or loss to the fund. Losses on certain
options, futures or forward contracts and/or offsetting positions (portfolio
securities or other positions with respect to which the fund's risk of loss is
substantially diminished by one or more options, futures or forward contracts)
may also be deferred under the tax straddle rules of the Code, which may also
affect the characterization of capital gains or losses from straddle positions
and certain successor positions as long-term or short-term. Certain tax
elections may be available that would enable the fund to ameliorate some
adverse effects of the tax rules described in this paragraph. The tax rules
applicable to options, futures, forward contracts and straddles may affect the
amount, timing and character of the fund's income and gains or losses and hence
of its distributions to shareholders.
The fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign
countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains with
respect to its investments in those countries. Any such taxes would, if
imposed, reduce the yield on or return from those investments. Tax conventions
between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in
some cases. The fund does not expect to satisfy the requirements for passing
through to its shareholders any share of foreign taxes paid by the fund, with
the result that shareholders will not include such taxes in their gross incomes
and will not be entitled to a tax deduction or credit for such taxes on their
own tax returns.
The fund is required to withhold (as "backup withholding") a portion of
reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain distributions and the
proceeds of redemptions and exchanges or repurchases of fund shares, paid to
shareholders who have not complied with certain IRS regulations. The backup
withholding rate is 28%. In order to avoid this withholding requirement,
shareholders, other than certain exempt entities, must generally certify that
the Social Security Number or other Taxpayer Identification
64
Number they provide is their correct number and that they are not currently
subject to backup withholding, or that they are exempt from backup withholding.
The fund may nevertheless be required to backup withhold if it receives notice
from the IRS or a broker that the number provided is incorrect or backup
withholding is applicable as a result of previous underreporting of interest or
dividend income.
The description of certain federal tax provisions above relates only to U.S.
federal income tax consequences for shareholders who are U.S. persons, i.e.,
generally, U.S. citizens or residents or U.S. corporations, partnerships,
trusts or estates, and who are subject to U.S. federal income tax and hold
their shares as capital assets. Except as otherwise provided, this description
does not address the special tax rules that may be applicable to particular
types of investors, such as financial institutions, insurance companies,
securities dealers, other regulated investment companies, or tax-exempt or
tax-deferred plans, accounts or entities. Investors other than U.S. persons may
be subject to different U.S. federal income tax treatment, including a
non-resident alien U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% or any lower
applicable treaty rate on amounts treated as ordinary dividends from the fund
or, in certain circumstances, unless an effective IRS Form W-8BEN or other
authorized withholding certificate is on file, to backup withholding on certain
other payments from the fund. Backup withholding will not be applied to
payments that have been subject to the 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate)
withholding tax on shareholders who are neither citizens nor residents of the
United States.
Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold fund shares comply with IRS
requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding
U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30%
withholding tax may apply to fund distributions payable to such entities after
June 30, 2014 (or, in certain cases, after later dates) and redemptions and
certain capital gain dividends payable to such entities after December 31,
2018. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in
this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S.
and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable
foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers on these matters and on
state, local, foreign and other applicable tax laws.
If, as anticipated, the fund qualifies as a regulated investment company under
the Code, it will not be required to pay any Massachusetts income, corporate
excise or franchise taxes or any Delaware corporation income tax.
A state income (and possibly local income and/or intangible property) tax
exemption is generally available to the extent the fund's distributions are
derived from interest on (or, in the case of intangible property taxes, to the
extent the value of its assets is attributable to) certain U.S. government
obligations, provided, in some states, that certain thresholds for holdings of
such obligations and/or reporting requirements are satisfied. The fund will not
seek to satisfy any threshold or reporting requirements that may apply in
particular taxing jurisdictions, although the fund may in its sole discretion
provide relevant information to shareholders.
17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The fund's financial statements and financial highlights for the fiscal year
ended July 31, 2015 appearing in the fund's annual report, filed with the SEC
on September 29, 2015 (Accession No. 0001288255-15-000016) are incorporated by
reference into this statement of additional information. Those financial
statements and financial highlights have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent registered public accounting firm, as indicated in their report
thereon, and are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report,
given on the authority of Deloitte & Touche LLP as experts in accounting and
auditing.
65
The fund's annual report includes the financial statements referenced above and
is available without charge upon request by calling the fund at 1-800-225-6292.
18. ANNUAL FEE, EXPENSE AND OTHER INFORMATION
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The fund's annual portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended July 31
2015 2014
------ -----
27% 16%
-- --
SHARE OWNERSHIP
As of November 1, 2015, the Trustees and officers of the fund owned
beneficially in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the
fund. The following is a list of the holders of 5% or more of any class of the
fund's outstanding shares as of November 1, 2015:
RECORD HOLDER SHARE CLASS NUMBER OF SHARES % OF CLASS
--------------------------------------- ------------- ------------------ -----------
--------------------------------------- ------------- ----------- -----
Pershing LLC Class C 109,400.148 7.68
One Pershing Plaza Class Y 41,304.541 5.51
------------- ----------- -----
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0001
---------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Class C 379,993.094 26.67
For the sole benefit of its customers Class Y 42,695.637 5.70
------------- ----------- -----
Mutual Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
---------------------------------------
LPL Financial Class Y 387,480.558 51.71
------------- ----------- -----
Attn: Mutual Funds Trading
4707 Executive Dr.
San Diego, CA 92121-3091
---------------------------------------
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Class C 258,464.102 18.14
------------- ----------- -----
FBO its Customers
Attn: Mutual Funds
211 Main St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
---------------------------------------
National Financial Services LLC Class A 511,660.727 5.58
Attn: Mutual Funds Dept, 4th Floor Class Y 202,289.470 27.00
------------- ----------- -----
499 Washington Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055
---------------------------------------
TRUSTEE OWNERSHIP OF SHARES OF THE FUND AND OTHER PIONEER FUNDS
The following table indicates the value of shares that each Trustee
beneficially owned in the fund and Pioneer Funds in the aggregate as of
December 31, 2014. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC
rules. The share value of any closed-end fund is based on its closing market
price on December 31, 2014. The share value of any open-end Pioneer Fund is
based on the net asset value of the class of shares on December 31, 2014. The
dollar ranges in this table are in accordance with SEC requirements.
