485APOS 1 lp1.htm POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 60 lp1.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

File No. 2-40341
            811-2192

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933    [X] 
                   Pre-Effective Amendment No.    [__] 
                   Post-Effective Amendment No. <R>60</R>    [X] 

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940    [X] 
                   Amendment No. <R>60</R>    [X] 

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

THE DREYFUS THIRD CENTURY FUND, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

c/o The Dreyfus Corporation
200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 922-6000

Michael A. Rosenberg, Esq.
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

    immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) 
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  on _______ pursuant to paragraph (b) 
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    60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) 
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 X    on October 1, 2009 pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) 
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    75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) 
------         
    on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 
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If appropriate, check the following box:

    this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective 
    amendment. 
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The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.

Class/Ticker      A DTCAX       B DTCBX       C DTCCX        I DTCTX        Z DRTHX

PROSPECTUS October 1, 2009

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Contents

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Fund Summary     

 
Fund Summary    1 
 
Fund Details     

 
Goal and Approach    5 
Investment Risks    6 
Management    8 
 
Shareholder Guide     

 
Choosing a Share Class    10 
Buying and Selling Shares    14 
Distributions and Taxes    20 
Services for Fund Investors    21 
 
For More Information     

 
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See back cover.



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Fund Summary

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The fund seeks to provide capital growth, with current income as a secondary goal by investing in stocks that meet certain financial as well as social criteria.

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in certain funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the Shareholder Guide section on page 10 of the prospectus and in the How to Buy Shares section on page B-21 of the fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI). Class A shares bought without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1 million or more may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed within one year. Expenses for Class A shares have been restated to reflect lower assets under management and the expenses expected to be incurred for the current fiscal year.  The fund's actual operating expenses may be higher or lower than those estimated to be incurred for the current fiscal year.

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your                     

                   
investment)                     

 
 
 
 
 
    Class A    Class B    Class C    Class I    Class Z 
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases                     
(as a percentage of offering price)    5.75    none    none    none    none 
Maximum deferred sales charge (load)                     
(as a percentage of lower of purchase or sale price)    none    4.00    1.00    none    none 

 
 
 
 
 
Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you                     

                   
pay each year as a percentage of the value of your                     

 
 
 
 
   
investment)                     

 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees    .75    .75    .75    .75    .75 
Distribution (12b-1) fees    none    .75    .75    none    none 
Other expenses (including shareholder services fees)    1.12    .78    .64    .20    .36 

 
 
 
 
 
Total annual fund operating expenses    1.87    2.28    2.14    .95    1.11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSE EXAMPLE                     

The Example below is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

    1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years 
   
 
 
 
             Class A    $754    $1,129    $1,528   $2,639 
             Class B    $631    $1,012    $1,420    $2,420 
             Class C    $317    $670    $1,149    $2,472 
             Class I    $97    $303    $525    $1,166 
             Class Z    $113    $353    $612    $1,352 
 
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:         
 
    1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years 
   
 
 
 
             Class A    $754    $1,129    $1,528    $2,639 
             Class B    $231    $712    $1,220    $2,420 
             Class C    $217    $670    $1,149    $2,472 
             Class I    $97    $303    $525    $1,166 
             Class Z    $113    $353    $612    $1,352 
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PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 40.27% of the average value of its portfolio.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY

The fund invests primarily in the common stocks of companies that fund management determines meet traditional standards and conduct their business in a manner that contributes to the enhancement of the quality of life in America. The portfolio manager employs a computer model to identify and rank stocks based on characteristics such as value, growth and financial profile. Through fundamental analysis, the most attractive, higher ranked securities then are evaluated by industry or sector, according to the fund’s social criteria, which encompasses: the protection/improvement of the environment, the proper use of natural resources, occupational health and safety, consumer protection and product purity, and equal employment opportunity. Next, the eligible companies are analyzed for purchase by industry or sector and investments are made in those companies management considers to be the most attractive. The fund normally focuses on large-cap growth stocks, but may invest in value-oriented, mid-cap and small-cap stocks. Portfolio securities no longer meeting the fund’s social criteria will be sold as soon as reasonably possible.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. It is not a complete investment program. The fund’s share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

  • Market risk. The market value of a security may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. A security’s market value also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
  • Issuer risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s products or services.
  • Social investment risk. The fund’s socially responsible investment criteria may limit the number of investment opportunities available to the fund, and as a result, at times the fund may produce more modest gains than funds that are not subject to such special investment considerations.
  • Growth stock risk. Investors often expect growth companies to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately, even if earnings do increase. In addition, growth stocks may lack the dividend yield that may cushion stock prices in market downturns. Because different types of stocks tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, the fund’s performance may sometimes be lower or higher than that of other types of funds (such as those emphasizing value stocks).

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PERFORMANCE

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The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund’s Class Z shares from year to year. The table compares the average annual total returns of the fund’s shares to those of a broad measure of market performance. The fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Sales charges, if any, are not reflected in the bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would have been less than those shown.

The performance for periods prior to August 31, 1999 represent the performance of Class Z shares.

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Year-by-year total returns as of 12/31 each year (%)
Class Z*

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Best Quarter (Q4, 1999) 21.18%. Worst Quarter (Q4, 2008) -21.30 %

* The year-to-date total return of the fund’s Class Z shares as of June 30, 2009 was 9.83%.

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After-tax performance is shown only for Class Z shares. After-tax performance of the fund’s other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Average annual total returns as of 12/31/08             

 
 
 
 
Share Class    1 Year    5 Years    10 Years 

 
 
 
Class Z (3/29/72) returns before taxes    -34.30%         -3.33%           -4.23% 
Class Z returns after taxes on distributions    -34.35%         -3.37%           -4.61% 
Class Z returns after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares    -22.23%         -2.79%           -3.45% 
Class A (8/31/99) returns before taxes    -38.33%         -4.74%           -5.02% 
Class B (8/31/99) returns before taxes    -37.71%         -4.79%           -4.85% 
Class C (8/31/99) returns before taxes    -35.72%         -4.33%           -5.14% 
Class I (8/31/99) returns before taxes    -34.23%         -3.34%           -4.23% 
S&P 500 Index reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes    -36.99%         -2.19%           -1.38% 

 
 
 
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PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

The fund’s investment adviser is The Dreyfus Corporation. Jocelin A. Reed, CFA has served as a primary portfolio manager of the fund since December 2005.

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

In general, the fund’s minimum initial investment is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $100. Certain types of accounts are eligible for lower minimum investments. You may sell your shares by mail, telephone or online at www.Dreyfus.com. Your shares will be sold at the net asset value calculated after your order is received in proper form.

TAX INFORMATION

The fund’s distributions are taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged investment plan.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

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Fund Details

GOAL AND APPROACH

The fund seeks to provide capital growth, with current income as a secondary goal. To pursue these goals, the fund invests primarily in the common stocks of companies that, in the opinion of the fund’s management, meet traditional investment standards determined as described below and conduct their business in a manner that contributes to the enhancement of the quality of life in America.

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The fund’s investment strategy combines a disciplined investment process that consists of computer modeling techniques, fundamental analysis and risk management with a social investment process. In selecting stocks, the portfolio manager begins by using computer models to identify and rank stocks within an industry or sector, based on several characteristics, including:

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  • value, or how a stock is priced relative to its perceived intrinsic worth
  • growth, in this case the sustainability or growth of earnings
  • financial profile, which measures the financial health of the company
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Next, based on fundamental analysis, the portfolio manager designates the most attractive of the higher ranked securities as potential purchase candidates, drawing on a variety of sources, including company management and internal as well as Wall Street research.

The portfolio manager manages risk by diversifying across companies, industries and sectors, seeking to dilute the potential adverse impact from a decline in value of any one stock, industry or sector.

The portfolio manager then evaluates each stock considered to be a potential purchase candidate, by industry or sector, to determine whether the company enhances the quality of life in America by considering its record in the areas of:

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  • protection and improvement of the environment and the proper use of our natural resources
  • occupational health and safety
  • consumer protection and product purity
  • equal employment opportunity
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The portfolio manager uses publicly available information, including reports prepared by “watchdog” groups and governmental agencies, as well as information obtained from research vendors, the media and the companies themselves, to assist them in the social screening process. Because there are few generally accepted standards for the portfolio manager to use in the evaluation, the portfolio manager will determine which research tools to use. The portfolio manager does not currently examine:

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  • corporate activities outside the U.S.
  • nonbusiness activities
  • secondary implications of corporate activities (such as the activities of a client or customer of the company being evaluated)

Consistent with its consumer protection screen, the fund will not purchase shares in a company that manufactures tobacco products.

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If the portfolio manager determines that a company fails to meet the fund’s social criteria, the stock will not be purchased, or if it is already owned, it will be sold as soon as reasonably possible, consistent with the best interests of the fund. If the portfolio manager’s assessment does not reveal a negative pattern of conduct in these social areas, the company’s stock is eligible for purchase or retention.

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The portfolio manager then further examines the companies determined to be eligible for purchase, by industry or sector, and select investments from those companies the portfolio manager considers to be the most attractive based on financial considerations. If there is more than one company to choose from, the portfolio manager can select stocks of companies that are considered to have records that exhibit positive accomplishments in the fund’s areas of social concern.

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The fund normally focuses on large-cap growth stocks. The portfolio manager may emphasize different types of growth-oriented stocks (such as those with pure growth characteristics or those that also have favorable value characteristics) and different market capitalizations within the large-capitalization range (such as mega cap or the low end of the large-capitalization range) as market conditions warrant. The fund also may invest in value-oriented stocks, mid-cap stocks and small-cap stocks. The fund also may invest in common stocks of foreign companies whose U.S. operations are evaluated in accordance with the social screens set forth above.

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The fund also typically sells a stock when the portfolio manager believes there is a more attractive alternative, the stock’s valuation is excessive or there are deteriorating fundamentals, such as a loss of competitive advantage, a failure in management execution or deteriorating capital structure.

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INVESTMENT RISKS

The fund’s principal risks are discussed below. An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. It is not a complete investment program. The value of your investment in the fund will fluctuate, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

  • Market risk. The market value of a security may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. A security’s market value also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
  • Issuer risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s products or services.
  • Social investment risk. The fund’s socially responsible investment criteria may limit the number of investment opportunities available to the fund, and as a result, at times the fund may produce more modest gains than funds that are not subject to such special investment considerations.
  • Small and midsize company risk. Small and midsize companies carry additional risks because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses), and their share prices more volatile than those of larger, more established companies. The shares of smaller companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the fund’s ability to sell these securities. These companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or may depend on a limited management group. Some of the fund’s investments will rise and fall based on investor perception rather than economic factors. Other investments, including special situations, are made in anticipation of future products and services or events whose delay or cancellation could cause the stock price to drop.
  • Growth stock risk. Investors often expect growth companies to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately, even if earnings

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    do increase. In addition, growth stocks may lack the dividend yield that may cushion stock prices in market downturns. Because different types of stocks tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market and economic conditions, the fund’s performance may sometimes be lower or higher than that of other types of funds (such as those emphasizing value stocks).
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  • Value stock risk. Value stocks involve the risk that they may never reach their expected market value, either because the market fails to recognize the stock’s intrinsic worth or the expected value was misgauged. They also may decline in price even though in theory they are already undervalued. 

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  • Foreign investment risk. Special risks associated with investments in foreign companies include exposure to currency fluctuations, less liquidity, less developed or less efficient trading markets, lack of comprehensive company information, political instability and differing auditing and legal standards.
  • Foreign currency risk. Investments in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or in the case of hedged positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline relative to the currency being hedged. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. A decline in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar will reduce the value of securities held by the fund and denominated in those currencies. Foreign currencies are also subject to risks caused by inflation, interest rates, budget deficits and low savings rates, political factors and government control.

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  • Market sector risk. The fund may significantly overweight or underweight certain companies, industries or market sectors, which may cause the fund’s performance to be more or less sensitive to developments affecting those companies, industries or sectors.

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  • Other potential risks. The fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. In connection with such loans, the fund will receive collateral from the borrower equal to at least 100% of the value of loaned securities. If the borrower of the securities fails financially, there could be delays in recovering the loaned securities or exercising rights to the collateral.
    Under adverse market conditions, the fund could invest some or all of its assets in U.S. Treasury securities and money market securities. Although the fund would do this for temporary defensive purposes, it could reduce the benefit from any upswing in the market. During such periods, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
    At times, the fund may engage in short-term trading, which could produce higher transaction costs and taxable distributions and lower the fund’s after-tax performance.
    The fund may write (sell) covered call option contracts to hedge the fund’s portfolio and increase returns. There is a risk that such transactions will reduce returns or increase volatility.
    The fund may purchase securities of companies in initial public offerings (IPOs). The prices of securities purchased in IPOs can be very volatile. The effect of IPOs on the fund’s performance depends on a variety of factors, including the number of IPOs the fund invests in relative to the size of the fund and whether and to what extent a security purchased in an IPO appreciates or depreciates in value. As a fund’s asset base increases, IPOs often have a diminished effect on such fund’s performance.

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MANAGEMENT

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The investment adviser for the fund is The Dreyfus Corporation (Dreyfus), 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166. Founded in 1947, Dreyfus manages approximately $334 billion in approximately 187 mutual fund portfolios. For the past fiscal year, the fund paid Dreyfus a management fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the fund’s average daily net assets. A discussion regarding the basis for the board’s approving the fund’s management agreement with Dreyfus is available in the fund’s semiannual report for the six month period ended November 30, 2008. Dreyfus is the primary mutual fund business of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon), a global financial services company focused on helping clients move and manage their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing asset and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team. BNY Mellon has more than $20.7 trillion in assets under custody and administration and $926 billion in assets under management, and it services more than $11.8 trillion in outstanding debt. Additional information is available at www.bnymellon.com.

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The Dreyfus asset management philosophy is based on the belief that discipline and consistency are important to investment success. For each fund, Dreyfus seeks to establish clear guidelines for portfolio management and to be systematic in making decisions. This approach is designed to provide each fund with a distinct, stable identity.

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The fund’s primary portfolio manager is Jocelin A. Reed, CFA. Ms. Reed has been a primary portfolio manager of the fund since December 2005. She has been employed at Dreyfus as a portfolio manager since November 1997. She also is a director and senior portfolio manager for Mellon Capital Management Corporation and has been employed by other current or predecessor BNY Mellon entities since 1994 when she joined Mellon Equity Associates LLP as a portfolio manager.

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The fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides additional portfolio manager information including compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of fund shares.

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MBSC Securities Corporation (MBSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, serves as distributor of the fund and for the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. Rule 12b-1 fees and shareholder services fees are paid to MBSC for financing the sale and distribution of fund shares and for providing shareholder account service and maintenance, respectively. Dreyfus or MBSC may provide cash payments out of its own resources to financial intermediaries that sell shares of funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds or provide other services. Such payments are separate from any sales charges, 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder services fees or other expenses that may be paid by a fund to those intermediaries. Because those payments are not made by fund shareholders or the fund, the fund’s total expense ratio will not be affected by any such payments. These payments may be made to intermediaries, including affiliates, that provide shareholder servicing, sub-administration, recordkeeping and/or sub-transfer agency services, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the financial intermediary. Cash compensation also may be paid from Dreyfus’ or MBSC’s own resources to intermediaries for inclusion of a fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list or in other sales programs. These payments sometimes are referred to as “revenue sharing.” From time to time, Dreyfus or MBSC also may provide cash or non-cash compensation to financial intermediaries or their representatives in the form of occasional gifts; occasional meals, tickets or other entertainment; support for due diligence trips; educational conference sponsorship; support for recognition programs; and other forms of cash or non-cash compensation permissible under broker-dealer regulations. In some cases, these payments or compensation may create an incentive for a financial intermediary or its employees to recommend or sell shares of the fund to you. Please contact your financial representative for details about any payments they or their firm may receive in connection with the sale of fund shares or the provision of services to the fund.

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The fund, Dreyfus and MBSC have each adopted a code of ethics that permits its personnel, subject to such code, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund. Each code of ethics restricts the personal securities transactions of employees, and requires portfolio managers and other investment personnel to comply with the code’s preclearance and disclosure procedures. The primary purpose of the respective codes is to ensure that personal trading by employees does not disadvantage any of the firms’ other clients.

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Shareholder Guide

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Choosing A Share Class

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The fund is designed primarily for people who are investing through a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or financial adviser, or in a 401(k) or other retirement plan. Third parties with whom you open a fund account may impose policies, limitations and fees that are different from those described in this prospectus. Consult a representative of your plan or financial institution for further information.

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This prospectus offers Class A, B, C, I and Z shares of the fund.

Your financial representative may receive different compensation for selling one class of shares than for selling another class. It is important to remember that any contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) or Rule 12b-1 fees have the same purpose as the front-end sales charge: to compensate the distributor for concessions and expenses it pays to dealers and financial institutions in connection with the sale of fund shares. A CDSC is not charged on fund shares acquired through the reinvestment of fund dividends. Because the Rule 12b-1 fee is paid out of the fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time it will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

The different classes of fund shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes are subject to different expenses and will likely have different share prices. When choosing a class, you should consider your investment amount, anticipated holding period, the potential costs over your holding period and whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of the sales charge.

A complete description of these classes follows. You should review these arrangements with your financial representative before determining which class to invest in.

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Class A shares

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When you invest in Class A shares, you pay the public offering price, which is the share price, or net asset value (NAV), plus the initial sales charge that may apply to your purchase. The amount of the initial sales charge is based on the size of your investment, as the following table shows. We also describe below how you may reduce or eliminate the initial sales charge (see “Sales charge reductions and waivers”). Class A shares are subject to an ongoing shareholder services fee of .25%.

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Since some of your investment goes to pay an upfront sales charge when you purchase Class A shares, you purchase fewer shares than you would with the same investment in Class C shares. Nevertheless, you are usually better off purchasing Class A shares, rather than Class C shares, and paying an up-front sales charge if you:

  • plan to own the shares for an extended period of time, since the ongoing Rule 12b-1 fees on Class C shares may eventually exceed the cost of the up-front sales charge; and
  • qualify for a reduced or waived sales charge
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If you invest $1 million or more (and are not eligible to purchase Class I shares), Class A shares will always be the most advantageous choice. Shareholders who received Class A shares in exchange for Class T share of the fund may be eligible for lower sales charges. See the SAI for further details.

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           Total Sales Load -- Class A Shares 
   
    As a % of offering    As a % of net asset 
                 Amount of Transaction    price per share    value per share 

 
 
 
Less than $50,000    5.75    6.10 
$50,000 to less than $100,000    4.50    4.70 
$100,000 to less than $250,000    3.50    3.60 
$250,000 to less than $500,000    2.50    2.60 
$500,000 to less than $1,000,000    2.00    2.00 
$1,000,000 or more*    -0-    -0- 
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*No sales charge applies on investments of $1 million or more, but a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% may be imposed on certain redemptions of such shares within one year of the date of purchase.

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Sales charge reductions and waivers

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To receive a reduction or waiver of your initial sales charge, you must let your financial intermediary or the fund know at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction or waiver. If you do not let your financial intermediary or the fund know that you are eligible for a reduction or waiver, you may not receive the reduction or waiver to which you are otherwise entitled. In order to receive a reduction or waiver, you may be required to provide your financial intermediary or the fund with evidence of your qualification for the reduction or waiver, such as records regarding shares of certain Dreyfus Funds held in accounts with that financial intermediary and other financial intermediaries. Additional information regarding reductions and waivers of sales loads is available, free of charge, at www.dreyfus.com and in the SAI.

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You can reduce your initial sales charge in the following ways:

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  • Rights of accumulation. You can count toward the amount of your investment your total account value in all share classes of the fund and certain other Dreyfus Funds that are subject to a sales charge. For example, if you have $1 million invested in shares of certain other Dreyfus Funds that are subject to a sales charge, you can invest in Class A shares of any fund without an initial sales charge. We may terminate or change this privilege at any time on written notice.
  • Letter of intent. You can sign a letter of intent, in which you agree to invest a certain amount (your goal) in the fund and certain other Dreyfus Funds over a 13-month period, and your initial sales charge will be based on your goal. A 90-day back-dated period can also be used to count previous purchases toward your goal. Your goal must be at least $50,000, and your initial investment must be at least $5,000. The sales charge will be adjusted if you do not meet your goal.
  • Combine with family members. You can also count toward the amount of your investment all investments in certain other Dreyfus Funds, in any class of shares that is subject to a sales charge, by your spouse and your children under age 21 (family members), including their rights of accumulation and goals under a letter of intent. Certain other groups may also be permitted to combine purchases for purposes of reducing or eliminating sales charges. (See “How to Buy Shares” in the SAI.)
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Class A shares may be purchased at NAV without payment of a sales charge by the following individuals and entities:

  • full-time or part-time employees, and their family members, of Dreyfus or any of its affiliates
  • board members of Dreyfus and board members of the Dreyfus Family of Funds
  • full-time employees, and their family members, of financial institutions that have entered into selling agreements with the fund’s distributor

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  • “wrap” accounts for the benefit of clients of financial institutions, provided they have entered into an agreement with the fund’s distributor specifying operating policies and standards
  • qualified separate accounts maintained by an insurance company; any state, county or city or instrumentality thereof; charitable organizations investing $50,000 or more in fund shares; and charitable remainder trusts

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  • investors who have continuously owned shares of the fund since before the imposition of a sales load

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  • qualified investors who (i) purchase Class A shares directly through the fund’s distributor, and (ii) have, or whose spouse or minor children have, beneficially owned shares and continuously maintained an open account directly through the distributor in a Dreyfus Fund since on or before February 28, 2006
  • investors with cash proceeds from the investor’s exercise of employment-related stock options, whether invested in the fund directly or indirectly through an exchange from a Dreyfus money market fund, provided that the proceeds are processed through an entity that has entered into an agreement with the fund’s distributor specifically relating to processing stock options. Upon establishing the account in the fund or the Dreyfus money market fund, the investor and the investor’s spouse or minor children become eligible to purchase Class A shares of the fund at NAV, whether or not using the proceeds of the employment-related stock options

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  • members of qualified affinity groups who purchase Class A shares directly through the fund’s distributor, provided that the qualified affinity group has entered into an affinity agreement with the distributor

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  • employees participating in qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans
  • shareholders in Dreyfus-sponsored IRA rollover accounts funded with the distribution proceeds from qualified and non-qualified retirement plans or a Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan, provided that, in the case of a qualified or non-qualified retirement plan, the rollover is processed through an entity that has entered into an agreement with the fund’s distributor specifically relating to processing rollovers.
    Upon establishing the Dreyfus-sponsored IRA rollover account in the fund, the shareholder becomes eligible to make subsequent purchases of Class A shares of the fund at NAV in such account

Class C share considerations

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Since you pay no initial sales charge, an investment of less than $1 million in Class C shares buys more shares than the same investment would in Class A shares. However, Class C shares are subject to an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of .75% and an annual shareholder services plan fee of .25%. Over time, the Rule 12b-1 fees may cost you more than paying an initial sales charge on Class A shares. Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1% CDSC.

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Because Class A shares will always be a more favorable investment than Class C shares for investments of $1 million or more, the fund will generally not accept a purchase order for Class C shares in the amount of $1 million or more. While the fund will take reasonable steps to prevent investments of $1 million or more in Class C shares, it may not be able to identify such investments made through certain financial intermediaries or omnibus accounts.

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Class I share considerations

Since you pay no initial sales charge, an investment of less than $1 million in Class I shares buys more shares than the same investment would in a class that charges an initial sales charge. There is also no CDSC imposed on redemptions of Class I shares, and you do not pay any ongoing service or distribution fees.

Class I shares may be purchased by:

  • bank trust departments, trust companies and insurance companies that have entered into agreements with the fund’s distributor to offer Class I shares to their clients
  • institutional investors acting in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity for qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans, including pension, profit-sharing and other deferred compensation plans, whether established by corporations, partnerships, non-profit entities, trade or labor unions, or state and local governments, and IRAs set up under Simplified Employee Pension Plans that have entered into agreements with the fund’s distributor to offer Class I shares to such plans
  • law firms or attorneys acting as trustees or executors/administrators
  • foundations and endowments that make an initial investment in the fund of at least $1 million
  • sponsors of college savings plans that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, that maintain an omnibus account with the fund and do not require shareholder tax reporting or 529 account support responsibilities from the fund’s distributor
  • advisory fee-based accounts offered through financial intermediaries who, depending on the structure of the selected advisory platform, make Class I shares available

Class Z shares generally are not available for new accounts

Since you pay no initial sales charge, Class Z shares generally are offered only to shareholders of the fund who are holders of an account in the fund which existed on August 30, 1999 and continues to exist at the time of the current purchase of Class Z shares.

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Class B share considerations

Class B shares are offered only in connection with dividend reinvestment and exchanges of Class B shares of certain other Dreyfus Funds or certain eligible shares of Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc.

