-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: keymaster@town.hall.org Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFkwCgYEVQgBAQICAgADSwAwSAJBALeWW4xDV4i7+b6+UyPn5RtObb1cJ7VkACDq pKb9/DClgTKIm08lCfoilvi9Wl4SODbR1+1waHhiGmeZO8OdgLUCAwEAAQ== MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, IdONDXj+aocApzAQLRRxq8LMwuuY7wJQZheIHjjCvr3uBNDL3mmCs3jDdapF9LdP Ajp/iJAOKHlS2+A+NGkiUg== 0000950130-95-000163.txt : 19950206 0000950130-95-000163.hdr.sgml : 19950206 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950130-95-000163 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 497 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19950203 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: 95505143 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 497 1 497 PROSPECTUS - ---------- JANUARY 31, 1995 MERRILL LYNCH BALANCED FUND FOR INVESTMENT AND RETIREMENT, INC. P.O. BOX 9011, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011 . PHONE NO. (609) 282-2800 ---------------- Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc., is a mutual fund of the type permitted to have a number of different portfolios, or series. The fund and its only series, the Full Investment Portfolio, are referred to as the "Fund". The Fund seeks to provide shareholders with as high a level of total investment return as is consistent with reasonable risk. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective through investment in common stocks and other types of securities, including fixed-income securities and convertible securities. Because the Fund is designed for investors for whom current tax liability is not a consideration, such as certain tax qualified employee benefit plans, the Fund (and any other series that may be added in the future) will invest without regard to tax considerations. ---------------- Pursuant to the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System, the Fund offers four classes of shares, each with a different combination of sales charges, ongoing fees and other features. The Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System permits an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that the investor believes is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor expects to hold the shares and other relevant circumstances. See "Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System" on page 3. Shares may be purchased directly from Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor"), P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 (609) 282-2800, or from securities dealers which have entered into dealer agreements with the Distributor, including Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"). The minimum initial purchase price is $1,000 ($100 for retirement plans) and the minimum subsequent purchase is $50 ($1 for retirement plans). Merrill Lynch may charge its customers a processing fee (presently $4.85) for confirming purchases and repurchases. Purchases and redemptions directly through the Fund's transfer agent are not subject to the processing fee. See "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption of Shares". ---------------- THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURI- TIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. ---------------- This Prospectus is a concise statement of information about the Fund that is relevant to making an investment in the Fund. This Prospectus should be retained for future reference. A statement containing additional information about the Fund, dated January 31, 1995 (the "Statement of Additional Information"), has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is available, without charge, by calling or by writing the Fund at the above telephone number or address. The Statement of Additional Information is hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. ---------------- MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT -- INVESTMENT ADVISER MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC. -- DISTRIBUTOR FEE TABLE A general comparison of the sales arrangements and other nonrecurring and recurring expenses applicable to shares of the Fund follows:
CLASS A(A) CLASS B(B) CLASS C CLASS D ---------- ---------- ------- ------- SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES: Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)....... 5.25%(c) None None 5.25%(c) Sales Charge Imposed on Dividend Reinvest- ments................. None None None None Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of original purchase None (d) 4.0% during the first 1% for one year None (d) price or redemption year, decreasing 1.0% proceeds, whichever annually thereafter to 0.0% is lower)............. after the fourth year Exchange Fee........... None None None None ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)(E)......... Investment Advisory Fees(f)............... 0.63% 0.63% 0.63% 0.63% 12b-1 Fees(g): Account Maintenance Fees................ None 0.25% 0.25% 0.25% Distribution Fees.... None 0.75% 0.75% None (Class B shares convert to Class D shares automatically after approximately eight years and cease being subject to distribution fees) Other Expenses: Custodial Fees....... 0.02% 0.02% 0.02% 0.02% Shareholder Servicing Costs(h)............ 0.12% 0.15% 0.15% 0.12% Other................ 0.06% 0.06% 0.06% 0.06% ---- ---- ---- ---- Total Other Ex- penses............ 0.20% 0.23% 0.23% 0.20% ---- ---- ---- ---- Total Fund Operating Expenses.............. 0.83% 1.86% 1.86% 1.08% ==== ==== ==== ====
- -------- (a) Class A shares are sold to a limited group of investors including existing Class A shareholders, certain retirement plans and investment programs. See "Purchase of Shares--Initial Sales Charge Alternatives--Class A and Class D Shares"--page 13. (b) Class B shares convert to Class D shares automatically approximately eight years after initial purchase. See "Purchase of Shares--Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives--Class B and Class C Shares"--page 14. (c) Reduced for purchases of $25,000 and over. Class A or Class D purchases of $1,000,000 or more may not be subject to an initial sales charge. See "Purchase of Shares--Initial Sales Charge Alternatives--Class A and Class D Shares"--page 13. (d) Class A and Class D shares are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC"), except that purchases of $1,000,000 or more which may not be subject to an initial sales charge will instead be subject to a CDSC of 1.0% of amounts redeemed within the first year of purchase. (e) Information for Class A and Class B shares is stated for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994. Information under "Other Expenses" for Class C and Class D shares is estimated for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1995. (f) See "The Fund and Its Management--Advisory Fee"--page 10. (g) See "Purchase of Shares--Distribution Plans"--page 17. (h) See "The Fund and Its Management--Transfer Agency Services"--page 10. 2 EXAMPLE:
CUMULATIVE EXPENSES PAID FOR THE PERIOD OF: --------------------------------------------------- 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- An investor would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment in- cluding the maximum $52.50 initial sales charge (Class A and Class D shares only) and assuming (1) the Total Fund Operating Expenses for each class set forth above; (2) a 5% annual return throughout the periods and (3) redemp- tion at the end of the period: Class A................. $ 61 $ 78 $ 96 $ 150 Class B................. $ 59 $ 78 $ 101 $ 198* Class C................. $ 29 $ 58 $ 101 $ 218 Class D................. $ 63 $ 85 $ 109 $ 177 An investor would pay the following expenses on the same $1,000 invest- ment assuming no redemp- tion at the end of the period: Class A................. $ 61 $ 78 $ 96 $ 150 Class B................. $ 19 $ 58 $ 101 $ 198* Class C................. $ 19 $ 58 $ 101 $ 218 Class D................. $ 63 $ 85 $ 109 $ 177
- -------- * Assumes conversion to Class D shares approximately eight years after purchase. The foregoing Fee Table is intended to assist investors in understanding the costs and expenses that a shareholder in the Fund will bear directly or indirectly. The Example set forth above assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and utilizes a 5% annual rate of return as mandated by Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") regulations. THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR ANNUAL RATE OF RETURN, AND ACTUAL EXPENSES OR ANNUAL RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE ASSUMED FOR PURPOSES OF THE EXAMPLE. Class B and Class C shareholders who own their shares for an extended period of time may pay more in Rule 12b-1 distribution fees than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted under the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). Merrill Lynch may charge its customers a processing fee (presently $4.85) for confirming purchases and repurchases. Purchases and redemptions directly through the Fund's transfer agent are not subject to the processing fee. See "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption of Shares". MERRILL LYNCH SELECT PRICINGSM SYSTEM The Fund offers four classes of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System. The shares of each class may be purchased at a price equal to the next determined net asset value per share subject to the sales charges and ongoing fee arrangements described below. Shares of Class A and Class D are sold to investors choosing the initial sales charge alternatives, and shares of Class B and Class C are sold to investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives. The Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System is used by more than 50 mutual funds advised by Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P., doing business as Merrill Lynch Asset Management ("MLAM" or the "Investment Adviser") or an affiliate of MLAM, Fund Asset Management, L.P. ("FAM"). Funds advised by MLAM or FAM are referred to herein as "MLAM-advised mutual funds". Each Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D share of the Fund represents an identical interest in the investment portfolio of the Fund and has the same rights, except that Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear the expenses of the ongoing account maintenance fees and Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of the ongoing distribution fees and the additional incremental transfer agency costs resulting from the deferred sales charge arrangements. The deferred sales charges and account maintenance fees that are imposed on Class B and Class C shares, as well as the account maintenance fees that are imposed on the Class D shares, will be imposed directly against those classes and not against all assets of the Fund and, 3 accordingly, such charges will not affect the net asset value of any other class or have any impact on investors choosing another sales charge option. Dividends paid by the Fund for each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner at the same time and will differ only to the extent that account maintenance and distribution fees and any incremental transfer agency costs relating to a particular class are borne exclusively by that class. Each class has different exchange privileges. See "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege". Investors should understand that the purpose and function of the initial sales charges with respect to the Class A and Class D shares are the same as those of the deferred sales charges with respect to the Class B and Class C shares in that the sales charges applicable to each class provide for the financing of the distribution of the shares of the Fund. The distribution- related revenues paid with respect to a class will not be used to finance the distribution expenditures of another class. Sales personnel may receive different compensation for selling different classes of shares. The following table sets forth a summary of the distribution arrangements for each class of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System, followed by a more detailed description of each class and a discussion of the factors that investors should consider in determining the method of purchasing shares under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System that the investor believes is most beneficial under the investor's particular circumstances. More detailed information as to each class of shares is set forth under "Purchase of Shares".
ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE DISTRIBUTION CLASS SALES CHARGE(/1/) FEE FEE CONVERSION FEATURE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Maximum 5.25% initial No No No sales charge(/2/)(/3/) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B CDSC for a period of 4 years, 0.25% 0.75% B shares convert to D shares at a rate of 4.0% during the automatically after first year, decreasing 1.0% approximately annually to 0.0% eight years(/4/) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C 1.0% CDSC for one year 0.25% 0.75% No - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D Maximum 5.25% initial sales 0.25% No No charge(/3/)
- -------- (1) Initial sales charges are imposed at the time of purchase as a percentage of the offering price. Contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSCs") are imposed if the redemption occurs within the applicable CDSC time period. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed. (2) Offered only to eligible investors. See "Purchase of Shares--Initial Sales Charge Alternatives--Class A and Class D Shares--Eligible Class A Investors". (3) Reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more. Class A and Class D share purchases of $1,000,000 or more may not be subject to an initial sales charge but instead will be subject to a 1.0% CDSC for one year. See "Class A" and "Class D" below. (4) The conversion period for dividend reinvestment shares and certain retirement plans is modified. Also, Class B shares of certain other MLAM- advised mutual funds into which exchanges may be made have a ten year conversion period. If Class B shares of the Fund are exchanged for Class B shares of another MLAM-advised mutual fund, the conversion period applicable to the Class B shares acquired in the exchange will apply, and the holding period for the shares exchanged will be tacked onto the holding period for the shares acquired. Class A: Class A shares incur an initial sales charge when they are purchased and bear no ongoing distribution or account maintenance fees. Class A shares are offered to a limited group of investors and also will be issued upon reinvestment of dividends on outstanding Class A shares. Investors that currently own Class A shares in a shareholder account are entitled to purchase additional Class A shares in that account. Other eligible investors include certain retirement plans and participants in certain investment programs. In addition, Class A shares will be offered to directors and 4 employees of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries (the term "subsidiaries", when used herein with respect to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., includes MLAM, FAM and certain other entities directly or indirectly wholly-owned and controlled by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.), and to members of the Boards of MLAM-advised mutual funds. The maximum initial sales charge is 5.25%, which is reduced for purchases of $25,000 and over. Purchases of $1,000,000 or more may not be subject to an initial sales charge but if the initial sales charge is waived such purchases will be subject to a CDSC of 1.0% if the shares are redeemed within one year after purchase. Sales charges also are reduced under a right of accumulation which takes into account the investor's holdings of all classes of all MLAM-advised mutual funds. See "Purchase of Shares-- Initial Sales Charge Alternatives--Class A and Class D Shares". Class B: Class B shares do not incur a sales charge when they are purchased, but they are subject to an ongoing account maintenance fee of 0.25%, an ongoing distribution fee of 0.75% of the Fund's average net assets attributable to the Class B shares, and a CDSC if they are redeemed within four years of purchase. Approximately eight years after issuance, Class B shares will convert automatically into Class D shares of the Fund, which are subject to an account maintenance fee but no distribution fee; Class B shares of certain other MLAM-advised mutual funds into which exchanges may be made convert into Class D shares automatically after approximately ten years. If Class B shares of the Fund are exchanged for Class B shares of another MLAM-advised mutual fund, the conversion period applicable to the Class B shares acquired in the exchange will apply, and the holding period for the shares exchanged will be tacked onto the holding period for the shares acquired. Automatic conversion of Class B shares into Class D shares will occur at least once a month on the basis of the relative net asset values of the shares of the two classes on the conversion date, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. Conversion of Class B shares to Class D shares will not be deemed a purchase or sale of the shares for Federal income tax purposes. Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends on Class B shares also will convert automatically to Class D shares. The conversion period for dividend reinvestment shares and for certain retirement plans is modified as described under "Purchase of Shares--Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives--Class B and Class C Shares--Conversion of Class B Shares to Class D Shares". Class C: Class C shares do not incur a sales charge when they are purchased, but they are subject to an ongoing account maintenance fee of 0.25% and an ongoing distribution fee of 0.75% of the Fund's average net assets attributable to Class C shares. Class C shares are also subject to a CDSC if they are redeemed within one year of purchase. Although Class C shares are subject to a 1.0% CDSC for only one year (as compared to four years for Class B), Class C shares have no conversion feature and, accordingly, an investor that purchases Class C shares will be subject to distribution fees that will be imposed on Class C shares for an indefinite period subject to annual approval by the Fund's Board of Directors and regulatory limitations. Class D: Class D shares incur an initial sales charge when they are purchased and are subject to an ongoing account maintenance fee of 0.25% of the Fund's average net assets attributable to Class D shares. Class D shares are not subject to an ongoing distribution fee or any CDSC when they are redeemed. Purchases of $1,000,000 or more may not be subject to an initial sales charge but if the initial sales charge is waived such purchases will be subject to a CDSC of 1.0% if the shares are redeemed within one year of purchase. The schedule of initial sales charges and reductions for the Class D shares is the same as the schedule for Class A shares. Class D shares also will be issued upon conversion of Class B shares as described above under "Class B". See "Purchase of Shares--Initial Sales Charge Alternatives--Class A and Class D Shares". 5 The following is a discussion of the factors that investors should consider in determining the method of purchasing shares under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System that the investor believes is most beneficial in the investor's particular circumstances. Initial Sales Charge Alternatives. Investors who prefer an initial sales charge alternative may elect to purchase Class D shares or, if an eligible investor, Class A shares. Investors choosing the initial sales charge alternative who are eligible to purchase Class A shares should purchase Class A shares rather than Class D shares because of the account maintenance fee imposed on Class D shares. Investors qualifying for significantly reduced initial sales charges may find the initial sales charge alternative particularly attractive because similar sales charge reductions are not available with respect to the deferred sales charges imposed in connection with purchases of Class B or Class C shares. Investors not qualifying for reduced initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for an extended period of time also may elect to purchase Class A or Class D shares, because over time the accumulated ongoing account maintenance and distribution fees on Class B or Class C shares may exceed the initial sales charge and, in the case of Class D shares, the account maintenance fee. Although some investors that previously purchased Class A shares may no longer be eligible to purchase Class A shares of other MLAM-advised mutual funds, those previously purchased Class A shares, together with Class B, Class C and Class D share holdings, will count toward a right of accumulation which may qualify the investor for reduced initial sales charges on new initial sales charge purchases. In addition, the ongoing Class B and Class C account maintenance and distribution fees will cause Class B and Class C shares to have higher expense ratios, pay lower dividends and have lower total returns than the initial sales charge shares. The ongoing Class D account maintenance fees will cause Class D shares to have a higher expense ratio, pay lower dividends and have a lower return than Class A shares. Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives. Because no initial sales charges are deducted at the time of purchase, Class B and Class C shares provide the benefit of putting all of the investor's dollars to work from the time the investment is made. The deferred sales charge alternatives may be particularly appealing to investors who do not qualify for a reduction in initial sales charges. Both Class B and Class C shares are subject to ongoing account maintenance fees and distribution fees; however, the ongoing account maintenance and distribution fees potentially may be offset to the extent any return is realized on the additional funds initially invested in Class B or Class C shares. In addition, Class B shares will be converted into Class D shares of the Fund after a conversion period of approximately eight years, and thereafter investors will be subject to lower ongoing fees. Certain investors may elect to purchase Class B shares if they determine it to be most advantageous to have all their funds invested initially and intend to hold their shares for an extended period of time. Investors in Class B shares should take into account whether they intend to redeem their shares within the CDSC period and, if not, whether they intend to remain invested until the end of the conversion period and thereby take advantage of the reduction in ongoing fees resulting from the conversion into Class D shares. Other investors, however, may elect to purchase Class C shares if they determine that it is advantageous to have all their assets invested initially and they are uncertain as to the length of time they intend to hold their assets in MLAM-advised mutual funds. Although Class C shareholders are subject to a shorter CDSC period at a lower rate, they forgo the Class B conversion feature, making their investment subject to account maintenance and distribution fees for an indefinite period of time. In addition, while both Class B and Class C distribution fees are subject to the limitations on asset- based sales charges imposed by the NASD, the Class B distribution fees are further limited under a voluntary waiver of asset-based sales charges. See "Purchase of Shares--Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges". 6 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The financial information in the table below has been audited in conjunction with the audits of the financial statements of the Fund by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors. Financial statements for the year ended September 30, 1994, and the independent auditors' report thereon are included in the Statement of Additional Information. Because Class C and Class D shares had not commenced operations during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, no information is provided for such shares. Further information about the performance of the Fund is contained in the Fund's most recent annual report to shareholders which may be obtained, without charge, by calling or writing the Fund at the telephone number or address on the front cover of this Prospectus. THE FOLLOWING PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS HAVE BEEN DERIVED FROM INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
CLASS A ----------------------------------------------------- FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, ----------------------------------------------------- 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989+ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE: PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE: Net asset value, beginning of period........... $ 13.02 $ 12.57 $ 11.94 $ 10.61 $ 11.93 $ 11.18 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Investment Income--net...... .32 .43 .47 .70 .64 .24 Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions-- net(1)........... (.07) 1.29 .61 1.63 (1.41) 1.42 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total from investment operations....... .25 1.72 1.08 2.33 (.77) 1.66 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Less dividends and distributions: Investment income--net...... (.37) (.39) (.45) (.62) (.55) (.90) Realized gain on investments-- net............. (1.23) (.88) -- (.38) -- (.01) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total dividends and distributions.... (1.60) (1.27) (.45) (1.00) (.55) (.91) ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net asset value, end of period.... $ 11.67 $ 13.02 $ 12.57 $ 11.94 $ 10.61 $ 11.93 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN:** Based on net asset value per share............ 1.81% 14.62% 9.23% 23.14% (6.86%) 15.54%++ ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS: Expenses, excluding distribution fees............. .83% .83% .81% .85% .83% .78%* ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Expenses......... .83% .83% .81% .85% .83% .78%* ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Investment income--net...... 2.68% 3.09% 3.18% 3.64% 5.12% 4.23%* ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)....... $39,963 $40,688 $20,320 $12,839 $ 4,511 $ 2,080 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Portfolio turnover......... 59.15% 79.55% 65.40% 173.76% 163.56% 175.47% ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= CLASS B -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986++ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- -------------- INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSET VALUE: PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE: Net asset value, beginning of period........... $ 13.09 $ 12.62 $ 11.99 $ 10.60 $ 11.91 $ 10.94 $ 12.54 $ 11.17 $ 10.00 --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- -------------- Investment Income--net...... .20 .24 .29 .39 .50 .53 .57 .39 .25 Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions-- net(1)........... (.07) 1.37 .66 1.83 (1.39) 1.25 (1.40) 1.64 .98 --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- -------------- Total from investment operations....... .13 1.61 .96 2.22 (.89) 1.78 (.83) 2.03 1.23 --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- -------------- Less dividends and distributions: Investment income--net...... (.24) (.26) (.32) (.45) (.42) (.80) (.55) (.38) (.06) Realized gain on investments-- net............. (1.23) (.88) -- (.38) -- (.01) (.22) (.28) -- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- -------------- Total dividends and distributions.... (1.47) (1.14) (.32) (.83) (.42) (.81) (.77) (.66) (.06) --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- -------------- Net asset value, end of period.... $ 11.75 $ 13.09 $ 12.62 $ 11.99 $ 10.60 $ 11.91 $ 10.94 $ 12.54 $ 11.17 ========= ========= ========= ========= ============ =========== ============ =========== ============== TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN:** Based on net asset value per share............ 0.76% 13.49% 8.01% 21.91% (7.79%) 16.93% (6.36%) 18.98% 12.29%++ ========= ========= ========= ========= ============ =========== ============ =========== ============== RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS: Expenses, excluding distribution fees............. .86% .85% .85% .90% .86% .84% .82% .73% .82%* ========= ========= ========= ========= ============ =========== ============ =========== ============== Expenses......... 1.86% 1.85% 1.85% 1.90% 1.86% 1.84% 1.82% 1.73% 1.82%* ========= ========= ========= ========= ============ =========== ============ =========== ============== Investment income--net...... 1.65% 1.99% 2.10% 3.37% 3.90% 3.73% 4.66% 3.60% 4.23%* ========= ========= ========= ========= ============ =========== ============ =========== ============== SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)....... $709,836 $830,955 $886,920 $986,895 $1,171,567 $1,735,873 $2,264,429 $3,384,647 $ 2,065,752 ========= ========= ========= ========= ============ =========== ============ =========== ============== Portfolio turnover......... 59.15% 79.55% 65.40% 173.76% 163.56% 175.47% 239.78% 145.17% 143.78% ========= ========= ========= ========= ============ =========== ============ =========== ==============
- ---- * Annualized. ** Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales loads. + Class A shares commenced operations on October 27, 1988. ++ Class B shares commenced operations on November 29, 1985. ++ Aggregate total investment return. (1) Foreign currency transaction amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 1994 presentation. 7 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES The Fund is designed to provide investors with a convenient and professionally managed vehicle for seeking as high a level of total investment return as is consistent with a relatively low level of risk. This is a fundamental investment objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective through investment in high quality, larger capitalization common stocks (generally companies with $500,000,000 or more of market capitalization) and other types of securities, including fixed-income securities (preferred stock and debt securities) and convertible securities, as well as through the writing of covered call options and the lending of portfolio securities. It is anticipated that, except under unusual circumstances, the Fund will maintain at least 25% of the value of its assets in fixed-income senior securities. In its common stock investments, it is anticipated that the Fund will seek to emphasize issues with relatively low price earnings ratios, above average dividend yields, and relatively low price to book value ratios, as compared to prevailing market conditions. In seeking to identify "high quality" companies, particular emphasis is placed by management on common stocks of companies which are believed to have internal strengths, such as good financial resources, a satisfactory rate of return on capital, a good industry position and superior management skills. With respect to debt securities, the Fund will invest only in instruments which are rated Aa or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or AA or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S & P"), or which are determined by the Fund's investment adviser to be of quality comparable to instruments so rated. The Fund also may engage in options and futures transactions and lend its portfolio securities. The Fund attempts to reduce overall exposure to risk from declines in securities prices by spreading its investments over many different companies in a variety of industries. No assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to achieve its investment objective. Total investment return is the sum of current income and capital gains received from portfolio investments, as well as the capital appreciation of investments retained in the portfolio. It is anticipated that ordinarily the Fund's emphasis on current income and capital appreciation will be relatively equal, although from time to time the Fund may vary its emphasis between these two elements as market or economic conditions change. In this regard, the composition of the Fund is largely unrestricted. In furtherance of its efforts to reduce overall exposure to investment and income risk through adequate diversification of its portfolio, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities issued by foreign companies. Inasmuch as the Fund is authorized to invest in bonds and other fixed-income securities, it is important to note that the portion of the Fund's net asset value attributable to such securities may fall when interest rates rise and rise when interest rates fall. In general, fixed-income securities with longer maturities will be subject to greater volatility resulting from interest rate fluctuations than will fixed-income securities with shorter maturities. The Fund also reserves the right to invest all or a portion of its assets in high quality money market securities (such as U.S. Treasury bills, certificates of deposit issued by U.S. banks having more than $1 billion in assets, commercial paper and repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities and U.S. government agency securities) for purposes of enhancing liquidity and avoiding the effects of declining securities prices when it seems advisable to do so in light of prevailing market or economic conditions. The Fund will invest only in commercial paper that is rated A-1 or A-2 by S & P, or P-1 or P-2 by Moody's, or, if not rated, issued by companies having an outstanding debt issue rated AA or better by S & P, or Aa or better by Moody's. The proportion of the Fund's assets that is invested in money market securities will vary from time to time. 8 Because the Fund is designed for investors for whom current tax liability is not a consideration, the Fund may realize capital gains without regard to whether they will qualify as long-term capital gains. This means that the Fund has the flexibility to take advantage of short-term investment opportunities when determined appropriate by the Investment Adviser. For a discussion of the investment restrictions of the Fund, see "Investment Practices and Restrictions--Investment Restrictions". THE FUND AND ITS MANAGEMENT The Fund is a mutual fund, technically known as an open-end diversified management investment company. It was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on May 21, 1984. The Fund is a company of the series type. At the present time it consists of only one portfolio. The Fund is designed as an investment vehicle for investors who seek a high level of total investment return without regard to tax considerations, such as certain tax-qualified employee benefit plans, including Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs") and corporate, governmental and other retirement plans qualified under sections 401, 403(b) or 408 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Directors of the Fund consist of five individuals, four of whom are not "interested persons" of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). The Directors of the Fund are responsible for the overall supervision of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the Investment Company Act. The Directors are: Arthur Zeikel*--President and Chief Investment Officer of MLAM and FAM; President and Director of Princeton Services, Inc.; Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co.") and Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"); Director of Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. Herbert I. London--John M. Olin Professor of Humanities, Gallatin Division of New York University. Robert R. Martin--Director, WTC Industries, Inc. Joseph L. May--Attorney in private practice. Andre F. Perold--Professor, Harvard Business School. - -------- * Interested person, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Fund. MLAM, with offices at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 (mailing address: P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011), is the investment adviser for the Fund. MLAM is owned and controlled by ML & Co., a financial services holding company. MLAM manages the investment of the Fund's assets, provides administrative services and manages the Fund's business affairs. These services are subject to general oversight by the Fund's Board of Directors. The Investment Adviser has been engaged in the investment advisory business since 1976, and, together with its affiliate, FAM, currently serves as the investment adviser to more than 130 other registered investment companies, as well as to numerous pension plans and other institutions. As of December 31, 1994, the Investment Adviser and FAM had a total of approximately $163.8 billion in investment company and other portfolio assets under management, including accounts of certain affiliates of the Investment Adviser. 9 Denis B. Cummings is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio and has served in that capacity since 1991. Mr. Cummings has served as a Vice President of the Investment Adviser since 1978. Advisory Fee. The Fund pays the Investment Adviser a monthly fee based upon the average daily value of the portfolio's net assets at the following annual rates: 0.65% of the average daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.60% of the average daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.55% of the average daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.50% of the average daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $3.5 billion; and 0.45% of the average daily net assets exceeding $3.5 billion. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, the total management fee payable by the Fund to the Investment Adviser was $5,173,680 (based upon average net assets of approximately $820.6 million). For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, the annualized ratio of total expenses (excluding distribution fees) to average net assets was 0.83% for the Class A shares and 0.86% for the Class B shares; no Class C or Class D shares had been issued during that year. Transfer Agency Services. Financial Data Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ML & Co., acts as the Fund's Transfer Agent pursuant to a Transfer Agency, Dividend Disbursing Agency and Shareholder Servicing Agency Agreement (the "Transfer Agency Agreement"). Pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Transfer Agent is responsible for the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening and maintenance of shareholder accounts. Pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Transfer Agent receives a fee of $11.00 per Class A and Class D shareholder account and $14.00 per Class B and Class C shareholder account and is entitled to reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it under the Transfer Agency Agreement. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, the total fee paid by the Fund to the Transfer Agent was $1,227,546. At December 31, 1994, the Fund had 3,825 Class A shareholder accounts, 47,698 Class B shareholder accounts, 22 Class C shareholder accounts and 58,202 Class D shareholder accounts. At this level of accounts, the annual fee payable to the Transfer Agent would aggregate approximately $1.5 million plus out-of-pocket expenses. Reimbursement for Portfolio Accounting Services. The Fund reimburses the Investment Adviser for its costs in providing portfolio accounting services to the Fund. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, the Fund reimbursed the Investment Adviser $98,036 for accounting services. Code of Ethics. The Board of Directors of the Fund has adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act which incorporates the Code of Ethics of the Investment Adviser (together, the "Codes"). The Codes significantly restrict the personal investing activities of all employees of the Investment Adviser and, as described below, impose additional, more onerous, restrictions on fund investment personnel. The Codes require that all employees of the Investment Adviser preclear any personal securities investment (with limited exceptions, such as government securities). The preclearance requirement and associated procedures are designed to identify any substantive prohibition or limitation applicable to the proposed investment. The substantive restrictions applicable to all employees of the Investment Adviser include a ban on acquiring any securities in a "hot" initial public offering and a prohibition from profiting on short- term trading in securities. In addition, no employee may purchase or sell any security which at the time is being purchased or sold (as the case may be), or to the knowledge of the employee is being considered 10 for purchase or sale, by any fund advised by the Investment Adviser. Furthermore, the Codes provide for trading "blackout periods" which prohibit trading by investment personnel of the Fund within periods of trading by the Fund in the same (or equivalent) security (15 or 30 days depending upon the transaction). PURCHASE OF SHARES Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of both the Investment Adviser and Merrill Lynch, acts as the Distributor of the shares of the Fund. Shares of the Fund are offered continuously for sale by the Distributor and other eligible securities dealers (including Merrill Lynch). Shares of the Fund may be purchased from securities dealers or by mailing a purchase order directly to the Transfer Agent. The minimum initial investment is $1,000, and the minimum subsequent purchase is $50, except for retirement plans, for which the minimum initial purchase is $100 and the minimum subsequent purchase is $1.00. Different minimums may apply to purchases through the Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program. See "Purchase of Shares--Reduced Initial Sales Charges-- Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program" in the Statement of Additional Information. The Fund is offering its shares in four classes at a public offering price equal to the next determined net asset value per share plus sales charges imposed either at the time of purchase or on a deferred basis depending upon the class of shares selected by the investor under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System described below. The applicable offering price for purchase orders is based upon the net asset value of the Fund next determined after receipt of the purchase orders by the Distributor. As to purchase orders received by securities dealers prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 P.M. New York time), which includes orders received after the determination of net asset value on the previous day, the applicable offering price will be based on the net asset value determined as of 15 minutes after the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 P.M. New York time) on the day the orders are placed with the Distributor, provided the orders are received by the Distributor prior to 30 minutes after the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange on that day. If the purchase orders are not received by the Distributor prior to 30 minutes after the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange, such orders shall be deemed received on the next business day. Any order may be rejected by the Distributor or the Fund. The Fund or the Distributor may suspend the continuous offering of the Fund's shares of any class to the general public at any time in response to conditions in the securities markets or otherwise and may thereafter resume such offering from time to time. Neither the Distributor nor the dealers are permitted to withhold placing orders to benefit themselves by a price change. Merrill Lynch may charge its customers a processing fee (presently $4.85) to confirm a sale of shares to such customers. Purchases directly through the Fund's Transfer Agent are not subject to the processing fee. The Fund issues four classes of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System, which permits each investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that the investor believes is most beneficial given the amount of purchase, the length of time the investor expects to hold the shares and other relevant circumstances. Shares of Class A and Class D are sold to investors choosing the initial sales charge alternatives and shares of Class B and Class C are sold to investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives. Investors should determine whether under their particular circumstances it is more advantageous to incur an initial sales charge or to have the entire initial purchase price invested in the Fund with the investment thereafter being subject to a CDSC and ongoing distribution fees. A discussion of the factors that investors should consider in determining the method of purchasing shares under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System is set forth under "Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System" on page 3. 11 Each Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D share of the Fund represents an identical interest in the investment portfolio of the Fund and has the same rights, except that Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear the expenses of the ongoing account maintenance fees, and Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of the ongoing distribution fees and the additional incremental transfer agency costs resulting from the deferred sales charge arrangements. The deferred sales charges and account maintenance fees that are imposed on Class B and Class C shares, as well as the account maintenance fees that are imposed on Class D shares, will be imposed directly against those classes and not against all assets of the Fund and, accordingly, such charges will not affect the net asset value of any other class or have any impact on investors choosing another sales charge option. Dividends paid by the Fund for each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner at the same time and will differ only to the extent that account maintenance and distribution fees and any incremental transfer agency costs relating to a particular class are borne exclusively by that class. Class B, Class C and Class D shares each have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Rule 12b-1 distribution plan adopted with respect to such class pursuant to which account maintenance and/or distribution fees are paid. See "Distribution Plans" below. Each class has different exchange privileges. See "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege". Investors should understand that the purpose and function of the initial sales charges with respect to Class A and Class D shares are the same as those of the deferred sales charges with respect to Class B and Class C shares in that the sales charges applicable to each class provide for the financing of the distribution of the shares of the Fund. The distribution-related revenues paid with respect to a class will not be used to finance the distribution expenditures of another class. Sales personnel may receive different compensation for selling different classes of shares. Investors are advised that only Class A and Class D shares may be available for purchase through securities dealers, other than Merrill Lynch, which are eligible to sell shares. The following table sets forth a summary of the distribution arrangements for each class of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System.
ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE DISTRIBUTION CLASS SALES CHARGE(/1/) FEE FEE CONVERSION FEATURE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Maximum 5.25% initial No No No sales charge(/2/)(/3/) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B CDSC for a period of 4 years, 0.25% 0.75% B shares convert to D shares at a rate of 4.0% during the automatically after first year, decreasing 1.0% approximately annually to 0.0% eight years(/4/) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C 1.0% CDSC for one year 0.25% 0.75% No - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D Maximum 5.25% initial sales 0.25% No No charge(/3/)
- -------- (1) Initial sales charges are imposed at the time of purchase as a percentage of the offering price. CDSCs may be imposed if the redemption occurs within the applicable CDSC time period. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed. (2) Offered only to eligible investors. See "Initial Sales Charge Alternatives--Class A and Class D Shares--Eligible Class A Investors". (3) Reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more. Class A and Class D share purchases of $1,000,000 or more may not be subject to an initial sales charge but instead will be subject to a 1.0% CDSC for one year. (4) The conversion period for dividend reinvestment shares and certain retirement plans is modified. Also, Class B shares of certain other MLAM- advised mutual funds into which exchanges may be made have a ten year conversion period. If Class B shares of the Fund are exchanged for Class B shares of another MLAM-advised mutual fund, the conversion period applicable to the Class B shares acquired in the exchange will apply, and the holding period for the shares exchanged will be tacked onto the holding period for the shares acquired. 12 INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES--CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES Investors choosing the initial sales charge alternatives who are eligible to purchase Class A shares should purchase Class A shares rather than Class D shares because there is an account maintenance fee imposed on Class D shares. The public offering price of Class A and Class D shares for purchasers choosing the initial sales charge alternative is the next determined net asset value plus varying sales charges (i.e., sales loads), as set forth below.
SALES LOAD SALES LOAD DISCOUNT TO AS PERCENTAGE AS PERCENTAGE* SELECTED DEALERS OF OFFERING OF THE NET AS PERCENTAGE OF AMOUNT OF PURCHASE PRICE AMOUNT INVESTED THE OFFERING PRICE ------------------ ------------- --------------- ------------------ Less than $25,000............. 5.25% 5.54% 5.00% $25,000 but less than $50,000. 4.75 4.99 4.50 $50,000 but less than $100,000..................... 4.00 4.17 3.75 $100,000 but less than $250,000..................... 3.00 3.09 2.75 $250,000 but less than $1,000,000................... 2.00 2.04 1.80 $1,000,000 and over**......... 0.00 0.00 0.00
- -------- * Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent. ** The initial sales charge may be waived on Class A and Class D purchases of $1,000,000 or more made on or after October 21, 1994. If the sales charge is waived, such purchases will be subject to a CDSC of 1.0% if the shares are redeemed within one year after purchase. Class A purchases made prior to October 21, 1994 may be subject to a CDSC, in lieu of an initial sales charge, if the shares are redeemed within one year of purchase at the following rates: 1.00% on purchases of $1,000,000 to $2,500,000; 0.60% on purchases of $2,500,001 to $3,500,000; 0.40% on purchases of $3,500,001 to $5,000,000; and 0.25% on purchases of more than $5,000,000. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed. A sales charge of 0.75% will be charged on purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Class A or Class D shares by certain 401(k) plans. The Distributor may reallow discounts to such dealers and retain the balance over such discounts. At times the Distributor may reallow the entire sales charge to such dealers. Since securities dealers selling Class A and Class D shares of the Fund will receive a concession equal to most of the sales charge, they may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, the Fund sold 1,518,510 Class A shares for aggregate net proceeds of $18,698,722. The gross sales charges for the sale of Class A shares of the Fund for that year were $54,923, of which $3,336 and $51,587 were received by the Distributor and Merrill Lynch, respectively. No CDSCs were received with respect to Class A shares for which the initial sales charge was waived during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994. The Fund did not begin to offer Class D shares publicly until after the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994. Eligible Class A Investors. Class A shares are offered to a limited group of investors and also will be issued upon reinvestment of dividends from outstanding Class A shares. Investors that currently own Class A shares in a shareholder account, including participants in the Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program, are entitled to purchase additional Class A shares in that account. Certain employer sponsored retirement or savings plans, including eligible 401(k) plans, may purchase Class A shares at net asset value provided such plans meet the required minimum number of eligible employees or required amount of assets advised by MLAM or any of its affiliates. Class A shares are available at net asset value to corporate warranty insurance reserve fund programs provided that the program has $3 million or more initially invested in MLAM-advised mutual funds. Also eligible to purchase Class A shares at net asset value are participants in certain investment 13 programs including TMASM Managed Trusts to which Merrill Lynch Trust Company provides discretionary trustee services and certain purchases made in connection with the Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund Adviser program. In addition, Class A shares will be offered at net asset value to ML & Co. and its subsidiaries and their directors and employees and to members of the Boards of MLAM-advised investment companies, including the Fund. Certain persons who acquired shares of certain MLAM-advised closed-end funds who wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of their closed-end fund shares of common stock in shares of the Fund also may purchase Class A and Class D shares of the Fund if certain conditions set forth in the Statement of Additional Information are met for closed-end funds that commenced operations prior to October 21, 1994. For example, Class A shares of the Fund and certain other MLAM-advised mutual funds are offered at net asset value to shareholders of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. who wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of certain of their shares of common stock of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. in shares of such funds. Reduced Initial Sales Charges. No initial sales charges are imposed upon Class A and Class D shares issued as a result of the automatic reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. Class A and Class D sales charges are reduced under a Right of Accumulation and a Letter of Intention. Class A shares are offered at net asset value to certain eligible Class A investors as set forth above under "Eligible Class A Investors". Class D shares are offered at net asset value to an investor who has a business relationship with a financial consultant who joined Merrill Lynch from another investment firm within six months prior to the date of purchase if certain conditions set forth in the Statement of Additional Information are met. Class D shares may be offered at net asset value in connection with the acquisition of assets of other investment companies. Class D shares also are offered at net asset value, without sales charge, to an investor who has a business relationship with a Merrill Lynch financial consultant and who has (i) invested in a mutual fund sponsored by a non-Merrill Lynch company for which Merrill Lynch has served as a selected dealer and where Merrill Lynch has either received or given notice that such arrangement will be terminated or (ii) invested in a mutual fund sponsored by a non-Merrill Lynch company for which Merrill Lynch has not served as a selected dealer, if certain conditions set forth in the Statement of Additional Information are met. Class D shares are offered with reduced sales charges and, in certain circumstances, at net asset value, to participants in the Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program. Additional information concerning these reduced initial sales charges, including information regarding investments by Employee Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans, is set forth in the Statement of Additional Information. DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES--CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES Investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives should consider Class B shares if they intend to hold their shares for an extended period of time and Class C shares if they are uncertain as to the length of time they intend to hold their assets in MLAM-advised mutual funds. The public offering price of Class B and Class C shares for investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives is the next determined net asset value per share without the imposition of a sales charge at the time of purchase. As discussed below, Class B shares are subject to a four year CDSC, while Class C shares are subject only to a one year 1.0% CDSC. On the other hand, approximately eight years after Class B shares are issued, such Class B shares, together with shares issued upon dividend reinvestment with respect to those shares, are automatically converted into Class D shares of the Fund and thereafter will be subject to lower 14 continuing fees. See "Conversion of Class B Shares to Class D Shares" below. Both Class B and Class C shares are subject to an account maintenance fee of 0.25% of net assets and a distribution fee of 0.75% of net assets as discussed below under "Distribution Plans". Class B and Class C shares are sold without an initial sales charge so that the Fund will receive the full amount of the investor's purchase payment. Merrill Lynch compensates its financial consultants for selling Class B and Class C shares at the time of purchase from its own funds. See "Distribution Plans" below. Proceeds from the CDSC and the ongoing distribution fees are paid to the Distributor and are used in whole or in part by the Distributor to defray the expenses of dealers (including Merrill Lynch) related to providing distribution-related services to the Fund in connection with the sale of the Class B and Class C shares, such as the payment of compensation of financial consultants for selling Class B and Class C shares, from its own funds. The combination of the CDSC and the ongoing distribution fee facilitates the ability of the Fund to sell the Class B and Class C shares without a sales charge being deducted at the time of purchase. Approximately eight years after issuance, Class B shares will convert automatically into Class D shares of the Fund, which are subject to an account maintenance fee but no distribution fee; Class B shares of certain other MLAM-advised mutual funds into which exchanges may be made convert into Class D shares automatically after approximately ten years. If Class B shares of the Fund are exchanged for Class B shares of another MLAM-advised mutual fund, the conversion period applicable to the Class B shares acquired in the exchange will apply, and the holding period for the shares exchanged will be tacked onto the holding period for the shares acquired. Imposition of the CDSC and the distribution fee on Class B and Class C shares is limited by the NASD asset-based sales charge rule. See "Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges" below. The proceeds from the ongoing account maintenance fee are used to compensate Merrill Lynch for providing continuing account maintenance activities. Class B shareholders of the Fund exercising the exchange privilege described under "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege" will continue to be subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule if such schedule is higher than the CDSC schedule relating to the Class B shares acquired as a result of the exchange. Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class B Shares. Class B shares which are redeemed within four years of purchase may be subject to a CDSC at the rates set forth below charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed. Accordingly, no CDSC will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no CDSC will be assessed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. The following table sets forth the rates of the Class B CDSC:
CLASS B CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE OF YEAR SINCE PURCHASE DOLLAR AMOUNT PAYMENT MADE SUBJECT TO CHARGE ------------------- ------------------ 0-1..................................................... 4.00% 1-2..................................................... 3.00 2-3..................................................... 2.00 3-4..................................................... 1.00 4 and thereafter........................................ 0.00
15 For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, the Distributor received CDSCs of $163,949 with respect to Class B shares. In determining whether a CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation will be determined in the manner that results in the lowest possible rate being charged. Therefore, it will be assumed that the redemption is first of shares held for over four years or shares acquired pursuant to reinvestment of dividends or distributions and then of shares held longest during the four-year period. The charge will not be applied to dollar amounts representing an increase in the net asset value since the time of purchase. A transfer of shares from a shareholder's account to another will be assumed to be made in the same order as a redemption. To provide an example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares at $10 per share (at a cost of $1,000) and in the third year after purchase, the net asset value per share is $12 and, during such time, the investor has acquired 10 additional shares upon dividend reinvestment. If at such time the investor makes his or her first redemption of 50 shares (proceeds of $600), 10 shares will not be subject to charge because of dividend reinvestment. With respect to the remaining 40 shares, the charge is applied only to the original cost of $10 per share and not to the increase in net asset value of $2 per share. Therefore, $400 of the $600 redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 2.0% (the applicable rate in the third year after purchase). The Class B CDSC is waived on redemptions of shares in connection with certain post-retirement withdrawals from an IRA or other retirement plan or following the death or disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) of a shareholder. The Class B CDSC also is waived on redemptions of shares by certain eligible 401(a) and eligible 401(k) plans and in connection with certain group plans placing orders through the Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program. The CDSC also is waived for any Class B shares which are purchased by eligible 401(k) or eligible 401(a) plans which are rolled over into a Merrill Lynch or Merrill Lynch Trust Company custodied IRA and held in such account at the time of redemption. The Class B CDSC also is waived for any Class B shares which are purchased by a Merrill Lynch rollover IRA that was funded by a rollover from a terminated 401(k) plan managed by the MLAM Private Portfolio Group and held in such account at the time of redemption. Additional information concerning the waiver of the Class B CDSC is set forth in the Statement of Additional Information. Contingent Deferred Sales Charges--Class C Shares. Class C shares which are redeemed within one year of purchase may be subject to a 1.0% CDSC charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed. Accordingly, no Class C CDSC will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no Class C CDSC will be assessed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. In determining whether a Class C CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation will be determined in the manner that results in the lowest possible rate being charged. Therefore, it will be assumed that the redemption is first of shares held for over one year or shares acquired pursuant to reinvestment of dividends or distributions and then of shares held longest during the one-year period. The charge will not be applied to dollar amounts representing an increase in the net asset value since the time of purchase. A transfer of shares from a shareholder's account to another account will be assumed to be made in the same order as a redemption. The Fund did not begin to offer Class C shares publicly until after the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994. 16 Conversion of Class B Shares to Class D Shares. After approximately eight years (the "Conversion Period"), Class B shares will be converted automatically into Class D shares of the Fund. Class D shares are subject to an ongoing account maintenance fee of 0.25% of net assets but are not subject to the distribution fee that is borne by Class B shares. Automatic conversion of Class B shares into Class D shares will occur at least once each month (on the "Conversion Date") on the basis of the relative net asset values of the shares of the two classes on the Conversion Date, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. Conversion of Class B shares to Class D shares will not be deemed a purchase or sale of the shares for Federal income tax purposes. In addition, shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends on Class B shares also will convert automatically to Class D shares. The Conversion Date for dividend reinvestment shares will be calculated taking into account the length of time the shares underlying such dividend reinvestment shares were outstanding. If at a Conversion Date the conversion of Class B shares to Class D shares of the Fund in a single account will result in less than $50 worth of Class B shares being left in the account, all of the Class B shares of the Fund held in the account on the Conversion Date will be converted to Class D shares of the Fund. Share certificates for Class B shares of the Fund to be converted must be delivered to the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to the Conversion Date applicable to those shares. In the event such certificates are not received by the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to the Conversion Date, the related Class B shares will convert to Class D shares on the next scheduled Conversion Date after such certificates are delivered. In general, Class B shares of equity MLAM-advised mutual funds will convert approximately eight years after initial purchase, and Class B shares of taxable and tax-exempt fixed income MLAM-advised mutual funds will convert approximately ten years after initial purchase. If, during the Conversion Period, a shareholder exchanges Class B shares with an eight-year Conversion Period for Class B shares with a ten-year Conversion Period, or vice versa, the Conversion Period applicable to the Class B shares acquired in the exchange will apply, and the holding period for the shares exchanged will be tacked onto the holding period for the shares acquired. The Conversion Period is modified for shareholders who purchased Class B shares through certain retirement plans which qualified for a waiver of the CDSC normally imposed on purchases of Class B shares ("Class B Retirement Plans"). When the first share of any MLAM-advised mutual fund purchased by a Class B Retirement Plan has been held for ten years (i.e., ten years from the date the relationship between MLAM-advised mutual funds and the Class B Retirement Plan was established), all Class B shares of all MLAM-advised mutual funds held in that Class B Retirement Plan will be converted into Class D shares of the appropriate funds. Subsequent to such conversion, that Class B Retirement Plan will be sold Class D shares of the appropriate funds at net asset value per share. DISTRIBUTION PLANS The Fund has adopted separate distribution plans for Class B, Class C and Class D shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (each, a "Distribution Plan") with respect to the account 17 maintenance and/or distribution fees paid by the Fund to the Distributor with respect to such classes. The Class B and Class C Distribution Plans provide for the payment of account maintenance fees and distribution fees, and the Class D Distribution Plan provides for the payment of account maintenance fees. The Distribution Plans for Class B, Class C and Class D shares each provide that the Fund pays the Distributor an account maintenance fee relating to the shares of the relevant class, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to shares of the relevant class in order to compensate the Distributor and Merrill Lynch (pursuant to a sub-agreement) in connection with account maintenance activities. The Distribution Plans for Class B and Class C shares each provide that the Fund also pays the Distributor a distribution fee relating to the shares of the relevant class, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund attributable to the shares of the relevant class in order to compensate the Distributor and Merrill Lynch (pursuant to a sub-agreement) for providing shareholder and distribution services, and bearing certain distribution-related expenses of the Fund, including payments to financial consultants for selling Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. The Distribution Plans relating to Class B and Class C shares are designed to permit an investor to purchase Class B and Class C shares through dealers without the assessment of an initial sales charge and at the same time permit the dealer to compensate its financial consultants in connection with the sale of the Class B and Class C shares. In this regard, the purpose and function of the ongoing distribution fees and the CDSC are the same as those of the initial sales charge with respect to the Class A and Class D shares of the Fund in that the deferred sales charges provide for the financing of the distribution of the Fund's Class B and Class C shares. Prior to July 6, 1993, the Fund paid the Distributor an ongoing distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.0% of average daily net assets of the Class B shares of the Fund under a distribution plan previously adopted by the Fund (the "Prior Plan") to compensate the Distributor and Merrill Lynch for providing account maintenance and distribution-related activities and services to Class B shareholders. The fee rate payable and the services provided under the Prior Plan are identical to the aggregate fee rate payable and the services provided under the Class B Distribution Plan, the difference being that the account maintenance and distribution services have been unbundled. For the year ended September 30, 1994, the Fund paid the Distributor account maintenance fees of $1,944,798 and distribution fees of $5,834,397 under the Class B Distribution Plan. The Fund did not begin to offer shares of Class C or Class D publicly until October 21, 1994. The payments under the Distribution Plans are based upon a percentage of average daily net assets attributable to the shares regardless of the amount of expenses incurred and, accordingly, distribution-related revenues from the Distribution Plans may be more or less than distribution-related expenses. Information with respect to the distribution-related revenues and expenses is presented to the Directors for their consideration in connection with their deliberations as to the continuance of the Class B and Class C Distribution Plans. This information is presented annually as of December 31 of each year on a "fully allocated accrual" basis and quarterly on a "direct expense and revenue/cash" basis. On the fully allocated 18 accrual basis, revenues consist of the account maintenance fees, distribution fees, the CDSCs and certain other related revenues, and expenses consist of financial consultant compensation, branch office and regional operation center selling and transaction processing expenses, advertising, sales promotion and marketing expenses, corporate overhead and interest expense. On the direct expense and revenue/cash basis, revenues consist of the account maintenance fees, distribution fees and CDSCs and the expenses consist of financial consultant compensation. As of December 31, 1993, the last date for which fully allocated accrual data is available, the fully allocated accrual revenues incurred by the Distributor and Merrill Lynch since the Fund commenced operations on November 29, 1985 exceeded expenses for such period by $24,803,000 (2.99% of Class B net assets at that date). As of December 31, 1993, direct cash revenues for the period since the commencement of operations exceeded direct cash expenses by $109,814,195 (13.22% of Class B net assets at that date); as of September 30, 1994, direct cash revenues for the period since the commencement of operations exceeded direct cash expenses by $114,890,699 (16.19% of Class B net assets at that date). The Fund has no obligation with respect to distribution and/or account maintenance-related expenses incurred by the Distributor and Merrill Lynch in connection with the Class B, Class C and Class D shares, and there is no assurance that the Board of Directors of the Fund will approve the continuance of the Distribution Plans from year to year. However, the Distributor intends to seek annual continuation of the Distribution Plans. In their review of the Distribution Plans, the Directors will be asked to take into consideration expenses incurred in connection with the account maintenance and/or distribution of each class of shares separately. The initial sales charges, the account maintenance fee, the distribution fee and/or the CDSCs received with respect to one class will not be used to subsidize the sale of shares of another class. Payments of the distribution fee on Class B shares will terminate upon conversion of those Class B shares into Class D shares as set forth under "Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives--Class B and Class C Shares-- Conversion of Class B Shares to Class D Shares". LIMITATIONS ON THE PAYMENT OF DEFERRED SALES CHARGES The maximum sales charge rule in the Rules of Fair Practice of the NASD imposes a limitation on certain asset-based sales charges such as the Fund's distribution fee and the CDSC borne by the Class B and Class C shares, but not the account maintenance fee. The maximum sales charge rule is applied separately to each class. As applicable to the Fund, the maximum sales charge rule limits the aggregate of distribution fee payments and CDSCs payable by the Fund to (1) 6.25% of eligible gross sales of Class B shares and Class C shares, computed separately (defined to exclude shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestments and exchanges) plus (2) interest on the unpaid balance at the prime rate plus 1% (the unpaid balance being the maximum amount payable minus amounts received from the payment of the distribution fee and the CDSC). The Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive interest charges on the unpaid balance in excess of 0.50% of eligible gross sales. Consequently, the maximum amount payable to the Distributor (referred to as the "voluntary maximum") in connection with the Class B shares is 6.75% of eligible gross sales. The Distributor retains the right to stop waiving the interest charges at any time. To the extent payments would exceed the voluntary maximum, the Fund will not make further payments of the distribution fee with respect to Class B shares, and any CDSCs will be paid to the Fund rather than to the Distributor; however, the Fund will continue to make payments of the account maintenance fee. In certain circumstances, the amount payable pursuant to the voluntary maximum may exceed the amount payable under the NASD formula. In such circumstances payment in excess of the amount payable under the NASD formula will not be made. 19 SHAREHOLDER SERVICES The Fund offers a number of shareholder services and investment plans designed to facilitate investment in its shares. Certain of such services are not available to investors who place orders for the Fund through the Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program. Full details as to each of such services, copies of the various plans described below and instructions as to how to participate in the various services or plans, or how to change options with respect thereto, can be obtained from the Fund, the Distributor or Merrill Lynch. Included in such services are the following: Investment Account. Each shareholder whose account is maintained at the Transfer Agent has an Investment Account and will receive statements, at least quarterly, from the Transfer Agent. These statements will serve as transaction confirmations for automatic investment purchases and the reinvestment of ordinary income dividends and long-term capital gain distributions. The statements will also show any other activity in the account since the preceding statement. Shareholders will receive separate transaction confirmations for each purchase or sale transaction other than automatic investment purchases and the reinvestment of ordinary income dividends, and long-term capital gains distributions. Shareholders may make additions to their Investment Account at any time by mailing a check directly to the Transfer Agent. Shareholders may also maintain their accounts through Merrill Lynch. Upon the transfer of shares out of a Merrill Lynch brokerage account, an Investment Account in the transferring shareholder's name will be automatically opened, without charge, at the Transfer Agent. Shareholders considering transferring their Class A or Class D shares from Merrill Lynch to another brokerage firm or financial institution should be aware that, if the firm to which the shares are to be transferred will not take delivery of shares of the Fund, a shareholder either must redeem the Class A or Class D shares (paying any applicable CDSC) so that the cash proceeds can be transferred to the account at the new firm or such shareholder must continue to maintain an Investment Account at the Transfer Agent for those Class A or Class D shares. Shareholders interested in transferring their Class B or Class C shares from Merrill Lynch and who do not wish to have an Investment Account maintained for such shares at the Transfer Agent may request their new brokerage firm to maintain such shares in an account registered in the name of the brokerage firm for the benefit of the shareholder at the Transfer Agent. Shareholders considering transferring a tax- deferred retirement account such as an IRA from Merrill Lynch to another brokerage firm or financial institution should be aware that, if the firm to which the retirement account is to be transferred will not take delivery of shares of the Fund, a shareholder must either redeem the shares (paying any applicable CDSC) so that the cash proceeds may be transferred to the account at the new firm, or such shareholder must continue to maintain a retirement account at Merrill Lynch for those shares. Exchange Privilege. Shareholders of each class of shares of the Fund each have an exchange privilege with certain other MLAM-advised mutual funds. There is currently no limitation on the number of times a shareholder may exercise the exchange privilege. The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time in accordance with the rules of the Commission. Under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System, Class A shareholders may exchange Class A shares of the Fund for Class A shares of a second MLAM-advised mutual fund if the shareholder holds any Class A shares of the second fund in his account in which the exchange is made at the time of the exchange or is otherwise eligible to purchase Class A shares of the second fund. If the Class A shareholder wants to exchange 20 Class A shares for shares of a second MLAM-advised mutual fund, and the shareholder does not hold Class A shares of the second fund in his account at the time of the exchange and is not otherwise eligible to acquire Class A shares of the second fund, the shareholder will receive Class D shares of the second fund as a result of the exchange. Class D shares also may be exchanged for Class A shares of a second MLAM-advised mutual fund at any time as long as, at the time of the exchange, the shareholder holds Class A shares of the second fund in the account in which the exchange is made or is otherwise eligible to purchase Class A shares of the second fund. Exchanges of Class A and Class D shares are made on the basis of the relative net asset values per Class A or Class D share, respectively, plus an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the sales charge previously paid on the Class A or Class D shares being exchanged and the sales charge payable at the time of the exchange on the shares being acquired. Class B, Class C and Class D shares will be exchangeable with shares of the same class of other MLAM-advised mutual funds. Shares of the Fund which are subject to a CDSC will be exchangeable on the basis of relative net asset value per share without the payment of any CDSC that might otherwise be due upon redemption of the shares of the Fund. For purposes of computing the CDSC that may be payable upon a disposition of the shares acquired in the exchange, the holding period for the previously owned shares of the Fund is "tacked" to the holding period of the newly acquired shares of the other Fund. Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares also will be exchangeable for shares of certain MLAM-advised money market funds specifically designated as available for exchange by holders of Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D shares. The period of time that Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D shares are held in a money market fund, however, will not count toward satisfaction of the holding period requirement for reduction of any CDSC imposed on such shares, if any, and, with respect to Class B shares, toward satisfaction of the Conversion Period. Class B shareholders of the Fund exercising the exchange privilege will continue to be subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule if such schedule is higher than the CDSC schedule relating to the new Class B shares. In addition, Class B shares of the Fund acquired through use of the exchange privilege will be subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule if such schedule is higher than the CDSC schedule relating to the Class B shares of the MLAM-advised mutual fund from which the exchange has been made. Exercise of the exchange privilege is treated as a sale for Federal income tax purposes. For further information, see "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege" in the Statement of Additional Information. The Fund's exchange privilege is modified with respect to purchases of Class A and Class D shares under the Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund Adviser ("MFA") program. First, the initial allocation of assets is made under the MFA program. Then, any subsequent exchange under the MFA program of Class A or Class D shares of a MLAM-advised mutual fund for Class A or Class D shares of the Fund will be made solely on the basis of the relative net asset values of the shares being exchanged. Therefore, there will not be a charge for any difference between the sales charge previously paid on the shares of the other MLAM- advised mutual fund and the sales charge payable on the shares of the Fund being acquired in the exchange under the MFA program. 