-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, CVZYns1EKOp0Fs92T6Ss9Mxf5Hq3aptOjgP2iW6+beRbVTbp236L845cj5nqc62M NGdNosXEIFeAEC4bTmI7tQ== 0000759696-04-000002.txt : 20040305 0000759696-04-000002.hdr.sgml : 20040305 20040305130436 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000759696-04-000002 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: N-CSR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20031231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20040305 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20040305 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIRST INVESTORS U S GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000759696 IRS NUMBER: 136861442 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: N-CSR SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-04181 FILM NUMBER: 04651193 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 95 WALL ST CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10005 BUSINESS PHONE: 1-212-858-8000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 581 MAIN STREET STREET 2: 3RD FLOOR (FIMCO) CITY: WOODBRIDGE STATE: NJ ZIP: 07095 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: FIRST INVESTORS FUND INC/NY/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19851113 N-CSR 1 gplus1231.txt FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 -------- FORM N-CSR -------- CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NUMBER 811-4181 FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) - -------- 95 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: 1-212-858-8000 DATE OF FISCAL YEAR END: DECEMBER 31, 2003 DATE OF REPORTING PERIOD: DECEMBER 31, 2003 Item 1. Reports to Stockholders The Annual Report to Stockholders follows [Logo: "FIRST INVESTORS"] First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund Annual Report December 31, 2003 [Logo: "FIRST INVESTORS FINANCIAL NETWORK"] F16146 Portfolio Managers' Letter FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND -- 1ST FUND Dear Investor: This is the annual report for the First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund for the year ended December 31, 2003. During the year, the Fund's return on a net asset value basis was 1.4% and the Fund declared dividends of 66.3 cents per share and capital gains of 10.1 cents per share. The Fund's holdings were almost exclusively Treasury STRIPS, which are zero coupon bonds, that mature in 2004. During 2003, the Fund's return was primarily the result of the fact that these securities, which are very sensitive to changes in interest rates, increased in price as interest rates declined. In addition, the investment performance of such securities is tied to their relative maturities, with those having shorter maturities, such as those held in the Fund, generating returns only slightly higher than cash or investments in commercial paper. Thank you for placing your trust in First Investors. As always, we appreciate the opportunity to serve your investment needs. Sincerely, /s/ EDWIN D. MISKA Edwin D. Miska Director of Equities /s/ CLARK D. WAGNER Clark D. Wagner Director of Fixed Income January 31, 2004 Cumulative Performance Information FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND -- 1st FUND Comparison of change in value of $10,000 investment in the First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund -- 1st Fund, the Lehman Brothers Intermediate Treasury Index and the Lehman Brothers Long Term Treasury Index. U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND -- 1st FUND GRAPH PLOTS As of December 31, 2003 LEHMAN BROTHERS LEHMAN BROTHERS GOVT PLUS INTERMEDIATE LONG TERM 1st FUND TREASURY INDEX TREASURY INDEX Dec-93 $ 9,200 $10,000 $10,000 Dec-94 8,200 9,824 9,236 Dec-95 10,578 11,240 12,071 Dec-96 10,319 11,687 11,966 Dec-97 11,258 12,586 13,770 Dec-98 12,550 13,671 15,632 Dec-99 11,907 13,727 14,265 Dec-00 13,244 15,135 17,157 Dec-01 14,244 16,370 17,879 Dec-02 15,192 17,889 20,881 Dec-03 15,411 18,267 21,399 (INSET BOX IN CHART READS:) Average Annual Total Return* N.A.V. Only S.E.C. Standardized One Year 1.44% (6.70%) Five Years 4.19% 2.47% Ten Years 5.29% 4.42% The graph compares a $10,000 investment in the First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund -- 1st Fund beginning 12/31/93 with theoretical investments in the Lehman Brothers Intermediate Treasury Index and the Lehman Brothers Long Term Treasury Index (the "Indices"). The Lehman Brothers Intermediate Treasury Index is made up of all public obligations of the U.S. Treasury with maturities of less than 10 years. The Lehman Brothers Long Term Treasury Index is made up of all public obligations of the U.S. Treasury with maturities of 10 years or greater. It is not possible to invest directly in these Indices. In addition, the Indices do not take into account fees and expenses that an investor would incur in purchasing securities in the Indices. For purposes of the graph and the accompanying table, unless otherwise indicated, it has been assumed that the maximum sales charge was deducted from the initial $10,000 investment in the Fund and dividends and distributions were reinvested. * Average Annual Total Return figures (for the periods ended 12/31/03) include the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. "N.A.V. Only" returns are calculated without sales charges. The "S.E.C. Standardized" returns shown are based on the maximum sales charge of 8.00%. During the periods shown, some expenses of the Fund were waived or assumed. If such expenses had been paid by the Fund, the "S.E.C. Standardized" Average Annual Total Return for One Year, Five Years and Ten Years would have been (8.05%), 1.22% and 3.59%, respectively. Results represent past performance and do not indicate future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Lehman Brothers Intermediate Treasury Index and Lehman Brothers Long Term Treasury Index figures are from Lehman Brothers, Inc. and all other figures are from First Investors Management Company, Inc.