Class B shares are subject to an annual Rule 12b-1 fee of .75% and an annual shareholder services fee of .25%. Class B shares convert to Class A shares (which are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee) approximately six years after the date they were purchased. Class B shares sold within six years of purchase are subject to the following CDSCs:

    CDSC as a % of Amount 
    Invested or Redemption Proceeds 
Year Since Purchase Payment Was Made    (whichever is less) 

 
 
First    4.00 
Second    4.00 
Third    3.00 
Fourth    3.00 
Fifth    2.00 
Sixth    1.00 

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CDSC waivers

The fund’s CDSC on Class A, B and C shares may be waived in the following cases:

  • permitted exchanges of shares, except if shares acquired by exchange are then redeemed within the period during which a CDSC would apply to the initial shares purchased
  • redemptions made within one year of death or disability of the shareholder
  • redemptions due to receiving required minimum distributions from retirement accounts upon reaching age 70½
  • redemptions made through the fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan, if such redemptions do not exceed 12% of the value of the account annually
  • redemptions from qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans

BUYING AND SELLING SHARES

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Dreyfus generally calculates fund NAVs as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on days the NYSE is open for regular business. Your order will be priced at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form by the fund’s transfer agent or other authorized entity. When calculating NAVs, Dreyfus values equity investments on the basis of market quotations or official closing prices. Dreyfus generally values fixed income investments based on values supplied by an independent pricing service approved by the fund’s board. The pricing service’s procedures are reviewed under the general supervision of the board. If market quotations or prices from a pricing service are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect accurately fair value, the fund may value those investments at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the fund’s board. Fair value of investments may be determined by the fund’s board, its pricing committee or its valuation committee in good faith using such information as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. Under certain circumstances, the fair value of foreign equity securities will be provided by an independent pricing service. Using fair value to price investments may result in a value that is different from a security’s most recent closing price and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset values. Funds that seek tax-exempt income are not recommended for purchase in

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<R>

IRAs or other qualified retirement plans. Foreign securities held by a fund may trade on days when the fund does not calculate its NAV and thus may affect the fund’s NAV on days when investors have no access to the fund.

Investments in certain types of thinly traded securities may provide short-term traders arbitrage opportunities with respect to the fund’s shares. For example, arbitrage opportunities may exist when trading in a portfolio security or securities is halted and does not resume, or the market on which such securities are traded closes before the fund calculates its NAV. If short-term investors of the fund were able to take advantage of these arbitrage opportunities, they could dilute the NAV of fund shares held by long-term investors. Portfolio valuation policies can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that such valuation policies will prevent dilution of the fund’s NAV by short-term traders. While the fund has a policy regarding frequent trading, it too may not be completely effective to prevent short-term NAV arbitrage trading, particularly in regard to omnibus accounts. Please see “Your Investment — Shareholder Guide — General Policies” for further information about the fund’s frequent trading policy.

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Orders to buy and sell shares received by dealers by the close of trading on the NYSE and transmitted to the distributor or its designee by the close of its business day (usually 5:15 p.m. Eastern time) will be based on the NAV determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE that day.

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How to Buy Shares

By Mail – Regular Accounts. To open a regular account, complete an application and mail, together with a check payable to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, to:

The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 55268
Boston, MA 02205-8502
Attn: Institutional Processing

To purchase additional shares in a regular account, mail a check payable to The Dreyfus Family of Funds (with your account number on your check), together with an investment slip, to the above address.

By Mail – IRA Accounts. To open an IRA account or make additional investments in an IRA account, be sure to specify the fund name and the year for which the contribution is being made. When opening a new account include a completed IRA application, and when making additional investments include an investment slip. Make checks payable to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, and mail to:

The Bank of New York Mellon, Custodian
P.O. Box 55552
Boston, MA 02205-8568
Attn: Institutional Processing

Electronic Check or Wire. To purchase shares in a regular or IRA account by wire or electronic check, please call 1-800-554-4611 (inside the U.S. only) for more information. Holders of Class Z shares should call 1-800-645-6561.

Dreyfus TeleTransfer. To purchase additional shares in a regular or IRA account by Dreyfus TeleTransfer, which will transfer money from a pre-designated bank account, request the account service on your application. Call 1-800-554-4611 (inside the U.S. only) or visit www.dreyfus.com to request your transaction. Holders of Class Z shares should call 1-800-645-6561.

Automatically. You may purchase additional shares in a regular or IRA account by selecting one of Dreyfus’ automatic investment services made available to the fund on your account application or service application. See “Services for Fund Investors.”

In Person. Visit a Dreyfus Financial Center. Please call us for locations.

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<R>

The minimum initial and subsequent investment for regular accounts is $1,000 and $100, respectively. The minimum initial investment for IRAs is $750, with no minimum subsequent investment. The minimum initial investment for educational savings accounts is $500, with no minimum subsequent investment. Investments made through Dreyfus TeleTransfer are subject to a $100 minimum and a $150,000 maximum. All investments must be in U.S. dollars. Third-party checks, cash, travelers’ checks or money orders will not be accepted. You may be charged a fee for any check that does not clear.

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How to Sell Shares

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You may sell (redeem) shares at any time. Your shares will be sold at the next NAV calculated after your order is received in proper form by the fund’s transfer agent or other authorized entity. Any certificates representing fund shares being sold must be returned with your redemption request.Your order will be processed promptly and you will generally receive the proceeds within a week.

To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you request to sell shares we will first sell shares that are not subject to a CDSC, and then those subject to the lowest charge. The CDSC is based on the lesser of the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, and is not charged on fund shares you acquired by reinvesting your fund dividends. As described above in this prospectus, there are certain instances when you may qualify to have the CDSC waived. Consult your financial representative or refer to the SAI for additional details.

Before selling shares recently purchased by check, Dreyfus TeleTransfer or Automatic Asset Builder, please note that:

  • if you send a written request to sell such shares, the fund may delay sending the proceeds for up to eight business days following the purchase of those shares
  • the fund will not process wire, telephone, online or Dreyfus TeleTransfer redemption requests for up to eight business days following the purchase of those shares
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By Mail – Regular Accounts. To redeem shares of a regular account by mail, send a letter of instruction that includes your name, your account number, the name of the fund, the share class, the dollar amount to be redeemed and how and where to send the proceeds. Mail your request to:

The Dreyfus Family of Funds
P.O. Box 55268
Boston, MA 02205-8502

By Mail – IRA Accounts. To redeem shares of an IRA account by mail, send a letter of instruction that includes all of the same information for regular accounts and indicate whether the distribution is qualified or premature and whether the 10% TEFRA should be withheld. Mail your request to:

The Bank of New York Mellon, Custodian
P.O. Box 55552
Boston, MA 02205-8568

A signature guarantee is required for some written sell orders. These include:

  • amounts of $10,000 or more on accounts whose address has been changed within the last 30 days
  • requests to send the proceeds to a different payee or address
  • amounts of $100,000 or more

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<R>

A signature guarantee helps protect against fraud. You can obtain one from most banks or securities dealers, but not from a notary public. For joint accounts, each signature must be guaranteed. Please call to ensure that your signature guarantee will be processed correctly.

Telephone or Online. To sell shares in a regular account, call Dreyfus at 1-800-554-4611 (inside the U.S. only) or visit www.dreyfus.com to request your transaction. Holders of Class Z shares should call 1-800-645-6561.

A check will be mailed to your address of record or you may request a wire or electronic check (Dreyfus TeleTransfer). For wires or Dreyfus TeleTransfer, be sure that the fund has your bank account information on file. Proceeds will be wired or sent by electronic check to your bank account.


Automatically. You may sell shares in a regular account by calling 1-800-554-4611 (inside the U.S. only) for instructions on how to establish the Dreyfus Automatic Withdrawal Plan. Holders of Class Z shares should call 1-800-645-6561. You may sell shares in an IRA account by calling the above number for instructions on the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

In Person. Visit a Dreyfus Financial Center. Please call us for locations.

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GENERAL POLICIES

Unless you decline teleservice privileges on your application, the fund’s transfer agent is authorized to act on telephone or online instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be you and reasonably believed by the transfer agent to be genuine. You may be responsible for any fraudulent telephone or online order as long as the fund’s transfer agent takes reasonable measures to confirm that instructions are genuine.

The fund is designed for long-term investors. Frequent purchases, redemptions and exchanges may disrupt portfolio management strategies and harm fund performance by diluting the value of fund shares and increasing brokerage and administrative costs. As a result, Dreyfus and the fund’s board have adopted a policy of discouraging excessive trading, short-term market timing and other abusive trading practices (frequent trading) that could adversely affect the fund or its operations. Dreyfus and the fund will not enter into arrangements with any person or group to permit frequent trading.

The fund also reserves the right to:

  • change or discontinue its exchange privilege, or temporarily suspend the privilege during unusual market conditions
  • change its minimum or maximum investment amounts
  • delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to seven days (generally applies only during unusual market conditions or in cases of very large redemptions or excessive trading)
  • “redeem in kind,” or make payments in securities rather than cash, if the amount redeemed is large enough to affect fund operations (for example, if it exceeds 1% of the fund’s assets)
  • refuse any purchase or exchange request, including those from any individual or group who, in Dreyfus’ view, is likely to engage in frequent trading

More than four roundtrips within a rolling 12-month period generally is considered to be frequent trading. A roundtrip consists of an investment that is substantially liquidated within 60 days. Based on the facts and circumstances of the trades, the fund may also view as frequent trading a pattern of investments that are partially liquidated within 60 days.

Transactions made through Automatic Investment Plans, Automatic Withdrawal Plans, Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privileges, automatic non-discretionary rebalancing programs, and minimum required retirement distributions generally are not considered to be frequent trading. For employer-sponsored benefit plans, generally only participant-initiated exchange transactions are subject to the roundtrip limit.

Dreyfus monitors selected transactions to identify frequent trading. When its surveillance systems identify multiple roundtrips, Dreyfus evaluates trading activity in the account for evidence of frequent trading. Dreyfus considers the investor’s trading history in other accounts under common ownership or control, in other Dreyfus Funds and BNY Mellon Funds, and if known, in non-affiliated mutual funds and accounts under common control. These evaluations involve judgments that are inherently subjective, and while Dreyfus seeks to apply the policy and procedures uniformly, it is possible that similar transactions may be treated differently. In all instances, Dreyfus seeks to make these judgments to the best of its abilities in a manner that it believes is consistent with shareholder interests. If Dreyfus concludes the account is likely to engage in frequent trading, Dreyfus may cancel or revoke the purchase or exchange on the following business day. Dreyfus may also temporarily or permanently bar such investor’s future purchases into the fund in lieu of, or in addition to, canceling or revoking the trade. At its discretion, Dreyfus may apply these restrictions across all accounts under common ownership, control or perceived affiliation.

Fund shares often are held through omnibus accounts maintained by financial intermediaries, such as brokers and retirement plan administrators, where the holdings of multiple shareholders, such as all the clients of a particular broker, are aggregated. Dreyfus’ ability to monitor the trading activity of investors whose shares are held in omnibus accounts is limited. However, the agreements between the distributor

18



and financial intermediaries include obligations to comply with the terms of this prospectus and to provide Dreyfus, upon request, with information concerning the trading activity of investors whose shares are held in omnibus accounts. If Dreyfus determines that any such investor has engaged in frequent trading of fund shares, Dreyfus may require the intermediary to restrict or prohibit future purchases or exchanges of fund shares by that investor.

Certain retirement plans and intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts with the fund may have developed policies designed to control frequent trading that may differ from the fund’s policy. At its sole discretion, the fund may permit such intermediaries to apply their own frequent trading policy. If you are investing in fund shares through an intermediary (or in the case of a retirement plan, your plan sponsor), please contact the intermediary for information on the frequent trading policies applicable to your account.

To the extent the fund significantly invests in foreign securities traded on markets that close before the fund calculates its NAV, events that influence the value of these foreign securities may occur after the close of these foreign markets and before the fund calculates its NAV. As a result, certain investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these foreign securities at the time the fund calculates its NAV (referred to as price arbitrage). This type of frequent trading may dilute the value of fund shares held by other shareholders. Dreyfus has adopted procedures designed to adjust closing market prices of foreign equity securities under certain circumstances to reflect what it believes to be their fair value.

To the extent the fund significantly invests in thinly traded securities, certain investors may seek to trade fund shares in an effort to benefit from their understanding of the value of these securities (referred to as price arbitrage). Any such frequent trading strategies may interfere with efficient management of the fund’s portfolio to a greater degree than funds that invest in highly liquid securities, in part because the fund may have difficulty selling these portfolio securities at advantageous times or prices to satisfy large and/or frequent redemption requests. Any successful price arbitrage may also cause dilution in the value of fund shares held by other shareholders.

Although the fund’s frequent trading and fair valuation policies and procedures are designed to discourage market timing and excessive trading, none of these tools alone, nor all of them together, completely eliminates the potential for frequent trading.

Small Account Policies

If your account falls below $500, the fund may ask you to increase your balance. If it is still below $500 after 45 days, the fund may close your account and send you the proceeds.

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DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

The fund earns dividends, interest and other income from its investments, and distributes this income (less expenses) to shareholders as dividends. The fund also realizes capital gains from its investments, and distributes these gains (less any losses) to shareholders as capital gain distributions. The fund normally pays dividends and capital gain distributions annually. Fund dividends and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in the fund unless you instruct the fund otherwise.There are no fees or sales charges on reinvestments.

Distributions paid by the fund are subject to federal income tax, and may also be subject to state or local taxes (unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement account). For federal tax purposes, in general, certain fund distributions, including distributions of short-term capital gains, are taxable to you as ordinary income. Other fund distributions, including dividends from U.S. companies and certain foreign companies and distributions of long-term capital gains, generally are taxable to you as qualified dividends and capital gains, respectively.

High portfolio turnover and more volatile markets can result in significant taxable distributions to shareholders, regardless of whether their shares have increased in value. The tax status of any distribution generally is the same regardless of how long you have been in the fund and whether you reinvest your distributions or take them in cash.

If you buy shares of a fund when the fund has realized but not yet distributed income or capital gains, you will be “buying a dividend” by paying the full price for the shares and then receiving a portion back in the form of a taxable distribution.

Your sale of shares, including exchanges into other funds, may result in a capital gain or loss for tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment in the fund generally is the difference between the cost of your shares and the amount you receive when you sell them.

The tax status of your distributions will be detailed in your annual tax statement from the fund. Because everyone’s tax situation is unique, please consult your tax adviser before investing.

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SERVICES FOR FUND INVESTORS

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Automatic services

Buying or selling shares automatically is easy with the services described below. With each service, you select a schedule and amount, subject to certain restrictions. If you purchase shares through a third party, the third party may impose different restrictions on these services and privileges, or may not make them available at all. For information, call your financial representative or 1-800-554-4611. Holders of Class Z shares should call 1-800-645-6561.

Dreyfus Automatic Asset Builder® permits you to purchase fund shares (minimum of $100 and maximum of $150,000 per transaction) at regular intervals selected by you. Fund shares are purchased by transferring funds from the bank account designated by you.

Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan permits you to purchase fund shares (minimum of $100 per transaction) automatically through a payroll deduction.

Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit permits you to purchase fund shares (minimum of $100 and maximum of $50,000 per transaction) automatically from your federal employment, Social Security or other regular federal government check.

Dreyfus Dividend Sweep permits you to automatically reinvest dividends and distributions from the fund into another Dreyfus Fund (not available for IRAs).

Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege permits you to exchange at regular intervals your fund shares for shares of other Dreyfus Funds.

Dreyfus Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits you to make withdrawals (minimum of $50) on a monthly or quarterly basis, provided your account balance is at least $5,000. Any CDSC will be waived, as long as the amount of any withdrawal does not exceed on an annual basis 12% of the greater of the account value at the time of the first withdrawal under the plan, or at the time of the subsequent withdrawal.

Exchange privilege

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Generally, you can exchange shares worth $500 or more (no minimum for retirement accounts) into other Dreyfus Funds. You can request your exchange by contacting your financial representative. Be sure to read the current prospectus for any fund into which you are exchanging before investing. Any new account established through an exchange generally will have the same privileges as your original account (as long as they are available). There is currently no fee for exchanges, although you may be charged a sales load when exchanging into any fund that has one. See SAI for more information regarding exchanges.

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Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege

To move money between your bank account and your Dreyfus Fund account with a phone call or online, use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege. You can set up Dreyfus TeleTransfer on your account by providing bank account information and following the instructions on your application, or contacting your financial representative. Shares held in an IRA or Education Savings Account may not be redeemed through the Dreyfus TeleTransfer privilege.

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Account Statements

Every Dreyfus Fund investor automatically receives regular account statements. You will also be sent a yearly statement detailing the tax characteristics of any dividends and distributions you have received.

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<R>

Reinvestment privilege

Upon written request, you can reinvest up to the number of Class A shares you redeemed within 45 days of selling them at the current share price without any sales charge. If you paid a CDSC, it will be credited back to your account. This privilege may be used only once.

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

These financial highlights describe the performance of the fund’s shares for the fiscal periods indicated. “Total return” shows how much your investment in the fund would have increased (or decreased) during each period, assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions. These financial highlights have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the fund’s financial statements, is included in the annual report, which is available upon request.

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            Year Ended May 31,     

 
 
 
 
Class A Shares    2009    2008    2007    2006    2005 

 
 
 
 
 
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period    9.72    10.05    8.48    8.19    7.93 
Investment Operations:                     
Investment income (loss)--net a    .05    .01    .02    (.02)    .00 b 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on    (2.65)    (.32)    1.55    .31    .26 
investments                     
Total from Investment Operations    (2.60)    (.31)    1.57    .29    .26 
Distributions:                     
Dividends from investment income--net    (.04)    (.02)    -    -    - 
Net asset value, end of period    7.08    9.72    10.05    8.48    8.19 
Total Return (%) c    (26.73)    (3.06)    18.52    3.54    3.28 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets    1.31    1.35    1.29    1.25    1.35 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets    1.30    1.35 d    1.29    1.25    1.35 d 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average    .70    .06    .18    (.24)    .05 
net assets                     
Portfolio Turnover Rate    40.27    21.97    22.75    78.54    67.21 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)    42,532    15,066    15,411    11,573    11,230 
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a    Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b    Amount represents less than $.01 per share. 
c    Exclusive of sales charge. 
d    Expense waivers and/or reimbursements amounted to less than .01%. 

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            Year Ended May 31,         

 
 
 
 
 
Class B Shares    2009    2008    2007    2006    2005 

 
 
 
 
 
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period    9.09    9.45    8.04    7.83    7.64 
Investment Operations:                     
Investment (loss)--net a    (.03)    (.06)    (.06)    (.09)    (.06) 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on    (2.47)    (.30)    1.47    .30    .25 
investments                     
Total from Investment Operations    (2.50)    (.36)    1.41    .21    .19 
Net asset value, end of period    6.59    9.09    9.45    8.04    7.83 
Total Return (%) b    (27.50)    (3.81)    17.54    2.68    2.49 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets    2.28    2.12    2.18    2.06    2.09 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets    2.27    2.12 c    2.18    2.06    2.09 c 
Ratio of net investment (loss) to average net    (.49)    (.74)    (.77)    (1.09)    (.74) 
assets                     
Portfolio Turnover Rate    40.27    21.97    22.75    78.54    67.21 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)    867    2,202    4,762    9,415    15,503 
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a    Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b    Exclusive of sales charge. 
c    Expense waivers and/or reimbursements amounted to less than .01%. 

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<R>
            Year Ended May 31,         

 
 
 
 
 
Class C Shares    2009    2008    2007    2006    2005 

 
 
 
 
 
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period    9.13    9.48    8.06    7.84    7.65 
Investment Operations:                     
Investment (loss)--net a    (.02)    (.06)    (.05)    (.08)    (.05) 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on    (2.48)    (.29)    1.47    .30    .24 
investments                     
Total from Investment Operations    (2.50)    (.35)    1.42    .22    .19 
Net asset value, end of period    6.63    9.13    9.48    8.06    7.84 
Total Return (%) b    (27.38)    (3.69)    17.62    2.81    2.48 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets    2.14    2.01    2.00    2.02    2.07 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets    2.14 c    2.00    2.00    2.02    2.07 c 
Ratio of net investment (loss) to average net    (.29)    (.60)    (.53)    (1.03)    (.72) 
assets                     
Portfolio Turnover Rate    40.27    21.97    22.75    78.54    67.21 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)    1,788    2,487    3,538    2,745    3,156 
</R>
a    Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b    Exclusive of sales charge. 
c    Expense waivers and/or reimbursements amounted to less than .01%. 

<R>
            Year Ended May 31,         

 
 
 
 
 
Class I Shares    2009    2008 a    2007    2006    2005 

 
 
 
 
 
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period    9.90    10.23    8.60    8.28    8.06 
Investment Operations:                     
Investment income--net b    .07    .05    .05    .06    .06 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on    (2.69)    (.32)    1.58    .31    .16 
investments                     
Total from Investment Operations    (2.62)    (.27)    1.63    .37    .22 
Distributions:                     
Dividends from investment income--net    (.05)    (.06)    -    (.05)    - 
Net asset value, end of period    7.23    9.90    10.23    8.60    8.28 
Total Return (%)    (26.47)    (2.65)    18.95    4.45    2.73 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets    .95    .94    .87    .84    .83 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets    .95 c    .94 c    .87    .84    .83 c 
Ratio of net investment income to average net    .92    .51    .58    .66    .80 
assets                     
Portfolio Turnover Rate    40.27    21.97    22.75    78.54    67.21 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)    1,048    1,206    712    653    977 
</R>
a    Effective June 1, 2007, Class R shares were redesignated as Class I shares. 
b    Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
c    Expense waivers and/or reimbursements amounted to less than .01%. 

24



<R>
            Year Ended May 31,     

 
 
 
 
Class Z Shares    2009    2008    2007    2006    2005 

 
 
 
 
 
Per Share Data ($):                     
Net asset value, beginning of period    9.88    10.21    8.59    8.31    8.02 
Investment Operations:                     
Investment income (loss)--net a    .05    .04    .04    (.00) b    .03 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on    (2.68)    (.33)    1.58    .31    .26 
investments                     
Total from Investment Operations    (2.63)    (.29)    1.62    .31    .29 
Distributions:                     
Dividends from investment income--net    (.03)    (.04)    -    (.03)    - 
Net asset value, end of period    7.22    9.88    10.21    8.59    8.31 
Total Return (%)    (26.56)    (2.82)    18.86    3.74    3.62 
Ratios/Supplemental Data (%):                     
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets    1.11    1.01    1.02    1.04    1.02 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets    1.10    1.00    1.02    1.04    1.02 c 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to    .73    .40    .43    (.05)    .34 
average net assets                     
Portfolio Turnover Rate    40.27    21.97    22.75    78.54    67.21 
Net Assets, end of period ($ x 1,000)    192,247    291,213    334,808    331,203    399,440 
</R>
a    Based on average shares outstanding at each month end. 
b    Amount represents less than $.01 per share. 
c    Expense waivers and/or reimbursements amounted to less than .01%. 

25



For More Information

<R>
The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc.
SEC file number: 811-2192
</R>

More information on this fund is available free upon request, including the following:

Annual/Semiannual Report

Describes the fund’s performance, lists portfolio holdings and contains a letter from the fund’s manager discussing recent market conditions, economic trends and fund strategies that significantly affected the fund’s performance during the last fiscal year. The fund’s most recent annual and semiannual reports are available at www.dreyfus.com.

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

Provides more details about the fund and its policies. A current SAI is available at www.dreyfus.com is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SAI is incorporated by reference (is legally considered part of this prospectus).

Portfolio Holdings

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Dreyfus funds generally disclose their complete schedule of portfolio holdings monthly with a 30-day lag at www.dreyfus.com under Mutual Fund Center – Dreyfus Mutual Funds – Mutual Fund Total Holdings Complete holdings as of the end of the calendar quarter are disclosed 15 days after the end of such quarter. Dreyfus money market funds generally disclose their complete schedule of holdings daily. The schedule of holdings for a fund will remain on the website until the fund files its Form N-Q or Form N-CSR for the period that includes the dates of the posted holdings.

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A complete description of the fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the fund’s portfolio securities is available in the fund’s SAI.

To obtain information:

By telephone Call 1-800-554-4611. Holders of Class Z shares should call 1-800-645-6561

By mail Write to: 
The Dreyfus Family of Funds 
144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard 
Uniondale, NY 11556-0144 

By E-mail Send your request to info@dreyfus.com 
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On the Internet Certain fund documents can be viewed online or downloaded from: 
</R>
SEC http://www.sec.gov 
Dreyfus http://www.dreyfus.com 

You can also obtain copies, after paying a duplicating fee, by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (for information, call 1-202-551-8090) or by E-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102.