66
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY
DOLLAR RANGE OF SECURITIES IN ALL REGISTERED
EQUITY SECURITIES INVESTMENT COMPANIES OVERSEEN BY
NAME OF TRUSTEE IN THE FUND TRUSTEE IN THE PIONEER FAMILY OF FUNDS
----------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------
INTERESTED TRUSTEES:
----------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------
Kenneth J. Taubes None Over $100,000
----------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES:
----------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------
David R. Bock None Over $100,000
----------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------
Benjamin M. Friedman None Over $100,000
----------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------
Margaret B.W. Graham None Over $100,000
----------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------
Thomas J. Perna None Over $100,000
----------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------
Marguerite A. Piret None Over $100,000
----------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------
Fred J. Ricciardi None Over $100,000
----------------------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
compensation of each Trustee of the fund.
PENSION OR
RETIREMENT
AGGREGATE BENEFITS ACCRUED TOTAL COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION AS PART OF FUND FROM THE FUND AND
NAME OF TRUSTEE++ FROM FUND** EXPENSES OTHER PIONEER FUNDS**
----------------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------------
INTERESTED TRUSTEES:
----------------------- --------- ----- -------------
Kenneth J. Taubes* $ 0.00 $0.00 $ 0.00
----------------------- --------- ----- -------------
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES:
----------------------- --------- ----- -------------
David R. Bock $1,000.00 $0.00 $ 256,251.00
----------------------- --------- ----- -------------
Benjamin M. Friedman $1,000.00 $0.00 $ 254,000.00
----------------------- --------- ----- -------------
Margaret B.W. Graham $1,000.00 $0.00 $ 245,000.00
----------------------- --------- ----- -------------
Thomas J. Perna $1,000.00 $0.00 $ 292,980.00
----------------------- --------- ----- -------------
Marguerite A. Piret $1,000.00 $0.00 $ 246,251.00
----------------------- --------- ----- -------------
Fred J. Ricciardi $ 666.67 $0.00 $ 137,167.00
----------------------- --------- ----- -------------
Stephen K. West+ $ 82.50 $0.00 $ 16,780.00
----------------------- --------- ----- -------------
TOTAL $5,749.17 $0.00 $1,448,429.00
----------------------- --------- ----- -------------
* Under the management contract, Pioneer reimburses the fund for any
Interested Trustee fees paid by the fund.
** For the fiscal year ended July 31 2015. As of July 31 2015, there were 51
U.S. registered investment portfolios in the Pioneer Family of Funds.
+ Mr. West retired as Trustee effective July 15, 2014.
++ Ms. Lorraine H. Monchak became a non-voting Advisory Trustee of the Trust
on November 11, 2014. Ms. Monchak received aggregate compensation from
the fund in the amount of $666.67, pension or retirement benefits accrued
as part of portfolio expenses of $0.00, and total compensation from the
fund and the other Pioneer Funds in the amount of $144,667.00 for the
fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.
67
APPROXIMATE MANAGEMENT FEES THE FUND PAID OR OWED PIONEER
The following table shows the dollar amount of gross investment management fees
incurred by the fund, along with the net amount of fees that were paid after
applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements, if any. The data is for the
past three fiscal years or shorter period if the fund has been in operation for
a shorter period.
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED JULY 31 2015 2014 2013
------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross Fee Incurred $556,947 $642,865 $888,699
------------------------------------ -------- -------- --------
Net Fee Paid $556,947 $642,865 $888,699
------------------------------------ -------- -------- --------
FEES THE FUND PAID TO PIONEER UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED JULY 31
-------------------------------------------
2015 2014 2013
------------------- ---------- ----------
$48,479 $60,873 $72,259
--------- ------- -------
UNDERWRITING EXPENSES AND COMMISSIONS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED JULY 31 2015 2014 2013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- --------- ----------
Approximate Net Underwriting Expenses Retained by PFD $ 5,552 $ 4,239 $10,135
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Approximate Commissions Reallowed to Dealers (Class A shares) $78,964 $24,338 $70,152
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Approximate Commissions Reallowed to Dealers (Class C shares) N/A N/A N/A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Approximate Brokerage and Underwriting Commissions (Portfolio Transactions) $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------
FUND EXPENSES UNDER THE DISTRIBUTION PLAN
COMBINED PLAN CLASS A PLAN CLASS B PLAN* CLASS C PLAN
--------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
$371,288 $230,421 $6,385 $134,482
--------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
* Class B shares were converted to Class A shares on November 10, 2014.
ALLOCATION OF FUND EXPENSES UNDER THE DISTRIBUTION PLAN
An estimate by category of the allocation of fees paid by each class of shares
of the fund during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 is set forth in the
following table:
PAYMENTS
TO SERVICING SALES PRINTING
PARTIES/1/ ADVERTISING MEETINGS AND MAILING TOTAL
-------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- -----------
Class A $263,458 $5,187 $11,734 $2,210 $282,589
---------- -------- ------ ------- ------ --------
Class B* $ 618 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 618
---------- -------- ------ ------- ------ --------
Class C $132,717 $1,963 $ 5,029 $1,275 $140,984
---------- -------- ------ ------- ------ --------
1 Payments to Servicing Parties include Pioneer Funds Distributor, Inc.,
broker-dealers, financial intermediaries and other parties that enter into
a distribution, selling or service agreement with respect to one or more
classes of the fund (annualized for the period ended September 30, 2015).
