N-CSR 1 mimivip4167561-ncsr.htm N-CSR

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: 811-5017
   
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter: Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios
   
Address of principal executive offices: 610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
   
Name and address of agent for service: David F. Connor, Esq.
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
   
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 523-1918
   
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
   
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2022

   


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders

Annual report

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core

December 31, 2022


  

Table of contents

Portfolio management reviews 1
Performance summaries 23
Disclosure of Portfolio expenses 46
Security type / sector / country allocations and top 10 equity holdings 49
Schedules of investments 60
Statements of assets and liabilities 97
Statements of operations 103
Statements of changes in net assets 106
Financial highlights 112
Notes to financial statements 129
Report of independent registered public accounting firm. 163
Other Portfolio information 164
Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum 170

Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) is the asset management division of Macquarie Group. MAM is a full-service asset manager offering a diverse range of products across public and private markets including fixed income, equities, multi-asset solutions, private credit, infrastructure, renewables, natural assets, real estate, and asset finance. The Public Investments business is a part of MAM and includes the following investment advisers: Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT), Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG, Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited, and Macquarie Investment Management Europe S.A.

Other than Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 ("Macquarie Bank"), any Macquarie Group entity noted in this document is not an authorized deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank. Macquarie Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities. In addition, if this document relates to an investment, (a) the investor is subject to investment risk including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested and (b) none of Macquarie Bank or any other Macquarie Group entity guarantees any particular rate of return on or the performance of the investment, nor do they guarantee repayment of capital in respect of the investment.

The Portfolios are governed by US laws and regulations.

Unless otherwise noted, views expressed herein are current as of December 31, 2022, and subject to change for events occurring after such date.

The Portfolios are not FDIC insured and are not guaranteed. It is possible to lose the principal amount invested.

Advisory services provided by Delaware Management Company, a series of MIMBT, a US registered investment advisor.

The Portfolios are distributed by Delaware Distributors, L.P. (DDLP), an affiliate of MIMBT and Macquarie Group Limited.

All third-party marks cited are the property of their respective owners.

© 2023 Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc.


  

Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide total return.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy experienced a negative return but outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Index. The Portfolio’s Class I shares declined 14.54% and its Class II shares declined 14.71%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the benchmark declined 18.36% (net). For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy, please see the table on page 23.

Market review

The year 2022 may mark one of the greatest paradigm shifts for global markets and economies in recent history. A confluence of events, including fallout from pandemic spending and loose monetary policy, catalyzed what had been years in the making.

Tighter central-bank policies, inflation, global supply-chain disruptions, the end of cheap Russian energy for Europe, and labor shortages created broad-based asset-price declines with few exceptions. Equities fell along with bond markets, which typically provide protection, as investors scrambled to face what we believe will be a new reality.

Years of lower interest rates and quantitative easing finally came to an end and manifested in the form of inflation. Perpetuating inflationary pressure, the war in Ukraine drove increases to energy and food prices, particularly in Europe. Responding to the invasion, western nations implemented sanctions against Russia, effectively preventing Russia from supplying its natural gas, oil, wheat, and other commodities to most of the world. In addition, home prices and wage growth became concerning. Home affordability was historically low, and labor shortages along with demographic shifts created a challenging economic scenario for central banks to navigate.

In response, the US Federal Reserve initiated a series of interest rate hikes. Other central banks quickly followed. The US increased rates 4.25 percentage points and the European Central Bank (ECB) increased rates 2.5 percentage points, abandoning negative rate policy. With higher rates, market valuations quickly declined. Extremely high multiples, afforded by longer-duration growth companies through the low-rate environment over the past decade, were hit particularly hard.

China maintained its zero-COVID policy throughout most of the year before finally opening up in December as the pressure from its population and weakening economy became too great. We believe that this should enable growth to resume in China and ease supply-chain disruptions globally.

There were few places for investors to seek refuge during the fiscal year. From an equity sector perspective, energy was the only area of the market in positive territory. Years of underinvestment and supply shortages became a challenge for the world when Russian commodities were cut off. Investment in traditional energy became a focus with the acknowledgment that it will be many years before alternative energy sources replace fossil fuels to a significant degree.

Source: Bloomberg, unless otherwise noted.

Within the Portfolio

Stock selection in the communication services and consumer discretionary sectors were the leading contributors to the Portfolio’s performance while stock selection in the consumer staples and information technology sectors detracted. At a country level, the US and Canada contributed the most while Germany was the biggest drag on relative performance.

On an individual stock basis, ConocoPhillips, a US-based integrated energy company, and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., a Canadian energy company primarily focused on exploration and production, were the largest contributors. Both companies had significant growth resulting from higher energy prices. While we are valuation sensitive and have trimmed energy positions as these stocks rallied, we remain overweight the sector.

The largest detractors from Portfolio performance were HelloFresh SE, a German food-delivery service popular in the US and overseas, and Intuit Inc., a US-based software company with a focus on accounting and financial-management software solutions.

HelloFresh had benefited from the pandemic as more people opted for food delivery, but despite continued sales growth, the company had to spend more on customer acquisition and marketing expenses. While we believe HelloFresh may be able to convert new customers into future sales growth, we felt there are better opportunities in companies with similar growth profiles. We exited the position.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy

Intuit has been a strong multi-year performer, and from a sales and profitability standpoint continues to do well. However, the valuation for the stock compressed significantly during the measurement period as overall market multiples declined, and investors grew concerned about Intuit’s exposure to small- and medium-sized businesses, which are at greater risk from both inflation and recession. That said, the company has performed well, it has a stable core business with tax software, and it has some growth optionality with new segments like payments. We believe that earnings expectations are too low and that there is upside potential to Intuit. Accordingly, we have maintained the Portfolio’s position.

The Portfolio’s use of futures and foreign exchange (FX) currency positions had a limited effect during the fiscal year. Overall, derivatives were immaterial to the Portfolio’s performance during the fiscal year.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek provide total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced declined, outperforming its equity benchmark, the S&P 500® Index, which also declined, but underperforming its fixed-income benchmark, Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index, which likewise declined. The Portfolio’s Class II shares declined 16.11%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the Portfolio’s equity benchmark fell 18.11% while its fixed-income benchmark fell 13.01%. The performance of the Portfolio reflects the mix of returns in the underlying assets during the reporting period as well as allocation weightings. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced, please see the table on page 25.

Market review

In January 2022, at the beginning of the Portfolio’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, the US Federal Reserve was engaged in frequent and serious discussions about raising interest rates. Investors reacted by selling bonds, pushing yields higher and equity prices lower. Further downward pressure on equities resulted as Russia built up troops along the Ukraine border. The following month, Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting unprecedented sanctions including a freeze on Russian central bank reserves, an oil embargo, and a trading ban on Russian financial stocks. Equities sold off globally while commodity prices soared. Government bonds were briefly in demand as a short-term haven, but quickly resumed their downward trend.

Tighter central bank monetary policy characterized the rest of the fiscal year, with the Fed leading the way. Beginning in March, in an effort to bring inflation under control, the Fed raised the federal funds rate five times, including three 0.75-percentage-point increases at the June, July, and September meetings of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). As a result, the target short-term interest rate rose from a range of zero to 0.25% in January 2022 to a range of 4.25% to 4.50% by the end of the fiscal year.

Other central banks, including the Bank of England and the European Central Bank (ECB), also took repeated steps to tighten monetary policy in their jurisdictions. Meanwhile, equities and bonds posted historically poor performance throughout the period in the face of brutal headwinds and unrelenting negative news. The challenges confronting investors included soaring inflation, consequent aggressive monetary tightening, ongoing supply-chain problems, China’s zero-COVID-policy-related lockdowns, the Russia-Ukraine war, and soaring energy prices. Higher energy prices and oil and gas supply disruptions hit Europe hardest as Russia cut off gas to several European Union (EU) countries. In turn, the Group of Seven (G7) nations and later the EU implemented an oil embargo.

Among major central banks, only the Bank of Japan maintained ultra-loose monetary policy as it attempted to keep Japanese yields stable by buying bonds. However, that led to a weakening of the Japanese yen, which fell to a 20-year low.

Markets rallied briefly in July 2022 when a near-term turnaround in inflation seemed possible. Despite investors’ concern about economic growth slowing, stocks appreciated along with other risk-asset classes, including corporate, high yield, convertible, and emerging market bonds. A key reason for this appreciation was the decline in yields on US and euro-zone government bonds, leading to significant price gains. However, the tide turned again in mid-August and the bear market returned for most asset classes as hope for an inflation slowdown was dashed. Central banks reaffirmed their intentions to continue aggressive tightening of monetary policy. Recession fears mounted and the energy crisis worsened as Russia announced it was shutting down a gas pipeline for maintenance. German yields rose sharply, and the euro fell below parity with the US dollar for the first time in 20 years.

The picture worsened further in September 2022, with heavy losses among virtually all asset classes. Energy prices continued to fall while the European inflation rate reached double-digit levels and central banks planned further interest rate hikes. In November, the markets staged a brief recovery. An anticipated interest rate hike of 0.75 percentage points at the beginning of the month was followed by poorer economic data and slightly declining inflation rates, fueling hope that rate hikes would soon slow down. Against this backdrop, both equities and bonds rose strongly. Thanks to sharply falling risk premiums, investment grade corporate and emerging market government bonds performed particularly well. The US dollar weakened, and the price of oil fell due to weaker demand. China relaxed its zero-COVID policy somewhat, but record-high infections led to new restrictions, resulting in protests and somewhat deteriorating market sentiment toward the end of the month.

Instead of a much hoped for year-end rally, equities and bonds suffered significant losses in December. Global inflation rates fell slightly and, as expected, the major central banks raised key interest rates, albeit by smaller amounts than before (the Fed and the ECB each raised rates by 0.50 percentage points). However, the ECB indicated that significantly higher interest rates were still needed, causing yields to rise sharply and


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced

prices to fall. In Europe, bonds lost much more than stocks, while the reverse occurred in the US, as tech stocks slipped again. China surprised many by ending its zero-COVID policy, and Japan slightly tightened its monetary policy, which helped firm up the yen. Meanwhile, the US dollar lost some ground.

Source: Bloomberg, unless otherwise noted.

Within the Portfolio

A combination of interest rates rising as well as risk assets selling off put pressure across capital markets broadly during the Portfolio’s fiscal year affecting its performance. The Portfolio’s performance benefitted from an underweight allocation to fixed-income securities, which enabled the team to invest in other asset classes that performed better than fixed income during the fiscal year. The fixed-income portion of the Portfolio also outperformed its fixed-income benchmark on a relative basis.

Security selection within US equities during the reporting period added to performance while from an asset allocation standpoint, an overweight to US equities detracted from performance. Within the equity portion of the Portfolio, sector allocation drove essentially all the positive relative performance. Lower-than-market exposure to consumer discretionary and communication services stocks helped returns. The Portfolio’s relative underweight to the energy sector detracted from performance.

The Portfolio’s use of futures positions had a limited effect during the fiscal year. Overall, derivatives were immaterial to the Portfolio’s performance during the fiscal year.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide capital growth and appreciation.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Energy advanced, although it underperformed its benchmark, the S&P 1500 Energy Sector Index. The Portfolio’s Class I shares advanced 50.85% and its Class II shares advanced 50.42%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the benchmark advanced 63.77%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, please see the table on page 27.

Market review

Global markets fell sharply in 2022 in a year marked by an unprovoked war, a European energy crisis, restrictive zero-COVID policies, supply chain crises, and pernicious inflation. Energy markets experienced wild swings during the year, as supply constraints and curtailments, influenced by the Russia-Ukraine war, pushed up natural gas, crude oil, and refined product prices. During the first half of the year, inflation proved stickier, and it became clear the US Federal Reserve would raise rates aggressively. After extensive monetary tightening campaigns by global central banks during 2022, inflation showed signs of abating by the end of the year. However, this tightening also affected global economic activity and commodity demand, which weighed on commodity prices. The S&P 500® Index fell 18.11%, while the S&P 1500 Energy Sector Index fared much better, rising 63.77% for the year.