<R>
© 2009 MBSC Securities Corporation
</R>

<R>
0035P1009
</R>



<R>
______________________________________________________________________________

THE DREYFUS THIRD CENTURY FUND, INC.
CLASS A, CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS I
AND CLASS Z SHARES
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
OCTOBER 1, 2009
______________________________________________________________________________
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<R>

     This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), dated October 1, 2009, as it may be revised from time to time. To obtain a copy of the Fund’s Prospectus, please call your financial adviser, write to the Fund at 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York, 11556-0144, visit www.dreyfus.com, or call the following numbers:

</R>
Call Toll Free 1-800-554-4611 
(Holders of Class Z shares should call 1-800-645-6561) 
In New York City -- Call 718-895-1206 
Outside the U.S. -- Call 516-794-5452 

     The most recent Annual Report and/or Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the Fund are separate documents supplied with this Statement of Additional Information, and the financial statements, accompanying notes and report of the independent registered public accounting firm appearing in the Annual Report are incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional Information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
    Page 
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Description of the Fund    2 
Management of the Fund    9 
Management Arrangements    14 
Purchase of Shares    20 
Distribution Plans and Shareholder Services Plans    28 
Redemption of Shares    30 
Shareholder Services    35 
Determination of Net Asset Value    41 
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes    43 
Portfolio Transactions    45 
Summary of The Proxy Voting Policy, Procedures and Guidelines of the Dreyfus Family     
     of Funds    50 
Information About the Fund    52 
Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm    54 
</R>


DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND

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     The Fund was incorporated under Delaware law on May 6, 1971 and commenced operations on March 29, 1972. On July 30, 1982, the Fund changed its state of incorporation to Maryland. The Fund is an open-end management investment company, known as a mutual fund. The Fund is a diversified fund, which means that, with respect to 75% of the Fund’s total assets, the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its assets in the securities of any single issuer.

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     The Dreyfus Corporation (the “Manager” or “Dreyfus”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser.

     MBSC Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”) is the distributor of the Fund’s shares.

Certain Portfolio Securities

     The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s Prospectus.

     During a period when it becomes desirable to move the Fund toward a defensive position because of adverse trends in the financial markets or the economy, the Fund may invest some of or all its assets in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, corporate bonds, high grade commercial paper, repurchase agreements, time deposits, bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and other short-term bank obligations issued in this country as well as those issued in dollar denominations by the foreign branches of U.S. banks, and cash or cash equivalents, without limit as to amount, as long as such investments are made in securities of eligible companies and domestic banks. The Fund also may purchase these types of securities when it has cash reserves or in anticipation of taking a market position.

     U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government securities include a variety of U.S. Treasury Securities, which differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance: Treasury Bills have initial maturities of one year or less; Treasury Notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury Bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities, such as Government National Mortgage Association pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and others, such as those issued by the Student Loan Marketing Association, only by the credit of the instrumentality. These securities bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest. Principal and interest may fluctuate based on generally recognized reference rates or the relationship of rates. While the U.S. Government provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it will always do so since it is not so obligated by law. The Fund will invest in such securities only when the Fund is satisfied that the credit risk with respect to the issuer is minimal.

     Depositary Receipts. The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares (collectively, “ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts and Global Depositary Shares (collectively, “GDRs”), and other



forms of depositary receipts. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a United States bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. GDRs are receipts issued outside the United States typically by non-United States banks and trust companies that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in the United States securities markets and GDRs in bearer form are designed for use outside the United States.

     These securities may be purchased through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary. A depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the deposited security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of such facilities, and the depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting rights to the holders of such receipts in respect of the deposited securities.

     Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in securities issued by registered and unregistered investment companies. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the Fund’s investment in such securities, subject to certain exceptions, currently is limited to (i) 3% of the total voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the Fund’s total assets in the aggregate. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory fees and other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations. The Fund also may invest its uninvested cash reserves or cash it receives as collateral from borrowers of its portfolio securities in connection with the Fund’s securities lending program, in shares of one or more money market funds advised by the Manager. Such investments will not be subject to the limitations described above. See “Lending Portfolio Securities.”

     Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in foreign securities. Foreign securities markets generally are not as developed or efficient as those in the United States. Securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. Similarly, volume and liquidity in most foreign securities markets are less than in the United States and, at times, volatility of price can be greater than in the United States.

     Because evidences of ownership of such securities usually are held outside the United States, by investing in foreign securities the Fund will be subject to additional risks which include possible adverse political and economic developments, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits and adoption of governmental restrictions which might adversely affect or restrict the payment of principal and interest on the foreign securities to investors located outside the country of the issuer, whether from currency blockage or otherwise. Foreign securities held by the Fund may trade on days when the Fund does not calculate its net asset value and thus may affect the Fund’s net asset value on days when investors have no access to the Fund.



     Since foreign securities often are purchased with and payable in currencies of foreign countries, the value of these assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations.

     Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of the value of its net assets in securities as to which a liquid trading market does not exist, provided such investments are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. These securities may include securities that are not readily marketable, such as securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice, and certain privately negotiated, non-exchange traded options and securities used to cover such options. As to these securities, the Fund is subject to a risk that should it desire to sell them when a ready buyer is not available at a price the Fund deems representative of their value, the value of the Fund’s net assets could be adversely affected.

     Initial Public Offerings. The Fund may purchase securities of companies in initial public offerings (“IPOs”) or shortly thereafter. An IPO is a corporation’s first offering of stock to the public. Shares are given a market value reflecting expectations for the corporation’s future growth. Special rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) apply to the distribution of IPOs. Corporations offering IPOs generally have limited operating histories and may involve greater investment risk. The prices of these companies’ securities may be very volatile, rising and falling rapidly based, among other reasons, solely on investor perceptions rather than economic reasons.

     Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements involve the acquisition by the Fund of an underlying debt instrument subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the instrument at a fixed price, usually not more than one week after its purchase. The Fund’s custodian will have custody of, and will hold in a segregated account, securities acquired by the Fund under a repurchase agreement. Repurchase agreements are considered by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to be loans by the Fund. In an attempt to reduce the risk of incurring a loss on a repurchase agreement, the Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with domestic banks with total assets in excess of one billion dollars or primary government securities dealers reporting to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, with respect to securities of the type in which the Fund may invest, and the Fund will require that additional securities be deposited with its custodian if the value of the securities purchased should decrease below resale price. The Manager will monitor on an ongoing basis the value of the collateral to assure that it always equals or exceeds the repurchase price. Certain costs may be incurred by the Fund in connection with the sale of the securities if the seller does not repurchase them in accordance with the repurchase agreement. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the securities, realization on the securities by the Fund may be delayed or limited. The Fund will consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the institutions with which it enters into repurchase agreements.

     Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates evidencing the obligation of a bank to repay funds deposited with it for a specified period of time.

     Time Deposits. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution for a specified period of time (in no event longer than seven days) at a stated interest rate.



     Bankers’ Acceptances. Bankers’ acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and the drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity.

Investment Techniques

     The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s Prospectus.

     Writing and Purchasing Options. To earn additional income on its portfolio, the Fund, to a limited extent, may write covered call options on securities owned by the Fund (“covered options” or “options”) and purchase call options in order to close option transactions, as described below.

     A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security at the exercise price at any time during the option period, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract. When a covered option is written by the Fund the Fund will make arrangements with the Fund’s custodian, to segregate the underlying securities until the option either is exercised, expires or the Fund closes out the option as described below. A covered option sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security or to possible continued holding of a security which might otherwise have been sold to protect against depreciation in the market price of the security. To limit this exposure, the value of the portfolio securities underlying covered call options written by the Fund will be limited to an amount not in excess of 20% of the value of the Fund’s net assets at the time such options are written.

     The Fund will purchase call options only to close out open positions. To close out a position, the Fund may make a “closing purchase transaction,” which involves purchasing a call option on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option which it has previously written on a particular security. The Fund will realize a profit (or loss) from a closing purchase transaction if the amount paid to purchase a call option is less (or more) than the amount received from the sale thereof.

     Borrowing Money. The Fund is permitted to borrow to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, which permits an investment company to borrow an amount up to 33-1/3% of the value of its total assets. The Fund currently intends to borrow money only for temporary or emergency (not leveraging) purposes, in an amount up to 15% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed) valued at the lesser of cost or market, less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is made. While borrowings exceed 5% of the Fund’s total assets, the Fund will not make any additional investments.

     Lending Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to borrow securities to complete certain transactions. In connection with such loans, the Fund remains the owner of the loaned securities and continues to be entitled to payments in amounts equal to the interest, dividends or other distributions payable on the loaned securities. The Fund also has the right to



terminate a loan at any time. The Fund may call the loan to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Fund’s investment is to be voted upon. Loans of portfolio securities may not exceed 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the value of all assets received as collateral for the loan). The Fund will receive collateral consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities or irrevocable letters of credit which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. If the collateral consists of a letter of credit or securities, the borrower will pay the Fund a loan premium fee. If the collateral consists of cash, the Fund will reinvest the cash and pay the borrower a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” from any return earned on the investment. The Fund may participate in a securities lending program operated by The Bank of New York Mellon, as lending agent (the “Lending Agent”). The Lending Agent will receive a percentage of the total earnings of the Fund derived from lending its portfolio securities. Should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund may experience delays in recovering the loaned securities or exercising its rights in the collateral. Loans are made only to borrowers that are deemed by the Manager to be of good financial standing. In a loan transaction, the Fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. The Fund will minimize this risk by limiting the investment of cash collateral to money market funds advised by the Manager, repurchase agreements or other high quality instruments with short maturities.

Other Investment Considerations and Risks

     The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s Prospectus.

     The Fund’s objectives and special considerations (social screens), as described in the Fund’s Prospectus, cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund’s outstanding voting shares. The Fund’s Board may adopt additional criteria or restrictions governing the Fund’s investments if the Board determines that the new criteria or restrictions are consistent with the Fund’s objective of investing in a socially responsible manner, but the Board may not change the four existing special considerations described in the Prospectus without shareholder approval.

     The Board will review new portfolio acquisitions in light of the Fund’s special concerns at their next regular meeting. While the Board will disqualify a company evidencing a pattern of conduct that is inconsistent with the Fund’s special standards, the Board need not disqualify a company on the basis of incidents that, in the Board’s judgment, do not reflect the company’s policies and overall current level of performance in the areas of special concern to the Fund. The performance of companies in the areas of special concern is reviewed regularly to determine their continued eligibility.

     The Fund’s Board may, to a limited extent, authorize the purchase of securities of foreign companies which have not been declared eligible for investment (“ineligible securities”) in order to facilitate the purchase of securities of other foreign companies which are contributing or will contribute to the enhancement of the quality of life in America and which have been declared eligible for investment (“eligible securities”). Certain countries have limited, either permanently or temporarily, the ability of foreigners to purchase shares of their domestic companies, shares which are already owned outside the country or shares which may be obtained through the sale of shares of other companies located in the same country which are owned outside that country. Accordingly, the Fund may purchase ineligible securities so that these securities may be sold or



redeemed in the country of origin, and the proceeds thus received used for the purchase of eligible securities.

     Otherwise ineligible securities purchased for this limited purpose would be held in the Fund’s portfolio for a maximum of 60 days in order to enable the Fund to have sufficient time to provide for the transportation of the securities and their sale or redemption. Most transactions of this type, however, are expected to be completed in a much shorter period. Furthermore, such investments are limited, as a fundamental policy, in the aggregate, to a maximum of 2% of the net assets of the Fund at the time of investment. Engaging in these transactions will result in additional expense to the Fund in the form of brokerage commissions incurred in the purchase and sale of the ineligible security. Finally, the Fund’s Board would authorize investments in ineligible securities only for the purpose of facilitating the purchase of securities of a specific eligible company.

Investment Restrictions

<R>

     The Fund has adopted investment restrictions numbered 1 through 4 and 6 through 16 as fundamental policies. These restrictions cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. Investment restrictions numbered 5, 17 and 18 are not fundamental policies and may be changed by vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board members at any time.

</R>

     1. The Fund’s special considerations described in the Fund’s Prospectus will not be changed without stockholder approval. The Board may from time to time without stockholder approval adopt additional criteria or restrictions governing the Fund’s investments if the Board determines that the new criteria or restrictions are consistent with the Fund’s objective of investing in a socially responsible manner. Any such new criteria or restrictions would not be fundamental policies of the Fund and could be subsequently terminated or changed by the Board at any time without stockholder approval.

     2. The Fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer if such purchase would cause more than 5% of the value of its total assets to be invested in securities of such issuer (except securities of the United States Government or any instrumentality thereof).

     3. The Fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer if such purchase would cause the Fund to hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

     4. The Fund may not purchase securities of any company having less than three years’ continuous operating history (including that of any predecessors) if such purchase would cause the value of the Fund’s investments in all such securities to exceed 5% of the value of its net assets. See also Investment Restriction No. 10.

     5. The Fund may not purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act.

     6. The Fund may not purchase or retain the securities of any issuer if officers or Board members of the Fund or of its investment adviser, who own beneficially more than 1/2 of 1% of the securities of such issuer, together own beneficially more than 5% of the securities of such issuer.



     7. The Fund may not purchase, hold or deal in commodities or commodity contracts, in oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or development programs, or in real estate but this shall not prohibit the Fund from investing, consistent with Investment Restriction No. 18 below, in securities of companies engaged in oil, gas or mineral investments or activities. This limitation shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities issued by a real estate investment trust, provided that such trust is not permitted to invest in real estate or in interests other than mortgages or other security interests.

     8. The Fund may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act (which currently limits borrowing to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets).

     9. The Fund may not lend any securities or make loans to others, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act (which currently limits such loans to no more than 33-1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets) or as otherwise permitted by the SEC. For purposes of this Investment Restriction, the purchase of debt obligations (including acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments) and the entry into repurchase agreements shall not constitute loans by the Fund. Any loans of portfolio securities will be made according to guidelines established by the SEC and the Fund’s Board.

     10. The Fund may not act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers.

     11. The Fund may not purchase from or sell to any of its officers or Board members, or firms of which any of them are members, any securities (other than capital stock of the Fund), but such persons or firms may act as brokers for the Fund for customary commissions.

     12. The Fund may not invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of exercising management or control, but the Fund will vote the securities it owns in its portfolio as a shareholder in accordance with its views.

     13. The Fund may not purchase securities on margin, but the Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities.

     14. The Fund may not sell any security short or engage in the purchase and sale of put, call, straddle, or spread options or combinations thereof, or in writing such options, except that the Fund may write and sell covered call option contracts on securities owned by the Fund up to, but not in excess of, 20% of the market value of its net assets at the time such option contracts are written. The Fund may also purchase call options for the purpose of terminating its outstanding obligations with respect to securities upon which covered call option contracts have been written. In connection with the writing of covered call options, the Fund may pledge assets to an extent not greater than 20% of the market value of its total net assets at the time such options are written.

     15. The Fund may not concentrate its investments in any particular industry or industries, except that the Fund may invest up to 25% of the value of its total assets in a single industry.



     16. The Fund may not purchase warrants in excess of 2% of the value of its net assets. Such warrants shall be valued at fair market value, except that warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to securities shall be deemed to be without value, for purposes of this restriction only.

     17. The Fund may not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or otherwise encumber its assets, except to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings.

     18. The Fund may not enter into repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice or purchase securities which are illiquid if, in the aggregate, more than 15% of the value of the Fund’s net assets would be so invested.

     If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets will not constitute a violation of that restriction.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

     The Fund’s Board is responsible for the management and supervision of the Fund, and approves all significant agreements with those companies that furnish services to the Fund. These companies are as follows:

The Dreyfus Corporation    Investment Adviser 
MBSC Securities Corporation    Distributor                                                            
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc    Transfer Agent 
The Bank of New York Mellon    Custodian 

     Board members of the Fund, together with information as to their positions with the Fund, principal occupations and other Board memberships and affiliations, are shown below.

Board Members of the Fund1         

       
 
Name (Age)    Principal Occupation     
Position With Fund (Since)    During Past 5 Years    Other Board Memberships and Affiliations 

 
 
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Joseph S. DiMartino (65)    Corporate Director    The Muscular Dystrophy Association, 
Chairman of the Board (1995)       and Trustee       Director 
        CBIZ (formerly, Century Business Services, 
           Inc.), a provider of outsourcing functions 
           for small and medium size companies, 
           Director 
        The Newark Group, a provider of a national 
           market of paper recovery facilities, 
           paperboard mills and paperboard converting 
           plants, Director 
        Sunair Services Corporation, a provider of 
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1      None of the Board members are “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act.
 


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Name (Age)    Principal Occupation     
Position With Fund (Since)    During Past 5 Years    Other Board Memberships and Affiliations 

 
 
 
           certain outdoor-related services to homes 
           and businesses, Director 
 
 
Clifford L. Alexander, Jr. (75)    President of Alexander    Mutual of America Life Insurance Company, 
Board Member (1981)       & Associates, Inc., a         Director 
       management     
       consulting firm     
       (January 1981–     
       present)     
David W. Burke (73)    Corporate Director    John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, 
Board Member (2003)       and Trustee       Director 
 
Whitney I. Gerard (74)    Partner of Chadbourne    None 
Board Member (2003)       & Parke LLP     
 
George L. Perry (75)    Economist and Senior    None 
Board Member (2003)         Fellow at Brookings     
    Institution     
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     Board members are elected to serve for an indefinite term. The Fund has standing audit, nominating and compensation committees, each comprised of its Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. The function of the audit committee is (i) to oversee the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Fund’s financial statements and (ii) to assist in the Board’s oversight of the integrity of the Fund’s financial statements, the Fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance. The Fund’s nominating committee is responsible for selecting and nominating persons as members of the Board for election or appointment by the Board and for election by shareholders. In evaluating potential nominees, including any nominees recommended by shareholders, the committee takes into consideration various factors listed in the nominating committee charter, including character and integrity, business and professional experience, and whether the committee believes the person has the ability to apply sound and independent business judgment and would act in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders. The nominating committee will consider recommendations for nominees from shareholders submitted to the Secretary of the Fund, c/o The Dreyfus Corporation Legal Department, 200 Park Avenue, 8th Floor East, New York, New York 10166, which includes information regarding the recommended nominee as specified in the nominating committee charter. The function of the compensation committee is to establish the appropriate compensation for serving on the Board. The Fund also has a standing pricing committee comprised of any one Board member. The function of the pricing committee is to assist in valuing the Fund’s investments. The audit committee met four times during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009. The compensation, nominating and pricing committees had no meetings during the last fiscal year.

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     The table below indicates the dollar range of each Board member’s ownership of Fund shares and shares of other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which he or she is a Board member, in each case as of December 31, 2008.

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        Aggregate Holding of 
        Funds in the Dreyfus 
        Family of Funds for 
    The Dreyfus    which Responsible as a 
Name of Board Member    Third Century Fund, Inc.    Board Member 

 
 
Joseph S. DiMartino    None    Over $100,000 
Clifford L. Alexander, Jr.    None    Over $100,000 
David W. Burke    None    Over $100,000 
Whitney I. Gerard    None    Over $100,000 
George L. Perry    None    None 

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     As of December 31, 2008, none of the Board members or their immediate family members owned securities of the Manager, the Distributor or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Manager or the Distributor.

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     The Fund pays its Board members its allocated portion of an annual retainer of $80,000 and a fee of $10,000 per in-person meeting ($1,000 per telephone meeting) attended for the Fund and fourteen other funds (comprised of 27 portfolios) in the Dreyfus Family of Funds (with a minimum of $5,000 per in-person meeting if the meeting is for fewer than all of such other funds), and reimburses them for their expenses. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional 25% of such compensation. Each Emeritus Board member is entitled to receive an annual retainer of one-half the amount paid as a retainer at the time the Board member became Emeritus and a per meeting fee of one-half the amount paid to Board members. The aggregate amount of compensation paid to each Board member by the Fund for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009, and by all funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds for which such person is a Board member (the number of portfolios of such funds is set forth in parenthesis next to each Board member’s total compensation) for the year ended December 31, 2008, was as follows:

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               Aggregate    Total Compensation From 
    Compensation From    the Fund Complex Paid to 
                             Name of Board Member                 the Fund*    Board Member** 
 
 
Joseph S. DiMartino               $589    $873,275    (196) 
Clifford L. Alexander, Jr.               $473    $261,500    (67) 
Lucy Wilson Benson+               $233    $77,000    (35) 
David W. Burke               $473    $390,000    (105) 
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               Aggregate    Total Compensation From 
    Compensation From    the Fund Complex Paid to 
                             Name of Board Member                 the Fund*    Board Member** 
 
 
Whitney I. Gerard               $473    $159,500    (35) 
Arthur A. Hartman++               $161    $42,750     (33) 
George L. Perry               $473    $140,000    (33) 
              

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*      Amount does not include the cost of office space, secretarial services and health benefits for the Chairman and expenses reimbursed to Board members for attending Board meetings, which in the aggregate amounted to $2,756.
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**      Represents the number of separate portfolios comprising the investment companies in the Fund Complex, including the Fund, for which the Board members serve.
 
+      Emeritus Board member as of August 25, 2007.
 
++      Emeritus Board member as of March 12, 2006.
 

Officers of the Fund

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J. DAVID OFFICER, President since December 2006. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Founders Asset Management LLC, an affiliate of the Manager, and an officer of 75 investment companies (comprised of 166 portfolios) managed by the Manager. Prior to June 2009, Mr. Officer was Chief Operating Officer, Vice Chairman and a director of the Manager, where he had been employed since April 1998. He is 60 years old.

PHILLIP N. MAISANO, Executive Vice President since July 2007. Chief Investment Officer, Vice Chair and a director of the Manager, and an officer of 75 investment companies (comprised of 166 portfolios) managed by the Manager. Mr. Maisano also is an officer and/or board member of certain other investment management subsidiaries of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon”), each of which is an affiliate of the Manager. He is 62 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since November 2006. Prior to joining the Manager, Mr. Maisano served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EACM Advisors, an affiliate of the Manager, since August 2004, and served as Chief Executive Officer of Evaluation Associates, a leading institutional investment consulting firm, from 1998 until 2004.

JAMES WINDELS, Treasurer since November 2001. Director – Mutual Fund Accounting of the Manager, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 49 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1985.

MICHAEL A. ROSENBERG, Vice President and Secretary since August 2005. Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 49 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1991.

JAMES BITETTO, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon and Secretary of the Manager, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 42 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since December 1996.

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JONI LACKS CHARATAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 53 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

JOSEPH M. CHIOFFI, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Senior Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 47 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 2000.

JANETTE E. FARRAGHER, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Assistant General Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. She is 46 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1984.

JOHN B. HAMMALIAN, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 46 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since February 1991.

ROBERT R. MULLERY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprising 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 57 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since May 1986.

JEFF PRUSNOFSKY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary since August 2005. Managing Counsel of BNY Mellon, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 44 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1990.

GAVIN C. REILLY, Assistant Treasurer since December 2005. Tax Manager of the Investment Accounting and Support Department of the Manager, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 41 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since April 1991.

RICHARD S. CASSARO, Assistant Treasurer since January 2008. Senior Accounting Manager-Money Market and Municipal Bond Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 50 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since 1982.

ROBERT S. ROBOL, Assistant Treasurer since August 2005. Senior Accounting Manager –Money Market and Municipal Bond Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 45 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since October 1988.

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ROBERT SALVIOLO, Assistant Treasurer since July 2007. Senior Accounting Manager -Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 187 investment companies (comprised of 76 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 42 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since June 1989.

ROBERT SVAGNA, Assistant Treasurer since December 2002. Senior Accounting Manager –Equity Funds of the Manager, and an officer of 76 investment companies (comprised of 187 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 42 years old and has been an employee of the Manager since November 1990.

WILLIAM GERMENIS, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since October 2002. Vice President and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of the Distributor, and the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of 72 investment companies (comprised of 183 portfolios) managed by the Manager. He is 39 years old and has been an employee of the Distributor since October 1998.

JOSEPH W. CONNOLLY, Chief Compliance Officer since October 2004. Chief Compliance Officer of the Manager and The Dreyfus Family of Funds (76 investment companies, comprised of 187 portfolios). From November 2001 through March 2004, Mr. Connolly was first Vice-President, Mutual Fund Servicing for Mellon Global Securities Services. In that capacity, Mr. Connolly was responsible for managing Mellon’s Custody, Fund Accounting and Fund Administration services to third-party mutual fund clients. He is 52 years old and has served in various capacities with the Manager since 1980, including manager of the firm’s Fund Accounting Department from 1997 through October 2001.

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     The address of each Board member and officer of the Fund is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.

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     The Fund’s Board members and officers, as a group, owned less than 1% of the Fund’s shares outstanding on September 1, 2009. See “Information About the Fund” for a list of shareholders known by the Fund to own of record 5% or more of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities as of September 1, 2009.

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MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

     Investment Adviser. The Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BNY Mellon, a global financial services company focused on helping clients move and manage their financial assets, operating in 34 countries and serving more than 100 markets. BNY Mellon is a leading provider of financial services for institutions, corporations and high-net-worth individuals, providing asset and wealth management, asset servicing, issuer services, and treasury services through a worldwide client-focused team.

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     The Manager provides investment advisory services to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Manager and the Fund. The Agreement is subject to annual approval by (i) the Fund’s Board or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, provided that in either event the continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or the Manager, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Agreement is terminable without

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penalty, on 60 days’ notice, by the Fund’s Board or by vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, or, upon not less than 90 days’ notice, by the Manager. The Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

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     The following persons are officers and/or directors of the Manager: Jonathan Baum, Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; J. Charles Cardona, President and a director; Diane P. Durnin, Vice Chair and a director; Phillip N. Maisano, Chief Investment Officer, Vice Chair and a director; Bradley J. Skapyak, Chief Operating Officer and a director; Dwight Jacobsen, Executive Vice President and a director; Patrice M. Kozlowski, Senior Vice President–Corporate Communications; Gary E. Abbs, Vice President–Tax; Jill Gill, Vice President–Human Resources; Joanne S. Huber, Vice President–Tax; Anthony Mayo, Vice President–Information Systems; John E. Lane, Vice President; Jeanne M. Login, Vice President; Gary Pierce, Controller; Joseph W. Connolly, Chief Compliance Officer; James Bitetto, Secretary; and Mitchell E. Harris, Ronald P. O'Hanley III, Cyrus Taraporevala and Scott E. Wennerholm, directors.