* Class B shares were converted to Class A shares on November 10, 2014.
CDSCS
During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, the following CDSCs were paid to
PFD:
$1,571
68
CAPITAL LOSS CARRYFORWARDS AS OF JULY 31, 2015
At July 31, 2015, the fund had the following net capital loss carryforward:
$844,011 short-term losses, $5,845,546 long term losses, and $2,465,526 was
utilized to offset net realized gains by the fund during the year.
Of this, the following amounts will expire as indicated below, if not utilized:
2016 $2,793,238
---- ----------
---- ----------
69
19. APPENDIX A - DESCRIPTION OF SHORT-TERM DEBT, CORPORATE BOND AND PREFERRED
STOCK RATINGS/1/
DESCRIPTION OF MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.'S ("MOODY'S") SHORT-TERM
RATINGS:
Moody's short-term ratings are forward-looking opinions of the ability of
issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to
issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such
obligations generally have an original maturity of thirteen months or less and
reflect the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments.
Moody's employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment
ability of rated issuers:
P-1: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability
to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability
to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable
ability to repay short-term obligations.
NP: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any
of the Prime rating categories.
NOTE: Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced
by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or
support-provider.
DESCRIPTION OF MOODY'S LONG-TERM CORPORATE RATINGS:
Moody's long-term obligation ratings are forward-looking opinions of the
relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of
one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will
not be honored as promised. Such ratings use Moody's Global Long-Term Rating
Scale and reflect both on the likelihood of default on contractually promised
payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.
AAA: Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to
the lowest level of credit risk.
AA: Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to
very low credit risk.
A: Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low
credit risk.
BAA: Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to
moderate credit risk, and as such may possess certain speculative
characteristics.
BA: Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to
substantial credit risk.
B: Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high
credit risk.
CAA: Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative and of poor standing
and are subject to very high credit risk.
------------------------
/1/ The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings
available at the date of this statement of additional information for the
securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of
issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such
ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated
do not necessarily represent ratings which will be given to these
securities on the date of the fund's fiscal year-end.
70
CA: Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very
near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C: Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in
default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
NOTE: Moody's appends numerical modifiers "1", "2", and "3" to each generic
rating classification from "Aa" through "Caa". The modifier "1" indicates that
the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the
modifier "2" indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier "3" indicates a
ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a
"(hyb)" indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by
banks, finance companies and securities firms.
STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP'S LONG-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS:
Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on Standard & Poor's
analysis of the following considerations:
o Likelihood of payment-capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its
financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the
obligation;
o Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
o Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event
of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of
bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an
assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default.
Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to
reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation
may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured
and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company
obligations.)
AAA: An obligation rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is extremely strong.
AA: An obligation rated "AA" differs from the highest-rated obligations only to
a small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is very strong.
A: An obligation rated "A" is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects
of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in
higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB: An obligation rated "BBB" exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely
to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation.
BB, B, CCC, CC, AND C: Obligations rated "BB", "B", "CCC", "CC", and "C" are
regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates the
least degree of speculation and "C" the highest. While such obligations will
likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be
outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: An obligation rated "BB" is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure
to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the
obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
B: An obligation rated "B" is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations
rated "BB", but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic
conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation.
71
CCC: An obligation rated "CCC" is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of
adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely
to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC: An obligation rated "CC" is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C: A "C" rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable
to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of
the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy
petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among
others, the "C" rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or
other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with
the instrument's terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed
exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an
amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is
less than par.
D: An obligation rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is
used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument,
are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not
expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made
during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a
bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an
obligation are jeopardized. An obligation's rating is lowered to "D" upon
completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is
either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments
having a total value that is less than par.
PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the
addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the
major rating categories.
NR: This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor's
does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
STANDARD & POOR'S SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS:
Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered
short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means
obligations with an original maturity date of no more than 365 days - including
commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term
obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating
addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating.
A-1: A short-term obligation rated "A-1" is rated in the highest category by
Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are
designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to
meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2: A short-term obligation rated "A-2" is somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to
meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3: A short-term obligation rated "A-3" exhibits adequate protection
parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
72
B: A short-term obligation rated "B" is regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics. Ratings of "B-1", "B-2", and "B-3" may be assigned
to indicate finer distinctions within the "B" category. The obligor currently
has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however,
it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's
inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B-1: A short-term obligation rated "B-1" is regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity
to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other
speculative-grade obligors.
B-2: A short-term obligation rated "B-2" is regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade
capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to
other speculative-grade obligors.
B-3: A short-term obligation rated "B-3" is regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity
to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other
speculative-grade obligors.
C: A short-term obligation rated "C" is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and
is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for
the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D: A short-term obligation rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating
category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital
instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period
has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be
made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing
of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an
obligation are jeopardized.
LOCAL CURRENCY AND FOREIGN CURRENCY RISKS
Country risk considerations are a standard part of Standard & Poor's analysis
for credit ratings on any issuer or issue. Currency of repayment is a key
factor in this analysis. An obligor's capacity to repay foreign currency
obligations may be lower than its capacity to repay obligations in its local
currency due to the sovereign government's own relatively lower capacity to
repay external versus domestic debt. These sovereign risk considerations are
incorporated in the debt ratings assigned to specific issues. Foreign currency
issuer ratings are also distinguished from local currency issuer ratings to
identify those instances where sovereign risks make them different for the same
issuer.
