N-14 1 dn14.htm LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 19, 2010

Securities Act File No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM N-14

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

   UNDER  
   THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  
   Pre-Effective Amendment No.   ¨
   Post-Effective Amendment No.   ¨
   (Check appropriate box or boxes)  

 

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter:

 

 

 

55 Water Street New York, New York 10041

Address of Principal Executive Offices: (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code)

 

1-877-721-1926

Area Code and Telephone Number:

 

Robert I. Frenkel

Name and Address of Agent for Service:

 

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

(Number and Street) (City) (State) (Zip Code)

 

 

 

With a Copy to:

 

Benjamin Haskin, Esq.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

1875 K Street NW

Washington, DC 20006

 

 

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

 

Title of Securities Being Registered:

Class I shares of Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

 

Registrant has registered an indefinite amount of securities pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; accordingly, no fee is payable herewith in reliance upon Section 24(f).

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective on December 19, 2010 pursuant to Rule 488.

 

 

 


LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST

LEGG MASON CLEARBRIDGE VARIABLE DIVIDEND STRATEGY PORTFOLIO

55 Water Street

New York, New York 10041

Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 13, 2011

 

[December     ], 2010

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

You are being asked to consider and vote on a proposed reorganization transaction related to your fund, Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio, a series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, a Maryland statutory trust. Detailed information about the proposal is contained in the enclosed materials.

 

The Board of Trustees of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust has called a special meeting of shareholders (“Meeting”) for your fund to be held on April 13, 2011, at the offices of Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, in order to consider and vote on the proposed transaction regarding your fund. The transaction involves a proposal to reorganize your fund into another fund (the “Reorganization”), as more fully described in the attached Proxy Statement/Prospectus. After careful consideration, the Board of Trustees of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposed Reorganization.

 

Your vote is very important to us regardless of the number of shares you own. Please read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and authorize a proxy to vote promptly. To authorize a proxy to cast your vote, simply complete, sign and return the voting instruction card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or follow the instructions on the voting instruction card for voting by touch-tone telephone or on the Internet.

 

It is important that your vote be received no later than the time of the Meeting.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

 

R. Jay Gerken, President

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust


LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST

LEGG MASON CLEARBRIDGE VARIABLE DIVIDEND STRATEGY PORTFOLIO

 

 

 

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

 

The enclosed combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus describes a proposal to reorganize your fund (the “Target Fund”) into a compatible fund. While we encourage you to read the full text of the enclosed combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus, here is a brief overview of the proposed fund reorganization. Please refer to the more complete information about the reorganization contained elsewhere in the combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

 

 

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION

 

  Q. WHY IS A SHAREHOLDER MEETING BEING HELD?

 

A. The Board of your fund (the “Board”) has approved a reorganization, subject to shareholder approval, under which your fund would be combined with another Legg Mason-affiliated fund that has investment objectives and policies similar to your fund. If shareholders of your fund approve the reorganization, you would become a shareholder of Legg Mason Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio (the “Acquiring Fund”), a series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust.

 

  Q. HOW WILL THE REORGANIZATION AFFECT ME?

 

A. If the reorganization of your fund is approved, your fund’s assets and liabilities will be combined with the assets and liabilities of the Acquiring Fund and you will become a shareholder of the Acquiring Fund. You will receive shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of your fund that you own on the date of the reorganization. You will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

  Q. WHY IS THE REORGANIZATION BEING RECOMMENDED?

 

A. The Board and management believe that the reorganization is in the best interests of the Target Fund. The reorganization is a part of management’s ongoing initiative to rationalize the funds in the Legg Mason family into a more cohesive product set and eliminate overlapping funds. The Board believes that the reorganization is likely to result in efficiencies and economies of scale that will be beneficial to shareholders. The Board notes that the Acquiring Fund has had better average annual performance than your fund over the one-year period ended August 31, 2010 (the Acquiring Fund adopted its current investment policies and strategies effective November 2, 2009). In addition, the Board believes that your fund has not attained a long-term viable size and is not likely to do so. The Board also believes that the proposed reorganization is preferable to terminating your fund, which would require the insurance company holding your fund’s shares to make available to investors a new fund (or funds) in which to invest the liquidated proceeds.

 

  Q. ARE MY FUND’S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED POLICIES SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE ACQUIRING FUND?

 

A. Yes. There are, however, certain differences in investment objectives, principal investment policies and strategies, and principal risks between the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund. Please see “Comparison of Investment Objectives, Strategies and Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The following chart provides a brief summary of some of the more significant of these differences, as considered by the Board.


    

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Dividend Strategy Portfolio

(Target Fund)

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Equity Income Builder Portfolio

(Acquiring Fund)

Investment Objective(s)

  The Target Fund seeks capital appreciation, principally through investments in dividend-paying stocks.   The Acquiring Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income. Long-term capital appreciation is its secondary objective.
  Same as the Acquiring Fund, except that the Target Fund seeks capital appreciation, principally through investments in dividend-paying stocks.   Same as the Target Fund, except that the Acquiring Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income. Long-term capital appreciation is its secondary objective. While the Acquiring Fund’s objective does not include a focus on dividend-paying stocks, a significant portion of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio will consist of equity securities that pay dividends.

80% Investment Policy

  Under normal market conditions, the Target Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in dividend-paying stocks. The Target Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in other types of equity securities, including preferred stocks, warrants and securities convertible into common stocks. The Target Fund may also make investments in companies that are not expected to pay dividends.   Under normal circumstances, the Acquiring Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any, in equity securities or other investments with similar economic characteristics. A significant portion of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio will consist of equity securities that pay dividends.

Foreign Investments

  The Target Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities, including those of issuers in emerging market countries.   The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 50% of its net assets in equity securities of foreign issuers directly or in the form of depositary receipts representing an interest in those securities. The foreign issuers in which the Acquiring Fund may invest include issuers that are organized outside the United States and conduct their operations in the United States and other countries (commonly known as “multi-national companies”) and other foreign issuers with market capitalizations generally of at least $10 billion.

Fixed Income Securities

  The Target Fund currently invests in fixed income securities only for short-term investment purposes.   The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities. The Acquiring Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any quality, including lower-rated, high-yielding debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”). The Acquiring Fund may invest in fixed income securities when the portfolio managers believe such securities provide attractive income opportunities.

 

-2-


  Q. HOW WILL THE REORGANIZATION AFFECT FUND FEES AND EXPENSES?

 

A. The reorganization will have the following effects on the fees and expenses of the corresponding classes of your fund:

 

   

Total gross annual fund operating expenses of your fund are expected to decrease as a result of the reorganization.

 

   

Through December 31, 2012, the expense cap of your fund is expected to decrease as a result of the reorganization, and total net annual fund operating expenses of your fund are expected to decrease as a result of the reorganization.

 

   

The effective management fee is expected to increase as a result of the reorganization.

 

Please see “Summary—Comparison of Fees and Expenses” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus for a detailed breakdown of the fees and expenses paid by your fund in comparison with those paid by the Acquiring Fund.

 

  Q. WILL I HAVE TO PAY ANY SALES LOAD, CHARGE OR OTHER COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. No. No sales load, contingent deferred sales charge, commission, redemption fee or other transactional fee will be charged as a result of the reorganization. You will receive shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of your fund that you own on the date of the reorganization.

 

  Q. WHAT CLASSES OF SHARES WILL I RECEIVE?

 

A. Holders of the non-designated Class of shares of the Target Fund will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund. You will receive shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of your fund that you own on the date of the reorganization.

 

  Q. WHAT IF I REDEEM OR EXCHANGE MY SHARES BEFORE THE CLOSING OF THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. Redemptions or exchanges of fund shares that occur before the closing of the reorganization will be processed according to your fund’s policies and procedures in effect at the time of the redemption or exchange.

 

  Q. WILL MY SHAREHOLDER PRIVILEGES CHANGE AS A RESULT OF THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. No. You will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund, which have privileges identical to your fund’s shares.

 

Please see “Summary—Comparison of Sales Loads, Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Arrangements and Purchase and Redemption Policies and Procedures” and “Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares; Other Shareholder Information” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus for a description of the differences among fund classes.

 

  Q. CAN I PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES IN MY FUND PRIOR TO THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. Yes. However, if the shareholders of your fund approve the reorganization, your fund will close to new purchases two business days prior to the closing of the reorganization.

 

  Q. WILL I HAVE TO PAY ANY TAXES AS A RESULT OF THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. The reorganization is intended to qualify as a tax-free transaction for federal income tax purposes. Assuming the reorganization of your fund qualifies for such treatment, you will not recognize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a direct result of the reorganization. As a condition to the closing of the reorganization, your fund will receive an opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP to the effect that the reorganization will qualify for such treatment. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. You should talk to your tax adviser about any state, local and other tax consequences of your fund’s reorganization.

 

  Q. WHO WILL PAY FOR THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. Your fund’s manager and your fund will each be responsible for 50% of the fees, costs and expenses allocated to your fund in connection with the reorganization. The Acquiring Fund’s manager will be responsible for 100% of the fees, costs and expenses allocated to the Acquiring Fund in connection with the reorganization. Transaction costs, if any, associated with repositioning your fund’s portfolio in connection with the reorganization will be borne by your fund before the reorganization.

 

-3-


Estimated costs of the reorganization have been allocated between your fund and the Acquiring Fund as follows: Legal—your fund: $50,000, the Acquiring Fund: $50,000; Audit—your fund: $5,000, the Acquiring Fund: $5,000; and Printing, postage, proxy out-of-pocket costs and proxy solicitation, mailing, reporting and tabulation costs (approximately $24,500)—all allocated to your fund.

 

Legg Mason, Inc., on behalf of your fund, has retained Computershare Fund Services, a proxy solicitation firm, to assist in the solicitation of proxies. It is anticipated that Computershare Fund Services will be paid approximately $8,800 for such solicitation services. Your fund’s manager and your fund will each be responsible for 50% of these fees as described above and this cost is included in the $24,500 estimate above.

 

  Q. HOW DOES THE BOARD RECOMMEND THAT I VOTE?

 

A. The Board, including all of the independent Board members, unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the reorganization of your fund.

 

  Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE REORGANIZATION IS NOT APPROVED?

 

A. If the shareholders of your fund do not approve the reorganization of your fund, then you will remain a shareholder of your fund.

 

  Q. I AM AN INVESTOR WHO HOLDS A SMALL NUMBER OF SHARES. WHY SHOULD I VOTE?

 

A. Your vote makes a difference. If many shareholders like you fail to vote their proxies, your fund may not receive enough votes to go forward with the shareholder meeting, and additional costs will be incurred to solicit additional proxies.

 

  Q. WHEN IS THE REORGANIZATION OF MY FUND EXPECTED TO HAPPEN?

 

A. If shareholders approve the reorganization of your fund, the reorganization of your fund is expected to occur on or about April 29, 2011.

 

  Q. HOW CAN I VOTE OR AUTHORIZE A PROXY TO VOTE?

 

A. In addition to authorizing a proxy to vote by mail by returning the enclosed voting instruction card, you also may authorize a proxy to vote by either touch-tone telephone or online via the Internet, as follows:

 

To authorize a proxy to vote by touch-tone telephone:

  

To authorize a proxy to vote by Internet:

 

(1)    Read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and have your voting instruction card at hand.

  

(1)    Read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and have your voting instruction card at hand.

(2)    Call the toll-free number that appears on your voting instruction card.

  

(2)    Go to the website that appears on your voting instruction card.

(3)    Enter the control number set out on the voting instruction card and follow the simple instructions.

  

(3)    Enter the control number set out on the voting instruction card and follow the simple instructions.

 

  Q. WHO GETS TO VOTE?

 

A. If you owned shares of your fund at the close of business on December 15, 2010, you are entitled to vote those shares, even if you are no longer a shareholder of the fund.

 

  Q. WHOM DO I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

 

A. If you need more information or have any questions about how to authorize a proxy to cast your vote, please call Computershare Fund Services, your fund’s proxy solicitor, at 1-888-985-2050.

 

Your vote is important. Please authorize a proxy to vote promptly to avoid the additional expense of another solicitation.

 

-4-


LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST

a Maryland statutory trust

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held on April 13, 2011

 

Please take notice that a Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of the Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio (the “Target Fund”), a series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, will be held at the offices of Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, on April 13, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, for the following purposes:

 

PROPOSAL 1: To consider and vote upon the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, providing for (i) the acquisition of all of the assets of the Target Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund by Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio (the “Acquiring Fund”) and for shares of the Acquiring Fund, a series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, to be distributed to the shareholders of the Target Fund and (ii) the subsequent termination of the Target Fund.

 

PROPOSAL 2: To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

The appointed proxies will vote in their discretion on any other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

Shareholders of record of the Target Fund at the close of business on December 15, 2010 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

Shares of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund (together, the “Funds”) are offered only to (i) variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts established by insurance companies (each, a “Participating Insurance Company,” and collectively, the “Participating Insurance Companies”) to fund variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (the “Variable Annuity Funds”) and (ii) certain qualified pension and retirement plans. The rights accompanying shares of the Variable Annuity Funds are legally vested in the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance products offered by the separate accounts of Participating Insurance Companies. However, in accordance with current law and interpretations thereof, Participating Insurance Companies will vote shares held in the separate accounts in a manner consistent with voting instructions timely received from the holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. A signed voting instruction form or other authorization by a holder that does not specify how the holder’s shares should be voted on a proposal may be deemed an instruction to vote such shares in favor of the proposal. Those persons who have a voting interest at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to submit instructions to their Participating Insurance Company. Each Participating Insurance Company will vote Variable Annuity Fund shares held in separate accounts for which no timely instructions are received from the holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies, as well as shares it owns, in the same proportion as those shares for which such insurance company receives voting instructions. For purposes of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the term “shareholder” (when used to refer to the beneficial holder of ownership interests in the Target Fund) shall also be deemed to include holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

 

If you hold shares through a variable annuity contract or a variable life insurance policy, and if you do not give specific voting instructions for your shares, they may not be voted at all or, as described above, they may be voted in a manner that you may not intend. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to give your Participating Insurance Company specific instructions as to how you want your shares to be voted.

 

YOUR VOTE ON THIS MATTER IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE AUTHORIZE A PROXY TO VOTE YOUR SHARES PROMPTLY BY SIGNING AND DATING THE ENCLOSED VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD AND RETURNING IT IN THE ACCOMPANYING POSTAGE-PAID RETURN ENVELOPE OR BY FOLLOWING THE ENCLOSED INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORIZE A PROXY BY TELEPHONE OR OVER THE INTERNET TO CAST YOUR VOTES.

 

By order of the Board of Trustees,
LOGO
Robert I. Frenkel
Secretary
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

 

[December     ], 2010


PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

 

[                    ], 2010

 

PROXY STATEMENT FOR:

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST

Legg Mason Clearbridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

(the “Target Fund”)

 

55 Water Street

New York, New York 10041

1-877-721-1926

 

PROSPECTUS FOR:

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST

Legg Mason Clearbridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

(the “Acquiring Fund”)

 

(each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”)

 

55 Water Street

New York, New York 10041

1-877-721-1926

 

This combined Proxy Statement and Prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) is being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust for a Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Target Fund (the “Meeting”). The Meeting will be held on April 13, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, at the offices of Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018. At the Meeting, shareholders of the Target Fund at the close of business on December 15, 2010 (the “Record Date”) will be asked to consider and act upon the following:

 

PROPOSAL 1: To approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Reorganization Agreement”), providing for (i) the acquisition of all of the assets of the Target Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund and for shares of the Acquiring Fund to be distributed to the shareholders of the Target Fund (the “Reorganization”) and (ii) the subsequent termination of the Target Fund.

 

PROPOSAL 2: To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

The Reorganization Agreement contemplates the transfer of all of the assets of the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund and for shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the Target Fund. The Target Fund would then distribute to its shareholders the portion of the shares of the Acquiring Fund to which each such shareholder is entitled, with each shareholder receiving shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Target Fund held by that shareholder as of the close of business on the day of the closing of the Reorganization. Thereafter, the Target Fund would be terminated.


As a shareholder of the Target Fund, you are being asked to consider and vote upon the approval of the Reorganization Agreement pursuant to which the Reorganization of the Target Fund would be accomplished. Because the Reorganization will result in shareholders of the Target Fund holding shares of the Acquiring Fund, this Proxy Statement also serves as a Prospectus for the Acquiring Fund.

 

If the Reorganization of the Target Fund is approved, the shareholders of the Target Fund will receive shares of the Acquiring Fund according to the following chart:

 

Target Fund—Share Class Exchanged

  

Acquiring Fund—Share Class Received*

non-designated Class    Class I

 

If the Reorganization Agreement is approved, the shareholders of the Target Fund will receive full and fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund of the corresponding class of shares of the Target Fund set forth in the above chart.

 

No sales charge will be imposed on the shares of the Acquiring Fund received by Target Fund shareholders in connection with the Reorganization. For more information about the classes of shares offered by each of the Funds, see “Summary—Comparison of Sales Loads, Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Arrangements and Purchase and Redemption Policies and Procedures” and “Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares; Other Shareholder Information” in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

The Reorganization is being structured as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. See “Information about the Proposed Reorganization—Federal Income Tax Consequences” below. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the actual impact of the Reorganization in light of their individual tax circumstances.