21 Automatic Reinvestment of Dividends and Capital Gains Distributions. All dividends and capital gains distributions are reinvested automatically in full and fractional shares of the Fund, without sales charge, at the net asset value per share next determined on the ex-dividend date of such dividend or distribution. A shareholder may at any time, by written notification or by telephone (1-(800)-MER-FUND) to the Transfer Agent, elect to have subsequent dividends or both dividends and capital gains distributions paid in cash rather than reinvested, in which event payment will be mailed on or about the payment date. Cash payments can also be directly deposited to the shareholder's bank account. No CDSC will be imposed on redemption of shares issued as a result of the automatic reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. Systematic Withdrawal Plans. A Class A or Class D shareholder may elect to receive systematic withdrawal payments from his Investment Account in the form of payments by check or through automatic payment by direct deposit to his bank account on either a monthly or quarterly basis. A Class A shareholder whose shares are held within a CMA (R), CBA (R) or Retirement Account may elect to have shares redeemed on a monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis through the Systematic Redemption Program, subject to certain conditions. Automatic Investment Plans. Regular additions of Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D shares may be made to an investor's Investment Account by prearranged charges of $50 or more to such investor's regular bank account. Investors who maintain CMA (R) accounts may arrange to have periodic investments made in the Fund in their CMA (R) account or in certain related accounts in amounts of $100 or more through the CMA Automated Investment Program. Retirement Plans. Self-directed individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans are available from Merrill Lynch. Under these plans, investments may be made in the Fund and in certain of the other mutual funds whose shares are distributed by the Distributor as well as in other securities. Merrill Lynch charges an initial establishment fee and an annual custodial fee for each account. The minimum initial purchase to establish any such plan is $100 and the minimum subsequent purchase is $1. REDEMPTION OF SHARES The Fund is required to redeem for cash all shares of the Fund on receipt of a written request in proper form. The redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined after the initial receipt of proper notice of redemption. Except for any CDSC which may be applicable, there will be no charge for redemption if the redemption request is sent directly to the Transfer Agent. Shareholders liquidating their holdings will receive upon redemption all dividends reinvested through the date of redemption. The value of shares at the time of redemption may be more or less than the shareholder's cost, depending on the market value of the securities held by the Fund at such time. REDEMPTION A shareholder wishing to redeem shares may do so without charge by tendering the shares directly to the Fund's Transfer Agent, Financial Data Services, Inc., Transfer Agency Mutual Funds Operations, P.O. Box 45289, Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289. Redemption requests delivered other than by mail should be delivered to Financial Data Services, Inc., Transfer Agency Mutual Funds Operations, 4800 Deer Lake Drive 22 East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484. Proper notice of redemption in the case of shares deposited with the Transfer Agent may be accompanied by a written letter requesting redemption. Proper notice of redemption in the case of shares for which certificates have been issued may be accomplished by a written letter as noted above accompanied by certificates for the shares to be redeemed. The notice in either event requires the signatures of all persons in whose names the shares are registered, signed exactly as their names appear on the Transfer Agent's register or on the certificate, as the case may be. The signature(s) on the redemption request must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the existence and validity of which may be verified by the Transfer Agent through the use of industry publications. Notarized signatures are not sufficient. In certain instances, the Transfer Agent may require additional documents, such as, but not limited to, trust instruments, death certificates, appointments as executor or administrator, or certificates of corporate authority. For shareholders redeeming directly with the Transfer Agent, payment will be mailed within seven days of receipt of a proper notice of redemption. At various times the Fund may be requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet received good payment. The Fund may delay or cause to be delayed the mailing of a redemption check until such time as it has assured itself that good payment (e.g., cash or certified check drawn on a United States bank) has been collected for the purchase of such shares. Normally, this delay will not exceed 10 days. REPURCHASE The Fund also will repurchase shares through a shareholder's listed securities dealer. The Fund normally will accept orders to repurchase shares by wire or telephone from dealers for their customers at the net asset value next computed after receipt of the order by the dealer, less any applicable CDSC, provided that the request for repurchase is received by the dealer prior to the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange on the day received and such request is received by the Fund from the dealer not later than 30 minutes after the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 P.M. New York time) on the same day. Dealers have the responsibility of submitting such repurchase requests to the Fund not later than 30 minutes after the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 P.M. New York time) in order to obtain that day's closing price. These repurchase arrangements are for the convenience of shareholders and do not involve a charge by the Fund (other than any applicable CDSC). Securities firms which do not have selected dealer agreements with the Distributor, however, may impose a transaction charge on the shareholder for transmitting the notice of repurchase to the Fund. Merrill Lynch may charge its customers a processing fee (presently $4.85) to confirm a repurchase of shares to such customers. Redemptions directly through the Fund's Transfer Agent are not subject to the processing fee. The Fund reserves the right to reject any order for repurchase, which right of rejection might adversely affect shareholders seeking redemption through the repurchase procedure. However, a shareholder whose order for repurchase is rejected by the Fund may redeem shares as set forth above. REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE--CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES Shareholders who have redeemed their Class A or Class D shares have a one- time privilege to reinstate their accounts by purchasing Class A or Class D shares, as the case may be, of the Fund at net asset value without a sales charge up to the dollar amount redeemed. The reinstatement privilege may be exercised by sending a notice of exercise along with a check for the amount to be reinstated to the Transfer Agent within 23 30 days after the date the request for redemption was accepted by the Transfer Agent or the Distributor. The reinstatement will be made at the net asset value per share next determined after the notice of reinstatement is received and cannot exceed the amount of the redemption proceeds. The reinstatement privilege is a one-time privilege and may be exercised by the Class A or Class D shareholder only the first time such shareholder makes a redemption. INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND RESTRICTIONS PORTFOLIO STRATEGIES INVOLVING OPTIONS AND FUTURES The Fund may engage in various portfolio strategies to seek to increase its return through the use of options on portfolio securities and to hedge its portfolio against movements in the equity markets, interest rates and exchange rates between currencies. The Fund has authority to write (i.e., sell) covered call options on its portfolio securities, purchase put options on securities and engage in transactions in stock index options, stock index futures and financial futures, and related options on such futures. The Fund may also deal in forward foreign exchange transactions and foreign currency options and futures, and related options on such futures. Each of these portfolio strategies is described below. Although certain risks are involved in options and futures transactions (as discussed below in "Risk Factors in Options, Futures and Currency Transactions"), the Investment Adviser believes that, because the Fund will only engage in these transactions for hedging purposes, the options and futures portfolio strategies of the Fund will not subject the Fund to the risks frequently associated with the speculative use of options and futures transactions. While the Fund's use of hedging strategies is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of Fund shares, the Fund's net asset value will fluctuate. There can be no assurance that the Fund's hedging transactions will be effective. Furthermore, the Fund will only engage in hedging activities from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when movements in the equity markets, interest rates or currency exchange rates occur. Purchasing Put Options. The Fund is authorized to purchase put options to hedge against a decline in the market value of its portfolio securities. By buying a put option, the Fund has a right to sell the underlying security at the exercise price, thus limiting the Fund's risk of loss through a decline in the market value of the security until the put option expires. The amount of any appreciation in the value of the underlying security will be partially offset by the amount of the premium paid for the put option and any related transaction costs. Prior to its expiration, a put option may be sold in a closing sale transaction and profit or loss from the sale will depend on whether the amount received is more or less than the premium paid for the put option plus the related transaction costs. A closing sale transaction cancels out the Fund's position as the purchaser of an option by means of an offsetting sale of an identical option prior to the expiration of the option it has purchased. The Fund will not purchase put options on securities if, as a result of such purchase, the aggregate cost of all outstanding options on securities held by the Fund would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's total assets. Writing of Covered Call Options. The Fund may, from time to time, sell ("write") covered call options in order to attempt to increase the yield on its portfolio or to protect against declines in the value of its portfolio securities. A covered call option is an option whereby the Fund, in return for a premium, gives another party a right to buy particular securities owned by the Fund at a specified price for a certain period 24 of time. By writing a covered call option, the Fund, in return for the premium income realized from the sale of the option, gives up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the underlying security above the option exercise price, where the price increase occurs while the option is in effect. In addition, the Fund's ability to sell the underlying security will be limited while the option is in effect. The Fund may not write covered call options on underlying securities in an amount exceeding 25% of the value of its total assets. Stock Index Options and Futures and Financial Futures. The Fund is authorized to engage in transactions in stock index options and futures and financial futures, and related options on such futures. The Fund may purchase or write call options and purchase or write put options on stock indexes to hedge against the risks of market-wide stock price movements in the securities in which the Fund invests. The effectiveness of the hedge will depend on the degree of diversification of the Fund's portfolio and the sensitivity of the securities comprising the portfolio to factors influencing the market as a whole. Because the value of an index option depends upon movements in the level of the index rather than the price of a particular stock, whether the Fund will realize a gain or loss on the purchase or sale of an option on an index depends upon movements in the level of prices in the stock market generally or in an industry or market segment rather than movements in the prices of a particular stock. Currently, stock index options traded include the S&P 100 Index, the S&P 500 Index, the NYSE Composite Index, the AMEX Market Value Index, the National Over-the-Counter Index and other standard, broadly based stock market indices. The Fund may also purchase and sell stock index futures contracts and financial futures contracts ("futures contracts") as a hedge against adverse changes in the market value of its portfolio securities and interest rates, as described below. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties which obligates the purchaser of the futures contract to buy and the seller of a futures contract to sell a security for a set price on a future date. Unlike most other futures contracts, a stock index futures contract does not require actual delivery of securities, but results in cash settlement based upon the difference in value of the index between the time the contract was entered into and the time of its settlement. The Fund may effect transactions in stock index futures contracts in securities and financial futures contracts in United States Government and agency securities and corporate debt securities. Transactions by the Fund in stock index futures and financial futures are subject to limitations as described below under "Restrictions on the Use of Futures Transactions". The Fund may sell stock index futures contracts in anticipation of or during a market decline to attempt to offset the decrease in market value of the Fund's securities portfolio that might otherwise result. When the Fund is not fully invested in the securities markets and anticipates a significant market advance, it may purchase stock index futures in order to gain rapid market exposure that may in part or entirely offset increases in the cost of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. As such securities purchases are made, an equivalent amount of stock index futures contracts will be terminated by offsetting sales. The Fund does not consider purchases of futures contracts to be a speculative practice under these circumstances. It is anticipated that, in a substantial majority of these transactions, the Fund will purchase such securities upon termination of the long futures position, whether the long position is the purchase of a stock index futures contract or the purchase of a call option on a stock index future, but under unusual circumstances (e.g., the Fund experiences a significant amount of redemptions), a long futures position may be terminated without the corresponding purchase of securities. The Fund may sell financial futures contracts in anticipation of an increase in the general level of interest rates. Generally, as interest rates rise, the market values of debt securities which may be held by the Fund as 25 a temporary defensive measure will fall, thus reducing the net asset value of the Fund. However, as interest rates rise, the value of the Fund's short position in the futures contract will also tend to increase, thus offsetting all or a portion of the depreciation in the market value of the Fund's investments which are being hedged. While the Fund will incur commission expenses in selling and closing out futures positions, these commissions are generally less than the transaction expenses which the Fund would have incurred had the Fund sold portfolio securities in order to reduce its exposure to increases in interest rates. The Fund also may purchase financial futures contracts in anticipation of a decline in interest rates when it is not fully invested in a particular market in which it intends to make investments to gain market exposure that may in part or entirely offset an increase in the cost of securities it intends to purchase. It is anticipated that, in a substantial majority of these transactions, the Fund will purchase securities upon termination of the futures contract. The Fund also has authority to purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts in connection with its hedging activities. Generally, these strategies are utilized under the same market and market sector conditions (i.e., conditions relating to specific types of investments) in which the Fund enters into futures transactions. The Fund may purchase put options or write call options on futures contracts rather than selling the underlying futures contract in anticipation of a decrease in the market value of a security or an increase in interest rates. Similarly, the Fund may purchase call options, or write put options on futures contracts, as a substitute for the purchase of such futures to hedge against the increased cost resulting from an increase in the market value or a decline in interest rates of securities which the Fund intends to purchase. The Fund may engage in options and futures transactions on exchanges and options in the over-the-counter markets ("OTC options"). In general, exchange- traded contracts are third-party contracts (i.e., performance of the parties' obligations is guaranteed by an exchange or clearing corporation) with standardized strike prices and expiration dates. OTC options transactions are two-party contracts with price and terms negotiated by the buyer and seller. See "Restrictions on OTC Options" below for information as to restrictions on the use of OTC options. Foreign Currency Options, Futures and Related Options. The Fund is also authorized to purchase or sell listed or over-the-counter foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and related options on foreign currency futures as a short or long hedge against possible variations in foreign exchange rates. Such transactions may be effected with respect to hedges on non-U.S. dollar denominated securities owned by the Fund, sold by the Fund but not yet delivered, or committed or anticipated to be purchased by the Fund. As an illustration, the Fund may use such techniques to hedge the stated value in United States dollars of an investment in a pound sterling denominated security. In such circumstances, for example, the Fund may purchase a foreign currency put option enabling it to sell a specified amount of pounds for dollars at a specified price by a future date. To the extent the hedge is successful, a loss in value of the pound relative to the dollar will tend to be offset by an increase in the value of the put option. To offset, in whole or in part, the cost of acquiring such a put option, the Fund may also sell a call option which, if exercised, requires it to sell a specified amount of pounds for dollars at a specified price by a future date (a technique called a "straddle"). By selling such call option, the Fund gives up the opportunity to profit without limit from increases in the relative value of the pound to the dollar. The Investment Adviser believes that "straddles" of the type which may be utilized by the Fund constitute hedging transactions and are consistent with the policies described above. 26 Certain differences exist between these foreign currency hedging instruments. Foreign currency options provide the holder thereof the right to buy or sell a currency at a fixed price on a future date (with exchange-traded contracts and OTC options having the characteristics described above). A futures contract on a foreign currency is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a specified amount of currency for a set price on a future date. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are traded on boards of trade or futures exchanges. The Fund will not speculate in foreign currency options, futures or related options. Accordingly, the Fund will not hedge a currency substantially in excess of the market securities which it has committed or anticipates to purchase which are denominated in such currency, and in the case of securities which have been sold by the Fund but not yet delivered, the proceeds thereof in its denominated currency. The Fund may not incur potential net liabilities of more than 20% of its total assets from foreign currency options, futures or related options. Restrictions on the Use of Futures Transactions. Under regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), the futures trading activities described herein will not result in the Fund being deemed to be a "commodity pool," as defined under such regulations, provided that the Fund adheres to certain restrictions. In particular, the Fund may (i) purchase and sell futures contracts and options thereon for bona fide hedging purposes, as defined under CFTC regulations, without regard to the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to margin and option premiums, and (ii) the Fund may enter into non- hedging transactions, provided that the Fund not enter into such transactions for yield enhancement or risk management purposes if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on the Fund's existing futures positions and option premiums would exceed 5% of the market value of its liquidation value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions. However, the Fund intends to engage in options and futures transactions only for hedging purposes. Margin deposits may consist of cash or securities acceptable to the broker and the relevant contract market. When the Fund purchases a futures contract or writes a put option or purchases a call option thereon, an amount of cash and cash equivalents will be deposited in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian so that the amount so segregated, plus the amount of initial and variation margin held in the account of its broker, equals the market value of the futures contract, thereby ensuring that the use of such futures is unleveraged. An order has been obtained from the Commission which exempts the Fund from certain provisions of the Investment Company Act in connection with transactions involving futures contracts and options thereon. Restrictions on OTC Options. The Fund will engage in OTC options, including over-the-counter foreign currency options and options on foreign currency futures, only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System and primary dealers in United States Government securities or with affiliates of such banks or dealers which have capital of at least $50 million or whose obligations are guaranteed by an entity having capital of at least $50 million. The Fund will acquire only those OTC options for which the Investment Adviser believes the Fund can receive on each business day at least two independent bids or offers (one of which will be from an entity other than a party to the option). The staff of the Commission has taken the position that purchased OTC options and the assets used as cover for written OTC options are illiquid securities. Therefore, the Fund has adopted an investment policy 27 pursuant to which it will not purchase or sell OTC options (including OTC options on futures contracts) if, as a result of such transaction, the sum of the market value of OTC options currently outstanding which are held by the Fund, the market value of the underlying securities covered by OTC call options currently outstanding which were sold by the Fund and margin deposits on the Fund's existing OTC options on futures contracts exceed 15% of the total assets of the Fund, taken at market value, together with all other assets of the Fund which are illiquid or are not otherwise readily marketable. However, if the OTC option is sold by the Fund to a primary U.S. Government securities dealer recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and if the Fund has the unconditional contractual right to repurchase such OTC option from the dealer at a predetermined price, then the Fund will treat as illiquid such amount of the underlying securities as is equal to the repurchase price less the amount by which the option is "in-the-money" (i.e., current market value of the underlying security minus the option's strike price). The repurchase price with the primary dealers is typically a formula price which is generally based on a multiple of the premium received for the option, plus the amount by which the option is "in-the-money". This policy is not a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Fund without the approval of the Fund's shareholders. However, the Fund will not change or modify this policy prior to the change or modification by the Commission staff of its positions. Risk Factors in Options, Futures and Currency Transactions. Utilization of options and futures transactions to hedge the portfolio involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of options and futures prices and movements in the prices of the securities, interest rates or currencies which are the subject of the hedge. If the price of the options or futures moves more or less than the price of the subject of the hedge, the Fund will experience a gain or loss which will not be completely offset by movements in the price of the subject of the hedge. The Fund intends to enter into options and futures transactions, on an exchange or in the over-the-counter market, only if there appears to be a liquid secondary market for such options or futures or, in the case of OTC options, the Investment Adviser believes the Fund can receive on each business day at least two independent bids or offers. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close an options or futures position. The inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on the Fund's ability to effectively hedge its portfolio. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits or collateral in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in an option, a futures contract or a related option. The exchanges on which currency options are traded have generally established limitations governing the maximum number of call or put options on the same underlying currency (whether or not covered) which may be written by a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such options are written on the same or different exchanges or are held or written on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). "Trading limits" are imposed on the maximum number of contracts which any person may trade on a particular trading day. The Investment Adviser does not believe that these trading and position limits will have any adverse impact on the portfolio strategies for hedging the Fund's portfolio. OTHER INVESTMENT PRACTICES Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may from time to time lend securities which it holds, with a value not exceeding 33 1/3% of its total assets, to approved borrowers such as brokers and financial institutions. 28 All loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized by cash or U.S. government securities. During the period of this loan, the Fund receives the income on the loaned securities and either receives the income on the collateral or other compensation, i.e., negotiated loan premium or fee, for entering into the loan and thereby increases its yield. In the event that the borrower defaults on its obligation to return borrowed securities, because of insolvency or otherwise, the Fund could experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral and could suffer a loss to the extent that the value of the collateral fell below the market value of the borrowed securities. Repurchase Agreements. In repurchase transactions, the Fund purchases a collaterized debt security from a bank, broker-dealer or financial institution which agrees to repurchase such security on a certain date and at a fixed price calculated to produce a previously agreed upon return to the Fund. If the bank or financial institution were to default upon its repurchase obligation and the debt security were sold for a lesser amount, the Fund would realize a loss. Foreign and Emerging Markets Securities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities issued by foreign companies. For purposes of this investment policy, an issuer ordinarily will be considered to be located in the country under the laws of which it is organized or where the primary trading market of its securities is located. The Fund, however, may consider a company to be located in a country, without reference to its domicile or to the primary trading market of its securities, when at least 50% of its non-current assets, capitalization, gross revenues or profits in any one of the two most recent fiscal years represents (directly or indirectly through subsidiaries) assets or activities located in such country. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve certain considerations and risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies may be subject to less government supervision and regulation than exists in the United States. Dividend and interest income may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes which may adversely affect the net return on such investments. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there are risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than a U.S. company. Foreign securities markets may have substantially less volume than U.S. securities markets and some foreign company securities are less liquid and more volatile than comparable securities of U.S. companies. A portfolio of foreign securities may also be adversely affected by fluctuations in the rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations and by exchange control regulations. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have failed to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of such portfolio security or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. In addition, a portfolio which includes foreign securities can expect to have a higher expense ratio because of the increased transaction costs on non-U.S. securities markets and the increased costs of maintaining the custody of foreign securities. 29 The Fund has made, and may continue to make, substantial investments in securities of issuers in Latin America, the Far East and lesser developed capital markets. The risks of investments in foreign securities described above tend to be particularly significant when investing in lesser developed capital markets. Forward Foreign Exchange Transactions. The Fund has authority to deal in forward foreign exchange between currencies of the different countries in which it will invest as a hedge against possible variations in the foreign exchange rate among these currencies. This is accomplished through contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified currency at a specified future date (up to one year) and price set at the time of the contract. The Fund's dealings in forward foreign exchange will be limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions. Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward foreign currency with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund accruing in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities, the sale and redemption of shares of the Fund or the payment of dividends and distributions by the Fund. Position hedging is the sale of forward foreign currency with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in such foreign currency. The Fund will not speculate in forward foreign exchange. The Fund will not attempt to hedge all of its foreign portfolio positions. The Fund may not commit more than 15% of its assets to position hedging contracts. Portfolio Brokerage. The Fund has no obligation with any broker or group of brokers in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Orders for transactions in portfolio securities are placed for the Fund with a number of brokers and dealers, including Merrill Lynch. In placing orders it is the policy of the Fund to obtain the most favorable net results, taking into account various factors including price, commission, if any, size of the transaction, and difficulty of execution. Where practicable, the Investment Adviser surveys a number of brokers and dealers in connection with proposed portfolio transactions and selects the broker or dealer which offers the Fund the best price and execution or other services which are of benefit to the Fund. Investment Restrictions. The Fund has adopted certain investment restrictions which may not be changed without a vote of the Fund's shareholders, including a majority of the shares of the Fund and any other portfolio which might be added in the future. The Statement of Additional Information contains a description of those restrictions under "Investment Practices and Restrictions--Current Investment Restrictions." PERFORMANCE DATA From time to time the Fund may include its average annual total return for various specified time periods in advertisements or information furnished to present or prospective shareholders. Average annual total return is computed separately for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares in accordance with a formula specified by the Commission. Average annual total return quotations for the specified periods will be computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return (based on net investment income and any capital gains or losses on portfolio investments over such periods) that would equate the initial amount invested to the redeemable value of such investment at the end of each period. Average annual total return will be computed assuming all dividends and distributions are reinvested and taking into account all applicable recurring and nonrecurring expenses, including the maximum sales charge in the case of Class A and Class D shares and 30 the CDSC that would be applicable to a complete redemption of the investment at the end of the specified period in the case of Class B and Class C shares. Dividends paid by the Fund with respect to all shares, to the extent any dividends are paid, will be calculated in the same manner at the same time on the same day and will be in the same amount, except that account maintenance fees and distribution charges and any incremental transfer agency costs relating to each class of shares will be borne exclusively by that class. The Fund will include performance data for both Class A and Class B shares of the Fund in any advertisement or information including performance data for all classes of shares of the Fund. The Fund also may quote total return and aggregate total return performance data for various specified time periods. Such data will be calculated substantially as described above, except that (1) the rates of return calculated will not be average annual rates, but rather, actual annual, annualized or aggregate rates of return and (2) the maximum applicable sales charges will not be included with respect to annual or annualized rates of return calculations. Aside from the impact on the performance data calculations of including or excluding the maximum applicable sales charges, actual annual or annualized total return data generally will be lower than average annual total return data since the average annual rates of return reflect compounding; aggregate total return data generally will be higher than average annual total return data since the aggregate rates of return reflect compounding over a longer period of time. In advertisements directed to investors whose purchases are subject to reduced sales charges in the case of Class A and Class D shares or waiver of the CDSC in the case of Class B and Class C shares (such as investors in certain retirement plans), performance data may take into account the reduced, and not the maximum, sales charge or may not take into account the CDSC and therefore may reflect greater total return since, due to the reduced sales charges or waiver of the CDSC, a lower amount of expenses may be deducted. See "Purchase of Shares". The Fund's total return may be expressed either as a percentage or as a dollar amount in order to illustrate the effect of such total return on a hypothetical $1,000 investment in the Fund at the beginning of each specified period. Total return figures are based on the Fund's historical performance and are not intended to indicate future performance. The Fund's total return will vary depending on market conditions, the securities comprising the Fund's portfolio, the Fund's operating expenses and the amount of realized and unrealized net capital gains or losses during the period. The value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate and an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. On occasion, the Fund may compare its performance to that of the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, the Value Line Composite Index or the Dow Jones Industrial Average, or to data contained in publications such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar Publications, Inc. ("Morningstar"), Money Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Business Week, CDA Investment Technology, Inc., Forbes Magazine and Fortune Magazine. From time to time, the Fund may include the Fund's Morningstar risk-adjusted performance ratings in advertisements or supplemental sales literature. As with other performance data, performance comparisons should not be considered indicative of the Fund's relative performance for any future period. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE Subject to policies established by the Board of Directors of the Fund, the Investment Adviser is responsible for the Fund's portfolio decisions and the placing of the Fund's portfolio transactions. With 31 respect to such transactions, the Investment Adviser seeks to obtain the best net results for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm involved and the firm's risk in positioning a block of securities. While the Investment Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, the Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest commission or spread available. The Fund has no obligation to deal with any broker or dealer in the execution of its portfolio transactions. The Fund pays brokerage fees to Merrill Lynch in connection with portfolio transactions executed by Merrill Lynch. Brokers and dealers, including Merrill Lynch, who provide supplemental investment research to the Investment Adviser may receive orders for transactions by the Fund. Information so received is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Investment Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and the expenses of the Investment Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information. Supplemental investment research received by the Investment Adviser also may be used in connection with other investment advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. Whether or not a particular broker-dealer sells shares of the Fund neither qualifies nor disqualifies such broker-dealer to execute transactions for the Fund. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS It is the Fund's intention to distribute all of its net investment income, if any. Dividends from such net investment income are paid semi-annually. All net realized long- or short-term capital gains, if any, are distributed to the Fund's shareholders at least annually. Premiums from expired call options written by the Fund and net gains from closing purchase transactions are treated as short-term capital gains for Federal income tax purposes. The per share dividends and distributions on each class of shares will be reduced as a result of any account maintenance, distribution and transfer agency fees applicable to that class. See "Additional Information--Determination of Net Asset Value". Dividends and distributions may be automatically reinvested in shares of the Fund, at the net asset value without a sales charge. Shareholders may elect in writing to receive any such dividends or distributions, or both, in cash. Dividends and distributions are taxable to shareholders as described below whether they are reinvested in shares of the Fund or received in cash. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE The net asset value of the shares of all classes of the Fund is determined once daily 15 minutes after the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (generally, 4:00 P.M. New York time), on each day during which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. Any assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of non-U.S. dollar currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more banks or dealers on the day of valuation. The net asset value per share is computed by dividing the sum of the value of the securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets (including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the total number of shares outstanding at such time, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses, including the investment advisory 32 fees payable to the Investment Adviser and any account maintenance and/or distribution fee payable to the Distributor, are accrued daily. The Fund employs Merrill Lynch Securities Pricing Service ("MLSPS"), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, to provide certain securities prices for the Fund. The Fund paid fees to MLSPS in the amount of $54 for the fiscal period ended September 30, 1994. The per share net asset value of the Class A shares generally will be higher than the per share net asset value of shares of the other classes, reflecting the daily expense accruals of the account maintenance, distribution and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to Class B and Class C shares and the daily expense accruals of the account maintenance fees applicable with respect to the Class D shares; moreover, the per share net asset value of Class D shares generally will be higher than the per share net asset value of Class B and Class C shares, reflecting the daily expense accruals of the distribution and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to Class B and Class C shares. It is expected, however, that the per share net asset value of the classes will tend to converge (although not necessarily meet) immediately after the payment of dividends or distributions, which will differ by approximately the amount of the expense accrual differentials among the classes. Portfolio securities and options which are traded on stock exchanges are valued at the last sale price as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued, or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last quoted bid prices as at the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day by brokers that make markets in the securities. Portfolio securities which are traded both in the over-the-counter market and on a stock exchange are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Fund. TAXES The Fund has elected and intends to continue to qualify for the special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies ("RICs") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). If it so qualifies, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will not be subject to Federal income tax on the part of its net ordinary income and net realized capital gains which it distributes to Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shareholders (together, the "shareholders"). The Code requires a RIC to pay a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent the RIC does not distribute, during each calendar year, 98% of its ordinary income, determined on a calendar year basis, and 98% of its capital gains, determined, in general, on an October 31 year end, plus certain undistributed amounts from previous years. If the Fund pays a dividend in January which was declared in the previous October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend or distribution will be treated for federal tax purposes as being paid on December 31, and will be taxable to shareholders as if received on December 31. The following discussion applies generally to shareholders of the Fund and, in particular, to those shareholders of the Fund whose income is subject to tax. Dividends paid by the Fund from its ordinary income, and distributions of the Fund's net realized short-term capital gains (together referred to hereafter as "ordinary income dividends") are taxable to shareholders 33 as ordinary income. Distributions made from the Fund's net realized long-term capital gains (including long-term gains from certain transactions in options) are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has owned Fund shares. Dividends and distributions are taxable to shareholders even though they are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. Not later than 60 days after the close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide its shareholders with a written notice designating the amounts of any ordinary income dividends or capital gains dividends. A portion of the Fund's ordinary income dividends may be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code, if certain requirements are met. Ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund to shareholders who are non- resident aliens or foreign entities generally will be subject to a 30% United States withholding tax under existing provisions of the Code applicable to foreign individuals and entities unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law. Non-resident shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers concerning the applicability of the United States withholding tax. Pursuant to the Fund's investment objectives, the Fund may invest in foreign securities. Foreign taxes may be paid by the Fund as a result of tax laws of countries in which the Fund may invest. Income tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is impossible to determine in advance the effective rate of foreign tax to which the Fund will be subject, since the amount of Fund assets to be invested in various countries is not known. Because the Fund limits its investment in foreign securities, shareholders will not be entitled to claim foreign tax credits with respect to their share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund on income from investments of foreign securities held by the Fund. Under certain provisions of the Code, some shareholders may be subject to a 31% withholding tax on ordinary income dividends, capital gains dividends and redemption payments ("backup withholding"). Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom a certified taxpayer identification number is not on file with the Fund, those who, to the Fund's knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number or those who are subject to backup withholding because of a failure to report income. When establishing an account, an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such investor is not subject to backup withholding. A shareholder who holds shares as a capital asset generally will recognize a capital gain or loss upon the sale of such shares, which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if such shares were held for more than one year. However, any loss realized by a shareholder who held shares for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of net capital gains received by the shareholder with respect to such shares. No gain or loss will be recognized by Class B shareholders on the conversion of their Class B shares into Class D shares. A shareholder's basis in the Class D shares acquired will be the same as such shareholder's basis in the Class B shares converted, and the holding period of the acquired Class D shares will include the holding period for the converted Class B shares. If a shareholder exercises an exchange privilege within 90 days of acquiring such shares, then the loss the shareholder can recognize on the exchange will be reduced (or the gain increased) to the extent the sales 34 charge paid to the Fund reduces any sales charge the shareholder would have owed upon purchase of the new shares in the absence of the exchange privilege. Instead, such sales charge will be treated as an amount paid for the new shares. See "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege". A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be disallowed if other Fund shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions of the Code and Treasury regulations presently in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. The Code and these Treasury regulations are subject to change by legislative or administrative action either prospectively or retroactively. The Fund intends to provide shareholders annually with information relating to the Fund's income and assets necessary to permit shareholders to determine whether and to what extent their dividend income from the Fund is exempt from their state income tax. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers as to whether any portion of the dividends they receive from the Fund are exempt from state income tax and as to any other specific questions as to Federal, foreign, state or local taxes. Foreign investors should consider applicable foreign taxes in their evaluation of an investment in the Fund. ORGANIZATION OF THE FUND The Fund was incorporated under Maryland law on May 21, 1984. It has an authorized capital of 2,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Common Stock, each of which consists of 500,000,000 shares. Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Common Stock represent interests in the same assets of the Fund and are identical in all respects except that Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear certain expenses related to the account maintenance associated with such shares, and Class B and Class C shares bear certain expenses related to the distribution of such shares. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to account maintenance and distribution expenditures, as the case may be. See "Purchase of Shares". The Fund has received an order from the Commission permitting the issuance and sale of multiple classes of Common Stock. The Directors of the Fund may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of Common Stock at a future date. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held and will vote on the election of Directors and any other matter submitted to a shareholder vote. The Fund does not intend to hold meetings of shareholders in any year in which the Investment Company Act does not require shareholders to act upon any of the following matters: (i) election of Directors; (ii) approval of an investment advisory agreement; (iii) approval of a distribution agreement; and (iv) ratification of selection of independent accountants. Voting rights for Directors are not cumulative. Shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable and have no preemptive rights. Shares have the conversion rights described in this Prospectus. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the 35 Fund and in the net assets of the Fund upon liquidation or dissolution after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities, except, as noted above, the Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear certain additional expenses. SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES Shareholder inquiries may be addressed to the Fund at the address or telephone number set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. SHAREHOLDER REPORTS Only one copy of each shareholder report and certain shareholder communications will be mailed to each identified shareholder regardless of the number of accounts such shareholder has. If a shareholder wishes to receive separate copies of each report and communication for each of the shareholder's related accounts the shareholder should notify in writing: Financial Data Services, Inc. Attn: TAMFO P.O. Box 45289 Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289 The written notification should include the shareholder's name, address, tax identification number and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and/or mutual fund account numbers. If you have any questions regarding this please call your Merrill Lynch financial consultant or Financial Data Services, Inc. at 800-637-3863. 36 MERRILL LYNCH BALANCED FUND FOR INVESTMENT AND RETIREMENT, INC. AUTHORIZATION FORM (PART 1) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: THIS FORM MAY NOT BE USED FOR PURCHASES THROUGH THE MERRILL LYNCH BLUEPRINT SM PROGRAM. YOU MAY REQUEST A MERRILL LYNCH BLUEPRINT SM PROGRAM APPLICATION BY CALLING (800) 637-3766. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. SHARE PURCHASE APPLICATION I, being of legal age, wish to purchase: (choose one) [_] Class A shares [_] Class B shares [_] Class C shares [_] Class D shares of Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc. and establish an Investment Account as described in the Prospectus. In the event that I am not eligible to purchase Class A shares, I understand that Class D shares will be purchased. Basis for establishing an Investment Account: A. I enclose a check for $............ payable to Financial Data Services, Inc. as an initial investment (minimum $1,000). I understand that this purchase will be executed at the applicable offering price next to be determined after this Application is received by you. B. I already own shares of the following Merrill Lynch mutual funds that would qualify for the Right of Accumulation as outlined in the Statement of Additional Information: Please list all funds. (Use a separate sheet of paper if necessary.) 1. .................................. 4. .................................. 2. .................................. 5. .................................. 3. .................................. 6. .................................. (Please Print) Name........................................................................... First Name Initial Last Name Name of Co-Owner (if any)...................................................... First Name Initial Last Name Address........................................................................ ................................................. Date........................ (Zip Code) Occupation........................... Name and Address of Employer ........ ..................................... ..................................... Signature of Owner Signature of Co-Owner (if any) (In the case of co-owner, a joint tenancy with rights of survivorship will be presumed unless otherwise specified.) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. DIVIDEND AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS Ordinary Income Dividends Long-Term Capital Gains Select [_] Reinvest Select [_] Reinvest One: [_] Cash One: [_] Cash If no election is made, dividends and capital gains will be automatically reinvested at net asset value without a sales charge. IF CASH, SPECIFY HOW YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR DISTRIBUTIONS PAID TO YOU: [_] CHECK OR [_] DIRECT DEPOSIT TO BANK ACCOUNT IF DIRECT DEPOSIT TO BANK ACCOUNT IS SELECTED, PLEASE COMPLETE BELOW: I hereby authorize payment of dividend and capital gain distributions by direct deposit to my bank account and, if necessary, debit entries and adjustments for any credit entries made to my account in accordance with the terms I have selected on the Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc. Authorization Form. SPECIFY TYPE OF ACCOUNT (CHECK ONE) [_] CHECKING [_] SAVINGS Name on your account .......................................................... Bank Name ..................................................................... Bank Number ...................... Account Number ............................ Bank Address .................................................................. I agree that this authorization will remain in effect until I provide written notification to Financial Data Services, Inc. amending or terminating this service. Signature of Depositor ........................................................ Signature of Depositor ............................... Date................... (if joint account, both must sign) NOTE: IF DIRECT DEPOSIT TO BANK ACCOUNT IS SELECTED, YOUR BLANK, UNSIGNED CHECK MARKED "VOID" OR A DEPOSIT SLIP FROM YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT SHOULD ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER [_][_][_][_][_][_][_][_][_] Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number Under penalty of perjury, I certify (1) that the number set forth above is my correct Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number and (2) that I am not subject to backup withholding (as discussed in the Prospectus under "Taxes") either because I have not been notified that I am subject thereto as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has notified me that I am no longer subject thereto. INSTRUCTION: YOU MUST STRIKE OUT THE LANGUAGE IN (2) ABOVE IF YOU HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT YOU ARE SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING DUE TO UNDER-REPORTING AND IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE IRS THAT BACKUP WITHHOLDING HAS BEEN TERMINATED. THE UNDERSIGNED AUTHORIZES THE FURNISHING OF THIS CERTIFICATION TO OTHER MERRILL LYNCH SPONSORED MUTUAL FUNDS. ..................................... ..................................... Signature of Owner Signature of Co-Owner (if any) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. LETTER OF INTENTION--CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES ONLY (SEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION) ..................., 19...... Date of Initial Purchase Dear Sir/Madam: Although I am not obligated to do so, I intend to purchase shares of Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc. or any other investment company with an initial sales charge or deferred sales charge for which Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. acts as distributor over the next 13 month period which will equal or exceed: [_] $25,000 [_] $50,000 [_] $100,000 [_] $250,000 [_] $1,000,000 Each purchase will be made at the then reduced offering price applicable to the amount checked above, as described in the Fund's prospectus. I agree to the terms and conditions of this Letter of Intention. I hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. my attorney, with full power of substitution, to surrender for redemption any or all shares of Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc. held as security. By .................................. ..................................... Signature of Owner Signature of Co-Owner (If registered in joint names, both must sign) In making purchases under this letter, the following are the related accounts on which reduced offering prices are to apply: (1) Name............................. (2) Name............................. Account Number....................... Account Number....................... - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. FOR DEALER ONLY Branch Office, Address, Stamp. We hereby authorize Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. to act as - - - our agent in connection with transactions under this authorization form and agree to notify the Distributor of any purchases made under a Letter of Intention or Systematic Withdrawal Plan. We guarantee the shareholder's - - - signature. ...................................... Dealer Name and Address This form when completed should be mailed to: By.................................... F/C Last Name Authorized Signature of Dealer Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc. c/o Financial Data Services, Inc. [_][_][_] [_][_][_][_] ............. Transfer Agency Mutual Fund Branch-Code F/C No. F/C Last Name Operations P.O. Box 45289 [_][_][_] [_][_][_][_][_] Jacksonville, FL 32232-5289 Dealer's Customer A/C No. 38 MERRILL LYNCH BALANCED FUND FOR INVESTMENT AND RETIREMENT, INC. AUTHORIZATION FORM (PART 2) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: THIS FORM IS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THE SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL OR AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS ONLY. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. ACCOUNT REGISTRATION Name of Owner...................... [_][_][_][_][_][_][_][_][_] Name of Co-Owner (if any).......... Social Security No. or Taxpayer Identification Number Address............................ Account Number .................... (if existing account) ................................... - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN--CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES ONLY (SEE TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION) MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: $10,000 for monthly disbursements, $5,000 for quarterly, of [_] Class A or [_] Class D shares in Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc. at cost or current offering price. Withdrawals to be made either (check one) [_] Monthly on the 24th day of each month, or [_] Quarterly on the 24th day of March, June, September and December. If the 24th falls on a weekend or holiday, the next succeeding business day will be utilized. Begin systematic withdrawal on . . . . . . . . . .(month) or as soon as possible thereafter. SPECIFY HOW YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR WITHDRAWAL PAID TO YOU (CHECK ONE): [_] $ or [_] % of the current value of [_] Class A or [_] Class D shares in the account. SPECIFY WITHDRAWAL METHOD: [_] check or [_] direct deposit to bank account (check one and complete part (a) or (b) below): DRAW CHECKS PAYABLE (CHECK ONE) (a)I hereby authorize payment by check [_] as indicated in Item 1. [_] to the order of.......................................................... Mail to (check one) [_] the address indicated in Item 1. [_] Name (Please Print)...................................................... Address ....................................................................... .......................................................................... Signature of Owner................................ Date.................. Signature of Co-Owner (if any)............................................ (B) I HEREBY AUTHORIZE PAYMENT BY DIRECT DEPOSIT TO BANK ACCOUNT AND (IF NECESSARY) DEBIT ENTRIES AND ADJUSTMENTS FOR ANY CREDIT ENTRIES MADE IN ERROR TO MY ACCOUNT. I AGREE THAT THIS AUTHORIZATION WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL I PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION TO FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC. AMENDING OR TERMINATING THIS SERVICE. Specify type of account (check one): [_] checking [_] savings Name on your Account........................................................... Bank Name...................................................................... Bank Number........................ Account Number............................ Bank Address................................................................... ............................................................................... Signature of Depositor................................. Date.................. Signature of Depositor......................................................... (If joint account, both must sign) NOTE: IF DIRECT DEPOSIT IS ELECTED, YOUR BLANK, UNSIGNED CHECK MARKED "VOID" OR A DEPOSIT SLIP FROM YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT SHOULD ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION. 39 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. APPLICATION FOR AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN I hereby request that Financial Data Services, Inc. draw an automated clearing house ("ACH") debit on my checking account described below each month to purchase: (choose one) [_] Class A shares [_] Class B shares [_] Class C shares [_] Class D shares of Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc., subject to the terms set forth below. In the event that I am not eligible to purchase Class A shares, I understand that Class D shares will be purchased. FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC. AUTHORIZATION TO HONOR ACH DEBITS DRAWN BY FINANCIAL DATA SERVICES, INC. You are hereby authorized to draw an ACH debit each month on my bank To...............................Bank account for investment in Merrill (Investor's Bank) Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc. as indicated Bank Address......................... below: City...... State...... Zip Code...... Amount of each check or ACH debit $................................. As a convenience to me, I hereby Account Number ................... request and authorize you to pay and charge to my account ACH debits Please date and invest ACH debits on drawn on my account by and payable the 20th of each month beginning to Financial Data Services, Inc., I agree that your rights in respect of ......(month) or as soon thereafter as each such debit shall be the same as possible. if it were a check drawn on you and signed personally by me. This I agree that you are drawing these authority is to remain in effect ACH debits voluntarily at my request until revoked by me in writing. and that you shall not be liable for Until you receive such notice, you any loss arising from any delay in shall be fully protected in honoring preparing or failure to prepare any any such debit. I further agree that such debit. If I change banks or if any such debit be dishonored, desire to terminate or suspend this whether with or without cause and program, I agree to notify you whether intentionally or promptly in writing. I hereby inadvertently, you shall be under no authorize you to take any action to liability. correct erroneous ACH debits of my bank account or purchases of fund ............ ..................... shares including liquidating shares Date Signature of of the Fund and credit my bank Depositor account. I further agree that if a debit is not honored upon ............ ..................... presentation, Financial Data Bank Signature of Depositor Services, Inc. is authorized to Account (If joint account, discontinue immediately the Automatic Number both must sign) Investment Plan and to liquidate sufficient shares held in my account to offset the purchase made with the dishonored debit. ............ ..................... NOTE: IF AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN Date Signature of IS ELECTED, YOUR BLANK, UNSIGNED Depositor CHECK MARKED "VOID" SHOULD ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION. ...................... Signature of Depositor (If joint account, both must sign) 40 [This Page Intentionally Left Blank] 41 [This Page Intentionally Left Blank] 42 INVESTMENT ADVISER Merrill Lynch Asset Management Administrative Offices: 800 Scudders Mill Road Plainsboro, New Jersey Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9011 Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 DISTRIBUTOR Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. Administrative Offices: 800 Scudders Mill Road Plainsboro, New Jersey Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9011 Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 CUSTODIAN The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. 4 Metro Tech Center 18th Floor Brooklyn, New York 11245 TRANSFER AGENT Financial Data Services, Inc. Administrative Offices: Transfer Agency Mutual Funds Operations 4800 Deer Lake Drive East Jacksonville, Florida 32246-6484 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 45289 Jacksonville, Florida 32232-5289 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Deloitte & Touche LLP 117 Campus Drive Princeton, New Jersey 08540 COUNSEL Shereff, Friedman, Hoffman & Goodman, LLP 919 Third Avenue New York, New York 10022 NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRE- SENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PRO- SPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND, THE INVESTMENT AD- VISER, OR THE DISTRIBUTOR. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE. ------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ---- Fee Table.................................................................. 2 Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System...................................... 3 Financial Highlights....................................................... 7 Investment Objective and Policies.......................................... 8 The Fund and Its Management................................................ 9 Purchase of Shares......................................................... 11 Initial Sales Charge Alternatives-- Class A and Class D Shares............................................... 13 Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives-- Class B and Class C Shares............................................... 14 Distribution Plans........................................................ 17 Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges...................... 19 Shareholder Services....................................................... 20 Redemption of Shares....................................................... 22 Redemption................................................................ 22 Repurchase................................................................ 23 Reinstatement Privilege-- Class A and Class D Shares............................................... 23 Investment Practices and Restrictions...................................... 24 Portfolio Strategies Involving Options and Futures........................ 24 Other Investment Practices................................................ 28 Performance Data........................................................... 30 Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage....................................... 31 Additional Information..................................................... 32 Dividends and Distributions............................................... 32 Determination of Net Asset Value.......................................... 32 Taxes..................................................................... 33 Organization of the Fund.................................................. 35 Shareholder Inquiries..................................................... 36 Shareholder Reports....................................................... 36 Authorization Form......................................................... 37
Code #10331-0195 LOGO Merrill Lynch Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc. PROSPECTUS January 31, 1995 Distributor: Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. This prospectus should be retained for future reference. STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - ----------------------------------- JANUARY 31, 1995 MERRILL LYNCH BALANCED FUND FOR INVESTMENT AND RETIREMENT, INC. P.O. BOX 9011, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08543-9011 . PHONE NO. (609) 282-2800 ---------------- Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc., is a mutual fund, technically known as an open-end diversified management investment company, of the type permitted to have a number of different portfolios, or series. The fund and its only series, the Full Investment Portfolio, are referred to as the "Fund". The Fund seeks to provide shareholders with as high a level of total investment return as is consistent with a relatively low level of risk. It tries to achieve its objective through investment in high quality, larger capitalization common stocks (generally companies with $500,000,000 or more of market capitalization) and other types of securities, including preferred stocks, debt securities and convertible securities. Because the Fund is designed for investors for whom current tax liability is not a consideration, such as certain tax qualified employee benefit plans, the Fund will invest without regard to tax considerations. ---------------- Pursuant to the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System, the Fund offers four classes of shares, each with a different combination of sales charges, ongoing fees and other features. The Merrill Lynch Select Pricing SM System permits an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that the investor believes is most beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor expects to hold the shares and other relevant circumstances. ---------------- This Statement of Additional Information of the Fund is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Fund, dated January 31, 1995 (the "Prospectus"), which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be obtained without charge from Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc., P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011, (609) 282-2800, or from selected securities dealers. This Statement of Additional Information contains information in addition to, and more detailed than, that set forth in the Prospectus and has been incorporated by reference into the Prospectus. It is intended to provide investors with additional information regarding the activities and operations of the Fund. ---------------- MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT -- INVESTMENT ADVISER MERRILL LYNCH FUNDS DISTRIBUTOR, INC. -- DISTRIBUTOR ---------------- INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES As discussed on page 8 of the Prospectus, the investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with as high a level of total investment return as is consistent with a relatively low level of risk. This is a fundamental investment objective. The Fund seeks to accomplish its objective through investment in high quality, larger capitalization common stocks (generally companies with $500,000,000 or more of market capitalization) and other types of securities, including preferred stocks, debt securities and convertible securities, as well as through the writing of covered call options and the lending of its portfolio securities. It is anticipated that, except under unusual circumstances, the Fund will maintain at least 25% of the value of its assets in fixed-income senior securities. In its common stock investments, it is anticipated that the Fund will seek to emphasize issues with relatively low price earnings ratios, above average dividend yields, and relatively low price to book value ratios, as compared to prevailing market conditions. With respect to debt securities (other than money market instruments which are discussed below), the Fund will invest only in instruments which are rated Aa or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or AA or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or which are determined by the investment adviser of the Fund to be of quality comparable to instruments so rated. As discussed on page 8 of the Prospectus, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, invest all or a portion of its assets in high quality money market securities. Such securities can include the following: (1) U.S. Treasury bills; (2) bankers' acceptances and certificates of deposit; (3) commercial paper; and (4) repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. Government securities and U.S. Government agency securities. MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND The Investment Adviser. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P., doing business as Merrill Lynch Asset Management (the "Investment Adviser" or "MLAM") is the investment adviser of the Fund. MLAM is owned and controlled by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., a financial services holding company ("ML & Co."). The Investment Adviser and its affiliate, Fund Asset Management, L.P. ("FAM"), together serve as the investment adviser to over 130 other registered investment companies, as well as to numerous pension plans and other institutions. The Advisory Agreement. Under its investment advisory agreement with the Fund (the "Agreement"), the Investment Adviser is responsible for the actual management of the Fund's portfolio. Responsibility for making decisions to buy, sell or hold a particular security rests with the Investment Adviser, subject to general oversight by the Board of Directors. The Investment Adviser provides the portfolio managers for the Fund, who make investment decisions and place orders to effect portfolio transactions for the Fund. In this regard, the Investment Adviser has access to the total securities research and economic research facilities of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Investment Adviser also performs certain administrative and management services for the Fund. The Agreement obligates the Investment Adviser to pay all compensation of and furnish office space for officers and employees of the Fund connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management of the Fund, and to pay the fees of all Directors of the Fund who are affiliated with ML & Co. or any of its 2 subsidiaries. Portfolio accounting services are provided for the Fund by the Investment Adviser, and the Fund reimburses the Investment Adviser for its costs in connection with such services. The Agreement will continue in effect until April 3, 1995, and may continue in effect thereafter from year to year if approved at least annually by vote of a majority of the Directors of the Fund or by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each series of the Fund. Any such continuation also requires approval by a majority of the Directors who are not parties to the Agreement or "interested persons" of any such party as defined in the Investment Company Act by vote cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, on sixty days' written notice by the Fund's Board of Directors, by the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities or by the Investment Adviser. The Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment (as defined in the Act and the rules thereunder). As discussed under "The Fund and Its Management" in the Prospectus, the Agreement provides that the Fund will pay the Investment Adviser a monthly fee based upon the average daily value of the portfolio's net assets at the following annual rate: 0.65% of the average daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.60% of the average daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.55% of the average daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.50% of the average daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $3.5 billion; and 0.45% of the average daily net assets exceeding $3.5 billion. Certain states in which the shares of the Fund are qualified for sale impose limitations on the expenses of the Fund. At the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the most restrictive annual expense limitations to which the Fund is subject require that the Investment Adviser reimburse each portfolio in any amount necessary to prevent the portfolio's aggregate ordinary operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, account maintenance, distribution and brokerage fees and commissions, and extraordinary charges such as litigation costs) from exceeding in any fiscal year 2.5% of the first $30 million of the portfolio's average net assets, 2.0% of the next $70 million of average net assets and 1.5% of the portfolio's remaining average net assets. Any such reimbursements would be made on a monthly basis. No payment of the investment advisory fee will be made to the Investment Adviser which would result in expenses of any portfolio exceeding on a cumulative annualized basis the most restrictive applicable expense limitation in effect at the time of such payment. For the Fund's fiscal years ended September 30, 1994, 1993, and 1992, the Investment Adviser earned a fee of approximately $5,173,680, $5,620,993 and $6,063,373, respectively, from the Fund. Directors and Officers. The Directors and executive officers of the Fund, their ages and their principal occupations for at least the last five years are set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Director and executive officer is P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011. Arthur Zeikel (62)--President and Director (1)--President of the Investment Adviser (which term as used herein includes its corporate predecessors) since 1977 and Chief Investment Officer thereof since 1976; President and Chief Investment Officer of FAM (which term as used herein includes its corporate predecessors) since 1977; President and Director of Princeton Services, Inc. ("Princeton Services") since 1993; Executive Vice President of Merrill Lynch since 1990 and a Senior Vice President thereof from 1985 to 1990; Executive Vice President of ML & Co. since 1990; Director of Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. ("MLFD" or the "Distributor"). 3 Herbert I. London (55)--Director--New York University-Gallatin Division, 113- 115 University Place, New York, New York 10003. John M. Olin Professor of Humanities, New York University since 1993 and Professor thereof since 1973; Dean, Gallatin Division of New York University from 1978 to 1993 and Director from 1975 to 1976; Distinguished Fellow, Herman Kahn Chair, Hudson Institute from 1984 to 1985; Director, Damon Corporation since 1991; Overseer, Center for Naval Analyses. Robert R. Martin (67)--Director--513 Grand Hill, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102. Director, WTC Industries, Inc. since 1995 and Chairman thereof from 1994 to 1995; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kinnard Investments, Inc. from 1990 to 1993; Executive Vice President, Dain Bosworth from 1974 to 1989; Director, Carnegie Capital Management from 1977 to 1985 and Chairman thereof in 1979; Director, Securities Industry Association from 1981 to 1982 and Public Securities Association from 1979 to 1980; Trustee, Northland College since 1992. Joseph L. May (65)--Director--424 Church Street, Suite 2000, Nashville, Tennessee 37219. Attorney in private practice since 1984; President, May and Athens Hosiery Mills Division, Wayne-Gossard Corporation from 1954 to 1983; Vice President, Wayne-Gossard Corporation from 1972 to 1983; Chairman, The May Corporation (personal holding company) from 1972 to 1983; Director, Signal Apparel Co. from 1972 to 1989. Andre F. Perold (42)--Director--Morgan Hall, Soldiers Field, Boston, Massachusetts 02163. Professor, Harvard Business School and Associate Professor from 1983 to 1989; Trustee, The Common Fund, since 1989; Director, Quantec Limited since 1991 and Teknekron Software Systems since 1994. Terry K. Glenn (54)--Executive Vice President (1)--Executive Vice President of the Investment Adviser and FAM since 1983; Executive Vice President and Director of Princeton Services since 1993; President of MLFD since 1986 and Director thereof since 1991. Bernard J. Durnin (52)--Senior Vice President (1)--Senior Vice President of the Investment Adviser and FAM since 1981 and Vice President from 1977 to 1981. Denis B. Cummings (52)--Vice President (1)--Vice President of the Investment Adviser since 1978. Donald C. Burke (34)--Vice President (1)--Vice President and Director of Taxation of MLAM since 1990; employee of Deloitte & Touche LLP from 1981 to 1990. Gerald M. Richard (45)--Treasurer (1)--Senior Vice President and Treasurer of FAM and the Investment Adviser since 1984; Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Princeton Services since 1993; Treasurer of MLFD since 1984 and Vice President since 1981; employee of MLFD since 1978. Jerry Weiss (36)--Secretary (1)--Vice President of the Investment Adviser since 1990; Attorney in private practice from 1982 to 1990. - -------- (1) Interested person, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Fund. 4 Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement with the Fund, the Investment Adviser pays all compensation of officers of the Fund as well as the fees of all Directors who are affiliated persons of the Investment Adviser. The Fund pays each Director not affiliated with the Investment Adviser a fee of $5,000 per year plus $500 per meeting attended, together with such Director's out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. The Fund also compensates members of its Audit and Nominating Committee, which consists of all of the Directors of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Fund, with a fee of $1,000 per year and a per meeting fee of $250 per year. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, fees and expenses paid to the unaffiliated Directors aggregated $48,967. The following table sets forth for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, compensation paid by the Fund to the non-interested Directors and the aggregate compensation paid by all investment companies advised by MLAM and its affiliate, FAM ("MLAM/FAM Advised Funds") to the non-interested Directors.
TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM FUND AND AGGREGATE PENSION OR RETIREMENT MLAM/FAM ADVISED COMPENSATION BENEFITS ACCRUED AS FUNDS PAID TO NAME OF DIRECTORS FROM FUND PART OF FUND EXPENSES DIRECTORS(1) ----------------- ------------ --------------------- ------------------ Herbert I. London......... $10,500 None 187,625 Robert R. Martin.......... $ 9,250 None 182,000 Joseph L. May............. $10,500 None 187,625 Andre F. Perold........... $10,500 None 187,625
- -------- (1) The Directors served on the boards of other MLAM/FAM Advised Funds as follows: Mr. London (23 boards); Mr. Martin (23 boards); Mr. May (23 boards); and Mr. Perold (23 boards). As of January 1, 1995, the officers and Directors of the Fund as a group (11 persons) owned, in the aggregate, less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. PURCHASE OF SHARES Reference is made to "Purchase of Shares" in the Prospectus for certain information as to the purchase of Fund shares. The Fund issues four classes of shares under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System: Class A and Class D shares are sold to investors choosing the initial sales charge alternatives and Class B and Class C shares are sold to investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternatives. Each Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D share of the Fund represents an identical interest in the investment portfolio of the Fund, has the same rights and is identical in all respects, except that Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear the expenses of the ongoing account maintenance fees and Class B and Class C shares bear the expenses of the ongoing distribution fees and the additional incremental transfer agency costs resulting from the deferred sales charge arrangements. Class B, Class C and Class D shares each have exclusive voting rights with respect to the Rule 12b-1 distribution plan adopted with respect to such class pursuant to which the account maintenance and distribution fees are paid. Each class has different exchange privileges. See "Shareholder Services--Exchange Privilege". 5 The Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System is used by more than 50 mutual funds advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliate, FAM. Funds advised by the Investment Adviser or FAM are referred to herein as "MLAM-advised mutual funds". The Fund has entered into separate distribution agreements with the Distributor in connection with the continuous offering of each class of shares of the Fund (the "Distribution Agreements"). The Distribution Agreements obligate the Distributor to pay certain expenses in connection with the offering of each class of shares of the Fund. After the prospectuses, statements of additional information and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to the shareholders, the Distributor pays for the printing and distribution of copies thereof used in connection with the offering to dealers and investors. The Distributor also pays for other supplementary sales literature and advertising costs. The Distribution Agreements are subject to the same renewal requirements and termination provisions as the Investment Advisory Agreement described above. INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES--CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES The gross sales charges for the sale of Class A shares for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994 were $54,923, of which the Distributor received $3,336 and Merrill Lynch received $51,587. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994 the Distributor received no CDSCs with respect to Class A shares for which the initial sales charge was waived. The term "purchase," as used in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information in connection with an investment in Class A and Class D shares of the Fund, refers to a single purchase by an individual, or to concurrent purchases, which in the aggregate are at least equal to the prescribed amounts, by an individual, his spouse and their children under the age of 21 years purchasing shares for his or their own account and to single purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust estate or single fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary is involved. The term "purchase" also includes purchases by any "company," as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act, but does not include purchases by any such company which has not been in existence for at least six months or which has no purpose other than the purchase of shares of the Fund or shares of other registered investment companies at a discount; provided, however, that it shall not include purchases by any group of individuals whose sole organizational nexus is that the participants therein are credit cardholders of a company, policyholders of an insurance company, customers of either a bank or broker-dealer or clients of an investment adviser. REDUCED INITIAL SALES CHARGES Right of Accumulation. Reduced sales charges are applicable through a right of accumulation under which eligible investors are permitted to purchase shares of the Fund subject to an initial sales charge at the offering price applicable to the total of (a) the public offering price then being purchased plus (b) an amount equal to the then current net asset value or cost, whichever is higher, of the purchaser's combined holdings of all classes of shares of the Fund and of other MLAM-advised mutual funds. For any such right of accumulation to be made available, the Distributor must be provided at the time of purchase, by the purchaser or the purchaser's securities dealer, with sufficient information to permit confirmation of qualification. Acceptance of the purchase order is subject to such confirmation. The right of accumulation may be amended or terminated at any time. Shares held in the name of a nominee or custodian under pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plans may not be combined with other shares to qualify for the right of accumulation. 6 Letter of Intention. Reduced sales charges are applicable to purchases aggregating $25,000 or more of the Class A or Class D shares of the Fund or any other MLAM-advised mutual funds made within a thirteen-month period starting with the first purchase pursuant to a Letter of Intention in the form provided in the Prospectus. The Letter of Intention is available only to investors whose accounts are maintained at Financial Data Services, Inc., the Fund's transfer agent (the "Transfer Agent"). The Letter of Intention is not available to employee benefit plans for which Merrill Lynch provides plan participant recordkeeping services. The Letter of Intention is not a binding obligation to purchase any amount of Class A or Class D shares, but its execution will result in the purchaser paying a lower sales charge at the appropriate quantity purchase level. A purchase not originally made pursuant to a Letter of Intention may be included under a subsequent Letter executed within 90 days of such purchase if the Distributor is informed in writing of this intent within such 90-day period. The value of Class A and Class D shares of the Fund and of other MLAM-advised mutual funds presently held, at cost or maximum offering price (whichever is higher), on the date of the first purchase under the Letter of Intention, may be included as a credit toward the completion of such Letter. If the total amount of shares does not equal the amount stated in the Letter of Intention (minimum of $25,000), the investor will be notified and must pay, within 20 days of the expiration of such Letter, the difference between the sales charge on the Class A or Class D shares purchased at the reduced rate and the sales charge applicable to the shares actually purchased through the Letter. Class A or Class D shares equal to five percent of the intended amount will be held in escrow during the 13- month period (while remaining registered in the name of the purchaser) for this purpose. The first purchase under the Letter of Intention must be at least five percent or more of the dollar amount of such Letter. If during the term of such Letter, a purchase brings the total amount invested to an amount equal to or in excess of the amount indicated in the Letter, the purchaser will be entitled on that purchase and subsequent purchases to the reduced percentage sales charge which would be applicable to a single purchase equal to the total dollar value of the shares then being purchased under such Letter, but there will be no retroactive reduction of the sales charges on any previous purchase. The value of any shares redeemed or otherwise disposed of by the purchaser prior to termination or completion of the Letter of Intention will be deducted from the total purchases made under such Letter. An exchange from a MLAM-advised money market fund into the Fund that creates a sales charge will count toward completing a new or existing Letter of Intention from the Fund. Merrill Lynch Blueprint SM Program. Class D shares of the Fund are offered to participants in the Merrill Lynch Blueprint SM Program ("Blueprint"). In addition, participants in Blueprint who own Class A shares of the Fund may purchase additional Class A shares of the Fund through Blueprint. Blueprint is directed to small investors, group Investment Retirement Accounts ("IRAs") and participants in certain affinity groups such as credit unions, trade associations and benefit plans. Investors placing orders to purchase Class A or Class D shares of the Fund through Blueprint will acquire the Class A or Class D shares at net asset value plus a sales charge calculated in accordance with the Blueprint sales charge schedule (i.e., up to $300 at 4.25%, $300.01 up to $5,000 at 3.25% plus $3 and $5,000.01 or more at the standard sales charge rates disclosed in the Prospectus). In addition, Class A or Class D shares of the Fund are being offered at net asset value plus a sales charge of 1/2 of 1% for corporate or group IRA programs placing orders to purchase their Class A or Class D shares through Blueprint. Services, including the exchange privilege, available to Class A and Class D investors through Blueprint, however, may differ from those available to other investors in Class A and Class D shares. Orders for purchases and redemptions of Class A or Class D shares of the Fund may be grouped for execution purposes which, in some circumstances, may involve the execution of 7 such orders two business days following the day such orders are placed. The minimum initial purchase price is $100, with a $50 minimum for subsequent purchases through Blueprint. There are no minimum initial or subsequent purchase requirements for participants who are part of an automatic investment plan. Class A and Class D shares are offered at net asset value to participants in the Merrill Lynch Blueprint Program through the Merrill Lynch Directed IRA Rollover Program ("IRA Rollover Program") available from Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services, a business unit of Merrill Lynch. The IRA Rollover Program is available to custodian rollover assets from Employer Sponsored Retirement and Savings Plans (see definition below) whose Trustee and/or Plan Sponsor offers the Merrill Lynch Directed IRA Rollover Program. Additional information concerning purchases through Blueprint, including any annual fees and transaction charges, is available from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, The Blueprint SM Program, P.O. Box 30441, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08989-0441. Employer Sponsored Retirement and Savings Plans. Class A and Class D shares are offered at net asset value to employer sponsored retirement or savings plans, such as tax qualified retirement plans within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), deferred compensation plans within the meaning of Section 403(b) and 457 of the Code, other deferred compensation arrangements, Voluntary Employee Benefits Association ("VEBA") plans, and non-qualified After Tax Savings and Investment programs, maintained on the Merrill Lynch Group Employee Services system, herein referred to as "Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans", provided the plan has accumulated at least $20 million in MLAM-advised mutual funds (in the case of Class A shares) or $5 million in MLAM-advised mutual funds (in the case of Class D shares). Class D shares may be offered at net asset value to new Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans, provided the plan has $3 million or more initially invested in MLAM-advised mutual funds. Assets of Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans sponsored by the same sponsor or an affiliated sponsor may be aggregated. Class A shares and Class D shares also are offered at net asset value to Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans that have at least 1,000 employees eligible to participate in the plan (in the case of Class A shares) or between 500 and 999 employees eligible to participate in the plan (in the case of Class D shares). Employees eligible to participate in Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans of the same sponsoring employer or its affiliates may be aggregated. Tax qualified retirement plans within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code meeting any of the foregoing requirements and which are provided specialized services (e.g., plans whose participants may direct on a daily basis their plan allocations among a wide range of investments including individual corporate equities and other securities in addition to mutual fund shares) by the Merrill Lynch Blueprint SM Program, are offered Class A shares at a price equal to net asset value per share plus a reduced sales charge of 0.50%. Any Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plan which does not meet the above described qualifications to purchase Class A shares or Class D shares at net asset value has the option of (i) purchasing Class A shares at the initial sales charge and possible CDSC schedule disclosed in the Prospectus if it is otherwise eligible to purchase Class A shares, (ii) purchasing Class D shares at the initial sales charge and possible CDSC schedule disclosed in the Prospectus, (iii) if the Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plan meets the specified requirements, purchasing Class B shares with a waiver of the CDSC upon redemption, or (iv) if the Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plan does not qualify to purchase Class B shares with a waiver of the CDSC upon redemption, purchasing Class C shares at the CDSC schedule disclosed in the Prospectus. The minimum initial and subsequent purchase requirements are waived in connection with all the above referenced Employer Sponsored Retirement or Savings Plans. 8 Purchase Privileges of Certain Persons. Directors of the Fund, members of the Boards of other MLAM-advised investment companies, directors and employees of ML & Co. and its subsidiaries (the term "subsidiaries", when used herein with respect to ML & Co., includes MLAM, FAM and certain other entities directly or indirectly wholly-owned and controlled by ML & Co.), and any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for such persons, may purchase Class A shares of the Fund at net asset value. Under such programs, the Fund realizes economies of scale and reduction of sales related expenses by virtue of familiarity with the Fund. Employees and directors wishing to purchase shares of the Fund must satisfy the Fund's suitability standards. Class D shares of the Fund are offered at net asset value, without sales charge, to an investor who has a business relationship with a financial consultant who joined Merrill Lynch from another investment firm within six months prior to the date of purchase by such investor, if the following conditions are satisfied. First the investor must advise Merrill Lynch that it will purchase Class D shares of the Fund with proceeds from a redemption of a mutual fund that was sponsored by the financial consultant's previous firm and was subject to a sales charge either at the time of purchase or on a deferred basis. Second, the investor must also establish that such redemption was made within 60 days prior to the investment in the Fund, and the proceeds from the redemption had been maintained in the interim in cash or a money market fund. Class D shares of the Fund are offered at net asset value, without sales charge, to an investor who has a business relationship with a Merrill Lynch financial consultant and who has invested in a mutual fund for which Merrill Lynch has not served as a selected dealer if the following conditions are satisfied: First, the investor must advise Merrill Lynch that it will purchase Class D shares of the Fund with proceeds from a redemption of such shares of other mutual funds and that such shares have been outstanding for a period of no less than 6 months. Second, such purchase of Class D shares must be made within 60 days after the redemption and the proceeds from the redemption must have been maintained in the interim in cash or a money market fund. Class D shares of the Fund are also offered at net asset value, without sales charge, to an investor who has a business relationship with a Merrill Lynch financial consultant and who has invested in a mutual fund sponsored by a non- Merrill Lynch company for which Merrill Lynch has served as a selected dealer and where Merrill Lynch has either received or given notice that such arrangement will be terminated ("notice"), if the following conditions are satisfied. First, the investor must purchase Class D shares of the Fund with proceeds from a redemption of shares of such other mutual fund and such fund was subject to a sales charge either at the time of purchase or on a deferred basis; and second, such purchase of Class D shares must be made within 90 days after such notice. Closed-End Fund Investment Option. Class A shares of the Fund and other MLAM- advised mutual funds ("Eligible Class A shares") are offered at net asset value to shareholders of certain closed-end funds advised by the Investment Adviser or FAM who purchased such closed-end fund shares prior to October 21, 1994 and wish to reinvest the net proceeds of a sale of their closed-end fund shares of common stock in Eligible Class A shares, if the conditions set forth below are satisfied. Alternatively, closed-end fund shareholders who purchased such shares on or after October 21, 1994 and wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of their closed-end fund shares are offered Class A shares (if eligible to buy Class A shares) or 9 Class D shares of the Fund and other MLAM-advised mutual funds ("Eligible Class D shares"), if the following conditions are met. First, the sale of closed-end fund shares must be made through Merrill Lynch, and the net proceeds therefrom must be immediately reinvested in Eligible Class A or Class D shares. Second, the closed-end fund shares either must have been acquired in the initial public offering or be shares representing dividends from shares of common stock acquired in such offering. Third, the closed-end fund shares must have been continuously maintained in a Merrill Lynch securities account. Fourth, there must be a minimum purchase of $250 to be eligible for the investment option. Class A shares of the Fund are offered at net asset value to shareholders of Merrill Lynch Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc. ("Senior Floating Rate Fund") who wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of certain of their shares of common stock of the Senior Floating Rate Fund in shares of the Fund. In order to exercise this investment option, Senior Floating Rate Fund shareholders must sell their Senior Floating Rate Fund shares to the Senior Floating Rate Fund in connection with a tender offer conducted by the Senior Floating Rate Fund and reinvest the proceeds immediately in the Fund. This investment option is available only with respect to the proceeds of the Senior Floating Rate Fund shares as to which no Early Withdrawal Charge (as defined in the Senior Floating Rate Fund prospectus) is applicable. Purchase orders from Senior Floating Rate Fund shareholders wishing to exercise this investment option will be accepted only on the day that the related Senior Floating Rate Fund tender offer terminates and will be effected at the net asset value of the Fund at such day. TMA SM Managed Trusts. Class A shares are offered to TMA SM Managed Trusts to which Merrill Lynch Trust Company provides discretionary trustee services at net asset value. Acquisition of Certain Investment Companies. The public offering price of Class D shares may be reduced to the net asset value per Class D share in connection with the acquisition of the assets of or merger or consolidation with a personal holding company or a public or private investment company. The value of the assets or company acquired in a tax-free transaction may be adjusted in appropriate cases to reduce possible adverse tax consequences to the Fund which might result from an acquisition of assets having net unrealized appreciation which is disproportionately higher at the time of acquisition than the realized or unrealized appreciation of the Fund. The issuance of Class D shares for consideration other than cash is limited to bona fide reorganizations, statutory mergers or other acquisitions of portfolio securities which (i) meet the investment objectives and policies of the Fund; (ii) are acquired for investment and not for resale (subject to the understanding that the disposition of the Fund's portfolio securities shall at all times remain within its control); and (iii) are liquid securities, the value of which is readily ascertainable, which are not restricted as to transfer either by law or liquidity of market (except that the Fund may acquire through such transactions restricted or illiquid securities to the extent the Fund does not exceed the applicable limits on acquisition of such securities set forth under "Investment Objective and Policies" herein). DISTRIBUTION PLANS Reference is made to "Purchase of Shares--Distribution Plans" in the Prospectus for certain information with respect to the separate distribution plans for Class B, Class C and Class D shares pursuant to Rule12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (each a "Distribution Plan") with respect to the account maintenance and/or distribution fees paid by the Fund to the Distributor with respect to such classes. Payments of the distribution fees and/or account maintenance fees are subject to the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. Among other things, each Distribution Plan provides that the 10 Distributor shall provide and the Directors shall review quarterly reports of the disbursement of the account maintenance fees and/or distribution fees paid to the Distributor. In their consideration of each Distribution Plan, the Directors must consider all factors they deem relevant, including information as to the benefits of the Distribution Plan to the Fund and its related class of shareholders. Each Distribution Plan further provides that, so long as the Distribution Plan remains in effect, the selection and nomination of Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act (the "Independent Directors"), shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent Directors then in office. In approving each Distribution Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1, the Independent Directors concluded that there is reasonable likelihood that such Distribution Plan will benefit the Fund and its related class of shareholders. Each Distribution Plan can be terminated at any time, without penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Independent Directors or by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding related class of voting securities of the Fund. A Distribution Plan cannot be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent by the Fund without the approval of the related class of shareholders, and all material amendments are required to be approved by the vote of the Directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors who have no direct or indirect financial interest in such Distribution Plan, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. Rule 12b-1 further requires that the Fund preserve copies of each Distribution Plan and any report made pursuant to such plan for a period of not less than six years from the date of such Distribution Plan or such report, the first two years in an easily accessible place. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994, the Fund paid the Distributor account maintenance fees of $1,944,798 and distribution fees of $5,834,397 under the Class B Distribution Plan. LIMITATIONS ON THE PAYMENT OF DEFERRED SALES CHARGES The maximum sales charge rule in the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") imposes a limitation on certain asset-based sales charges such as the distribution fee and the CDSC borne by the Class B and Class C shares, but not the account maintenance fee. The maximum sales charge rule is applied separately to each class. As applicable to the Fund, the maximum sales charge rule limits the aggregate of distribution fee payments and CDSCs payable by the Fund to (1) 6.25% of eligible gross sales of Class B shares and Class C shares, computed separately (defined to exclude shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestments and exchanges), plus (2) interest on the unpaid balance for the respective class, computed separately, at the prime rate plus 1% (the unpaid balance being the maximum amount payable minus amounts received from the payment of the distribution fee and the CDSC). In connection with the Class B shares, the Distributor has voluntarily agreed to waive interest charges on the unpaid balance in excess of 0.50% of eligible gross sales. Consequently, the maximum amount payable to the Distributor (referred to as the "voluntary maximum") in connection with the Class B shares is 6.75% of eligible gross sales. The Distributor retains the right to stop waiving the interest charges at any time. To the extent payments would exceed the voluntary maximum, the Fund will not make further payments of the distribution fee with respect to Class B shares, and any CDSCs will be paid to the Fund rather than to the Distributor; however, the Fund will continue to make payments of the account maintenance fee. In certain circumstances the amount payable pursuant to the voluntary maximum may exceed the amount payable under the NASD formula. In such circumstances payment in excess of the amount payable under the NASD formula will not be made. 11 The following table sets forth comparative information as of September 30, 1994 with respect to the Class B shares of the Fund indicating the maximum allowable payments that can be made under the NASD maximum sales charge rule and the Distributor's voluntary maximum for the period November 29, 1985 (commencement of the public offering of Class B shares) to September 30, 1994.
CLASS B SHARES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DATA CALCULATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 (IN THOUSANDS) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ALLOWABLE AMOUNTS ANNUAL ELIGIBLE AGGREGATE INTEREST MAXIMUM PREVIOUSLY AGGREGATE DISTRIBUTION GROSS SALES ON UNPAID AMOUNT PAID TO UNPAID FEE AT CURRENT SALES(1) CHARGES BALANCE(2) PAYABLE DISTRIBUTOR(3) BALANCE NET ASSET LEVEL(4) ---------- --------- ---------- -------- -------------- --------- ------------------ Under NASD Rule as Adopted.... $3,625,869 $226,617 $140,866 $367,483 $148,648 $218,835 $5,324 Under Distribu- tor's Voluntary Waiver........ $3,625,869 $226,617 $ 18,129 $244,746 $148,648 $ 96,098 $5,324
- -------- (1) Purchase price of all eligible Class B shares sold since November 29, 1985 (commencement of the public offering of Class B shares) other than shares acquired through dividend reinvestment and the exchange privilege. (2) Interest is computed on a monthly basis based upon the prime rate, as reported in The Wall Street Journal, plus 1.0% as permitted under the NASD Rule. (3) Consists of CDSC payments, distribution fee payments and accruals. Of the distribution fee payments made prior to July 6, 1993 under a prior plan at the 1.0% rate, 0.75% of average daily net assets has been treated as a distribution fee and 0.25% of average daily net assets has been deemed to have been a service fee and not subject to the NASD maximum sales charge rule. See "Purchase of Shares--Distribution Plans" in the Prospectus. (4) Provided to illustrate the extent to which the current level of distribution fee payments (not including any CDSC payments) is amortizing the unpaid balance. No assurance can be given that payments of the distribution fee will reach either the voluntary maximum or the NASD maximum. REDEMPTION OF SHARES Reference is made to "Redemption of Shares" in the Prospectus for certain information as to the redemption and repurchase of Fund shares. Payment for shares presented for redemption will be made by check sent within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of your written request in proper form and, if issued, certificates for the shares being redeemed. The right to redeem shares or to receive payment with respect to any such redemption may be suspended only for any period during which trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as determined by the Commission or such Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), for any period during which an emergency exists as defined by the Commission, as a result of which disposal of portfolio securities or determination of the net asset value of the Fund is not reasonably practicable, and for such other periods as the Commission may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund. The value of shares at the time of redemption may be more or less than the shareholder costs, depending on the net asset value of such shares at such time. 12 DEFERRED SALES CHARGE--CLASS B SHARES As discussed in the Prospectus under "Purchase of Shares--Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives--Class B and Class C Shares", while Class B shares redeemed within four years of purchase are subject to a CDSC under most circumstances, the charge is waived on redemptions of Class B shares in connection with certain post-retirement withdrawals from an IRA or other retirement plan or following the death or disability of a Class B shareholder. Redemptions for which the waiver applies are: (a) any partial or complete redemption in connection with a distribution following retirement under a tax-deferred retirement plan which is permitted to be made without tax penalty under the Internal Revenue Code, or attaining age 59 1/2 in the case of an IRA or other retirement plan, or part of a series of equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for life (or life expectancy) or any redemption resulting from the tax-free return of an excess contribution to an IRA; or (b) any partial or complete redemption following the death or disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) of a Class B shareholder (including one who owns the Class B shares as joint tenant with his or her spouse), provided the redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial determination of disability. For the year ended September 30, 1994, the Distributor received CDSCs of $163,949 with respect to Class B shares, all of which was paid to Merrill Lynch. Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program. Class B shares are offered to certain participants in Blueprint. Blueprint is directed to small investors, group IRAs and participants in certain affinity groups such as trade associations, credit unions and benefit plans. Class B shares of the Fund are offered through Blueprint only to members of certain affinity groups. The CDSC is waived in connection with purchase orders placed through Blueprint. Services, including the exchange privilege, available to Class B investors through Blueprint, however, may differ from those available to other Class B investors. Orders for purchases and redemptions of Class B shares of the Fund may be grouped for execution purposes which, in some circumstances, may involve the execution of such orders two business days following the day such orders are placed. The minimum initial purchase price is $100, with a $50 minimum for subsequent purchases through Blueprint. There is no minimum initial or subsequent purchase requirement for investors who are part of a Blueprint automatic investment plan. Additional information concerning Blueprint, including any annual fees or transaction charges, is available from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, The BlueprintSM Program, P.O. Box 30441, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08989-0441. Retirement Plans. Any Retirement Plan which does not meet the qualifications to purchase Class A or Class D shares at net asset value has the option of purchasing Class A or Class D shares at the sales charge schedule disclosed in the Prospectus, or if the Retirement Plan meets the following requirements, then it may purchase Class B shares with a waiver of the CDSC upon redemption. The CDSC is waived for any Eligible 401(k) Plan redeeming Class B shares. "Eligible 401(k) Plan" is defined as a retirement plan qualified under Section 401(k) of the Code with a salary reduction feature offering a menu of investments to plan participants. The CDSC is also waived for redemptions from a 401(a) plan qualified under the Code, provided, however, that each such plan has the same or an affiliated sponsoring employer as an Eligible 401(k) Plan purchasing Class B shares of MLAM-advised mutual funds ("Eligible 401(a) Plan"). Other tax qualified retirement plans within the meaning of Section 401(a) and 403(b) of the Code which are provided specialized services (e.g., plans whose participants may direct on a daily basis their plan allocations among a menu of investments) by independent administration firms contracted through Merrill Lynch also may purchase Class B shares with a waiver of the CDSC. The CDSC also is waived for any Class B or Class C shares which are purchased by an Eligible 401(k) Plan or Eligible 401(a) Plan and are rolled over into a Merrill Lynch or Merrill Lynch Trust 13 Company custodied IRA and held in such account at the time of redemption. The Class B CDSC also is waived for any Class B shares which are purchased by a Merrill Lynch rollover IRA, that was funded by a rollover from a terminated 401(k) plan managed by the MLAM Private Portfolio Group and held in such account at the time of redemption. The minimum initial and subsequent purchase requirements are waived in connection with all the above-referenced Retirement Plans. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE The net asset value of the shares of the Fund is determined once daily 15 minutes after the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (generally, 4:00 p.m. New York time), on each day during which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. The New York Stock Exchange is not open on New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Any assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of non-U.S. dollar currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more banks or dealers on the day of valuation. The net asset value per share is computed by dividing the sum of the value of the securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets (including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the total number of shares outstanding at such time, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses, including the investment advisory fees and account maintenance and/or distribution fees, are accrued daily. The per share net asset value of the Class B, Class C and Class D shares generally will be lower than the per share net asset value of the Class A shares reflecting the daily expense accruals of the account maintenance, distribution and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to the Class B and Class C shares and the daily expense accruals of the account maintenance fees applicable with respect to the Class D shares; moreover the per share net asset value of the Class B and Class C shares generally will be lower than the per share net asset value of its Class D shares reflecting the daily expense accruals of the distribution fees and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to the Class B and Class C shares of the Fund. It is expected, however, that the per share net asset value of the four classes will tend to converge (although not necessarily meet) immediately after the payment of dividends or distributions, which will differ by approximately the amount of the expense accrual differential between the classes. Portfolio securities and options which are traded on stock exchanges are valued at the last sale price as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued, or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last quoted bid prices at the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day by brokers that make markets in the securities. Portfolio securities which are traded both in the over-the-counter market and on a stock exchange are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Fund. SHAREHOLDER SERVICES The Fund offers a number of shareholder services described below which are designed to facilitate investment in its shares. Certain of such services are not available to investors who place orders for the Fund through the Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program. Full details as to each of such services and copies of the various plans described below can be obtained from the Fund, the Distributor or Merrill Lynch. 14 INVESTMENT ACCOUNT Each shareholder whose account is maintained at the Transfer Agent has an Investment Account and will receive, at least quarterly, statements from the Transfer Agent. These statements will serve as transaction confirmations for automatic investment purchases and the reinvestment of ordinary income dividends and long-term capital gain distributions. The statements will also show any other activity in the account since the preceding statement. Shareholders will receive separate transaction confirmations for each purchase or sale transaction other than automatic investment purchases and the reinvestment of income dividends, and long-term capital gain distributions. Shareholders considering transferring their Class A or Class D shares from Merrill Lynch to another brokerage firm or financial institution should be aware that, if the firm to which the Class A or Class D shares are to be transferred will not take delivery of shares of the Fund, a shareholder either must redeem the Class A or Class D shares so that the cash proceeds can be transferred to the account at the new firm or such shareholder must continue to maintain an Investment Account at the Transfer Agent for those Class A or Class D shares. Shareholders interested in transferring their Class B or Class C shares from Merrill Lynch and who do not wish to have an Investment Account maintained for such shares at the Transfer Agent may request their new brokerage firm to maintain such shares in an account registered in the name of the brokerage firm for the benefit of the shareholder. If the new brokerage firm is willing to accommodate the shareholder in this manner, the shareholder must request that he be issued certificates for his shares, and then must turn the certificates over to the new firm for re-registration as described in the preceding sentence. Shareholders may make additions to their Investment Account at any time by mailing a check directly to the Transfer Agent. Share certificates are issued only for full shares and only upon the specific request of the shareholder who has an Investment Account. Issuance of certificates representing all or only part of the full shares in an Investment Account may be requested by a shareholder directly from the Transfer Agent. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLANS A shareholder may make additions to an Investment Account at any time by purchasing Class A shares (if an eligible Class A investor as described in the Prospectus) or Class B, Class C or Class D shares at the applicable public offering price either through the shareholder's securities dealer, or by mail directly to the Transfer Agent, acting as agent for such securities dealer. Voluntary accumulation can also be made through a service known as the Automatic Investment Plan whereby the Transfer Agent is authorized through pre- authorized checks or automatic clearing house debits of $50 or more to charge the regular bank account of the shareholder on a regular basis to provide systematic additions to the Investment Account of such shareholder. For investors who buy shares of the Fund through the Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program, no minimum charge to the investor's bank account is required. Investors who maintain CMA(R) accounts may arrange to have periodic investments made in the Fund, in the CMA accounts or in certain related accounts in amounts of $100 or more ($1 for retirement accounts) through the CMA Automated Investment Program. AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS Unless specific instructions are given as to the method of payment of dividends and capital gains distributions, dividends and distributions will be reinvested automatically in additional shares of the Fund. Such reinvestment will be at the net asset value of shares of the Fund, without sales charge, as of the close of 15 business on the ex-dividend date of the dividend or distribution. Shareholders may elect in writing or by telephoning (1-(800)-MER-FUND) to receive either their dividends or capital gains distributions, or both, in cash, in which event payment will be mailed or direct deposited on or about the payment date. Shareholders may, at any time, notify the Transfer Agent in writing that they no longer wish to have their dividends and/or capital gains distributions reinvested in shares of the Fund or vice versa and, commencing ten days after the receipt by the Transfer Agent of such notice, those instructions will be effected. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS--CLASS A AND CLASS D SHARES A Class A or Class D shareholder may elect to make withdrawals from an Investment Account in the form of payments by check or through automatic payment by direct deposit to his bank account on either a monthly or quarterly basis as provided below. Quarterly withdrawals are available for shareholders who have acquired Class A or Class D shares of the Fund having a value, based on cost or the current offering price, of $5,000 or more, and monthly withdrawals are available for shareholders with Class A or Class D shares with such a value of $10,000 or more. At the time of each withdrawal payment, sufficient Class A or Class D shares are redeemed from those on deposit in the shareholder's account to provide the withdrawal payment specified by the shareholder. The shareholder may specify either a dollar amount or a percentage of the value of his Class A or Class D shares. Redemptions will be made at net asset value as determined 15 minutes after the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 P.M. New York time) on the 24th day of each month or the 24th day of the last month of each quarter, whichever is applicable. If the Exchange is not open for business on such date, the Class A or Class D shares will be redeemed at the close of business on the following business day. The check for the withdrawal payment will be mailed or the direct deposit for withdrawal payment will be made on the next business day following redemption. When a shareholder is making systematic withdrawals, dividends and distributions on all Class A shares in the Investment Account are reinvested automatically in Class A or Class D shares, respectively, of the Fund. A shareholder's Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated at any time, without charge or penalty, by the shareholder, the Fund, the Fund's Transfer Agent or the Distributor. Withdrawal payments should not be considered as dividends, yield or income. Each withdrawal is a taxable event. If periodic withdrawals continuously exceed reinvested dividends, the shareholder's original investment may be reduced correspondingly. Purchases of additional Class A or Class D shares concurrent with withdrawals are ordinarily disadvantageous to the shareholder because of sales charges and tax liabilities. The Fund will not knowingly accept purchase orders for Class A or Class D shares of the Fund from investors who maintain a Systematic Withdrawal Plan unless such purchase is equal to at least one year's scheduled withdrawals or $1,200, whichever is greater. Periodic investments may not be made into an Investment Account in which the shareholder has elected to make systematic withdrawals. A Class A or Class D shareholder whose shares are held within a CMA (R), CBA (R) or Retirement Account may elect to have shares redeemed on a monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis through the Systematic Redemption Program. The minimum fixed dollar amount redeemable is $25. The proceeds of systematic redemptions will be posted to the shareholder's account five business days after the date the shares are redeemed. Monthly systematic redemptions will be made at net asset value on the first Monday of each month, bi-monthly systematic redemptions will be made at net asset value on the first 16 Monday of every other month, and quarterly, semiannual or annual redemptions are made at net asset value on the first Monday of months selected at the shareholder's option. If the first Monday of the month is a holiday, the redemption will be processed at net asset value on the next business day. The Systematic Redemption Program is not available if Fund shares are being purchased within the account pursuant to the Automatic Investment Program. For more information on the Systematic Redemption Program, eligible shareholders should contact their Financial Consultant. RETIREMENT PLANS Self-directed individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans are available from Merrill Lynch. Under these plans, investments may be made in the Fund and certain of the other mutual funds sponsored by Merrill Lynch as well as in other securities. Merrill Lynch charges an initial establishment fee and an annual custodial fee for each account. Information with respect to these plans is available on request from Merrill Lynch. The minimum initial purchase to establish any such plan is $100. However, there is no minimum for purchases through the Merrill Lynch BlueprintSM Program's systematic investment plans). Capital gains and income received in each of the plans referred to above are exempt from Federal taxation until distributed from the plans. Investors considering participation in any such plan should review specific tax laws relating thereto and should consult their attorneys or tax advisers with respect to the establishment and maintenance of any such plan. EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE Shareholders of each class of shares of the Fund have an exchange privilege with certain other MLAM-advised mutual funds listed below. Under the Merrill Lynch Select PricingSM System, Class A shareholders may exchange Class A shares of the Fund for Class A shares of a second MLAM-advised mutual fund if the shareholder holds any Class A shares of the second fund in his account in which the exchange is made at the time of the exchange or is otherwise eligible to purchase Class A shares of the second fund. If the Class A shareholder wants to exchange Class A shares for shares of a second MLAM-advised mutual fund, and the shareholder does not hold Class A shares of the second fund in his account at the time of the exchange and is not otherwise eligible to acquire Class A shares of the second fund, the shareholder will receive Class D shares of the second fund as a result of the exchange. Class D shares also may be exchanged for Class A shares of a second MLAM-advised mutual fund at any time as long as, at the time of the exchange, the shareholder holds Class A shares of the second fund in the account in which the exchange is made or is otherwise eligible to purchase Class A shares of the second fund. Class B, Class C and Class D shares will be exchangeable with shares of the same class of other MLAM-advised mutual funds. For purposes of computing the CDSC that may be payable upon a disposition of the shares acquired in the exchange, the holding period for the previously owned shares of the Fund is "tacked" to the holding period of the newly acquired shares of the other Fund as more fully described below. Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares also will be exchangeable for shares of certain MLAM-advised money market funds specifically designated below as available for exchange by holders of Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D shares. Shares with a net asset value of at least $100 are required to qualify for the exchange privilege, and any shares utilized in an exchange must have been held by the shareholder for 15 days. It is contemplated that the exchange privilege may be applicable to other new mutual funds whose shares may be distributed by the Distributor. 17 Exchanges of Class A or Class D shares outstanding ("outstanding Class A or Class D shares") for Class A or Class D shares of another MLAM-advised mutual fund ("new Class A or Class D shares") are transacted on the basis of relative net asset value per Class A or Class D share, respectively, plus an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the sales charge previously paid on the outstanding Class A or Class D shares and the sales charge payable at the time of the exchange on the new Class A or Class D shares. With respect to outstanding Class A or Class D shares as to which previous exchanges have taken place, the "sales charge previously paid" shall include the aggregate of the sales charges paid with respect to such Class A or Class D shares in the initial purchase and any subsequent exchange. Class A and Class D shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment are sold on a no-load basis in each of the funds offering Class A or Class D shares. For purposes of the exchange privilege, Class A and Class D shares acquired through dividend reinvestment shall be deemed to have been sold with a sales charge equal to the sales charge previously paid on the Class A or Class D shares on which the dividend was paid. Based on this formula, Class A and Class D shares generally may be exchanged into the Class A or Class D shares of the other funds or into shares of the Class A money market funds without a sales charge. In addition, each of the funds with Class B and Class C shares outstanding ("outstanding Class B or Class C shares") offers to exchange its Class B or Class C shares for Class B or Class C shares, respectively, of another MLAM- advised mutual fund ("new Class B or Class C shares") on the basis of relative net asset value per Class B or Class C share, without the payment of any CDSC that might otherwise be due on redemption of the outstanding shares. Class B shareholders of the Fund exercising the exchange privilege will continue to be subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule if such schedule is higher than the CDSC schedule relating to the new Class B shares acquired through use of the exchange privilege. In addition, Class B shares of the Fund acquired through use of the exchange privilege will be subject to the Fund's CDSC schedule if such schedule is higher than the CDSC schedule relating to the Class B shares of the fund from which the exchange has been made. For purposes of computing the sales charge that may be payable on a disposition of the new Class B or Class C shares, the holding period for the outstanding Class B or Class C shares is "tacked" to the holding period of the new Class B or Class C shares. For example, an investor may exchange Class B shares of the Fund for those of Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc. ("Special Value Fund") after having held Class B shares of the Fund for two and a half years. The 2% sales charge that generally would apply to a redemption would not apply to the exchange. Three years later the investor may decide to redeem the Class B shares of Special Value Fund and receive cash. There will be no CDSC due on this redemption, since by "tacking" the two and a half year holding period of Fund Class B shares to the three year holding period for the Special Value Fund Class B shares, the investor will be deemed to have held the new Class B shares for more than five years. Shareholders also may exchange shares of the Fund into shares of a money market fund advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, but the period of time that Class B or Class C shares are held in a money market fund will not count towards satisfaction of the holding period requirement for purposes of reducing the CDSC or, with respect to Class B shares, towards satisfaction of the conversion period. However, shares of a money market fund which were acquired as a result of an exchange for Class B or Class C shares of the fund may in turn be exchanged back into Class B or Class C shares of any fund offering such shares, in which event the holding period for Class B or Class C shares of the fund will be aggregated with previous holding periods for purposes of reducing the CDSC. Thus, for example, an investor may exchange Class B shares of the Fund for shares of Merrill Lynch Institutional Fund ("Institutional Fund") after having held 18 Class B shares of the Fund for two and a half years and three years later decide to redeem the shares of Institutional Fund for cash. At the time of this redemption, the 2% CDSC that would have been due had the Class B shares of the Fund been redeemed for cash rather than exchanged for shares of Institutional Fund will be payable. If, instead of such redemption, the shareholder exchanged such shares for Class B shares of a fund which the shareholder continues to hold for an additional two and a half years, any subsequent redemption will not incur a CDSC. Set forth below is a description of the investment objectives of the other funds into which exchanges can be made: Funds issuing Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Shares: Merrill Lynch Adjustable Rate Securities Fund, Inc. .............. High current income consistent with a policy of limiting the degree of fluctuation in net asset value by investing primarily in a portfolio of adjustable rate securities, consisting principally of mortgage- backed and asset-backed securities. Merrill Lynch Americas Income Fund, Inc. ............................... A high level of current income, consistent with prudent investment risk, by investing primarily in debt securities denominated in a currency of a country located in the Western Hemisphere (i.e., North and South America and the surrounding waters). Merrill Lynch Arizona Limited Maturity Municipal Bond Fund........ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Arizona income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management through investment in a portfolio primarily of intermediate- term investment grade Arizona Municipal Bonds. Merrill Lynch Arizona Municipal Bond Fund................................ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide investors with as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Arizona income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch Arkansas Municipal Bond Fund........................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Arkansas income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. 19 Merrill Lynch Asset Growth Fund, A high level of current income through Inc................................. investment primarily in United States fixed income securities. Merrill Lynch Asset Income Fund, High total investment return, Inc................................. consistent with prudent risk, from investment in United States and foreign equity, debt and money market securities, the combination of which will be varied both with respect to types of securities and markets in response to changing market and economic trends. Merrill Lynch Basic Value Fund, Capital appreciation and, secondarily, Inc. ............................... income through investment in securities, primarily equities, that are undervalued and therefore represent basic investment value. Merrill Lynch California Insured Municipal Bond Fund................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch California Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of insured income exempt from Federal and California income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management through investment in a portfolio primarily of insured California Municipal Bonds. Merrill Lynch California Limited Maturity Municipal Bond Fund........ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of income exempt from Federal and California income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management through investment in a portfolio primarily of intermediate-term investment grade California Municipal Bonds. Merrill Lynch California Municipal Bond Fund........................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch California Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide investors with as high a level of income exempt from Federal and California income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch Capital Fund, Inc. .... The highest total investment return consistent with prudent risk through a fully managed investment policy utilizing equity, debt and convertible securities. Merrill Lynch Colorado Municipal Bond Fund........................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to 20 provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Colorado income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund........................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Connecticut income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. ............................... Current income from three separate diversified portfolios of fixed-income securities. Merrill Lynch Developing Capital Markets Fund, Inc. ................. Long-term appreciation through investment in securities, principally equities, of issuers in countries having smaller capital markets. Merrill Lynch Dragon Fund, Inc. ..... Capital appreciation primarily through investment in equity and debt securities of issuers domiciled in developing countries located in Asia and the Pacific Basin. Merrill Lynch EuroFund............... Capital appreciation primarily through investment in equity securities of corporations domiciled in Europe. Merrill Lynch Federal Securities High current return through investments Trust............................... in U.S. Government and Government agency securities, including GNMA mortgage-backed certificates and other mortgaged-backed Government securities. Merrill Lynch Florida Limited Maturity Municipal Bond Fund........ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management while seeking to offer shareholders the opportunity to own securities exempt from Florida intangible personal property taxes through investment in a portfolio primarily of intermediate- term investment grade Florida Municipal Bonds. Merrill Lynch Florida Municipal Bond Fund................................ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to 21 provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management while seeking to offer shareholders the opportunity to own securities exempt from Florida intangible personal property taxes. Merrill Lynch Fund For Tomorrow, Long-term growth through investment in Inc................................. a portfolio of good quality securities, primarily common stock, potentially positioned to benefit from demographic and cultural changes as they affect consumer markets. Merrill Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc........................... Long-term growth through investment in a diversified portfolio of equity securities placing particular emphasis on companies that have exhibited an above-average growth rate in earnings. Merrill Lynch Global Allocation Fund, Inc........................... High total return consistent with prudent risk, through a fully managed investment policy utilizing United States and foreign equity, debt and money market securities, the combination of which will be varied from time to time both with respect to the types of securities and markets in response to changing market and economic trends. Merrill Lynch Global Bond Fund For Investment and Retirement........... High total investment return from investment in a global portfolio of debt instruments denominated in various currencies and multi-national currency units. Merrill Lynch Global Convertible Fund, Inc........................... High total return from investment primarily in an internationally diversified portfolio of convertible debt securities, convertible preferred stock and "synthetic" convertible securities consisting of a combination of debt securities or preferred stock and warrants or options. Merrill Lynch Global Holdings, Inc. (residents of Arizona must meet investor suitability standards)..... The highest total investment return consistent with prudent risk through worldwide investment in an internationally diversified portfolio of securities. 22 Merrill Lynch Global Resources Long-term growth and protection of Trust............................... capital from investment in securities of foreign and domestic companies that possess substantial natural resource assets. Merrill Lynch Global SmallCap Fund, Inc................................. Long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in equity securities of companies with relatively small market capitalizations located in various foreign countries and in the United States. Merrill Lynch Global Utility Fund, Capital appreciation and current Inc................................. income through investment of at least 65% of its total assets in equity and debt securities issued by domestic and foreign companies primarily engaged in the ownership or operation of facilities used to generate, transmit or distribute electricity, telecommunications, gas or water. Merrill Lynch Growth Fund for Investment and Retirement........... Growth of capital and, secondarily, income from investment in a diversified portfolio of equity securities placing principal emphasis on those securities which management of the fund believes to be undervalued. Merrill Lynch Healthcare Fund, Inc. (residents of Wisconsin must meet investor suitability standards)..... Capital appreciation through worldwide investment in equity securities of companies that derive or are expected to derive a substantial portion of their sales from products and services in healthcare. Merrill Lynch International Equity Fund................................ Capital appreciation and, secondarily, income by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of issuers located in countries other than the United States. Merrill Lynch Latin America Fund, Capital appreciation by investing Inc. ............................... primarily in Latin American equity and debt securities. Merrill Lynch Maryland Municipal Bond Fund........................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Maryland income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. 23 Merrill Lynch Massachusetts Limited Maturity Municipal Bond Fund........ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Massachusetts income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management through investment in a portfolio primarily of intermediate- term investment grade Massachusetts Municipal Bonds. Merrill Lynch Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide investors with as high a level of income exempt from both Federal and Massachusetts income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch Michigan Limited Maturity Municipal Bond Fund........ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Michigan income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management through investment in a portfolio primarily of intermediate- term investment grade Michigan Municipal Bonds. Merrill Lynch Michigan Municipal Bond Fund........................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Michigan income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch Minnesota Municipal Bond Fund........................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Minnesota personal income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch Municipal Bond Fund, Tax-exempt income from three separate Inc................................. diversified portfolios of municipal bonds. Merrill Lynch Municipal Intermediate Term Fund........................... Currently the only portfolio of Merrill Lynch Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective 24 is to provide as high a level as possible of income exempt from Federal income taxes by investing in investment grade obligations with a dollar weighted average maturity of five to twelve years. Merrill Lynch New Jersey Limited Maturity Municipal Bond Fund........ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and New Jersey income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management through a portfolio primarily of intermediate-term investment grade New Jersey Municipal Bonds. Merrill Lynch New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund........................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and New Jersey income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch New Mexico Municipal Bond Fund........................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and New Mexico income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch New York Limited Maturity Municipal Bond Fund........ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal, New York State and New York City income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management through investment in a portfolio primarily of intermediate-term investment grade New York Municipal Bonds. Merrill Lynch New York Municipal Bond Fund........................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal, New York State and New York City income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. 25 Merrill Lynch North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund................. A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and North Carolina income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch Ohio Municipal Bond A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- Fund................................ State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide investors with as high a level of income exempt from both Federal and Ohio income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch Oregon Municipal Bond Fund................................ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide investors with as high a level of income exempt from both Federal and Oregon income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch Pacific Fund, Inc...... Capital appreciation by investing in equity securities of corporations domiciled in Far Eastern and Western Pacific countries, including Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Merrill Lynch Pennsylvania Limited Maturity Municipal Bond Fund........ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Limited Maturity Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Pennsylvania income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management through investment in a portfolio of intermediate-term investment grade Pennsylvania Municipal Bonds. Merrill Lynch Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund........................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide as high a level of income exempt from Federal and Pennsylvania income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management. Merrill Lynch Phoenix Fund, Inc...... Long-term growth of capital by investing in equity and fixed income securities, including tax exempt securities, of issuers in weak financial condition or experiencing poor operating results believed to be 26 undervalued relative to the current or prospective condition of such issuer. Merrill Lynch Short-Term Global Income Fund, Inc.................... As high a level of current income as is consistent with prudent investment management from a global portfolio of high quality debt securities denominated in various currencies and multi-national currency units and having remaining maturities not exceeding three years. Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Long-term growth of capital from Inc................................. investments in securities, primarily common stock, or relatively small companies believed to have special investment value and emerging growth companies regardless of size. Merrill Lynch Strategic Dividend Long-term total return from investment Fund................................ in dividend paying common stocks which yield more than Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index. Merrill Lynch Technology Fund, Inc... Capital appreciation through worldwide investment in equity securities of companies that derive or are expected to derive a substantial portion of their sales from products and services in technology. Merrill Lynch Texas Municipal Bond Fund................................ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Multi- State Municipal Series Trust, a series fund, whose objective is to provide investors with as high a level of income exempt from Federal income taxes as is consistent with prudent investment management by investing primarily in a portfolio of long-term, investment grade obligations issued by the State of Texas, its political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Merrill Lynch Utility Income Fund, High current income through investment Inc. ............................... primarily in equity and debt securities issued by companies primarily engaged in the ownership or operation of facilities used to generate, transmit or to distribute electricity, telecommunications, gas or water. Merrill Lynch World Income Fund, High current income by investing in a Inc. ............................... global portfolio of fixed-income securities denominated in various currencies, including multinational currencies. 27 Class A Share Money Market Funds: Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust..... Preservation of capital, liquidity and the highest possible current income consistent with the foregoing objectives from the short-term money market securities in which the Trust invests. Merrill Lynch Retirement Reserves Money Fund (available only for exchanges within certain retirement plans).............................. Currently the only portfolio of Merrill Lynch Retirement Series Trust, a series fund, whose objectives are current income, preservation of capital and liquidity available from investing in a diversified portfolio of short-term money market securities. Merrill Lynch U.S.A. Government Reserves............................ Preservation of capital, current income and liquidity available from investing in direct obligations of the U.S. Government and repurchase agreements relating to such securities. Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Money Preservation of capital, liquidity and Fund................................ current income through investment exclusively in a diversified portfolio of short-term marketable securities which are direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury. Class B; Class C and Class D Share Money Market Funds: Merrill Lynch Government Fund........ A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Funds For Institutions Series, a series fund, whose objective is to provide current income consistent with liquidity and security of principal from investment in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities and in repurchase agreements secured by such obligations. Merrill Lynch Institutional Fund..... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Funds For Institutions Series, a series fund, whose objective is to provide maximum current income consistent with liquidity and the maintenance of a high-quality portfolio of money market securities. Merrill Lynch Institutional Tax- Exempt Fund......................... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Funds For Institutions Series, a series fund, whose objective is to provide current income exempt from Federal income taxes, preservation of capital and liquidity available from investing in a diversified portfolio of short- term, high quality municipal bonds. 28 Merrill Lynch Treasury Fund.......... A portfolio of Merrill Lynch Funds For Institutions Series, a series fund, whose objective is to provide current income consistent with liquidity and security of principal from investment in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury and up to 10% of its total assets in repurchase agreements secured by such obligations. Before effecting an exchange, shareholders should obtain a currently effective prospectus of the fund into which the exchange is to be made. To exercise the exchange privilege, shareholders should contact their Merrill Lynch financial consultant, who will advise the Fund of the exchange. Shareholders of the Fund, and shareholders of the other funds described above with shares for which certificates have not been issued, may exercise the exchange privilege by wire through their securities dealers. The Fund reserves the right to require a properly completed Exchange Application. This exchange privilege may be modified or terminated in accordance with the rules of the Commission. The Fund reserves the right to limit the number of times an investor may exercise the exchange privilege. Certain funds may suspend the continuous offering of their shares to the general public at any time and may thereafter resume such offering from time to time. The exchange privilege is available only to U.S. shareholders in states where the exchange legally may be made. DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS It is the Fund's intention to distribute all of its net investment income, if any. Dividends from such investment income are paid semi-annually. All net realized long- or short-term capital gains, if any, are distributed to the Fund's shareholders at least annually. Premiums from expired call options written by the Fund and net gains from closing purchase transactions are treated as short-term capital gains for Federal income tax purposes. See "Shareholder Services--Automatic Reinvestment of Dividends and Capital Gains Distributions" for information concerning the manner in which dividends and distributions may be reinvested automatically in shares of the Fund. Shareholders may elect in writing to receive any such dividends or distributions, or both, in cash. Dividends and distributions are taxable to shareholders as described below whether they are invested in shares of the Fund or received in cash. The per share dividends and distributions on Class B and Class C shares will be lower than the per share dividends and distributions on Class A and Class D shares as a result of the account maintenance, distribution and higher transfer agency fees applicable with respect to the Class B and Class C shares; similarly, the per share dividends and distributions on Class D shares will be lower than the per share dividends and distributions on Class A shares as a result of the account maintenance fees applicable with respect to the Class D shares. See "Determination of Net Asset Value". TAXES The Fund has elected and intends to continue to qualify for the special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies ("RICs") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). If it so 29 qualifies, the Fund will not be subject to Federal income tax on the part of its net ordinary income and net realized capital gains which it distributes to Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shareholders (together, the "shareholders"). Dividends paid by the Fund from its ordinary income and distributions of the Fund's net realized short-term capital gains (together referred to hereafter as "ordinary income dividends") are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions made from the Fund's net realized long-term capital gains (including long-term gains from certain transactions in options) are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has owned Fund shares. Any loss on a sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less, however, will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gains distribution with respect to such shares. Dividends are taxable to shareholders even though they are reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. Not later than 60 days after the close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide its shareholders with a written notice designating the amounts of any dividends or capital gains distributions. A portion of the Fund's ordinary income dividends may be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code, if certain requirements are met. For this purpose, the Fund will allocate dividends eligible for the dividends received deduction among the Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shareholders according to a method (which it believes is consistent with the Securities and Exchange Commission exemptive order permitting the issuance and sale of multiple classes of stock) that is based on the gross income allocable to Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shareholders during the taxable year, or such other method as the Internal Revenue Service may prescribe. Pursuant to the Fund's investment objectives, the Fund may invest in foreign securities. Foreign taxes may be paid by the Fund as a result of tax laws of countries in which the Fund may invest. Income tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is impossible to determine in advance the effective rate of foreign tax to which the Fund will be subject, since the amount of Fund assets to be invested in various countries is not known. Because the Fund limits its investment in foreign securities, shareholders will not be entitled to claim foreign tax credits with respect to their share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund on income from investments of foreign securities held by the Fund. Under certain provisions of the Code, some shareholders may be subject to a 31% withholding tax on ordinary income dividends, capital gains distributions and redemption payments ("backup withholding"). Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom a certified taxpayer identification number is not on file with the Fund, those who, to the Fund's knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number or those who are subject to backup withholding because of a failure to report income. When establishing an account, an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such shareholder is not otherwise subject to backup withholding. No gain or loss will be recognized by Class B shareholders on the conversion of their Class B shares for Class D shares. A shareholder's basis in the Class D shares acquired will be the same as such shareholder's basis in the Class B shares converted, and the holding period of the acquired Class D shares will include the holding period of the converted Class B shares. 30 Ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund to shareholders who are non- resident aliens or foreign entities generally will be subject to a 30% United States withholding tax under existing provisions of the Code applicable to foreign individuals and entities unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law. Non-resident shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers concerning the applicability of the United States withholding tax. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be disallowed if other Fund shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. The Code requires a RIC to pay a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent the RIC does not distribute, during each calendar year, 98% of its ordinary income, determined on a calendar year basis, and 98% of its capital gains, determined, in general, on an October 31 year end, plus certain undistributed amounts from previous years. If the Fund pays a dividend in January which was declared in the previous October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend or distribution will be treated for federal tax purposes as being paid on December 31 and will be taxable to shareholders as if received on December 31. While the Fund intends to distribute its ordinary income and capital gains in the manner necessary to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund's taxable income and capital gains will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the tax. In such event, the Fund will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirements. Tax Treatment of Option Transactions. The Fund may write (i.e., sell) covered call options with respect to the securities that it holds in its portfolio. In general, gain or loss from transactions in such options contracts will be capital gain or loss. Code Section 1092, which applies to certain "straddles," may affect the taxation of the Fund's transactions in options contracts. Under Section 1092, the Fund may be required to postpone recognition for tax purposes of losses incurred in certain closing transactions in options. One of the requirements for qualification as a RIC is that less than 30% of the Fund's gross income may be derived from gains from the sale or other disposition of securities held for less than three months. Accordingly, the Fund may be restricted in effecting closing transactions within three months after entering into an option contract or from making short-term investments in securities. Special Rules for Certain Foreign Currency Transactions. In general, gains from "foreign currencies" and from foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and forward foreign exchange contracts relating to investments in stock, securities or foreign currencies will be qualifying income for purposes of determining whether the Fund qualifies as a RIC. It is currently unclear, however, who will be treated as the issuer of a foreign currency instrument or how foreign currency options, futures, or forward foreign exchange contracts will be valued for purposes of the RIC diversification requirements applicable to the Fund. Under Code Section 988, special rules are provided for certain transactions in a foreign currency other than the taxpayer's functional currency (i.e., unless certain special rules apply, currencies other than the U.S. 31 dollar). In general, foreign currency gains or losses from certain forward contracts not traded in the interbank market, from futures contracts that are not "regulated futures contracts," and from unlisted options will be treated as ordinary income or loss under Code Section 988. In certain circumstances, the Fund may elect capital gain or loss treatment for such transactions. In general, however, Code Section 988 gains or losses will increase or decrease the amount of the Fund's investment company taxable income available to be distributed to shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount of the Fund's net capital gain. Additionally, if Code Section 988 losses exceed other investment company taxable income during a taxable year, the Fund would not be able to make any ordinary dividend distributions, and any distributions made before the losses were realized but in the same taxable year would be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders, thereby reducing each shareholder's basis in his Fund shares. The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations presently in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. The Code and the Treasury Regulations are subject to change by legislative or administrative action either prospectively or retroactively. Ordinary income and capital gains distributions also may be subject to state and local taxes. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific questions as to Federal, state or local taxes. PERFORMANCE DATA From time to time the Fund may include its average annual total return and other total return data in advertisements or information furnished to present or prospective shareholders. Total return figures are based on the Fund's historical performance and are not intended to indicate future performance. Average annual total return is determined separately for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares in accordance with a formula specified by the Commission. Average annual total return quotations for the specified periods are computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return (based on net investment income and any realized and unrealized capital gains or losses on portfolio investments over such periods) that would equate the initial amount invested to the redeemable value of such investment at the end of each period. Average annual total return is computed assuming all dividends and distributions are reinvested and taking into account all applicable recurring and nonrecurring expenses, including the maximum sales charge in the case of Class A and Class D shares and the CDSC that would be applicable to a complete redemption of the investment at the end of the specified period in the case of Class B and Class C shares. The Fund also may quote annual, average annual and annualized total return and aggregate total return performance data, both as a percentage and as a dollar amount based on a hypothetical $1,000 investment, for various periods other than those noted below. Such data will be computed as described above, except that, (1) as required by the periods of the quotations, actual annual, annualized or aggregate data, rather than average annual data, may be quoted and (2) the maximum applicable sales charges will not be included with respect to annual or annualized rates of return calculations. Aside from the impact on the performance 32 data calculations of including or excluding the maximum applicable sales charges, actual annual or annualized total return data generally will be lower than average annual total return data since the average rates of return reflect compounding of return; aggregate total return data generally will be higher than average annual total return data since the aggregate rates of return reflect compounding over a longer period of time. Set forth below is total return information for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares of the Fund for the periods indicated.