73
20. APPENDIX B - PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
POLICY
Each of Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. and Pioneer Institutional Asset
Management, Inc. (collectively, "Pioneer") is a fiduciary that owes each of its
clients the duties of care and loyalty with respect to all services undertaken
on the client's behalf, including voting proxies for securities held by the
client. When Pioneer has been delegated proxy-voting authority for a client,
the duty of care requires Pioneer to monitor corporate events and to vote the
proxies. To satisfy its duty of loyalty, Pioneer must place the client's
interests ahead of its own and must cast proxy votes in a manner consistent
with the best interest of the client. It is Pioneer's policy to vote proxies
presented to Pioneer in a timely manner in accordance with these principles.
Pioneer's sole concern in voting proxies is the economic effect of the proposal
on the value of portfolio holdings, considering both the short- and long-term
impact. In many instances, Pioneer believes that supporting the company's
strategy and voting "for" management's proposals builds portfolio value. In
other cases, however, proposals set forth by management may have a negative
effect on that value, while some shareholder proposals may hold the best
prospects for enhancing it. Pioneer monitors developments in the proxy-voting
arena and will revise this policy as needed.
Pioneer's clients may request copies of their proxy voting records and of
Pioneer's proxy voting policies and procedures by either sending a written
request to Pioneer's Proxy Coordinator, or clients may review Pioneer's proxy
voting policies and procedures online at pioneerinvestments.com. Pioneer may
describe to clients its proxy voting policies and procedures by delivering a
copy of Pioneer's Form ADV (Part II), by separate notice to the client or by
other means.
APPLICABILITY
This Proxy Voting policy and the procedures set forth below are designed to
complement Pioneer's investment policies and procedures regarding its general
responsibility to monitor the performance and/or corporate events of companies
that are issuers of securities held in accounts managed by Pioneer. This policy
sets forth Pioneer's position on a number of issues for which proxies may be
solicited, but it does not include all potential voting scenarios or proxy
events. Furthermore, because of the special issues associated with proxy
solicitations by closed-end Funds, Pioneer will vote shares of closed-end Funds
on a case-by-case basis.
PURPOSE
The purposes of this policy is to ensure that proxies for United States ("US")
and non-US companies that are received in a timely manner will be voted in
accordance with the principles stated above. Unless the Proxy Voting Oversight
Group (as described below) specifically determines otherwise, all shares in a
company held by Pioneer-managed accounts for which Pioneer has proxy-voting
authority will be voted alike, unless a client has given specific voting
instructions on an issue.
Pioneer does not delegate the authority to vote proxies relating to securities
held by its clients to any of its affiliates, which include other subsidiaries
of UniCredit S.p.A. ("UniCredit").
Any questions about this policy should be directed to Pioneer's Director of
Investment Operations (the "Proxy Coordinator").
74
PROCEDURES
PROXY VOTING SERVICE
Pioneer has engaged an independent proxy voting service to assist in the voting
of proxies. The proxy voting service works with custodians to ensure that all
proxy materials are received by the custodians and are processed in a timely
fashion. To the extent applicable, the proxy voting service votes all proxies
in accordance with the proxy voting guidelines established by Pioneer and set
forth herein. The proxy voting service will refer proxy questions to the Proxy
Coordinator (described below) for instructions under circumstances where: (1)
the application of the proxy voting guidelines is unclear; (2) a particular
proxy question is not covered by the guidelines; or (3) the guidelines call for
specific instructions on a case-by-case basis. The proxy voting service is also
requested to call to the Proxy Coordinator's attention specific proxy questions
that, while governed by a guideline, appear to involve unusual or controversial
issues. Pioneer reserves the right to attend a meeting in person and may do so
when it determines that the company or the matters to be voted on at the
meeting are strategically important to its clients.
PROXY COORDINATOR
The Proxy Coordinator coordinates the voting, procedures and reporting of
proxies on behalf of Pioneer's clients. The Proxy Coordinator will deal
directly with the proxy voting service and, in the case of proxy questions
referred by the proxy voting service, will solicit voting recommendations and
instructions from the Portfolio Management Group or, to the extent applicable,
investment sub-advisers. The Proxy Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that
these questions and referrals are responded to in a timely fashion and for
transmitting appropriate voting instructions to the proxy voting service. The
Proxy Coordinator is responsible for verifying with the Chief Legal Officer or
his or her designee whether Pioneer's voting power is subject to any
limitations or guidelines issued by the client (or in the case of an employee
benefit plan, the plan's trustee or other fiduciaries).
REFERRAL ITEMS
The proxy voting service will refer proxy questions to the Proxy Coordinator or
his or her designee that are described by Pioneer's proxy voting guidelines as
to be voted on a case-by-case basis, that are not covered by Pioneer's
guidelines or where Pioneer's guidelines may be unclear with respect to the
matter to be voted on. Under such circumstances, the Proxy Coordinator will
seek a written voting recommendation from the Head of Portfolio Management U.S.
or his or her designated equity portfolio-management representative. Any such
recommendation will include: (i) the manner in which the proxies should be
voted; (ii) the rationale underlying any such decision; and (iii) the
disclosure of any contacts or communications made between Pioneer and any
outside parties concerning the proxy proposal prior to the time that the voting
instructions are provided.
SECURITIES LENDING
In accordance with industry standards, proxies are not available to be voted
when the shares are out on loan through either Pioneer's lending program or a
client's managed security lending program. However, Pioneer will reserve the
right to recall lent securities so that they may be voted according to the
Pioneer's instructions. If a portfolio manager would like to vote a block of
previously lent shares, the Proxy Coordinator will work with the portfolio
manager and Investment Operations to recall the security, to the extent
possible, to facilitate the vote on the entire block of shares. Certain clients
participate in securities lending programs. Although such programs allow for
the recall of securities for any reason, Pioneer may determine not to vote
securities on loan and it may not always be possible for securities on loan to
be recalled in time to be voted.