Portfolio of Investments FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND -- 1st FUND December 31, 2003 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Amount Principal Invested Amount For Each or $10,000 of Shares Security Value Net Assets - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES--94.7% $900M Treasury STRIPS, due 11/15/2004 (cost $826,274) $890,734 $9,467 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ COMMON STOCKS--2.3% Consumer Discretionary--.5% 150 * Movie Gallery, Inc. 2,802 30 100 Pier 1 Imports, Inc. 2,186 23 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4,988 53 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Consumer Staples--.3% 100 * Chiquita Brands International, Inc. 2,253 24 100 * Pathmark Stores, Inc. 760 8 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3,013 32 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Health Care--.8% 150 * Centene Corporation 4,202 44 200 * Province Healthcare Company 3,200 34 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7,402 78 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Industrials--.2% 100 * Mobile Mini, Inc. 1,972 21 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Information Technology--.5% 86 * Intergraph Corporation 2,057 22 100 * Manhattan Associates, Inc. 2,764 29 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4,821 51 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total Value of Common Stocks (cost $16,075) 22,196 235 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total Value of Investments (cost $842,349) 97.0% 912,930 9,702 Other Assets, Less Liabilities 3.0 28,041 298 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net Assets 100.0% $940,971 $10,000 ================================================================================================ * Non-income producing See notes to financial statements
Statement of Assets and Liabilities FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND -- 1st FUND December 31, 2003 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Investments in securities: At identified cost $ 842,349 =========== At value (Note 1A) $ 912,930 Cash 30,339 Other assets 2,676 ----------- Total Assets 945,945 ----------- Liabilities Distributions payable 590 Accrued expenses 3,697 Accrued advisory fees 511 Accrued shareholder servicing costs 176 ----------- Total Liabilities 4,974 ----------- Net Assets $ 940,971 =========== Net Assets Consist of: Capital paid in $ 870,390 Net unrealized appreciation in value of investments 70,581 ----------- Total $ 940,971 =========== Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (Note 3) 118,341 =========== Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per Share (Net assets divided by shares of beneficial interest outstanding) $7.95 ===== Maximum Offering Price Per Share (Net asset value /.92) $8.64 ===== See notes to financial statements
Statement of Operations FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND -- 1st FUND Year Ended December 31, 2003 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment Income Income: Interest $ 82,330 Dividends 28 ----------- Total income 82,358 ----------- Expenses (Notes 1 and 4): Advisory fee 9,786 Professional fees 7,883 Shareholder servicing costs 2,057 Custodian fees 538 Other expenses 3,724 ----------- Total expenses 23,988 Less: Expenses waived or assumed (13,027) Custodian fees paid indirectly (195) ----------- Net expenses 10,766 ----------- Net investment income 71,592 ----------- Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments (Note 2): Net realized gain on investments 10,876 Net unrealized depreciation of investments (68,183) ----------- Net loss on investments (57,307) ----------- Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $ 14,285 =========== See notes to financial statements
Statement of Changes in Net Assets FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND -- 1st FUND - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year Ended December 31 2003 2002 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations Net investment income $ 71,592 $ 73,929 Net realized gain on investments 10,876 30,439 Net unrealized depreciation of investments (68,183) (37,187) ---------- ---------- Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 14,285 67,181 ---------- ---------- Distributions to Shareholders Net investment income (71,594) (73,929) Net realized gains (10,933) (30,036) ---------- ---------- Total distributions (82,527) (103,965) ---------- ---------- Trust Share Transactions * Reinvestment of distributions 81,937 103,210 Cost of shares redeemed (90,211) (147,275) ---------- ---------- Net decrease from trust share transactions (8,274) (44,065) Net decrease in net assets (76,516) (80,849) Net Assets Beginning of year 1,017,487 1,098,336 ---------- ---------- End of year $ 940,971 $1,017,487 ========== ========== * Trust Shares Issued and Redeemed Issued for distributions reinvested 10,307 12,015 Redeemed (10,404) (16,045) ---------- ---------- Net decrease in trust shares outstanding (97) (4,030) ========== ========== See notes to financial statements