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     BNY Mellon and its affiliates may have deposit, loan and commercial banking or other relationships with the issuers of securities purchased by the Fund. The Manager has informed the Fund that in making its investment decisions it does not obtain or use material inside information that BNY Mellon or its affiliates may possess with respect to such issuers.

     The Manager maintains office facilities on behalf of the Fund, and furnishes statistical and research data, clerical help, accounting, data processing, bookkeeping and internal auditing and certain other required services to the Fund. The Manager may pay the Distributor for shareholder services from the Manager’s own assets, including past profits but not including the management fee paid by the Fund. The Distributor may use part or all of such payments to pay certain financial institutions (which may include banks); securities dealers (“Selected Dealers”) and other industry professionals (collectively, “Service Agents”) in respect of these services. The Manager also may make such advertising and promotional expenditures, using its own resources, as it from time to time deems appropriate.

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     The Fund, the Manager and the Distributor each has a Code of Ethics that permits its personnel, subject to such Code of Ethics, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. The Code of Ethics subjects the personal securities transactions of the Manager’s employees to various restrictions to ensure that such trading does not disadvantage any fund advised by the Manager. In that regard, portfolio managers and other investment personnel of the Manager must preclear and report their personal securities transactions and holdings, which are reviewed for compliance with the Code of Ethics, and are also subject to the oversight of BNY Mellon’s Investment Ethics Committee (the “Committee”). Portfolio managers and other investment personnel who comply with the preclearance and disclosure procedures of the Code of Ethics and the requirements of the Committee may be permitted to purchase, sell or hold securities which also may be or are held in fund(s) they manage or for which they otherwise provide investment advice.

     Portfolio Management. The Manager manages the Fund’s investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board. The

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Manager provides the Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized by the Board to execute purchases and sales of securities. The Fund’s portfolio manager is Jocelin A. Reed, CFA. Ms. Reed is an employee of Dreyfus and Mellon Capital Management Corporation (“MCM”) (formerly Mellon Equity Associates LLP). The Manager maintains research departments with professional staffs of portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services for the Fund and for other funds advised by the Manager.

     Portfolio Manager Compensation. The portfolio manager’s cash compensation is comprised primarily of a market-based salary and an incentive compensation plan (annual and long term incentive). The portfolio manageris compensated by MCM and not by the Fund. Funding for the MCM Annual Incentive Plan and Long Term Incentive Plan is through a predetermined fixed percentage of overall company profitability. Therefore, all bonus awards are based initially on MCM’s performance. The investment professionals are eligible to receive annual cash bonus awards from the incentive compensation plan. Annual awards are granted in March for the prior calendar year. Individual awards for investment professionals are discretionary, based on product performance, goals established at the beginning of each calendar year and a subjective evaluation of the portfolio managers’ contribution to the overall investment process. Also considered in determining individual awards are team participation and general contributions to MCM.

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     All portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in the MCM Long Term Incentive Plan. This plan provides for an annual award, payable in deferred cash that cliff vests after three years, with an interest rate equal to the average year over year earnings growth of MCM (capped at 20% per year). Management has discretion with respect to actual participation and award size.

     Portfolio managers whose compensation exceeds certain levels may elect to defer portions of their base salaries and/or incentive compensation pursuant to BNY Mellon’s elective deferred compensation plan.

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     Additional Information about the Portfolio Manager. The following table lists the number and types of other accounts advised by the Fund’s primary portfolio managers and assets under management in those accounts as of May 31, 2009:

    Registered                     
    Investment                     
    Company    Assets    Pooled    Assets    Other    Assets 
Portfolio Manager    Accounts    Managed    Accounts    Managed    Accounts    Managed 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jocelin A. Reed    28    $7,301 million    19*    $594 million    91**    $5,201 million 

*      The advisory fee for two of these accounts, which have total assets of approximately $513,695,212, is based on the performance of the respective account.
 
**      The advisory fee for two of these accounts, which have total assets of approximately $747,741,238, is based on the performance of the account.
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     The dollar range of Fund shares beneficially owned by the primary portfolio managers is as follows as of the end of the Fund’s fiscal year:



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  Dollar Range of Fund 
Portfolio Manager  Shares Beneficially Owned 
 
Jocelin A. Reed  None 
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     Portfolio managers may manage multiple accounts for a diverse client base, including mutual funds, separate accounts (assets managed on behalf of institutions such as pension funds, insurance companies and foundations), bank common trust accounts and wrap fee programs (“Other Accounts”).

     Potential conflicts of interest may arise because of Dreyfus’ management of the Fund and Other Accounts. For example, conflicts of interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of securities transactions and allocation of limited investment opportunities, as Dreyfus may be perceived as causing accounts it manages to participate in an offering to increase Dreyfus’ overall allocation of securities in that offering, or to increase Dreyfus’ ability to participate in future offerings by the same underwriter or issuer. Allocations of bunched trades, particularly trade orders that were only partially filled due to limited availability, and allocation of investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of interest, as Dreyfus may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to preferred accounts. Initial public offerings, in particular, are frequently of very limited availability. Additionally, portfolio managers may be perceived to have a conflict of interest if there are a large number of Other Accounts, in addition to the Fund, that they are managing on behalf of Dreyfus. Dreyfus periodically reviews each portfolio manager’s overall responsibilities to ensure that he or she is able to allocate the necessary time and resources to effectively manage the Fund. In addition, Dreyfus could be viewed as having a conflict of interest to the extent that Dreyfus or its affiliates and/or portfolio managers have a materially larger investment in Other Accounts than their investment in the Fund.

     Other Accounts may have investment objectives, strategies and risks that differ from those of the Fund. For these or other reasons, the portfolio managers may purchase different securities for the Fund and the Other Accounts, and the performance of securities purchased for the Fund may vary from the performance of securities purchased for Other Accounts. The portfolio managers may place transactions on behalf of Other Accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made for the Fund, which could have the potential to adversely impact the Fund, depending on market conditions.

     A potential conflict of interest may be perceived to arise if transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in another account, such as when a purchase increases the value of securities previously purchased by the other account, or when a sale in one account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account.

     Conflicts of interest similar to those described above arise when portfolio managers are employed by a sub-investment adviser or are dual employees of the Manager and an affiliated entity and such portfolio managers also manage Other Accounts.

     Dreyfus’ goal is to provide high quality investment services to all of its clients, while meeting Dreyfus’ fiduciary obligation to treat all clients fairly. Policies and procedures have been implemented, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, that Dreyfus believes address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple



clients. In addition, Dreyfus monitors a variety of areas, including compliance with Fund guidelines, the allocation of IPOs, and compliance with the firm’s Code of Ethics. Furthermore, senior investment and business personnel at Dreyfus periodically review the performance of the portfolio managers for Dreyfus-managed funds.

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     Expenses. All expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund are borne by the Fund, except to the extent specifically assumed by the Manager. The expenses borne by the Fund include: organizational costs, taxes, interest, loan commitment fees, interest and distributions on securities sold short, brokerage fees and commissions, if any, fees of Board members who are not officers, directors, employees or holders of 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Manager, or any affiliate of the Manager, SEC fees, state Blue Sky qualification fees, advisory fees, charges of custodians, transfer and dividend disbursing agents’ fees, certain insurance premiums, industry association fees, outside auditing and legal expenses, costs of maintaining the Fund’s existence, costs of independent pricing services, costs attributable to investor services (including, without limitation, telephone and personnel expenses), cost of shareholders’ reports and meetings, costs of preparing, printing and distributing certain prospectuses and statements of additional information, and any extraordinary expenses. In addition, Class B and Class C shares are subject to an annual distribution fee and Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z shares are subject to an annual service fee. See “Distribution Plans and Shareholder Services Plans.”

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     The Manager has agreed that if, in any fiscal year, the aggregate expenses of the Fund, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest and (with the prior written consent of the necessary state securities commissions) extraordinary expenses, but including the management fee, exceed, with respect to Class Z of the Fund, 1-1/2% of the average value of the Fund’s net assets attributable to its Class Z shares, the Fund may deduct from the fees to be paid to the Manager, or the Manager will bear, the excess expense. For each fiscal year of the Fund, the Manager will pay or bear such excess on a pro rata basis in proportion to the relative fees otherwise payable pursuant to the Agreement. Such deduction or payment, if any, will be estimated, reconciled and effected or paid, as the case may be, on a monthly basis and will be limited to the amount of fees otherwise payable to the Manager under the Agreement.

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     As compensation for the Manager’s services to the Fund, under the Agreement the Fund has agreed to pay the Manager a fee payable monthly at an annual rate of .75 of 1% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 the Fund paid the Manager pursuant to the Agreement a fee of $2,648,868, $2,441,053 and $1,898.710, respectively.

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     The aggregate of the fees payable to the Manager is not subject to reduction as the value of the Fund’s net assets increases.

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     Distributor. The Distributor, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, serves as the Fund’s distributor on a best efforts basis pursuant to an agreement with the Fund which is renewable annually. The Distributor also acts as distributor for the other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds and BNY Mellon Funds Trust. Before June 30, 2007, the Distributor was known as “Dreyfus Service Corporation.”

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     The Distributor compensates certain Service Agents for selling Class A shares subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), and Class C shares at the time of purchase from its own assets. The Distributor also compensated certain Service Agents for selling Class B shares at the time of purchase from its own assets when the Funds offered Class B shares; the Fund no longer offers Class B shares except in connection with dividend reinvestment and permitted exchanges. The proceeds of the CDSC and fees pursuant to the Fund’s Distribution Plans (described below), in part, are used to defray the expenses incurred by the Distributor in connection with the sale of the applicable Class of Fund shares. The Distributor also may act as a Service Agent and retain sales loads and CDSCs and Distribution Plan fees. For purchases of Class A shares and Class C shares, subject to a CDSC, the Distributor generally will pay Service Agents on new investments made through such Service Agents compensation of up to 1% of the net asset value of such shares purchased by their clients. The Distributor generally paid Service Agents on new investments of Class B shares made through such Service Agents 4%, of the net asset value of such shares purchased by their clients. With respect to Fund Class B shares issued to shareholders in exchange for shares originally issued by a series of The Bear Stearns Funds (the “Acquired Fund”), the proceeds of any CDSC and fees pursuant to a Distribution Plan are payable to the Acquired Fund’s former distributor to defray the expenses it incurred in connection with the sale of such shares when originally issued by the Acquired Fund.

     The amounts retained on the sale of the Fund’s shares by the Distributor from sales loads and from CDSCs, as applicable, with respect to the Fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C shares, are set forth below:

    Fiscal Year Ended    Fiscal Year Ended    Fiscal Year Ended 
Class of Fund    May 31, 2007    May 31, 2008    May 31, 2009 

 
 
 
 
Class A    $ 3,759    $ 4,324    $ 233 
Class B    $18,482    $ 4,962    $ 1,372 
Class C    $ 509    $ 359    $ 207 
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     The Distributor may pay Service Agents that have entered into agreements with the Distributor a fee based on the amount invested through such Service Agents in Fund shares by employees participating in qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plans, including pension, profit-sharing and other deferred compensation plans, whether established by corporations, partnerships, non-profit entities, trade or labor unions, or state and local governments (“Retirement Plans”), or other programs. The term “Retirement Plans” does not include IRAs, IRA “Rollover Accounts” or IRAs set up under a Simplified Employee Pension Plan (“SEP-IRAs”). Generally, the Distributor may pay such Service Agents a fee of up to 1% of the amount invested through the Service Agents. The Distributor, however, may pay Service Agents a higher fee and reserves the right to cease paying these fees at any time. The Distributor will pay such fees from its own funds, other than amounts received from the Fund, including from past profits or any other source available to it. Sponsors of such Retirement Plans or the participants therein should consult their Service Agent for more information regarding any such fee payable to the Service Agent.



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     The Manager or the Distributor may provide additional cash payments out of its own resources to financial intermediaries that sell shares of the Fund or provide other services. Such payments are separate from any 12b-1 and/or shareholder services fees or other expenses paid by the Fund to those Service Agents. Because those payments are not made by you or the Fund, the Fund’s total expense ratio will not be affected by any such payments. These additional payments may be made to certain Service Agents, including affiliates that provide shareholder servicing, sub-administration, recordkeeping and/or sub-transfer agency services, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the Service Agents. Cash compensation also may be paid from the Manager’s or the Distributor’s own resources to Service Agents for inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list or in other sales programs. These payments sometimes are referred to as “revenue sharing.” From time to time, the Manager or the Distributor also may provide cash or non-cash compensation to Service Agents in the form of: occasional gifts; occasional meals, tickets, or other entertainment; support for due diligence trips; educational conference sponsorship; support for recognition programs; and other forms of cash or non-cash compensation permissible under broker-dealer regulations. In some cases, these payments may create an incentive for a Service Agent to recommend or sell shares of the Fund to you. Please contact your Service Agent for details about any payments they may receive in connection with the sale of Fund shares or the provision of services to the Fund.

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     Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent and Custodian. Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, located at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166, is the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. Under a transfer agency agreement with the Fund, the Transfer Agent arranges for the maintenance of shareholder account records for the Fund, the handling of certain communications between shareholders and the Fund and the payment of dividends and distributions payable by the Fund. For these services, the Transfer Agent receives a monthly fee computed on the basis of the number of shareholder accounts it maintains for the Fund during the month, and is reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses. The Fund also makes payments to certain financial intermediaries, including affiliates, who provide sub-administration, record keeping and/or sub-transfer agency services to beneficial owners of Fund shares.

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     The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”), an affiliate of the Manager, located at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, acts as custodian of the Fund’s investments. The Custodian has no part in determining the investment policies of the Fund or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Fund. Under a custody agreement with the Fund, the Custodian holds the Fund’s securities and keeps all necessary accounts and records. For its custody services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based on the market value of the Fund’s assets held in custody and receives certain securities transaction charges.

HOW TO BUY SHARES

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     General. Class A and Class C shares may be purchased only by clients of certain Service Agents, including the Distributor. Subsequent purchases may be sent directly to the Transfer Agent or your Service Agent. You will be charged a fee if an investment check is returned unpayable. Stock certificates are issued only upon your written request. No certificates are issued for fractional shares.

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     The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order. The Fund will not establishan account for a “foreign financial institution”, as that term is defined in Department of the Treasury rules implementing section 312 of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. Foreign financial institutions include: foreign banks (including foreign branches of U.S. depository institutions); foreign offices of U.S. securities broker-dealers, futures commission merchants, and mutual funds; non-U.S. entities that, if they were located in the United States, would be securities broker-dealers, futures commission merchants or mutual funds; and non-U.S. entities engaged in the business of a currency dealer or exchanger or a money transmitter. No Fund will accept cash, travelers’ checks, or money orders as payment of shares.

As of June 1, 2006 (the “Effective Date”), Class B shares of the Fund are offered only in connection with dividend reinvestment and exchanges of Class B shares of certain other funds advised by Dreyfus, or shares of Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc. held in an Exchange Account (as defined under “Shareholder Services—Fund Exchanges”) as a result of a previous exchange of Class B shares. No new or subsequent investments, including through automatic investment plans, are allowed in Class B shares of the Fund, except through dividend reinvestment to permitted exchanges. If you hold Class B shares and make a subsequent investment in Fund shares, unless you specify the Class of shares you wish to purchase, such subsequent investment will be made in Class A shares and will be subject to any applicable sales load. For Class B shares outstanding on the Effective Date and Class B shares acquired upon reinvestment of dividends, all Class B share attributes, including associated CDSC schedules, conversion to Class A features and Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan fees, will continue in effect.

     Class I shares are offered only to (i) bank trust departments, trust companies and insurance companies that have entered into agreements with the Distributor to offer Class I shares to their clients, (ii) institutional investors acting in a fiduciary, advisory, agency, custodial or similar capacity for Retirement Plans, and SEP-IRAs (Class I shares may be purchased for a Retirement Plan or SEP-IRA only by a custodian, trustee, investment manager or other entity authorized to act on behalf of such Retirement Plan or SEP-IRA that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Class I shares to such Retirement Plan or SEP-IRA), (iii) law firms or attorneys acting as trustees or executors/administrators, (iv) foundations and endowments that make an initial investment in the Fund of at least $1 million, (v) sponsors of college savings plans that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) that maintain an omnibus account with the Fund and do not require shareholder tax reporting or 529 account support responsibilities from the Distributor, and (vi) advisory fee-based accounts offered through financial intermediaries who, depending on the structure of the selected advisory platform, make Class I shares available. In addition, certain funds offer Class I shares to additional types of investors and/or have investors in Class I who are “grandfathered” and may continue to purchase Class I shares of the particular Fund for their existing accounts (whether or not they would otherwise be eligible to do so). Institutions effecting transactions in Class I shares for the accounts of their clients may charge their clients direct fees in connection with such transactions.

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     Class Z shares are offered to holders of those Fund accounts which existed on August 30, 1999 and continue to exist at the time of purchase. In addition, certain broker-dealers and other financial institutions maintaining accounts with the Fund on August 30, 1999 may open new accounts in Class Z shares of the Fund on behalf of Retirement Plans and “wrap accounts” or similar programs.



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     Effective February 4, 2009 (the “Exchange Date”), the Fund no longer offers Class T shares. Holders of Class T shares as of the Exchange Date automatically received in exchange for their Class T shares Class A shares of the Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate value of the shareholder’s Class T shares.

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     When purchasing Fund shares, you must specify which Class is being purchased. Your Service Agent can help you choose the share class that is appropriate for your investment. The decision as to which Class of shares is most beneficial to you depends on a number of factors, including the amount and the intended length of your investment in the Fund. Please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus for further discussion of those factors.

     In many cases, neither the Distributor nor the Transfer Agent will have the information necessary to determine whether a quantity discount or reduced sales charge is applicable to a purchase. You or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor whenever a quantity discount or reduced sales charge is applicable to a purchase and must provide the Distributor with sufficient information at the time of purchase to verify that each purchase qualifies for the privilege or discount.

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     Service Agents may receive different levels of compensation for selling different Classes of shares. Management understands that some Service Agents may impose certain conditions on their clients which are different from those described in the Fund’s Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, and, to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authority, may charge their clients direct fees. You should consult your Service Agent in this regard. As discussed under “Management Arrangements-Distributor,” Service Agents may receive revenue sharing payments from the Manager or the Distributor. The receipt of such payments could create an incentive for a Service Agent to recommend or sell shares of the Fund instead of other mutual funds where such payments are not received. Please contact your Service Agent for details about any payments they may receive in connection with the sale of Fund shares or the provision of services to the Fund.

     For Class A, C, I and Z shares of the Fund, the minimum initial investment is $1,000. Subsequent investments must be at least $100. However, the minimum initial investment is $750 for Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs and rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans with only one participant, and $500 for Dreyfus-sponsored Education Savings Accounts, with no minimum for subsequent purchases. The initial investment must be accompanied by the Account Application. For full-time or part-time employees of the Manager or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries who elect to have a portion of their pay directly deposited into their Fund accounts, the minimum initial investment is $50. Fund shares are offered without regard to the minimum initial investment requirements to Board members of a fund advised by the Manager, including members of the Fund’s Board, who elect to have all or a portion of their compensation for serving in that capacity automatically invested in the Fund. Fund shares are offered without regard to minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements to investors purchasing Fund shares through wrap account programs or other fee-based programs. The Fund reserves the right to offer Fund shares without regard to minimum purchase requirements to government sponsored programs or employees participating in certain Retirement Plans or other programs where contributions or account information can be transmitted in a manner and form acceptable to the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to vary further the initial and subsequent investment minimum requirements at any time.

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     The minimum initial investment through an exchange for Class B shares of the Fund is $1,000. Subsequent exchanges for Class B shares of the Fund must be at least $500.

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     The Code imposes various limitations on the amount that may be contributed to certain Retirement Plans. These limitations apply with respect to participants at the plan level and, therefore, do not directly affect the amount that may be invested in the Fund by a Retirement Plan or government sponsored programs. Participants and plan sponsors should consult their tax advisers for details.

     Class A, C, I and Z shares of the Fund also may be purchased through Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder®, Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan and Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege described under “Shareholder Services.” These services enable you to make regularly scheduled investments and may provide you with a convenient way to invest for long-term financial goals. You should be aware, however, that periodic investment plans do not guarantee a profit and will not protect an investor against loss in a declining market.

     The Fund may, in its discretion, accept securities in payment for Fund shares. Securities may be accepted in payment for shares only if they are, in the judgment of the Manager, appropriate investments for the Fund. These securities are valued by the same method used to value the Fund’s existing porttfolio holdings. The contribution of securities to a Fund may be a taxable transaction to the shareholder.

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     Fund shares are sold on a continuous basis. Net asset value per share of each class is determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular business. For purposes of determining net asset value per share, certain options may be valued 15 minutes after the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Net asset value per share of each Class is computed by dividing the value of the Fund’s net assets represented by such Class (i.e., the value of its assets less liabilities) by the total number of shares of such Class outstanding. The Fund’s investments are valued based on market value or, where market quotations are not readily available, based on fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Board. For further information regarding the methods employed in valuing the Fund’s investments, see “Determination of Net Asset Value.”

     If an order is received in proper form by the Transfer Agent or other entity authorized to receive orders on behalf of the Fund by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on a regular business day, Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on the next regular business day, except where shares are purchased through a dealer as provided below.

     Orders for the purchase of Fund shares received by dealers by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on any business day and transmitted to the Distributor or its designee by the close of its business day (normally 5:15 p.m., Eastern time) will be based on the public offering price per share determined as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, the orders will be based on the next determined



public offering price. It is the dealer’s responsibility to transmit orders so that they will be received by the Distributor or its designee before the close of its business day. For certain institutions that have entered into agreements with the Distributor, payment for the purchase of Fund shares may be transmitted, and must be received by the Transfer Agent, within three business days after the order is placed. If such payment is not received within three business days after the order is placed, the order may be canceled and the institution could be held liable for resulting fees and/or losses.

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     Class A Shares. The public offering price for Class A shares is the net asset value per share of that Class plus a sales load as shown below, except Class T shares of the Fund on the Exchange Date:

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                     Total Sales Load*     
    As a % of    As a % of    Dealers’ 
    offering    net asset    reallowance as a 
    price per    value per    % of 
Amount of Transaction    share    share    offering price 

           
Less than $50,000    5.75    6.10    5.00 
$50,000 to less than             
$100,000    4.50    4.70    3.75 
$100,000 to less than             
$250,000    3.50    3.60    2.75 
$250,000 to less than             
$500,000    2.50    2.60    2.25 
$500,000 to less than             
$1,000,000    2.00    2.00    1.75 
$1,000,000 or more    -0-    -0-    -0- 

*      Due to rounding, the actual sales load you pay may be more or less than that calculated using these percentages.
 
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     For shareholders of the Fund who received Class A shares of the Fund in exchange for their Class T shares of the Fund on the Exchange Date, the public offering price for Class A shares of the Fund is the net asset value per share of that Class plus a sales load as shown below:

    Total Sales Load* -- Class A Shares     
   
   
    As a % of    As a % of net    Dealers' reallowance 
    offering    asset    as a 
Amount of Transaction    price per share    value per share    % of offering price 

 
 
 
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Less than $50,000    4.50    4.70    4.00 
$50,000 to less than $100,000    4.00    4.20    3.50 
$100,000 to less than $250,000    3.00    3.10    2.50 
$250,000 to less than $500,000    2.00    2.00    1.75 
$500,000 to less than $1,000,000    1.50    1.50    1.25 

     Class A shares purchased without an initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more may be assessed at the time of redemption a 1% CDSC. The Distributor may pay Service Agents an up-front commission of up to 1% of the net asset value of Class A shares purchased by their clients as part of a $1,000,000 or more investment in Class A shares that are subject to a CDSC. See “Management Arrangements-Distributor.”

     The scale of sales loads applies to purchases of Class A shares made by any “purchaser,” which term includes an individual and/or spouse purchasing securities for his, her or their own account or for the account of any minor children, or a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing securities for a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account (including a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit trust created pursuant to a plan qualified under Section 401 of the Code) although more than one beneficiary is involved; or a group of accounts established by or on behalf of the employees of an employer or affiliated employers pursuant to an employee benefit plan or other program (including accounts established pursuant to Sections 403(b), 408(k) and 457 of the Code); or an organized group which has been in existence for more than six months, provided that it is not organized for the purpose of buying redeemable securities of a registered investment company and provided that the purchases are made through a central administration or a single dealer, or by other means which result in economy of sales effort or expense.