75
SHARE-BLOCKING
"Share-blocking" is a market practice whereby shares are sent to a custodian
(which may be different than the account custodian) for record keeping and
voting at the general meeting. The shares are unavailable for sale or delivery
until the end of the blocking period (typically the day after general meeting
date).
Pioneer will vote in those countries with "share-blocking." In the event a
manager would like to sell a security with "share-blocking", the Proxy
Coordinator will work with the Portfolio Manager and Investment Operations
Department to recall the shares (as allowable within the market time frame and
practices) and/or communicate with executing brokerage firm. A list of
countries with "share-blocking" is available from the Investment Operations
Department upon request.
PROXY VOTING OVERSIGHT GROUP
The members of the Proxy Voting Oversight Group include Pioneer's Head of
Portfolio Management U.S. or his or her designated equity portfolio management
representative, the Director of Investment Operations, and the Chief Compliance
Officer of the Adviser and Funds. Other members of Pioneer will be invited to
attend meetings and otherwise participate as necessary. The Director of
Investment Operations will chair the Proxy Voting Oversight Group.
The Proxy Voting Oversight Group is responsible for developing, evaluating, and
changing (when necessary) Pioneer's proxy voting policies and procedures. The
group meets at least annually to evaluate and review this policy and procedures
and the services of its third-party proxy voting service. In addition, the
Proxy Voting Oversight Group will meet as necessary to vote on referral items
and address other business as necessary.
AMENDMENTS
Pioneer may not amend this policy without the prior approval of the Proxy
Voting Oversight Group and its corporate parent, Pioneer Global Asset
Management S.p.A. ("PGAM").
FILING FORM N-PX
The Proxy Coordinator and the Regulatory Compliance Manager are responsible for
ensuring that Form N-PX documents receive the proper review by a member of the
Proxy Voting Oversight Group prior to a Fund officer signing the forms.
The Investment Operations department will provide the Compliance department
with a copy of each Form N-PX filing prepared by the proxy voting service.
COMPLIANCE FILES N-PX.
The Compliance department will ensure that a corresponding Form N-PX exists for
each Pioneer registered investment company.
Following this review, each Form N-PX is formatted for public dissemination via
the EDGAR system.
Prior to submission, each Form N-PX is to be presented to the Fund officer for
a final review and signature.
Copies of the Form N-PX filings and their submission receipts are maintained
according to Pioneer record keeping policies.
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
ADMINISTRATIVE
While administrative items appear infrequently in U.S. issuer proxies, they are
quite common in non-U.S. proxies.
We will generally support these and similar management proposals:
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o Corporate name change.
o A change of corporate headquarters.
o Stock exchange listing.
o Establishment of time and place of annual meeting.
o Adjournment or postponement of annual meeting.
o Acceptance/approval of financial statements.
o Approval of dividend payments, dividend reinvestment plans and other
dividend-related proposals.
o Approval of minutes and other formalities.
o Authorization of the transferring of reserves and allocation of income.
o Amendments to authorized signatories.
o Approval of accounting method changes or change in fiscal year-end.
o Acceptance of labor agreements.
o Appointment of internal auditors.
Pioneer will vote on a case-by-case basis on other routine administrative
items; however, Pioneer will oppose any routine proposal if insufficient
information is presented in advance to allow Pioneer to judge the merit of the
proposal. Pioneer has also instructed its proxy voting service to inform
Pioneer of its analysis of any administrative items that may be inconsistent,
in its view, with Pioneer's goal of supporting the value of its clients'
portfolio holdings so that Pioneer may consider and vote on those items on a
case-by-case basis.
AUDITORS
We normally vote for proposals to:
o Ratify the auditors. We will consider a vote against if we are concerned
about the auditors' independence or their past work for the company.
Specifically, we will oppose the ratification of auditors and withhold votes
for audit committee members if non-audit fees paid by the company to the
auditing firm exceed the sum of audit fees plus audit-related fees plus
permissible tax fees according to the disclosure categories proposed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
o Restore shareholder rights to ratify the auditors.
We will normally oppose proposals that require companies to:
o Seek bids from other auditors.
o Rotate auditing firms, except where the rotation is statutorily required or
where rotation would demonstrably strengthen financial disclosure.
o Indemnify auditors.
o Prohibit auditors from engaging in non-audit services for the company.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
On issues related to the board of directors, Pioneer normally supports
management. We will, however, consider a vote against management in instances
where corporate performance has been very poor or where the board appears to
lack independence.
GENERAL BOARD ISSUES
Pioneer will vote for:
o Audit, compensation and nominating committees composed of independent
directors exclusively.
o Indemnification for directors for actions taken in good faith in accordance
with the business judgment rule. We will vote against proposals for broader
indemnification.
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o Changes in board size that appear to have a legitimate business purpose and
are not primarily for anti-takeover reasons.
o Election of an honorary director.
We will vote against:
o Minimum stock ownership by directors.
o Term limits for directors. Companies benefit from experienced directors, and
shareholder control is better achieved through annual votes.
o Requirements for union or special interest representation on the board.
o Requirements to provide two candidates for each board seat.
We will vote on a case-by case basis on these issues:
o Separate chairman and CEO positions. We will consider voting with
shareholders on these issues in cases of poor corporate performance.
ELECTIONS OF DIRECTORS
In uncontested elections of directors we will vote against:
o Individual directors with absenteeism above 25% without valid reason. We
support proposals that require disclosure of director attendance.
o Insider directors and affiliated outsiders who sit on the audit,
compensation, stock option or nominating committees. For the purposes of our
policy, we accept the definition of affiliated directors provided by our
proxy voting service.