The European energy crisis sent European natural gas and refined product prices soaring to start the year. This stabilized in the fourth quarter as a flotilla of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers arrived in Europe. European natural gas inventories filled, providing a buffer through winter. After reaching all-time highs midyear, European natural gas prices fell more than 50% by year end, finishing almost flat. Crude oil prices also climbed through $100 during the year, before falling back in the fourth quarter to finish largely flat. Energy prices remain elevated, which continues to strain economic conditions.

Inflation, and the Fed’s plan to raise rates and normalize monetary policy to combat inflation, remained among the biggest market concerns during the year. Rhetoric from the Fed and aggressive rate hikes suggest the end of tight monetary conditions is far off. However, investors remain hyper focused on the significance of each economic indicator that might signal the end of the tightening cycle. We are currently in a market where good economic news is bad news, as it indicates the Fed’s aggressive policy stance will likely continue. Meanwhile, China’s major shift away from the country’s zero-COVID policy late in the year boosted economic sentiment.

Source: Bloomberg, unless otherwise noted.

Within the Portfolio

While we remain bullish on natural resources in the long term, we don’t expect this structural bull market to trend in a straight line. We are quite cognizant that the currently deteriorating global economic conditions will affect demand for oil, natural gas, and refined products. We do hold the view that this could prove to be an odd recession where oil prices remain resilient despite deteriorating demand given a challenged supply outlook. Pressures related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing continue to plague long-term supply. Access to capital, geology, geography, and regulation all continue to limit growth. Any additional volatility in energy prices will likely further limit growth by curtailing capital programs. When economic conditions inevitably improve, we expect that supply will remain constrained while demand surges. We anticipate that this will cause even greater upside for energy and energy equities as the cycle turns.

Chevron Corp., one of the largest integrated oil companies in the world, was the Portfolio’s largest contributor to performance during the year. After a decade of subpar returns and poor capital allocation decisions, the major energy companies adopted a more capital disciplined framework targeting returns on capital and returns of capital to shareholders. Historically, energy companies composed 10% of the S&P 500 Index weighting. After falling to around 2% of the Index weighting in the depths of the 2020 negative oil price environment, energy companies clawed their way back. The new business model focusing on capital discipline and shareholder returns led to much improved profitability and yield metrics. Capital rushed back into the sector during 2022, primarily targeting the safest and most liquid names, the US listed major integrated oils, including Chevron. After substantial outperformance during the year, we elected to exit our Chevron position and replaced it with what we viewed as a more favorably valued European integrated oil company.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. was the Portfolio’s second-largest contributor to performance for the year. In 2019, Occidental Petroleum consummated one of the worst-timed acquisitions in the energy space by outbidding Chevron for Anadarko Petroleum. Occidental Petroleum levered up to win the bidding war with Chevron, which almost immediately sent the company into distress as oil and gas prices faltered in 2020.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy

Part of the financing for this transaction came from Berkshire Hathaway in the form of preferred stock with warrants. After teetering in the depths of the 2020 energy crisis, Occidental Petroleum carefully navigated its way out of its debt spiral. As commodity prices improved, the company used its significant free cash flow generation to reduce leverage. Investors began focusing on the quality of the company’s assets versus its questionable balance sheet. One investor who took notice was Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett, who aggressively bought shares over the course of 2022. This further supported the share price. Occidental Petroleum has now largely cleaned up its balance sheet and boasts attractive assets and opportunities in the carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) space. We believe 2023 could lead to enhanced shareholder returns and have maintained the Portfolio’s position.

The Portfolio’s largest detractor from performance was also a long-term portfolio holding, Parex Resources Inc. Parex Resources is a Colombian-focused exploration and production company with 2022 estimated production of approximately 50,000 barrels per day, no debt, and net cash on its balance sheet. Parex Resources was an early adopter of a more capital-disciplined model targeting modest growth and higher shareholder returns. To wit, the company has bought back 10% of its stock in each of the past four years and recently announced approval to commence the full buyback this year. This is in addition to a dividend that currently yields approximately 5%. In 2022, Colombia elected a new president who immediately implemented a new tax regime. Investors grew skittish and sold Colombian-focused energy companies. At year end, Parex Resources traded at a heavily discounted valuation, which we believe is onerously pricing in these risks, and, as a result, have maintained the Portfolio’s position.

The second-largest detractor from the Portfolio’s performance for the fiscal year was also a long-term portfolio holding, Denbury Inc. Denbury is a leader in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), which uses carbon dioxide (CO2) in oil reservoirs to increase production. Naturally, due to the legacy EOR business, Denbury boasts significant CO2 pipeline infrastructure in and around the industrialized Gulf Coast. Denbury is applying its expertise in CO2 sequestration and existing infrastructure to compete in the emerging CCUS industry. The company has meaningfully enhanced its CCUS business over the past few years by securing leasehold and entering into agreements with numerous industrial emitters. During the third quarter of 2022, Bloomberg reported that Denbury was working with advisors to explore a potential sale, which led to a substantial increase in the company’s share price. This announcement did not come to fruition by the end of the fourth quarter, leading to a retracement in the share price. Irrespective of the potential for a sale, we believe the CCUS and EOR businesses within Denbury are underappreciated, and we continue to maintain the position.

The Portfolio’s use of foreign exchange (FX) currency positions had a limited effect during the fiscal year. Overall, derivatives were immaterial to the Portfolio’s performance during the fiscal year.

At the end of the Portfolio’s fiscal year, volatility remains. The Fed continues its aggressive policy stance to defeat inflation. Forward economic indicators are clearly changing, most notably in housing. Robust employment numbers remain which gives the Fed additional room to remain aggressive, in our view. We think this will have negative economic consequences, which we expect to filter through to demand for more economically sensitive commodities, including oil and natural gas. That said, oil has historically been what we consider an ideal inflation hedge.

We think the major tailwind for the energy sector is on the supply side, where we see underinvestment and the world remaining structurally short energy. Despite elevated oil prices, the traditional capital expenditure (capex) cycle never took place as companies rewarded shareholders at the expense of chasing production growth. Geopolitical uncertainty, both domestically and internationally, has curtailed additional investment in anything other than short-lead-time energy projects. Investment in oil and gas also remains modest due to environmental, social, and governance concerns and managements continuing to practice capital discipline.

Meanwhile, demand for energy continues to grow and has arguably become less elastic. Europe remains decidedly short energy and has resorted to burning coal to meet energy needs despite the continent’s climate goals. Oil and refined product demand has continued to rebound from COVID-19 lows. The incredibly commodity-intensive energy transition continues unabated. Restricted supply against less elastic demand gives us confidence in “higher for longer,” with resilience continuing despite anticipated weakness.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide growth of capital.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth experienced a negative return but outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index. The Portfolio’s Class II shares declined 27.24%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the benchmark declined 29.14%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Growth, please see the table on page 29.

Market review

After solid gains of 38.5% and 27.6%, respectively for 2020 and 2021, the Russell 1000 Growth Index posted a sizeable drawdown of 29.1% for calendar year 2022. Despite this decline, it is important to keep things in perspective. Excluding a slight drop of 1.5% in 2018, this marks the first year of a significant negative return for the Portfolio’s benchmark since the recession of 2008-2009. Furthermore, over the past five years the Russell 1000 Growth Index gained 68%, strong performance considering the recent drawdown, and over the past 10 years the index rose 274%.

While value styles shined during 2022, there were also moments of clarity wherein investors were drawn back to business quality – profitability, cash flow, and competitive advantage – as a necessary consideration. The market’s hunt for the next “thematic” trade, whether it was a peak in interest rates, lower inflation, or a US Federal Reserve policy pivot, was not a sustainable and repeatable investment strategy. It is not surprising that in a period when the relative growth of many “hyper-growth” companies disappointed, investors returned to a theme with lasting power – business quality. The gains realized during 2020 and early 2021 in many low-quality, hyper growth companies were based on unsustainable growth-rate expectations, which led to disappointment during 2022.

There were some key events that occurred in 2022 that will shape the outlook for the coming year. Particularly notable was the aggressive increase of interest rates. The Fed raised rates 4.25%, starting at near zero in March 2022 and ending the year at 4.375%. Additionally, starting in June 2022 the Fed initiated quantitative tightening by reducing its balance sheet by $80 to $90 billion per month. The inversion of the yield curve provided support for those arguing a recession is on the horizon.

This aggressive policy response was necessary as inflation hit a four-decade high. While a portion of the sharp move higher in inflation was attributable to unique circumstances associated with the pandemic, such as supply disruptions and continued China COVID-19 lockdowns, the services component continued to remain elevated. Exiting the year, the Fed made it clear that it wants to address the “stable prices” portion of its dual mandate and that it, too, believes some amount of economic pain is required to get there.

Labor markets remained strong throughout the year. The unemployment rate remained at a 50-year low despite the Fed’s tightening and clear signals of economic slowing. One clear signal of slowing was the move lower in manufacturing data with headline data hovering around contraction territory. Housing data weakened as activity was directly affected by the higher rates, which more than doubled from their lows, cratering affordability. The ripple effects from a slowdown in housing can easily turn into waves given its importance to the overall economy.

Source: Bloomberg, unless otherwise noted.

Within the Portfolio

Our strategy is anchored in our beliefs that business quality is more persistent than growth, that the market structurally undervalues quality businesses, and that growth companies with attractive risk-reward profiles are the soundest vehicles for long-term compounding of wealth. As such, we continue to populate the Portfolio with high-quality, wide-moat companies supported by secular growth tailwinds and reasonable valuations.

From a sector perspective, strong stock selection in the consumer discretionary, information technology (IT) and communication services sectors were the largest contributors to outperformance. Stock selection in the industrials and financials sectors, along with underweight positions in the energy and healthcare sectors, were the largest detractors.

The consumer discretionary sector was the largest contributor to the Portfolio’s outperformance. Lack of exposure to Tesla Inc. accounted for most of the Portfolio's consumer discretionary contribution. We remain convicted in our view that economics in the auto industry will be competed away over time and Tesla is overpriced relative to its realizable future earnings. Additional contributors, but of lesser magnitude, included LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE Unsponsored ADR and Ferrari NV.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth

Positive relative performance in IT was helped by outperformance from the Portfolio’s overweight positions in Motorola Solutions Inc., Visa Inc., and VeriSign Inc. Each of these names provide critical components or services to their customers such that their businesses should be able to outperform in periods of economic weakness. These contributions were able to overwhelm negative stock contributions from PayPal Holdings Inc., salesforce.com Inc., and NVIDIA Corp.

Within communications services relative outperformance was driven by Electronic Arts Inc. In addition to benefiting from the pandemic, Electronic Arts has been able to sustain growth because of its subscription-like video game franchises. Lack of exposure to Netflix Inc. (no longer a Portfolio holding) and an underweight exposure to Meta Platforms Inc. (no longer a Portfolio holding) also drove outperformance.

The relative underperformance within the industrials sector was driven by weakness in TransUnion and Stanley, Black & Decker Inc., along with a lack of exposure to a machinery stocks. TransUnion’s weakness was related to the company’s exposure to both mortgage activity and to fintech health. Stanley, Black & Decker (no longer a Portfolio holding) struggled to forecast end-market demand and was also hit with input prices. Machinery stocks, such as Caterpillar Inc. (not owned), saw strong relative performance as investors favored relative value. Notable positive offsets to this industrials’ headwind were relative strength from the Portfolio’s overweight positions in CoStar Group Inc. and J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.

The energy sector was a negative contributor during the year as the Portfolio lacked exposure. Energy was driven by rising commodity prices related to unfortunate geopolitical events. We remain comfortable with our lack of exposure to these transitory trends.

We are full of optimism that the current environment, while volatile, is extremely ripe for active stock picking to generate significant value. It is unlikely that we will return to a zero-rate environment and with that regime change comes a different set of standards. Higher valuation levels and access to capital will have to be earned through consistent growth, strong cash generation, strong profitability, and disciplined capital management. The days of free money and an “everyone wins” mentality is likely behind us.