     Set forth below is an example of the method of computing the offering price of the Fund’s Class A shares. The example assumes a purchase of Class A shares of the Fund aggregating less than $50,000, subject to the schedule of sales charges set forth above at a price based upon the net asset value of the Fund’s Class A shares on May 31, 2009:

NAV per share    $ 7.08 
Per Share Sales Charge - 5.75% of offering price     
 (6.10% of net asset value per share)    $ .43 
Per Share Offering Price to Public    $7.51 

     Dealers’ Reallowance -- Class A Shares. The dealer reallowance provided with respect to Class A shares may be changed from time to time but will remain the same for all dealers.

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     Class A Shares Offered at Net Asset Value. Full-time employees of FINRA member firms and full-time employees of other financial institutions which have entered into an agreement with the Distributor pertaining to the sale of Fund shares (or which otherwise have a brokerage related or clearing arrangement with a FINRA member firm or financial institution with respect to the sale of such shares) may purchase Class A shares for themselves directly or pursuant to an employee benefit plan or other program (if Fund shares are offered to such plans or programs), or for their spouses or minor children, at net asset value, without a sales load, provided that they have furnished the Distributor with such information as it may request from time to time in order to verify eligibility for this privilege. This privilege also applies to full-time employees of financial institutions affiliated with FINRA member firms whose full-time employees are eligible to purchase Class A shares at net asset value. In addition, Class A shares are offered at net asset value to full-time or part-time employees of the Manager or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, directors of the Manager, Board members of a fund advised by the Manager, including members of the Fund’s Board, or the spouse or minor child of any of the foregoing.

     Class A shares are offered at net asset value without a sales load to employees participating in Retirement Plans. Class A shares also may be purchased (including by exchange) at net asset value without a sales load for Dreyfus-sponsored IRA “Rollover Accounts” with the distribution proceeds from a Retirement Plan or a Dreyfus-sponsored 403(b)(7) plan, provided that, in the case of a Retirement Plan, the rollover is processed through an entity that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor specifically relating to processing rollovers. Upon establishing the Rollover account in the Fund the shareholder becomes eligible to make subsequent purchases of Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value in such account.

     Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales load through certain broker-dealers and other financial institutions which have entered into an agreement with the Distributor, which includes a requirement that such shares be sold for the benefit of clients participating in a “wrap account” or a similar program under which such clients pay a fee to such broker-dealer or other financial institution.

     Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value, without a sales load, subject to appropriate documentation, by (i) qualified separate accounts maintained by an insurance company pursuant to the laws of any State or territory of the United States, (ii) a State, county or city or instrumentality thereof, (iii) a charitable organization (as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code) investing $50,000 or more in Fund shares, and (iv) a charitable remainder trust (as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code).

     Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales load by qualified investors who (i) purchase Class A shares directly through the Distributor, and (ii) have, or whose spouse or minor children have beneficially owned shares and continuously maintained an open account directly through the Distributor in a Dreyfus-managed fund, including the Fund on or before February 28, 2006.

     Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales load with the cash proceeds from an investor’s exercise of employment-related stock options, whether invested in the Fund directly or indirectly through an exchange from a Dreyfus-managed money market fund, provided that the proceeds are processed through an entity that has entered into an

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agreement with the Distributor specifically relating to processing stock options. Upon establishing the account in the Fund or Dreyfus-managed money market fund, the investor and the investor’s spouse or minor children become eligible to purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value, whether or not using the proceeds of the employment-related stock options.

     Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales load by members of qualified affinity groups who purchase Class A shares directly through the Distributor, provided that the qualified affinity group has entered into an affinity agreement with the Distributor.

     Right of Accumulation—Class A Shares. Reduced sales loads apply to any purchase of Class A shares by you and any related “purchaser” as defined above, where the aggregate investment including such purchase is $50,000 or more. If, for example, you previously purchased and still hold shares of the Fund, or shares of certain other funds advised by the Manager that are subject to a front-end sales load or a CDSC or shares acquired by a previous exchange of such shares (hereinafter referred to as “Eligible Funds”), or combination thereof, with an aggregate current market value of $40,000 and subsequently purchase Class A shares of the Fund having a current value of $20,000, the sales load applicable to the subsequent purchase would be reduced to 4.50% of the offering price. All present holdings of Eligible Funds may be combined to determine the current offering price of the aggregate investment in ascertaining the sales load applicable to each subsequent purchase.

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     To qualify for reduced sales loads, at the time of purchase you or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor if orders are made by wire, or the Transfer Agent if orders are made by mail. The reduced sales load is subject to confirmation of your holdings through a check of appropriate records.

     Class B Shares. Class B shares of the Fund are offered only in connection with dividend reinvestment and permitted exchanges of Class B shares of certain other funds. The public offering price for such Class B shares is the net asset value per share of that Class. No initial sales charge is imposed at the time of dividend reinvestment or exchange. A CDSC is imposed on certain redemptions of Class B shares as described in the Fund’s Prospectus and in this Statement of Additional Information under “How to Redeem Shares—Contingent Deferred Sales Charge—Class B Shares.”

     Approximately six years after the date of purchase, Class B shares automatically will convert to Class A shares, based on the relative net asset values for shares of each such Class. Class B shares of a Fund that have been acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be converted on a pro rata basis together with other Class B shares, in the proportion that a shareholder’s Class B shares converting to Class A shares bears to the total Class B shares held by the shareholder, excluding shares acquired through the reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and distributions. Class B shares of the Fund acquired by shareholders in exchange for Class B shares originally issued by the Acquired Fund before December 1, 2003 are subject to different CDSCs and conversion to Class A schedules. See “How to Redeem Shares –Contingent Deferred Sales Charge–Class B Shares.”

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     Class C Shares. The public offering price for Class C shares is the net asset value per share of that Class. No initial sales charge is imposed at the time of purchase. A CDSC is imposed, however, on redemptions of Class C shares made within the first year of purchase. See “How to Redeem Shares – Contingent Sales Charge – Class C Shares.”

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     Class I and Class Z Shares. The public offering price for Class I and Class Z shares is the net asset value per share of the respective Class.

     Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. You may purchase Class A, C, I and Z shares by telephone or online if you have checked the appropriate box and supplied the necessary information on the Account Application or have filed a Shareholder Services Form with the Transfer Agent. The proceeds will be transferred between the bank account designated in one of these documents and your Fund account. Only a bank account maintained in a domestic financial institution which is an Automated Clearing House member (“ACH”) may be so designated.

     Dreyfus TeleTransfer purchase orders may be made at any time. If purchase orders are received by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on any day that the Transfer Agent and the New York Stock Exchange are open for regular business, Fund shares will be purchased at the public offering price determined on that day. If purchase orders are made after 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on any day the Transfer Agent and the New York Stock Exchange are open for regular business, or made on Saturday, Sunday or any Fund holiday (e.g., when the New York Stock Exchange is not open for business), Fund shares will be purchased at the share price determined on the next bank business day following such purchase order. To qualify to use Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, the initial payment for purchase of shares must be drawn on, and redemption proceeds paid to, the same bank and account as are designated on the Account Application or Shareholder Services Form on file. If the proceeds of a particular redemption are to be sent to an account at any other bank, the request must be in writing and signature-guaranteed. See “How to Redeem Shares—Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege.”

     Reopening an Account. You may reopen an account with a minimum investment of $100 without filing a new Account Application during the calendar year the account is closed or during the following calendar year, provided the information on the old Account Application is still applicable.

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     Converting Shares. Under certain circumstances, Fund shares may be converted from one Class of shares to another Class of shares of the Fund. The aggregate dollar value of the shares of the Class received upon any such conversion will equal the aggregate dollar value of the converted shares on the date of the conversion. An investor whose Fund shares are converted from one Class to another Class of the Fund will not realize taxable gain or loss as a result of the conversion.

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DISTRIBUTION PLANS AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLANS

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     Class B and Class C shares are each subject to a Distribution Plan and Class A, Class B, Class C and Class Z shares are each subject to a Shareholder Services Plan.

     Distribution Plans. Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule”) adopted by the SEC under the 1940 Act provides, among other things, that an investment company may bear expenses of distributing its shares only pursuant to a plan adopted in accordance with the Rule. The Fund’s Board has adopted such a plan with respect to the Fund’s Class B and Class C shares (the “Class B and Class C Distribution Plan”) pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor for distributing each such Class of shares a fee at the annual rate of 0.75% of the value of the average daily net assets

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of Class B and Class C shares. The Distributor may pay one or more Service Agents in respect of advertising, marketing and other distribution services and determines the amounts, if any, to be paid to Service Agents and the basis on which such payments are made. The Fund’s Board believes that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Class B and Class C Distribution Plan will benefit the Fund and holders of its Class B and Class C shares.

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     A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Distribution Plan, and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to the Board for its review. In addition the Distribution Plan provides that it may not be amended to increase materially the costs which holders of the Fund’s Class B or Class C shares may bear pursuant to the Distribution Plan without the approval of the holders of such shares and that other material amendments of the Distribution Plan must be approved by the Fund’s Board, and by the Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution Plans, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments. The Distribution Plan is subject to annual approval by such vote of the Board cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Distribution Plan. As to the relevant Class of shares, the Distribution Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Board members who are not “interested persons” and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution Plan or by vote of the holders of a majority of such Class of shares.

     For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009, the Fund paid the Distributor $9,334 and $14,559, with respect to Class B and Class C shares, respectively, pursuant to the Distribution Plan.

     Shareholder Services Plans. The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to its Class A, Class B and Class C shares (the “Class A, Class B and Class C Shareholder Services Plan”) pursuant to which the Fund pays the Distributor for the provision of certain services to the holders of the Fund’s Class A, Class B and Class C shares a fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of the value of the average daily net assets of each such Class. The services provided may include personal services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the Fund and providing reports and other information, and services related to the maintenance of such shareholder accounts. Under the Class A, Class B and Class C Shareholder Services Plan, the Distributor may make payments to Service Agents in respect of these services.

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     The Fund has also adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to its Class Z shares (the “Class Z Shareholder Services Plan”), pursuant to which the Fund reimburses the Distributor an amount not to exceed an annual rate of 0.25% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to Class Z shares for certain allocated expenses with respect to servicing and/or maintaining shareholder accounts.

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     A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Class A, Class B and Class C Shareholder Services Plan and the Class Z Shareholder Services Plan, and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to the Board for its review. In addition, each Shareholder Services Plan provides that material amendments must be approved by the Fund’s Board, and by the Board members who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the

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1940 Act) of the Fund and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Shareholder Services Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Shareholder Services Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments. Each Shareholder Services Plan is subject to annual approval by such vote of the Board cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Shareholder Services Plan. As to the relevant Class of shares, the Shareholder Services Plan is terminable at any time by vote of a majority of the Board members who are not “interested persons” and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Shareholder Services Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Shareholder Services Plan.

     For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009, the Fund paid the Distributor $216,232 with respect to Class Z shares, pursuant to the Class Z Shareholder Services Plan and $98,373, $3,111 and $4,853, with respect to Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively, pursuant to the Class A, Class B and Class C Shareholder Services Plan.

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HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

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     General. The Fund ordinarily will make payment for all shares redeemed within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of a redemption request in proper form, except as provided by the rules of the SEC. However, if you have purchased Fund shares by check, by Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege or through Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder® and subsequently submit a written redemption request to the Transfer Agent, the Fund may delay sending the redemption proceeds for up to eight business days after the purchase of such shares. In addition, the Fund will reject requests to redeem shares by wire, telephone, online or pursuant to the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, for a period of up to eight business days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the purchase check, the Dreyfus TeleTransfer purchase or the Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder® order against which such redemption is requested. These procedures will not apply if your shares were purchased by wire payment, or if you otherwise have a sufficient collected balance in your account to cover the redemption request. Fund shares may not be redeemed until the Transfer Agent has received your Account Application.

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     If you hold Fund shares of more than one Class, any request for redemption must specify the Class of shares being redeemed. If you fail to specify the Class of shares to be redeemed or if you own fewer shares of the Class than specified to be redeemed, the redemption request may be delayed until the Transfer Agent receives further instructions from you or your Service Agent.

     Procedures. You may redeem Fund shares by using the regular redemption procedure through the Transfer Agent, or through the Telephone Redemption Privilege, which is granted automatically unless you specifically refuse it by checking the applicable “No” box on the Account Application. The Telephone Redemption Privilege may be established for an existing account by a separate signed Shareholder Services Form or by oral request from any of the authorized signatories on the account by calling 1-800-554-4611. (Holders of Class Z shares should call 1-800-645-6561.) You also may redeem shares through the Wire Redemption Privilege or the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege if you have checked the appropriate box and supplied the necessary information on the Account Application or have filed a Shareholder Services Form with the Transfer Agent. If you are a client of certain Selected Dealers, you can also redeem Fund shares through the Selected Dealer. Other redemption procedures may be in effect for clients of certain Service Agents and institutions. The Fund makes available to certain large institutions the ability to issue redemption instructions through compatible computer



facilities. The Fund reserves the right to refuse any request made by telephone, including requests made shortly after a change of address, and may limit the amount involved or the number of such requests. The Fund may modify or terminate any redemption privilege at any time or charge a service fee upon notice to shareholders. No such fee currently is contemplated. Shares held under Keogh Plans, IRAs, or other retirement plans, and shares for which certificates have been issued, are not eligible for the Wire Redemption, Telephone Redemption or Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege.

     The Telephone Redemption Privilege, the Wire Redemption Privilege, Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege or Telephone Exchange Privilege authorizes the Transfer Agent to act on telephone instructions (including the Dreyfus Express® voice response telephone system) from any person representing himself or herself to be you, or a representative of your Service Agent, and reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Fund will require the Transfer Agent to employ reasonable procedures, such as requiring a form of personal identification, to confirm that instructions are genuine and, if it does not follow such procedures, the Fund or the Transfer Agent may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Neither the Fund nor the Transfer Agent will be liable for following telephonic instructions reasonably believed to be genuine.

     During times of drastic economic or market conditions, you may experience difficulty in contacting the Transfer Agent by telephone to request a redemption or an exchange of Fund shares. In such cases, you should consider using the other redemption procedures described herein. Use of these other redemption procedures may result in your redemption request being processed at a later time than it would have been if telephonic redemption had been used. During the delay, the Fund’s net asset value may fluctuate.

     Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares. A CDSC payable to the Distributor is imposed on any redemption of Class B shares which reduces the current net asset value of your Class B shares to an amount which is lower than the dollar amount of all payments by you for the purchase of Class B shares of the Fund held by you at the time of redemption. No CDSC will be imposed to the extent that the net asset value of the Class B shares of the Fund redeemed does not exceed (i) the current net asset value of Class B shares of the Fund acquired through reinvestment of Fund dividends or capital gain distributions, plus (ii) increases in the net asset value of your Class B shares above the dollar amount of all your payments for the purchase of Class B shares of the Fund held by you at the time of redemption.

     If the aggregate value of Class B shares redeemed has declined below their original cost as a result of the Fund’s performance, a CDSC may be applied to the then-current net asset value rather than the purchase price.

     In circumstances where the CDSC is imposed, the amount of the charge will depend on the number of years from the time you purchased the Class B shares until the time of redemption of such shares. Solely for purposes of determining the number of years from the time of any payment for the purchase of Class B shares, all payments during a month will be aggregated and deemed to have been made on the first day of the month.



     The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC and the conversion to Class A schedule for Class B shares of the Fund, except for certain Class B shares issued in exchange for shares originally issued by the Acquired Fund described below:

    CDSC as a % of 
 Year After    Amount Invested or 
 Purchase Payment    Redemption Proceeds 
 Was Made    (whichever is less) 

 
 First    4.00 
 Second    4.00 
 Third    3.00 
 Fourth    3.00 
 Fifth    2.00 
 
 Sixth    1.00* 

   
* These Class B shares will automatically convert into Class A shares approximately six years after the 
date of purchase.     

     The following table sets forth the rates of the CDSC payable to the Acquired Fund’s former distributor and the conversion to Class A schedule for Class B shares of the Fund issued in exchange for Class B shares originally issued by the Acquired Fund before December 1, 2003:

    CDSC as a % of 
Year After    Amount Invested or 
Purchase Payment    Redemption Proceeds 
Was Made    (whichever is less) 

 
First    5.00 
Second    4.00 
Third    3.00 
Fourth    3.00 
Fifth    2.00 
Sixth    1.00 
Seventh    0.00 
Eighth                              0.00** 

 
 
** These Class B shares will automatically convert into Class A shares at the end of the 
calendar quarter that is eight years after the initial purchase of the Class B shares of the 
Acquired Fund (applies to such Class B shares originally issued by the Acquired Fund 
before December 1, 2003).     

     In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation will be made in a manner that results in the lowest possible rate. It will be assumed that the redemption is made first of amounts representing Class B shares of the Fund acquired pursuant to the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions; then of amounts representing the increase in net asset value of Class B shares above the total amount of payments for the purchase of Class B shares made during the preceding six years (or eight years for certain shares issued in exchange for shares originally issued by the Acquired Fund); and finally, of amounts representing the cost of shares held for the longest period.



     For example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares of the Fund at $10 per share for a cost of $1,000. Subsequently, the shareholder acquired five additional Fund shares through the reinvestment of Fund dividends. During the second year after the purchase the investor decided to redeem $500 of the investment. Assuming at the time of the redemption the net asset value had appreciated to $12 per share, the value of the investor’s shares would be $1,260 (105 shares at $12 per share). The CDSC would not be applied to the value of the reinvested dividend shares and the amount which represents appreciation ($260). Therefore, $240 of the $500 redemption proceeds ($500 minus $260) would be charged at a rate of 4% (the applicable rate in the second year after purchase) for a total CDSC of $9.60.

     Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class C Shares. A CDSC of 1% payable to the Distributor is imposed on any redemption of Class C shares within one year of the date of purchase. The basis for calculating the payment of any such CDSC will be the method used in calculating the CDSC for Class B shares. See “Contingent Deferred Sales Charge--Class B Shares” above.

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     Waiver of CDSC. The CDSC may be waived in connection with (a) redemptions made within one year after the death or disability, as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code, of the shareholder, (b) redemptions by employees participating in Retirement Plans, (c) redemptions as a result of a combination of any investment company with the Fund by merger, acquisition of assets or otherwise, (d) a distribution following retirement under a tax-deferred retirement plan or upon attaining age 70½ in the case of an IRA or Keogh plan or custodial account pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code, and (e) redemptions pursuant to the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, as described below. If the Fund’s Board determines to discontinue the waiver of the CDSC, the disclosure herein will be revised appropriately. Any Fund shares subject to a CDSC which were purchased prior to the termination of such waiver will have the CDSC waived as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information at the time of the purchase of such shares.

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     To qualify for a waiver of the CDSC, at the time of redemption you must notify the Transfer Agent or your Service Agent must notify the Distributor. Any such qualification is subject to confirmation of your entitlement.

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     Redemption Through a Selected Dealer. If you are a customer of a Selected Dealer, you may make redemption requests to your Selected Dealer. If the Selected Dealer transmits the redemption request so that it is received by the Transfer Agent prior to the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), the redemption request will be effective on that day. If a redemption request is received by the Transfer Agent after the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, the redemption request will be effective on the next business day. It is the responsibility of the Selected Dealer to transmit a request so that it is received in a timely manner. The proceeds of the redemption are credited to your account with the Selected Dealer. See “How to Buy Shares” for a discussion of additional fees that may be imposed upon redemption.

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     In addition, the Distributor or its designee will accept orders from Selected Dealers with which the Distributor has sales agreements for the repurchase of shares held by shareholders. Repurchase orders received by dealers by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on any business day and transmitted to the Distributor or its designee prior to the close of its business day (usually 5:15 p.m., Eastern time) are effected at the price determined



as of the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on that day. Otherwise, the shares will be redeemed at the next determined net asset value. It is the responsibility of the Selected Dealer to transmit orders on a timely basis. The Selected Dealer may charge the shareholder a fee for executing the order. This repurchase arrangement is discretionary and may be withdrawn at any time.

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     Reinvestment Privilege. Upon written request, you may reinvest up to the number of Class A shares you have redeemed, within 45 days of redemption, at the then-prevailing net asset value without a sales load, or reinstate your account for the purpose of exercising Fund Exchanges. Upon reinstatement if such shares were subject to a CDSC, your account will be credited with an amount equal to the CDSC previously paid upon redemption of the shares reinvested. The Reinvestment Privilege may be exercised only once.

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     Telephone Redemption Privilege. You may request by telephone that redemption proceeds (maximum $250,000 per day) be paid by check and mailed to your address.

     Wire Redemption Privilege. By using this Privilege, you authorize the Transfer Agent to act on telephonic, letter or online redemption instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be you or a representative of your Service Agent and reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Ordinarily, the Fund will initiate payment for shares redeemed pursuant to this Privilege on the next business day after receipt if the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request in proper form. Redemption proceeds ($1,000 minimum) will be transferred by Federal Reserve wire only to the commercial bank account specified by you on the Account Application or Shareholder Services Form or a correspondent bank if your bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve System. Holders of jointly registered Fund or bank accounts may have redemption proceeds of only up to $250,000 wired within any 30-day period. Fees ordinarily are imposed by such bank and borne by the investor. Immediate notification by the correspondent bank to your bank is necessary to avoid a delay in crediting the funds to your bank account.

     To change the commercial bank or account designated to receive wire redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent. This request must be signed by each shareholder, with each signature guaranteed as described below under “Stock Certificates; Signatures.”

     Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. You may request by telephone or online that redemption proceeds (minimum $500 per day) be transferred between your Fund account and your bank account. Only a bank account maintained in a domestic financial institution which is an ACH member may be designated. You should be aware that if you have selected the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, any request for a Dreyfus TeleTransfer transaction will be effected through the ACH system unless more prompt transmittal specifically is requested. Redemption proceeds will be on deposit in your account at an ACH member bank ordinarily two business days after receipt of the redemption request. Holders of jointly registered Fund or bank accounts may redeem through the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege for transfer to their bank account only up to $250,000 within any 30-day period. Shares held in an IRA or Educational Savings Account may not be redeemed through the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. See “How to Buy Shares – Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege.”

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     Stock Certificates; Signatures. Any stock certificates representing Fund shares to be redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request. A fee may be imposed to replace lost

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or stolen stock certificates, or certificates that were never received. Written redemption requests must be signed by each shareholder, including each owner of a joint account, and each signature must be guaranteed. Signatures on endorsed certificates submitted for redemption also must be guaranteed. The Transfer Agent has adopted standards and procedures pursuant to which signature-guarantees in proper form generally will be accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program, the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program. Guarantees must be signed by an authorized signatory of the guarantor and “Signature-Guaranteed” must appear with the signature. The Transfer Agent may request additional documentation from corporations, executors, administrators, trustees or guardians and may accept other suitable verification arrangements from foreign investors such as consular verification. For more information with respect to signature guarantees, please call the telephone number for your share class listed on the cover.

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     Redemption Commitment. The Fund has committed itself to pay in cash all redemption requests by any shareholder of record, limited in amount during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of the Fund’s net assets at the beginning of such period. Such commitment is irrevocable without the prior approval of the SEC. In the case of requests for redemptions in excess of such amount, the Fund’s Board reserves the right to make payments in whole or in part in securities or other assets of the Fund in case of an emergency or any time a cash distribution would impair the liquidity of the Fund to the detriment of the existing shareholders. In such event, the securities would be valued in the same manner as the portfolio of the Fund. If the recipient sold such securities, brokerage charges would be incurred.

     Suspension of Redemptions. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (a) during any period when the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (b) when trading in the markets the Fund normally utilizes is restricted, or when an emergency exists as determined by the SEC so that disposal of the Fund’s investments or determination of its net asset value is not reasonably practicable, or (c) for such other periods as the SEC by order may permit to protect the Fund’s shareholders.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

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     Fund Exchanges. You may purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, or shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, to the extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of residence. Shares of such funds purchased by exchange will be purchased on the basis of relative net asset value per share as follows:

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A.      Exchanges for shares of funds that are offered without a sales load will be made without a sales load.
 
B.      Shares of funds purchased without a sales load may be exchanged for shares of other funds sold with a sales load, and the applicable sales load will be deducted.
 
C.      Shares of funds purchased with a sales load may be exchanged without a sales load for shares of other funds sold without a sales load.
 


D.      Shares of funds purchased with a sales load, shares of funds acquired by a previous exchange from shares purchased with a sales load, and additional shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or distributions of any such funds (collectively referred to herein as “Purchased Shares”) may be exchanged for shares of other funds sold with a sales load (referred to herein as “Offered Shares”), provided that, if the sales load applicable to the Offered Shares exceeds the maximum sales load that could have been imposed in connection with the Purchased Shares (at the time the Purchased Shares were acquired), without giving effect to any reduced loads, the difference may be deducted.
 
E.      Shares of funds subject to a CDSC that are exchanged for shares of another fund will be subject to the higher applicable CDSC of the two funds, and for purposes of calculating CDSC rates and conversion periods, if any, will be deemed to have been held since the date the shares being exchanged were initially purchased.
 

     To accomplish an exchange under Item D above, you or your Service Agent acting on your behalf must notify the Transfer Agent of your prior ownership of Fund shares and your account number.