Notes to Financial Statements FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND -- 1ST FUND December 31, 2003 1. Significant Accounting Policies -- First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund (the "Trust") is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") as a diversified open-end management investment company. The Trust operates as a series fund, currently issuing shares of beneficial interest of the 1st Fund (the "Fund") only. The Fund's objective is first to generate income, and, to a lesser extent, achieve long-term capital appreciation. A. Security Valuation -- Except as provided below, a security listed or traded on an exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market is valued at its last sale price on the exchange or market where the security is principally traded. Securities which have no sales on a particular day and securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices. The Treasury STRIPS in which the Fund invests are traded primarily in the over-the-counter market. Such securities are valued at the mean between the last bid and asked prices based upon quotes furnished by a market maker for such securities. Securities may also be priced by a pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. The pricing service considers security type, rating, market condition and yield data as well as market quotations, prices provided by market makers and other available information in determining value. If market quotations or prices are not readily available or determined to be unreliable, the securities will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund's Board of Trustees. B. Federal Income Taxes -- No provision has been made for federal income taxes on net income or capital gains, since it is the policy of the Fund to continue to comply with the special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to investment companies and to make sufficient distributions of income and capital gains (in excess of any available capital loss carryovers) to relieve the Fund from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. C. Distributions to Shareholders -- Distributions to shareholders are generally declared and paid annually. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments for post-October capital losses. D. Security Transactions and Investment Income -- Security transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold. Cost is determined, and gains and losses are based, on the identified cost basis for common stocks and the amortized cost basis for Treasury STRIPS for both financial statement and federal income tax purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income (consisting of accreted discount) and estimated expenses are accrued daily. For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Fund's custodian has provided credits in the amount of $195 against custodian charges based on the uninvested cash balances of the Fund. E. Use of Estimates -- The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Notes to Financial Statements (continued) FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND -- 1ST FUND December 31, 2003 2. Security Transactions -- For the year ended December 31, 2003, purchases and sales of securities and long-term U.S. Government Obligations, excluding short-term notes, were as follows: Long-Term Securities U.S. Government Obligations ---------- --------------------------- Purchases $ -- $ -- Proceeds of sales 1,664 98,277 At December 31, 2003, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $842,349. Accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments was $70,581, consisting of $71,589 gross unrealized appreciation and $1,008 gross unrealized depreciation. 3. Trust Shares -- The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to issue an unlimited number of no par value shares of beneficial interest of the fund. 4. Advisory Fee and Other Transactions With Affiliates -- Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are officers and directors of its investment adviser, First Investors Management Company, Inc. ("FIMCO"), its underwriter, First Investors Corporation ("FIC"), its transfer agent, Administrative Data Management Corp. ("ADM") and/or First Investors Federal Savings Bank ("FIFSB"), custodian of the Trust's individual retirement accounts ("IRA"). Trustees of the Trust who are not "interested persons" of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act are remunerated by the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2003, total trustees fees accrued by the Fund amounted to $300. The Investment Advisory Agreement provides as compensation to FIMCO, an annual fee, payable monthly, at the rate of 1% of the first $200 million of the Fund's average daily net assets, .75% on the next $300 million, declining by .03% on each $250 million thereafter, down to .66% on average daily net assets over $1 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2003, FIMCO has voluntarily waived management fees in excess of 0.60% and assumed other expenses in excess of 0.50%. For the year ended December 31, 2003, the total advisory fee accrued to FIMCO was $9,786 of which $3,914 was waived. In addition, FIMCO assumed $9,113 of other expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2003, shareholder servicing costs included $1,415 in transfer agent fees paid to ADM and $497 in IRA custodian fees paid to FIFSB. Notes to Financial Statements (continued) FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND -- 1ST FUND December 31, 2003 5. Tax Components of Capital and Distributions to Shareholders -- Distributions to shareholders on a tax basis during the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 were as follows: 2003 2002 -------- -------- Ordinary Income $71,594 $73,929 Long-Term Capital Gains 10,933 30,036 -------- -------- $82,527 $103,965 ======== ======== As of December 31, 2003, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were $70,581 consisting entirely of unrealized appreciation. For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Fund reclassified $2 from net investment income and $14 from accumulated net realizes gains to capital paid in to reflect permanent differences between book and tax reporting.