 

Each Fund is a separate series of a registered open-end management investment company organized as a Maryland statutory trust. The investment objectives and principal investment strategies of the Target Fund are generally similar to those of the Acquiring Fund. There are certain differences, however, in investment objectives, policies, strategies and principal risks. Please see “Comparison of Investment Objectives, Strategies and Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds” in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which you should retain for future reference, sets forth concisely the information about the Acquiring Fund that a prospective investor should know before investing. A Statement of Additional Information (the “Reorganization SAI”) dated [December     ], 2010, relating to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Reorganization has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. A copy of the Reorganization SAI is available upon request and without charge by writing to the Acquiring Fund at the address listed above or calling 1-877-721-1926.

 

For more information regarding the funds, see the current prospectuses of the funds (the “Prospectuses”) and statements of additional information of the funds (the “Fund SAIs”) filed with the SEC on the dates as listed in Appendix A. The Target Fund Prospectus and the SAI of the Target Fund are incorporated into this Proxy Statement/Prospectus by reference. The Prospectus of the Acquiring Fund is not being incorporated by reference.

 

The audited financial statements and related independent registered public accounting firm’s report for the Target Fund contained in the annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 are incorporated herein by reference. The unaudited financial statements for the Target Fund contained in the semi-annual report for the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2010 are incorporated herein by reference. You may receive without charge a copy of the Prospectus, Fund SAI, and annual and semi-annual report for each fund by contacting the Fund at 1-877-721-1926.

 

The financial highlights for the Acquiring Fund contained in the semi-annual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2010 are attached to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix C. In addition, you can copy and review this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the complete filing on Form N-14 containing the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any of the above-referenced documents at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. You may obtain information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. Reports and other information

 

 

* The Acquiring Fund also offers Class II shares, which are not being offered by this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

ii


about each fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s internet site at www.sec.gov. You may obtain copies of this information, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549.

 

A copy of the form of Reorganization Agreement pertaining to the Reorganization accompanies this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix B.

 

The information contained herein concerning the Target Fund has been provided by, and is included herein in reliance upon, the Target Fund. The information contained herein concerning the Acquiring Fund has been provided by, and is included herein in reliance upon, the Acquiring Fund.

 

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES NOR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SUMMARY

     1   

Proposed Reorganization

     1   

Certain Defined Terms Used in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus

     2   

Comparison of Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies

     2   

Effect on Expenses

     3   

Comparison of Fees and Expenses

     4   

Comparison of Sales Loads, Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Arrangements and Purchase and Redemption Policies and Procedures

     5   

COMPARISON OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS

     6   

Investment Objectives

     6   

Primary Investment Policies and Strategies

     6   

Risk Factors

     7   

Side-by-Side Comparison

     10   

PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES; OTHER SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

     12   

Availability of the Fund

     12   

Redemption of Shares

     12   

Frequent Trading of Fund Shares

     13   

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

     14   

Share Price

     14   

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION

     16   

The Reorganization Agreement

     16   

Description of the Acquiring Fund’s Shares

     16   

Reasons for the Reorganization and Board Considerations

     17   

Federal Income Tax Consequences

     17   

Information Regarding Tax Capital Loss Carryovers

     18   

TERMINATION OF THE TARGET FUND

     19   

PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

     19   

INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE ACQUIRING FUND

     20   

Investment Manager and Subadviser

     20   

Certain Legal Proceedings

     20   

Portfolio Managers of the Acquiring Fund

     21   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TARGET FUND AND THE ACQUIRING FUND

     23   

Financial Highlights

     23   

Distribution Arrangements

     23   

Form of Organization

     24   

Capitalization

     24   

Dividends and Distributions

     24   

Other Business

     24   

Shareholder Communications with the Board

     25   

Voting Information

     25   

INDEX OF APPENDICES

     28   

Appendix A: Dates of Prospectuses, Fund SAIs and Shareholder Reports

     A-1   

Appendix B: Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization

     B-1   

Appendix C: Financial Highlights of the Acquiring Fund

     C-1   

Appendix D: Historical Performance for Each Fund

     D-1   

Appendix E: Instructions for Signing Voting Instruction Card

     E-1   

Appendix F: 5% Shareholders of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund

     F-1   

 

I


SUMMARY

 

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the additional information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Reorganization Agreement, the form of which is attached to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix B.

 

Proposed Reorganization

 

At meetings held on November 3-4, 2010, the Board of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, including all of the Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Funds under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (“Independent Board Members”), unanimously approved the Reorganization Agreement. The Reorganization Agreement provides for:

 

1. the transfer of all of the assets of the Target Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund and for shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Target Fund;

 

2. the distribution of shares of the Acquiring Fund to the shareholders of the Target Fund; and

 

3. the liquidation of the Target Fund.

 

The Reorganization Agreement is subject to approval by the shareholders of the Target Fund. The Reorganization, if approved by shareholders of the Target Fund, is scheduled to be effective as of the close of business on April 29, 2011, or on such later date as the parties may agree (“Closing Date”). As a result of the Reorganization of the Target Fund, each shareholder of the Target Fund will become the owner of the number of full and fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shareholder’s Target Fund shares as of the close of business on the Closing Date. Shareholders of the non-designated Class of the Target Fund will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund. See “Information about the Proposed Reorganization” below. For more information about the classes of shares offered by the Funds, see “Summary—Comparison of Sales Loads, Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Arrangements and Purchase and Redemption Policies and Procedures” below and “Purchases, Redemptions and Exchanges of Fund Shares; Other Shareholder Information” below.

 

For the reasons set forth below in “Information about the Proposed Reorganization—Reasons for the Reorganization and Board Considerations,” the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, has concluded that participation in the Reorganization of the Target Fund is in the best interests of the Target Fund and that the interests of the Target Fund’s existing shareholders would not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization. The Board, therefore, is hereby submitting the Reorganization Agreement to the shareholders of the Target Fund and recommending that shareholders of the Target Fund vote “FOR” the Reorganization Agreement effecting the Reorganization. The Board has also approved the Reorganization on behalf of the Acquiring Fund.

 

Approval of the Reorganization of the Target Fund will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. A “majority of the outstanding voting securities” is defined in the 1940 Act as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting power of the voting securities present at the Meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund are present at the Meeting or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund. See “Additional Information about the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund—Voting Information” below.

 

As a condition to the closing of the Reorganization, each party to the Reorganization Agreement (other than Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”)), must receive an opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP to the effect that the Reorganization will be treated as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Accordingly, subject to the limited exceptions described below under the heading “Information about the Proposed Reorganization—Federal Income Tax Consequences,” it is expected that neither the Target Fund nor its shareholders will recognize gain or loss as a result of the Reorganization, and that the aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund shares received by each Target Fund shareholder will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the shareholder’s Target Fund shares. For more information about the federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization, see “Information about the Proposed Reorganization—Federal Income Tax Consequences” below.

 

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It is expected that the Target Fund will sell portfolio assets in connection with the Reorganization. The tax impact of such sales will depend on the difference between the price at which such portfolio assets are sold and the Target Fund’s tax basis in such assets. Any net capital gains recognized on these sales, after the application of any available capital loss carryovers, will be distributed to the Target Fund shareholders as capital gain dividends (to the extent of net capital gain, i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) and/or ordinary dividends (to the extent of the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) during or with respect to the Target Fund’s taxable year that ends on the Closing Date, and any such distributions will be taxable to shareholders. In addition, the Target Fund will distribute to its shareholders, in one or more taxable distributions, all of the net investment income and net capital gain realized in the normal course of its operations and not previously distributed for taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing Date. The transaction costs associated with repositioning the Target Fund’s portfolio in connection with the Reorganization will be borne by the Target Fund before the Reorganization.

 

Certain Defined Terms Used in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus

 

The Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund are each series of a Maryland statutory trust. For ease of reference and clarity of presentation, shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund and Target Fund are hereinafter referred to as “shares,” holders of shares are hereinafter referred to as “shareholders” and the Board of Trustees overseeing the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund is referred to herein as the “Board.”

 

Comparison of Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies

 

This section will help you compare the investment objectives and principal investment strategies of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund. Please be aware that this is only a brief discussion. More detailed comparisons of the Funds, including risks, and a chart providing a side-by-side comparison of the Funds and their investment objectives, principal investment strategies and management, appear below in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The investment objectives and principal investment strategies of the Acquiring Fund will apply to the combined Fund following the Reorganization. More information can be found in each Fund’s prospectus and Fund SAI.

 

The Funds have similar investment objectives. Both the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund have capital appreciation as an investment objective. The Acquiring Fund’s primary objective, however, is current income. In addition, the Target Fund’s objective focuses in investments in dividend-paying stocks.

 

Under normal conditions, each Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities, including stocks. The Funds’ selection processes have many similar elements: both Funds’ portfolio managers emphasize individual security selection and look for current dividend levels, dividend growth, sound balance sheets and effective management teams.

 

   

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Dividend Strategy Portfolio

(Target Fund)

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Equity Income Builder Portfolio

(Acquiring Fund)

Investment Objective(s)

  The Target Fund seeks capital appreciation, principally through investments in dividend-paying stocks.   The Acquiring Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income. Long-term capital appreciation is its secondary objective.
  Same as Acquiring Fund, except that the Target Fund seeks capital appreciation, principally through investments in dividend-paying stocks.   Same as the Target Fund, except that the Acquiring Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income. Long-term capital appreciation is its secondary objective. While the Acquiring Fund’s objective does not include a focus on dividend-paying stocks, a significant portion of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio will consist of equity securities that pay dividends.

 

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Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Dividend Strategy Portfolio

(Target Fund)

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Equity Income Builder Portfolio

(Acquiring Fund)

80% Investment Policy

  Under normal market conditions, the Target Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in dividend-paying stocks. The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in other types of equity securities, including preferred stocks, warrants and securities convertible into common stocks. The Target Fund may also make investments in companies that are not expected to pay dividends.   Under normal circumstances, the Acquiring Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any, in equity securities or other investments with similar economic characteristics. A significant portion of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio will consist of equity securities that pay dividends.

Foreign Investments

  The Target Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities, including those of issuers in emerging market countries.   The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 50% of its net assets in equity securities of foreign issuers directly or in the form of depositary receipts representing an interest in those securities. The foreign issuers in which the Acquiring Fund may invest include issuers that are organized outside the United States and conduct their operations in the United States and other countries (commonly known as “multi-national companies”) and other foreign issuers with market capitalizations generally of at least $10 billion.

Fixed Income Securities

  The Target Fund currently invests in fixed income securities only for short-term investment purposes.   The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities. The Acquiring Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any quality, including lower-rated, high-yielding debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”). The Acquiring Fund may invest in fixed income securities when the portfolio managers believe such securities provide attractive income opportunities.

 

Effect on Expenses

 

This section summarizes the effect of the Reorganization on the fees and expenses of the Target Fund.

 

Shareholders of the non-designated Class of the Target Fund will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

As a result of the Reorganization, total gross annual fund operating expenses for the Target Fund are expected to decrease from 1.06% to 0.86% and total net annual fund operating expenses for the Target Fund are expected to decrease from 0.95% to 0.86%. Through December 31, 2012, the expense cap for the non-designated Class of the Target Fund will be decreased from 0.95% to 0.88%.

 

The management fee for the Target Fund is expected to increase from 0.65% to 0.75%.

 

Management has agreed to forgo fees and/or reimburse operating expenses for Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund through December 31, 2012 so that the total annual operating expenses for Class I shares will not exceed 0.88%. Management agreed to expense limits based on the Funds’ assets and expenses as of August 31, 2010. As of that date, total net annual operating expenses for Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund were 0.88%. As of December 31, 2009, which was the fiscal year end for both Funds, the total net annual operating expenses of Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund were 0.87%. Management believes that it is more appropriate to establish future expense limits based on assets and expenses of a more recent date.

 

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Comparison of Fees and Expenses

 

The tables below compare the fees and expenses of the non-designated Class shares of the Target Fund, which are taken from the Target Fund’s current prospectus, dated as of April 30, 2010, and the fees and expenses of Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund, which are taken from the Acquiring Fund’s current prospectus, dated as of April 30, 2010. The tables also show the estimated fees and expenses of the Class I shares of the combined Fund, on a pro forma basis. The fees and expenses shown in the tables below are taken from the current prospectus of each Fund, but the amounts shown under “Fees forgone and expenses reimbursed” and “Net total annual fund operating expenses” for the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Pro Forma Combined Fund reflect the application of expense caps that were approved by the Trust’s Board with respect to both the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund at its meeting on November 3-4, 2010. As a general matter, changes (positive or negative) in a Fund’s expense ratio resulting from fluctuations in the Target Fund’s or Acquiring Fund’s net assets will be borne by the shareholders of the applicable Fund and the combined Fund. The actual fees and expenses of the Funds and the combined Fund as of the Closing Date may differ from those reflected in the tables below.

 

     Pre-Reorganization        
     Legg Mason ClearBridge
Variable Dividend
Strategy Portfolio
    Legg Mason ClearBridge
Variable Equity Income
Builder Portfolio
    Legg Mason ClearBridge
Variable Equity Income
Builder Portfolio
Pro Forma Combined Fund
 
     Non-Designated Class*     Class I     Class I  

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

      

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed on purchases (as a % of offering price)

     None        None        None   

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a % of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption)

     None        None        None   

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (%)

      

Management Fees

     0.65        0.75        0.75   

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

     None        None        None   

Other Expenses

     0.41        0.12        0.11   
                        

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

     1.06        0.87        0.86   

Fees Forgone and/or Expenses Reimbursed

     (0.11 )(a)      N/A (b)      N/A   
                        

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Forgoing Fees and/or Reimbursing Expenses

     0.95 (a)      N/A (b)      N/A (c) 
                        

 

* Holders of the non-designated Class of the Target Fund will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

(a)

The manager has agreed to forgo fees and/or reimburse operating expenses (other than interest, brokerage, taxes and extraordinary expenses) so that the total annual operating expenses are not expected to exceed 0.95%. This arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2012 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. The manager is also permitted to recapture amounts forgone or reimbursed during the same fiscal year if the total annual operating expenses have fallen to a level below the limit described above.

 

(b)

The manager has agreed to forgo fees and/or reimburse operating expenses (other than interest, brokerage, taxes and extraordinary expenses) so that the total annual operating expenses are not expected to exceed 1.00%. This arrangement is expected to continue until December 31, 2012 and may be terminated prior to that date by agreement of the manager and the Board, and may be terminated at any time after that date by the manager. This arrangement, however, may be modified by the manager to decrease total annual operating expenses at any time. The manager is also permitted to recapture amounts forgone or reimbursed to the class during the same fiscal year if the class’ total annual operating expenses have fallen to a level below the limit described above.

 

(c)

The manager has agreed to forgo fees and/or reimburse operating expenses (other than interest, brokerage, taxes and extraordinary expenses) so that the total annual operating expenses of Class I shares are not expected to exceed 0.88%. This arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2012 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. The manager is permitted to recapture amounts forgone or reimbursed to the class during the same fiscal year if the class’ total annual operating expenses have fallen to a level below the limit described above.

 

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The following examples help you compare the costs of investing in each Fund and the combined Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The examples assume that you invest $10,000 for the periods shown, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that you reinvest all distributions and dividends, and that the Funds’ operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

WITH OR WITHOUT REDEMPTION OF SHARES:

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio—non-designated Class

   $ 97       $ 326       $ 574       $ 1,283   

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio—Class I

   $ 89       $ 277       $ 481       $ 1,072   

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio Pro Forma Combined Fund—Class I

   $ 88       $ 274       $ 476       $ 1,060   

 

Comparison of Sales Loads, Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Arrangements and Purchase and Redemption Policies and Procedures

 

No sales loads or contingent deferred sales charges will be incurred by Target Fund shareholders as a result of the Reorganization.

 

More information about the distribution and shareholder servicing arrangements for the shares of the Acquiring Fund and the procedures for making purchases and redemptions of shares are set forth in “Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares; Other Shareholder Information” below.

 

5


COMPARISON OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS

 

The following discussion comparing the investment objectives, strategies and principal risks of the Target Fund with the Acquiring Fund is based upon and qualified in its entirety by the disclosure appearing in the prospectuses (as supplemented) of the Funds under the captions “Investment objective,” “Principal investment strategies,” “Certain risks” and “More on the fund’s investment strategies, investments and risks.” The prospectuses (as supplemented from time to time) are dated as follows:

 

Target Fund

  

Prospectus Dated

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

   April 30, 2010

Acquiring Fund

  

Prospectus Dated

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

   April 30, 2010

 

The investment objective and principal investment strategies and principal risks of the Acquiring Fund will apply to the combined Fund following the Reorganization with the Target Fund.

 

Investment Objectives

 

The Target Fund seeks capital appreciation, principally through investments in dividend-paying stocks. The Acquiring Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income. Long-term capital appreciation is its secondary objective.

 

Primary Investment Policies and Strategies

 

The Funds’ selection processes have many similar elements: both Funds’ portfolio managers emphasize individual security selection and look for current dividend levels, dividend growth, sound balance sheets and effective management teams.

 

There are several differences between the Funds:

 

    

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Dividend Strategy Portfolio

(Target Fund)

  

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Equity Income Builder Portfolio

(Acquiring Fund)

Investment Objective(s)

   Described above. Same as Acquiring Fund, except that the Target Fund seeks capital appreciation, principally through investments in dividend-paying stocks.    Described above. Same as Target Fund except that the fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income. Long-term capital appreciation is its secondary objective. While the Acquiring Fund’s objective does not include a focus on dividend-paying stocks, a significant portion of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio will consist of equity securities that pay dividends.
     

80% Investment Policy

   Under normal market conditions, the Target Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in dividend-paying stocks. The Target Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in other types of equity securities, including preferred stocks, warrants and securities convertible into common stocks. The Target Fund may also make investments in companies that are not expected to pay dividends.    Under normal circumstances, the Acquiring Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any, in equity securities or other investments with similar economic characteristics. A significant portion of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio will consist of equity securities that pay dividends.