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     As of the Effective Date, you also may exchange your Class B shares for Class B shares of General Money Market Fund, Inc. (the “General Fund”), a money market fund advised by the Manager. The shares so purchased will be held in a special account created solely for this purpose (“Exchange Account”). Exchanges of shares from an Exchange Account can be made into Class B shares of funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. No CDSC is charged when an investor exchanges into an Exchange Account; however, the applicable CDSC will be imposed when shares are redeemed from an Exchange Account or other applicable fund account. Upon redemption, the applicable CDSC will be calculated taking into account the time such shares were held in the General Fund’s Exchange Account. In addition, the time Class B shares are held in the General Fund’s Exchange Account will be taken into account for purposes of calculating when such shares convert to Class A shares. If your Class B shares are held in the General Fund’s Exchange Account at the time such shares are scheduled to convert to Class A shares, you will receive Class A shares of the General Fund. Prior to the Effective Date, shareholders were permitted to exchange their Class B shares for shares of Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc. (“Worldwide Dollar Fund”), and such shares were held in an Exchange Account. Shareholders who held shares of Worldwide Dollar Fund in an Exchange Account on the Effective Date may continue to hold those shares and upon redemption from the Exchange Account or other applicable fund account, the applicable CDSC and conversion to Class A schedule will be calculated, except for Fund shares issued in exchange for shares originally issued by the Acquired Fund, without regard to the time such shares were held in Worldwide Dollar Fund’s Exchange Account; for Fund shares issued in exchange for shares originally issued by the Acquired Fund, the applicable CDSC and conversion to Class A schedule will be calculated taking into account the time such shares were held in the Worldwide Dollar Fund Exchange Account. Exchanges of shares from an Exchange Account in Worldwide Dollar Fund can be made into Class B shares of funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds and the General Fund. See “How to Redeem Shares.” Redemption proceeds for Exchange Account shares are paid by Federal wire or check only. Exchange Account shares also are eligible for the Auto-Exchange Privilege, and the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, as described below.

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     To request an exchange, you or your Service Agent acting on your behalf must give exchange instructions to the Transfer Agent in writing, by telephone or online. The ability to issue exchange instructions by telephone is given to all Fund shareholders automatically, unless you check the applicable “No” box on the Account Application, indicating that you specifically refuse this privilege. By using this privilege, you authorize the Transfer Agent to act on telephonic and online instructions (including over the Dreyfus Express® voice response telephone system) from any person representing himself or herself to be you or a representative of your Service Agent, and reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Exchanges may be subject to limitations as to amount involved or the number of exchanges permitted. Shares issued in certificate form are not eligible for telephone or online exchanges. No fees currently are charged shareholders directly in connection with exchanges, although the Fund reserves the right, upon not less than 60 days’ written notice, to charge shareholders a nominal administrative fee in accordance with rules promulgated by the SEC.

     To establish a personal retirement plan by exchange, shares of the fund being exchanged must have a value of at least the minimum initial investment required for the fund into which the exchange is being made.

     During times of drastic economic or market conditions, the Fund may suspend Fund Exchanges temporarily without notice and treat exchange requests based on their separate components -- redemption orders with a simultaneous request to purchase the other fund’s shares. In such a case, the redemption request would be processed at the fund’s next determined net asset value but the purchase order would be effective only at the net asset value next determined after the fund being purchased receives the proceeds of the redemption, which may result in the purchase being delayed.

     Exchanges of Class I shares held by a Retirement Plan may be made only between the investor’s Retirement Plan account in one fund and such investor’s Retirement Plan account in another fund.

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     Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege. Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege permits you to purchase (on a semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis), in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds or shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds of which you are a shareholder (including for Class B shares of the General Fund held in an Exchange Account) as described above under “Fund Exchanges.” Shares will be exchanged on the basis of relative net asset value as described above under “Fund Exchanges.” Enrollment in or modification or cancellation of this Privilege is effective three business days following notification by you. You will be notified if your account falls below the amount designated to be exchanged under this Privilege. In this case, your account will fall to zero unless additional investments are made in excess of the designated amount prior to the next Auto-Exchange transaction. Shares held under IRA and other retirement plans are eligible for this Privilege. Exchanges of IRA shares may be made between IRA accounts and from regular accounts to IRA accounts, but not from IRA accounts to regular accounts. With respect to all other retirement accounts, exchanges may be made only among those accounts.

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     Fund Exchanges and Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege are available to shareholders resident in any state in which the fund being acquired may legally be sold. Shares may be exchanged only between fund accounts having identical names and other identifying designations.

     Shareholder Services Forms and prospectuses of the other funds may be obtained by calling 1-800-554-4611 (holders of Class Z shares should call 1-800-645-6561) or visiting www.dreyfus.com. The Fund reserves the right to reject any exchange request in whole or in part. The Fund Exchanges service or Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege may be modified or terminated at any time upon notice to shareholders.

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     Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder®. Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder permits you to purchase Class A, C, I or Z shares (minimum of $100 and maximum of $150,000 per transaction) at regular intervals selected by you. Fund shares are purchased by transferring funds from the bank account designated by you.

     Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege. Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege enables you to purchase Class A, C, I and Z shares (minimum of $100 and maximum of $50,000 per transaction) by having Federal salary, Social Security, or certain veterans’, military or other payments from the U.S. Government automatically deposited into your Fund account.

     Dreyfus Dividend Options. Dreyfus Dividend Sweep allows you to invest automatically your dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, from Class A, C, I or Z shares of the Fund in shares of the same Class of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds, or shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds of which you are a shareholder. Shares of other funds purchased pursuant to this privilege will be purchased on the basis of relative net asset value per share as follows:

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A.      Dividends and distributions paid by a fund may be invested without a sales load in shares of other funds that are offered without a sales load.
 
B.      Dividends and distributions paid by a fund which does not charge a sales load may be invested in shares of other funds sold with a sales load, and the applicable sales load will be deducted.
 
C.      Dividends and distributions paid by a fund that charges a sales load may be invested in shares of other funds sold with a sales load (referred to herein as “Offered Shares”), but if the sales load applicable to the Offered Shares exceeds the maximum sales load charged by the fund from which dividends or distributions are being swept (without giving effect to any reduced loads), the difference may be deducted.
 
D.      Dividends and distributions paid by a fund may be invested in shares of other funds that impose a CDSC and the applicable CDSC, if any, will be imposed upon redemption of such shares.
 

     



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     Dreyfus Dividend ACH permits you to transfer electronically dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, from the Fund to a designated bank account. Only an accountmaintained at a domestic financial institution which is an ACH member may be so designated. Banks may charge a fee for this service.

     Automatic Withdrawal Plan. The Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits you to request withdrawal of a specified dollar amount (minimum of $50) on either a monthly or quarterly basis if you have a $5,000 minimum account. Withdrawal payments are the proceeds from sales of Fund shares, not the yield on the shares. If withdrawal payments exceed reinvested dividends and distributions, your shares will be reduced and eventually may be depleted. The Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be established by filing an Automatic Withdrawal Plan application with the Transfer Agent or by oral request from any authorized signatories on the account by calling one of the numbers on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information. The Automatic Withdrawal may be terminated at any time by you, the Fund or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which certificates have been issued may not be redeemed through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

     No CDSC with respect to Class B shares (including Class B shares held in an Exchange Account) or Class C shares will be imposed on withdrawals made under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, provided that any amount withdrawn under the plan does not exceed on an annual basis 12% of the greater of (1) the account value at the time of the first withdrawal under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, or (2) the account value at the time of the subsequent withdrawal. Withdrawals with respect to Class B or Class C shares under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan that exceed such amounts will be subject to a CDSC. Withdrawals of Class A shares subject to a CDSC under the Automatic Withdrawal Plan will be subject to any applicable CDSC. Purchases of additional Class A shares where the sales load is imposed concurrently with withdrawals of Class A shares generally are undesirable.

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     Certain Retirement Plans, including Dreyfus-sponsored retirement plans, may permit certain participants to establish an automatic withdrawal plan from such Retirement Plans. Participants should consult their Retirement Plan sponsor and tax adviser for details. Such a withdrawal plan is different than the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

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     Letter of Intent--Class A. By signing a Letter of Intent form, you become eligible for the reduced sales load on purchases of Class A shares based on the total number of shares of Eligible Funds (as defined under “Right of Accumulation” above) purchased by you and any related “purchaser” (as defined above) in a 13-month period pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Letter of Intent. Shares of any Eligible Fund purchased within 90 days prior to the submission of the Letter of Intent may be used to equal or exceed the amount specified in the Letter of Intent. A minimum initial purchase of $5,000 is required. You can obtain a Letter of Intent form by calling 1-800-554-4611.

     Each purchase you make during the 13-month period (which begins on the date you submit the Letter of Intent) will be at the public offering price applicable to a single transaction of the aggregate dollar amount you select in the Letter of Intent. The Transfer Agent will hold in escrow 5% of the amount indicated in the Letter of Intent, which may be used for payment of a higher sales load if you do not purchase the full amount indicated in the Letter of Intent. When you fulfill the terms of the Letter of Intent by purchasing the specified amount, the escrowed amount will be released and additional shares representing such amount credited to your account. If your purchases meet the total minimum investment amount specified in the Letter of Intent within the 13-month period, an adjustment will be made at the

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conclusion of the 13-month period to reflect any reduced sales load applicable to shares purchased during the 90-day period prior to submission of the Letter of Intent. If your purchases qualify for a further sales load reduction, the sales load will be adjusted to reflect your total purchase at the end of 13 months. If total purchases are less than the amount specified, the offering price of the shares you purchased (including shares representing the escrowed amount) during the 13-month period will be adjusted to reflect the sales load applicable to the aggregate purchases you actually made (which will reduce the number of shares in your account), unless you have redeemed the shares in your account, in which case the Transfer Agent, as attorney-in-fact pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Intent, will redeem an appropriate number of Class A shares of the Fund held in escrow to realize the difference between the sales load actually paid and the sales load applicable to the aggregate purchases actually made and any remaining shares will be credited to your account. Signing a Letter of Intent does not bind you to purchase, or the Fund to sell, the full amount indicated at the sales load in effect at the time of signing, but you must complete the intended purchase to obtain the reduced sales load. At the time you purchase Class A shares, you must indicate your intention to do so under a Letter of Intent. Purchases pursuant to a Letter of Intent will be made at the then-current net asset value plus the applicable sales load in effect at the time such Letter of Intent was submitted.

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     Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan. Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan permits you to purchase Fund shares (minimum $100 per transaction) automatically on a regular basis. Depending upon your employer’s direct deposit program, you may have part or all of your paycheck transferred to your existing Dreyfus account electronically through the ACH system at each pay period. To establish a Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan account, you must file an authorization form with your employer’s payroll department. It is the sole responsibility of your employer to arrange for transactions under the Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan.

     Dreyfus Step Program. Holders of Fund accounts since August 30, 1999 who had enrolled in Dreyfus Step Program may continue to purchase shares of the same class (currently designated Class Z shares) without regard to the Fund’s minimum initial investment requirements through Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder®, Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan. Participation in this Program may be terminated by the shareholder at any time by discontinuing participation in Dreyfus-Automatic Asset Builder®, Dreyfus Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan, as the case may be, as provided under the terms of such Privilege(s). The Fund reserves the right to redeem your account if you have terminated your participation in the Program and your account’s net asset value is $500 or less. See “Shareholder Guide-General Policies” in the Fund’s Prospectus. The Fund may modify or terminate this Program at any time. The Dreyfus Step Program is not available to open new accounts in any Class of the Fund.

     Corporate Pension/Profit-Sharing and Personal Retirement Plans. The Fund makes available to corporations a variety of prototype pension and profit-sharing plans, including a 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan. In addition, the Fund makes available Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs and rollover IRAs), Education Savings Accounts and 403(b)(7) Plans. Plan support services also are available.



     If you wish to purchase Fund shares in conjunction with a Keogh Plan, a 403(b)(7) Plan or an IRA, including a SEP-IRA, you may request from the Distributor forms for adoption of such plans.

     The entity acting as custodian for Keogh Plans, 403(b)(7) Plans or IRAs may charge a fee, payment of which could require the liquidation of shares. All fees charged are described in the appropriate form.

     Shares may be purchased in connection with these plans only by direct remittance to the entity acting as custodian. Purchases for these plans may not be made in advance of receipt of funds.

     The minimum initial investment for corporate plans, Salary Reduction Plans, 403(b)(7) Plans, and SEP-IRAs with more than one participant, is $1,000 with no minimum on subsequent purchases. The minimum initial investment for Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs and rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans with only one participant, is normally $750, with no minimum on subsequent purchases. The minimum initial investment for Education IRAs is $500, with no minimum on subsequent purchases.

     You should read the prototype retirement plan and the appropriate form of custodial agreement for further details on eligibility, service fees and tax implications, and should consult a tax adviser.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

     Valuation of Portfolio Securities. The Fund’s investments are valued on the basis of market quotations or official closing prices. The Fund’s portfolio securities, including covered call options written by the Fund, are valued at the last sale price on the securities exchange or national securities market on which such securities primarily are traded. Securities listed on the Nasdaq Global Market System for which market quotations are available are valued at the official closing price or, if there is no official closing price on that day, at the last sale price. Securities not listed on an exchange or national securities market, or securities in which there were no transactions, are valued at the average of the most recent bid and asked prices, except that open short positions are valued at the asked price. Bid price is used when no asked price is available. Any assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of foreign currency will be translated into U.S. dollars at the midpoint of the New York interbank market spot exchange rate as quoted on the day of such translation by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, if no such rate is quoted on such date, such other quoted market exchange rate as may be determined to be appropriate by the Manager. Forward currency contracts will be valued at the current cost of offsetting the contract. If the Fund has to obtain prices as of the close of trading on various exchanges throughout the world, the calculation of net asset value may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of prices of certain of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Short-term investments may be carried at amortized cost, which approximates value. Expenses and fees, including the management fee and fees pursuant to the Distribution Plan and the Shareholder Services Plans, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Because of the differences in operating expenses incurred by each Class of shares of the Fund, the per share net asset value of each Class of shares of the Fund will differ.



     Restricted securities, as well as securities or other assets for which recent market quotations or official closing prices are not readily available, are not valued by a pricing service approved by the Board, or are determined by the Fund not to reflect accurately fair value (such as when the value of a security has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market) but before the Fund calculates the Fund’s net asset value), are valued at fair value as determined in good faith based on procedures approved by the Fund’s Board. Fair value of investments may be determined by the Fund’s Board, its pricing committee or its valuation committee in good faith using such information as it deems appropriate. The factors that may be considered when fair valuing a security include fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, an evaluation of the forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased or sold, and public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers. Fair value of foreign equity securities may be determined with the assistance of a pricing service using correlations between the movement of prices of foreign securities and indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators, such as closing market prices of relevant ADRs and futures contracts. The valuation of a security based on fair value procedures may differ from the security’s most recent closing price, and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset values. Foreign securities held by the Fund may trade on days that the Fund is not open for business, thus affecting the value of the Fund’s assets on days when Fund investors have no access to the Fund. Restricted securities which are, or are convertible into, securities of the same class of other securities for which a public market exists usually will be valued at such market value less the same percentage discount at which the restricted securities were purchased. This discount will be revised periodically by the Board if the Board members believe that it no longer reflects the value of the restricted securities. Restricted securities not of the same class as securities for which a public market exists usually will be valued initially at cost. Any subsequent adjustment from cost will be based upon considerations deemed relevant by the Board.

     New York Stock Exchange Closings. The holidays (as observed) on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed currently are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.



DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

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     Management believes that the Fund has qualified for treatment as a “regulated investment company” under the Code for its most recent fiscal year end. The Fund intends to continue to so qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Code, if such qualification is in the best interest of its shareholders. As a regulated investment company, the Fund will pay no Federal income tax on net investment income and net realized securities gains to the extent such income and gains are distributed to shareholders in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code. To qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must distribute at least 90% of its net income (consisting of net investment income and net short-term capital gain) to its shareholders and meet certain asset diversification and other requirements. If the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, it will be treated for tax purposes as an ordinary corporation subject to Federal income tax. The term “regulated investment company” does not imply the supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency.

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     If you elect to receive dividends and distributions in cash, and your dividend or distribution check is returned to the Fund as undeliverable or remains uncashed for six months, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest such dividends or distributions and all future dividends and distributions payable to you in additional Fund shares at net asset value. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

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     Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after an investor’s purchase may have the effect of reducing the aggregate net asset value of your shares below the cost of the investment. Such a dividend or distribution would be a return of investment in an economic sense, although taxable as described in the Fund’s Prospectus. In addition, the Code provides that if a shareholder holds shares of a Fund for six months or less and has received a capital gain distribution with respect to such shares, any loss incurred on the sale of such shares will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain distribution received.

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     In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by the Fund to U.S. individual shareholders may be eligible for the 15% preferential maximum tax rate to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations on shares that have been held by the Fund for at least 61 days during the 121-day period commencing 60 days before the shares become ex-dividend. In order to be eligible for the preferential rate, the investor in the Fund must have held his or her shares in the Fund for at least 61 days during the 121-day period commencing 60 days before the Fund shares become ex-dividend. Additional restrictions on an investor’s qualification for the preferential rate may apply.

     In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by the Fund to U.S. corporate shareholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations on shares that have been held by the Fund for at least 46 days during the 91-day period commencing 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend. In order to claim the dividends received deduction, the investor in the Fund must have held its shares in the Fund for at least 46 days during the 91-day period commencing 45 days before the Fund shares become ex-dividend. Additional restrictions on an investor’s ability to claim the dividends received deduction may apply.



     Ordinarily, gains and losses realized from portfolio transactions will be treated as capital gains and losses. However, a portion of the gain or loss realized from the disposition of foreign currencies and non-U.S. dollar denominated securities (including debt instruments and certain forward contracts and options) may be treated as ordinary income or loss. In addition, all or a portion of any gains realized from the sale or other disposition of certain market discount bonds will be treated as ordinary income. Finally, all or a portion of the gain realized from engaging in “conversion transactions” (generally including certain transactions designed to convert ordinary income into capital gain) may be treated as ordinary income.

     Gain or loss, if any, realized by the Fund from certain financial futures or forward contracts and options transactions (“Section 1256 contracts”) will be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Gain or loss will arise upon exercise or lapse of Section 1256 contracts as well as from closing transactions. In addition, any Section 1256 contracts remaining unexercised at the end of the Fund’s taxable year will be treated as sold for their then fair market value, resulting in additional gain or loss to the Fund.

     Offsetting positions held by the Fund involving certain financial futures or forward contracts or options transactions may constitute “straddles.” To the extent the straddle rules apply to positions established by the Fund, losses realized by the Fund may be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in the offsetting position. In addition, short-term capital loss on straddle positions may be recharacterized as long-term capital loss, and long-term capital gains on straddle positions may be treated as short-term capital gains or ordinary income. Certain of the straddle positions held by the Fund may constitute “mixed straddles.” The Fund may make one or more elections with respect to the treatment of “mixed straddles,” resulting in different tax consequences. In certain circumstances, the provisions governing the tax treatment of straddles override or modify certain of the provisions discussed above.

     If the Fund either (1) holds an appreciated financial position with respect to stock, certain debt obligations, or partnership interests (“appreciated financial position”) and then enters into a short sale, futures, forward, or offsetting notional principal contract (collectively, a “Contract”) with respect to the same or substantially identical property or (2) holds an appreciated financial position that is a Contract and then acquires property that is the same as, or substantially identical to, the underlying property, the Fund generally will be taxed as if the appreciated financial position were sold at its fair market value on the date the Fund enters into the financial position or acquires the property, respectively. The foregoing will not apply, however, to any transaction during any taxable year that otherwise would be treated as a constructive sale if the transaction is closed within 30 days after the end of that year and the Fund holds the appreciated financial position unhedged for 60 days after that closing (i.e., at no time during that 60-day period is the Fund’s risk of loss regarding that position reduced by reason of certain specified transactions with respect to substantially identical or related property, such as having an option to sell, being contractually obligated to sell, making a short sale, or granting an option to buy substantially identical stock or securities).

     If the Fund enters into certain derivatives (including forward contracts, long positions under notional principal contracts, and related puts and calls) with respect to equity interests in certain pass-thru entities (including other regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, partnerships, real estate mortgage investment conduits and certain trusts and foreign corporations), long-term capital gain with respect to the derivative may be



recharacterized as ordinary income to the extent it exceeds the long-term capital gain that would have been realized had the interest in the pass-thru entity been held directly by the Fund during the term of the derivative contract. Any gain recharacterized as ordinary income will be treated as accruing at a constant rate over the term of the derivative contract and may be subject to an interest charge. The Treasury has authority to issue regulations expanding the application of these rules to derivatives with respect to debt instruments and/or stock in corporations that are not pass-thru entities.

     Investment by the Fund in securities issued or acquired at a discount, or providing for deferred interest or for payment of interest in the form of additional obligations, could under special tax rules affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders by causing the Fund to recognize income prior to the receipt of cash payments. For example, the Fund could be required each year to accrue a portion of the discount (or deemed discount) at which the securities were issued and to distribute such income in order to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company. In such case, the Fund may have to dispose of securities which it might otherwise have continued to hold in order to generate cash to satisfy the distribution requirements.

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     If the Fund invests in an entity that is classified as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for Federal income tax purposes, the operation of certain provisions of the Code applying to PFICs could result in the imposition of certain Federal income taxes on the Fund. In addition, gain realized from the sale or other disposition of PFIC securities held beyond the end of the Fund’s taxable year may be treated as ordinary income.

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     Federal regulations require that you provide a certified taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) upon opening or reopening an account. See the Account Application for further information concerning this requirement. Failure to furnish a certified TIN to the Fund could subject you to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     General. The Manager assumes general supervision over the placement of securities purchase and sale orders on behalf of the funds it manages. Funds managed by dual employees of the Manager and an affiliated entity, and funds that employ a sub-investment adviser, execute portfolio transactions through the trading desk of the affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser, as applicable (the “Trading Desk”). Those funds use the research facilities, and are subject to the internal policies and procedures, of the applicable affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser.

     The Trading Desk generally has the authority to select brokers (for equity securities) or dealers (for fixed income securities) and the commission rates or spreads to be paid. Allocation of brokerage transactions is made in the best judgment of the Trading Desk and in a manner deemed fair and reasonable. In choosing brokers or dealers, the Trading Desk evaluates the ability of the broker or dealer to execute the transaction at the best combination of price and quality of execution.

     In general, brokers or dealers involved in the execution of portfolio transactions on behalf of a fund are selected on the basis of their professional capability and the value and quality of



their services. The Trading Desk attempts to obtain best execution for the funds by choosing brokers or dealers to execute transactions based on a variety of factors, which may include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) price; (ii) liquidity; (iii) the nature and character of the relevant market for the security to be purchased or sold; (iv) the quality and efficiency of the broker’s or dealer’s execution; (v) the broker’s or dealer’s willingness to commit capital; (vi) the reliability of the broker or dealer in trade settlement and clearance; (vii) the level of counter-party risk (i.e., the broker’s or dealer’s financial condition); (viii) the commission rate or the spread; (ix) the value of research provided; (x) the availability of electronic trade entry and reporting links; and (xi) the size and type of order (e.g., foreign or domestic security, large block, illiquid security). In selecting brokers or dealers no factor is necessarily determinative; however, at various times and for various reasons, certain factors will be more important than others in determining which broker or dealer to use. Seeking to obtain best execution for all trades takes precedence over all other considerations.

     Investment decisions for one fund or account are made independently from those for other funds or accounts managed by the portfolio managers. Under the Trading Desk’s procedures, portfolio managers and their corresponding Trading Desks may seek to aggregate (or “bunch”) orders that are placed or received concurrently for more than one fund or account. In some cases, this policy may adversely affect the price paid or received by a fund or an account, or the size of the position obtained or liquidated. As noted above, certain brokers or dealers may be selected because of their ability to handle special executions such as those involving large block trades or broad distributions, provided that the primary consideration of best execution is met. Generally, when trades are aggregated, each fund or account within the block will receive the same price and commission. However, random allocations of aggregate transactions may be made to minimize custodial transaction costs. In addition, at the close of the trading day, when reasonable and practicable, the completed securities of partially filled orders will generally be allocated to each participating fund and account in the proportion that each order bears to the total of all orders (subject to rounding to “round lot” amounts and other relevant factors).

     Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year as well as within a year. In periods in which extraordinary market conditions prevail, the portfolio managers will not be deterred from changing a Fund’s investment strategy as rapidly as needed, in which case higher turnover rates can be anticipated which would result in greater brokerage expenses. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid is evaluated by the Trading Desk based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services. Higher portfolio turnover rates usually generate additional brokerage commissions and transaction costs, and any short-term gains realized from these transactions are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

     To the extent that a fund invests in foreign securities, certain of such fund’s transactions in those securities may not benefit from the negotiated commission rates available to funds for transactions in securities of domestic issuers. For funds that permit foreign exchange transactions, such transactions are made with banks or institutions in the interbank market at prices reflecting a mark-up or mark-down and/or commission.

     The portfolio managers may deem it appropriate for one fund or account they manage to sell a security while another fund or account they manage is purchasing the same security. Under such circumstances, the portfolio managers may arrange to have the purchase and sale transactions effected directly between the funds and/or accounts (“cross transactions”). Cross



transactions will be effected in accordance with procedures adopted pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.