Financial Highlights FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND -- 1st FUND The following table sets forth the operating performance data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding, total return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for each year indicated. Year Ended December 31 ----------------------------------------------------- 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- Per Share Data - -------------- Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year $8.59 $8.97 $9.06 $8.88 $10.23 ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= Income from Investment Operations: Net Investment Income .663 .695 .682 .680 .681 Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments (.539) (.098) .002 .317 (1.205) -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- Total from Investment Operations .124 .597 .684 .997 (.524) -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- Less Distributions from: Net Investment Income .663 .695 .682 .681 .681 Net Realized Gains .101 .282 .092 .136 .145 -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- Total Distributions .764 .977 .774 .817 .826 -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- Net Asset Value, End of Year $7.95 $8.59 $8.97 $9.06 $8.88 ======== ======== ======== ======== ========= Total Return (%)+ 1.44 6.65 7.55 11.22 (5.12) - ------------ Ratios/Supplemental Data - ------------------------ Net Assets, End of Year (in thousands) $941 $1,017 $1,098 $1,093 $1,090 Ratio to Average Net Assets (%)*: Expenses 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 Net Investment Income 7.32 7.08 7.04 7.18 6.65 Ratio to Average Net Assets Before Expenses Waived or Assumed (%): Expenses 2.45 2.61 2.24 2.26 2.08 Net Investment Income 5.97 5.57 5.90 6.02 5.67 Portfolio Turnover Rate (%) 0 2 0 0 1 + Calculated without sales charges * Net of expenses waived or assumed (Note 4) See notes to financial statements
Independent Auditors' Report To the Shareholders and Trustees of First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund -- 1st Fund We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the 1st Fund of First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund as of December 31, 2003, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and 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 as of December 31, 2003, by correspondence with the custodian. 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, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the 1st Fund of First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund as of December 31, 2003, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Tait, Weller & Baker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania February 2, 2004 FIRST INVESTORS U.S. Government Plus Fund -- 1st FUND Trustees and Officers*
Position Held with Principal Number of Other Fund and Occupation Portfolios in Trusteeships/ Name, Date of Birth Length of During Past Fund Complex Directorships and Address Service 5 Years Overseen Held - ------------ ------- ------- -------- ---- DISINTERESTED TRUSTEES Robert M. Grohol 1/16/1932 Trustee None/Retired 50 None c/o First Investors since 6/30/00 Management Company, Inc. 95 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 Rex R. Reed 3/19/1922 Trustee None/Retired 50 None c/o First Investors since 3/31/84 Management Company, Inc. 95 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 Herbert Rubinstein 6/14/1921 Trustee None/Retired 50 None c/o First Investors since 9/20/79 Management Company, Inc. 95 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 James M. Srygley 10/17/1932 Trustee Owner 50 None c/o First Investors since 1/19/95 Hampton Management Company, Inc. Properties 95 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 Robert F. Wentworth 7/5/1929 Trustee None/Retired 50 None c/o First Investors since 10/15/92 Management Company, Inc. 95 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 FIRST INVESTORS U.S. Government Plus Fund -- 1st FUND Trustees and Officers* (continued) Position(s) Held with Principal Number of Other Fund and Occupation(s) Portfolios in Trusteeships/ Name, Date of Birth Length of During Past Fund Complex Directorships and Address Service 5 Years Overseen Held - ------------ ------- ------- -------- ---- INTERESTED TRUSTEES** Glenn O. Head 8/16/1925 Trustee Chairman of 50 None c/o First Investors since 1968 First Investors Management Company, Inc. Corporation, 95 Wall Street Chairman of New York, NY 10005 First Investors Consolidated Corporation, Chairman of First Investors Management Company, Inc., Chairman of Administrative Data Management Corp., and officer of other affiliated companies*** Kathryn S. Head 12/31/1955 Trustee Vice President 50 None c/o First Investors since 3/17/94 of First Investors Management Company, Inc. Corporation, 581 Main Street President of Woodbridge, NJ 07095 President First Investors since 11/15/01 Consolidated Corporation, President of First Investors Management Company, Inc., President of Administrative Data Management Corp., Chairman of First Investors Federal Savings Bank and officer of other affiliated companies*** Larry R. Lavoie 9/12/1947 Trustee General Counsel 50 None c/o First Investors since 9/17/98 First Investors Management Company, Inc. Corporation 95 Wall Street and other New York, NY 10005 affiliated companies*** John T. Sullivan 1/18/1932 Trustee Of Counsel 50 None c/o First Investors since 9/20/79 Hawkins, Management Company, Inc. Delafield & 95 Wall Street Wood; Director New York, NY 10005 and Chairman of Executive Committee of First Investors Corporation * Each Trustee serves for an indefinite term with the Funds, until his/her successor is elected. ** Mr. Head and Ms. Head are interested trustees because (a) they are indirect owners of more than 5% of the voting stock of the adviser and principal underwriter of the Funds, and (b) they are officers, directors and employees of the adviser and principal underwriter of the Funds. Ms. Head is an officer of the Funds and the daughter of Mr. Head. Mr. Lavoie is an interested trustee of the Funds because he indirectly owns securities issued by and is an officer of the adviser and principal underwriter of the Funds. Mr. Sullivan is an interested trustee because he is a director and Chairman of the Executive Committee of First Investors Corporation and he indirectly owns securities issued by the adviser and principal underwriter of the Funds. *** Other affiliated companies consist of: First Investors Realty Company, Inc., First Investors Life Insurance Company, First Investors Leverage Corporation, Route 33 Realty Corporation, First Investors Credit Funding Corporation, N.A.K. Realty Corporation, Real Property Development Corporation, School Financial Management Services, Inc., First Investors Federal Savings Bank, First Investors Credit Corporation and First Investors Resources, Inc. FIRST INVESTORS U.S. Government Plus Fund -- 1st FUND Trustees and Officers* (continued) Position Held with Principal Number of Other Fund and Occupation Portfolios in Trusteeships/ Name, Date of Birth Length of During Past Fund Complex Directorships and Address Service 5 Years Overseen Held - ------------ ------- ------- -------- ---- OFFICER(S) WHO ARE NOT TRUSTEES Joseph I. Benedek 8/2/1957 Treasurer Treasurer 50 None c/o First Investors since 1988 and Principal Management Company, Inc. Accounting Officer 581 Main Street Woodbridge, NJ 07095