 

6


    

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Dividend Strategy Portfolio

(Target Fund)

  

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Equity Income Builder Portfolio

(Acquiring Fund)

Foreign Investments

   The Target Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities, including those of issuers in emerging market countries.    The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 50% of its net assets in equity securities of foreign issuers directly or in the form of depositary receipts representing an interest in those securities. The foreign issuers in which the Acquiring Fund may invest include issuers that are organized outside the United States and conduct their operations in the United States and other countries (commonly known as “multi-national companies”) and other foreign issuers with market capitalizations generally of at least $10 billion.
     

Fixed Income Securities

   The Target Fund currently invests in fixed income securities only for short-term investment purposes.    The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities. The Acquiring Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any quality, including lower-rated, high-yielding debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”). The Acquiring Fund may invest in fixed income securities when the portfolio managers believe such securities provide attractive income opportunities.

 

Risk Factors

 

Because the Funds have similar investment objectives and principal investment policies and strategies, the Funds share many of the same risks. You could lose money on your investment in either Fund and either Fund may not perform as well as other investments.

 

The following summarizes the principal risks of investing in either of the Funds:

 

   

Dividend-paying stock risk. The Fund’s emphasis on dividend-paying stocks involves the risk that such stocks may fall out of favor with investors and underperform the market. Also, a company may reduce or eliminate its dividend.

 

   

Issuer risk. The value of a security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. The value of a company’s stock may deteriorate because of a variety of factors, including disappointing earnings reports by the issuer, unsuccessful products or services, loss of major customers, major litigation against the issuer or changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or the competitive environment.

 

   

Large capitalization company risk. Large capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors.

 

   

Small and medium capitalization company risk. The Fund will be exposed to additional risks as a result of its investments in the securities of small and medium capitalization companies. Small and medium capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors; may have limited product lines, operating histories, markets or financial resources; or may be dependent upon a limited management group. The prices of securities of small and

 

7


 

medium capitalization companies generally are more volatile than those of larger capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than larger capitalization companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession. Securities of small and medium capitalization companies may underperform larger capitalization companies, may be harder to sell at times and at prices the portfolio managers believe appropriate and may offer greater potential for losses.

 

   

Liquidity risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to sell. Although most of the Fund’s investments must be liquid at the time of investment, investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. When the Fund holds illiquid investments, the portfolio may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments 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 investments, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain sector.

 

   

Foreign investments risk. The Fund’s investments in securities of foreign issuers involve greater risk than investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign countries in which the Fund may invest may have markets that are less liquid and more volatile than markets in the United States, may suffer from political or economic instability and may experience negative government actions, such as currency controls or seizures of private businesses or property. In some foreign countries, less information is available about issuers and markets because of less rigorous accounting and regulatory standards than in the United States. Foreign withholdings may reduce the Fund’s returns. Currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Because the value of a depositary receipt is dependent upon the market price of an underlying foreign security, depositary receipts are subject to most of the risks associated with investing in foreign securities directly.

 

   

Portfolio selection risk. The value of your investment may decrease if the portfolio managers’ judgment about the attractiveness, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry or sector or about market movements is incorrect.

 

   

Risk of increase in expenses. 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 a fee limitation is changed or terminated or if average net assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile.

 

Due to the differences in the Acquiring Fund’s principal investment strategy with respect to fixed income securities, the Acquiring Fund characterizes the following as additional principal risks:

 

   

Stock market and interest rate risk. The securities markets are volatile and the market prices of the Fund’s securities may decline generally. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions, inflation, changes in interest or currency rates, lack of liquidity in the bond markets or adverse investor sentiment. The equity and debt capital markets in the United States and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility. This financial crisis has caused a significant decline in the value and liquidity of many securities. This environment could make identifying investment risks and opportunities especially difficult for the subadviser. These market conditions may continue or get worse. Changes in market conditions will not have the same impact on all types of securities. The value of a security may also fall due to specific conditions that affect a particular sector of the securities market or a particular issuer.

 

When interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities generally falls. 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. 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.

 

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.

 

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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, and such differences could be significant, particularly for illiquid securities and securities that trade in relatively 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, such as fair value methodologies. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive a greater or lesser number of shares, or greater or lower redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the security or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities and currencies 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.

 

   

Credit risk. If an obligor (such as the issuer or party offering credit enhancement) for a security held by the Fund or a counterparty to a financial contract with the Fund fails to pay principal and interest when due, otherwise defaults or is perceived to be less creditworthy, a security’s credit rating is downgraded or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines, the value of your investment in the Fund could decline. In addition, the fund may incur expenses to protect the fund’s interest in securities experiencing these events. 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. The Fund is subject to greater levels of credit risk to the extent it invests in junk bonds. These securities have a higher risk of issuer default and are considered speculative.

 

   

High yield or “junk” bond risk. Debt securities that are below investment grade, or “junk bonds,” are speculative, have a higher risk of 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. Investing in these securities subjects the Fund to increased price sensitivity to changing interest rates; greater risk of loss because of default or declining credit quality; or an issuer’s inability to make interest and/or principal payments due to adverse company specific events. Junk bonds are also subject to the risk of negative perceptions of the high yield market depressing the price and liquidity of high yield securities. These negative perceptions could last for a significant period of time.

 

   

Prepayment or call risk. Many fixed income securities give the issuer the option to repay 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 subject to prepayment or call risk, it may 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 would also be forced to reinvest the proceeds at then current yields, which would be lower than the yield of the security that was paid off. 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. When interest rates rise, repayments of fixed income securities, particularly asset- and mortgage-backed securities, may occur more slowly than anticipated, extending the effective duration of these fixed income securities at below market interest rates. This may cause the Fund’s share price to be more volatile.

 

   

Portfolio turnover risk. Active and frequent trading may lead to the realization and distribution to shareholders of higher short-term capital gains, which would increase their tax liability. Frequent trading also increases transaction costs, which could detract from the Fund’s performance.

 

Due to the differences in the Target Fund’s principal investment strategy with respect to fixed income securities and investments in emerging market countries, the Target Fund characterizes the following as additional principal risks:

 

   

Foreign investments risk. The risks of investing in foreign securities are heightened when investing in issuers in emerging market countries.

 

   

Stock market and equity securities risk. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of a particular security may decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as an increase in production costs, competitive conditions or labor shortages; or due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment.

 

9


Side-by-Side Comparison

 

The following chart shows a side-by-side comparison of the investment objective, principal investment policies and strategies, manager and portfolio managers of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund.

 

   

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Dividend Strategy Portfolio

(Target Fund)

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Equity Income Builder Portfolio

(Acquiring Fund)

Investment Objective(s)

  The Target Fund seeks capital appreciation, principally through investments in dividend-paying stocks.   Same as the Target Fund, except that the Acquiring Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide a high level of current income. Long-term capital appreciation is its secondary objective. While the Acquiring Fund’s objective does not include a focus on dividend-paying stocks, a significant portion of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio will consist of equity securities that pay dividends.

80% Investment Policy

  Under normal market conditions, the Target Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in dividend-paying stocks. The Target Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in other types of equity securities, including preferred stocks, warrants and securities convertible into common stocks. The Target Fund may also make investments in companies that are not expected to pay dividends.   Under normal circumstances, the Acquiring Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any, in equity securities or other investments with similar economic characteristics. A significant portion of the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio will consist of equity securities that pay dividends.

Foreign Investments

  The Target Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities, including those of issuers in emerging market countries.   The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 50% of its net assets in equity securities of foreign issuers directly or in the form of depositary receipts representing an interest in those securities. The foreign issuers in which the Acquiring Fund may invest include issuers that are organized outside the United States and conduct their operations in the United States and other countries (commonly known as “multi-national companies”) and other foreign issuers with market capitalizations generally of at least $10 billion.

Fixed Income Securities

  The Target Fund currently invests in fixed income securities only for short-term investment purposes.  

The Acquiring Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities. The Acquiring Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any quality, including lower-rated, high-yielding debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”). The Acquiring Fund may invest in fixed income securities when the portfolio managers believe such securities provide attractive income opportunities.

 

10


   

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Dividend Strategy Portfolio

(Target Fund)

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable
Equity Income Builder Portfolio

(Acquiring Fund)

Capitalization of Issuers

  The Target Fund typically invests in established medium and large capitalization issuers but may also invest in small capitalization companies.   The Acquiring Fund may invest in issuers of any size.

Convertible Securities

  The Target Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in securities convertible into common stocks.   Convertible securities may be purchased to gain additional exposure to a company or for their income or other features.

Investment Manager/Subadviser

  Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC/ClearBridge Advisors, LLC   Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC/ClearBridge Advisors, LLC

Portfolio Managers

  Peter Hable, Peter Vanderlee, CFA, Harry D. Cohen, and Michael Clarfeld, CFA   Peter Vanderlee, CFA, Harry D. Cohen, and Michael Clarfeld, CFA

 

11


PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES; OTHER SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

This section describes the Class I shares that the Acquiring Fund will make available after the Reorganization and how shareholders may buy and sell those Fund shares. It also describes how the Acquiring Fund values its securities and the Fund’s policies on frequent trading of Fund shares.

 

Availability of the Fund

 

Shares of the Fund may only be purchased or redeemed through variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered by the separate accounts of participating life insurance companies or through eligible pension or other qualified plans. Shares of the Fund are sold at the Fund’s net asset value next determined after receipt by the Fund or its agent of a purchase request in good order.

 

The interests of different variable insurance products investing in the Fund could conflict due to differences of tax treatment and other considerations. The Fund’s Board currently does not foresee any disadvantages to investors arising from the fact that the Fund may offer its shares to different insurance company separate accounts that serve as the investment medium for their variable annuity and variable life products. Nevertheless, the Board intends to monitor events to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts which may arise, and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to these conflicts. If a conflict were to occur, one or more insurance companies’ separate accounts might be required to withdraw their investments in the Fund and shares of another Fund may be substituted. In addition, the sale of shares may be suspended or terminated if required by law or regulatory authority or if it is found by the Board to be in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.

 

The Fund reserves the right to reject any specific purchase order.

 

Class I shares are not subject to a distribution fee and are also available only through policies established and maintained by insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies and to certain qualified pension and retirement plans. Class II shares, which are not being offered by this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, are sold subject to a distribution fee and are also available only through policies established and maintained by insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies and to certain qualified pension and retirement plans.

 

Certain insurance companies may have selected, and the distributor may have made available, Fund share classes with distribution and/or service related fees that are higher than other available share classes. As a result of higher fees paid by investors in such share classes, the amount of fees that may otherwise need to be paid by the distributor or its affiliates to such insurance company would decrease.

 

Investment minimums

 

The Fund does not have any initial or subsequent investment minimums. However, the participating insurance company, pension plan or retirement plan may impose investment minimums.

 

Redemption of Shares

 

The redemption price of the shares of the Fund will be the net asset value next determined after receipt by the Fund of a redemption order from a separate account and by qualified plans, which may be more or less than the price paid for the shares. The Fund will ordinarily make payment within one business day after receipt of a redemption request in good order. Redemption proceeds must be remitted to a separate account on or before the third day following receipt of the request in good order, except on a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is closed or as permitted by the SEC in extraordinary circumstances.

 

The Fund has the right to pay redemption proceeds by delivering securities instead of cash. In that event, a redeeming shareholder may incur costs (such as brokerage commissions) in converting the securities into cash.

 

Subject to applicable law, the Fund may, with prior notice, adopt other policies from time to time requiring mandatory redemption of shares in certain circumstances.

 

12


Frequent Trading of Fund Shares

 

Frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares may interfere with the efficient management of the Fund, increase Fund transaction costs, and have a negative effect on the Fund’s long-term shareholders. For example, in order to handle large flows of cash into and out of the Fund, the portfolio managers may need to allocate more assets to cash or other short-term investments or sell securities, rather than maintaining full investment in securities selected to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Frequent trading may cause the Fund to sell securities at less favorable prices. Transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and market spreads, can detract from the Fund’s performance. In addition, the return received by long-term shareholders may be reduced when trades by other shareholders are made in an effort to take advantage of certain pricing discrepancies, when, for example, it is believed that the Fund’s share price, which is determined at the close of the NYSE on each trading day, does not accurately reflect the value of the Fund’s investments. Funds investing in foreign securities have been particularly susceptible to this form of arbitrage, but other Funds could also be affected.

 

Because of the potential harm to Funds sold by the Fund’s distributor and their long-term shareholders, the Board has approved policies and procedures that are intended to detect and discourage excessive trading and market timing abuses through the use of various surveillance techniques. Under these policies and procedures, the Fund may limit additional exchanges or purchases of Fund shares by shareholders who are believed by the manager to be engaged in these abusive trading activities in the Fund or in other Funds sold by the distributor. In the event that an exchange or purchase request is rejected, the shareholder may nonetheless redeem its shares. The intent of the policies and procedures is not to inhibit legitimate strategies, such as asset allocation, dollar cost averaging, or similar activities that may result in frequent trading of Fund shares.

 

Under the Fund’s policies and procedures, the Fund reserves the right to restrict or reject purchases of shares (including exchanges) without prior notice whenever a pattern of excessive trading by a shareholder is detected in Funds sold by the distributor. A committee established by the manager administers the policy. The policy provides that the committee may take action, which may include using its best efforts to restrict a shareholder’s trading privileges in Funds sold by the distributor, if that shareholder has engaged in one or more “Round Trips” across Funds sold by the distributor. However, the committee has the discretion to determine that action is not necessary if it is determined that the pattern of trading is not abusive or harmful. In making such a determination, the committee will consider, among other things, the nature of the shareholder’s account, the reason for the frequent trading, the amount of trading and the particular Funds in which the trading has occurred. Additionally, the committee has the discretion to make inquiries or to take any action against a shareholder whose trading appears inconsistent with the frequent trading policy, regardless of the number of Round Trips. Examples of the types of actions the committee may take include heightened surveillance of a shareholder account, providing a written warning letter to an account holder, restricting the shareholder from purchasing additional shares in the Fund altogether or imposing other restrictions (such as requiring purchase orders to be submitted by mail) that would deter the shareholder from trading frequently in the Fund. The committee will generally follow a system of progressive deterrence, although it is not required to do so.

 

A “Round Trip” is defined as a purchase (including subscriptions and exchanges) into a Fund sold by the distributor followed by a sale (including redemptions and exchanges) of the same or a similar number of shares out of that Fund within 30 days of such purchase. Purchases and sales of a Fund’s shares pursuant to an automatic investment plan or similar program for periodic transactions are not considered in determining Round Trips. These policies and procedures do not apply to money market Funds sold by the distributor.

 

The Fund’s shares are offered exclusively to insurance company separate accounts that Fund certain insurance contracts or through eligible pension or other qualified plans. The policies apply to any account, whether a direct account or accounts with financial intermediaries such as investment advisers, broker/dealers or retirement plan administrators, and accounts held through intermediaries such as insurance company separate accounts, commonly called omnibus accounts, where the intermediary holds Fund shares for a number of its customers in one account. The Fund’s ability to monitor trading in omnibus accounts may, however, be severely limited due to the lack of access to an individual investor’s trading activity when orders are placed through these types of accounts. There may also be operational and technological limitations on the ability of the Fund’s service providers to identify or terminate frequent trading activity within the various types of omnibus accounts. The distributor has entered into agreements with intermediaries requiring the intermediaries to, among other things, help identify frequent trading activity and prohibit further purchases or exchanges by a shareholder identified as having engaged in frequent trading.

 

13


The Fund has also adopted policies and procedures to prevent the selective release of information about the Fund’s holdings, as such information may be used for market-timing and similar abusive practices.

 

The policies provide for ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of current policies and surveillance tools, and the Board reserves the right to modify these or adopt additional policies and restrictions in the future. Shareholders should be aware, however, that any surveillance techniques currently employed by the Fund or other techniques that may be adopted in the future may not be effective, particularly where the trading takes place through certain types of omnibus accounts. Furthermore, the Fund may not apply its policies consistently or uniformly, resulting in the risk that some shareholders may be able to engage in frequent trading while others will bear the costs and effects of that trading.

 

Although the Fund will attempt to monitor shareholder transactions for certain patterns of frequent trading activity, there can be no assurance that all such trading activity can be identified, prevented or terminated. Monitoring of shareholder transactions may only occur for shareholder transactions that exceed a certain transaction amount threshold, which may change from time to time. The Fund reserves the right to refuse any client or reject any purchase order for shares (including exchanges) for any reason.

 

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

 

The Fund intends to qualify each year as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must meet certain income and asset diversification tests and minimum distribution and investor control requirements. As a regulated investment company meeting these tests and requirements, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders. Distributions made by the Fund to an insurance company separate account, and exchanges and redemptions of Fund shares made by a separate account, ordinarily do not cause the corresponding contract holder to recognize income or gain for federal income tax purposes. All income and capital gain distributions are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund at net asset value and are includable in gross income of the separate accounts holding such shares. See the accompanying contract prospectus for information regarding the federal income tax treatment of distributions to the separate accounts and to holders of the contracts.