We believe this regime change will highlight the importance of high-quality stock selection and the minimization, through a disciplined process, of behavioral mistakes. The likelihood of false positives, or mistakes, has already dramatically increased in the post-pandemic reopening euphoria and we believe this will likely continue to increase over the coming years. The tendency to favor growth as a way to validate quality will be exposed as a poor investment strategy resulting in a high degree of what we call “growth flame-outs” that can be associated with material disappointment.

Inflationary pressures are cooling, but they may prove to be more resilient. This is important because the persistence of inflation could keep the Fed involved longer, which has negative ramifications on economic activity both for 2023 and likely for 2024. Risk assets (cyclicals and high growth) will periodically react positively to the concept of a “Fed Pivot” wherein the central bank would slow or pause its rate hikes, thereby creating a bullish narrative. We believe these “risk-on” events will be difficult to sustain until expectations are reset materially lower and overly optimistic outlooks are extinguished.

Investors should favor these high-quality stocks through cycles, and especially in periods of downside volatility, as we believe quality-first investing is a superior long-term strategy for durable compounding. If downside volatility does not surface, we believe our portfolio of high-quality growth stocks will likewise shine as their “growthy” attributes will prove to be more sustainable, remain underappreciated and allow for strong upside participation.

Our conviction is high as we believe business quality is more persistent than growth, and through-the-cycle outperformance can be achieved through a disciplined stock selection process that prioritizes high-quality business models first and growth second.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide total return through a combination of high current income and capital appreciation.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP High Income experienced a negative return but outperformed its benchmark, the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index. The Portfolio’s Class I shares declined 10.91% and its Class II shares declined 11.12%*. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the benchmark declined 11.21%. For complete, annualized performance of the Delaware Ivy VIP High Income, please see the table on page 31.

*Total return for the report period presented differs from the return in “Financial highlights.” The total return presented above is calculated based on the net asset value (NAV) at which shareholder transactions were processed. The total return presented in “Financial highlights” is calculated in the same manner but also takes into account certain adjustments that are necessary under US generally accepted accounting principles required in the annual report.

Market review

High yield bond prices were buffeted by a trifecta of negative forces in 2022, with soaring inflation, rising interest rates, and recessionary fears combining to cause the sub-investment grade sector to post one of its weakest performances in recent memory.

As the fiscal year began, there was widespread concern that the US Federal Reserve had fallen significantly behind the inflationary curve and that a series of rate hikes — some of them unusually large — would be necessary to catch up. That view was subsequently confirmed when the Fed hiked rates seven times between March and December for a total increase of nearly 4.5 percentage points. Three of those increases were by 0.75 percentage points each, helping to push the benchmark federal funds rate to its highest level in 15 years.

Not surprisingly, the steep rise in borrowing costs triggered fears of recession, with the odds of a so-called soft economic landing seeming to recede with each discouraging print of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures changes in the prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services. At its peak in June, year-over-year headline inflation in the US exceeded 9%, the highest level since 1981. Gloomy sentiment regarding inflation and the economy was amplified in February by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which exerted further upward pressure on food and energy prices. Meanwhile, a lingering and not-yet-fully understood shortage of workers in the late-COVID era —particularly among aging Baby Boomers — compounded the difficulty of the Fed’s inflation fight by keeping wages elevated.

The June inflation report nearly coincided with an initial bottom for high yield bond prices. This eventually stabilized during the late summer and early fall and then rallied through most of the fourth quarter on the back of falling energy costs, dragging the headline CPI lower as well. Meanwhile, still-healthy household and corporate balance sheets and a booming labor market appeared to lower the risk of a severe recession, allowing the Fed to continue its tightening campaign as the year drew to a close.

Among industry groups, energy was the leading performer supported by an oil price that topped $100 a barrel before falling back. The metals and mining also outperformed, particularly late in the year as the Chinese government’s abrupt abandonment of its zero-COVID policy unleashed a sharp rally in copper, the metal that China consumes in prodigious amounts. Conversely, weakness was especially pronounced in retail (consumers pulling back), automotive (rising interest rates), broadcasters (weak advertising market), and cable and telecommunications (duration sensitivity).

Overall, credit spreads widened from 3.11 percentage points to 4.81 percentage points over the fiscal year while the yield on the Portfolio’s benchmark spiked from 4.33% to 8.98%.

Source: Bloomberg, unless otherwise noted.

Within the Portfolio

We managed the Portfolio during its fiscal year with the view that a recession was on the way, but that any downturn would likely be short and shallow. Notably, market liquidity began drying up early in 2022, making large-scale portfolio adjustments potentially costly and inefficient. However, over the second half of the fiscal period, we incrementally added risk and income to the Portfolio in businesses in which we continued to hold strong fundamental conviction, and that appeared to offer what we viewed as compelling longer-term value.

For example, we viewed the bonds of two major players in the cruise line industry — Royal Caribbean and Carnival — as well-positioned to strongly outperform as the economy rebounded and COVID-related concerns receded further. In both instances, we recognized that the bonds


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

could lag the benchmark over the near term, which they did. However, we were willing to accept short-term underperformance and elevated volatility to own bonds that could have the potential to benefit disproportionately when a sustained rally in credit and risk assets got underway.

The Portfolio’s positions in Digicell Ltd., Mitel (no longer a Portfolio holding), and Ligado Networks also lagged the benchmark through a combination of business-specific factors (Ligado’s low-orbit satellite service, for example, was thought to interfere with 911 service), and due to debt restructuring issues.

Conversely, companies that had already emerged from restructuring generally did well, or at least better. Among that group, the Portfolio’s position in Studio City strongly outperformed, with most of the gains coming after the Chinese government abruptly abandoned its zero-COVID policy in late November. This was an unexpected move that offered a ray of hope for Macau’s moribund casino industry. We also added to our weighting within the energy sector, which contributed to relative returns through security selection. Specifically, our stakes in the oil field services companies PBF Holdings (no longer a Portfolio holding), USA Compression, and Weatherford International outperformed the benchmark.

The Portfolio’s use of foreign exchange (FX) currency positions had a limited effect during the fiscal year. Overall, derivatives were immaterial to the Portfolio’s performance during the fiscal year.

We construct the Delaware Ivy VIP High Income portfolio on a bottom-up, bond-by-bond basis while seeking a high level of income. As such, the portfolio maintains an overweight to the B-rated and CCC-rated rating buckets of the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained benchmark.

While there is no consensus regarding potential default rates within high yield bonds in 2023, we anticipate that defaults will exceed the historical average of around 3%. Given the unusually murky outlook for monetary policy and economic growth, we think it remains likely that all asset markets will pass through bouts of heightened volatility as the various storylines play out. In that highly uncertain environment, we believe our disciplined, research-driven process is well suited to potentially delivering income and solid risk-adjusted returns to our valued shareholders.

Please know that we appreciate the confidence that you have shown in us, and we pledge to always keep your financial objectives foremost in our minds as we move forward.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide capital growth and appreciation.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity declined, although it outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index. The Portfolio’s Class II shares declined 14.32%*. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the benchmark declined 16.00% (net). For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity, please see the table on page 33.

*Total return for the report period presented differs from the return in “Financial highlights.” The total return presented above is calculated based on the net asset value (NAV) at which shareholder transactions were processed. The total return presented in “Financial highlights” is calculated in the same manner but also takes into account certain adjustments that are necessary under US generally accepted accounting principles required in the annual report.

Market review

The year 2022 may mark one of the greatest paradigm shifts for global markets and economies in recent history. A confluence of events, including fallout from pandemic spending and loose monetary policy, catalyzed what had been years in the making.

Major central bank policy shifts, inflation, changes to global supply chains, the end of cheap Russian energy for Europe, and labor shortages created broad-based asset price declines with few exceptions. Equities fell along with bond markets, which typically provide protection, as investors scrambled to face, what we believe will be, a new reality.

Years of lower interest rates and quantitative easing finally came to an end and manifested in the form of inflation. Perpetuating inflationary pressure, the war in Ukraine drove increases to energy and food prices, particularly in Europe. Responding to the invasion, western nations implemented sanctions against Russia, effectively preventing Russia from supplying its natural gas, oil, wheat, and other commodities to most of the world. In addition, home prices and wage growth became concerning. Home affordability was historically low and labor shortages along with demographic shifts created a challenging economic scenario for central banks to navigate.

In response, the US Federal Reserve initiated a series of interest rate hikes. Other central banks quickly followed. The US increased rates 4.25 percentage points and the European Central Bank (ECB) increased rates 2.5 percentage points, abandoning negative rate policy. With higher rates, market valuations quickly declined. Extremely high multiples, afforded by longer-duration growth companies through the low-rate environment for the past decade, were hit particularly hard.

China maintained its zero-COVID policy throughout most of the year before opening up in December as the pressure from China’s population and its weakening economy became too great. We believe that this should enable growth to resume in China and ease supply-chain disruptions globally.

There were few places for investors to seek refuge during the fiscal year. From an equity sector perspective, energy was the only area of the market in positive territory. Years of underinvestment and supply shortages became a challenge for the world when Russian commodities were cut off. Investment in traditional energy became a focus with the acknowledgment that it will be many years before alternative energy sources replace fossil fuels to a significant degree.

Source: Bloomberg, unless otherwise noted.

Within the Portfolio

Stock selection and an overweight position in energy relative to the benchmark were the leading contributors to the Portfolio’s performance. Stock selection in the consumer staples sector detracted from performance. At a country level, Canada, Japan, and China contributed most while Germany was the biggest drag.

On an individual stock basis, Suncor Energy Inc., a Canadian integrated energy company, and Schlumberger, a US-based oil services company, were the strongest contributors. Suncor benefited from higher oil and gas prices as revenue and cash flow grew substantially, and the company increased its dividend. Schlumberger also rallied with the broader energy complex. Higher demand for onshore and offshore services


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity

drove growth, particularly in its international business, which accounts for more than 80% of sales. While we trimmed the Portfolio’s energy exposure during the final quarter of the year, we continue to believe both these companies can potentially generate substantial cash flow that they will return to shareholders.

HelloFresh SE, a German food delivery service popular in the US and overseas, and Canada Goose Holdings, a Canadian apparel company, were the largest detractors from Portfolio performance. HelloFresh had benefited from the pandemic as more people opted for food delivery. However, despite continued sales growth, it has had to spend more on customer acquisition and marketing expenses. Also, as interest rates climbed, higher growth and higher valuation stocks, including HelloFresh, pulled back more than the market. We continue to own HelloFresh within the Portfolio, however. We think that HelloFresh will convert customers into its subscription model and return to positive cash flow. Also, the current valuation is near multi-year lows for the business which we consider to be advantageous. The valuation for Canada Goose compressed despite continued sales growth. While we believe it is a great brand with promising growth potential, we are not confident that we have a differentiated enough view to justify owning the stock. As a result, we decided to sell our shares and exit the position within the Portfolio.

The Portfolio’s use of foreign exchange (FX) currency positions had a limited effect during the fiscal year. Overall, derivatives were immaterial to the Portfolio’s performance during the fiscal year.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide growth of capital.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth had a negative return and underperformed its benchmark, Russell Midcap® Growth Index, which also declined. The Portfolio’s Class I shares declined 30.62% and its Class II shares declined 30.78%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the Portfolio’s benchmark declined 26.72%. For complete annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth, please see the table on page 35.

Market review

The Russell Midcap Growth Index declined 26.72% for the year, with all sectors within the index except energy and utilities turning in negative performance. The Russell Midcap Growth Index underperformed the Russell Midcap® Value Index for the second year in a row as the risk-off trade held serve while the market continued to struggle with the US Federal Reserve’s aggressive response to rising inflation.

Though the overwhelming trend was to the downside, there was significant volatility throughout the year as the markets tried to understand and price peak inflation and assess the corresponding aggressive Fed moves against stubborn employment, and wage and manufacturing data that had yet to show a change. Continued strength in these measures led the Fed to reiterate its higher-and-hold interest rate policy instead of pivoting to a more dovish stance. As labor markets remained tight, the talk of peak inflation continued to be offset by the growing concern of a hard landing due to the stress of tighter financial conditions. The US Treasury yield curve remained inverted at a level not seen in this century. As rates continued to move higher, housing affordability sank precipitously, as mortgage rates more than doubled off their lows. The final leg to the downdraft emerged as focus began to shift from the macro concerns to corporate earnings degradation and the ultimate impact on how earnings and earnings growth should be appropriately priced, given higher interest rates.