CLASS A SHARES* CLASS B SHARES** ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- REDEEMABLE REDEEMABLE VALUE OF A VALUE OF A EXPRESSED AS A HYPOTHETICAL EXPRESSED AS A HYPOTHETICAL PERCENTAGE BASED $1,000 INVESTMENT PERCENTAGE BASED $1,000 INVESTMENT ON A HYPOTHETICAL AT THE END OF THE ON A HYPOTHETICAL AT THE END OF THE PERIOD $1,000 INVESTMENT PERIOD $1,000 INVESTMENT PERIOD ------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (INCLUDING MAXIMUM APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE) One Year Ended December 31, 1994............... (11.46%) $ 885.40 (10.72%) $ 892.80 Five Years Ended December 31, 1994...... 5.71% $1,320.30 5.78% $1,324.30 November 29, 1985 to December 31, 1994...... 7.76% $1,972.50 October 27, 1988 to December 31, 1994...... 7.41% $1,555.90 ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (EXCLUDING MAXIMUM APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE) Quarter Ended December 31, 1994............... (2.79%) $ 972.10 (2.91%) $ 970.90 YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, - ------------------------ 1994.................... 1.81% $1,018.10 0.76% $1,007.60 1993.................... 14.62% $1,146.20 13.49% $1,134.90 1992.................... 9.23% $1,092.30 8.01% $1,080.10 1991.................... 23.14% $1,231.40 21.91% $1,219.10 1990.................... (6.86%) $ 931.40 (7.79%) $ 922.10 1989.................... 16.93% $1,169.30 1988.................... (6.36%) $ 936.40 1987.................... 18.98% $1,189.80 November 29, 1985 to September 30, 1986..... 12.29% $1,122.90 October 27, 1988 to September 30, 1989..... 15.54% $1,155.40 AGGREGATE TOTAL RETURN (INCLUDING MAXIMUM APPLICABLE SALES CHARGES) November 29, 1985 to December 31, 1994...... 97.25% $1,972.50 October 27, 1988 to December 31, 1994...... 55.59% $1,555.90
- -------- * Information as to Class A shares is presented only for the period October 27, 1988 to December 31, 1994. No Class A shares were sold prior to October 27, 1988. ** Commencement of Operations of Class B shares was November 29, 1985. 33
CLASS C SHARES* CLASS D SHARES* ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- REDEEMABLE REDEEMABLE VALUE OF A VALUE OF A EXPRESSED AS A HYPOTHETICAL EXPRESSED AS A HYPOTHETICAL PERCENTAGE BASED $1,000 INVESTMENT PERCENTAGE BASED $1,000 INVESTMENT ON A HYPOTHETICAL AT THE END OF THE ON A HYPOTHETICAL AT THE END OF THE PERIOD $1,000 INVESTMENT PERIOD $1,000 INVESTMENT PERIOD ------ ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (INCLUDING MAXIMUM APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE) Inception (October 21, 1994) to December 31, 1994.................. (17.75%) $962.70 (34.57%) $920.80 ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN (EXCLUDING MAXIMUM APPLICABLE SALES CHARGE) Inception (October 21, 1994) to December 31, 1994.................. (2.86%) $971.40 (2.82%) $971.80 AGGREGATE TOTAL RETURN (INCLUDING MAXIMUM APPLICABLE SALES CHARGES) Inception (October 21, 1994) to December 31, 1994.................. (3.73%) $962.70 (7.92%) $920.80
- -------- * Class C Shares and Class D Shares commenced operations on October 21, 1994. In order to reflect the reduced sales charges in the case of Class A or Class D shares or the waiver of the CDSC in the case of Class B or Class C shares applicable to certain investors, as described under "Purchase of Shares" and "Redemption of Shares", respectively, the total return data quoted by the Fund, in advertisements directed to such investors, may take into account the reduced, and not the maximum, sales charge or may not take into account the CDSC and therefore may reflect greater total return since, due to the reduced sales charges or the waiver of sales charges, a lower amount of expenses may be deducted. From time to time, the Fund may include the Fund's Morningstar risk-adjusted performance rating in advertisements or supplemental sales literature. INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND RESTRICTIONS Reference is made to "Investment Objective and Policies" in the Prospectus for a discussion of the investment objective and policies of the Fund. PORTFOLIO STRATEGIES INVOLVING OPTIONS AND FUTURES Reference is made to the discussion under "Investment Practices and Restrictions--Portfolio Strategies Involving Options and Futures" in the Prospectus for information regarding various portfolio strategies involving options and futures. The Fund may engage in various portfolio strategies to seek to increase its return through the use of options on portfolio securities and to hedge its portfolio against movements in the equity markets, interest rates and exchange rates between currencies. The Fund has authority to write (i.e., sell) covered call options on its portfolio securities, purchase put options on securities and engage in transactions in stock index options, stock index futures and financial futures, and related options on such futures. The Fund may also deal in forward foreign exchange transactions and foreign currency options and 34 futures, and related options on such futures. Each of these portfolio strategies is described below. Although certain risks are involved in options and futures transactions (as discussed below in "Risk Factors in Options, Futures and Currency Transactions"), the Investment Adviser believes that, because the Fund will only engage in these transactions for hedging purposes, the options and futures portfolio strategies of the Fund will not subject the Fund to the risks frequently associated with the speculative use of options and futures transactions. While the Fund's use of hedging strategies is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of Fund shares, the Fund's net asset value will fluctuate. There can be no assurance that the Fund's hedging transactions will be effective. Furthermore, the Fund will only engage in hedging activities from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when movements in the equity markets, interest rates or currency exchange rates occur. Writing of Covered Call Options. As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may from time to time sell ("write") covered call options. The term option, as used herein, means an option issued by the Options Clearing Corporation and traded on a national securities exchange. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates the writer (seller) to sell, the underlying security at the exercise price during the option period. When the Fund writes an option it receives a premium. This premium is the price of such option on the exchange on which it is traded. At the time the option is written, the exercise price of the option may be lower, equal to or higher than the market price of the security on which the option is written. A call option is "covered" if the Fund already owns securities subject to the option ("underlying securities") or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration upon conversion or exchange of other securities held in its portfolio. By writing a covered call option, the Fund, in return for the premium income realized from the sale of the option, gives up the opportunity to profit from any increase in the price of the underlying security above the option exercise price during the period until the option expires, is exercised or the Fund effects a "closing purchase transaction" as described below. In addition, the Fund will not be able to sell the security during the period of the option without taking special steps described below which will involve expense. If the call option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain (short-term capital gain for Federal income tax purposes) in the amount of the premium received for the option. This gain may be offset by a decline in the market price of the underlying security during the option period. The Fund can terminate its obligation under an option prior to the expiration date of the option by effecting a "closing purchase transaction." This is done by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying security, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. This can be done, however, only on an exchange which provides a secondary market for an option of the same series and there is no assurance that a secondary market will exist for any particular option. With respect to a covered call option, in the event the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to dispose of the underlying securities until the option expires or until the underlying securities are delivered upon exercise of the option, with the result that the Fund will be subject to the risk of decline in the price of the underlying securities during such period. The Fund writes options on securities only if management believes that secondary markets will exist on an exchange for options of the same series which will permit the Fund to effect closing purchase transactions. Depending on the premium paid by the Fund in effecting a closing purchase transaction and transaction costs, the cost of a closing purchase transaction may exceed the premium received by the Fund from writing the original option, in which case the transaction will result in a loss to the Fund. 35 Purchasing Put Options. The Fund is authorized to purchase put options to hedge against a decline in the market value of its portfolio securities. By buying a put option, the Fund has a right to sell the underlying security at the exercise price, thus limiting the Fund's risk of loss through a decline in the market value of the security until the put option expires. The amount of any appreciation in the value of the underlying security will be partially offset by the amount of the premium paid for the put option and any related transaction costs. Prior to its expiration, a put option may be sold in a closing sale transaction and profit or loss from the sale will depend on whether the amount received is more or less than the premium paid for the put option plus the related transaction costs. A closing sale transaction cancels out the Fund's position as the purchaser of an option by means of an offsetting sale of an identical option prior to the expiration of the option it has purchased. The Fund will not purchase put options on securities if, as a result of such purchase, the aggregate cost of all outstanding options on securities held by the Fund would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's total assets. Stock Index Options and Futures and Financial Futures. The Fund is authorized to engage in transactions in stock index options and futures and financial futures, and related options on such futures. The Fund may purchase or write call options and purchase or write put options on stock indexes to hedge against the risks of market-wide stock price movements in the securities in which the Fund invests. The effectiveness of the hedge will depend on the degree of diversification of the Fund's portfolio and the sensitivity of the securities comprising the portfolio to factors influencing the market as a whole. Because the value of an index option depends upon movements in the level of the index rather than the price of a particular stock, whether the Fund will realize a gain or loss on the purchase or sale of an option on an index depends upon movements in the level of prices in the stock market generally or in an industry or market segment rather than movements in the prices of a particular stock. Currently, stock index options traded include the S&P 100 Index, the S&P 500 Index, the NYSE Composite Index, the AMEX Market Value Index, the National Over-the-Counter Index and other standard, broadly based stock market indices. The Fund may also purchase and sell stock index futures contracts and financial futures contracts ("futures contracts") as a hedge against adverse changes in the market value of its portfolio securities and interest rates, as described below. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties which obligates the purchaser of the futures contract to buy and the seller of a futures contract to sell a security for a set price on a future date. Unlike most other futures contracts, a stock index futures contract does not require actual delivery of securities, but results in cash settlement based upon the difference in value of the index between the time the contract was entered into and the time of its settlement. The Fund may effect transactions in stock index futures contracts in securities and financial futures contracts in United States Government and agency securities and corporate debt securities. Transactions by the Fund in stock index futures and financial futures are subject to limitations as described below under "Restrictions on the Use of Futures Transactions". The Fund may sell stock index futures contracts in anticipation of or during a market decline to attempt to offset the decrease in market value of the Fund's securities portfolio that might otherwise result. When the Fund is not fully invested in the securities markets and anticipates a significant market advance, it may purchase stock index futures in order to gain rapid market exposure that may in part or entirely offset increases in the cost of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. As such securities purchases are made, an equivalent amount of stock index futures contracts will be terminated by offsetting sales. The Fund does not consider purchases of futures contracts to be a speculative practice under these circumstances. It is anticipated that, in a substantial majority of these transactions, the Fund will purchase such securities upon 36 termination of the long futures position, whether the long position is the purchase of a stock index futures contract or the purchase of a call option on a stock index future, but under unusual circumstances (e.g., the Fund experiences a significant amount of redemptions), a long futures position may be terminated without the corresponding purchase of securities. The Fund may sell financial futures contracts in anticipation of an increase in the general level of interest rates. Generally, as interest rates rise, the market values of debt securities which may be held by the Fund as a temporary defensive measure will fall, thus reducing the net asset value of the Fund. However, as interest rates rise, the value of the Fund's short position in the futures contract will also tend to increase, thus offsetting all or a portion of the depreciation in the market value of the Fund's investments which are being hedged. While the Fund will incur commission expenses in selling and closing out futures positions, these commissions are generally less than the transaction expenses which the Fund would have incurred had the Fund sold portfolio securities in order to reduce its exposure to increases in interest rates. The Fund also may purchase financial futures contracts in anticipation of a decline in interest rates when it is not fully invested in a particular market in which it intends to make investments to gain market exposure that may in part or entirely offset an increase in the cost of securities it intends to purchase. It is anticipated that, in a substantial majority of these transactions, the Fund will purchase securities upon termination of the futures contract. The Fund also has authority to purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts in connection with its hedging activities. Generally, these strategies are utilized under the same market and market sector conditions (i.e., conditions relating to specific types of investments) in which the Fund enters into futures transactions. The Fund may purchase put options or write call options on futures contracts rather than selling the underlying futures contract in anticipation of a decrease in the market value of a security or an increase in interest rates. Similarly, the Fund may purchase call options, or write put options on futures contracts, as a substitute for the purchase of such futures to hedge against the increased cost resulting from an increase in the market value or a decline in interest rates of securities which the Fund intends to purchase. The Fund may engage in options and futures transactions on exchanges and options in the over-the-counter markets ("OTC options"). In general, exchange- traded contracts are third-party contracts (i.e., performance of the parties' obligations is guaranteed by an exchange or clearing corporation) with standardized strike prices and expiration dates. OTC options transactions are two-party contracts with price and terms negotiated by the buyer and seller. See "Restrictions on OTC Options" below for information as to restrictions on the use of OTC options. Foreign Currency Options, Futures and Related Options. The Fund is also authorized to purchase or sell listed or over-the-counter foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and related options on foreign currency futures as a short or long hedge against possible variations in foreign exchange rates. Such transactions may be effected with respect to hedges on non-U.S. dollar denominated securities owned by the Fund, sold by the Fund but not yet delivered, or committed or anticipated to be purchased by the Fund. As an illustration, the Fund may use such techniques to hedge the stated value in United States dollars of an investment in a pound sterling denominated security. In such circumstances, for example, the Fund may purchase a foreign currency put option enabling it to sell a specified amount of pounds for dollars at a specified price by a future date. To the extent the hedge is successful, a loss in value of the pound relative to 37 the dollar will tend to be offset by an increase in the value of the put option. To offset, in whole or in part, the cost of acquiring such a put option, the Fund may also sell a call option which, if exercised, requires it to sell a specified amount of pounds for dollars at a specified price by a future date (a technique called a "straddle"). By selling such call option, the Fund gives up the opportunity to profit without limit from increases in the relative value of the pound to the dollar. The Investment Adviser believes that "straddles" of the type which may be utilized by the Fund constitute hedging transactions and are consistent with the policies described above. Certain differences exist between these foreign currency hedging instruments. Foreign currency options provide the holder thereof the right to buy or sell a currency at a fixed price on a future date (with exchange-traded contracts and OTC options having the characteristics described above). A futures contract on a foreign currency is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a specified amount of currency for a set price on a future date. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are traded on boards of trade or futures exchanges. The Fund will not speculate in foreign currency options, futures or related options. Accordingly, the Fund will not hedge a currency substantially in excess of the market securities which it has committed or anticipates to purchase which are denominated in such currency, and in the case of securities which have been sold by the Fund but not yet delivered, the proceeds thereof in its denominated currency. The Fund may not incur potential net liabilities of more than 20% of its total assets from foreign currency options, futures or related options. Restrictions on the Use of Futures Transactions. Under regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), the futures trading activities described herein will not result in the Fund being deemed to be a "commodity pool," as defined under such regulations, provided that the Fund adheres to certain restrictions. In particular, the Fund may (i) purchase and sell futures contracts and options thereon for bona fide hedging purposes, as defined under CFTC regulations, without regard to the percentage of the Fund's assets committed to margin and option premiums, and (ii) the Fund may enter into non- hedging transactions, provided that the Fund not entered into such transactions for yield enhancement or risk management purposes if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on the Fund's existing futures positions and option premiums would exceed 5% of the market value of its liquidating value, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such transactions. However, the Fund intends to engage in options and futures transactions only for hedging purposes. Margin deposits may consist of cash or securities acceptable to the broker and the relevant contract market. When the Fund purchases a futures contract or writes a put option or purchases a call option thereon, an amount of cash and cash equivalents will be deposited in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian so that the amount so segregated, plus the amount of initial and variation margin held in the account of its broker, equals the market value of the futures contract, thereby ensuring that the use of such futures is unleveraged. An order has been obtained from the Commission which exempts the Fund from certain provisions of the Investment Company Act in connection with transactions involving futures contracts and options thereon. Restrictions on OTC Options. The Fund will engage in OTC options, including over-the-counter foreign currency options and options on foreign currency futures, only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System and primary dealers in United States Government securities or with affiliates of such banks or dealers which have capital of at least $50 million or whose obligations are guaranteed by an entity having capital of 38 at least $50 million. The Fund will acquire only those OTC options for which the Investment Adviser believes the Fund can receive on each business day at least two independent bids or offers (one of which will be from an entity other than a party to the option). The staff of the Commission has taken the position that purchased OTC options and the assets used as cover for written OTC options are illiquid securities. Therefore, the Fund has adopted an investment policy pursuant to which it will not purchase or sell OTC options (including OTC options on futures contracts) if, as a result of such transaction, the sum of the market value of OTC options currently outstanding which are held by the Fund, the market value of the underlying securities covered by OTC call options currently outstanding which were sold by the Fund and margin deposits on the Fund's existing OTC options on futures contracts exceed 15% of the total assets of the Fund, taken at market value, together with all other assets of the Fund which are illiquid or are not otherwise readily marketable. However, if the OTC option is sold by the Fund to a primary U.S. Government securities dealer recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and if the Fund has the unconditional contractual right to repurchase such OTC option from the dealer at a predetermined price, then the Fund will treat as illiquid such amount of the underlying securities as is equal to the repurchase price less the amount by which the option is "in-the- money" (i.e., current market value of the underlying security minus the option's strike price). The repurchase price with the primary dealers is typically a formula price which is generally based on a multiple of the premium received for the option, plus the amount by which the option is "in-the-money". This policy is not a fundamental policy of the Fund and may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Fund without the approval of the Fund's shareholders. However, the Fund will not change or modify this policy prior to the change or modification by the Commission staff of its positions. Risk Factors in Options, Futures and Currency Transactions. Utilization of options and futures transactions to hedge the portfolio involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of options and futures prices and movements in the prices of the securities, interest rates or currencies which are the subject of the hedge. If the price of the options or futures moves more or less than the price of the subject of the hedge, the Fund will experience a gain or loss which will not be completely offset by movements in the price of the subject of the hedge. The Fund intends to enter into options and futures transactions, on an exchange or in the over-the-counter market, only if there appears to be a liquid secondary market for such options or futures or, in the case of OTC options, the Investment Adviser believes the Fund can receive on each business day at least two independent bids or offers. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close an options or futures position. The inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on the Fund's ability to effectively hedge its portfolio. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits or collateral in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in an option, a futures contract or a related option. The exchanges on which currency options are traded have generally established limitations governing the maximum number of call or put options on the same underlying currency (whether or not covered) which may be written by a single investor, whether acting alone or in concert with others (regardless of whether such options are written on the same or different exchanges or are held or written on one or more accounts or through one or more brokers). "Trading limits" are imposed on the maximum number of contracts which any person may trade on a particular trading day. The Investment Adviser does not believe that these trading and position limits will have any adverse impact on the portfolio strategies for hedging the Fund's portfolio. 39 Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates. It is possible that, under certain circumstances, the Fund may have to limit its currency transactions to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code; in this regard, the Fund presently intends to limit its gross income from currency hedging transactions to less than 10% of its gross income in any taxable year until such time as the Fund determines that income from the transactions is not subject to this restriction. The cost to the Fund of engaging in foreign currency transactions varies with such factors as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Since transactions in foreign currency exchange are usually conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved. OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES Lending of Portfolio Securities. As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may from time to time lend its portfolio securities in order to increase the total yield on its portfolio. Such loans will be effected in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines and will at all times be secured by cash collateral or securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government in an amount that is at least equal to the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. Cash collateral received by the Fund is invested in short-term money market securities, and a portion of the yield earned on such securities is retained by the Fund. Where securities, instead of cash, are delivered to the Fund as collateral, the Fund earns its return in the form of a loan premium paid by the borrower. The Fund retains the right to regain record ownership of loaned securities and to exercise beneficial rights such as voting rights, subscription rights and rights to dividends, interest or other distributions. Securities loans can be terminated by the Fund at any time. The Fund may pay reasonable finders', administrative and custodial fees in connection with such loans. Foreign Securities. As discussed in the Prospectus, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities issued by foreign companies. Foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a U.S. company, and foreign companies may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. Securities of some foreign companies may be less liquid or more volatile than securities of U.S. companies, and foreign brokerage commissions and custodian fees are generally higher than in the U.S. There is generally less government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad than in the U.S. Investment in foreign securities may also be subject to other risks different from those affecting U.S. investments, including local political or economic developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets and imposition of withholding taxes on dividends or interest payments. Forward Foreign Exchange Transactions. Generally, the foreign exchange transactions of the Fund will be conducted on a spot, i.e., cash, basis at the spot rate for purchasing or selling currency prevailing in the foreign exchange market. This rate under normal market conditions differs from the prevailing exchange rate in an amount generally less than 0.1 of one percent due to the costs of converting from one currency to another. However, the Fund has authority to deal in forward foreign exchange between currencies of the different countries in which it will invest as a hedge against possible variations in the foreign exchange rate 40 between these currencies. This is accomplished through contractual agreements to purchase or sell a specified currency at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract. The Fund's dealings in forward foreign exchange will be limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions. Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward foreign currency with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund accruing in connection with the purchase and sale of its portfolio securities, the sale and redemption of shares of the Fund or the payment of dividends and distributions by the Fund. Position hedging is the sale of forward foreign currency with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in such foreign currency. The Fund will not speculate in forward foreign exchange. The Fund may not position hedge with respect to the currency of a particular country to an extent greater than the aggregate market value (at the time of making such sale) of the securities held in its portfolio denominated or quoted in that particular foreign currency. If the Fund enters into a position hedging transaction, its custodian bank will place cash or liquid equity or debt securities in a separate account of the Fund in an amount equal to the value of the Fund's total assets committed to the consummation of such forward contract. If the value of the securities placed in the separate account declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the account so that the value of the account will equal the amount of the Fund's commitment with respect to such contracts. The Fund will not attempt to hedge all of its foreign portfolio positions and will enter into such transactions only to the extent, if any, deemed appropriate by the Investment Adviser. The Fund will not enter into a position hedging commitment if, as a result thereof, the Fund would have more than 15% of the value of its assets committed to such contracts. The Fund will not enter into a forward contract with a term of more than one year. Restricted Securities. The Fund may purchase securities that are not registered ("restricted securities") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), but can be offered and sold to "qualified institutional buyers" under Rule 144A under the Securities Act. However, the Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments, which includes securities for which there is no readily available market, securities subject to contractual restrictions on resale, certain investments in asset-backed and receivable-backed securities and restricted securities, unless the Fund's Board of Directors continuously determines, based on the trading markets for the specific restricted security, that it is liquid. The Board of Directors may adopt guidelines and delegate to the Investment Adviser the daily function of determining and monitoring liquidity of restricted securities. The Board of Directors, however, will retain sufficient oversight and be ultimately responsible for the determinations. The Board of Directors monitors the Fund's investments in these securities purchased pursuant to Rule 144A, focusing on such factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity and availability of information. These investments in securities purchased pursuant to Rule 144A could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities. Portfolio Turnover. The Fund has not placed any limit on its rate of portfolio turnover and securities may be sold without regard to the time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, investment considerations warrant such action. As a result, portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year or during periods within a year. Also, the use of covered call options at times when the underlying securities are appreciating in value may result in higher portfolio turnover than would otherwise be the case. The Fund pays brokerage commissions in connection with writing call options and effecting closing purchase transactions, as well as in connection with purchases and sales of portfolio securities. A high rate of portfolio turnover would result in correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of the Fund's annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities (exclusive of 41 purchases and sales of Government securities and of all other securities, including options, whose maturity or expiration dates at the time of acquisition were one year or less) by the monthly average value of the securities in the Fund during the fiscal year. For the years ended September 30, 1994 and 1993 the rate of portfolio turnover for the Fund was 59.15% and 79.55%, respectively. Portfolio Brokerage. Subject to policies established by the Board of Directors of the Fund, the Investment Adviser is responsible for the Fund's portfolio decisions and the placing of orders to effect the Fund's portfolio transactions. With respect to such transactions, the Investment Adviser seeks to obtain the best net results for the Fund taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, operational facilities of the firm involved and the firm's risk in positioning a block of securities. While the Investment Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates, the Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest commission or spread available. The Fund has no obligation to deal with any broker or dealer in the execution of its portfolio transactions. The Fund contemplates that, consistent with the above policy of obtaining the best net results, a substantial amount of its brokerage transactions will be conducted through Merrill Lynch. The Fund has been informed by Merrill Lynch that it will not attempt to influence or control the placing by the Investment Adviser or by the Fund of orders for brokerage transactions. Brokers and dealers, including Merrill Lynch, who provide supplemental investment research (such as economic data and market forecasts) to the Investment Adviser may receive orders for transactions by the Fund. Information so received is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the Investment Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Fund. The expenses of the Investment Adviser are not necessarily reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information. Supplemental investment research received by the Investment Adviser may also be used in connection with other investment advisory accounts of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. The Fund may invest in securities traded in the over-the-counter market. Transactions in the over-the-counter market are generally principal transactions with dealers and the costs of such transactions involve dealer spreads rather than brokerage commissions. With respect to over-the-counter transactions, the Fund deals directly with dealers who make markets in the securities involved where possible, except in circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Under the Investment Company Act, Merrill Lynch and its affiliates are generally prohibited from dealing with the Fund or its portfolios as principal in the purchase and sale of securities. Since transactions in the over-the-counter market usually involve transactions with dealers acting as principal for their own account, neither Merrill Lynch nor any affiliate of Merrill Lynch may serve as the Fund's dealer in connection with such transactions. However, such companies may serve as broker for the Fund in over-the-counter transactions conducted on an agency basis. The aggregate dollar amounts of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for the fiscal years ended September 30, 1994, 1993 and 1992 were $1,097,166, $1,375,992 and $1,433,924, respectively. The aggregate dollar amounts of such portfolio transactions were $658,162,025, $843,535,870 and $1,042,727,092, respectively, for such periods. During those periods, the aggregate dollar amounts of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund to Merrill Lynch were $75,348, $80,436 and $99,711, respectively. These amounts represent 6.87%, 5.85% and 6.95%, respectively, of the Fund's aggregate brokerage commissions paid to all brokers during those periods. The Fund's aggregate dollar amounts of transactions involving the payment of commissions effected through Merrill Lynch during those periods were 7.27%, 1.65% and 5.83%, respectively, of the aggregate dollar amount of all Fund transactions involving the payment of commissions. 42 The Fund and one or more of the other investment companies or accounts which the Investment Adviser or its affiliate, FAM, manages, may own the same investments from time to time. Similarly, a particular security may be bought for one or more companies or accounts at the same time that one or more companies or accounts are selling the same security. If purchases or sales of securities for the Fund and other companies or accounts arise for consideration at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective companies and accounts in a manner deemed equitable to all. To the extent that transactions on behalf of more than one company or account during the same period may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on the price of the security being purchased or sold for the Fund. Investment Restrictions. The Fund has adopted the following fundamental and non-fundamental investment restrictions and policies relating to the investment of its assets and its activities. The fundamental restrictions set forth below may not be changed without the prior approval of the holders of the majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities, including a majority of the voting securities of each portfolio affected. A majority for this purpose means: (a) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, or (b) 67% of the outstanding voting securities represented at a meeting where more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are represented, whichever is less. For purposes of the following restrictions, all percentage limitations apply immediately after a purchase or initial investment and any subsequent change in any application percentage resulting from market fluctuations does not require elimination of any security from a portfolio. Under its fundamental investment restrictions, the Fund may not: 1. Make any investment inconsistent with the Fund's classification as a diversified company under the Investment Company Act. 2. Invest more than 25% of its assets, taken at market value, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry (excluding the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities). 3. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management. 4. Purchase or sell real estate, except that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Fund may invest in securities directly or indirectly secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real estate or interests therein. 5. Make loans to other persons, except that the acquisition of bonds, debentures or other corporate debt securities and investment in government obligations, commercial paper, pass-through instruments, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, repurchase agreements or any similar instruments shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan, and except further that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided that the lending of portfolio securities may be made only in accordance with applicable law and the guidelines set forth in the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended from time to time. 6. Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law. The Fund currently does not intend to engage in short sales, except short sales "against the box". 7. Borrow money, except that (i) the Fund may borrow from banks (as defined in the Investment Company Act) in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (ii) the Fund may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (iii) the Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities and (iv) the Fund may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable 43 law. The Fund may not pledge its assets other than to secure such borrowings or, to the extent permitted by the Fund's investment policies as set forth in its Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended from time to time, in connection with hedging transactions, short sales, when-issued and forward commitment transactions and similar investment strategies. 8. Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund technically may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") in selling portfolio securities. 9. Purchase or sell commodities or contracts on commodities, except to the extent that the Fund may do so in accordance with applicable law and the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended from time to time, and without registering as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act. Under the non-fundamental restrictions, the Fund may not: a. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent such purchases are permitted by applicable law. b. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, except to the extent permitted by applicable law. c. Invest in securities which cannot be readily resold because of legal or contractual restrictions or which cannot otherwise be marketed, redeemed or put to the issuer or a third party, if at the time of acquisition more than 15% of its total assets would be invested in such securities. This restriction shall not apply to securities which mature within seven days or securities which the Board of Directors of the Fund has otherwise determined to be liquid pursuant to applicable law. Notwithstanding the 15% limitation herein, to the extent the laws of any state in which the Fund's shares are registered or qualified for sale require a lower limitation, the Fund will observe such limitation. As of the date hereof, therefore, the Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities which are subject to this investment restriction (c). Notwithstanding the fact that the Board may determine that a Rule 144A security is liquid and not subject to limitations set forth in this investment restriction (c), the State of Ohio does not recognize Rule 144A securities as securities that are free of restrictions as to resale. To the extent required by Ohio law, the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of issuers that are restricted as to disposition, including Rule 144A securities. d. Invest in warrants if, at the time of acquisition, its investments in warrants, valued at the lower of cost or market value, would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets; included within such limitation, but not to exceed 2% of the Fund's total assets, are warrants which are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or American Stock Exchange or a major foreign exchange. For purposes of this restriction, warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to securities may be deemed to be without value. e. Invest in securities of companies having a record, together with predecessors, of less than three years of continuous operation, if more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in such securities. This restriction shall not apply to mortgage-backed securities, asset- backed securities or obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. 44 f. Purchase or retain the securities of any issuer, if those individual officers and directors of the Fund, the officers and general partner of the Investment Adviser, the directors of such general partner or the officers and directors of any subsidiary thereof each owning beneficially more than one-half of one percent of the securities of such issuer own in the aggregate more than 5% of the securities of such issuer. g. Invest in real estate limited partnership interests or interests in oil, gas or other mineral leases, or exploration or development programs, except that the Fund may invest in securities issued by companies that engage in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development activities. h. Write, purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads or combinations thereof, except to the extent permitted in the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as they may be amended from time to time. i. Notwithstanding fundamental restriction (7) above, borrow amounts in excess of 10% of its total assets, taken at market value, and then only from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes such as the redemption of Fund shares. In addition, the Fund will not purchase securities while borrowings exceed 5% of its assets. Because of the affiliation of Merrill Lynch with the Fund, the Fund is prohibited from engaging in certain transactions involving Merrill Lynch except pursuant to a permissive order or otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Included among such restricted transactions are purchases from or sales to Merrill Lynch of securities in transactions in which it acts as principal and purchases of securities from underwriting syndicates of which Merrill Lynch is a member. GENERAL INFORMATION DESCRIPTION OF SHARES The Fund was incorporated under Maryland law on May 21, 1984, under the name Merrill Lynch Retirement Fund, Inc. The name of the Fund was changed to Merrill Lynch Retirement Benefit Investment Program, Inc. on August 8, 1985. On April 30, 1991, the Fund began doing business under the name Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement. The Fund officially changed its name to Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc. on December 21, 1994. The Fund has an authorized capital of 2,000,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Common Stock, each of which consists of 500,000,000 shares. Shares of Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D Common Stock represent an interest in the same assets of the Fund and are identical in all respects except that the Class B, Class C and Class D shares bear certain expenses related to the account maintenance and/or distribution of such shares and have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to such account maintenance and/or distribution expenditures. The Fund has received an order from the Commission permitting the issuance and sale of multiple classes of Common Stock. The Board of Directors of the Fund may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of Common Stock at a future date. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held and will vote on the election of Directors and any other matter submitted to a shareholder vote. The Fund does not intend to hold meetings of shareholders in any year in which the Act does not require shareholders 45 to act upon any of the following matters: (i) election of Directors; (ii) approval of an investment advisory agreement; (iii) approval of a distribution agreement; and (iv) ratification of selection of independent accountants. Generally, under Maryland law, a meeting of shareholders may be called for any purpose on the written request of the holders of at least 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Voting rights for Directors are not cumulative. Shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable and have no preemptive rights. Redemption and conversion rights are discussed elsewhere herein and in the Prospectus. Each share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and in the net assets of the Fund upon liquidation or dissolution after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Stock certificates are issued by the Transfer Agent only on specific request. Certificates for fractional shares are not issued in any case. COMPUTATION OF OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE The offering price for Class A and Class B shares of the Fund, based on the value of the Fund's net assets and number of shares outstanding as of September 30, 1994, is calculated as set forth below.
