EXHIBIT 16.(17) FORM OF PROXY CARD 68 EXHIBIT 16.(17) IDEX LKCM STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FORM OF PROXY FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ON APRIL 23, 2004 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES The undersigned hereby appoint(s) John K. Carter and Brian C. Scott or either one of them, proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of IDEX LKCM Strategic Total Return (the "Acquired Fund") which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of shareholders of the Fund to be held at the office of IDEX Mutual Funds ("IDEX") at 570 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716 on April 23, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. local time and at any adjournment thereof. This proxy will be voted as instructed. If no specification is made, the proxy will be voted "FOR" the proposal. Please vote, date and sign this proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope. Please indicate your vote by an "x" in the appropriate box below. PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS IDEX encourages all shareholders to vote their proxies. We now provide the following convenient methods of voting: 1. PROXY CARD: Complete, sign, date and return the proxy card attached below in the enclosed postage-paid envelope; or instead vote by 2. TELEPHONE; 3. INTERNET; or 4. FACSIMILE by following the enclosed instructions. If you choose to vote by telephone, via the Internet or by facsimile, DO NOT return your proxy card unless you later decide to change your vote. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPOSAL. 1. To approve a Plan of Reorganization providing for the acquisition of all of the assets and liabilities of the Acquired Fund by IDEX Transamerica Value Balanced (the "Acquiring Fund") solely in exchange for shares of Acquiring Fund, followed by the complete liquidation of Acquired Fund. FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ] - ----------------------------------- --------------------------- Signature Date - ----------------------------------- --------------------------- Signature (if held jointly) Date This proxy must be signed exactly as your name(s) appears hereon. If as an attorney, executor, guardian or in some representative capacity or as an officer of a corporation, please add titles as such. Joint owners must each sign. 69