 

In order to comply with the diversification requirements applicable to “segregated asset accounts” under the Code, the Fund intends to structure its portfolio in a manner that complies with those requirements. The applicable Treasury regulations generally provide that, as of the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, no more than 55% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any one investment, no more than 70% by any two investments, no more than 80% by any three investments, and no more than 90% by any four investments. For this purpose, all securities of the same issuer are considered a single investment, but in the case of government securities, each government agency or instrumentality is considered to be a separate issuer. An alternative asset diversification test may be satisfied under certain circumstances. So long as the Fund qualifies as a “regulated investment company,” each segregated asset account investing in the Fund will be entitled to “look through” to the Fund’s portfolio in order to satisfy the diversification requirements. As noted above, the Fund may sell its shares directly to separate accounts established and maintained by insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts and to certain qualified pension and retirement plans; if the Fund were to sell its shares to other categories of shareholders, the Fund may fail to comply with applicable Treasury requirements regarding investor control. If the Fund should fail to comply with the diversification or investor control requirements or fail to qualify for the special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies under the Code, contracts invested in the Fund would not be treated as annuity, endowment or life insurance contracts under the Code, and all income and gain earned in past years and currently inside the contracts would be taxed currently to the policyholders and income and gain would remain subject to taxation as ordinary income thereafter, even if the Fund were to become adequately diversified.

 

Share Price

 

You may buy, exchange or redeem shares at their net asset value next determined after receipt of your request in good order, adjusted for any applicable sales charge. The Fund’s net asset value per share is the value of its assets minus its liabilities divided by the number of shares outstanding. Net asset value is calculated separately for each class of shares.

 

The Fund calculates its net asset value every day the NYSE is open. The Fund generally values its securities and other assets and calculates its net asset value as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, normally at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time). If the NYSE closes at another time, the Fund will calculate its net asset value as of the actual closing time. The NYSE is closed on certain holidays listed in the SAI.

 

14


Orders to buy, redeem or exchange shares at a certain day’s price must be received by the transfer agent before the NYSE closes on that day. If the NYSE closes early on that day, you must place your order prior to the actual closing time. It is the responsibility of the separate account or qualified plan to transmit all orders to buy, exchange or redeem shares to the transfer agent on a timely basis.

 

Valuation of the Fund’s securities and other assets is performed in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. These procedures delegate most valuation functions to the manager, which, in turn, uses independent third party pricing services approved by the Fund’s Board. Under the procedures, assets are valued as follows:

 

   

Equity securities and certain derivative instruments that are traded on an exchange are valued at the closing price or, if that price is unavailable or deemed by the manager not representative of market value, the last sale price. Where a security is traded on more than one exchange (as is often the case overseas), the security is generally valued at the price on the exchange considered by the manager to be the primary exchange. In the case of securities not traded on an exchange, or if exchange prices are not otherwise available, the prices are typically determined by independent third party pricing services that use a variety of techniques and methodologies.

 

   

The valuations for fixed income securities and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of fair valuation techniques and methodologies. Short-term fixed income securities that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is determined that using this method would not reflect an investment’s fair value.

 

   

The valuations of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade, unless a significant event has occurred. 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 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time). The Fund uses a fair value model developed by an independent third party pricing service to value foreign equity securities on days when a certain percentage change in the value of a domestic equity security index suggests that the closing prices on foreign exchanges may no longer represent the value of those securities at the time of closing of the NYSE. Foreign markets are open for trading on weekends and other days when 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 the Fund’s shares.

 

   

If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers. When such prices or quotations are not available, or when the manager believes that they are unreliable, the manager may price securities using fair value procedures approved by the Board. These procedures permit, among other things, the use of a matrix, formula or other method that takes into consideration market indices, yield curves and other specific adjustments to determine fair value. Fair value of a security is the amount as determined by the manager in good faith, that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon a current sale of the security. The Fund may also use fair value procedures if the manager determines that a significant event has occurred between the time at which a market price is determined and the time at which the Fund’s net asset value is calculated.

 

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, and such differences could be significant, particularly for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. Moreover, valuing securities using fair value methodologies involves greater reliance on judgment than valuing securities based on market quotations. A fund that uses fair value methodologies may value those securities higher or lower than another fund using market quotations or its own fair value methodologies to price the same securities. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its net asset value. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive a greater or lesser number of shares, or higher or lower redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the security or had used a different methodology.

 

15


INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION

 

The Reorganization Agreement

 

The following summary of the Reorganization Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Reorganization Agreement attached as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The Reorganization Agreement provides for (1) the transfer of all of the assets of the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund and for shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Target Fund, (2) the distribution of Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund to the shareholders of the Target Fund in redemption of the Target Fund shares and termination of the Target Fund. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions described below, the Reorganization is scheduled to occur as of the close of business on April 29, 2011, or on such later date as the parties may agree (“Closing Date”).

 

If the Reorganization is approved, shareholders of the non-designated Class shares of the Target Fund will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

The number of full and fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund to be received by the Target Fund shareholder in the Reorganization will be equal in aggregate net asset value to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Target Fund held by that shareholder as of the close of regularly scheduled trading on the NYSE on the Closing Date or such later time as the Target Fund’s net asset value is calculated. As promptly as practicable after the Closing Date, the Target Fund will distribute pro rata to its shareholders of record, as of the close of regularly scheduled trading on the NYSE on the Closing Date, the shares of the Acquiring Fund received by the Target Fund in the Reorganization, and will terminate. The distribution of the Acquiring Fund’s shares will be accomplished by the transfer of the Acquiring Fund shares then credited to the account of the Target Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the Target Fund’s shareholders.

 

All issued and outstanding shares of the Target Fund will thereafter be redeemed and any share certificates representing shares of the Target Fund will be null and void.

 

After such distribution, the Target Fund will take all necessary steps under Maryland law, its declaration of trust and any other applicable law to effect its termination.

 

The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated and the Reorganization abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date if circumstances develop that, in the opinion of the Board of the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund, make proceeding with the Reorganization inadvisable. The Reorganization Agreement provides that the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund may waive compliance with any of the covenants or conditions made therein for the benefit of either Fund, other than the requirements that: (a) the Reorganization Agreement be approved by shareholders of the Target Fund; and (b) the Funds receive the opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP that the transaction contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement will constitute a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. The Reorganization Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the authorized officers of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, provided, however, that following the Meeting, no such amendment shall have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of Acquiring Fund shares to be issued to Target Fund shareholders to the detriment of such shareholders without their further approval.

 

Approval of the Reorganization Agreement will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. See “Additional Information about the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund—Voting Information” below.

 

Description of the Acquiring Fund’s Shares

 

Shareholders of the non-designated Class shares of the Target Fund will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund. Each such share will be fully paid and non-assessable when issued and will have no preemptive or conversion rights. The Acquiring Fund will not issue share certificates.

 

Reasons for the Reorganization and Board Considerations

 

The proposed Reorganization was presented to the Target Fund’s Board for consideration at a Board meeting held on November 3-4, 2010, and was approved at that meeting. Following extensive discussions of the advantages and

 

16


disadvantages to the Target Fund, based on its evaluation of all material factors, including those described below, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that: (1) participation in the proposed Reorganization is in the best interests of the Target Fund; and (2) the Reorganization would not result in the dilution of the interests of the Target Fund’s shareholders. In considering the proposal, the Board did not identify any single factor or piece of information as all-important or controlling.

 

The Board considered a number of factors in recommending the Reorganization, including the following:

 

   

the recommendations of LMPFA with respect to the Reorganization;

 

   

the potential efficiencies and economies of scale that are expected to result from the Reorganization;

 

   

the benefits to shareholders of the Target Fund expected to result from the Reorganization;

 

   

that LMPFA will reimburse the Target Fund for 50% of the costs and expenses allocated to it in connection with the Reorganization;

 

   

the relative performance histories of the two Funds;

 

   

the annual fund operating expenses and shareholder fees and services that Target Fund shareholders are expected to pay as shareholders of the Acquiring Fund after the Reorganization;

 

   

the fact that the Target Fund has not maintained a sufficient size to allow for efficient operation;

 

   

the fact that the Reorganization would constitute a tax-free reorganization; and

 

   

the similarities and differences in the investment objectives, strategies, policies and risks of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund.

 

The Board considered the benefits to Legg Mason. If the Reorganization of the Target Fund is approved by its shareholders and is consummated, Legg Mason is expected to achieve higher profitability due to decreased costs. Legg Mason is expected to reduce the level of its operational expenses for administrative, compliance and portfolio management services as the number of separate funds declines and will reduce its waivers of fees and expenses. To the extent that the Reorganization helps to streamline the fund families, encourage a more focused marketing and distribution effort, reduce investor confusion, produce better performance and generally make the funds more attractive investment vehicles to the investing public, Legg Mason will benefit from the increased revenues of rising asset levels.

 

The proposed Reorganization was presented to the Board, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, for consideration at a Board meeting held on November 3-4, 2010. The Board, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that: (1) participation in the proposed Reorganization is in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund; and (2) the Reorganization would not result in the dilution of the interests of the Acquiring Fund’s shareholders.

 

Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

The Reorganization is conditioned upon the receipt by the parties to the Reorganization Agreement (other than LMPFA) of an opinion from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts, assumptions and representations of the parties, for federal income tax purposes:

 

(i) The acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of all of the assets of the Target Fund solely in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund, followed by the distribution by the Target Fund to its shareholders of shares of the Acquiring Fund and the termination of the Target Fund, all pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund will each be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;

 

(ii) The Target Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the transfer of its assets to the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund, or upon the distribution by the Target Fund to the Target Fund’s shareholders of shares of the Acquiring Fund in liquidation of Target Fund except for (A) any gain or loss that may be recognized on “section 1256 contracts” as defined in Section 1256(b) of the Code as a result of the closing of the tax year of the Target Fund, (B) any gain that may be recognized on the transfer of stock in a “passive foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code, and (C) any other gain or loss that may be required to be recognized as a result of the closing of the tax year of the Target Fund;

 

17


(iii) Shareholders of the Target Fund will not recognize gain or loss on the receipt of shares of the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for shares of the Target Fund pursuant to the Reorganization;

 

(iv) The aggregate basis of the shares of the Acquiring Fund received by each Target Fund shareholder pursuant to the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate basis of the shares of the Target Fund exchanged therefor;

 

(v) The holding period of the shares of the Acquiring Fund received by each Target Fund shareholder pursuant to the Reorganization will include the holding period of the shares of the Target Fund exchanged therefor, provided that the Target Fund shareholder held the shares of the Target Fund as capital assets at the time of the Reorganization;

 

(vi) The Acquiring Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of the assets of the Target Fund in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund;

 

(vii) The basis of each asset of the Target Fund transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same in the hands of the Acquiring Fund as the basis of such asset in the hands of the Target Fund immediately prior to the transfer, increased by the amount of gain (or decreased by the amount of loss), if any, recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer; and

 

(viii) The holding period of each asset of the Target Fund transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will include the period during which such asset was held by the Target Fund (except to the extent that the investment activities of the Acquiring Fund reduce or eliminate such holding period and except for any assets which may be marked to market for federal income tax purposes on the termination of the Target Fund’s taxable year or on which gain was recognized upon the transfer to the Acquiring Fund).

 

The opinion will not express an opinion as to the tax effects to the Target Fund, the Acquiring Fund or the respective shareholders of each from the marking to market of certain categories of assets as of the closing of the taxable year of the Target Fund at the time of the Reorganization.

 

While neither of the Funds is aware of any adverse state or local tax consequences of the proposed Reorganization, they have not requested any ruling or opinion with respect to such consequences and shareholders should consult their own tax adviser with respect to such matters.

 

Immediately prior to its Reorganization, the Target Fund will pay a dividend or dividends, which together with all previous dividends are intended to have the effect of distributing to its shareholders all of its investment company taxable income for taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing Date (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and all of its net capital gain, if any, realized in taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing Date (after reduction for any available capital loss carryover). Such dividends will be included in the taxable income of the Target Fund’s shareholders.

 

Information Regarding Tax Capital Loss Carryovers

 

Federal income tax law permits a regulated investment company to carry forward its net capital losses for a period of up to eight taxable years. The Funds are presently entitled to capital loss carryovers for federal income tax purposes in the amounts set forth below. The Reorganization will cause the taxable year of the Target Fund to close, which will accelerate the schedule for expiration of its capital loss carryovers, and could also result in a net capital loss for the taxable year ending on the Closing Date.

 

As of its prior fiscal year end, the Funds had the following unused capital loss carryovers:

 

     Target Fund      Acquiring Fund  
     Amount of Carryover     Fiscal Year of Expiration
Assuming No Reorganization
     Amount of Carryover     Fiscal Year of Expiration
Assuming No Reorganization
 
   $ (3,423,032     12/31/2010       $ (39,880,781     12/31/2016   
     (2,228,534     12/31/2015         (71,615,394     12/31/2017   
     (3,029,930     12/31/2016         —       
                     

Total

   $ (8,681,496      $ (111,496,175  
                     

 

18


Target Fund

 

The Reorganization would impact the use of the Target Fund’s capital loss carryovers in the following manner: (1) the expiration date of the carryovers would move up one year; for example, the carryovers due to expire on December 31, 2015 would expire on December 31, 2014; and (2) the carryovers would benefit the shareholders of the combined Fund, rather than only the shareholders of the Target Fund.

 

Acquiring Fund

 

The Reorganization would impact the use of the Acquiring Fund’s capital loss carryovers by benefiting the shareholders of the combined Fund, rather than only the shareholders of the Acquiring Fund.

 

Information Applicable to Both Funds

 

The capital loss carryovers and limitations described above may change significantly between now and the Closing Date, expected to be approximately April 29, 2011. Further, the ability of each Fund to use these losses (even in the absence of the Reorganization) depends on many factors including the future realization of capital gains or losses. The combination of these factors on the use of loss carryovers may result in some portion of the loss carryovers of either or both of the Funds expiring unused.

 

TERMINATION OF THE TARGET FUND

 

If the Reorganization of the Target Fund is effected, the Target Fund will be terminated.

 

PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

 

If the Reorganization is effected, it is anticipated that holdings representing approximately 27% of the investment portfolio of the Target Fund (measured as of September 22, 2010) will be sold prior to, and in connection with, the Reorganization. The transaction costs associated with repositioning the Target Fund’s portfolio in connection with the Reorganization will be borne by the Target Fund before the Reorganization. For a description of these costs, please see “Voting Information—Proxy Solicitation” in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. As of the date hereof, the Target Fund is not expected to recognize any capital gains in excess of its capital loss carryover in connection with the repositioning of the Target Fund’s portfolio.

 

19


INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE ACQUIRING FUND

 

Investment Manager and Subadviser

 

LMPFA is the Acquiring Fund’s investment manager. LMPFA, with offices at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, also serves as the investment manager of other Legg Mason-sponsored funds. LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. As of September 30, 2010, LMPFA’s total assets under management were approximately $188.6 billion.

 

ClearBridge Advisors, LLC (“ClearBridge” or the “subadviser”) provides the day-to-day portfolio management of the Acquiring Fund. ClearBridge has offices at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018 and is an investment adviser that was formed to succeed to the equity securities portfolio management business of Citigroup Asset Management, which was acquired by Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”) in December 2005. As of September 30, 2010, ClearBridge’s total assets under management were approximately $51.3 billion.

 

LMPFA and ClearBridge are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason. Legg Mason, whose principal executive offices are at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, is a global asset management company. As of September 30, 2010, Legg Mason’s asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $673.5 billion.

 

Management and sub-advisory fees paid to LMPFA and ClearBridge prior to the Reorganization are as follows:

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

 

Investment Manager

   Fee Rate (percentage of
average daily net assets)
 

Subadviser

  

Rate Received by
Subadviser

LMPFA

   0.75%   ClearBridge    The sub-advisory fee is 70% of the management fee paid to LMPFA, net of expense waivers and reimbursements.

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the Acquiring Fund paid management fees, after waivers and reimbursements, if any, of 0.75% of its average daily net assets for management services.

 

Information about the factors considered by the Board of the Acquiring Fund in approving the investment management agreement with LMPFA and the sub-advisory agreement with ClearBridge is contained in the Annual Report for the Acquiring Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Certain Legal Proceedings

 

Beginning in May 2004, class action lawsuits alleging violations of the federal securities laws were filed against Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGMI”) and a number of its then affiliates, including Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”) and Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc (“SBAM”), which were then investment adviser or manager to certain funds (the “Managers”), substantially all of the mutual funds then managed by the Managers (the “Defendant Funds”) and Board Members of the Defendant Funds (collectively, the “Defendants”). The complaints alleged, among other things, that CGMI created various undisclosed incentives for its brokers to sell Smith Barney and Salomon Brothers funds. In addition, according to the complaints, the Managers caused the Defendant Funds to pay excessive brokerage commissions to CGMI for steering clients towards proprietary funds. The complaints also alleged that the Defendants breached their fiduciary duty to the Defendant Funds by improperly charging Rule 12b-1 fees and by drawing on fund assets to make undisclosed payments of soft dollars and excessive brokerage commissions. The complaints also alleged that the Defendant Funds failed to adequately disclose certain of the allegedly wrongful conduct. The complaints sought injunctive relief and compensatory and punitive damages, rescission of the Defendant Funds’ contracts with the Managers, recovery of all fees paid to the Managers pursuant to such contracts and an award of attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses.

 

On December 15, 2004, a consolidated amended complaint (the “Complaint”) was filed alleging substantially similar causes of action. On May 27, 2005, all of the Defendants filed motions to dismiss the Complaint. On July 26, 2006, the court issued a decision and order (1) finding that plaintiffs lacked standing to sue on behalf of the shareholders of the Defendant

 

20


Funds in which none of the plaintiffs had invested and dismissing those Defendant Funds from the case (although stating that they could be brought back into the case if standing as to them could be established), and (2) other than one stayed claim, dismissing all of the causes of action against the remaining Defendants, with prejudice, except for the cause of action under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act, which the court granted plaintiffs leave to replead as a derivative claim.