     IPO Allocations. Certain funds advised by the Manager (and where applicable, a sub-adviser or Dreyfus affiliate) may participate in IPOs. In deciding whether to purchase an IPO, the Manager (and where applicable, a sub-adviser or Dreyfus affiliate) generally considers the capitalization characteristics of the security, as well as other characteristics of the security, and targets funds and accounts with investment objectives and strategies consistent with such a purchase. Generally, as more IPOs are for small- and mid-cap companies, the funds and accounts with a small- and mid-cap focus may participate in more IPOs than funds and accounts with a large-cap focus. Within each product group and capitalization category, the Manager (and where applicable, a sub-adviser or Dreyfus affiliate), when consistent with client guidelines, generally will allocate shares of an IPO on a pro rata basis. In the case of "hot" IPOs, where the Manager (and if applicable, a sub-adviser or Dreyfus affiliate) only receives a partial allocation of the total amount requested, those shares will be distributed fairly and equitably across participating product groups. "Hot" IPOs raise special allocation concerns because opportunities to invest in such issues are limited as they are often oversubscribed. The distribution of the partial allocation across product groups will be based on the percentage of total assets under management of the product to the total assets under management of all product groups participating. Within each product, shares will be allocated on a pro rata basis to all appropriate funds and accounts, subject to a minimum allocation determined by each product group based on trading, custody, and other associated costs. International hot IPOs may not be allocated on a pro rata basis due to transaction costs, market liquidity and other factors unique to international markets.

     Funds and accounts managed by the Manager, an affiliated entity or a sub-investment adviser may own significant positions in portfolio companies, which, depending on market conditions, may affect adversely the ability to dispose of some or all of such positions.

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     For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, the amounts paid by the Fund for brokerage commissions were as follows:

Fiscal Year Ended    Fiscal Year Ended    Fiscal Year Ended 

 
 
May 31, 2007    May 31, 2008    May 31, 2009 

 
 
$208,107    $150,172    $149,368 

     For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, amounts in spreads or concessions paid on principal transactions were as follows:

Fiscal Year Ended    Fiscal Year Ended    Fiscal Year Ended 

 
 
May 31, 2007    May 31, 2008    May 31, 2009 

 
   
$0    $0    $0 
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     The Fund contemplates that, consistent with the policy of seeking best price and execution, brokerage transactions may be conducted through affiliates of the Manager. The Board has adopted procedures in conformity with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to affiliates of the Manager are reasonable and fair.



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     For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 the Fund did not pay brokerage commissions to affiliates of the Manager.

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     Soft Dollars. The term “soft dollars” is commonly understood to refer to arrangements where an investment adviser uses client (or fund) brokerage commissions to pay for research and other services to be used by the investment adviser. Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 193 provides a “safe harbor” that permits investment advisers to enter into soft dollar arrangements if the investment adviser determines in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. Eligible products and services under Section 28(e) include those that provide lawful and appropriate assistance to the investment adviser in the performance of its investment decision-making responsibilities.

     Subject to the policy of seeking best execution, Dreyfus-managed funds may execute transactions with brokerage firms that provide research services and products, as defined in Section 28(e). Any and all research products and services received in connection with brokerage commissions will be used to assist the applicable affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser in its investment decision-making responsibilities, as contemplated under Section 28(e). Under certain conditions, higher brokerage commissions may be paid in connection with certain transactions in return for research products and services.

     The products and services provided under these arrangements permit the Trading Desk to supplement its own research and analysis activities, and provide it with information from individuals and research staffs of many securities firms. Such services and products may include, but are not limited to the following: fundamental research reports (which may discuss, among other things, the value of securities, or the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, or the availability of securities or the purchasers or sellers of securities, or issuers, industries, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and performance); current market data and news; technical and portfolio analyses; economic forecasting and interest rate projections; and historical information on securities and companies. The Trading Desk also may defray the costs of certain services and communication systems that facilitate trade execution (such as online quotation systems, direct data feeds from stock exchanges and on-line trading systems with brokerage commissions generated by client transactions) or functions related thereto (such as clearance and settlement). Some of the research products or services received by the Trading Desk may have both a research function and a non-research administrative function (a “mixed use”). If the Trading Desk determines that any research product or service has a mixed use, the Trading Desk will allocate in good faith the cost of such service or product accordingly. The portion of the product or service that the Trading Desk determines will assist it in the investment decision-making process may be paid for in soft dollars. The non-research portion is paid for by the Trading Desk in hard dollars.

     The Trading Desk generally considers the amount and nature of research, execution and other services provided by brokerage firms, as well as the extent to which such services are relied on, and attempts to allocate a portion of the brokerage business of its clients on the basis of that consideration. Neither the services nor the amount of brokerage given to a particular brokerage firm are made pursuant to any agreement or commitment with any of the selected firms that would bind the Trading Desk to compensate the selected brokerage firm for research provided. The Trading Desk endeavors, but is not legally obligated, to direct sufficient commissions to broker/dealers that have provided it with research and other services to ensure



continued receipt of research the Trading Desk believes is useful. Actual commissions received by a brokerage firm may be more or less than the suggested allocations.

     There may be no correlation between the amount of brokerage commissions generated by a particular fund or client and the indirect benefits received by that fund or client. The affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser may receive a benefit from the research services and products that is not passed on to a fund in the form of a direct monetary benefit. Further, research services and products may be useful to the affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser in providing investment advice to any of the funds or clients it advises. Likewise, information made available to the affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser from brokerage firms effecting securities transactions for a fund may be utilized on behalf of another fund or client. Information so received is in addition to, and not in lieu of, services required to be performed by the affiliated entity or sub-investment adviser and fees are not reduced as a consequence of the receipt of such supplemental information. Although the receipt of such research services does not reduce the affiliated entity’s or sub-investment adviser’s normal independent research activities, it enables them to avoid the additional expenses that might otherwise be incurred if it were to attempt to develop comparable information through its own staff.

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     There were no transactions, commissions or concessions for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009 in securities effected on an agency basis through a broker for, among other things, research services.

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     Regular Broker-Dealers. The Fund may execute transactions with one or more of its “regular brokers or dealers,” as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act. Rule 10b-1 provides that a “regular broker or dealer” is one of the ten brokers or dealers that, during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year (i) received the greatest dollar amount of brokerage commissions from participating, either directly or indirectly, in the Fund’s portfolio transactions, (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amount of the Fund’s portfolio transactions or (iii) sold the largest dollar amount of the Fund’s securities. There were no acquired securities of the Fund’s regular brokers or dealers for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009.

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     Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. It is the policy of Dreyfus to protect the confidentiality of fund portfolio holdings and prevent the selective disclosure of non-public information about such holdings. Each fund, or its duly authorized service providers, may publicly disclose its portfolio holdings in accordance with regulatory requirements, such as periodic portfolio disclosure in filing with the SEC. Each non-money market fund, or its duly authorized service provider, may publicly disclose its complete schedule of portfolio holdings at month-end, with a one-month lag, at www.dreyfus.com. In addition fifteen days following the end of each calendar quarter, each non-money market fund, or its duly authorized service provider, may publicly disclose on the website its complete schedule of portfolio holdings as of the end of such quarter. Each money market fund will disclose daily, on www.dreyfus.com, the fund’s complete schedule of holdings as of the end of the previous business day. The schedule of holdings will remain on the website until the fund files its Form N-Q or Form N-CSR for the period that includes the date of the posted holdings.

     If the Fund’s portfolio holdings are released pursuant to an ongoing arrangement with any party, the Fund must have a legitimate business purpose for doing so, and neither the Fund, nor Dreyfus or its affiliates, may receive any compensation in connection with an arrangement to make available information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The Fund may distribute



portfolio holdings to mutual fund evaluation services such as Standard & Poor’s, Morningstar or Lipper Analytical Services; due diligence departments of broker-dealers and wirehouses that regularly analyze the portfolio holdings of mutual funds before their public disclosure; and broker-dealers that may be used by the Fund, for the purpose of efficient trading and receipt of relevant research, provided that: (a) the recipient does not distribute the portfolio holdings to persons who are likely to use the information for purposes of purchasing or selling Fund shares or Fund portfolio holdings before the portfolio holdings become public information; and (b) the recipient signs a written confidentiality agreement.

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     The Fund may also disclose any and all portfolio information to its service providers and others who generally need access to such information in the performance of their contractual duties and responsibilities and are subject to duties of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on non-public information, imposed by law and/or contract. These service providers include the Fund’s custodian, independent registered public accounting firm, investment adviser, administrator, and each of their respective affiliates and advisers.

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     Disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be authorized only by the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, and any exceptions to this policy are reported quarterly to the Fund’s Board.

SUMMARY OF THE PROXY VOTING POLICY, PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES OF THE DREYFUS FAMILY OF FUNDS

     The Board of each fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds has delegated to Dreyfus the authority to vote proxies of companies held in the fund’s portfolio. The Manager, through its participation on BNY Mellon Proxy Policy Committee (“PPC”), applies BNY Mellon’s Proxy Voting Policy, related procedures, and voting guidelines when voting proxies on behalf of the funds. Where the Fund receives a proxy proposal that relates to one or more of the Fund’s social concerns as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, such proposal is evaluated separately by the Fund’s portfolio managers with respect to its areas of social concern, in light of such screens and voted on affirmatively only if it meets those standards.

     The Manager recognizes that an investment adviser is a fiduciary that owes its clients, including funds it manages, a duty of utmost good faith and full and fair disclosure of all material facts. An investment adviser’s duty of loyalty requires an adviser to vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best interest of its clients and precludes the adviser from subrogating the clients’ interests to its own. In addition, an investment adviser voting proxies on behalf of a fund must do so in a manner consistent with the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

     The Manager seeks to avoid material conflicts of interest by participating in the PPC, which applies detailed, pre-determined written proxy voting guidelines (the “Voting Guidelines”) in an objective and consistent manner across client accounts, based on internal and external research and recommendations provided by a third party vendor, and without consideration of any client relationship factors. Further, the Manager and its affiliates engages a third party as an independent fiduciary to vote all proxies of funds managed by BNY Mellon or its affiliates (including the Dreyfus Family of Funds), and may engage an independent fiduciary to vote proxies of other issuers at its discretion.



     All proxies received by the funds are reviewed, categorized, analyzed and voted in accordance with the Voting Guidelines. The guidelines are reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect new issues and any changes in BNY Mellon’s or the Manager’s policies on specific issues. Items that can be categorized under the Voting Guidelines are voted in accordance with any applicable guidelines or referred to the PPC, if the applicable guidelines so require. Proposals that cannot be categorized under the Voting Guidelines are referred to the PPC for discussion and vote. Additionally, the PPC reviews proposals where it has identified a particular company, industry or issue for special scrutiny. With regard to voting proxies of foreign companies, the Manager weighs the cost of voting and potential inability to sell the securities (which may occur during the voting process) against the benefit of voting the proxies to determine whether or not to vote. With respect to securities lending transactions, the Manager seeks to balance the economic benefits of continuing to participate in an open securities lending transaction against the inability to vote proxies.

     When evaluating proposals, the PPC recognizes that the management of a publicly-held company may need protection from the market’s frequent focus on short-term considerations, so as to be able to concentrate on such long-term goals as productivity and development of competitive products and services. In addition, the PPC generally supports proposals designed to provide management with short-term insulation from outside influences so as to enable them to bargain effectively with potential suitors to the extent such proposals are discrete and not bundled with other proposals. The PPC believes that a shareholder’s role in the governance of a publicly-held company is generally limited to monitoring the performance of the company and its management and voting on matters which properly come to a shareholder’s vote. However, the PPC generally opposes proposals designed to insulate an issuer’s management unnecessarily from the wishes of a majority of shareholders. Accordingly, the PPC generally votes in accordance with management on issues that the PPC believes neither unduly limit the rights and privileges of shareholders nor adversely affect the value of the investment.

     On questions of social responsibility other than proposals that relate to the Fund’s social screens, where economic performance does not appear to be an issue, the PPC attempts to ensure that management reasonably responds to the social issues. Responsiveness will be measured by management’s efforts to address the particular social issue including, where appropriate, assessment of the implications of the proposal to the ongoing operations of the company. The PPC will pay particular attention to repeat issues where management has failed in its commitment in the intervening period to take actions on issues.

     In evaluating proposals regarding incentive plans and restricted stock plans, the PPC typically employs a shareholder value transfer model. This model seeks to assess the amount of shareholder equity flowing out of the company to executives as options are exercised. After determining the cost of the plan, the PPC evaluates whether the cost is reasonable based on a number of factors, including industry classification and historical performance information. The PPC generally votes against proposals that permit the repricing or replacement of stock options without shareholder approval or are silent on repricing and the company has a history of repricing stock options in a manner that the PPC believes is detrimental to shareholders.

     Information regarding how the Manager voted proxies for the Fund is available on the Dreyfus Family of Fund’s website at http://www.dreyfus.com and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov on the Fund’s Form N-PX filed with the SEC.



INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND

     Each share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the offering, is fully paid and non-assessable. Fund shares have no preemptive or subscription rights and are freely transferable.

     Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act, ordinarily it will not be necessary for the Fund to hold annual meetings of shareholders. As a result, Fund shareholders may not consider each year the election of Board members or the appointment of auditors. However, pursuant to the Fund’s By-Laws, the holders of at least 10% of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote may require the Fund to hold a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of removing a Board member from office and the holders of at least 25% of such shares may require the Fund to hold a special meeting of shareholders for any other purpose. Fund shareholders may remove a Board member by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting shares. In addition, the Fund’s Board will call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Board members if, at any time, less than a majority of the Board members holding office at the time were elected by shareholders.

     The Fund is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not designed to provide investors with a means of speculating on short-term market movements. A pattern of frequent purchases and exchanges can be disruptive to efficient portfolio management and, consequently, can be detrimental to the Fund’s performance and its shareholders. If the Fund’s management determines that an investor is following an abusive investment strategy, it may reject any purchase request, or terminate the investor’s exchange privilege, with or without prior notice. Such investors also may be barred from purchasing shares of other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. Accounts under common ownership or control may be considered as one account for purposes of determining a pattern of excessive or abusive trading. In addition, the Fund may refuse or restrict purchase or exchange requests for Fund shares by any person or group if, in the judgment of the Fund’s management, the Fund would be unable to invest the money effectively in accordance with its investment objective and policies or could otherwise be adversely affected or if the Fund receives or anticipates receiving simultaneous orders that may significantly affect the Fund. If an exchange request is refused, the Fund will take no other action with respect to the Fund shares until it receives further instructions from the investor. While the Fund will take reasonable steps to prevent excessive short term trading deemed to be harmful to the Fund, it may not be able to identify excessive trading conducted through certain financial intermediaries or omnibus accounts.

     Effective June 1, 2007, the Fund's "Class R" shares were redesignated as "Class I" shares.

<R>

     Effective December 1, 2008, the word "Premier" was omitted from the Fund's name.

</R>

     The Fund sends annual and semi-annual financial statements to all its shareholders.

<R>

     The following persons are known by the Fund to own of record 5% or more of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities on September 1, 2009. A shareholder who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the Fund’s voting securities may be deemed a “control person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.

</R>

<R>
Name    % of Shares Owned of Record 

 
 
The Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company    16.1047% (Class A) 
P.O. Box 2600         
Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600         
 
National Financial Services    12.8902%    (Class A) 
82 Devonshire Street    18.2966%    (Class B) 
Boston, MA 02109    24.8101%    (Class C) 
 
Pershing LLC    7.7414% (Class A) 
P.O. Box 2052    9.7591% (Class B) 
Jersey City, NJ 07303         
 
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.    7.5393% (Class A) 
Special Custody Account         
101 Montgomery Street         
San Francisco, CA 94104         
 
John D. Redcay    5.9964% (Class B) 
Flagstaff, AZ 86003         
 
 
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith    18.4534% (Class C) 
For the Sole Benefit of its Customers         
4800 Deer Lake Drive East Jacksonville,         
FL 32246         
    14.3793% (Class C) 
Morgan Stanley & Co.         
Harborside Financial Center         
Plaza 2, 3rd Floor Jersey City, NJ 07311         
 
First Clearing LLC    18.3397% (Class C) 
10750 Wheat First Drive Glen Allen, VA         
23060         
 
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.    6.0246% (Class C) 
333 West 34th Street – 3rd Floor         
New York, NY 10001         
 
SEI Private Trust    64.1697% (Class I) 
c/o The Bank of New York Mellon         
One Freedom Valley Drive         
Oaks, PA 19456         
 
Fidelity Investments Institutional    27.2867% (Class I) 
Operations         
Co (FIICO) As Agent For Certain         
Employee Benefits Plans         
One Megellan Way
Covington, KY 41015-1999
</R>

COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10103, as counsel for the Fund, has rendered its opinion as to certain legal matters in connection with the shares of capital stock being sold pursuant to the Fund’s Prospectus to which this Statement of Additional Information relates.

     Ernst & Young LLP, 5 Times Square, New York, New York 10036, an independent registered public accounting firm, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund.



PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 23. Exhibits

(a)(1)    Registrant's Articles of Incorporation in the State of Maryland are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1) 
    of Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on July 30, 1982. 
 
(a)(2)    Articles of Amendment and Restatement are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) of Post-Effective 
    Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 25, 2000 (“Post- 
    Effective Amendment No. 48”). 
 
(b)    Registrant's By-Laws are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to 
    the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on August 23, 2006. 
 
(d)    Management Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 
    to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 16, 1994. 
 
(e)(1)    Distribution Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to 
    the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 27, 2004 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 
    52”). 
 
(e)(2)    Forms of Service Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment 
    No. 57 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 26, 2007 (“Post-Effective 
    Amendment No. 57”). 
 
(e)(3)    Form of Supplemental Service Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)(3) of Post-Effective 
    Amendment No. 57 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 26, 2007 (“Post- 
    Effective Amendment No. 57”). 
 
(f)    The documents making up model plans in the establishment of retirement plans in conjunction with which 
    Registrant offers its securities is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (14) of Post-Effective Amendment 
    No. 16 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on August 24, 1979. 
 
(g)    Mutual Fund Custody and Services Agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g) of Post-Effective 
Amendment No. 50 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 25, 2002.
 
(h)(1)    Shareholder Services Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 48. 
<R> 
(h)(2)    Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Agreement incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of Post- 
    Effective Amendment No. 59 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 25, 2008 
    (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 59”). 
</R> 
(i)    Opinion and consent of Registrant's counsel is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) of Post-Effective 
    Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-5, filed on March 29, 1972. 
 
(j)    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.* 
 
(m)    Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plans are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m) of Post-Effective Amendment 
    No. 52. 

____________
* Filed herewith.
 




(n)    Rule 18f-3 Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the 
    Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on July 22, 2008 (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 58”). 
 <R>
(p)    Code of Ethics incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 59. 
</R>

Other Exhibits

(a)    Power of Attorney of certain officers of Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p) of Post- 
    Effective Amendment No. 57 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 26, 2007 
    (“Post-Effective Amendment No. 57”). 
 
(b)    Certificate of Assistant Secretary is incorporated by reference to Other Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective 
    Amendment No. 53 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 23, 2005. 

Item 24.    Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant. 

 
    Not Applicable 
 
Item 25.    Indemnification 

 
    The Registrant's charter documents set forth the circumstances under which indemnification shall be 
    provided to any past or present Board member or officer of the Registrant. The Registrant also has entered 
    into a separate agreement with each of its Board members that describes the conditions and manner in 
    which the Registrant indemnifies each of its Board members against all liabilities incurred by them 
    (including attorneys' fees and other litigation expenses, settlements, fines and penalties), or which may be 
    threatened against them, as a result of being or having been a Board member of the Registrant. These 
    indemnification provisions are subject to applicable state law and to the limitation under the Investment 
    Company Act of 1940, as amended, that no board member or officer of a fund may be protected against 
    liability for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard for the duties of his or her 
    office. Reference is hereby made to the following: 
 
    Article VII of the Registrant's Articles of Incorporation and any amendments thereto, Article VIII of 
    Registrant's Amended and Restated Bylaws, Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law and 
    Section 1.11 of the Distribution Agreement. 
 
Item 26.    Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser. 

 
    The Dreyfus Corporation (“Dreyfus”) and subsidiary companies comprise a financial service organization 
    whose business consists primarily of providing investment management services as the investment adviser, 
    manager and distributor for sponsored investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act 
    of 1940 and as an investment adviser to institutional and individual accounts. Dreyfus also serves as sub- 
    investment adviser to and/or administrator of other investment companies. MBSC Securities Corporation, a 
    wholly-owned subsidiary of Dreyfus, serves primarily as a registered broker-dealer of shares of other 
    investment companies sponsored by Dreyfus and other investment companies for which Dreyfus acts as an 
    investment adviser, sub-investment adviser or administrator. Dreyfus Investment Advisors, Inc., another 
    wholly-owned subsidiary, provides investment management services to various pension plans, institutions 
    and individuals. 


ITEM 26.    Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser (continued) 

 
    Officers and Directors of Investment Adviser 
   

<R>
Name and Position             
With Dreyfus    Other Businesses    Position Held    Dates 

 
 
 
 
 
Jonathan Baum    MBSC Securities Corporation++    Chief Executive Officer    3/08 - Present 
Chief Executive Officer        Chairman of the Board    3/08 - Present 
and Chair of the Board        Director    6/07 - 3/08 
        Executive Vice President    6/07 - 3/08 
 
    Dreyfus Service Corporation++    Director    8/06 - 6/07 
        Executive Vice President    8/06 - 6/07 
 
J. Charles Cardona    MBSC Securities Corporation++    Director    6/07 - Present 
President and Director        Executive Vice President    6/07 - Present 
 
    Universal Liquidity Funds plc+    Director    4/06 - Present 
 
    Dreyfus Service Corporation++    Executive Vice President    2/97 – 6/07 
        Director    8/00 – 6/07 
 
Diane P. Durnin    None         
Vice Chair and Director             
 
Phillip N. Maisano    The Bank of New York Mellon *****    Senior Vice President    7/08 – Present 
Director, Vice Chair and             
Chief Investment Officer             
 
    BNY Mellon, National Association +    Senior Vice President    7/08 – Present 
 
    Mellon Bank, N.A.+    Senior Vice President    4/06 – 6/08 
 
    BNY Alcentra Group Holdings, Inc.++    Director    10/07 – Present 
 
    BNY Mellon Investment Office GP LLC*    Manager    4/07 – Present 
 
    Mellon Global Alternative Investments Limited    Director    8/06 - Present 
    London, England         
 
    Pareto Investment Management Limited    Director    4/08 - Present 
    London, England         
 
    The Boston Company Asset Management NY,    Manager    10/07 - Present 
    LLC*         
 
    The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC*    Manager    12/06 - Present 
 
    Urdang Capital Management, Inc.    Director    10/07 - Present 
    630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300         
    Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462         
 
    Urdang Securities Management, Inc.    Director    10/07 - Present 
    630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300         
    Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462         
 
    EACM Advisors LLC    Chairman of Board    8/04 - Present 
    200 Connecticut Avenue         
    Norwalk, CT 06854-1940         
 
    Founders Asset Management LLC****    Member, Board of    11/06 - Present 
        Managers     
</R>

C-3


<R>
Name and Position             
With Dreyfus    Other Businesses    Position Held    Dates 

 
 
 
 
 
    Standish Mellon Asset Management Company,    Board Member    12/06 - Present 
    LLC         
    Mellon Financial Center         
    201 Washington Street         
    Boston, MA 02108-4408         
 
    Mellon Capital Management Corporation***    Director    12/06 - Present 
 
    Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+    Board Member    12/06 – 12/07 
 
    Newton Management Limited    Board Member    12/06 – Present 
    London, England         
 
    Franklin Portfolio Associates, LLC*    Board Member    12/06 – Present 
 
Mitchell E. Harris    Standish Mellon Asset Management Company    Chairman    2/05 - Present 
Director    LLC    Chief Executive Officer    8/04 - Present 
    Mellon Financial Center    Member, Board of    10/04 – Present 
    201 Washington Street    Managers     
    Boston, MA 02108-4408         
 
    Alcentra NY, LLC++    Manager    1/08 – Present 
 
    Alcentra US, Inc. ++    Director    1/08 – Present 
 
    Alcentra, Inc. ++    Director    1/08 – Present 
 
    BNY Alcentra Group Holdings, Inc. ++    Director    10/07 – Present 
 
    Pareto New York LLC++    Manager    11/07 – Present 
 
    Standish Ventures LLC    President    12/05 – Present 
    Mellon Financial Center         
    201 Washington Street         
    Boston, MA 02108-4408         
        Manager    12/05 – Present 
 
    Palomar Management    Director    12/97 – Present 
    London, England         
 
    Palomar Management Holdings Limited    Director    12/97 – Present 
    London, England         
 
    Pareto Investment Management Limited    Director    9/04 – Present 
    London, England         
 
    MAM (DE) Trust+++++    President    10/05 – 1/07 
        Member of Board of    10/05 – 1/07 
        Trustees     
 
    MAM (MA) Holding Trust+++++    President    10/05 – 1/07 
        Member of Board of    10/05 – 1/07 
        Trustees     
</R>

C-4


<R>
Name and Position             
With Dreyfus    Other Businesses    Position Held    Dates 

 
 
