-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, HyUG+fnnf1ipkuL3aynkP9EakKHZ9PO40ibCGnaGC+bMJulg3Ade4BLURIgoRYsY KrtZqDdhPDo/BJDQgnYf5Q== 0000950172-00-000882.txt : 20000510 0000950172-00-000882.hdr.sgml : 20000510 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950172-00-000882 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEFA14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20000509 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PIONEER GROUP INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000733060 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INVESTMENT ADVICE [6282] IRS NUMBER: 135657669 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEFA14A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-08841 FILM NUMBER: 623464 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 60 STATE ST STREET 2: 19TH FLOOR CITY: BOSTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02109-1820 BUSINESS PHONE: 8008211239 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 60 STATE STREET STREET 2: 19TH FLOOR CITY: BOSTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02109-1820 DEFA14A 1 =============================================================================== SCHEDULE 14A (Rule 14a-101) SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [ ] Definitive Proxy Statement [X] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss. 240.14a-11(c) or ss. 240.14a-12 THE PIONEER GROUP, INC. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) n/a - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: 5) Total fee paid: [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount Previously Paid: 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: 3) Filing Party: 4) Date Filed: LENS = Little Experience, No Strategy May 9, 2000 Dear Fellow Stockholder: We are pleased to report that our sale process continues its strong momentum. Prospective buyers have completed due diligence and we have just received the second round of bids. We are extremely pleased by the overwhelming interest expressed in your Company. Yet, the rapid progress of negotiations between your Board and our prospective buyers may come to an abrupt halt if Lens is given control of the Company. It is unclear what would happen to the bids on the table if a change in control of the Board were to take place. One thing is certain. The process would be delayed, if not completely jeopardized, by that course of events. DO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN. VOTE THE WHITE PROXY TO ALLOW YOUR BOARD TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS IT STARTED. Pioneer is a complex entity. If the Lens group were to gain control, who knows how long the Lens candidates would take to gain the depth of understanding of Pioneer's assets necessary to negotiate a sale of the Company. It would be disastrous for you and your Company if Lens's dissident candidates were elected to the Pioneer Board and were then unable to negotiate an acceptable transaction. DON'T TAKE THIS RISK WITH YOUR COMPANY. DO NOT SIGN ANY GOLD PROXY YOU RECEIVE FROM THE LENS GROUP. Your Board of Directors fully recognizes its fiduciary responsibilities. Pioneer's Board and management have a far greater personal stake as stockholders than do the Lens candidates in the successful outcome of this process. The Lens candidates have given you no reason to believe that they could accomplish a sale at all, let alone on better terms than could the current Board. The Lens candidates lack the experience, knowledge of Pioneer, negotiating leverage, and personal incentive necessary to oversee the prompt sale of the Company on the most favorable terms for stockholders. Does it make sense to have a Board that doesn't understand your Company negotiate its sale? We ask for your vote so that we may successfully complete the process we have begun and bring to you the most compelling value possible. PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS BY SIGNING, DATING, AND MAILING THE ENCLOSED WHITE MANAGEMENT PROXY TODAY. Because the annual meeting is just a short time away, it is important to act without delay. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, /s/ John F. Cogan, Jr. John F. Cogan, Jr. President -IMPORTANT- Please be sure your latest dated proxy card is a WHITE proxy card voting FOR the management nominees. A later dated gold proxy card, even if marked "withhold authority" to vote for the LENS group, will revoke your vote for management. If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please call D. F. King & Co., Inc., our proxy solicitor, at: (800) 347-4750 (call toll-free) -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----