 

On October 16, 2006, plaintiffs filed their Second Consolidated Amended Complaint (“Second Amended Complaint”) which alleges derivative claims on behalf of nine funds identified in the Second Amended Complaint, under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act, and against CAM, SBAM and SBFM, as investment advisers to the identified funds, as well as CGMI as a distributor for the identified funds (collectively, the “Second Amended Complaint Defendants”). The Second Amended Complaint alleges no claims against any of the Defendant Funds or any of their Board Members. Under Section 36(b), the Second Amended Complaint alleges similar facts and seeks similar relief against the Second Amended Complaint Defendants as the Complaint.

 

On December 3, 2007, the court granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss, with prejudice. On January 2, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeal was fully briefed and oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit took place on March 5, 2009. The parties currently are awaiting a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

 

Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed in the future.

 

* * *

 

Beginning in August 2005, five class action lawsuits alleging violations of federal securities laws and state law were filed against CGMI and SBFM, based on the May 31, 2005 settlement order issued against CGMI and SBFM by the SEC. The complaints seek injunctive relief and compensatory and punitive damages, removal of SBFM as the adviser for the Smith Barney family of funds, rescission of the funds’ management and other contracts with SBFM, recovery of all fees paid to SBFM pursuant to such contracts and an award of attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses.

 

The five actions were subsequently consolidated, and a consolidated complaint was filed. On September 26, 2007, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order dismissing the consolidated complaint, and judgment was entered. An appeal was filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. After full briefing, oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit took place on March 4, 2009. On February 16, 2010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued its opinion affirming the dismissal, in part, and vacating and remanding, in part. The opinion affirmed the dismissal with prejudice of plaintiffs’ claim pursuant to Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act but vacated the dismissal of the Section 10(b) securities fraud claim. The case has been remanded to Judge Pauley of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

 

As of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Funds’ investment manager believes that resolution of the pending lawsuit will not have a material effect on the ability of the Funds’ investment manager and its affiliates to continue to render services to each Fund under its respective contracts.

 

* * *

 

The foregoing speaks only as of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Additional lawsuits presenting allegations and requests for relief arising out of or in connection with any of the foregoing matters may be filed against these and related parties in the future.

 

Portfolio Managers of the Acquiring Fund

 

Harry D. Cohen, Peter Vanderlee, CFA, and Michael Clarfeld, CFA serve as co-portfolio managers of the Acquiring Fund. They have served as portfolio managers since August 2009. Messrs. Cohen and Vanderlee have managed a similar strategy for institutional accounts since August 2008 and were joined by Mr. Clarfeld in 2009. Mr. Cohen is Chief Investment Officer and a Senior Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of ClearBridge. He joined ClearBridge in 2005 in connection with the Legg Mason/Citigroup transaction. Previously, Mr. Cohen was Chief Investment Officer—U.S. Retail

 

21


and High Net Worth of Citigroup Asset Management and a Managing Director of CGMI. He joined CGMI’s predecessor in 1969. Mr. Vanderlee, CFA, is a Managing Director of ClearBridge. He joined ClearBridge in 2005 in connection with the Legg Mason/Citigroup transaction. Previously, he was with CGMI since 1999. Mr. Clarfeld is a Managing Director of ClearBridge and was a senior research analyst at ClearBridge prior to becoming a portfolio manager. He has been with ClearBridge since 2006. Prior to joining ClearBridge, Mr. Clarfeld was an equity analyst with Hygrove Partners, LLC and a financial analyst with Goldman Sachs.

 

The Acquiring Fund SAI provides information about the compensation of the portfolio managers, other accounts they manage and any Acquiring Fund shares held by the portfolio managers. Information about the portfolio managers of the Acquiring Fund is listed below.

 

22


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TARGET FUND AND THE ACQUIRING FUND

 

Legg Mason and certain of the Acquiring Fund’s service providers, which include Legg Mason-affiliated service providers, have a financial interest in the Reorganization because their respective fees under agreements with the Acquiring Fund generally increase as the amount of the assets of the Acquiring Fund increases, and the amount of those assets will increase as a result of the Reorganization. However, the increase in assets of the Acquiring Fund is expected to be offset by the concomitant loss of the Target Fund’s assets, resulting in decreases of fees of certain Legg Mason-affiliated service providers to the Target Fund.

 

Information about the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund is included in the funds’ Prospectuses, SAIs and annual reports filed with the SEC and dated as listed in Appendix A. Copies of all these documents, the Reorganization SAI and any subsequently released shareholder reports are available upon request and without charge by calling the Fund at 1-877-721-1926, by writing to Legg Mason Funds, P.O. Box 55214, Boston, MA 02205-8504 or by visiting the funds’ website at www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors.

 

Both Funds are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance therewith file reports and other information including proxy materials, reports and the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and Bylaws with the SEC. These reports and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Reports and other information about each Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, SEC, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 at prescribed rates.

 

Financial Highlights

 

The most recent fiscal year end of the Target Fund is December 31, 2009 and the most recent fiscal year end of the Acquiring Fund is December 31, 2009.

 

The financial highlights of the Acquiring Fund contained in Appendix C have been derived, in part, from financial statements audited by KPMG LLP, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The financial highlights of the Acquiring Fund contained in Appendix C for the six month period ended June 30, 2010 are unaudited.

 

Historical performance of each Fund is detailed in Appendix D of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

Distribution Arrangements

 

LMIS, a wholly-owned broker/dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, located at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, serves as the Acquiring Fund’s sole and exclusive distributor.

 

The distributor, the manager and/or their affiliates make payments for distribution, shareholder servicing, marketing and promotional activities and related expenses out of their profits and other available sources, including profits from their relationships with the Acquiring Fund. These payments are not reflected as additional expenses in the fee tables contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The recipients of these payments may include the Acquiring Fund’s distributor and affiliates of the manager, as well as non-affiliated broker/dealers, insurance companies, financial institutions and other financial intermediaries through which investors may purchase shares of the Acquiring Fund, including your financial intermediary. The total amount of these payments is substantial, may be substantial to any given recipient and may exceed the costs and expenses incurred by the recipient for any fund related marketing or shareholder servicing activities. The payments described in this paragraph are often referred to as “revenue sharing payments.” Revenue sharing arrangements are separately negotiated.

 

Revenue sharing payments create an incentive for an intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of the Acquiring Fund to you. Contact your financial intermediary for details about revenue sharing payments it receives or may receive. Revenue sharing payments, as well as the payments under the shareholder services and distribution plan (where applicable), also benefit the manager, the distributor and their affiliates to the extent the payments result in more assets being invested in the Acquiring Fund on which fees are being charged.

 

23


Form of Organization

 

Each Fund is a series of the Trust, a Maryland statutory trust.

 

Capitalization

 

The following table sets forth the unaudited capitalization of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund as of the date set out below, and on a pro forma basis as of that date, giving effect to the proposed acquisition of assets at net asset value. The pro forma capitalization information is for informational purposes only. No assurance can be given as to how many shares of the Acquiring Fund shareholders of the Target Fund will receive on the Closing Date, and the information below should not be relied upon to reflect the number of shares of the Acquiring Fund that actually will be received.

 

Pro Forma Combined Capitalization Table

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio and

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

As of October 31, 2010 (Unaudited)

 

     Legg Mason
ClearBridge
Variable
Dividend
Strategy
Portfolio
     Legg Mason
ClearBridge
Variable Equity
Income Builder
Portfolio
     Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Pro Forma Combined
Legg Mason
ClearBridge Variable
Equity Income Builder
Portfolio
 

Non-Designated Class/Class I:

          

Net Assets

   $ 41,992,733       $ 80,274,217       $ (39,750 )(a)    $ 122,227,200   

Shares Outstanding

     4,589,731         8,134,085         (338,727 )(b)      12,385,089   

Net Asset Value Per Share

   $ 9.15       $ 9.87         $ 9.87   

 

(a)

Reflects adjustment for estimated reorganization costs of $39,750.

 

(b)

Reflects adjustment to the number of shares outstanding due to the Reorganization.

 

Dividends and Distributions

 

Each Fund distributes income and capital gains, if any, annually.

 

Each Fund pays dividends and distributions on a per-share basis. This means that the value of your shares will be reduced by the amount of the payment. If you purchase shares shortly before the record date for a dividend or a distribution of capital gains, you will pay the full price for the shares and receive some portion of the price back as a taxable dividend or distribution.

 

For more information on the distribution policies of the Acquiring Fund, see “Purchases and Redemptions; Other Shareholder Information” in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, above.

 

Other Business

 

The Board of the Target Fund does not intend to present any other business at the Meeting. If, however, any other matters are properly brought before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the persons named as proxies will vote thereon in accordance with their discretion.

 

Under Maryland law, the only matters that may be acted on at a special meeting of shareholders are those stated in the notice of the special meeting. Accordingly, other than procedural matters relating to proposal 1, no other business may properly come before the Meeting. If any such procedural matter requiring a vote of shareholders should arise, or any question as to adjournment of the Meeting is submitted to shareholders, the persons named as proxies will vote on such procedural matters in accordance with their discretion.

 

24


Shareholder Communications with the Board

 

A shareholder who wants to communicate with the Board or any individual Board member should write to his or her Fund to the attention of Robert I. Frenkel, Secretary, 100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902. The letter should indicate that you are a Fund shareholder. If the communication is intended for a specific Board member and so indicates, it will be sent only to that Board member. If a communication does not indicate a specific Board member it will be sent to the chair of the governance committee of the Board and the outside counsel to the Independent Board Members for further distribution as deemed appropriate by such persons.

 

Voting Information

 

This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is furnished in connection with a solicitation of proxies by the Target Fund’s Board to be used at the Meeting. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, along with the Notice of Special Meeting and a voting instruction card, are first being mailed to shareholders of the Target Fund on or about January [    ], 2011 or as soon as practicable thereafter. Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. If the enclosed voting instruction card is properly completed, signed and dated and returned in time to be voted at the Meeting, the proxies named thereon will vote the shares represented by the voting instruction card in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. Unmarked but properly signed and dated voting instruction cards will be voted “FOR” approval of the Reorganization Agreement and “FOR” any other matters the proxies deem appropriate. Please see Appendix E to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus for instructions on how to sign your voting instruction card.

 

A shareholder may revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise at the Meeting by (1) submitting to the Target Fund a subsequently executed proxy, (2) delivering to the Target Fund a written notice of revocation (addressed to the Assistant Secretary at the principal executive office of the Target Fund at the address shown at the beginning of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus) or (3) otherwise giving notice of revocation at the Meeting. Merely attending the Meeting, however, will not revoke any previously executed proxy. Unless revoked, all valid and executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications thereon or, in the absence of such specifications, for approval of the Reorganization Agreement and the Reorganization contemplated thereby. Contract owners should consult their Participating Insurance Company regarding their ability to revoke voting instructions after such instructions have been provided to the Participating Insurance Company. Votes cast by proxy at the Meeting will be tabulated by the inspectors of election appointed for the Meeting. The inspectors of election will determine whether or not a quorum is present at the Meeting. The inspectors of election will treat abstentions and “broker non-votes” as present for purposes of determining a quorum.

 

Shares of the Funds are offered only to variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts established by insurance companies (each, a “Participating Insurance Company”) to fund variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (the “Variable Annuity Funds”). The rights accompanying shares of the Variable Annuity Funds are legally vested in the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance products offered by the separate accounts of Participating Insurance Companies. However, in accordance with current law and interpretations thereof, Participating Insurance Companies will vote shares held in the separate accounts in a manner consistent with voting instructions timely received from the holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. A signed and dated voting instruction form or other authorization by a holder that does not specify how the holder’s shares should be voted on a proposal may be deemed an instruction to vote such shares in favor of the applicable proposal. Those persons who have a voting interest at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to submit instructions to their Participating Insurance Company. Each Participating Insurance Company will vote Variable Annuity Fund shares held in separate accounts for which no timely instructions are received from the holders of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies, as well as shares it owns, in the same proportion as those shares for which such insurance company receives voting instructions.

 

If you hold shares through a variable annuity contract or a variable life insurance policy, and if you do not give specific voting instructions for your shares, they may not be voted at all or, as described above, they may be voted in a manner that you may not intend. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to give your Participating Insurance Company specific instructions as to how you want your shares to be voted.

 

Even if you plan to attend the Meeting, we ask that you sign, date and return the enclosed voting instruction card or vote by telephone or through the Internet. This will help us ensure that an adequate number of shares are present for the Meeting to be held.

 

25


Photographic identification will be required for admission to the Meeting.

 

Proxy Solicitation

 

LMPFA and the Target Fund will each pay 50% of the costs of the Reorganization allocated to the Target Fund, and LMPFA will pay all of the costs of the Reorganization allocated to the Acquiring Fund. In addition, it is expected that the Target Fund will reposition its portfolio prior to, and in connection with, the Reorganization. The Target Fund will bear all transaction costs associated with this repositioning (estimated to be approximately $12,000 using data as of August 31, 2010).

 

Estimated costs of the Reorganization have been allocated between the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund as follows: Legal—the Target Fund: $50,000, the Acquiring Fund: $50,000; Audit—the Target Fund: $5,000, the Acquiring Fund: $5,000; and Printing, postage, proxy out-of-pocket costs and proxy solicitation, mailing, reporting and tabulation costs (approximately $24,500)—all allocated to the Target Fund.

 

Solicitation may be made by letter or telephone by officers or employees of Legg Mason, or by dealers and their representatives. Brokerage houses, banks and other fiduciaries may be requested to forward proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owner of shares of the Target Fund to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies. The Target Fund will reimburse brokerage firms, custodians, banks and fiduciaries for their expenses in forwarding the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the Target Fund’s shares. Legg Mason, on behalf of the Target Fund, has retained Computershare Fund Services, a proxy solicitation firm, to assist in the solicitation of proxies. It is anticipated that Computershare Fund Services will be paid approximately $8,800 for such solicitation services, to be borne by LMPFA and the Target Fund as described above. Computershare Fund Services may solicit proxies personally and by telephone.

 

Quorum

 

The quorum requirement for the Target Fund is thirty percent of shares entitled to vote.

 

Vote Required

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund is required to approve the Reorganization Agreement, which under applicable law means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting power of the voting securities present at the Meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund are present at the Meeting or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Target Fund. Each whole share (or fractional share) outstanding on the Record Date shall entitle the holder thereof to a number of votes equal to the net asset value of the share (or fractional share) in U.S. dollars determined at the close of business on the Record Date.

 

Effect of Abstentions and Broker “Non-Votes”

 

For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the Meeting, executed proxies marked as abstentions and “broker non-votes,” if any, (i.e., proxies from brokers or nominees indicating that such persons have not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other persons entitled to vote shares on a particular matter with respect to which the brokers or nominees do not have discretionary power) will be treated as shares that are present for quorum purposes but which have not been voted. Abstentations and “broker non-votes” will count as present for the purposes of determining a quorum. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against approval of the Reorganization. As a result, shareholders are urged to sign and date their voting instruction card and forward their voting instructions promptly.

 

Adjournments

 

The Meeting may be adjourned by the person presiding at the meeting to a designated time and place if a quorum is not present. The Meeting may, by motion of the person presiding over the Meeting, be adjourned without further notice even if a quorum is present with respect to such matters, to a designated time and place, when such adjournment is approved by the vote of holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the shares present and entitled to vote. Unless a proxy is otherwise limited in this regard, any shares present and entitled to vote at a meeting that are represented by broker

 

26


non-votes, may, at the discretion of the persons named as proxies, be voted in favor of such an adjournment. Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice, even if the date of such adjourned meeting is more than 120 days after the notice of the original meeting or the postponement thereof, was mailed or sent.

 

Future Shareholder Proposals

 

The Target Fund does not hold annual meetings of shareholders. A shareholder proposal intended to be presented at a future special meeting of shareholders of the Target Fund must be received at the offices of the Target Fund, 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041, in accordance with the time periods set forth for advance notice in the bylaws applicable to the Target Fund or, if no such time period is specified, at a reasonable time before the Target Fund begins to print and mail its proxy materials. Timely submission of a proposal does not guarantee that such proposal will be included in a proxy statement.

 

Record Date and Outstanding Shares

 

Only shareholders of record of the Target Fund at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and at any postponements or adjournments thereof. The chart below lists the number of non-designated Class shares of the Target Fund that were outstanding and entitled to vote as of the close of business on the Record Date.

 

Fund

   Class    Total Shares Outstanding

Legg Mason Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

   Non-Designated
Class
   [        ]

 

To the knowledge of the Funds, as of the Record Date, except as set forth in Appendix F, no person owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of any class of the Target Fund’s or the Acquiring Fund’s outstanding shares.

 

To the knowledge of the Funds, as of [December ], 2010, less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund were owned directly or beneficially in the aggregate by the Board members and officers of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund.

 

THE BOARD OF THE TARGET FUND, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT. ANY SIGNED AND DATED, BUT UNMARKED, PROXIES WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT.

 

By order of the Board of Trustees,

 

LOGO

 

Robert I. Frenkel

Secretary

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

 

27


INDEX OF APPENDICES

 

Appendix A: Dates of Prospectuses, Fund SAIs and Shareholder Reports

Appendix B: Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization

Appendix C: Financial Highlights of the Acquiring Fund

Appendix D: Historical Performance for Each Fund

Appendix E: Instructions for Signing Voting Instruction Card

Appendix F: 5% Shareholders of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund

 

28


APPENDIX A

 

Dates of Prospectuses, Fund Statements of

 

Additional Information and Shareholder Reports

 

Fund

  

Summary Prospectus

  

Prospectus and Fund SAI Dated

  

Annual Reports

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

  

April 30, 2010

(filed on April 29, 2010)

  

April 30, 2010

(filed on May 4, 2010)

  

December 31, 2009

(filed on February 25, 2010)

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

  

April 30, 2010

(filed on April 29, 2010)

  

April 30, 2010

(filed on May 4, 2010)

  

December 31, 2009

(filed on February 26, 2010)

 

A-1


APPENDIX B

 

Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio and

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

 

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (“Agreement”) is made as of this     th day of                     , by and among Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, a Maryland statutory trust (the “Trust”), with its principal place of business at 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041, on behalf of its series Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio (the “Acquiring Fund”), and on behalf of its series Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio (the “Target Fund”), and, solely for purposes of paragraph 10.2 hereof, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”).