FIRST INVESTORS U.S. GOVERNMENT PLUS FUND Shareholder Information - ----------------------- Investment Adviser First Investors Management Company, Inc. 95 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 Underwriter First Investors Corporation 95 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 Custodian The Bank of New York One Wall Street New York, NY 10286 Transfer Agent Administrative Data Management Corp. 581 Main Street Woodbridge, NJ 07095-1198 Legal Counsel Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP 1800 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20036 Auditors Tait, Weller & Baker 1818 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 It is the Fund's practice to mail only one copy of its annual and semi-annual reports to any address at which more than one shareholder with the same last name has indicated that mail is to be delivered. Additional copies of the reports will be mailed if requested by any shareholder in writing or by calling 800-423-4026. The Fund will ensure that separate reports are sent to any shareholder who subsequently changes his or her mailing address. This report is authorized for distribution only to existing shareholders, and, if given to prospective shareholders, must be accompanied or preceded by the Fund's prospectus. Item 2. Code of Ethics The Registrant's Board of Directors/Trustees ("Board") has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to the First Investors Funds' ("Funds") principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Funds or a third party. The Code of Ethics is attached to this report as Exhibit A. During the period of the report, there have been no amendments to the Code of Ethics or waivers, implicit or otherwise, from its provisions. Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert - Filed herewith The independent director currently serving as the audit committee financial expert is Robert F. Wentworth. The Registrant's Board has unanimously determined that Mr. Wentworth satisfied the definition of an audit committee financial expert as set forth in the instructions to Form N-CSR under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Specifically, the Board determined that Mr. Wentworth has all of the following: (i) an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements; (ii) the ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals, and reserves; (iii) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present the breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Funds' financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities; (iv) an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reports; and (v) an understanding of audit committee functions. Furthermore, he had acquired these attributes through education and many years of relevant experience in various financial positions with American Telephone and Telegraph Company, including the positions of Director - Accounting, Director - Finance, Director - Financial Reporting and Analysis, Controller, and Director of Business Planning. Mr. Wentworth also has many years experience serving on the Audit Committees of First Investors Funds and other organizations. Finally, Mr. Wentworth is independent as defined in the instructions to the Form. Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services Fiscal Year Ended December 31, ----------------- 2003 2002 ---- ---- (a) Audit Fees $4,250 $4,000 (b) Audit-Related Fees $ 0 $ 0 (c) Tax Fees $2,500 $2,500 Nature of fees: tax returns preparation and tax compliance (d) All Other Fees $ 0 $ 0 (e)(1) Audit committee's pre-approval policies The Audit Committee has adopted a charter under which it has the duties, among other things, (a) to pre-approve, and to recommend to the full Board, the selection, retention or termination of the independent auditors to provide audit, review or attest services to the Funds and, in connection therewith, evaluate the independence of the auditors and to obtain the auditors' specific representations as to their independence; (b) to pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided to the Funds by the independent auditor; (c) to pre-approve all non-audit services to be provided by the Funds' independent auditor to the Funds' investment adviser or to any entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Funds investment adviser and that provides ongoing services to the Funds, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds; (d) to establish, if deemed necessary or appropriate as an alternative to Audit Committee pre-approved of services to be provided by the independent auditor as required by paragraphs (b) and (c) above, policies and procedures to permit such services to be pre-approved by other means, such as by action of a designated member and members of the Audit Committee, subject to subsequent Committee review and oversight; (e) to meet with the Funds' independent auditors, including meetings without management representatives, as necessary (i) to review the arrangements for, and scope of, the annual audit, any special audits and any other services to be provided to the Fund's by the auditors; (ii) to discuss any matters of concern relating to the Fund's financial statements, including any adjustments to such statements recommended by the auditors, or other results of said audit(s); and (iii) to review the form of opinion the auditors propose to render to the Board and shareholders; (f) to receive and consider (i) information and comments from the auditors with respect to the Funds' accounting and financial reporting policies, procedures and internal control over financial reporting (including the Funds' critical accounting policies and practices) and to consider management's responses to any such comments; (ii) reports from the auditors regarding any material written communications between the auditors and management; and (iii) reports from the auditors regarding all non-audit services provided