We will also vote against:
o Directors who have failed to act on a takeover offer where the majority of
shareholders have tendered their shares.
o Directors who appear to lack independence or are associated with very poor
corporate performance.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis on these issues:
o Re-election of directors who have implemented or renewed a dead-hand or
modified dead-hand poison pill (a "dead-hand poison pill" is a shareholder
rights plan that may be altered only by incumbent or "dead" directors. These
plans prevent a potential acquirer from disabling a poison pill by obtaining
control of the board through a proxy vote).
o Contested election of directors.
o Election of a greater number of independent directors (in order to move
closer to a majority of independent directors in cases of poor performance.
o Mandatory retirement policies.
o Directors who have ignored a shareholder proposal that has been approved by
shareholders for two consecutive years.
We will vote for:
o Precatory and binding resolutions requesting that the board changes the
company's bylaws to stipulate that directors need to be elected with
affirmative majority of votes cast, provided that the resolutions allow for
plurality voting in cases of contested elections.
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TAKEOVER-RELATED MEASURES
Pioneer is generally opposed to proposals that may discourage takeover
attempts. We believe that the potential for a takeover helps ensure that
corporate performance remains high.
Pioneer will vote for:
o Cumulative voting.
o Increasing the ability for shareholders to call special meetings.
o Increasing the ability for shareholders to act by written consent.
o Restrictions on the ability to make greenmail payments.
o Submitting rights plans to shareholder vote.
o Rescinding shareholder rights plans ("poison pills").
o Opting out of the following state takeover statutes:
- Control share acquisition statutes, which deny large holders voting rights
on holdings over a specified threshold.
- Control share cash-out provisions, which require large holders to acquire
shares from other holders
- Freeze-out provisions, which impose a waiting period on large holders
before they can attempt to gain control
- Stakeholder laws, which permit directors to consider interests of
non-shareholder constituencies.
- Disgorgement provisions, which require acquirers to disgorge profits on
purchases made before gaining control.
- Fair price provisions.
- Authorization of shareholder rights plans.
- Labor protection provisions.
- Mandatory classified boards.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis on the following issues:
o Fair price provisions. We will vote against provisions requiring
supermajority votes to approve takeovers. We will also consider voting
against proposals that require a supermajority vote to repeal or amend the
provision. Finally, we will consider the mechanism used to determine the
fair price; we are generally opposed to complicated formulas or requirements
to pay a premium.
o Opting out of state takeover statutes regarding fair price provisions. We
will use the criteria used for fair price provisions in general to determine
our vote on this issue.
o Proposals that allow shareholders to nominate directors.
We will vote against:
o Classified boards, except in the case of closed-end funds, where we shall
vote on a case-by-case basis.
o Limiting shareholder ability to remove or appoint directors. We will support
proposals to restore shareholder authority in this area. We will review on
case-by-case basis proposals that authorize the board to make interim
appointments.
o Classes of shares with unequal voting rights.
o Supermajority vote requirements.
o Severance packages ("golden" and "tin" parachutes). We will support proposals
to put these packages to shareholder vote.
o Reimbursement of dissident proxy solicitation expenses. While we ordinarily
support measures that encourage takeover bids, we believe that management
should have full control over corporate funds.
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o Extension of advance notice requirements for shareholder proposals.
o Granting board authority normally retained by shareholders (e.g., amend
charter, set board size).
o Shareholder rights plans ("poison pills"). These plans generally allow
shareholders to buy additional shares at a below-market price in the event
of a change in control and may deter some bids.
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
Managements need considerable flexibility in determining the company's
financial structure, and Pioneer normally supports managements' proposals in
this area. We will, however, reject proposals that impose high barriers to
potential takeovers.
Pioneer will vote for:
o Changes in par value.
o Reverse splits, if accompanied by a reduction in number of shares.
o Shares repurchase programs, if all shareholders may participate on equal
terms.
o Bond issuance.
o Increases in "ordinary" preferred stock.
o Proposals to have blank check common stock placements (other than shares
issued in the normal course of business) submitted for shareholder approval.
o Cancellation of company treasury shares.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis on the following issues:
o Reverse splits not accompanied by a reduction in number of shares,
considering the risk of delisting.
o Increase in authorized common stock. We will make a determination
considering, among other factors:
- Number of shares currently available for issuance;
- Size of requested increase (we would normally approve increases of up to
100% of current authorization);
- Proposed use of the proceeds from the issuance of additional shares, and
- Potential consequences of a failure to increase the number of shares
outstanding (e.g., delisting or bankruptcy).
o Blank check preferred. We will normally oppose issuance of a new class of
blank check preferred, but may approve an increase in a class already
outstanding if the company has demonstrated that it uses this flexibility
appropriately.
o Proposals to submit private placements to shareholder vote.
o Other financing plans.
We will vote against preemptive rights that we believe limit a company's
financing flexibility.
COMPENSATION
Pioneer supports compensation plans that link pay to shareholder returns and
believes that management has the best understanding of the level of
compensation needed to attract and retain qualified people. At the same time,
stock-related compensation plans have a significant economic impact and a
direct effect on the balance sheet. Therefore, while we do not want to
micromanage a company's compensation programs, we will place limits on the
potential dilution these plans may impose.
Pioneer will vote for:
o 401(k) benefit plans.