 

WHEREAS, each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund is a series of the Trust, an open-end management investment company registered pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

 

WHEREAS, it is intended that, for United States federal income tax purposes (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and (ii) this Agreement constitutes a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g);

 

WHEREAS, the reorganization will consist of (1) the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for classes of shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund (the “Acquiring Fund Shares”) corresponding to the classes of outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Target Fund (the “Target Fund Shares”), as described herein, and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all liabilities of the Target Fund, and (2) the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of the Target Fund and the subsequent redemption of the Target Fund Shares and termination of the Target Fund as a series of the Trust, as provided herein (the “Reorganization”), all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has determined, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, that the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of the Target Fund for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of all liabilities of the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund is in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquiring Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization;

 

WHEREAS, the Board has determined, with respect to the Target Fund, that the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of the Target Fund for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of all liabilities of the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund is in the best interests of the Target Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Target Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization; and

 

WHEREAS, in this Agreement, any references to a Fund taking action shall mean and include all necessary actions of the Trust, as applicable, on behalf of a Fund, unless the context of this Agreement or the 1940 Act requires otherwise;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

1. TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF THE TARGET FUND TO THE ACQUIRING FUND IN EXCHANGE FOR ACQUIRING FUND SHARES, ASSUMPTION OF ALL TARGET FUND LIABILITIES AND TERMINATION OF THE TARGET FUND

 

1.1 Subject to requisite approvals and the other terms and conditions herein set forth and on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, agrees to sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver all of its property and assets, as set forth in paragraph 1.2, to the Acquiring Fund, and the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, agrees in exchange therefor: (a) to deliver to the Target Fund the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares corresponding to each class of Target Fund Shares as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 3.1,

 

B-1


determined by dividing the value of the Target Fund’s net assets (computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 2.1) by the net asset value of one share of the corresponding class of Acquiring Fund Shares (computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 2.2); and (b) to assume all liabilities of the Target Fund. Such transactions shall take place on a closing date as provided for in paragraph 3.1 (the “Closing Date”).

 

1.2 The property and assets of the Trust attributable to the Target Fund to be sold, assigned, conveyed, transferred and delivered to and acquired by the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall consist of all assets and property of every kind and nature of the Target Fund, including, without limitation, all rights, receivables (including dividend, interest and other receivables), cash, cash equivalents, claims (whether absolute or contingent, known or unknown), securities, commodities and futures interests, good will and other intangible property, any deferred or prepaid expenses and all interests, rights, privileges and powers, the Target Fund owns at the Valuation Date (as defined in paragraph 2.1) (collectively, “Assets”). The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall assume all of the liabilities and obligations of the Target Fund, including, without limitation, all indemnification obligations of the Target Fund with respect to the current and former members of the Board and officers of the Trust, whether accrued or contingent, known or unknown, existing at the Valuation Date except for all expenses that are solely and directly related to the Reorganization (determined in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Rev. Rul. 73-54, 1973-1 C.B. 187) borne by LMPFA and the Target Fund pursuant to paragraph 10.2 (collectively, “Liabilities”). The Target Fund will sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver to the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, any rights, stock dividends, or other securities received by the Target Fund after the Closing Date as stock dividends or other distributions on or with respect to the property and assets transferred, which rights, stock dividends, and other securities shall be deemed included in the property and assets transferred to the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, at the Closing Date and shall not be separately valued, in which case any such distribution that remains unpaid as of the Closing Date shall be included in the determination of the value of the assets of the Target Fund acquired by the Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund.

 

1.3 The Target Fund will make reasonable efforts to discharge all of its known Liabilities prior to the Valuation Date.

 

1.4 On or as soon as practicable prior to the Closing Date, the Target Fund will declare and pay to its shareholders of record one or more dividends and/or other distributions so that it will have distributed substantially all of its investment company taxable income as defined in the Code (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and realized net capital gain as defined in the Code (after deduction for any available capital loss carryover), if any, for all tax periods ending on or before the Closing Date (and treating the current taxable year as ending on the Closing Date) such that the Target Fund will have no tax liability under Section 852 or Section 4982 for the current and any prior tax periods.

 

1.5 Immediately following the actions contemplated by paragraph 1.1, the Trust shall take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to complete the liquidation of the Target Fund. To complete the liquidation, the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall (a) distribute to the shareholders of record of the Target Fund Shares as of the Closing Date (“Target Fund Shareholders”), on a pro rata basis, the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, pursuant to paragraph 1.1, (b) redeem shares of the Target Fund and (c) terminate the Target Fund as a series of the Trust in accordance with Maryland law. Such distribution and redemption shall be accomplished, with respect to the Target Fund Shares, by the transfer of the corresponding Acquiring Fund Shares then credited to the account of the Target Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the Target Fund Shareholders. The aggregate net asset value of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be so credited to the Target Fund Shareholders shall be equal to the aggregate net asset value of the Target Fund Shares owned by Target Fund Shareholders on the Closing Date. All issued and outstanding Target Fund Shares will be cancelled on the books of the Target Fund. The Acquiring Fund shall not issue certificates representing any class of Acquiring Fund Shares in connection with such exchange.

 

1.6 Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares will be shown on the books of the transfer agent of the Acquiring Fund.

 

1.7 Any reporting responsibility of the Target Fund, including, but not limited to, the responsibility for filing regulatory reports, tax returns, or other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”), any state securities commission, and any federal, state or local tax authorities or any other relevant regulatory authority, is and shall remain the responsibility of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund. The Trust shall fully cooperate to the extent necessary or desirable for these responsibilities to be discharged.

 

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2. VALUATION

 

2.1 The value of the Assets and the amount of the Liabilities shall be determined as of the time for calculation of net asset value as set forth in the then-current prospectus for the Target Fund, and after the declaration of any dividends by the Target Fund, on the Closing Date (such time and date being hereinafter called the “Valuation Date”), computed using the valuation procedures established by the Board. All computations of value and amounts shall be made by (a) State Street Bank and Trust Company, in its capacity as accounting agent for the Target Fund, or (b) in the case of securities subject to fair valuation, in accordance with the valuation procedures of the Trust adopted in good faith by the Board. All computations of value and amounts pursuant to this paragraph 2.1 shall be subject to confirmation by the Acquiring Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

2.2. The net asset value per share of each class of Acquiring Fund Shares shall be determined to the nearest full cent on the Valuation Date, using the valuation procedures established by the Board. All computations of value shall be made by (a) State Street Bank and Trust Company, in its capacity as accounting agent for the Acquiring Fund, or (b) in the case of securities subject to fair valuation, in accordance with the valuation procedures of the Trust adopted in good faith by the Board. All computations of value and amounts pursuant to this paragraph 2.2 shall be subject to confirmation by the Target Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

3. CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE

 

3.1 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Closing Date shall be April 29, 2011, or such other date as the parties may agree. All acts taking place at the closing of the transactions provided for in this Agreement (“Closing”) shall be deemed to take place simultaneously as of the “close of business” on the Closing Date unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. The close of business on the Closing Date shall be as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time or such later time on that date as the Target Fund’s net asset value is calculated in accordance with paragraph 2.1 and after the declaration of any dividends. The Closing shall be held at the offices of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019 or at such other time and/or place as the parties may agree.

 

3.2 The Trust shall direct State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Custodian”) to transfer ownership of the Assets, at the time of the Closing, from the accounts of the Target Fund that the Custodian maintains as custodian for the Target Fund to the accounts of the Acquiring Fund that the Custodian maintains as custodian for the Acquiring Fund and to deliver to the Trust, at the Closing, a certificate of an authorized officer stating that the Assets of the Target Fund have been so transferred as of the Closing Date. The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall deliver to the Acquiring Fund, at the Closing, a certificate of an authorized officer stating that all necessary taxes in connection with the delivery of the Assets of the Target Fund, including all applicable federal and state stock transfer stamps, if any, have been paid or provision for payment has been made.

 

3.3 The Trust shall direct Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., in its capacity as transfer agent for the Target Fund (the “Transfer Agent”), to deliver to the Trust at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating that its records contain the name and address of each Target Fund Shareholder and the number and percentage ownership of the outstanding class of Target Fund Shares owned by each such shareholder immediately prior to the Closing. The Acquiring Fund shall deliver to the Secretary of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, a confirmation evidencing that (a) the appropriate number of Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the Target Fund’s account on the books of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.1 prior to the actions contemplated by paragraph 1.5 and (b) the appropriate number of Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the accounts of the Target Fund Shareholders on the books of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.5. At the Closing, each party shall deliver to the other party such bills of sale, checks, assignments, share certificates, if any, receipts or other documents as the other party or its counsel may reasonably request.

 

3.4 In the event that on the Valuation Date (a) the New York Stock Exchange or another primary trading market for portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund (each, an “Exchange”) shall be closed to trading or trading thereupon shall be restricted, or (b) trading or the reporting of trading on such Exchange or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund is impracticable (in the judgment of the Board), the Closing Date shall be postponed until the first Friday (that is also a business day) after the day when trading shall have been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored.

 

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4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

4.1 Except as has been fully disclosed in Schedule 4.1 of this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, represents and warrants to the Acquiring Fund as follows:

 

(a) The Target Fund is duly established as a series of the Trust, which is a statutory trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, with power under its Declaration of Trust, as amended or supplemented (the “Charter”), to own all of its assets and to carry on its business as it is being conducted as of the date hereof. The Trust is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business makes such qualification necessary except where the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, net assets or results of operations of the Trust. The Trust has all necessary federal, state and local authorizations to carry on its business as now being conducted and to fulfill the terms of this Agreement, except as described in paragraph 4.1(c).

 

(b) The Trust is a registered open-end management investment company, and its registration with the Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of each class of Target Fund Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), is in full force and effect.

 

(c) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Target Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), the 1940 Act, state securities laws and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

 

(d) The current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Target Fund (true and correct copies of which have been delivered to the Acquiring Fund) and each prospectus and statement of additional information of the Target Fund used during the three (3) years prior to the date of this Agreement conforms or conformed at the time of its use in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and does not or did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.

 

(e) On the Closing Date, the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will have good title to the Assets and full right, power and authority to sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver such Assets hereunder free of any liens or other encumbrances, and upon delivery and payment for the Assets, the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will acquire good title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer thereof, excluding such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act.

 

(f) The Target Fund is not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will not result, in a material violation of Maryland law or of the Charter or the bylaws of the Trust, or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, is a party or by which it is bound, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will not result in the acceleration of any material obligation, or the imposition of any material penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, judgment or decree to which the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, is a party or by which it is bound.

 

(g) All material contracts or other commitments of the Target Fund (other than this Agreement, certain investment contracts, including options, futures, swaps and forward contracts, the indemnification agreements of the current and former members of the Board, and those contracts listed in Schedule 4.1) will terminate without liability to the Target Fund on or prior to the Closing Date. Each contract listed in Schedule 4.1 is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Target Fund and, to the Target Fund’s knowledge, the other parties thereto (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto) and the assignment by the Target Fund to the Acquiring Fund of each such contract will not result in the termination of such contract, any breach or default thereunder by the Target Fund or the imposition of any penalty thereunder.

 

(h) No litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is pending or, to the Trust’s knowledge, threatened against the Trust, with respect to the Target Fund or any of its properties or assets, that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of the Target Fund’s business. The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects the Target Fund’s business or the Trust’s ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated on behalf of the Target Fund.

 

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(i) The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments of the Target Fund as of the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal year of the Target Fund prior to the date of this Agreement have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Trust) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Target Fund as of such date and for such period in accordance with GAAP, and there are no known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Target Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date that are not disclosed therein. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments (unaudited) of the Target Fund as at the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal half year of the Target Fund following the date of the audited annual statements referenced above are in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Target Fund, and all known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Target Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date are disclosed therein.

 

(j) Since the last day of the most recently completed fiscal year of the Target Fund prior to the date of this Agreement, there has not been any material adverse change in the Target Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Target Fund of indebtedness for money borrowed maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred. For the purposes of this subparagraph (j), a decline in net asset value per share of Target Fund Shares due to declines in market values of securities held by the Target Fund, the discharge of Target Fund liabilities, or the redemption of Target Fund Shares by shareholders of the Target Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.

 

(k) On the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms and other tax-related reports of the Target Fund required by law to have been filed by such date (including any extensions) shall have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof and, to the best of the Trust’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns.

 

(l) The Target Fund is a separate series of the Trust that is treated as a corporation separate from any and all other series of the Trust under Section 851(g) of the Code. For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year ending on the Closing Date), the Target Fund has met (or will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code for qualification and treatment as a “regulated investment company,” has elected to be treated as such, has been (or will be) eligible to compute and has computed (or will compute) its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and on or before the Closing Date, will have distributed or will have declared dividends intended to be sufficient to distribute substantially all of (i) the excess of (x) its investment income excludible from gross income under Section 103 of the Code over (y) its deductions disallowed under Sections 265 and 171 of the Code (“net tax-exempt income”), (ii) its investment company taxable income (as defined in the Code) (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and (iii) any net capital gain (as defined in the Code) (after reduction for any allowable capital loss carryover) that has accrued or been recognized, respectively, through the Closing Date such that for all tax periods ending on or before the Closing Date (and treating the current tax year as ending on the Closing Date) the Target Fund will not have any tax liability under Section 852 or Section 4982.

 

(m) All issued and outstanding Target Fund Shares are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly authorized and validly and legally issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust and have been offered and sold in any state, territory or the District of Columbia in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of all applicable federal and state securities laws. All of the issued and outstanding Target Fund Shares will, at the time of Closing, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of each Transfer Agent, on behalf of the Target Fund, as provided in paragraph 3.3. The Target Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any of the Target Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any of the Target Fund Shares.

 

(n) The Target Fund will review its assets to ensure that prior to the Closing Date its assets do not include any assets that the Acquiring Fund is not permitted, or reasonably believes to be unsuitable for it, to acquire, including without limitation any security that, prior to its acquisition by the Target Fund, is unsuitable for the Acquiring Fund to acquire.

 

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(o) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated herein, have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Board, on behalf of the Target Fund, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

(p) The combined proxy statement and prospectus/information statement and prospectus (“Proxy Statement” / “Prospectus”) to be included in the Registration Statement (as defined in paragraph 5.6), insofar as it relates to the Target Fund, from the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of the meeting of shareholders of the Target Fund contemplated therein and on the Closing Date, will (i) not contain any statement which, at the time and in light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or which omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not false or misleading (provided that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Proxy Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Trust for use therein) and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The information to be furnished by the Target Fund for use in registration statements and other documents filed or to be filed with any federal, state or local regulatory authority, as may be prepared in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with federal securities and other laws and regulations thereunder applicable thereto.

 

4.2 Except as has been fully disclosed in Schedule 4.2 to this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, represents and warrants to the Target Fund as follows:

 

(a) The Acquiring Fund is duly established as a series of the Trust, which is a statutory trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, with the power under its Charter to own all of its assets and to carry on its business as it is being conducted as of the date hereof. The Trust is duly qualified to do business as a foreign trust in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business makes such qualification necessary except where the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, net assets or results of operations of the Trust. The Trust has all necessary federal, state and local authorizations to carry on its business as now being conducted and to fulfill the terms of this Agreement, except as described in paragraph 4.2(c).

 

(b) The Trust is a registered open-end management investment company, and its registration with the Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of each class of Acquiring Fund Shares under the 1933 Act, is in full force and effect or will be in full force and effect as of the Closing Date.

 

(c) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, state securities laws and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

 

(d) The current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Acquiring Fund (true and correct copies of which have been delivered to the Target Fund) and each prospectus and statement of additional information of the Acquiring Fund used during the three (3) years prior to the date of this Agreement conforms or conformed at the time of its use in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and does not or did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.

 

(e) The Acquiring Fund is not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will not result, in a material violation of Maryland law or the Charter or the bylaws of the Trust, or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, is a party or by which it is bound, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will not result in the acceleration of any material obligation, or the imposition of any material penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, judgment or decree to which the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, is a party or by which it is bound.

 

(f) No litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is pending or, to the Trust’s knowledge, threatened against the Trust, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, or any of its properties or assets, that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the

 

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conduct of the Acquiring Fund’s business. The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects the Acquiring Fund’s business or the Trust’s ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated on behalf of the Acquiring Fund.

 

(g) The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments of the Acquiring Fund as of the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal year of the Acquiring Fund prior to the date of this Agreement have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and are in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Target Fund) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund as of such date and for such period in accordance with GAAP, and there are no known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Acquiring Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date that are not disclosed therein. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments (unaudited) of the Acquiring Fund as at the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal half year of the Acquiring Fund following the date of the audited annual statements referenced above are in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund, and all known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Acquiring Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date are disclosed therein.

 

(h) Since the last day of the most recently completed fiscal year of the Acquiring Fund prior to the date of this Agreement, there has not been any material adverse change in the Acquiring Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Acquiring Fund of indebtedness for money borrowed maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred. For the purposes of this subparagraph (h), a decline in net asset value per share of Acquiring Fund Shares due to declines in market values of securities held by the Acquiring Fund, the discharge of Acquiring Fund liabilities, or the redemption of Acquiring Fund Shares by shareholders of the Acquiring Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.