Source: Bloomberg, unless otherwise noted.

Within the Portfolio

Sector allocation was the primary driver of underperformance, led significantly by the Portfolio’s continued lack of exposure to the dramatically outperforming energy sector for the year. Though the energy sector is a small allocation within the benchmark, and we continue to have no exposure to it, the sector returned 59.15% for 2022, which detracted from the Portfolio’s relative returns. We remain wary of the energy sector, where companies have tended to spend with reckless, cyclical abandon, and not for the longer-term viability and profile of their businesses. Recently, however, there has been an interesting change in that dynamic, as shareholders have spoken, and managements have listened to the desire for more capital discipline. We continue to research potential names for the Portfolio but have yet to enter any positions of note.

The strongest contribution to relative outperformance where the Portfolio had exposure was in the healthcare sector, followed by communication services, consumer discretionary, and consumer staples. The Portfolio’s lack of exposure to the real estate sector contributed to relative performance, as did our cash position for the year. The leading detractors from relative performance where the Portfolio had exposure were information technology (IT), industrials, financials, and materials. The lack of exposure to utilities also detracted from relative performance.

The IT sector remained the largest allocation within the Portfolio for the reporting period and was the largest overall detractor from relative performance, while healthcare, the largest overweight sector relative to the benchmark, added the most significant outperformance during the year. The largest relative detractors in IT were Marvell Technology Inc., DocuSign Inc., and Coherent Corp., and the largest relative contributors within the healthcare sector were ABIOMED Inc., Genmab, and Horizon Therapeutics. ABIOMED and Horizon Therapeutics are no longer Portfolio holdings.

Equity options detracted from performance by way of exposure early in the reporting period to portfolio insurance in lieu of raising excess cash. As the year unfolded, we began to deploy excess cash as we viewed corporate valuations as more and more attractive and our outlook for an earnings recession remained shallow and short-lived. The Portfolio’s use of options had a limited effect on performance during the fiscal year.

The top five individual relative contributors to the Portfolio’s performance for the reporting period were CoStar Group Inc., ABIOMED Inc., Genmab, Horizon Therapeutics, and DexCom Inc.

The five largest individual relative detractors from Portfolio performance for the reporting period were Trex Company Inc., Marvell Technology Inc., DocuSign Inc., Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (no longer a Portfolio holding), and Clarivate PLC.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth

The definition of marking time is to pass one’s time in routine activities until a more favorable or interesting opportunity presents itself. In our opinion, that’s exactly what the equity markets are doing now. The market has digested the macroeconomic environment and the Fed’s reaction to it, and while some macro data points, such as the ISM Manufacturing Index (a key indicator of the state of the US economy), appear terrible, the numbers are in comparison to an abnormal business cycle created by unprecedented Fed stimulus during a global coordinated lockdown. We also think the market has mostly digested the projected hit to individual company earnings, given the significant pullback in valuations across sectors and industries from large cap to small cap. For now, we think the market will mark time, awaiting a more favorable or interesting opportunity to present itself.

The awaited opportunity could come in many forms, but our belief is that we will see positive cash flow in companies that are unwinding excess inventories built up on their balance sheets. The supply shock created by the global coordinated shutdown due to COVID-19 forced companies to find inventory wherever they could, at almost any price, doubling and sometimes tripling their normal inventory orders in the hopes of getting some supplies filled to meet consumer demand. Orders for inventory were filled as supply chains came back online at the exact time the Fed began to raise rates in an effort to fight inflation by slowing the velocity of money, effectively destroying demand. As companies unwind inventory and cash flow is generated, albeit at potentially lower levels than in recent past, individual company risk is mitigated in the eyes of investors. As more and more quality companies turn inventory into cash flow while maintaining a heightened vigilance on the cost of their capital expenditures, the aggregate response should be favorable for the equity markets, in our view. Companies are operating under duress from the Fed, and we think those that can monetize inventory while the Fed ratchets down both rhetoric and activity should be able to outperform.

Given this backdrop, we are remaining measured in how we approach the management of the Portfolio. We believe that although the anticipated recessionary environment will not be severe, there is always a behavioral impact of investors on stock prices, and the current environment lends itself to a greater magnitude due to the number and significance of macroeconomic uncertainties. We are keenly aware that stock prices may not accurately reflect the true intrinsic value nor potential growth opportunity of companies for a full market cycle. In this environment, we have become less concerned with valuation risk and are more focused on earnings risk, and while there are still small pockets of valuation risk within the index, we are discovering more and more company-specific opportunities as we filter through the mid-cap growth universe with the lens of holding names for three to five years. The idea of reshoring is of particular interest to us now. The production problems of the pandemic only served to intensify an existing corporate trend to diversify supply chains. From an investment perspective, automation is the word that resonates with us, from manufacturing to transportation to delivery.

As growth managers, we continue to look for opportunities to invest in companies that we believe have sound capital structures and the ability to grow throughout business and economic cycles, not because of the cycle. These business models feature a product or service that appears durable to us, coupled with capital structure and a management team that is able to execute competitively in any market environment. We continue to seek opportunities in business and consumer technology, innovation in life sciences, the green energy revolution, and many other areas that we think should continue to grow, regardless of the economic cycle. Stock picking is always key to our process and performance, but it will be paramount in this environment as we seek to manage valuation risk in the Portfolio, while investing in durable, secular growth companies.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide capital growth and appreciation.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources advanced, although it underperformed its benchmark, the S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index. The Portfolio’s Class II shares advanced 17.72%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the benchmark advanced 34.07%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources, please see the table on page 37.

Market review

Global markets fell sharply in 2022 in a year marked by an unprovoked war, a European energy crisis, restrictive zero-COVID policies, supply chain crises, and pernicious inflation. Commodity markets experienced wild swings during the year, as supply constraints and curtailments, influenced by the Russia-Ukraine war, pushed up a number of commodities, notably natural gas, crude oil, fertilizers, and agricultural products. During the first half of the year, inflation proved stickier, and it became clear the US Federal Reserve would raise rates aggressively. After extensive monetary tightening campaigns by global central banks during 2022, inflation showed signs of abating by the end of the year. However, this tightening also affected global economic activity and commodity demand, which weighed on commodity prices. The S&P 500® Index fell 18.11% for the year. The S&P Global Natural Resources Index (net) and S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index fared much better, rising 9.59% and 34.07%, respectively.

The European energy crisis sent European natural gas and refined product prices soaring to start the year. This stabilized in the fourth quarter as a flotilla of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers arrived in Europe. European natural gas inventories filled, providing a buffer through winter. After reaching all-time highs midyear, European natural gas prices fell more than 50% by year end, finishing almost flat. Crude oil prices also climbed through $100 during the year, before falling back in the fourth quarter to finish largely flat. Energy prices remain elevated, which continues to strain economic conditions. Copper and aluminum prices followed a similar pattern, but declined 14% and 13%, respectively, during the year. Fertilizer prices followed the same pattern as many farmers skipped applications for potash, causing a disappointing demand and falling prices by year end.

Inflation, and the Fed’s plan to raise rates and normalize monetary policy to combat inflation, remained among the biggest market concerns during the year. Rhetoric from the Fed and aggressive rate hikes suggest the end of tight monetary conditions is far off. However, investors remain hyper focused on the significance of each economic indicator that might signal the end of the tightening cycle. We are currently in a market where good economic news is bad news, as it indicates the Fed’s aggressive policy stance will likely continue. Meanwhile, China’s major shift away from the country’s zero-COVID policy late in the year boosted economic sentiment.

On the back of relative Fed tightening and an energy-independent economy, the US dollar rallied strongly in the first three quarters of the year, before finally receding during the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, other central banks undertook more aggressive policy shifts, notably Japan. The relative easing of energy prices and the economic crisis in Europe also added to foreign currency strength. Gold and silver prices rallied into year end on the back of a weakening dollar to both finish roughly flat.

Source: Bloomberg, unless otherwise noted.

Within the Portfolio

While we remain bullish on natural resources in the long term, we don’t expect this structural bull market to trend in a straight line. We are quite cognizant that the currently deteriorating global economic conditions will affect demand for several of our favorite economically sensitive commodities – oil, natural gas, refined products, copper, and aluminum. We do hold the view that this could prove to be an odd recession where commodity prices remain resilient despite deteriorating demand given challenged supply outlooks for commodities. Pressures related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing continue to plague the long-term supply outlook. Access to capital, geology, geography, and regulation all continue to limit growth. Any additional volatility in commodity prices will likely further limit growth by curtailing capital programs. When economic conditions inevitably improve, we expect that supply will remain constrained while demand surges. We anticipate that this will cause even greater upside for commodities and natural resource equities as the cycle turns.

The Portfolio underperformed its benchmark due to subsector exposures. Approximately 65% of the S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index is composed of companies in the energy sector, whereas the Portfolio held approximately 44%. As measured by the S&P 500®


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources

Energy Index, the energy sector rose 65% during 2022, outperforming all other natural resource subsectors. Most notably, this outperformance came from integrated oil and gas, where the Portfolio was considerably underweight versus the benchmark.

Valero Energy Corp., the largest independent refiner in the world, was the Portfolio’s largest contributor to performance during the year. Valero Energy has a very underappreciated renewable fuels business, in our view. It benefited from the strong refining environment driven by globally tight product markets on the back of the European energy crisis. Moreover, during the year, Valero Energy brought online its latest renewable diesel plant, and it is now the largest producer of renewable diesel in the world. Importantly, through its joint venture with Darling Ingredients, Valero is also the lowest cost producer. Valero Energy’s balance sheet is now pristine, and we think the company is situated to commence substantial returns of capital to shareholders. Although we expect refining margins to return to more normalized levels in the near term, we believe Valero Energy is well positioned and remains attractively valued.

Chesapeake Energy Corp., one of the largest North American natural gas producers, was the Portfolio’s second-largest contributor to performance during the year. Historically, Chesapeake Energy was known as a company with high quality and low-cost assets but was overlevered and had onerous midstream contracts that weighed on profitability. Through bankruptcy, Chesapeake Energy emerged in 2021 with a clean balance sheet, new management team, new strategy, and the same high-quality assets that were now unburdened. The current management team is rationalizing the portfolio down to core basins and adopting a strategy of modest growth and high shareholder returns. Although we are concerned about natural gas prices through 2025 when a new wave of LNG export facilities comes online, we continue to find Chesapeake Energy’s valuation discount on a reduced natural gas price deck unwarranted.

The continued retracement in growth-oriented, long-cycle equities during the year hurt LiCycle Holdings Corp. LiCycle Holdings provides lithium-ion battery recycling solutions. Importantly, versus traditional battery recycling processes where the batteries are burned to recover the metals, creating significant greenhouse gas-intensive emissions, LiCycle Holdings uses a patented hydrometallurgical process. Several joint venture and direct investments in the company from notable entities, including LG Chem, Koch and Glencore have recently validated the process and platform. LiCycle Holdings’ first hub facility in Rochester, N.Y., is scheduled to come online by year-end 2023. If the company can open this facility on time and on budget, we expect this to lead to a step change in profitability. We maintain a small position in LiCycle Holdings.

The Fed rapidly raising rates substantially affected the outlook for housing as the year progressed. This filtered through to names exposed to wood products and timber, which affected Weyerhauser Co. Although the outlook for wood products remains bleak, the longer-term trends for Weyerhauser remain favorable given its mill and timber positioning. Moreover, the company did an excellent job repairing its balance sheet since 2020 and now remains positioned to execute on countercyclical shareholder returns. The nascent carbon markets also provide additional upside for one of the largest carbon capturers in the world through its timber holdings. We continue to maintain the Portfolio’s exposure to Weyerhauser given these company-specific fundamentals.