to any entity in the Funds' investment company complex that were not pre-approved by the Audit Committee or pursuant to pre-approved policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee and associated fees; (g) to review and approve the fees charged by the auditors for audit and non-audit services for the Funds; and (h) to report its activities to the full Board on a regular basis and to make such recommendations with respect to the above and other matters as the Audit Committee may deem necessary or appropriate. (e)(2) None, or 0%, of the services relating to the Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees paid by the Registrant and Related Entities disclosed above were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X (which permits audit committee approval after the start of the engagement with respect to services other than audit review or attest services, if certain conditions are satisfied). (f) Not Applicable (g) Aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Registrant's accountant for services rendered to the Registrant and the Registrant's investment adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant for the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 were $35,000 and $32,000, respectively. (h) Not Applicable Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrant Audit Committe Members - Robert M. Grohol Rex R. Reed Herbert Rubinstein James M. Srygley Robert F. Wentworth Item 6. [Reserved] Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies & Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies Not applicable to the Registrant Item 8. [Reserved] Item 9. Controls and Procedures (a) The Registrant's Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective, based on their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report. (b) There were no significant changes in the Registrant's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Item 10. Exhibits (a) Code of Ethics - Filed herewith (b) Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Filed herewith (c) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Filed herewith SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund (Registrant) By /S/ KATHRYN S. HEAD Kathryn S. Head President and Principal Executive Officer Date: March 1, 2004 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund (Registrant) By /S/ JOSEPH I. BENEDEK Joseph I. Benedek Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer Date: March 1, 2004 EX-99.CODE ETH 3 ethicxhbt.txt CODE OF ETHICS CODE OF ETHICS FOR PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE AND FINANCIAL OFFICERS OF THE FIRST INVESTORS FUNDS Adopted August 21, 2003 I. Purpose of the Code In accordance with Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the instructions for Form N-CSR (1), the First Investors family of mutual funds (collectively, "Funds" and individually, "Fund") have adopted this code of ethics ("Code") to govern the conduct of their principal executive officers and financial officers ("Covered Officers") (2). This Code is intended to promote: Honest and ethical conduct by the Covered Officers of the Funds, including the honest and ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between their personal and professional relationships; Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Funds file with, or submit to, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and in other public communications made by the Funds; Compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations; The prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and Accountability for adherence to the Code. Each Covered Officer should adhere to a high standard of business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest. (1) Form N-CSR implements Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 insofar as it applies to mutual funds. Item 2 of Form N-CSR requires a registered management investment company to disclose annually whether, as of the end of the period covered by the report, it has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant's principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these officers are employed by registrant or a third party. If the registrant has not adopted such a code of ethics, it must explain why it has not done so. The registrant must also (1) file with the SEC a copy of its code as an exhibit to its annual report on Form N-CSR; (2) post the text of its code on its Internet website and disclose, in its most recent report on Form N-CSR, its Internet address and the fact that it has posted the code on its Internet website; or (3) undertake in its most recent report on Form N-CSR to provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of its code and explain the manner in which such request may be made. The registrant must also disclose in its annual Form N-CSR any amendments to, or waivers (including implicit waivers) from, the provisions of the code. (2) The Covered Officers of the First Investors Funds are identified in Exhibit A to this Code. II. Conflicts of Interest A. Definition of Conflict of Interests for Purposes of this Code For purposes of this Code, a "conflict of interest" occurs when a Covered Officer's "personal interests" interfere with the interests of, or his or her service to, any of the Funds. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, directly or indirectly, were to receive improper personal benefits as a result of the Covered Officer's position with the Funds. This Code applies to all conflicts of interest between the personal interests of Covered Officers and the interests of the Funds, whether or not such conflicts of interest are prohibited by the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Investment Advisers Act"), or the rules adopted by the SEC under these laws. For example, this Code prohibits individual transactions between Covered Officers and the Funds, notwithstanding the fact that such transactions may already be prohibited by law. This Code does not apply to conflicts of interest that arise solely because Covered Officers are employees or direct or indirect shareholders of the investment adviser of the Funds or the affiliates of the adviser. This Code recognizes that the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties, be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions that will have different effects on the adviser (and its affiliates) and the Funds. