-----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,
 MxAWkgSFe+vYJXv663v9e9IT7CJVKZ6oeTWZjcV7N6ZkEDG5ZqKAn4IngE1wnW47
 rtdBFaJzfOS+X8Tqn0mNyQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950130-96-000296.txt : 19960131
<SEC-HEADER>0000950130-96-000296.hdr.sgml : 19960131
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950130-96-000296
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	497
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		19960130
SROS:			NONE

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MERRILL LYNCH BALANCED FD FOR INV & RET
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000746637
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		497
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	002-91329
		FILM NUMBER:		96508618

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 9011
		CITY:			PRINCETON
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08543
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6092823319

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MERRILL LYNCH RETIREMENT BENEFIT INVESTMENT PROG INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MERRILL LYNCH BALANCED FUND FOR INVESTMENT & RETIREMENT
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19910529

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MERRILL LYNCH RETIREMENT BENEFIT INVESTMENT PROGRAM INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19910501
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>497
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>M/L BALANCED FD. FOR INVESTMENT AND RETIREMENT
<TEXT>

<PAGE>
 
 
        MERRILL LYNCH BALANCED FUND FOR INVESTMENT AND RETIREMENT, INC.
 
                               -----------------
 
  SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 26, 1996 TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY 26 , 1996
 
                               -----------------
 
                          FOR USE IN THE STATE OF OHIO
 
  Notwithstanding the fact that the Board may determine that a Rule 144A
security is liquid and not subject to the 15% restriction on illiquid
securities, the State of Ohio does not recognize Rule 144A securities as
securities which are free of restrictions as to resale. Consequently, to the
extent required by Ohio law, the Fund will not invest more than 50% of its
total assets in securities of issuers which are restricted as to disposition,
including Rule 144A securities, or in securities of issuers having a record,
together with predecessors, of less than three years of continuous operation.
 
Code # 10331-0196OH
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----