 
Ronald P. O’Hanley    The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation *****    Vice Chairman    7/07 – Present 
Director             
    Mellon Financial Corporation+    Vice Chairman    6/01 – 6/07 
    Mellon Trust of New England, N.A. *    Vice Chairman    4/05 - 6/08 
    The Bank of New York Mellon *****    Vice Chairman    7/08 – Present 
    BNY Mellon, National Association +    Vice Chairman    7/08 – Present 
    BNY Alcentra Group Holdings, Inc. ++    Director    10/07 – Present 
    BNY Mellon Investment Office GP LLC+    Manager    4/07 – Present 
    EACM Advisors LLC    Manager    6/04 – Present 
    200 Connecticut Avenue         
    Norwalk, CT 06854-1940         
    Ivy Asset Management Corp.    Director    12/07 – Present 
    One Jericho Plaza         
    Jericho, NY 11753         
    Neptune LLC+++++    Chairman    7/98 – Present 
        President    7/98 – Present 
        Member, Management    6/98 – Present 
        Committee     
    Pareto Investment Management Limited    Director    9/04 – Present 
    London, England         
    The Boston Company Asset Management NY,    Manager    10/07 – Present 
    LLC*         
    The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC*    Manager    12/97 – Present 
    The Boston Company Holding, LLC*    Vice Chairman    2/07 – Present 
    Walter Scott & Partners Limited    Director    10/06 – Present 
    Edinburgh, Scotland         
    WestLB Mellon Asset Management Holdings    Director    4/06 – Present 
    Limited         
    Dusseldorf, Germany         
    Mellon Bank, N.A. +    Vice Chairman    6/01 – 6/08 
    Standish Mellon Asset Management Company,    Board Member    7/01 – Present 
    LLC         
    Mellon Financial Center         
    201 Washington Street         
    Boston, MA 02108-4408         
    Franklin Portfolio Holdings, LLC*    Director    12/00 - Present 
    Franklin Portfolio Associates, LLC*    Director    4/97 – Present 
    Pareto Partners (NY) ++    Partner Representative    2/00 – Present 
 
    Buck Consultants, Inc.++    Director    7/97 – Present 
</R>

C-5


<R>
Name and Position             
With Dreyfus    Other Businesses    Position Held    Dates 

 
 
 
 
 
    Newton Management Limited    Executive Committee    10/98 - Present 
    London, England    Member     
        Director    10/98 – Present 
 
    BNY Mellon Asset Management Japan Limited    Director    6/06 - Present 
    Tokyo, Japan         
 
    TBCAM Holdings, LLC*    Director    1/98 – Present 
 
    MAM (MA) Holding Trust+++++    Trustee    6/03 – Present 
 
    MAM (DE) Trust+++++    Trustee    6/03 – Present 
 
    Pareto Partners    Partner Representative    5/97 – Present 
    The Bank of New York Mellon Centre         
    160 Queen Victoria Street         
    London England         
 
    Mellon Capital Management Corporation***    Director    2/97 – Present 
 
    Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+    Executive Committee    1/98 – 12/07 
        Member     
        Chairman    1/98 – 12/07 
 
    Mellon Global Investing Corp.*    Director    5/97 – Present 
        Chairman    5/97 - Present 
        Chief Executive Officer    5/97 – Present 
 
Cyrus Taraporevala    Urdang Capital Management, Inc.    Director    10/07 - Present 
Director    630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300         
    Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462         
 
    Urdang Securities Management, Inc.    Director    10/07 - Present 
    630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300         
    Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462         
 
    The Boston Company Asset Management NY,    Manager    08/06 – Present 
    LLC*         
 
    The Boston Company Asset Management LLC*    Manager    01/08 – Present 
 
    BNY Mellon, National Association+    Senior Vice President    07/06 - Present 
 
    The Bank of New York Mellon*****    Senior Vice President    07/06 - Present 
 
Scott E. Wennerholm    Mellon Capital Management Corporation***    Director    10/05 – Present 
Director             
 
    Newton Management Limited    Director    1/06 – Present 
    London, England         
 
    Gannett Welsh & Kotler LLC    Manager    11/07 – Present 
    222 Berkley Street    Administrator    11/07 – Present 
    Boston, MA 02116         
 
    BNY Alcentra Group Holdings, Inc. ++    Director    10/07 – Present 
 
    Ivy Asset Management Corp.    Director    12/07 – Present 
    One Jericho Plaza         
    Jericho, NY 11753         
</R>

C-6


<R>
Name and Position             
With Dreyfus    Other Businesses    Position Held    Dates 

 
 
 
 
 
    Urdang Capital Management, Inc.    Director    10/07 – Present 
    630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300         
    Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462         
 
    Urdang Securities Management, Inc.    Director    10/07 – Present 
    630 West Germantown Pike, Suite 300         
    Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462         
 
    EACM Advisors LLC    Manager    6/04 - Present 
    200 Connecticut Avenue         
    Norwalk, CT 06854-1940         
 
    Franklin Portfolio Associates LLC*    Manager    1/06 – Present 
 
    The Boston Company Asset Management NY,    Manager    10/07 – Present 
    LLC*         
 
    The Boston Company Asset Management LLC*    Manager    10/05 – Present 
 
    Pareto Investment Management Limited    Director    3/06 – Present 
    London, England         
 
    Mellon Equity Associates, LLP+    Executive Committee    10/05 – 12/07 
        Member     
 
    Standish Mellon Asset Management Company,    Member, Board of    10/05 – Present 
    LLC    Managers     
    Mellon Financial Center         
    201 Washington Street         
    Boston, MA 02108-4408         
 
    The Boston Company Holding, LLC*    Member, Board of    4/06 – Present 
        Managers     
 
    The Bank of New York Mellon *****    Senior Vice President    7/08 - Present 
 
 
    BNY Mellon, National Association +    Senior Vice President    7/08 – Present 
 
    Mellon Bank, N.A. +    Senior Vice President    10/05 – 6/08 
 
    Mellon Trust of New England, N. A.*    Director    4/06 – 6/08 
        Senior Vice President    10/05 – 6/08 
 
    MAM (DE) Trust+++++    Member of Board of    1/07 – Present 
        Trustees     
 
    MAM (MA) Holding Trust+++++    Member of Board of    1/07 – Present 
        Trustees     
</R>

C-7


<R>
Name and Position             
With Dreyfus    Other Businesses    Position Held    Dates 

 
 
 
 
Bradley J. Skapyak    MBSC Securities Corporation++    Executive Vice President    6/07 – Present 
Chief Operating Officer             
and Director             
    Dreyfus Service Corporation++    Executive Vice President    2/07 – 6/07 
        Senior Vice President    10/97 – 2/07 
 
    The Bank of New York Mellon****    Senior Vice President    4/07 - Present 
 
Dwight Jacobsen    Pioneer Investments    Senior Vice President    4/06 – 12/07 
Executive Vice President    60 State Street         
and Director    Boston, Massachusetts         
 
Patrice M. Kozlowski    None         
Senior Vice President –             
Corporate             
Communications             
 
Gary Pierce    The Bank of New York Mellon *****    Vice President    7/08 - Present 
Controller             
 
 
    BNY Mellon, National Association +    Vice President    7/08 - Present 
 
    The Dreyfus Trust Company+++    Chief Financial Officer    7/05 – 6/08 
        Treasurer    7/05 – 6/08 
 
    Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+    Chief Financial Officer    5/07 – Present 
 
    MBSC, LLC++    Chief Financial Officer    7/05 – 6/07 
        Manager, Board of    7/05 – 6/07 
        Managers     
 
    MBSC Securities Corporation++    Director    6/07 – Present 
        Chief Financial Officer    6/07 – Present 
 
    Dreyfus Service Corporation++    Director    7/05 – 6/07 
        Chief Financial Officer    7/05 – 6/07 
 
    Founders Asset Management, LLC****    Assistant Treasurer    7/06 – Present 
 
    Dreyfus Consumer Credit    Treasurer    7/05 – Present 
    Corporation ++         
 
    Dreyfus Transfer, Inc. ++    Chief Financial Officer    7/05 – Present 
 
    Dreyfus Service    Treasurer    7/05 – Present 
    Organization, Inc.++         
    Seven Six Seven Agency, Inc. ++    Treasurer    4/99 – Present 
</R>

C-8


<R>
Name and Position             
With Dreyfus    Other Businesses    Position Held    Dates 

 
 
 
 
Joseph W. Connolly    The Dreyfus Family of Funds++    Chief Compliance    10/04 – Present 
Chief Compliance Officer        Officer     
    Laurel Capital Advisors, LLP+    Chief Compliance    4/05 – Present 
        Officer     
    The Mellon Funds Trust++    Chief Compliance    10/04 – Present 
        Officer     
    MBSC, LLC++    Chief Compliance    10/04 – 6/07 
        Officer     
    MBSC Securities Corporation++    Chief Compliance    6/07 – Present 
        Officer     
    Dreyfus Service Corporation++    Chief Compliance    10/04 – 6/07 
        Officer     
 
Gary E. Abbs    The Bank of New York Mellon+    First Vice President and    12/96 – Present 
Vice President – Tax        Manager of Tax     
        Compliance     
 
    Dreyfus Service Organization++    Vice President – Tax    01/09 – Present 
 
    Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation++    Chairman    01/09 – Present 
        President    01/09 – Present 
 
    MBSC Securities Corporation++    Vice President – Tax    01/09 – Present 
 
Jill Gill    Mellon Financial Corporation +    Vice President    10/01 – 6/07 
Vice President –             
Human Resources    MBSC Securities Corporation++    Vice President    6/07 – Present 
 
    The Bank of New York Mellon *****    Vice President    7/08 – Present 
 
    BNY Mellon, National Association +    Vice President    7/08 - Present 
 
    Mellon Bank N.A. +    Vice President    10/06 – 6/08 
 
    Dreyfus Service Corporation++    Vice President    10/06 – 6/07 
 
Joanne S. Huber    The Bank of New York Mellon+    State & Local    07/1/07 – 
Vice President – Tax        Compliance Manager    Present 
 
    Dreyfus Service Organization++    Vice President – Tax    01/09 – Present 
 
    Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation++    Vice President – Tax    01/09 – Present 
 
    MBSC Securities Corporation++    Vice President – Tax    01/09 – Present 
 
Anthony Mayo    None         
Vice President –             
Information Systems             
 
John E. Lane    A P Colorado, Inc. +    Vice President – Real    8/07 – Present 
Vice President        Estate and Leases     
    A P East, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    A P Management, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    A P Properties, Inc. +    Vice President – Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    A P Rural Land, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – 9/07 
        Estate and Leases     
    Allomon Corporation+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
</R>

C-9


<R>
Name and Position             
With Dreyfus    Other Businesses    Position Held    Dates 

 
 
 
 
    AP Residential Realty, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    AP Wheels, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    BNY Mellon, National Association +    Vice President – Real    7/08 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Citmelex Corporation+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Eagle Investment Systems LLC    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
    65 LaSalle Road    Estate and Leases     
    West Hartford, CT 06107         
    East Properties Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    FSFC, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Holiday Properties, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    MBC Investments Corporation+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    MBSC Securities Corporation++    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    MELDEL Leasing Corporation Number 2, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Bank Community Development    Vice President– Real    11/07 – Present 
    Corporation+    Estate and Leases     
 
    Mellon Capital Management Corporation+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Financial Services Corporation #1+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4+    Vice President – Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Funding Corporation+    Vice President– Real    12/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Holdings, LLC+    Vice President– Real    12/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon International Leasing Company+    Vice President– Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Leasing Corporation+    Vice President– Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Private Trust Company, National    Vice President– Real    8/07 – 1/08 
    Association+    Estate and Leases     
 
    Mellon Securities Trust Company+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – 7/08 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Trust Company of Illinois+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – 07/08 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Trust Company of New England, N.A.+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – 6/08 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Trust Company of New York LLC++    Vice President– Real    8/07 – 6/08 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Ventures, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Melnamor Corporation+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    MFS Leasing Corp. +    Vice President– Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    MMIP, LLC+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Pareto New York LLC++    Vice President– Real    10/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
</R>

C-10


<R>
Name and Position             
With Dreyfus    Other Businesses    Position Held    Dates 

 
 
 
 
    Pontus, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Promenade, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    RECR, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    SKAP #7+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – 11/07 
        Estate and Leases     
    Technology Services Group, Inc.*****    Senior Vice President    6/06 – Present 
 
    Tennesee Processing Center LLC*****    Managing Director    5/08 – Present 
        Senior Vice President    4/04 – 5/08 
 
    Texas AP, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    The Bank of New York Mellon*****    Vice President – Real    7/08 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation*****    Executive Vice President    8/07 – Present 
 
    Trilem, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
Jeanne M. Login    A P Colorado, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
Vice President        Estate and Leases     
    A P East, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    A P Management, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    A P Properties, Inc. +    Vice President – Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    A P Rural Land, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – 9/07 
        Estate and Leases     
    Allomon Corporation+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    AP Residential Realty, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    AP Wheels, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    APT Holdings Corporation+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    BNY Investment Management Services LLC++++    Vice President– Real    1/01 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    BNY Mellon, National Association +    Vice President – Real    7/08 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Citmelex Corporation+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Eagle Investment Systems LLC+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    East Properties Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    FSFC, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Holiday Properties, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    MBC Investments Corporation+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    MBSC Securities Corporation++    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    MELDEL Leasing Corporation Number 2, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
</R>

C-11


<R>
Name and Position             
With Dreyfus    Other Businesses    Position Held    Dates 

 
 
 
 
    Mellon Bank Community Development    Vice President – Real    11/07 – Present 
    Corporation+    Estate and Leases     
 
    Mellon Capital Management Corporation+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Financial Services Corporation #1+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Financial Services Corporation #4+    Vice President – Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Funding Corporation+    Vice President – Real    12/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Holdings LLC+    Vice President – Real    12/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon International Leasing Company+    Vice President– Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Leasing Corporation+    Vice President– Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Private Trust Company, National    Vice President – Real    8/07 – 1/08 
    Association+    Estate and Leases     
 
    Mellon Securities Trust Company+    Vice President – Real    8/07 – 7/08 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Trust of New England, N.A. *    Vice President – Real    8/07 – 6/08 
        Estate and Leases     
    Mellon Trust Company of Illinois+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – 7/08 
        Estate and Leases     
    MFS Leasing Corp. +    Vice President– Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    MMIP, LLC+    Vice President– Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Pontus, Inc. +    Vice President– Real    7/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Promenade, Inc. +    Vice President – Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    RECR, Inc. +    Vice President – Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    SKAP #7+    Vice President – Real    8/07 – 11/07 
        Estate and Leases     
    Tennesee Processing Center LLC*****    Managing Director    5/08 – Present 
        Senior Vice President    4/04 – 5/08 
 
    Texas AP, Inc. +    Vice President – Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    The Bank of New York Mellon*****    Vice President – Real    7/08 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
    Trilem, Inc. +    Vice President – Real    8/07 – Present 
        Estate and Leases     
 
James Bitetto    MBSC Securities Corporation++    Assistant Secretary    6/07 – Present 
Secretary             
    Dreyfus Service Corporation++    Assistant Secretary    8/98 – 6/07 
 
    Dreyfus Service Organization, Inc.++    Secretary    8/05 – Present 
 
    The Dreyfus Consumer Credit Corporation++    Vice President    2/02 - Present 
        Director    2/02 – 7/06 
 
    Founders Asset Management LLC****    Assistant Secretary    3/09 – Present 
</R>

C-12


*    The address of the business so indicated is One Boston Place, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108. 
**    The address of the business so indicated is One Bush Street, Suite 450, San Francisco, California 94104. 
***    The address of the business so indicated is 595 Market Street, Suite 3000, San Francisco, California 94105. 
****    The address of the business so indicated is 210 University Blvd., Suite 800, Denver, Colorado 80206. 
*****    The address of the business so indicated is One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286. 
+    The address of the business so indicated is One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258. 
++    The address of the business so indicated is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166. 
+++    The address of the business so indicated is 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144. 
++++    The address of the business so indicated is White Clay Center, Route 273, Newark, Delaware 19711. 
+++++    The address of the business so indicated is 4005 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE 19804. 

C-13


Item 27. Principal Underwriters

     (a) Other investment companies for which Registrant's principal underwriter (exclusive distributor) acts as principal underwriter or exclusive distributor:

<R>
1.    Advantage Funds, Inc. 
2.    BNY Mellon Funds Trust 
3.    CitizensSelect Funds 
4.    Dreyfus Appreciation Fund, Inc. 
5.    Dreyfus BASIC Money Market Fund, Inc. 
6.    Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Government Money Market Fund 
7.    Dreyfus BASIC U.S. Mortgage Securities Fund 
8.    Dreyfus Bond Funds, Inc. 
9.    Dreyfus Cash Management 
10.    Dreyfus Cash Management Plus, Inc. 
11.    Dreyfus Connecticut Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc. 
12.    Dreyfus Funds, Inc. 
13.    The Dreyfus Fund Incorporated 
14.    Dreyfus Government Cash Management Funds 
15.    Dreyfus Growth and Income Fund, Inc. 
16.    Dreyfus Index Funds, Inc. 
17.    Dreyfus Institutional Cash Advantage Funds 
18.    Dreyfus Institutional Money Market Fund 
19.    Dreyfus Institutional Preferred Money Market Funds 
20.    Dreyfus Institutional Reserves Funds 
21.    Dreyfus Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. 
22.    Dreyfus International Funds, Inc. 
23.    Dreyfus Investment Funds 
24.    Dreyfus Investment Grade Funds, Inc. 
25.    Dreyfus Investment Portfolios 
26.    The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds, Inc. 
27.    The Dreyfus/Laurel Funds Trust 
28.    The Dreyfus/Laurel Tax-Free Municipal Funds 
29.    Dreyfus LifeTime Portfolios, Inc. 
30.    Dreyfus Liquid Assets, Inc. 
31.    Dreyfus Manager Funds I 
32.    Dreyfus Manager Funds II 
33.    Dreyfus Massachusetts Municipal Money Market Fund 
34.    Dreyfus Midcap Index Fund, Inc. 
35.    Dreyfus Money Market Instruments, Inc. 
36.    Dreyfus Municipal Bond Opportunity Fund 
37.    Dreyfus Municipal Cash Management Plus 
38.    Dreyfus Municipal Funds, Inc. 
39.    Dreyfus Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc. 
40.    Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. 
41.    Dreyfus New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund, Inc. 
42.    Dreyfus New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund 
43.    Dreyfus New York AMT-Free Municipal Money Market Fund 
44.    Dreyfus New York Municipal Cash Management 
45.  Dreyfus New York Tax Exempt Bond Fund, Inc. 
</R>

C-14


<R>
46.    Dreyfus Opportunity Funds 
47.    Dreyfus Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund 
48.    Dreyfus Premier California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. 
49.    Dreyfus Premier Equity Funds, Inc. 
50.    Dreyfus Premier GNMA Fund, Inc. 
51.    Dreyfus Premier Investment Funds, Inc. 
52.    Dreyfus Premier Short-Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund 
53.    Dreyfus Premier Worldwide Growth Fund, Inc. 
54.    Dreyfus Research Growth Fund, Inc. 
55.    Dreyfus State Municipal Bond Funds 
56.    Dreyfus Stock Funds 
57.    Dreyfus Short-Intermediate Government Fund 
58.    The Dreyfus Socially Responsible Growth Fund, Inc. 
59.    Dreyfus Stock Index Fund, Inc. 
60.    Dreyfus Tax Exempt Cash Management Funds 
61.    The Dreyfus Third Century Fund, Inc. 
62.    Dreyfus Treasury & Agency Cash Management 
63.    Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management 
64.    Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Intermediate Term Fund 
65.    Dreyfus U.S. Treasury Long Term Fund 
66.    Dreyfus 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund 
67.    Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund 
68.    Dreyfus Worldwide Dollar Money Market Fund, Inc. 
69.    General California Municipal Money Market Fund 
70.    General Government Securities Money Market Funds, Inc. 
71.    General Money Market Fund, Inc. 
72.    General Municipal Money Market Funds, Inc. 
73.    General New York Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. 
74.    General New York Municipal Money Market Fund 
75.    Strategic Funds, Inc. 
</R>

C-15


<R>
(b)         
Name and principal        Positions and Offices 
Business address    Positions and offices with the Distributor    with Registrant 

 
 
 
Jon R. Baum*    Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board    None 
Ken Bradle**    President and Director    None 
Robert G. Capone*****    Executive Vice President and Director    None 
J. Charles Cardona*    Executive Vice President and Director    None 
Sue Ann Cormack**    Executive Vice President    None 
Dwight D. Jacobsen*    Executive Vice President and Director    None 
Mark A. Keleher******    Executive Vice President    None 
James D. Kohley****    Executive Vice President    None 
William H. Maresca*    Executive Vice President and Director    None 
Timothy M. McCormick*    Executive Vice President    None 
David K. Mossman****    Executive Vice President    None 
James Neiland*    Executive Vice President    None 
Sean O’Neil*****    Executive Vice President and Director    None 
Irene Papadoulis**    Executive Vice President    None 
Matthew Perrone**    Executive Vice President    None 
Noreen Ross*    Executive Vice President    None 
Bradley J. Skapyak*    Executive Vice President    None 
Gary Pierce*    Chief Financial Officer and Director    None 
Tracy Hopkins*    Senior Vice President    None 
Marc S. Isaacson**    Senior Vice President    None 
Denise B. Kneeland*****    Senior Vice President    None 
Mary T. Lomasney*****    Senior Vice President    None 
Barbara A. McCann*****    Senior Vice President    None 
Christine Carr Smith******    Senior Vice President    None 
Ronald Jamison*    Chief Legal Officer and Secretary    None 
Joseph W. Connolly*    Chief Compliance Officer (Investment Advisory Business)    Chief Compliance Officer 
Stephen Storen*    Chief Compliance Officer    None 
Maria Georgopoulos*    Vice President – Facilities Management    None 
William Germenis*    Vice President – Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering    Anti-Money Laundering 
    Officer    Compliance Officer 
Karin L. Waldmann*    Privacy Officer    None 
Gary E. Abbs****    Vice President - Tax    None 
Timothy I. Barrett**    Vice President    None 
Gina DiChiara*    Vice President    None 
Jill Gill*    Vice President    None 
Joanne S. Huber****    Vice President - Tax    None 
John E. Lane*******    Vice President – Real Estate and Leases    None 
Jeanne M. Login*******    Vice President – Real Estate and Leases    None 
Edward A. Markward*    Vice President – Compliance    None 
Paul Molloy*    Vice President    None 
Anthony Nunez*    Vice President – Finance    None 
William Schalda*    Vice President    None 
John Shea*    Vice President – Finance    None 
Christopher A. Stallone**    Vice President    None 
Susan Verbil*    Vice President – Finance    None 
William Verity*    Vice President – Finance    None 
James Windels*    Vice President    Treasurer 
</R>

C-16


<R>
(b)         
Name and principal        Positions and Offices 
Business address    Positions and offices with the Distributor    with Registrant 

 
 
 
James Bitetto*    Assistant Secretary    Vice President and 
        Assistant Secretary 
James D. Muir*    Assistant Secretary    None 
Ken Christoffersen***    Assistant Secretary    None 
</R>
<R>
*    Principal business address is 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166. 
**    Principal business address is 144 Glenn Curtiss Blvd., Uniondale, NY 11556-0144. 
***    Principal business address is 210 University Blvd., Suite 800, Denver, CO 80206. 
****    Principal business address is One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15258. 
*****    Principal business address is One Boston Place, Boston, MA 02108. 
******    Principal business address is 595 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. 
*******    Principal business address is 101 Barclay Street, New York 10286. 
</R>

C-17


Item 28.    Location of Accounts and Records 
 

1.    The Bank of New York Mellon 
One Mellon Bank Center
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258 
 
2.    DST Systems, Inc. 
    1055 Broadway 
Kansas City, MO 64105
 
3.    The Dreyfus Corporation 
    200 Park Avenue 
    New York, New York 10166 

Item 29.    Management Services 
 

Not Applicable

Item 30.    Undertakings 
 

None

C-18



SIGNATURES

<R>

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, and State of New York on the 28th day of September, 2009.

</R>
THE DREYFUS THIRD CENTURY FUND, INC. 
 
BY:  /s/J. DAVID OFFICER* 

        J. DAVID OFFICER, PRESIDENT 

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

<R>
Signatures    Title    Date 

 
 
 
 
/s/J. David Officer*    President (Principal Executive Officer)    9/28/09 

       
J. David Officer         
 
/s/James Windels*    Treasurer (Principal Financial and    9/28/09 

       
James Windels    Accounting Officer)     
 
/s/Joseph S. DiMartino*    Chairman of the Board of Directors    9/28/09 

       
Joseph S. DiMartino         
 
/s/Clifford L. Alexander, Jr.*    Director    9/28/09 

       
Clifford L. Alexander, Jr.         
 
/s/David W. Burke*    Director    9/28/09 

       
David W. Burke         
 
/s/Whitney I. Gerard*    Director    9/28/09 

       
Whitney I. Gerard         
 
/s/George L. Perry*    Director    9/28/09 

       
George L. Perry         
</R>
*BY:    /s/Robert R. Mullery 
   
    Robert R. Mullery 
    Attorney-in-Fact