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o Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), as long as shares allocated to ESOPs
are less than 5% of outstanding shares. Larger blocks of stock in ESOPs can
serve as a takeover defense. We will support proposals to submit ESOPs to
shareholder vote.
o Various issues related to the Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1993
(OBRA), including:
- Amendments to performance plans to conform with OBRA;
- Caps on annual grants or amendments of administrative features;
- Adding performance goals, and
- Cash or cash and stock bonus plans.
o Establish a process to link pay, including stock-option grants, to
performance, leaving specifics of implementation to the company.
o Require that option repricing be submitted to shareholders.
o Require the expensing of stock-option awards.
o Require reporting of executive retirement benefits (deferred compensation,
split-dollar life insurance, SERPs, and pension benefits).
o Employee stock purchase plans where the purchase price is equal to at least
85% of the market price, where the offering period is no greater than 27
months and where potential dilution (as defined below) is no greater than
10%.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis on the following issues:
o Shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director
pay information.
o Executive and director stock-related compensation plans. We will consider the
following factors when reviewing these plans:
- The program must be of a reasonable size. We will approve plans where the
combined employee and director plans together would generate less than 15%
dilution. We will reject plans with 15% or more potential dilution.
Dilution = (A + B + C) / (A + B + C + D), where
A = Shares reserved for plan/amendment,
B = Shares available under continuing plans,
C = Shares granted but unexercised and
D = Shares outstanding.
- The plan must not:
- Explicitly permit unlimited option repricing authority or that have
repriced in the past without shareholder approval
- Be a self-replenishing "evergreen" plan, or a plan that grants discount
options and tax offset payments
- We are generally in favor of proposals that increase participation beyond
executives.
- We generally support proposals asking companies to adopt rigorous vesting
provisions for stock option plans such as those that vest incrementally
over, at least, a three- or four-year period with a pro rata portion of
the shares becoming exercisable on an annual basis following grant date.
- We generally support proposals asking companies to disclose their window
period policies for stock transactions. Window period policies ensure that
employees do not exercise options based on insider information
contemporaneous with quarterly earnings releases and other material
corporate announcements.
- We generally support proposals asking companies to adopt stock holding
periods for their executives.
o All other employee stock purchase plans.
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o All other compensation-related proposals, including deferred compensation
plans, employment agreements, loan guarantee programs and retirement plans.
o All other proposals regarding stock compensation plans, including extending
the life of a plan, changing vesting restrictions, repricing options,
lengthening exercise periods or accelerating distribution of awards and
pyramiding and cashless exercise programs.
We will vote against:
o Pensions for non-employee directors. We believe these retirement plans reduce
director objectivity.
o Elimination of stock option plans.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis on these issues:
o Limits on executive and director pay.
o Stock in lieu of cash compensation for directors.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Pioneer will vote for:
o Confidential voting.
o Equal access provisions, which allow shareholders to contribute their
opinions to proxy materials.
o Proposals requiring directors to disclose their ownership of shares in the
company.
We will vote on a case-by-case basis on the following issues:
o Change in the state of incorporation. We will support reincorporations
supported by valid business reasons. We will oppose those that appear to be
solely for the purpose of strengthening takeover defenses.
o Bundled proposals. We will evaluate the overall impact of the proposal.
o Adopting or amending the charter, bylaws or articles of association.
o Shareholder appraisal rights, which allow shareholders to demand judicial
review of an acquisition price.
We will vote against:
o Shareholder advisory committees. While management should solicit shareholder
input, we prefer to leave the method of doing so to management's discretion.
o Limitations on stock ownership or voting rights.
o Reduction in share ownership disclosure guidelines.
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MERGERS AND RESTRUCTURINGS
Pioneer will vote on the following and similar issues on a case-by-case basis:
o Mergers and acquisitions.
o Corporate restructurings, including spin-offs, liquidations, asset sales,
joint ventures, conversions to holding company and conversions to
self-managed REIT structure.
o Debt restructurings.
o Conversion of securities.
o Issuance of shares to facilitate a merger.
o Private placements, warrants, convertible debentures.
o Proposals requiring management to inform shareholders of merger
opportunities.
We will normally vote against shareholder proposals requiring that the company
be put up for sale.
MUTUAL FUNDS
Many of our portfolios may invest in shares of closed-end funds or
exchange-traded funds. The non-corporate structure of these investments raises
several unique proxy-voting issues.
Pioneer will vote for:
o Establishment of new classes or series of shares.
o Establishment of a master-feeder structure.
Pioneer will vote on a case-by-case on:
o Changes in investment policy. We will normally support changes that do not
affect the investment objective or overall risk level of the fund. We will
examine more fundamental changes on a case-by-case basis.
o Approval of new or amended advisory contracts.
o Changes from closed-end to open-end format.
o Election of a greater number of independent directors (in order to move
closer to a majority of independent directors) in cases of poor performance.
o Authorization for, or increase in, preferred shares.
o Disposition of assets, termination, liquidation, or mergers.
o Classified boards of closed-end funds, but will typically support such
proposals.
SOCIAL ISSUES
Pioneer will abstain on stockholder proposals calling for greater disclosure of
corporate activities with regard to social issues. "Social Issues" may
generally be described as shareholder proposals for a company to:
o Conduct studies regarding certain issues of public concern and interest;
o Study the feasibility of the company taking certain actions with regard to
such issues; or
o Take specific action, including ceasing certain behavior and adopting company
standards and principles, in relation to issues of public concern and
interest.
We believe these issues are important and should receive management attention.
Pioneer will vote against proposals calling for substantial changes in the
company's business or activities. We will also normally vote against proposals
with regard to contributions, believing that management should control the
routine disbursement of funds.
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AVOIDING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Pioneer recognizes that in certain circumstances a conflict of interest may
arise when Pioneer votes a proxy.
A conflict of interest occurs when Pioneer's interests interfere, or appear to
interfere with the interests of Pioneer's clients.