CLASS A CLASS B ----------- ------------ Net Assets............................................ $39,962,564 $709,836,126 =========== ============ Number of Shares Outstanding.......................... 3,424,576 60,042,048 =========== ============ Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number of shares outstanding)........................ $ 11.67 $ 11.75 Sales Charge* (for Class A shares; 5.25% of offering price (5.54% of net asset value per share)).......... .65 ** ----------- ------------ Offering Price ....................................... $ 12.32 $ 11.75 =========== ============
* Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent; assumes maximum sales charge is applicable. ** Class B and Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge but may be subject to a CDSC on redemption of shares. See "Purchase of Shares-- Deferred Sales Charge Alternatives--Class B and Class C Shares" in the Prospectus. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Deloitte & Touche LLP, 117 Campus Drive, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, has been selected as the independent auditors of the Fund. The selection of independent auditors is subject to ratification by the shareholders of the Fund, and the employment of such auditors may be terminated without any penalty by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund at a meeting called for the purpose of terminating such employment. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Fund. CUSTODIAN Chase Manhattan Bank N.A., 4 Chase MetroTech Center, 18th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11245, acts as Custodian of the Fund's assets. The Custodian is responsible for safeguarding and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the delivery of securities and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund's investments. TRANSFER AGENT Financial Data Services, Inc., 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Jacksonville, Florida 33246-6484, acts as the Fund's Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent is responsible for the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening, maintenance and servicing of shareholder accounts. See "The Fund and Its Management-- Transfer Agency Services" in the Prospectus. 46 LEGAL COUNSEL Shereff, Friedman, Hoffman & Goodman, LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, is counsel for the Fund. REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS The fiscal year of the Fund ends on September 30 of each year. The Fund will send to its shareholders at least semi-annually reports showing the Fund's portfolio and other information. An annual report, containing financial statements audited by independent auditors, is sent to shareholders each year. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits relating thereto, which the Fund has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, to which reference is hereby made. To the knowledge of the Fund, no person or entity owned beneficially 5% or more of the Fund's shares on January 1, 1995. 47 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT The Board of Directors and Shareholders, Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement (formerly Merrill Lynch Retirement Benefit Investment Program, Inc.): We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement as of September 30, 1994, the related statements of operations for the year then ended and changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and the financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the financial highlights based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and the financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned at September 30, 1994 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement as of September 30, 1994, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Deloitte & Touche LLP Princeton, New Jersey October 31, 1994 48 SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
Face Value Percent of Industries Amount* Corporate Bonds Cost (Note 1a) Net Assets Financial $ 10,000,000 Ford Capital BV, 9.375% due 1/01/1998 $ 10,037,900 $ 10,552,600 1.4% Services 5,000,000 Landeskreditbank, N.V., 7.875% due 4/15/2004 4,972,068 4,957,500 0.7 Financial 10,000,000 American General Financial Corp., 7.38% Services-- due 5/13/1997 9,993,200 10,020,400 1.3 Consumer Total Investments in Corporate Bonds 25,003,168 25,530,500 3.4 Country US Government & Agency Obligations United States 4,910,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., REMIC, 1243-HP, 5.625% due 11/25/2015 (a) 4,788,017 4,437,413 0.6 20,000,000 Federal National Mortgage Association, 7.00% due 3/25/2024 18,443,750 18,362,500 2.4 Government National Mortgage Association: 12,720,792 7.50% due 6/15/2024 12,152,332 11,953,575 1.6 6,869,588 7.50% due 7/15/2024 6,562,603 6,455,269 0.8 US Treasury Notes: 55,000,000 7.875% due 8/15/2001 53,943,600 56,289,200 7.5 25,000,000 6.25% due 2/15/2003 25,710,938 22,972,750 3.1 35,000,000 5.75% due 8/15/2003 36,432,813 30,860,200 4.1 22,000,000 US Treasury STRIPS++, 6.81% due 5/15/2000(b) 16,050,781 14,639,240 2.0 Total Investments in US Government & Agency Obligations 174,084,834 165,970,147 22.1 Foreign Obligations Australia A$ 3,100,000 Queensland Treasury Corp., Global, 8.00% due 7/14/1999 2,328,332 2,134,085 0.3 Germany Bundes: DM 17,000,000 6.00% due 2/20/1998 10,668,744 10,668,625 1.4 22,000,000 6.375% due 5/20/1998 13,923,234 13,918,671 1.8 Italy Lit 5,000,000 Republic of Italy, 8.75% due 2/08/2001 5,373,050 5,152,670 0.7 Mexico Mxp 45,013,640 Mexican Cetes, 9.04% due 9/07/1995(b) 13,025,996 11,761,787 1.6 United UK Treasury Gilt: Kingdom Pound Sterling 1,350,000 8.75% due 9/01/1997 2,267,919 2,149,575 0.3 4,000,000 8.00% due 6/10/2003 6,698,788 5,949,233 0.8 Total Investments in Foreign Obligations 54,286,063 51,734,646 6.9 Total Investments in Corporate Bonds, US Government & Agency and Foreign Obligations 253,374,065 243,235,293 32.4
49 SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Shares Value Percent of Industries Held US Stocks & Warrants Cost (Note 1a) Net Assets Basic Industry Aluminum 15,000 Aluminum Co. of America (ALCOA) $ 1,285,103 $ 1,271,250 0.2% Chemicals 110,000 du Pont (E.I.) de Nemours & Co. 6,362,863 6,380,000 0.8 145,000 Eastman Chemical Co. 7,478,773 7,884,375 1.0 120,000 IMC Fertilizer Group, Inc. 4,987,939 5,340,000 0.7 90,000 Rohm & Haas Co. 4,872,761 5,141,250 0.7 Packaging 150,000 Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc. 4,484,320 5,775,000 0.8 Paper & Forest 135,000 Scott Paper Co. 6,002,300 8,251,875 1.1 Producers 85,000 Willamette Industries, Inc. 3,173,000 4,356,250 0.6 Total Basic Industry 38,647,059 44,400,000 5.9 Capital Spending Auto & Truck 125,000 Consorcio G Groupo Dina, S.A. de C.V. (ADR) (c) (1) 2,026,119 1,500,000 0.2 Communication 255,000 +++ADC Telecommunications, Inc. 8,983,466 10,200,000 1.4 Equipment 270,000 DSC Communications Corp. 7,169,181 7,695,000 1.0 75,000 +++General Data Comm Industries, Inc. 1,790,297 2,118,750 0.3 120,000 Motorola, Inc. 6,103,380 6,330,000 0.8 120,000 Tellabs, Inc. 2,539,049 5,100,000 0.7 Computer Services 435,000 Computer Sciences Corp. 12,394,300 18,922,500 2.5 Electrical Equipment 150,000 Siebe PLC (1) 1,309,386 1,277,370 0.2 100,000 W.W. Grainger 6,446,088 5,925,000 0.8 Electronics 210,000 Solectron Corp. 5,168,718 5,538,750 0.7 Engineering & 230,000 Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A. de C.V. Construction (ADR) (c) (1) 4,526,225 7,417,500 1.0 410,000 Huntington International Holdings PLC (ADR) (c) (1) 9,996,548 1,998,750 0.3 Environmental 1,100,000 Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc. 12,362,975 16,912,500 2.3 Control Multi-Industry 200,000 Allied-Signal Inc. 6,438,764 6,825,000 0.9 Office Equipment 610,000 Danka Business Systems PLC (ADR) (c) (1) 9,489,019 11,208,750 1.5 15,000 International Business Machines Corp. 1,063,730 1,042,500 0.1 Total Capital Spending 97,807,245 110,012,370 14.7
50 SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Shares Value Percent of Industries Held US Stocks & Warrants Cost (Note 1a) Net Assets Consumer Goods & Services Appliances 675,000 Singer Co. N.V. (ADR) (c) (1) $ 17,730,688 $ 22,781,250 3.0% 474,500 Sunbeam-Oster Inc. 9,420,127 11,565,938 1.5 Automotive 104,700 Magna International Inc. (ADR) (c) (1) 5,172,274 3,860,813 0.5 Equipment Beverages 20,000 PanAmerican Beverage Inc. (ADR) (c) (1) 635,958 717,500 0.1 Consumer-- 90,000 Duracell International Inc. 3,713,033 4,106,250 0.5 Miscellaneous Consumer--Services 180,000 Block (H & R), Inc. 7,774,923 8,257,500 1.1 Drugs & Hospital 60,000 Merck & Co., Inc. 2,143,314 2,130,000 0.3 Supply Health Care 450,000 Humana Inc. 8,419,745 10,631,250 1.4 265,000 Physician Corp. of America 5,482,809 5,962,500 0.8 40,000 Vivra Inc. 727,950 1,090,000 0.1 Household Products 240,000 Procter & Gamble Co. 13,503,704 14,310,000 1.9 Photography 60,000 Eastman Kodak Co. 3,004,778 3,105,000 0.4 Retail 75,000 Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. 1,721,463 1,546,875 0.2 Tires & Rubber 196,100 Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. 4,764,741 4,583,837 0.6 Total Consumer Goods & Services 84,215,507 94,648,713 12.4 Credit-Sensitive & Financial Services Banking 90,000 Banco Frances del Rio de la Plata S.A.(ADR)(c)(1) 2,964,448 2,700,000 0.4 165,000 BankAmerica Corp. 7,440,617 7,280,625 1.0 200,000 Bank of New York Co. 5,581,161 5,925,000 0.8 245,000 Espirito Santo Financial Holding S.A. (ADR) (c) (1) 3,447,435 3,430,000 0.5 130,000 Grupo Financiero Serfin S.A. (ADR) (c) (1) 3,204,369 2,957,500 0.4 Insurance 110,000 International Telephone & Telegraph Corp. 9,403,546 9,171,250 1.2 Total Credit-Sensitive & Financial Services 32,041,576 31,464,375 4.3 Energy Energy--Related 350,000 California Energy Co., Inc. 6,244,403 5,993,750 0.8 Oil--Integrated 110,000 Mobil Oil Corp. 8,561,728 8,703,750 1.2 180,000 Phillips Petroleum Co. 5,854,415 6,165,000 0.8 70,000 Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. N.V. (ADR) (c) (1) 6,155,380 7,516,250 1.0 Total Energy 26,815,926 28,378,750 3.8
51 SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Shares Value Percent of Industries Held US Stocks & Warrants Cost (Note 1a) Net Assets Transports Railroads 310,000 +++Southern Pacific Rail Co. $ 6,386,644 $ 5,812,500 0.8% Total Transports 6,386,644 5,812,500 0.8 Utilities Utilities-- 49,100 ALC Communications Corp. 1,456,673 1,608,025 0.2 Communications 180,000 GTE Corp. 5,790,102 5,467,500 0.7 515,750 LDDS Communications Inc. (Class A) 11,447,075 11,346,500 1.5 415,000 MCI Communications Corp. 11,820,141 10,530,625 1.4 170,000 Southwestern Bell Corp. 7,282,605 7,225,000 1.0 90,000 Sprint Corp. 3,364,449 3,431,250 0.5 200,000 Telefonos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (ADR) (c) (1) 9,342,788 12,500,000 1.7 Total Utilities 50,503,833 52,108,900 7.0 Total Investments in US Stocks & Warrants 336,417,790 366,825,608 48.9 Foreign Stocks & Warrants Argentina Banking 40,000 Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A. (ADR) (c) 1,261,974 1,250,000 0.2 Utilities-- 560,000 Telecom Argentina S.A. (Class B) 3,305,379 3,741,174 0.5 Communications Australia Banking 425,250 Coles Myer Ltd. 1,802,859 1,312,236 0.2 347,492 National Australia Bank Ltd. 2,199,488 2,653,727 0.4 Media/Publishing 80,000 News Corp. (ADR) (c) 4,079,037 4,050,000 0.5 Multi-Industry 308,963 Pacific Dunlop, Ltd. 1,154,171 937,394 0.1 Canada Appliances 280,000 International Semi-Tech Corp. 2,947,648 1,775,457 0.2 Chemicals 90,000 NOVA Corp. (Class A) 949,140 990,000 0.1 Retail Stores 75,000 Hudson's Bay Company (Ordinary) 2,011,843 1,629,523 0.2 Chile Banking 57,000 +++Banco O'Higgins (ADR) (c) 837,114 1,168,500 0.2 Utilities--Electric 96,600 Distribuidora Chilectra Metropolitana S.A. (ADR) (c)++++ 2,696,793 4,745,475 0.6 Denmark Utilities-- 80,000 Tele Danmark A/S 1,882,080 2,180,000 0.3 Communications
52 SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)
Shares Value Percent of Industries Held Foreign Stocks & Warrants Cost (Note 1a) Net Assets France Industrial 3,123 +++Eramet $ 183,452 $ 201,457 0.0% Insurance 42,900 Compagnie UAP 1,165,352 1,086,662 0.1 Oil--Integrated 153,826 Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine (ADR) (c) 5,483,913 5,537,736 0.7 Utilities--Water 15,413 Compagnie Generale des Eaux 1,445,264 1,361,634 0.2 Hong Kong Banking 283,415 HSBC Holdings PLC 1,715,599 3,163,646 0.4 Electrical 1,300,000 Johnson Electric Co. 2,603,189 3,659,389 0.5 Equipment Multi--Industry 660,000 Hutchison Whampoa, Ltd. 1,685,630 3,117,761 0.4 Real Estate 225,000 Wharf Holdings Ltd. 948,314 905,626 0.1 Italy Banking 90,000 Instituto Mobilare (ADR) (c) 1,976,579 1,890,000 0.3 Japan Chemicals 65,000 Sekisui Chemical Co. 663,408 684,211 0.1 Electronics 90,000 Mitsubishi Electric Corp. 556,016 643,117 0.1 Tools 30,000 +++Makita Electric Work 609,699 582,996 0.1 Mexico Multi-Industry 465,000 +++Grupo Carso, S.A. de C.V. (ADR) (c)++++ 4,106,100 10,520,625 1.4 Retail Stores 430,000 CIFRA, S.A. de C.V. 'C' 1,129,713 1,203,949 0.2 Portugal Banking 100,000 Banco Commercial Portugal (New) (ADR) (c) 1,342,303 1,350,000 0.2 97,000 Banco Commercial Portugal (Registered) 1,233,051 1,332,215 0.2 Spain Oil--Integrated 60,000 Repsol S.A. 1,616,190 1,832,489 0.2 Sweden Appliances 12,000 Electrolux AB 'B' Free 610,647 568,302 0.1 Telecommunications 40,000 Ericsson (LM) Telephone Co. 2,085,490 2,140,000 0.3
53 SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded)
Shares Value Percent of Industries Held Foreign Stocks & Warrants Cost (Note 1a) Net Assets United Kingdom Financial Services 100,000 Reuters Holding PLC (ADR) (c) $ 2,571,186 $ 4,475,000 0.6% Multi-Industry 50,000 Hanson PLC Sponsored (ADR) (c) 1,106,687 906,250 0.1 Oil--Integrated 35,000 British Petroleum Co. PLC (ADR) (c) 2,578,350 2,651,250 0.4 Total Investments in Foreign Stocks & Warrants 62,543,658 76,247,801 10.2 Total Investments in US & Foreign Stocks & Warrants 398,961,448 443,073,409 59.1 Face Amount* Short-Term Securities Commercial $ 20,000,000 B.A.T. Capital Corp., 4.92% due 10/26/1994 19,931,667 19,931,667 2.7 Paper** 24,881,000 General Electric Capital Corp., 4.95% due 10/03/1994 24,874,157 24,874,157 3.3 Total Investments in Short-Term Securities 44,805,824 44,805,824 6.0 Total Investments 697,141,337 731,114,526 97.5 Number of Premiums Shares Issue Received Options Written Call Options 1,000 General DataComm Industries, Inc., Written expiring October 1994 at US$30 (1,783) (1,125) 0.0 Total Options Written (1,783) (1,125) 0.0 Total Investments, Net of Options Written $697,139,554 731,113,401 97.5 ============ Other Assets Less Liabilities 18,685,289 2.5 ------------ ------ Net Assets $749,798,690 100.0% ============ ====== (a)Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits (REMIC). (b)Represents the yield-to-maturity on this zero coupon issue. These securities are purchased at a deep discount and amortized to maturity. (c)American Depositary Receipt (ADR). *Denominated in US dollars unless otherwise indicated. **Commercial Paper is traded on a discount basis; the interest rates shown are the discount rates paid at the time of purchase by the Fund. (1)Consistent with the general policy of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the nationality or domicile of an issuer for determination of foreign issuer status may be (i) the country under whose laws the issuer is organized, (ii) the country in which the issuer's securities are principally traded, or (iii) the country in which the issuer derives a significant proportion (at least 50%) of its revenue or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in the country, or in which at least 50% of the assets of the issuer are situated. See Notes to Financial Statements. ++Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (STRIPS). ++++Restricted securities as to resale. The value of the Fund's investment in restricted securities was approximately $15,266,000, representing 2.0% of net assets. Value Issue Acquisition Date Cost (Note 1a) Distribuidora Chilectra Metropolitana S.A. (ADR) 2/12/1992-2/26/1992 $ 2,696,793 $ 4,745,475 Grupo Carso, S.A. de C.V. (ADR) 9/24/1991-1/24/1992 4,106,100 10,520,625 ------------ ------------ Total $ 6,802,893 $ 15,266,100 ============ ============ +++Non-income producing security.
54 FINANCIAL INFORMATION Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 1994 Assets: Investments, at value (identified cost--$697,141,337) (Note 1a) $731,114,526 Cash 1,193,921 Receivables: Securities sold $ 39,659,730 Interest 3,297,249 Dividends 676,737 Capital shares sold 251,850 43,885,566 ------------ Prepaid registration fees and other assets (Note 1d) 126,383 ------------ Total assets 776,320,396 ------------ Liabilities: Options written, at value (premiums received--$1,783) (Notes 1a & 1c) 1,125 Payables: Securities purchased 23,288,459 Capital shares redeemed 1,805,947 Distributor (Note 2) 592,475 Investment adviser (Note 2) 396,063 26,082,944 ------------ Accrued expenses and other liabilities 437,637 ------------ Total liabilities 26,521,706 ------------ Net Assets: Net assets $749,798,690 ============ Net Assets Class A Shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized $ 34,246 Consist of: Class B Shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized 604,020 Paid-in capital in excess of par 652,263,675 Undistributed investment income--net 3,227,255 Undistributed realized capital gains on investments and foreign currency transactions--net 59,682,149 Unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency transactions--net 33,987,345 ------------ Net assets $749,798,690 ============ Net Asset Class A--Based on net assets of $39,962,564 and 3,424,576 shares outstanding $ 11.67 Value: ============ Class B--Based on net assets of $709,836,126 and 60,402,048 shares outstanding $ 11.75 ============ See Notes to Financial Statements.
55 FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued) Statement of Operations for the Year Ended September 30, 1994 Investment Interest and discount earned (net of $91,991 foreign withholding tax) $ 21,932,818 Income Dividends (net of $259,965 foreign withholding tax) 6,678,142 (Notes 1d Other 204,094 & 1e): ------------ Total income 28,815,054 ------------ Expenses: Distribution fees--Class B (Note 2) 7,779,195 Investment advisory fees (Note 2) 5,173,680 Transfer agent fees--Class B (Note 2) 1,174,407 Custodian fees 190,179 Printing and shareholder reports 182,011 Accounting services (Note 2) 98,036 Transfer agent fees--Class A (Note 2) 53,139 Professional fees 51,144 Registration fees (Note 1f) 49,492 Directors' fees and expenses 48,967 Pricing fees 4,640 Amortization of organization expenses (Note 1f) 2,683 Other 23,017 ------------ Total expenses 14,830,590 ------------ Investment income--net 13,984,464 ------------ Realized & Realized gain from: Unrealized Investments--net $ 66,568,356 Gain (Loss) Foreign currency transactions--net 1,285 66,569,641 on Investment ------------ & Foreign Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on: Currency Investments--net (72,110,568) Transactions-- Foreign currency transactions--net 49,571 (72,060,997) Net (Notes 1b, ------------ ------------ 1e & 3): Net realized and unrealized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions (5,491,356) ------------ Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $ 8,493,108 ============ See Notes to Financial Statements.
56 FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued) Statements of Changes in Net Assets
For the Year Ended Sept. 30, Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: 1994 1993 Operations: Investment income--net $ 13,984,464 $ 16,570,858 Realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions--net 66,569,641 82,929,610 Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency transactions--net (72,060,997) 14,121,027 ------------ ------------ Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 8,493,108 113,621,495 ------------ ------------ Dividends & Investment income--net: Distributions Class A (1,253,348) (994,119) to Share- Class B (14,802,935) (17,314,603) holders Realized gain on investments--net: (Note 1g): Class A (4,103,194) (1,508,643) Class B (75,192,306) (59,542,543) ------------ ------------ Net decrease in net assets resulting from dividends and distributions to shareholders (95,351,783) (79,359,908) ------------ ------------ Capital Share Net decrease in net assets derived from capital Transactions share transactions (34,985,543) (69,858,642) (Note 4): ------------ ------------ Net Assets: Total decrease in net assets (121,844,218) (35,597,055) Beginning of year 871,642,908 907,239,963 ------------ ------------ End of year* $749,798,690 $871,642,908 ============ ============ *Undistributed investment income--net $ 3,227,255 $ 4,746,266 ============ ============ See Notes to Financial Statements.
57 FINANCIAL INFORMATION (concluded) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following per share data and ratios have been derived from information provided in the financial statements. Class A For the Year Ended September 30, Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value: 1994* 1993 1992 1991 1990 Per Share Net asset value, beginning of year $ 13.02 $ 12.57 $ 11.94 $ 10.61 $ 11.93 Operating -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Performance: Investment income--net .32 .43 .47 .70 .64 Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions (1)--net (.07) 1.29 .61 1.63 (1.41) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total from investment operations .25 1.72 1.08 2.33 (.77) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Less dividends and distributions: Investment income--net (.37) (.39) (.45) (.62) (.55) Realized gain on investments--net (1.23) (.88) -- (.38) -- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total dividends and distributions (1.60) (1.27) (.45) (1.00) (.55) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Net asset value, end of year $ 11.67 $ 13.02 $ 12.57 $ 11.94 $ 10.61 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Total Based on net asset value per share 1.81% 14.62% 9.23% 23.14% (6.86%) Investment ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Return:** Ratios to Expenses .83% .83% .81% .85% .83% Average ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Net Assets: Investment income--net 2.68% 3.09% 3.18% 3.64% 5.12% ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Supplemental Net assets, end of year (in thousands) $ 39,963 $ 40,688 $ 20,320 $ 12,839 $ 44,511 Data: ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Portfolio turnover 59.15% 79.55% 65.40% 173.76% 163.56% ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== The following per share data and ratios have been derived from information provided in the financial statements. Class B For the Year Ended September 30, Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value: 1994* 1993 1992 1991 1990 Per Share Net asset value, beginning of year $ 13.09 $ 12.62 $ 11.99 $ 10.60 $ 11.91 Operating --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- Performance: Investment income--net .20 .24 .29 .39 .50 Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions (1)--net (.07) 1.37 .66 1.83 (1.39) --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- Total from investment operations .13 1.61 .95 2.22 (.89) --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- Less dividends and distributions: Investment income--net (.24) (.26) (.32) (.45) (.42) Realized gain on investments--net (1.23) (.88) -- (.38) -- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- Total dividends and distributions (1.47) (1.14) (.32) (.83) (.42) --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------- Net asset value, end of year $ 11.75 $ 13.09 $ 12.62 $ 11.99 $ 10.60 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========== Total Based on net asset value per share 0.76% 13.49% 8.01% 21.91% (7.79%) Investment ========= ========= ========= ========= ========== Return:** Ratios to Expenses, excluding distribution fees .86% .85% .85% .90% .86% Average ========= ========= ========= ========= ========== Net Assets: Expenses 1.86% 1.85% 1.85% 1.90% 1.86% ========= ========= ========= ========= ========== Investment income--net 1.65% 1.99% 2.10% 3.37% 3.90% ========= ========= ========= ========= ========== Supplemental Net assets, end of year (in thousands) $ 709,836 $ 830,955 $ 886,920 $ 986,895 $1,171,567 Data: ========= ========= ========= ========= ========== Portfolio turnover 59.15% 79.55% 65.40% 173.76% 163.56% ========= ========= ========= ========= ========== *Based on average shares outstanding during the year. **Total investment returns exclude the effect of sales loads. (1)Foreign currency transaction amounts have been reclassified to conform to 1994 presentation. See Notes to Financial Statements.
58 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Significant Accounting Policies: Merrill Lynch Retirement Benefit Investment Pro- gram, Inc., Full Investment Portfolio does business under the name Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement. Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund offers both Class A and Class B Shares. Class A Shares are sold with a front-end sales charge. Class B Shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Both classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except that Class B Shares bear certain expenses related to the distribution of such shares and have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to such distribution expenditures. On September 27, 1994, shareholders approved the implementation of the Merrill Lynch Select Pricing sm System, which will offer two new classes of shares, Class C and Class D. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund. (a) Valuation of investments--Portfolio securities and options which are traded on stock exchanges are valued at the last sale price as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last quoted bid prices at the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day by brokers that make markets in the securities. Portfolio securities which are traded both in the over-the-counter market and on a stock ex- change are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Short-term securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Fund. (b) Foreign currency transactions--Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the exchange rate prevailing when recognized. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are valued at the exchange rate at the end of the period. Foreign currency transactions are the result of settling (realized) and valuing (unrealized) assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies into US dollars. Realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments include the effects of foreign exchange sales on investments. The Fund is authorized to enter into forward foreign exchange contracts as a hedge against either spe- cific transactions or portfolio positions. Such con- tracts are not entered on the Fund's records. However, the effect on operations is recorded from the date the Fund enters into such contracts. Premium or discount is amortized over the life of the contracts. The Fund may also purchase or sell listed or over- the-counter foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and related options on foreign currency futures as a short or long hedge against possible variations in foreign exchange rates. Such transactions may be effected with respect to hedges on non-US dollar denominated securities owned by the Fund, sold by the Fund but not yet delivered, or committed or anticipated to be purchased by the Fund. (c) Options--When the Fund sells an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market value of the option written. When a security is sold through an exercise of an option, the related premium received is deducted from the basis of the security sold. When an option expires (or the Fund enters into a closing transaction), the Fund realizes a gain or loss on the option to the extent of the premiums received or paid (or loss or gain to the extent the cost of the closing transaction is less than or greater than the premium paid or received). Written and purchased options are non-income producing investments. (d) Income taxes--It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no Federal income tax provision is required. Under the applicable foreign tax law, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various rates. (e) Security transactions and investment income-- Security transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates). Divi- dend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as 59 soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Interest income (including amortization of discount) is recognized on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. (f) Prepaid registration fees--Prepaid registration fees are charged to expense as the related shares are issued. (g) Dividends and distributions--Dividends and distributions paid by the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. (h) Reclassifications--Certain 1993 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 1994 presentation. Undistributed realized capital gains-net in the amount of $552,808 has been reclassified to undis- tributed investment income-net. 2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Transaction with Affiliates: The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. ("MLAM"). Effective January 1, 1994, the invest- ment advisory business of MLAM was reorganized from a corporation to a limited partnership. Both prior to and after the reorganization, ultimate con- trol of MLAM was vested with Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co."). The general partner of MLAM is Princeton Services, Inc. ("PSI"), an indirect wholly- owned subsidiary of ML & Co. The limited partners are ML & Co. and Merrill Lynch Investment Manage- ment, Inc. ("MLIM"), which is also an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ML & Co. The Fund has also entered into a Distribution Agreement and a Distribution Plan with Merrill Lynch Funds Dis- tributor, Inc. ("MLFD" or "Distributor"), a wholly- owned subsidiary of MLIM. MLAM is responsible for the management of the Fund's portfolio and provides the necessary person- nel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays a monthly fee based upon the average daily value of the Fund's net assets at the following annual rates: 0.65% of the average daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.60% of the average daily net assets exceeding $500 mil- lion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.55% of the average daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.50% of the average daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $3.5 billion; and 0.45% of the average daily net assets exceeding $3.5 billion. The most restrictive annual expense limitation requires that the Adviser reimburse the Fund to the extent the Fund's expenses (excluding interest, taxes, distribution fees, brokerage fees and commissions, and extraordinary items) exceed 2.5% of the Fund's first $30 million of average daily net assets, 2.0% of the next $70 million of average daily net assets, and 1.5% of the average daily net assets in excess thereof. No payment will be made to MLAM during any fiscal year which will cause such expenses to exceed the most restrictive expense limitation applicable at the time of such payment. Pursuant to a distribution plan (the "Distribution Plan") adopted by the Fund in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund pays the Distributor an ongoing account maintenance fee and a distribution fee, which are accrued daily and paid monthly at the annual rates of 0.25% and 0.75%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of the Class B Shares of the Fund. Pursu- ant to a sub-agreement with the Distributor, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith Inc. ("MLPF&S"), a subsidiary of ML & Co., also provides account maintenance and distribution services to the Fund. The ongoing account maintenance fee compensates the Distributor and MLPF&S for providing account maintenance services to Class B shareholders. The ongoing distribution fee compensates the Distributor and MLPF&S for providing shareholder and distribution services and bearing certain distribution-related expenses of the Fund. For the year ended September 30, 1994, MLFD earned underwriting discounts of $3,336, and MLPF&S received dealer concessions of $51,587 on sales of the Fund's Class A Shares. MLPF&S received contingent deferred sales charges of $163,949 relating to transactions in Class B Shares and $75,348 in commissions on the execution of portfolio security transactions for the Fund during the period. Financial Data Services, Inc. ("FDS"), a wholly- owned subsidiary of ML & Co., is the Fund's transfer agent. Accounting services are provided to the Fund by MLAM at cost. Certain officers and/or directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors of MLAM, MLIM, PSI, MLPF&S, FDS, MLFD, and/or ML & Co. 60 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded) 3. Investments: Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the year ended Septem- ber 30, 1994 were $455,609,366 and $600,829,358, respectively. Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) as of September 30, 1994 were as follows: Realized Unrealized Gains Gains (Losses) (Losses) Long-term investments $66,532,102 $33,973,189 Options written 36,254 658 Foreign currency transactions (241,606) 13,498 Forward foreign exchange contracts 242,891 -- ----------- ----------- Total $66,569,641 $33,987,345 =========== =========== As of September 30, 1994, net unrealized apprecia- tion for Federal income tax purposes aggregated $33,973,847, of which $64,172,617 related to appre- ciated securities and $30,198,770 related to de- preciated securities. The aggregate cost of invest- ments less premiums received for options written at September 30, 1994 for Federal income tax purposes was $697,139,554. Transactions in call options written for the year ended September 30, 1994 were as follows: Number of Premiums Shares Received Outstanding options at beginning of year -- -- Options written 32,500 $ 48,779 Options closed (10,400) (10,154) Options exercised (7,500) (23,007) Options expired (13,600) (13,835) ----------- ----------- Outstanding options at end of year 1,000 $1,783 =========== =========== 4. Capital Share Transactions: Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions was $34,985,543 and $69,858,642 for the years ended September 30, 1994 and September 30, 1993, respectively. Transactions in capital shares for Class A and Class B Shares were as follows: Class A Shares for the Year Dollar Ended September 30, 1994 Shares Amount Shares sold 1,518,510 $ 18,698,722 Shares issued to share- holders in reinvestment of dividends and distributions 428,291 5,110,279 ------------ ------------- Total issued 1,946,801 23,809,001 Shares redeemed (1,648,302) (19,908,322) ------------ ------------- Net increase 298,499 $ 3,900,679 ============ ============= Class A Shares for the Year Dollar Ended September 30, 1994 Shares Amount Shares sold 2,695,028 $ 33,091,210 Shares issued to share- holders in reinvestment of distributions 161,050 1,956,633 ------------ ------------- Total issued 2,856,078 35,047,843 Shares redeemed (1,346,924) (17,015,867) ------------ ------------- Net increase 1,509,154 $ 18,031,976 ============ ============= Class B Shares for the Year Dollar Ended September 30, 1994 Shares Amount Shares sold 2,858,236 $ 35,039,885 Shares issued to share- holders in reinvestment of dividends and distributions 6,329,365 76,402,900 ------------ ------------- Total issued 9,187,601 111,442,785 Shares redeemed (12,275,154) (150,329,007) ------------ ------------- Net decrease (3,087,553) $ (38,886,222) ============ ============= Class B Shares for the Year Dollar Ended September 30, 1994 Shares Amount Shares sold 2,722,243 $ 34,400,436 Shares issued to share- holders in reinvestment of distributions 5,336,253 65,136,704 ------------ ------------- Total issued 8,058,496 99,537,140 Shares redeemed (14,832,136) (187,427,758) ------------ ------------- Net decrease (6,773,640) $ (87,890,618) ============ ============= 5. Loan Securities: At September 30, 1994, the Fund held a US Treasury Bond having an value of approximately $4,169,000 as collateral for portfolio securities loaned having a market value of approximately $4,050,000. 6. Commitments: At September 30, 1994, the Fund had entered into forward foreign exchange contracts under which it had agreed to purchase and sell various foreign currencies with values of approximately $183,000 and $772,000. 61 [This Page Intentionally Left Blank] 62 [This Page Intentionally Left Blank] 63 TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ---- Investment Objective and Policies.......................................... 2 Management of the Fund..................................................... 2 Purchase of Shares......................................................... 5 Initial Sales Charge Alternatives-- Class A and Class D Shares............................................... 6 Reduced Initial Sales Charges............................................. 6 Distribution Plans........................................................ 10 Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges...................... 11 Redemption of Shares....................................................... 12 Deferred Sales Charge-- Class B Shares........................................................... 13 Determination of Net Asset Value........................................... 14 Shareholder Services....................................................... 14 Investment Account........................................................ 15 Automatic Investment Plans................................................ 15 Automatic Reinvestment of Dividends and Capital Gains Distributions....... 15 Systematic Withdrawal Plans-- Class A and Class D Shares............................................... 16 Retirement Plans.......................................................... 17 Exchange Privilege........................................................ 17 Dividends, Distributions and Taxes......................................... 29 Dividends and Distributions............................................... 29 Taxes..................................................................... 29 Performance Data........................................................... 32 Investment Practices and Restrictions...................................... 34 Portfolio Strategies Involving Options and Futures........................ 34 Other Investment Policies and Practices................................... 39 General Information........................................................ 45 Description of Shares..................................................... 45 Computation of Offering Price Per Share................................... 46 Independent Auditors...................................................... 46 Custodian................................................................. 46 Transfer Agent............................................................ 46 Legal Counsel............................................................. 46 Reports to Shareholders................................................... 46 Additional Information.................................................... 47 Independent Auditors' Report............................................... 48 Financial Statements....................................................... 49
Code #10332-0195 LOGO Merrill Lynch Merrill Lynch Balanced Fund for Investment and Retirement, Inc. STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION January 31, 1995 Distributor: Merrill Lynch Funds Distributor, Inc. APPENDIX FOR GRAPHIC AND IMAGE MATERIAL Pursuant to Rule 304 of Regulation S-T, the following table presents fair and accurate narrative descriptions of graphic and image material omitted from this EDGAR Submission file due to ASCII-incompatibility and cross-references this material to the location of each occurrence in the text. DESCRIPTION OF OMITTED LOCATION OF GRAPHIC GRAPHIC OR IMAGE OR IMAGE IN TEXT - ---------------------- ------------------- Compass plate, circular Back cover of Prospectus and graph paper and Merrill Lynch back cover of Statement of logo including stylized market Additional Information bull MERRILL LYNCH BALANCED FUND FOR INVESTMENT AND RETIREMENT, INC. SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 31, 1995 TO PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY 31, 1995 FOR USE IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN THE FUND MAY INVEST IN SECURITIES RESTRICTED AS TO RESALE WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ("RESTRICTED SECURITIES"), THE SECURITIES OF UNSEASONED ISSUERS, AND ILLIQUID SECURITIES. HOWEVER, THE COMBINED TOTAL OF SUCH INVESTMENTS WILL NOT EXCEED 15% OF THE FUND'S TOTAL ASSETS. WITHIN THAT LIMITATION, RESTRICTED SECURITIES, OTHER THAN THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND DETERMINED TO BE LIQUID UNDER GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD, WILL BE LIMITED TO 10% OF THE FUND'S TOTAL ASSETS. IT IS THE OPINION OF THE WISCONSIN SECURITIES COMMISSION THAT INVESTMENT IN RESTRICTED SECURITIES IN EXCESS OF 5% OF THE FUND'S TOTAL ASSETS MAY BE CONSIDERED A SPECULATIVE ACTIVITY INVOLVING RELATIVELY GREATER RISKS OR COSTS TO THE FUND. CODE # 10342-0195 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----