The Portfolio’s use of foreign exchange (FX) currency positions had a limited effect during the fiscal year. Overall, derivatives were immaterial to the Portfolio’s performance during the fiscal year.

At the end of the Portfolio’s fiscal year, volatility remains. The Fed continues its aggressive policy stance to defeat inflation. Forward economic indicators are clearly changing, most notably in housing. Robust employment numbers remain which gives the Fed additional room to remain aggressive, in our view. We think this will have negative economic consequences, which we expect to filter through to demand for more economically sensitive commodities. We believe this backdrop should prove an ideal environment for gold and precious metals.

We think the major tailwind for the natural resources sector continues to be on the supply side. Despite elevated commodity prices, the traditional capital expenditure (capex) cycle never took place as companies rewarded shareholders at the expense of chasing growth. Geopolitical uncertainty has curtailed additional investment in several commodities, notably copper. Investment in oil and gas remains modest due to ESG concerns and managements continuing to remain capital disciplined.

Meanwhile, demand for commodities continues to grow and has arguably become less elastic. Europe remains decidedly short energy and has resorted to burning coal to meet energy needs despite the continent’s climate goals. Oil and refined product demand has continued to rebound from COVID-19 lows. The incredibly commodity-intensive energy transition continues unabated. Restricted supply against less elastic demand gives us confidence in “higher for longer,” with resilience continuing despite anticipated weakness.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide growth of capital.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology experienced a negative return but outperformed its benchmark, the S&P North American Technology Sector Index. The Portfolio’s Class I shares declined 31.67% and its Class II shares declined 31.83%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the benchmark declined 35.36%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology, please see the table on page 39.

Market review

Throughout 2022 the markets hung on every word of the US Federal Reserve. Rapidly rising inflation across the economy, accompanied by a 50-year low in unemployment, drove the Fed to begin raising interest rates in March and continue aggressively raising rates throughout the year. By the end of 2022, the federal funds rate had increased more than four percentage points to a rate of almost 4.5%. The Fed’s aggressive tightening of monetary policy was not limited to interest rates; it began aggressively shrinking its balance sheet as well. By September, the Fed had reduced its balance sheet at a pace of $80-$90 billion per month.

Tighter monetary policy was not limited to the US. Globally, other central banks followed suit raising rates to battle similar inflationary challenges. The European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England raised interest rates to the highest levels in more than a decade. Additionally, in December, the Bank of Japan surprised markets when it allowed 10-year yields to rise to the highest level in seven years.

These focused global efforts to tighten monetary policy were a direct result of the inflationary pressures driven by both robust demand and supply disruptions. Government stimulus during the pandemic and pent-up services demand led to healthy spending across the economy. Supply chains struggled to keep up, however, as economic disruptions caused by COVID-19, particularly in China, and the Russian-Ukrainian war persisted. Inflation rose to 40-year highs and housing pricing briefly accelerated before mortgage rates succumbed to higher interest rates. As the Fed’s actions took hold during the course of the year, inventories increased meaningfully when demand slowed and supply chains recovered. Eventually, retailers went from empty shelves to heavily discounting certain products.

Politically, the US had a relatively “boring” year following the events of early 2021. Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which set a 15% minimum corporate tax rate and a 1% tax on equity buybacks. Additionally, the bill addressed Medicare prescription-drug pricing and introduced several incentives for more efficient energy use and development. From investors’ perspective, overall corporate taxes are set to increase approximately $100 billion as tax extenders expire and the Inflation Reduction Act takes effect.

Internationally, the Russian-Ukrainian war and China’s continued aggressive COVID-19 lockdown policy dominated headlines. While the war was particularly disruptive to energy consumption in Europe, the early humanitarian crisis waned as the region adapted to what will likely be a drawn-out conflict. China’s zero-COVID policy led to economic weakness and the country's weakest GDP growth on record. As a result, late in the fiscal period China’s government undertook some fiscal and monetary easing. It now appears likely that China will re-open the economy and provide stimulus within the property market.

The return of higher interest rates and the threat of persistent inflation led to a challenging year in financial markets. Fundamentally, after a decade of easy monetary policy and extended periods of zero interest rates, the investors were reminded that capital has a cost. In this context, market multiples contracted meaningfully, especially for the most highly valued growth stocks.

During the fiscal year, information technology (IT) stocks came under significant pressure. Within IT, the semiconductor, Internet, and media subsectors were the weakest performers. While still negative on an absolute basis, the hardware, IT services, and software subsectors outperformed the broader sector. The healthcare sector broadly outperformed the technology universe.

Source: Bloomberg, unless otherwise noted.

Within the Portfolio

Relative outperformers in the Portfolio’s IT exposure included T-Mobile US Inc., Amphenol Corp., and Etsy Inc. An underweight position in Meta Platforms Inc. (no longer a Portfolio holding) also contributed to relative performance. Positions in Snap Inc., Seagate Technology Holdings PLC, and Luminar Technologies Inc. were significant detractors, while an underweight position in Visa Inc. also hurt relative performance. Snap and Visa are no longer Portfolio holdings.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology

During the measurement period, the Portfolio’s exposure to healthcare performed relatively in line with the Portfolio’s all-technology benchmark. Since healthcare is not represented in the benchmark, the Portfolio’s allocation to the sector is an important distinction when comparing performance metrics. Underperformance in the Portfolio’s healthcare equipment subsector offset outperformance in its pharmaceutical exposure.

The Portfolio’s use of foreign exchange (FX) currency positions had a limited effect during the fiscal year. Overall, derivatives were immaterial to the Portfolio’s performance during the fiscal year.

The Portfolio maintained a mid-single digit average cash position during the fiscal year, which positively contributed to relative performance due to the market’s overall decline.

As we entered fiscal 2022, we were concerned about the rising specter of inflation and tightening monetary policy. These concerns materialized with widespread pressure on higher multiple stocks within our universe. Given our market view and with our disciplined valuation approach to investing in innovation, we started the fiscal year with increased weightings in larger-capitalization companies and a healthy amount of cash. We anticipated opportunities over the course of the fiscal year to invest in what we considered to be attractive stocks at more compelling valuations. As the fiscal year progressed, we lowered our exposure to the “mega-cap” technology stocks and added a handful of these attractively valued stocks that offered compelling innovation opportunities.

The Portfolio had approximately 63.3% of its equity exposure in the IT sector as of December 31, 2022. The overall exposure in IT is more appropriately assessed by including the communication services sector, which includes many companies previously in the IT sector. The Portfolio had approximately 13.0% of its equity assets in the communication services sector at year end, for a total of 76.3% of assets exposed to the IT and communications services sectors.

At the end of the reporting period, 7.8% of the Portfolio’s equity assets were in the healthcare sector. Our lower healthcare exposure compared to historical averages is primarily a result of reducing the Portfolio’s biotechnology weighting. In developing markets, as the standard of living increases, we believe the demand for quality healthcare should increase. In our opinion, biotechnology, healthcare IT systems, and pharmaceuticals are among the leading innovators and early adopters of new science and technology, so we continue to focus on companies in those areas.

The Portfolio’s “applied science and technology” holdings span several industries and sectors and, along with the consumer discretionary sector (largely Amazon.com Inc.), make up the remainder of the Portfolio’s equity composition. At the end of the fiscal year, the Portfolio’s cash position was 4.8% of net assets. We consistently have some cash on hand to take advantage of opportunities that may present themselves.

At the end of the Portfolio’s fiscal year, volatility continues in the equity markets. And, while volatility creates near-term uncertainty, we use these times in the market to opportunistically add new companies or adjust weightings to take advantage of what we believe are great long-term stories. We view our long-term investment horizon and concentrated Portfolio as compelling advantages during these times of market uncertainty.

We see innovation in the changes brought about by the work from home trend, the early development of the metaverse, and the continued electrification of transportation as potentially driving new investment opportunities. Additionally, the persisting supply-chain shortages highlight the increasing value and integral role of semiconductors in the global economy.

As always, we will continue to carefully examine the macro factors underlying our investment universe, especially current issues like the regulatory risks facing big technology and China’s restrictive technology policies. We have high conviction that our attention to bottom-up (stock by stock) research, coupled with the innovation happening across the globe should continue to provide the Portfolio with potentially attractive investment opportunities.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide growth of capital.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth experienced a negative return, underperforming its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Growth Index. The Portfolio’s Class I shares declined 26.61% and its Class II shares declined 26.83%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the benchmark declined 26.36%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth, please see the table on page 41.

Market review

For small-cap growth stocks, 2022 was the third-worst year of the past 25, eclipsed only by the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 and the 2002 “tech bubble.” The double-whammy of rising interest rates, which hurt valuations, and the lingering pandemic-induced economic disruption, which dampened earnings estimates, was largely responsible. The 10-year Treasury yield, which had been in a downtrend since 2008, bottomed near zero and remained there for almost a year following the onset of the pandemic. In 2021, growth stocks thrived as the economy responded to significant fiscal and monetary stimulus. Earnings growth surged for most major sectors of the market. But that surprisingly strong growth led to significant shortages and supply-chain disruptions that fueled inflation and led to the conditions that stifled equity markets in 2022.

Small-cap growth stocks had been a major beneficiary of the low interest rate, healthy economic environment and were thus vulnerable to rising rates. During 2022, the 10-year Treasury yield rose from 1.5% to 3.9% and the yield curve inverted midway through the year. High yield spreads rose more than 250 basis points by midyear signaling increased concern about a potential recession (a basis point equals one-hundredth of a percentage point). The combination crushed small-cap growth stocks by the end of the second quarter. A brief attempt at a late summer rally was thwarted over the balance of the year. The Russell 2000 Growth Index declined more than 26% for the year and lagged the Russell 2000® Value Index, which declined 16%. High-valuation, non-earning growth stocks were punished the most during the year. Energy was the only sector to generate a positive return. The worst-performing sectors were communication services, consumer discretionary, real estate, and information technology (IT).

Source: Bloomberg, unless otherwise noted.

Within the Portfolio

Throughout the fiscal year, the Portfolio consistently maintained its strategy of diversifying across sectors while emphasizing quality growth companies. The Portfolio performed ahead of the benchmark for most of the year before it succumbed to the relentless pressure on growth stocks. Those stocks that had outperformed most during the year were the last targets of the selloff. Energy stocks were a prime example. Although energy companies dramatically outperformed for the first 10 months of the year, beginning in mid-November, energy stocks sold off significantly in spite of a fundamental outlook that remains healthy. BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. was another example. A large position in the Portfolio, BJ’s had been a strong performer throughout the year but fell under the pressure of the market selloff – again, despite consistently good sales and earnings results. The Portfolio’s attribution for the year shows that stock selection contributed positively in all sectors of the portfolio except healthcare.

Sector allocation, or weighting, detracted from performance in the IT sector, which was consistently overweight the benchmark during the fiscal period. The Portfolio’s small underweight in the energy sector also detracted from performance. The benchmark energy sector was up 41.9% for the year while the Portfolio gained 39.4%. A weighting of one percentage point below the benchmark was to blame.

The Portfolio’s allocation to the healthcare sector detracted, primarily the result of poor stock selection. Several holdings that previously were strong performers drastically reversed course due to high valuations, underwhelming profitability, weakness in procedure volumes, and disappointing sales as potential customers were constrained by rising prices. The overall healthcare sector underperformed the broader index, a departure from typical down years. More specifically, small-cap healthcare did not perform like a defensive sector. The repercussions of COVID-19 on the healthcare system lasted well beyond expectations. Many companies with new products or services faced challenges getting in front of decision-makers, obtaining budget sign offs, or hiring personnel to accept, install, and implement new product platforms.

In many cases we felt the new product or service was superior and would gain traction in the marketplace, but that scenario was rarely realized.

For example, Omnicell Inc. has a best-in-class solution for medication management that has successfully gained share in past years but hit a


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth

significant wall this period due to budget constraints and facilities’ inability to implement new platforms while labor is scarce. As a result, previously consistent revenues and bookings dried up for several quarters and visibility was lost. Omnicell is no longer a Portfolio holding.