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationships between the Funds and the adviser (and its affiliates) and is consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Funds. These conflicts are not deemed to involve the "personal interests" of Covered Officers for purposes of this Code. B. Standards of Conduct With Respect to Conflicts of Interest The following standards govern the conduct of Covered Officers with respect to any actual or apparent conflicts of interest that arise between their personal interests and the interests of the Funds. The overarching principle of each standard is that the personal interests of a Covered Officer should not be placed improperly before the interests of the Funds. Each Covered Officer must: Not engage in any personal transaction that would violate the conflict of interest provisions of the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act, or the SEC's rules thereunder; Not use his or her personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by the Funds whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the Funds; Not cause the Funds to take action, or fail to take action, for the individual personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than the benefit of the Funds; and, Not use material, non-public knowledge of portfolio transactions made or contemplated for the Funds to trade personally or cause others to trade personally in contemplation of the market effect of such transactions. C. Reporting of Potential Conflicts At least annually, the Covered Officers are required to complete a Directors and Officers Questionnaire ("Questionnaire"), which contains information about potential personal conflicts of interest. These Questionnaires are required to be submitted to the Investment Compliance Manager of the Funds, who is charged with the responsibility of reviewing them for actual or potential conflicts of interest. Covered Officers are also required to report, as soon as possible, to the Investment Compliance Manager, any transactions or arrangements, not previously disclosed in their annual Questionnaires, that they reasonably believe may present a potential conflict of interest between their personal interests and the interests of the Funds. Examples of the potential conflicts that should be reported include: Serving as a Board of Director or Trustee of any public or private company; The acceptance of any gift, other than a gift of nominal value (i.e., having a value of less than $100) from any company with which the Funds has a current or prospective business dealings (other than the Funds' adviser and its affiliates); The acceptance of entertainment, other than occasional meals, tickets to sporting events, or the like that are not so frequent or extensive as to raise questions of impropriety, from any company with which the Funds has current or prospective business dealings (other than the Funds' adviser and its affiliates); Any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Funds' service providers (other than the Funds' adviser and its affiliates); and A direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by the Funds for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest in arising from the Covered Officer's employment, such as compensation or equity ownership. The willful or knowing failure of a Covered Officer to report a potential conflict of interest in the manner set forth above shall be considered a violation of this Code. In the event that any potential conflicts of interest are reported to or otherwise are detected by the Investment Compliance Manager, he is required to inform the General Counsel. As discussed below, the General Counsel is responsible for conducting any investigation that may be necessary, interpreting the provisions of the Code, determining whether there is an actual or apparent conflict of interest and if so, making a recommendation to the Board for appropriate action. III. Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations It is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote compliance with the laws, rules and regulations that are applicable to the Funds. Each covered Officer should: Make reasonable efforts to familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure and other requirements applicable to the Funds; Not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Funds to others, whether within or outside the Funds, including to the Funds' directors, trustees and auditors, and to governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations; and, To the extent appropriate within his or her area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the Funds and the adviser with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Funds file with, or submit to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Funds. IV. Certifications and Reports of Violations Each Covered Officer must: Upon adoption of the Code (or thereafter as applicable, upon becoming a Covered Officer), certify in writing to the Investment Compliance Manager that he or she has received, read and understands the Code and any amendments thereto (Exhibit B); Annually thereafter affirm to the Investment Compliance Manager that he or she has complied with the requirements of the Code (Exhibit C); Notify the Investment Compliance Manager promptly if he or she knows of any violation of this Code; and Not retaliate against any other Covered Officer or any employee of the Funds or their affiliated persons for reporting potential violations of, or carrying out their responsibilities under, this Code. The Investment Compliance Manager shall promptly report to the General Counsel any evidence of a violation of this Code. V. Interpretations and Investigations The General Counsel is responsible for interpreting this Code as it applies to particular situations, investigating potential violations of the Code, reporting violations of the Code to the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Funds ("Board"), and making recommendations of any changes to the Code that he believes are necessary and appropriate. The following policies and procedures will apply in connection with investigations of any potential violations of this Code by a Covered Officer: The General Counsel will take such steps as he deems necessary and appropriate to investigate any potential violations that are reported to or that otherwise become known to him; If, after such investigation, the General Counsel believes that no violation has occurred, the General Counsel is not required to take any further action; If the General Counsel concludes that a violation of this Code has occurred, he will report it the Board no later than its next formal meeting; Under no circumstances shall the General Counsel waive compliance with the Code if he believes that it has been violated; If the Board concurs that a violation has occurred, it will determine what action should be taken, which may include requiring a Covered Officer