 

(i) On the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms and other tax-related reports of the Acquiring Fund required by law to have been filed by such date (including any extensions) shall have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof and, to the best of the Trust’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns.

 

(j) The Acquiring Fund is a separate series of the Trust that is treated as a corporation separate from any and all other series of the Trust under Section 851(g) of the Code. For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year that includes the Closing Date), the Acquiring Fund has met (or will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code for qualification and treatment as a “regulated investment company,” has elected to be treated as such, and has been (or will be) eligible to compute and has computed (or will compute) its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and will have distributed (or will distribute pursuant to the provisions of Section 855 of the Code) substantially all of (i) its net tax-exempt income, (ii) its investment company taxable income (as defined in the Code) (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and (iii) any net capital gain (as defined in the Code) (after reduction for any capital loss carryover) for taxable years ending with or prior to the Closing Date such that for all those years the Acquiring Fund will have no tax liability under Section 852 or Section 4982.

 

(k) All issued and outstanding Acquiring Fund Shares are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly authorized and validly and legally issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust and will have been offered and sold in any state, territory or the District of Columbia in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of all applicable federal and state securities laws. The Acquiring Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquiring Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any Acquiring Fund Shares. All of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the Trust, for the account of the Target Fund Shareholders, pursuant to this Agreement, will on the Closing Date have been duly authorized and, when so issued and delivered, will be duly and validly and legally issued Acquiring Fund Shares and be fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust.

 

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(l) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated herein, have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Board, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

(m) The Proxy Statement to be included in the Registration Statement, insofar as it relates to the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Fund Shares, from the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of the meeting of shareholders of the Target Fund and on the Closing Date, will (i) not contain any statement which, at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or which omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading (provided that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Proxy Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Trust for use therein) and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The information to be furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use in registration statements and other documents filed or to be filed with any federal, state or local regulatory authority, as may be prepared in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with federal securities and other laws and regulations applicable thereto.

 

5. COVENANTS

 

The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, hereby further covenants as follows:

 

5.1 The Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund each will operate its business in the ordinary course and shall comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations between the date hereof and the Closing Date, it being understood that such ordinary course of business will include the declaration and payment of customary dividends and other distributions, and any other distribution that may be advisable.

 

5.2 The Trust will call and hold a meeting of the shareholders of the Target Fund to consider and act upon this Agreement and to take all other action necessary to obtain approval of the transactions contemplated herein.

 

5.3 The Acquiring Fund Shares to be acquired by the Target Fund hereunder are not being acquired for the purpose of making any distribution thereof, other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

5.4 The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will assist in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Fund reasonably requests concerning the beneficial ownership of the Target Fund Shares.

 

5.5 Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, will take, or cause to be taken, all action, and do or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.6 The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall prepare and file a Registration Statement on Form N-14 in compliance with the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the Reorganization (the “Registration Statement”). The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will provide to the Acquiring Fund such information regarding the Target Fund as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the Registration Statement.

 

5.7 The Trust, on behalf of each of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, will use all reasonable efforts to fulfill or obtain the fulfillment of the conditions precedent to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable.

 

5.8 The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, will, from time to time, as and when reasonably requested by the Acquiring Fund, execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered all such assignments and other instruments and will take or cause to be taken such further action as the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) the Trust’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder and (b) the Trust’s title to and possession of all the Assets, and to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.

 

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5.9 The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will use all reasonable efforts to obtain such approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and such of the state blue sky or securities laws as may be necessary in order to continue its operations after the Closing Date.

 

5.10 The Trust shall not change the Charter, or the Acquiring Fund’s prospectus or statement of additional information so as to restrict permitted investments for the Acquiring Fund, except as required by the Commission prior to the Closing.

 

5.11 The Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund will each report the Reorganization as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code on its federal income tax return for its respective taxable year in which the Reorganization occurs, including filing any and all statements required by Treas. Reg. § 1.368-3.

 

6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF TRUST, ON BEHALF OF THE TARGET FUND

 

The obligations of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at the Trust’s election, to the following conditions:

 

6.1 All representations and warranties of the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date.

 

6.2 The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, on or before the Closing Date.

 

6.3 The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have executed and delivered an assumption of the Liabilities and all such other agreements and instruments as the Trust may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) the Target Fund’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder and (b) the Trust’s assumption of all of the Liabilities, and to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.

 

6.4 The Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have delivered to the Target Fund a certificate executed in the name of the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, by the Trust’s President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Target Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, as to the matters set forth in paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2 and as to such other matters as the Target Fund shall reasonably request.

 

6.5 The Trust, on behalf of each of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.1.

 

7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF TRUST, ON BEHALF OF THE ACQUIRING FUND

 

The obligations of the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at the Trust’s election, to the following conditions:

 

7.1 All representations and warranties of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date.

 

7.2 The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, on or before the Closing Date.

 

7.3 The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Target Fund as of the Closing Date, including a schedule of investments, certified by the Treasurer of the Trust on behalf of the Target Fund. The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall have executed and delivered all such

 

B-9


assignments and other instruments of transfer as the Acquiring Fund may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) the Target Fund’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder and (b) the Acquiring Fund’s title to and possession of all the Assets and to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.

 

7.4 The Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a certificate executed in the name of the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, by the Trust’s President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, as to the matters set forth in paragraphs 7.1 and 7.2 and as to such other matters as the Acquiring Fund shall reasonably request.

 

7.5 The Trust, on behalf of each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.1.

 

8. FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE TRUST

 

If any of the conditions set forth in paragraph 8.1 or paragraph 8.5 have not been satisfied on or before the Closing Date, the Transaction contemplated by this Agreement shall not be consummated. If any of the other conditions set forth below have not been satisfied on or before the Closing Date with respect to each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, the Trust shall be entitled, at its option, to refuse to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement:

 

8.1 This Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of the Target Fund, in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Charter, the bylaws of the Trust, and Maryland law, as applicable, and certified copies of the report of the inspector of elections evidencing such approval, if any such approval is required, shall have been delivered to the Acquiring Fund. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trust may not waive the condition set forth in this paragraph 8.1.

 

8.2 On the Closing Date, no court or governmental agency of competent jurisdiction shall have issued any order that remains in effect and that restrains or enjoins the Trust, with respect to the Target Fund or the Acquiring Fund, from completing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

8.3 All consents of other parties and all other consents, orders and permits of federal, state and local regulatory authorities deemed necessary by the Trust to permit consummation, in all material respects, of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund.

 

8.4 The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties hereto, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending.

 

8.5 The parties (other than LMPFA) shall have received the opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, dated the Closing Date, substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts, assumptions and representations and upon certifications made by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, and their respective authorized officers, for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of all of the assets of the Target Fund solely in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities of the Target Fund, followed by the distribution by the Target Fund to its shareholders of Acquiring Fund Shares in complete liquidation of the Target Fund, all pursuant to the Agreement, will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund will each be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code; (ii) under Sections 361 and 357(a) of the Code, the Target Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the transfer of its assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of the Liabilities by the Acquiring Fund, and the Target Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the distribution to its shareholders of the Acquiring Fund Shares in liquidation of the Target Fund except for (A) any gain or loss that may be recognized on “section 1256 contracts” as defined in Section 1256(b) of the Code as a result of the closing of the tax year of the Target Fund, (B) any gain that may be recognized on the transfer of stock in a “passive foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code, and (C) any other gain or loss that may be required to be recognized as a result of the closing of the tax year of the Target Fund; (iii) under Section 354 of the Code, shareholders of the Target Fund will not recognize gain or loss on the receipt of

 

B-10


Acquiring Fund Shares solely in exchange for Target Fund shares; (iv) under Section 358 of the Code, the aggregate basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by each shareholder of the Target Fund will be the same as the aggregate basis of the Target Fund shares exchanged therefor; (v) under Section 1223(1) of the Code, the holding period of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by each Target Fund shareholder will include the holding period of the Target Fund shares exchanged therefor, provided that the Target Fund shareholder held the Target Fund shares at the time of the Reorganization as a capital asset; (vi) under Section 1032 of the Code, the Acquiring Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of assets of the Target Fund in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities of the Target Fund; (vii) under Section 362(b) of the Code, the basis of the assets of the Target Fund transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same in the hands of the Acquiring Fund as the basis of such assets in the hands of the Target Fund immediately prior to the transfer, increased by the amount of gain (or decreased by the amount of loss), if any, recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer; and (viii) under Section 1223(2) of the Code, the holding periods of the assets of the Target Fund transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will include the periods during which such assets were held by the Target Fund (except to the extent that the investment activities of the Acquiring Fund reduce or eliminate such holding period and except for any assets which may be marked to market for federal income tax purposes on the termination of the Target Fund’s taxable year or on which gain was recognized upon the transfer to the Acquiring Fund). The delivery of such opinion is conditioned upon the receipt by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP of representations it shall request of the Trust, on behalf of each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no party hereto may waive the condition set forth in this paragraph 8.5.

 

8.6 [Reserved.]

 

8.7 [Reserved.]

 

8.8 The Assets will include no assets which the Acquiring Fund, by reason of limitations contained in the Charter or in investment restrictions in effect on the Closing Date, may not properly acquire.

 

9. INDEMNIFICATION

 

9.1 The Trust, out of the Acquiring Fund’s assets and property (including any amounts paid to the Acquiring Fund pursuant to any applicable liability insurance policies or indemnification agreements), agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the members of the Board and the Trust’s officers from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Trust and those members of the Board and officers may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on (a) any breach by the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or (b) any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by the Trust or the members of the Board or the Trust’s officers prior to the Closing Date, provided that such indemnification by the Trust is not (i) in violation of any applicable law or (ii) otherwise prohibited as a result of any applicable order or decree issued by any governing regulatory authority or court of competent jurisdiction.

 

9.2 The Trust, out of the Target Fund’s assets and property (including any amounts paid to the Target Fund pursuant to any applicable liability insurance policies or indemnification agreements), agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the members of the Board and the Trust’s officers from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Trust and those members of the Board and officers may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on (a) any breach by the Trust, on behalf of the Target Fund, of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or (b) any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by the Trust or the members of the Board or its officers prior to the Closing Date, provided that such indemnification by the Trust is not (i) in violation of any applicable law or (ii) otherwise prohibited as a result of any applicable order or decree issued by any governing regulatory authority or court of competent jurisdiction.

 

10. BROKER FEES AND EXPENSES

 

10.1 The Trust, on behalf of each of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, represents and warrants that there are no brokers or finders entitled to receive any payments in connection with the transactions provided for herein.

 

B-11


10.2 LMPFA will pay all of the direct and indirect expenses and out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Reorganization incurred by the Acquiring Fund. The Target Fund and LMPFA will each pay 50% of the direct and indirect expenses and out-of-pocket expenses of the Reorganization incurred by the Target Fund (including the costs of printing and mailing the Prospectus, along with postage costs), except that any transaction costs associated with repositioning the Target Fund’s portfolio, if any, in connection with the Reorganization will be borne by the Target Fund before the Reorganization. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly incurring such expenses if and to the extent that the payment by another person of such expenses would result in the disqualification of such party as a “regulated investment company” within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code or would prevent the Reorganization from qualifying as a tax-free reorganization.

 

11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES

 

11.1 The Trust agrees that it has not, on behalf of either the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund, made any representation, warranty or covenant not set forth herein and that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.

 

11.2 The covenants to be performed after the Closing by the Trust, and the obligations of the Trust, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, in Article 9, shall survive the Closing. All other representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall not survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder and shall terminate on the Closing.

 

12. TERMINATION

 

This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date by resolution of the Board, if circumstances should develop that, in the opinion of the Board, make proceeding with the Agreement inadvisable with respect to the Acquiring Fund or the Target Fund. Any such termination resolution will be effective when communicated to the other party. The obligations of LMPFA set forth in paragraph 10.2 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

13. AMENDMENTS

 

This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the authorized officers of the Trust; provided, however, that following the meeting of the Target Fund shareholders called by the Target Fund pursuant to paragraph 5.2 of this Agreement, no such amendment may have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued to Target Fund shareholders under this Agreement to the detriment of such shareholders without their further approval.

 

14. NOTICES

 

Any notice, report, statement or demand required or permitted by any provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by facsimile, electronic delivery (i.e., e-mail), personal service or prepaid or certified mail addressed to the Trust at its address set forth in the preamble to this Agreement, to the attention of its President.

 

15. HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY; ASSIGNMENT; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

15.1 The Article headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

15.2 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

 

15.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Maryland.

 

15.4 This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any party without the written

 

B-12


consent of the other parties. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

15.5 Consistent with the Charter, the obligations of the Trust with respect to each of the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, entered into in the name or on behalf of the Trust by any of its Trustees, officers, employees or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers, employees, agents or shareholders of the Trust, personally, but bind only the assets of the Trust belonging to the Acquiring Fund and the Target Fund, and all persons dealing with any series or funds of the Trust must look solely to the assets of the Trust belonging to such series or fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

B-13


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer.

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST,

on behalf of its series Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

 

By:
Name:
Title:

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST,

on behalf of its series Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

 

By:
Name:
Title:

 

Solely for purposes of paragraph 10.2 of the Agreement:

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS FUND ADVISOR, LLC

 

By:
Name:
Title:

 

B-14


SCHEDULE 4.1

 

[None.]

 

B-15


SCHEDULE 4.2

 

[None.]

 

B-16


APPENDIX C

 

Financial Highlights of Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the performance of Class I shares for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share. Total return represents the rate that a shareholder would have earned (or lost) on a Fund share assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information in the following tables has been derived from the Fund’s and the predecessor fund’s financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the annual report (available upon request). The financial information shown below for periods prior to April 30, 2007 is that of the fund’s predecessor. The financial highlights for the six month period ended June 30, 2010 are unaudited.

 

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended December 31, unless otherwise noted:

 

Class I Shares1

   20102     2009     2008     20073  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

   $ 9.27      $ 7.79      $ 12.41      $ 14.82   
                                

Income (Loss) From Operations:

        

Net investment income

     0.17        0.23        0.23        0.16   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (0.65     1.53        (4.50     0.02   
                                

Total Income (Loss) From Operations

     (0.48     1.76        (4.27     0.18   
                                

Less Distributions From:

        

Net investment income

     (0.09     (0.28     (0.12     (0.21

Net realized gains

     —          —          (0.23     (2.38
                                

Total Distributions

     (0.09     (0.28     (0.35     (2.59
                                

Net Asset Value, End of Period

   $ 8.70      $ 9.27      $ 7.79      $ 12.41   
                                

Total Return4

     (5.23 )%     22.90 %     (35.02 )%     1.15 %
                                

Net Assets, End of Period (000s)

   $ 74,953      $ 85,386      $ 81,715      $ 157,968   
                                

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

        

Gross expenses

     0.90 %5     0.87 %     0.95 %     0.80 %5

Gross expenses, excluding dividend expense

     0.90 5     0.87        0.93        0.80 5

Net expenses8

     0.88 5,6,7     0.87 7     0.95        0.80 5

Net expenses, excluding dividend expense8

     0.88 5,6,7     0.87 7     0.93        0.80 5

Net investment income

     3.65 5     2.76        2.18        1.57 5
                                

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     13 %     153 %9     153 %9     282 %10
                                

 

1

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

2

For the six months ended June 30, 2010 (unaudited).

3

For the period April 27, 2007 (inception date) to December 31, 2007.

4

Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Total returns do not reflect expenses associated with the separate accounts such as administrative fees, account charges and surrender charges which, if reflected, would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

5

Annualized.

6

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

7

As a result of an expense limitation agreement, effective September 18, 2009 through December 31, 2011, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes and extraordinary expenses, to average net assets of Class I shares will not exceed 1.00% until December 31, 2011.

8

The impact of compensating balance arrangements, if any, was less than 0.01%.

9

Excluding mortgage dollar roll transactions. If mortgage dollar roll transactions had been included, the portfolio turnover rate would have been 171% and 174% for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

10

Including mortgage dollar roll transactions. If mortgage dollar roll transactions had been excluded, the portfolio turnover rate would have been 232% for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

C-1


APPENDIX D

 

Historical Performance for Each Fund

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

 

The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The table shows the average annual total returns of the Fund and also compares the Fund’s performance with the average annual total returns of an index or other benchmark. The Fund makes updated performance information available by calling the Fund at 1-877-721-1926.

 

The Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

Fees paid by the separate accounts or qualified plans through which shares of the Fund are sold are not reflected in the accompanying bar chart and table. If they were, the returns would be lower than those shown. Please refer to the separate account prospectus or information provided by the qualified plan for a description of the expenses associated with the account or plan.

 

Non-Designated Class Shares

 

Total returns (%)

 

LOGO

 

Effective November 1, 2004, the Fund adopted its current investment policy of normally investing at least 80% of its assets in dividend-paying stocks. The Fund’s previous policy was to normally invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of U.S. large cap issuers and related investments. The performance information for periods prior to November 1, 2004 reflects the Fund’s previous investment policy.

 

During the past ten calendar years:

 

     Quarter Ended      Total Return  

Best quarter:

     09/30/2009         14.66

Worst quarter:

     09/30/2002         (16.61 )% 

 

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of September 30, 2010 was 3.02%.

 

Average Annual Total Returns

 

The table below shows the Fund’s average annual total returns for the Fund’s non-designated Class of shares. The table also shows returns for the S&P 500 Index.