For the healthcare sector as a whole, we decided to maintain our positions in some companies where we felt sufficiently confident that competitive advantages remained compelling. In other instances, we exited our positions and moved on. We may renew those positions if and when sales visibility better matches our investment horizon. Through this environment, we maintained our long-term philosophy of owning names with novel offerings that make healthcare more efficient and value based.

The industrials sector contributed on both an absolute and relative basis during the period, benefiting from advantageous stock selection. Our neutral allocation also contributed slightly as the industrial sector outperformed the market as a whole. We had exposure to alternative energy, resource management, and electrification, which we think have plenty of demand and visibility going forward. Lesser exposure to housing-related names, such as building supplies, and areas only growing via cyclical inflation also aided performance. We maintained our process of searching for areas of the economy that have long-term growth potential rather than attempting to time cyclical stocks.

The consumer discretionary sector was the largest contributor for the year while IT was a modest drag. Stock selection led the way in the consumer discretionary sector. Monarch Casino & Resort Inc., Texas Roadhouse Inc., and Visteon Corp. were all significant contributors. Other relative contributors (declining less than the index) included Churchill Downs Inc. (no longer a Portfolio holding) and Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp. Pent-up demand for experiences, both travel and dining, helped drive success for these companies.

The IT sector has historically been a large driver of outperformance for the Portfolio and we expect it will continue to be the most-favored sector from a fundamental growth perspective. That said, the sector corrected last year, reflecting the macro factors mentioned above. We reduced our large overweight versus the index throughout the year as we exited less-seasoned companies in favor of a higher quality, profitable group of stocks. The result was performance for the year that essentially matched the benchmark, with the drag from an overweight offset by modestly positive stock selection. The Portfolio also benefited from several take-outs as private equity firms took advantage of lower stock prices to make strategic acquisitions.

At the end of the Portfolio’s fiscal year, we see no need to change its strategic positioning as we navigate through the headwind of interest rate hikes and their impact on the economy. Clearly a lot of damage has been done to small-cap stock valuations, obviating the need to be overly defensive. The Portfolio’s emphasis on high-quality, sustainable-growth businesses across all major sectors of the market has worked well in the small-cap growth asset class and remains the focus of the Portfolio.


20  

Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide capital appreciation.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core experienced a negative return but outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2500™ Index. The Portfolio’s Class II shares declined 14.84%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the Portfolio’s benchmark declined 18.37%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core, please see the table on page 43.

Market review

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Russell 2500 Index, declined 18.37%. Smid-cap growth stocks underperformed smid-cap value stocks, the Russell 2500™ Growth Index declined 26.21% and the Russell 2500™ Value Index declined 13.08%. Small- and large-cap stocks underperformed, as the Russell 2000® Index declined 20.44% and the large-cap Russell 1000® Index declined 19.13% for the year.

Sector-level performance within the Russell 2500 Index was mostly negative with only one sector, energy, advancing and 15 declining. Companies in the utilities, capital goods, and consumer staples sectors declined the least for the year. The weakest sectors in the benchmark for the year were credit cyclicals, information technology, healthcare, and consumer discretionary.

The third-quarter 2022 US gross domestic product (GDP) annualized growth rate of 3.2% was above consensus and followed two consecutive quarters of declining GDP. The December Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) registered 48.4%, which indicated the manufacturing sector contracted for the second consecutive month, following a 29-month period of growth. Readings below 50% indicate contraction. December’s figure was the lowest since May 2020, when it fell to 43.5%.

With respect to labor, the US unemployment rate ended December 31, 2022, at 3.5%, its lowest rate for the year. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2022, the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 6.5%, the smallest 12-month increase since the period ended October 31, 2021. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® decreased during the fiscal year, from a December 2021 reading of 115.2 to 108.3 in December 2022. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index declined during the fourth quarter to 89.8 in December, marking the 12th consecutive month below the 49-year average of 98.

Source: Bloomberg, unless otherwise noted.

Within the Portfolio

Strong stock selection in the IT, finance, and healthcare sectors contributed to outperformance for the year as the Portfolio’s positions declined by less than those in the benchmark. Contribution was positive in 13 of 16 sectors over the year, as three sectors detracted. Stock selection detracted from performance in the consumer staples, capital goods, and real estate investment trust (REIT) sectors.

Energy was the strongest-performing sector in the benchmark and Portfolio for the fiscal year. Shares of Diamondback Energy Inc. outperformed as the company continued to improve its earnings and free cash flow profile. During the fiscal year, Diamondback increased its dividend and declared an additional variable cash dividend. Diamondback is committed to returning 75% of free cash flow to shareholders, using various methods including dividends and share repurchases, which it executed on as well during the year, repurchasing over five million shares. We maintained the Portfolio’s position in Diamondback as the company is a leader in low-cost operations, has a high free cash flow yield, and management is committed to maximizing returns for shareholders.

Specialty contractor Quanta Services Inc. was a top contributor for the year as the company delivered financial strength across its electric power, renewable energy, and underground utility infrastructure solutions business segments. We maintained the Portfolio’s position in Quanta Services as we believe that the company offers attractive opportunities for investors to gain exposure to long-term secular growth trends.

Stock selection contributed in the IT sector as the Portfolio’s positions in companies in the systems industry outperformed. ExlService Holdings Inc., a data analytics and digital operations and solutions company, outperformed during the Portfolio’s fiscal year. ExlService benefited from the digitization of back office and customer-facing technology, serving clients in the insurance, healthcare, travel, transportation, and logistics industries. The company grew revenues and earnings. Additionally, its operational excellence led to operating income margin expansion. We maintained the Portfolio’s position in ExlService as we believe the company is well positioned to expand its solutions to new and existing customers.


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Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core

In the software industry, shares of cyber-security analytics company Rapid7 Inc. underperformed during the fiscal year. Since we purchased Rapid7, it diversified its offerings to become a multi-pillar platform covering threat detection and response, cloud security, and vulnerability risk. Rapid7 delivered good financial results during the year. However, management noted its annualized recurring revenue (ARR) growth rate would slow below its historical level of about 20% on softening economic conditions. We maintained the Portfolio’s position in Rapid7 as the company has multiple product drivers to help it reach its 2025 free cash flow and ARR financial goals.

In the medical products industry, shares of contract development and manufacturing company Catalent Inc. underperformed. Catalent’s fiscal first quarter 2023 financial results were weaker than expected and the company reduced its financial guidance to reflect worsening economic conditions. We maintained the Portfolio’s position in Catalent as it has an impressive suite of products, is trading at a discounted valuation, and we believe that management has taken steps to position the company for organic growth.

The Portfolio’s position in multibrand specialty apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters Inc. underperformed during the fiscal year. At the start of the period, we believed American Eagle would experience sales-growth pressure due to lapsing stimulus payments. At the same time, we believed management had established a competitive moat that would drive sustained growth longer term. The company reported weak results for its fiscal second quarter and indicated it expected continued weakness due to higher inventories and the need for more retail promotions. We exited the Portfolio’s position before the end of the fiscal year.

The Portfolio ended the year with the largest Portfolio overweights in the transportation, consumer discretionary, business services, and healthcare sectors. The largest sector underweights were in utilities, REITs, IT, and capital goods.

We believe that the current market and economic environment should continue to support active management. In our opinion, we can take advantage of market conditions that have created valuation disconnects. We continue to maintain our strategy of investing in companies that we believe have strong balance sheets and cash flow, sustainable competitive advantages, and high-quality management teams with the potential to deliver value to shareholders. We appreciate your confidence and look forward to serving your investment needs in the next fiscal year.


22  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance   Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
    1 year   3 year   5 year   10 year   Lifetime
Class I shares (commenced operations on April 28, 2017)   -14.54%   +2.61%   +4.57%     +5.97%
Class II shares (commenced operations on May 1, 1995)   -14.71%   +2.37%   +4.32%   +4.46%  
MSCI ACWI Index (net)   -18.36%   +4.00%   +5.23%   +7.98%  
MSCI ACWI Index (gross)   -17.96%   +4.49%   +5.75%   +8.54%  

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 24 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, the net expense ratios for Class I and Class II shares of the Portfolio were 0.62% and 0.87%, respectively, while total operating expenses for Class I and Class II shares were 0.75% and 1.00%, respectively. The management fee for Class I and Class II shares was 0.70%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee for Class II shares was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratios may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratios in the prospectus include acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Risk is increased in a concentrated portfolio since it holds a limited number of securities with each investment having a greater effect on overall performance.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.


 23 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy

The Portfolio may invest in derivatives, which may involve additional expenses and are subject to risk, including the risk that an underlying security or securities index moves in the opposite direction from what the portfolio manager anticipated. A derivatives transaction depends upon the counterparties’ ability to fulfil their contractual obligations.

Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Portfolio to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

      Starting value   Ending value
MSCI ACWI Index (gross)   $10,000   $22,686
MSCI ACWI Index (net)   $10,000   $21,545
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy – Class II shares   $10,000   $15,465

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the MSCI ACWI Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index) represents large- and mid-cap stocks across developed and emerging markets worldwide. The index covers approximately 85% of the global investable equity opportunity set. Index “net” return approximates the minimum possible dividend reinvestment, after deduction of withholding tax at the highest possible rate. Index “gross” return approximates the maximum possible dividend reinvestment.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Performance of Class I shares will vary due to different charges and expenses.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


24  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance   Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
    1 year   3 year   5 year   10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on May 3, 1994)   -16.11%   +3.55%   +5.57%   +7.05%
S&P 500 Index   -18.11%   +7.66%   +9.42%   +12.56%
Bloomberg US Aggregate Index   -13.01%   -2.71%   +0.02%   +1.06%

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 26 for a description of each index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.00%. The management fee was 0.70%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

Risk is increased in a concentrated portfolio since it holds a limited number of securities with each investment having a greater effect on the overall performance.

There is no guarantee that dividend paying stocks will continue to pay dividends.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.


 25 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

      Starting value   Ending value
S&P 500 Index   $10,000   $32,654
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced – Class II shares   $10,000   $19,767
Bloomberg US Aggregate Index   $10,000   $11,108

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the S&P 500 Index and the Bloomberg US Aggregate Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of 500 mostly large-cap stocks weighted by market value, and is often used to represent performance of the US stock market.

The Bloomberg US Aggregate Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


26  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance   Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
    1 year   3 year   5 year   10 year   Lifetime
Class I shares (commenced operations on April 28, 2017)   +50.85%   +10.79%   -1.41%     -0.98%
Class II shares (commenced operations on May 1, 2006)   +50.42%   +10.50%   -1.66%   -0.39%  
S&P 1500 Energy Sector Index   +63.77%   +18.92%   +8.35%   +5.16%  

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 28 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class I and Class II shares were 0.97% and 1.22%, respectively. The management fee for Class I and Class II shares was 0.85%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee for Class II was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratios may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratios in the prospectus include acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Because the Portfolio invests more than 25% of its total assets in the energy related industry, the Portfolio may be more susceptible to a single economic, regulatory, or technological occurrence than a portfolio that does not concentrate its investments in this industry. Investing in companies involved in one specified sector may be more risky and volatile than an investment with greater diversification.

Risk is increased in a concentrated portfolio since it holds a limited number of securities with each investment having a greater effect on the overall performance.

Investing in the energy sector can be riskier than other types of investment activities because of a range of factors, including price fluctuation caused by real and perceived inflationary trends and political developments, and the cost assumed by energy companies in complying with environmental safety regulations.

The Portfolio may invest in initial public offerings (IPOs), which can have a significant positive impact on the Portfolio’s performance that may not be replicated in the future.


 27 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

      Starting value   Ending value
S&P 1500 Energy Sector Index   $10,000   $16,533
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy — Class II shares   $10,000   $ 9,615

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Energy Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the S&P 1500 Energy Sector Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The S&P 1500 Energy Sector Index comprises those companies included in the S&P Composite 1500® that are classified as members of the GICS® Energy sector.