to disgorge any gains obtained as a result of a conflict, imposing restrictions on the Covered Officer's future activities, or recommending a suspension or dismissal of the Covered Officer; and The Board shall also have authority to waive, by majority vote, any disciplinary action for a violation of this Code in appropriate circumstances, such as for a good faith but erroneous belief that a transaction did not involve a conflict of interest covered by this Code. On at least an annual basis, the General Counsel will provide a report to the Board concerning overall compliance with the Code, any significant interpretive issues that have arisen during the year, and his suggestions for changes, if any. VI. Other Codes of Conduct and Policies and Procedures This Code shall be the sole code of ethics adopted by the Funds for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Covered Officers are required to continue to comply with other codes of ethics, policies and procedures that apply to their conduct. However, the other codes of ethics, policies and procedures are not part of this Code. For example, Covered Officers must continue to comply with the code of ethics that has been adopted by the Funds and their adviser, and principal underwriter pursuant to Rule 17j-1 ("Rule 17j-1 Code of Ethics") as long as they are deemed to be access persons under it. However, a violation of the Rule 17j-1 Code of Ethics would not be a violation of this Code unless the conduct at issue independently violated the terms of this Code. VII. Amendments Any amendments to this Code must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Board. In the event that an amendment to this Code is made between formal Board meetings, it will be presented to the Board for ratification by the next formal meeting. VIII. Confidentiality All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code will be considered privileged and confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. IX. Internal Use The Code is intended solely for the internal use by the Funds and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of any Fund or person, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion. Exhibit A COVERED OFFICERS OF THE FIRST INVESTORS FUNDS Kathryn S. Head - - President of the First Investors Funds Joseph I. Benedek - - Treasurer of the First Investors Funds Exhibit B INITIAL CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that I have received and read a copy of the Code of Ethics For Principal Executive and Financial Officers of the First Investors Funds and understand that as a "Covered Officer" I am subject to its provisions and any amendments thereto. I also understand that as a "Covered Officer" I will certify annually to the Investment Compliance Manager that I have complied with the requirements of this Code. DATED ________________ Signature _____________________________ Name (please print) ______________________ Title __________________________________ Please return to: Investment Compliance Manager FIMCO 95 Wall Street - 23rd Floor New York, New York 10005 Exhibit C ANNUAL CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that I have received and read a copy of the Code of Ethics For Principal Executive and Financial Officers of the First Investors Funds and understand that as a "Covered Officer" I am subject to its provisions and any amendments thereto. I have complied with all of the requirements of the Code including, but not limited to reporting any actual or apparent conflicts of interest or any violations of this Code to the Investment Compliance Manager. DATED ________________ Signature ______________________________ Name (please print) ______________________ Title __________________________________ Please return to: Investment Compliance Manager FIMCO 95 Wall Street - 23rd Floor New York, New York 10005 EX-99.CERT 4 gplus302.txt CERTIFICATIONS - SECTION 302 CERTIFICATIONS I, Kathryn S. Head, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The Registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the Registrant and have: a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the Registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The Registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, to the Registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting. By: /S/ KATHRYN S. HEAD Kathryn S. Head President and Principal Executive Officer Date: March 1, 2004 CERTIFICATIONS I, Joseph I. Benedek, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The Registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the Registrant and have: a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the Registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The Registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, to the Registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting. By: /S/ JOSEPH I. BENEDEK Joseph I. Benedek Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer Date: March 1, 2004 EX-99.906 CERT 5 gplus906.txt CERTIFICATIONS - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, Kathryn S. Head, President and Principal Executive Officer of the First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund (the "Registrant"), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as enacted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge: 1. The Registrant's periodic report on Form N-CSR of the First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund for the year ended December 31, 2003, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in such Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant. Dated: March 1, 2004 /S/ KATHRYN S. HEAD Kathryn S. Head President and Principal Executive Officer, First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund and will be retained by First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, Joseph I. Benedek, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of the First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund (the "Registrant"), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as enacted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge: 1. The Registrant's periodic report on Form N-CSR of the First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund for the year ended December 31, 2003, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in such Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant. Dated: March 1, 2004 /S/ JOSEPH I. BENEDEK Joseph I. Benedek Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer, First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund and will be retained by First Investors U.S. Government Plus Fund and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----