 

For the periods ended December 31, 2009:

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

   1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  

Non-Designated Class Shares—

     22.08 %     1.78 %     (1.77 )%

S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

     26.46 %     0.42 %     (0.95 )%

 

D-1


Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

 

The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Class I shares of the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in performance of the Fund’s Class I shares from year to year. The table shows the average annual total returns of Class I shares of the Fund and also compares the performance of Class I shares with the average annual total returns of an index or other benchmark. The Russell 3000 Value Index replaced the S&P 500 Index and the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index (a fixed income index) as the Fund’s performance benchmark effective November 2, 2009 in connection with changes in the Fund’s investment objective, policies and strategies. The Fund makes updated performance information available by calling the Fund at 1-877-721-1926.

 

The Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

Fees paid by the separate accounts or qualified plans through which shares of the Fund are sold are not reflected in the accompanying bar chart and table. If they were, the returns would be lower than those shown. Please refer to the separate account prospectus or information provided by your qualified plan for a description of the expenses associated with the account or plan.

 

Class I Shares

 

Total returns (%)

 

LOGO

 

Prior to November 2, 2009, the Fund followed different investment strategies under the name “Legg Mason Partners Variable Capital and Income Portfolio.” Prior to April 30, 2007, the Fund had different investment objectives and followed different investment strategies under the name “Legg Mason Partners Variable Multiple Discipline Portfolio – Balanced All Cap Growth and Value.”

 

During the periods shown in the bar chart:

 

     Quarter Ended      Total Return  

Best quarter:

     06/30/2009         13.93

Worst quarter:

     12/31/2008         (20.52 )% 

 

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of September 30, 2010 was 5.01%.

 

Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2009)

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

   1 Year     Since
Inception
    Inception
Date
 

Class I Shares—

     22.90 %     (7.66 )%     04/27/2007   

Russell 3000 Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

     19.76 %     (11.71 )%  

S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

     26.46 %     (8.27 )%  

Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

     5.93 %     6.12  

 

D-2


APPENDIX E

 

Instructions for Signing Voting Instruction Card

 

The following general rules for signing the voting instruction card may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your voting instruction card properly.

 

1. Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the voting instruction card.

 

2. Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to the name shown in the registration on the voting instruction card.

 

3. All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the voting instruction card should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example:

 

Registration    Valid Signature
Corporate Accounts     

(1) ABC Corp.

   ABC Corp.

(2) ABC Corp.

   John Doe, Treasurer

(3) ABC Corp., c/o John Doe, Treasurer

   John Doe

(4) ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan

   John Doe, Trustee
Trust Accounts     

(1) ABC Trust

   Jane B. Doe, Trustee

(2) Jane B. Doe, Trustee, u/t/d 12/28/78

   Jane B. Doe
Custodial or Estate Accounts     

(1) John B. Smith, Cust., f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA

   John B. Smith

(2) Estate of John B. Smith

   John B. Smith Jr., Executor

 

E-1


APPENDIX F

 

5% Shareholders of the Target Fund and Acquiring Fund

 

To the knowledge of the Funds, as of December 15, 2010, the following persons owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of such Fund’s outstanding shares:

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

 

Class

   Name and Address of
Shareholder
     Percent Ownership  
     
     

 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

 

Class

   Name and Address of
Shareholder
     Percent Ownership  
     
     

 

F-1


LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST

LEGG MASON CLEARBRIDGE VARIABLE EQUITY INCOME BUILDER PORTFOLIO

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

[            ], 2010

 

Acquisition of the Assets and Liabilities of:

  

By and in Exchange for Shares of:

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

  

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

55 Water Street

New York,

New York 10041

1-877-721-1926

  

55 Water Street

New York,

New York 10041

1-877-721-1926

 

This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated [    ], 2010, relating specifically to the proposed transfer of all of the assets and the assumption of all of the liabilities of Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio (the “Target Fund”), a series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, in exchange for the assumption of all of the Target Fund’s liabilities by, and for shares of, Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio (the “Acquiring Fund”), also a series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, having an aggregate value equal to those of the Target Fund. To obtain a copy of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, please write to the Acquiring Fund at the address set forth above or call the Fund at 1-877-721-1926. The transfer is to occur pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the same meanings as are given to them in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1. General Information

     S-2   

2. Financial Statements and Other Incorporated Documents

     S-2   

2. Pro Forma Financial Statements

     S-3   

 

S-1


GENERAL INFORMATION

 

A Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Target Fund to consider the Reorganization will be held at the offices of Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, on April 13, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time. For further information about the Reorganization, see the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS

 

The Statement of Additional Information related to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated [December ], 2010, consists of this cover page, the accompanying pro forma financial statements and the following documents, each of which was filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference herein:

 

The Statement of Additional Information of the Acquiring Fund:

 

Fund

  

Date and Filing Date

  

Accession Number

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

  

April 30, 2010

May 4, 2010

   0000950123-10-043438
The Statement of Additional Information of the Target Fund:      

Fund

  

Date and Filing Date

  

Accession Number

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

  

April 30, 2010

May 4, 2010

   0000950123-10-043436
The financial statements of the Target Fund and related independent registered public accounting firm’s report as included in the Fund’s Annual Report filed for the year ended December 31, 2009:

Fund

  

Year Ended/Filing Date

  

Accession Number

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

  

December 31, 2009/

February 25, 2010

   0000950123-10-017007
The financial statements of the Acquiring Fund and related independent registered public accounting firm’s report as included in the Fund’s Annual Report filed for the year ended December 31, 2009:

Fund

  

Year Ended/Filing Date

  

Accession Number

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

  

December 31, 2009/

February 26, 2010

   0000950123-10-017708
The financial statements of the Acquiring Fund as included in the Fund’s Semi-Annual Report filed for the period ended June 30, 2010:

Fund

  

Year Ended/Filing Date

  

Accession Number

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

  

June 30, 2010/

August 26, 2010

   0001193125-10-197891
The financial statements of the Target Fund as included in the Fund’s Semi-Annual Report filed for the period ended June 30, 2010:

Fund

  

Year Ended/Filing Date

  

Accession Number

Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio

  

June 30, 2010/

August 26, 2010

   0001193125-10-198320

 

S-2


PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The unaudited pro forma information provided herein should be read in conjunction with the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, for the periods ended December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010, respectively, for each of the Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio (the “Target Fund”) and the Legg Mason Variable ClearBridge Equity Income Builder Portfolio (the “Acquiring Fund”).

 

On November 3-4, 2010, the Board of Trustees of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust (the “Trust”) approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Reorganization”) whereby the Acquiring Fund will acquire all the assets of, and assume all the liabilities of, the Target Fund and the Target Fund will receive shares of the Acquiring Fund, to be distributed to the shareholders of the Target Fund in redemption of all the outstanding shares of the Target Fund, and thereafter terminate as a series of the Trust.

 

The unaudited pro forma information set forth below for the period ended June 30, 2010 is intended to present ratios and supplemental data as if the acquisition of the Target Fund by the Acquiring Fund had been consummated on July 1, 2009.

 

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “manager”) is the investment manager of each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund. ClearBridge Advisors, LLC (“ClearBridge”) is an investment subadviser of each of the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund pursuant to separate contracts between ClearBridge and the manager with respect to each fund.

 

The Target Fund pays a monthly management fee to the manager calculated at an annual rate of 0.65% on assets up to $1 billion, 0.60% on assets between $1 billion and $2 billion, 0.55% on assets between $2 billion and $3 billion, 0.50% on assets between $3 billion and $4 billion, and 0.45% on assets in excess of $4 billion. The Acquiring Fund pays a monthly management fee to the manager calculated at an annual rate of 0.75% of the fund’s average daily net assets. The manager pays ClearBridge a portion of the management fee that it receives from each fund. The funds do not pay any additional advisory or other fees for advisory services provided by ClearBridge.

 

The Target Fund and Acquiring Fund have the same distributor, transfer agent and custodian as one another. Each of these service providers has entered into an agreement with the Target Fund and the Acquiring Fund, which governs the provisions of services to such funds. Such agreements have the same terms with respect to each fund.

 

As of June 30, 2010, the net assets of: (i) the Target Fund were approximately $38,826,752 and (ii) the Acquiring Fund were approximately $222,128,568. The net assets of the combined fund as of June 30, 2010 would have been approximately $260,955,320.

 

On a pro forma basis for the twelve month period ended June 30, 2010, the proposed Reorganization would have resulted in the following approximate increases/(decreases) to expenses charged:

 

Investment manager

   $ 44,981   

Shareholder reports

   $ (15,318

Custodian fees

   $ (23,833

Legal fees

   $ (66,328

Audit and tax

   $ (22,660

Other expense

   $ (3,251

 

Fee waivers and/or expenses reimbursed decreased by approximately $67,084 for the twelve month period ended June 30, 2010 on a pro forma basis as a result of the proposed reorganization.

 

No significant accounting policies (including valuation of portfolio securities) will change as a result of the proposed Reorganization. It is anticipated that holdings representing approximately 27% of the investment portfolio of the Target Fund (measured as of September 22, 2010) will be sold prior to the Reorganization in order to meet the investment policies of the Acquiring Fund. The Target Fund will pay any transaction costs associated with disposing of such portfolio securities of the Target Fund that would not be compatible with the investment policies of the Acquiring Fund and reinvesting the proceeds in securities that would be compatible. The estimated gain, including trading costs, would be $467,458 on a U.S. GAAP basis. The estimated per share capital gain would be $0.10. These estimated gains will be fully offset by the capital loss carryforward amount currently available to the Fund.

 

S-3


The Reorganization will be accounted for as a tax-free reorganization of investment companies. In a tax-free reorganization:

 

  1. No gain or loss is recognized by the Target Fund upon the transfer of its assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Target Fund, or upon the distribution of the shares of the Acquiring Fund by the Target Fund to its shareholders in termination of the Target Fund.

 

  2. No gain or loss is recognized by the Target Fund shareholders upon the exchange of their shares of the Target Fund solely for shares of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to the Reorganization.

 

  3. The historical cost of investment securities generally is carried forward to the Acquiring Fund.

 

The results of operations of the Acquiring Fund for pre-combination periods will not be restated.

 

At December 31, 2009, the Target Fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $8,681,496. At December 31, 2009, the Acquiring Fund had a capital loss carryforward of approximately $111,496,175.

 

The Target Fund and the manager will each pay 50% of the estimated reorganization costs of $79,500 allocated to the Target Fund expected to be incurred in connection with entering into and carrying out the provisions of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, whether or not the Reorganization is consummated. The transaction costs, if any, associated with repositioning the Target Fund’s portfolio in connection with the Reorganization are expected to be borne by the Target Fund and are not reflected in this estimate. The manager will pay all of the estimated reorganization costs of $55,000 allocated to the Acquiring Fund expected to be incurred in connection with entering into and carrying out the provisions of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, whether or not the Reorganization is consummated.

 

S-4


Part C:

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION

 

The response to this item is, in part, incorporated by reference to the Registrant Statement. Reference is also made to paragraph 9 of the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC.

 

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

 

Unless otherwise noted, all references are to the Registrant’s initial registration statement on Form N-1A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (the “Registration Statement”) (File Nos. 333-91278 and 811-21128).

 

(1)    (a)    The Registrant’s Declaration of Trust dated as of October 2, 2006 is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 as filed on April 27, 2007 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 11”).
   (b)    Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest in the Trust effective as of June 25, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 as filed on September 7, 2007 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 12”).
   (c)    Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest in the Trust effective as of November 12, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 as filed on November 13, 2009 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 26”).
   (d)    Amended and Restated Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interests in the Trust effective as of August 5, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26.
   (e)    Amended and Restated Designation of Classes effective as of August 5, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26.
(2)    The Registrant’s By-Laws dated October 4, 2006 are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11.
(3)    Not Applicable.
(4)    Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization is included in Part A of the Registration Statement on Form N-14.
(5)    Not Applicable.
(6)    (a)    Form of Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio (formerly known as Legg Mason Partners Variable Capital and Income Portfolio), and Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”), dated April 27, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12.
   (b)    Form of Subadvisory Agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge Advisors, LLC, regarding Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio (formerly known as Legg Mason Partners Variable Capital and Income Portfolio), dated April 27, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12.
(7)    (a)    Form of the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGMI”) (formerly Salomon Smith Barney Inc.) (the “CGMI Distribution Agreement”) is incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement.
   (b)    Form of the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and PFS Distributors, Inc. is incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement.
   (c)    Amendment to the CGMI Distribution Agreement dated December 1, 2005 between the Registrant and CGMI is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 as filed on April 27, 2006 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 5”).
   (d)    Letter Agreement amending the Distribution Agreements with CGMI dated April 10, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12.
   (e)    Letter Agreement amending the Distribution Agreements with PFS, dated April 6, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12.
   (f)    Form of Distribution Agreement dated December 1, 2008 between Registrant and Legg Mason Investors Services, LLC (“LMIS”), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 as filed on February 13, 2009 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 23”).

 

1


(8)    (a)    Emeritus Retirement Plan relating to certain funds, established effective as of January 1, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 as filed on January 26, 2007 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 6”).
   (b)    Amended and Restated Trustee Retirement Plan relating to certain funds dated as of January 1, 2005 (the “General Retirement Plan”), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6.
   (c)    Legg Mason Investment Series (formerly known as Smith Barney Investment Series) Amended and Restated Trustees Retirement Plan dated as of January 1, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6.
   (d)    Amendment to the General Retirement Plan and the Legg Mason Partners Investment Series Amended and Restated Trustees Retirement Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6.
   (e)    Amended and Restated Emeritus Retirement Plan relating to certain funds, established effective as of January 1, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6.
(9)    (a)    Custodian Services Agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), dated January 1, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12.
   (b)    Letter Agreement amending the Custodian Services Agreement with State Street, dated April 9, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12.
(10)    (a)    Shareholder Services and Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the Registrant, on behalf of Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio (formerly known as Legg Mason Partners Variable Capital and Income Portfolio), dated February 8, 2007, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 as filed on November 13, 2007.
   (b)    Rule 18f-3(d) Multiple Class Plan of the Registrant pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12.
(11)    Opinion and consent of Venable LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered is filed herewith.
(12)    Form of Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP supporting the tax matters and consequences to shareholders discussed in the Prospectus/Information Statement is filed herewith.
(13)    Not Applicable.
(14)    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith.
(15)    Not Applicable.
(16)    Powers of Attorney is filed herewith.
(17)    (a)    Form of Voting Instruction Card is filed herewith.
   (b)    Form of Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and Citicorp Trust Bank, fsb. is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement.
   (c)    Transfer Agency Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY”) (formerly PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.) (formerly PFPC Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5.
   (d)    Transfer Agency and Services Agreement, dated April 4, 2009, between each series of the Registrant and Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 as filed on April 28, 2009.
   (e)    Letter Agreement amending the Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with BNY, dated April 9, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12.
   (f)    License Agreement between Citigroup, Inc. and Registrant, dated December 1, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5.
   (g)    Form of License Agreement between Legg Mason Properties, Inc. and Registrant, dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5.
   (h)    Form of Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement Agreement between the Registrant and LMPFA, regarding Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio (formerly known as Legg Mason Partners Variable Capital and Income Portfolio), dated April 27, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12.
   (i)    Code of Ethics of Citigroup Asset Management—North America and certain registered Investment companies, as amended September 13, 2005 (adopted by LMPFA and ClearBridge), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5.

 

2


   (j)    Code of Ethics of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (adopted by LMPFA, LMIS and Legg Mason Global), is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23.
   (k)    Code of Ethics of PFS Distributors, Inc. (merged into PFS) is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement as filed on September 12, 2002.
   (i)    Prospectus of Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Dividend Strategy Portfolio dated April 30, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 as filed with the SEC on May 4, 2010.

 

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

 

(1) The undersigned registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered through the use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.145c], the reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form for the reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

 

(2) The undersigned registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under paragraph (1) above will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until the amendment is effective, and that, in determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them.

 

(3) The Registrant hereby undertakes to file, by post-effective amendment, the final opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP supporting the tax consequences of the proposed reorganization as soon as practicable after the closing of the reorganization.

 

3


SIGNATURES

 

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed on behalf of the registrant, in the City of New York and State of New York, on this 19th day of November, 2010.

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE EQUITY TRUST,

on behalf of Legg Mason ClearBridge Variable Equity Income Builder Portfolio

By:  

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

 

R. Jay Gerken

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SIGNATURE

    

TITLE

    

DATE

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

    

President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee

(Principal Executive Officer)

     November 19, 2010
R. Jay Gerken          
         

/s/ Kaprel Ozsolak

     Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
     November 19, 2010
Kaprel Ozsolak          
         

Paul R. Ades*

     Trustee     
Paul R. Ades          

Andrew L. Breech *

     Trustee     
Andrew L. Breech          

Dwight B. Crane *

     Trustee     
Dwight B. Crane          

Frank G. Hubbard *

     Trustee     
Frank G. Hubbard          

Howard J. Johnson *

     Trustee     
Howard J. Johnson          

David E. Maryatt *

     Trustee     
David E. Maryatt          

Jerome H. Miller *

     Trustee     
Jerome H. Miller          

Ken Miller *

     Trustee     
Ken Miller          

John J. Murphy *

     Trustee     
John J. Murphy          

Thomas F. Schlafly *

     Trustee     
Thomas F. Schlafly          

Jerry A. Viscione *

     Trustee     
Jerry A. Viscione          
*By:  /s/ R. Jay Gerken                                                        November 19, 2010

R. Jay Gerken, as Agent

         


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT NO.

 

EXHIBITS

(11)   Opinion and consent of Venable LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered.
(12)   Form of Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP supporting the tax matters and consequences to shareholders discussed in the Prospectus/Information Statement.
(14)   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
(16)   Powers of Attorney.
(17) (a)   Form of Voting Instruction Card.