The S&P 500 Index, mentioned on page 5, measures the performance of 500 mostly large-cap stocks weighted by market value and is often used to represent performance of the US stock market.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Performance of Class I shares will vary due to different charges and expenses.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


28  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance   Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
    1 year   3 year   5 year   10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on July 31, 1987)   -27.24%   +7.29%   +11.53%   +13.96%
Russell 1000 Growth Index   -29.14%   +7.79%   +10.96%   +14.10%

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 30 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 0.99%. The management fee was 0.70%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

“Non-diversified” investments may allocate more of their net assets to investments in single securities than “diversified” investments. Resulting adverse effects may subject these investments to greater risks and volatility.

Risk is increased in a concentrated portfolio since it holds a limited number of securities with each investment having a greater effect on overall performance.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.


 29 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

      Starting value   Ending value
Russell 1000 Growth Index   $10,000   $37,397
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth — Class II shares   $10,000   $36,940

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the Russell 1000 Growth Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 1000 Growth Index measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


30  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance   Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
    1 year   3 year   5 year   10 year   Lifetime
Class I shares (commenced operations on April 28, 2017)   -10.91%   +0.23%   +1.96%     +2.33%
Class II shares (commenced operations on July 13, 1987)   -11.12%*   -0.02%   +1.70%   +3.56%  
ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index   -11.21%   -0.26%   +2.10%   +3.94%  

*Total return for the report period presented in the table differs from the return in “Financial highlights.” The total return presented in the above table is calculated based on the net asset value (NAV) at which shareholder transactions were processed. The total return presented in “Financial highlights” is calculated in the same manner but also takes into account certain adjustments that are necessary under US generally accepted accounting principles required in the annual report.

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 32 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class I and Class II shares were 0.70% and 0.95%, respectively. The management fee for Class I and Class II shares was 0.61%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee for Class II was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratios may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratios in the prospectus include acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. The Fund may also be subject to prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

High yielding, noninvestment-grade bonds (junk bonds) involve higher risk than investment grade bonds.


 31 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

The high yield secondary market is particularly susceptible to liquidity problems when institutional investors, such as mutual funds and certain other financial institutions, temporarily stop buying bonds for regulatory, financial, or other reasons. In addition, a less liquid secondary market makes it more difficult to obtain precise valuations of the high yield securities.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

      Starting value   Ending value
ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index   $10,000   $14,715
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income — Class II shares   $10,000   $14,195

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index tracks the performance of US dollar-denominated high yield corporate debt publicly issued in the US domestic market, but caps individual issuer exposure at 2% of the benchmark.

The US Consumer Price Index (CPI), mentioned on page 9, is a measure of inflation that is calculated by the US Department of Labor, representing changes in prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Performance of Class I shares will vary due to different charges and expenses.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


32  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance   Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
    1 year   3 year   5 year   10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on May 1, 1992)   -14.32%*   +1.59%   +0.45%   +4.80%
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (net)   -16.00%   +0.07%   +0.88%   +3.80%

*Total return for the report period presented in the table differs from the return in “Financial highlights.” The total return presented in the above table is calculated based on the net asset value (NAV) at which shareholder transactions were processed. The total return presented in “Financial highlights” is calculated in the same manner but also takes into account certain adjustments that are necessary under US generally accepted accounting principles required in the annual report.

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 34 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.16%. The management fee was 0.85%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus. Investments in variable products involve risk.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.


 33 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

      Starting value   Ending value
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity — Class II shares   $10,000   $15,984
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (gross)   $10,000   $15,208
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (net)   $10,000   $14,520

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index) ex USA Index represents large- and mid-cap stocks across developed and emerging markets worldwide, excluding the United States. The index covers approximately 85% of the global investable equity opportunity set outside the United States. Index “net” return approximates the minimum possible dividend reinvestment, after deduction of withholding tax at the highest possible rate. Index “gross” return approximates the maximum possible dividend reinvestment.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


34  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance   Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
    1 year   3 year   5 year   10 year   Lifetime
Class I shares (commenced operations on April 28, 2017)   -30.62%   +6.53%   +10.87%     +12.49%
Class II shares (commenced operations on April 28, 2005)   -30.78%   +6.27%   +10.59%   +11.39%  
Russell Midcap Growth Index   -26.72%   +3.85%   +7.64%   +11.41%  

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 36 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, the net expense ratio for Class I and Class II shares of the Portfolio were 0.85% and 1.10%, respectively, while total operating expenses for Class I and Class II shares were 0.89 and 1.14%, respectively. The management fee for Class I and Class II shares was 0.85%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee for Class II was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratios may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratios in the prospectus include acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Investments in small and/or medium-sized companies typically exhibit greater risk and higher volatility than larger, more established companies.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.


 35 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

      Starting value   Ending value
Russell Midcap Growth Index   $10,000   $29,456
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth — Class II shares   $10,000   $29,419

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the Russell Midcap Growth Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The Russell Midcap Growth Index measures the performance of the mid-cap growth segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell Midcap Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

The Russell Midcap Value Index, mentioned on page 13, measures the performance of the mid-cap value segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell Midcap Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing New Orders Index, mentioned on page 14, monitors new order volume based on the ISM's surveys of manufacturing and non-manufacturing firms.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Performance of Class I shares will vary due to different charges and expenses.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


36  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance   Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
    1 year   3 year   5 year   10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on April 28, 2005)   +17.72%   +9.49%   +1.98%   +0.23%
S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index   +34.07%   +14.97%   +7.13%   +4.05%

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 38 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.21%. The management fee was 0.85%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus. Investments in variable products involve risk.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

Because the Portfolio invests significantly in natural resources securities, there is the risk that the Portfolio will perform poorly during a downturn in the natural resource sector.

The Portfolio may invest in derivatives, which may involve additional expenses and are subject to risk, including the risk that an underlying security or securities index moves in the opposite direction from what the portfolio manager anticipated. A derivatives transaction depends upon the counterparties’ ability to fulfil their contractual obligations.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.


 37 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

      Starting value   Ending value
S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index   $10,000   $14,878
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources – Class II shares   $10,000   $10,229

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index provides investors with a benchmark that represents US traded securities that are classified under the GICS® energy and materials sector, excluding the chemicals industry and steel subindustry.

The S&P 500 Index, mentioned on page 15, measures the performance of 500 mostly large-cap stocks weighted by market value and is often used to represent performance of the US stock market.

The S&P 500 Energy Index, mentioned on page 15, comprises those companies in the S&P 500 Index that are classified as members of the GICS® energy sector.

The S&P Global Natural Resources Index, mentioned on page 15, includes 90 of the largest publicly traded companies in natural resources and commodities businesses that meet specific investability requirements, offering investors diversified and investable equity exposure across three primary commodity-related sectors: agribusiness, energy, and metals and mining. The “net total return” index reinvests regular cash dividends after the deduction of applicable withholding taxes.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


38  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance   Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
    1 year   3 year   5 year   10 year   Lifetime
Class I shares (commenced operations on April 28, 2017)   -31.67%   +2.30%   +8.80%     +10.77%
Class II shares (commenced operations on April 4, 1997)   -31.83%   +2.05%   +8.53%   +12.18%  
S&P North American Technology Sector Index   -35.36%   +5.85%   +11.73%   +16.60%  

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 40 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class I and Class II shares were 0.89% and 1.14%, respectively. The management fee for Class I and Class II shares was 0.85%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee for Class II was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratios may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratios in the prospectus include acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus. Investments in variable products involve risk.

Because the Fund invests more than 25% of its total assets in the science and technology industry, the Fund’s performance may be more susceptible to a single economic, regulatory or technological occurrence than a fund that does not concentrate its investments in this industry.

“Non-diversified” investments may allocate more of their net assets to investments in single securities than “diversified” investments. Resulting adverse effects may subject these investments to greater risks and volatility.

Investment risks associated with investing in science and technology securities, in addition to other risks, include: operating in rapidly changing fields, abrupt or erratic market movements, limited product lines, markets or financial resources, management that is dependent on a limited number of people, short product cycles, aggressive pricing of products and services, new market entrants and obsolescence of existing technology.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.


 39 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

      Starting value   Ending value
S&P North American Technology Sector Index   $10,000   $46,444
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology — Class II shares   $10,000   $31,566

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the S&P North American Technology Sector Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The S&P North American Technology Sector Index provides investors with a benchmark that represents US securities classified under the GICS® information technology sector as well as the internet and direct marketing retail, interactive home entertainment, and interactive media and services subindustries.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Performance of Class I shares will vary due to different charges and expenses.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


40  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance   Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
    1 year   3 year   5 year   10 year   Lifetime
Class I shares (commenced operations on November 2, 2018)   -26.61%   +1.83%       +3.33%
Class II shares (commenced operations on May 3, 1994)   -26.83%   +1.56%   +4.38%   +8.83%  
Russell 2000 Growth Index   -26.36%   +0.65%   +3.51%   +9.20%  

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 42 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, the net expense ratios for Class I and Class II shares of the Portfolio were 0.89% and 1.14%, respectively, while total operating expenses for Class I and Class II shares were 0.90% and 1.15%, respectively. The management fee for Class I and Class II shares was 0.85%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee for Class II was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratios may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratios in the prospectus include acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Investments in small and/or medium-sized companies typically exhibit greater risk and higher volatility than larger, more established companies.

The Portfolio may invest in initial public offerings (IPOs), which can have a significant positive impact on the Portfolio’s performance that may not be replicated in the future.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.


 41 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

      Starting value   Ending value
Russell 2000 Growth Index   $10,000   $24,112
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth – Class II shares   $10,000   $23,297

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the Russell 2000 Growth Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 2000 Growth Index measures the performance of the small-cap growth segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

The Russell 2000 Value Index, mentioned on page 19, measures the performance of the small-cap value segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Performance of Class I shares will vary due to different charges and expenses.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


42  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance   Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
    1 year   3 year   5 year   10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on October 1, 1997)   -14.84%   +3.25%   +4.14%   +9.25%
Russell 2500 Index   -18.37%   +5.00%   +5.89%   +10.03%

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 44 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.17%. The management fee was 0.85%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Investments in small and/or medium-sized companies typically exhibit greater risk and higher volatility than larger, more established companies.

Risk is increased in a concentrated portfolio since it holds a limited number of securities with each investment having a greater effect on the overall performance.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.


 43 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

      Starting value   Ending value
Russell 2500 Index   $10,000   $26,003
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core – Class II shares   $10,000   $24,233

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the Russell 2500 Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 2500 Index measures the performance of the small- to mid-cap segment of the US equity universe. The Russell 2500 Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index, representing approximately 2,500 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership.

The Russell 2500 Growth Index, mentioned on page 21, measures the performance of the small- to mid-cap growth segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell 2500 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

The Russell 2500 Value Index, mentioned on page 21, measures the performance of the small- to mid-cap value segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell 2500 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

The Russell 2000 Index, mentioned on page 21, measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the US equity universe.

The Russell 1000 Index, mentioned on page 21, measures the performance of the large-cap segment of the US equity universe.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), mentioned on page 21, is an indicator of the economic health of the manufacturing sector. A PMI reading above 50% indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50% indicates that it is generally contracting.

The US Consumer Price Index (CPI), mentioned on page 21, is a measure of inflation that is calculated by the US Department of Labor, representing changes in prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, mentioned on page 21, is a barometer of the health of the US economy from the perspective of the consumer. The index is based on consumers’ perceptions of current business and employment conditions, as well as their expectations for six months hence regarding business conditions, employment, and income. The resulting relative value is then used as an "index value" and compared against each respective monthly value for 1985. In that year, the result of the index was arbitrarily set at 100, representing it as the index benchmark.

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index, mentioned on page 21, is a survey asking small business owners a battery of questions related to their expectations for the future and their plans to hire, build inventory, borrow, and expand.


44  

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 45 

Disclosure of Portfolio expenses

For the six-month period from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Portfolio, you incur ongoing costs, which may include management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire six-month period from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.