A conflict may be actual or perceived and may exist, for example, when the
matter to be voted on concerns:
o An affiliate of Pioneer, such as another company belonging to the UniCredit
S.p.A. banking group (a "UniCredit Affiliate");
o An issuer of a security for which Pioneer acts as a sponsor, advisor,
manager, custodian, distributor, underwriter, broker, or other similar
capacity (including those securities specifically declared by PGAM to
present a conflict of interest for Pioneer);
o An issuer of a security for which UniCredit has informed Pioneer that a
UniCredit Affiliate acts as a sponsor, advisor, manager, custodian,
distributor, underwriter, broker, or other similar capacity; or
o A person with whom Pioneer (or any of its affiliates) has an existing,
material contract or business relationship.
Any member of the Proxy Voting Oversight Group and any other associate involved
in the proxy voting process with knowledge of any apparent or actual conflict
of interest must disclose such conflict to the Proxy Coordinator and the Chief
Compliance Officer of Pioneer and the Funds. If any associate is lobbied or
pressured with respect to any voting decision, whether within or outside of
Pioneer, he or she should contact a member of the Proxy Voting Oversight Group
or Pioneer's Chief Compliance Officer.
The Proxy Voting Oversight Group will review each item referred to Pioneer by
the proxy voting service to determine whether an actual or potential conflict
of interest exists in connection with the proposal(s) to be voted upon. The
review will be conducted by comparing the apparent parties affected by the
proxy proposal being voted upon against the Controller's and Compliance
Department's internal list of interested persons and, for any matches found,
evaluating the anticipated magnitude and possible probability of any conflict
of interest being present. The Proxy Voting Oversight Group may cause any of
the following actions to be taken when a conflict of interest is present:
o Vote the proxy in accordance with the vote indicated under "Voting
Guidelines," If a vote is indicated;
o Direct the independent proxy voting service to vote the proxy in accordance
with its independent assessment; or
o As determined by the Proxy Voting Oversight Group in its discretion
consistent with its fiduciary duty.
If the Proxy Voting Oversight Group perceives a material conflict of interest,
the group may also choose to disclose the conflict to the affected clients and
solicit their consent to proceed with the vote, or may take such other action
in good faith (in consultation with counsel) that would protect the interest of
clients.
For each referral item, the determination regarding the presence or absence of
any actual or potential conflict of interest will be documented in a Conflicts
of Interest Report prepared by the Proxy Coordinator.
The Proxy Voting Oversight Group will review periodically the independence of
the proxy voting service. This may include a review of the service's conflict
management procedures and other documentation, and an evaluation as to whether
the service continues to have the competency and capacity to vote proxies.
DECISION NOT TO VOTE PROXIES
Although it is Pioneer's general policy to vote all proxies in accordance with
the principles set forth in this policy, there may be situations in which the
Proxy Voting Oversight Group does not vote a proxy referred to it. For example,
because of the potential conflict of interest inherent in voting shares of a
UniCredit
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affiliate, Pioneer will abstain from voting the shares unless otherwise
directed by a client. In such a case, the Proxy Coordinator will inform PGAM
Global Compliance and the PGAM Independent Directors before exercising voting
rights.
There exist other situations in which the Proxy Voting Oversight Group may
refrain from voting a proxy. For example, if the cost of voting a foreign
security outweighs the benefit of voting, the Group may not vote the proxy. The
Group may not be given enough time to process a vote, perhaps because it
receives a meeting notice too late or it cannot obtain a translation of the
agenda in the time available. If Pioneer has outstanding "sell" orders, the
proxies for shares subject to the order may not be voted to facilitate the
sale. Although Pioneer may hold shares on a company's record date, if the
shares are sold prior to the meeting date, the Group may decide not to vote
those shares.
SUPERVISION
ESCALATION
It is each associate's responsibility to contact his or her business unit head,
the Proxy Coordinator, a member of the Proxy Voting Oversight Group or
Pioneer's Chief Compliance Officer if he or she becomes aware of any possible
noncompliance with this policy.
TRAINING
Pioneer will conduct periodic training regarding proxy voting and this policy.
It is the responsibility of the business line policy owner and the applicable
Compliance Department to coordinate and conduct such training.
RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.'s Books and Records Policy and the Books
and Records of the Pioneer Funds' Policy.
RECORD KEEPING
The Proxy Coordinator shall ensure that Pioneer's proxy voting service:
o Retains a copy of each proxy statement received (unless the proxy statement
is available from the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and
Retrieval (EDGAR) system);
o Retains a record of the vote cast;
o Prepares Form N-PX for filing on behalf of each client that is a registered
investment company; and
o Is able to promptly provide Pioneer with a copy of the voting record upon its
request.
The Proxy Coordinator shall ensure that for those votes that may require
additional documentation
(i.e. conflicts of interest, exception votes and case-by-case votes) the
following records are maintained:
o A record memorializing the basis for each referral vote cast;
o A copy of any document created by Pioneer that was material in making the
decision on how to vote the subject proxy;
o A copy of any recommendation of the proxy voting service; and
o A copy of any conflict notice, conflict consent or any other written
communication (including emails or other electronic communications) to or
from the client (or in the case of an employee benefit plan, the plan's
trustee or other fiduciaries) regarding the subject proxy vote cast by, or
the vote recommendation of, Pioneer.
Pioneer shall maintain the above records in the client's file in accordance
with applicable regulations.
RELATED REGULATIONS
Form N-1A, ICA Rule 30b1-4, Rule 31a1-3, Rule 38a-1 & IAA 206(4)-6, 204-2
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ADOPTED BY THE PIONEER FUNDS' BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 5, 2004
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 5, 2004
REVISION DATE:
September 2009
22104-09-1215
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