Actual expenses

The first section of the tables shown, “Actual Portfolio return,” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section of the table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The second section of the tables shown, “Hypothetical 5% return,” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Portfolio's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in each Portfolio and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. As a shareholder of the Portfolio, you do not incur any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. Also, the fees related to the variable annuity investment or the deferred sales charge that could apply have not been included. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. The Portfolios' expenses shown in the tables reflect fee waivers in effect and assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return
Class I   $1,000.00    $1,023.70    0.72%     $3.67   
Class II   1,000.00    1,022.40    0.89%   4.54 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class I   $1,000.00    $1,021.58    0.72%   $3.67 
Class II   1,000.00    1,020.72    0.89%   4.53 

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return
Class II   $1,000.00    $1,012.90    1.11%   $5.63   
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II   $1,000.00    $1,019.61    1.11%   $5.65 

46  

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return
Class I   $1,000.00    $1,180.10    1.00%   $5.50   
Class II   1,000.00    1,178.30    1.25%   6.86 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class I   $1,000.00    $1,020.16    1.00%   $5.09 
Class II   1,000.00    1,018.90    1.25%   6.36 

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return
Class II   $1,000.00    $   997.70    1.00%   $5.04   
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II   $1,000.00    $1,020.16    1.00%   $5.09 

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return
Class I   $1,000.00    $1,036.60    0.71%   $3.64   
Class II   1,000.00    1,033.60    0.96%   4.92 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class I   $1,000.00    $1,021.63    0.71%   $3.62 
Class II   1,000.00    1,020.37    0.96%   4.89 

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core
Equity Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return
Class II   $1,000.00    $1,043.10    1.19%   $6.13   
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II   $1,000.00    $1,019.21    1.19%   $6.06 

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return
Class I   $1,000.00    $1,033.70    0.85%   $4.36   
Class II   1,000.00    1,032.40    1.10%   5.64 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class I   $1,000.00    $1,020.92    0.85%   $4.33 
Class II   1,000.00    1,019.66    1.10%   5.60 

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return
Class II   $1,000.00    $1,135.40    1.34%   $7.21   
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II   $1,000.00    $1,018.45    1.34%   $6.82 

 47 

Disclosure of Portfolio expenses

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return
Class I   $1,000.00    $  996.40    0.88%   $4.43   
Class II   1,000.00    995.10    1.13%   5.68 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class I   $1,000.00    $1,020.77    0.88%   $4.48 
Class II   1,000.00    1,019.51    1.13%   5.75 

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22
to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return
Class I   $1,000.00    $1,003.60    0.89%   $4.49   
Class II   1,000.00    1,002.40    1.14%   5.75 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class I   $1,000.00    $1,020.72    0.89%   $4.53 
Class II   1,000.00    1,019.46    1.14%   5.80 

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return
Class II   $1,000.00    $1,061.80    1.25%   $6.50   
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II   $1,000.00    $1,018.90    1.25%   $6.36 

*“Expenses Paid During Period” are equal to the relevant Portfolio's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Because actual returns reflect only the most recent six-month period, the returns shown may differ significantly from fiscal year returns.

In addition to the Portfolios’ expenses reflected above and on the previous pages, each Portfolio also indirectly bears its portion of the fees and expenses of any investment companies (Underlying Funds), including exchange-traded funds in which it invests. The tables above and on the previous pages do not reflect the expenses of any applicable Underlying Funds.


48  

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy As of

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations   0.16%
Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities   0.82%
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities   8.11%
Convertible Bonds   0.18%
Corporate Bonds   11.06%
Banking   2.74%
Basic Industry   0.32%
Brokerage   0.09%
Capital Goods   0.47%
Communications   1.66%
Consumer Cyclical   0.77%
Consumer Non-Cyclical   0.96%
Consumer Staples   0.11%
Electric   1.28%
Energy   0.47%
Finance Companies   0.62%
Insurance   0.37%
Natural Gas   0.11%
Real Estate Investment Trusts   0.07%
Technology   0.98%
Transportation   0.04%
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security   0.00%
Sovereign Bonds   0.14%
US Treasury Obligations   13.86%
Common Stocks   56.65%
Communication Services   4.09%
Consumer Discretionary   7.42%
Consumer Staples   4.20%
Energy   3.84%
Financials   7.39%
Healthcare   9.58%
Industrials   6.62%
Information Technology   11.66%
Materials   0.50%
Utilities   1.35%
Exchange-Traded Funds   2.80%
Bullion   4.66%
Short-Term Investments   1.44%
Securities Lending Collateral   2.44%
Total Value of Securities   102.32%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (2.44%)
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.12%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
Microsoft   1.45%
UnitedHealth Group   1.40%
Deutsche Telekom   1.37%
ORIX   1.35%
Mastercard Class A   1.34%
ConocoPhillips   1.32%
Canadian Natural Resources   1.31%
Larsen & Toubro   1.21%
Procter & Gamble   1.20%
Genmab   1.18%

 49 

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations   0.47%
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities   8.43%
Convertible Bonds   0.05%
Corporate Bonds   11.27%
Banking   1.86%
Basic Industry   0.15%
Brokerage   0.52%
Capital Goods   0.52%
Communications   1.69%
Consumer Cyclical   0.64%
Consumer Non-Cyclical   1.09%
Electric   1.19%
Energy   0.50%
Finance Companies   0.28%
Insurance   0.57%
Natural Gas   0.11%
Real Estate Investment Trusts   0.29%
Technology   1.67%
Transportation   0.19%
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities   2.87%
US Treasury Obligations   16.03%
Common Stocks   55.43%
Communications   2.73%
Consumer Discretionary   3.63%
Consumer Staples   2.40%
Energy   2.20%
Financials   10.39%
Healthcare   8.81%
Industrials   7.27%
Information Technology   13.35%
Materials   2.74%
Utilities   1.91%
Exchange-Traded Funds   3.03%
Short-Term Investments   2.55%
Securities Lending Collateral   0.72%
Total Value of Securities   100.85%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (0.72%)
Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets   (0.13%)
Total Net Assets   100.00%

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
Microsoft   4.37%
UnitedHealth Group   3.26%
NextEra Energy   1.91%
United Rentals   1.90%
Progressive   1.71%
Apple   1.64%
Linde   1.64%
HCA Healthcare   1.51%
TE Connectivity   1.50%
Microchip Technology   1.49%

50  

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks   95.23%
Consumer Discretionary   0.49%
Consumer Staples   2.12%
Energy*   88.87%
Financials   0.50%
Industrials   3.25%
Master Limited Partnerships   2.02%
Short-Term Investments   2.71%
Securities Lending Collateral   1.86%
Total Value of Securities   101.82%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (1.86%)
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.04%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

*To monitor compliance with the Portfolio’s concentration guidelines as described in the Portfolio’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, the Energy sector (as disclosed herein for financial reporting purposes) is subdivided into a variety of “industries” (in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended). The Energy sector consisted of Coal, Energy-Alternative Sources, Oil Component-Exploration & Production, Oil Company-Integrated, Oil Refining & Marketing, Oil & Gas Drilling, Oil- Field Services, Oil-US Royalty Trusts, and Pipelines. As of December 31, 2022, such amounts, as a percentage of total net assets, were 1.23%, 1.38%, 55.18%, 8.55%, 7.85%, 4.22%, 5.01%, 3.36%, and 2.09%, respectively. The percentage in any such single industry will comply with the Portfolio’s concentration policy even if the percentages in the Energy sector for financial reporting purposes may exceed 25%.

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
Shell   6.90%
ConocoPhillips   6.21%
Denbury   6.16%
EOG Resources   6.14%
Chord Energy   6.04%
Chesapeake Energy   5.61%
Schlumberger   5.01%
Tourmaline Oil   4.60%
Valero Energy   4.40%
Occidental Petroleum   4.39%

 51 

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks   99.61%
Communication Services   8.98%
Consumer Discretionary   12.92%
Consumer Staples   3.62%
Financials   4.87%
Healthcare   10.73%
Industrials   10.30%
Information Technology*   48.19%
Short-Term Investments   0.34%
Total Value of Securities   99.95%
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.05%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

*To monitor compliance with the Portfolio’s concentration guidelines as described in the Portfolio’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, the Information Technology sector (as disclosed herein for financial reporting purposes) is subdivided into a variety of “industries” (in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended). The Information Technology sector consisted of Commercial Services, Computers, Diversified Financial Services, Internet, Semiconductors, Software and Telecommunications. As of December 31, 2022, such amounts, as a percentage of total net assets, were 0.92%, 7.94%, 5.93%, 4.79%, 2.68%, 21.03% and 4.90%, respectively. The percentage in any such single industry will comply with the Portfolio’s concentration policy even if the percentages in the Information Technology sector for financial reporting purposes may exceed 25%.

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
Microsoft   12.42%
Apple   7.94%
Visa Class A   5.93%
Alphabet Class A   5.09%
Motorola Solutions   4.90%
VeriSign   4.79%
Amazon.com   4.73%
UnitedHealth Group   4.27%
CoStar Group   4.25%
Coca-Cola   3.38%

52  

Security type / sector allocations

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Convertible Bonds   1.14%
Corporate Bonds   70.32%
Automotive   0.77%
Banking   0.43%
Basic Industry   2.92%
Capital Goods   3.36%
Communications   6.82%
Consumer Goods   1.64%
Energy   11.41%
Financial Services   3.46%
Healthcare   5.99%
Insurance   3.23%
Leisure   5.38%
Media   9.00%
Retail   3.31%
Services   4.62%
Technology & Electronics   3.11%
Transportation   2.52%
Utilities   2.35%
Municipal Bonds   0.51%
Loan Agreements   10.42%
Common Stocks   2.06%
Basic Industry   0.39%
Consumer Goods   0.00%
Energy   0.23%
Leisure   1.11%
Retail   0.05%
Services   0.28%
Utilities   0.00%
Preferred Stock   0.02%
Exchange-Traded Funds   4.00%
Warrants   0.01%
Short-Term Investments   9.55%
Securities Lending Collateral   4.82%
Total Value of Securities   102.85%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (4.82%)
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   1.97%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

 53 

Security type / country and sector allocations

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / country  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks by Country   97.16%
Australia   1.46%
Austria   1.01%
Brazil   3.21%
Canada   5.87%
China   5.15%
China/Hong Kong   6.67%
Denmark   4.69%
France   13.73%
Germany   11.42%
Hong Kong   1.82%
India   3.59%
Japan   10.12%
Netherlands   4.98%
Norway   1.02%
Republic of Korea   3.70%
Spain   1.78%
Switzerland   1.90%
Taiwan   1.88%
United Kingdom   8.32%
United States   4.84%
Short-Term Investments   0.66%
Securities Lending Collateral   1.54%
Total Value of Securities   99.36%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (1.54%)
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   2.18%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

Common stocks by sector  Percentage
of net assets
Communication Services   4.09%
Consumer Discretionary   16.07%
Consumer Staples   9.04%
Energy   10.36%
Financials   17.82%
Healthcare   10.08%
Industrials   14.62%
Information Technology   7.73%
Materials   3.70%
Utilities   3.65%
Total   97.16%

54  

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks   97.95%
Communication Services   7.05%
Consumer Discretionary   14.69%
Consumer Staples   1.36%
Financials   6.88%
Healthcare   18.50%
Industrials   16.13%
Information Technology*   32.49%
Materials   0.85%
Short-Term Investments   2.21%
Securities Lending Collateral   0.04%
Total Value of Securities   100.20%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (0.04%)
Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets   (0.16%)
Total Net Assets   100.00%

*To monitor compliance with the Portfolio's concentration guidelines as described in the Portfolio's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, the Information Technology sector (as disclosed herein for financial reporting purposes) is subdivided into a variety of “industries” (in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended). The Information Technology sector consisted of Computers, Electrical Components & Equipment, Electronics, Office & Business Equipment, Semiconductors, Software, and Telecommunications. As of December 31, 2022, such amounts, as a percentage of total net assets, were 2.24%, 3.64%, 5.14%, 0.70%, 8.94%, 9.89%, and 1.94%, respectively. The percentage in any such single industry will comply with the Portfolio's concentration policy even if the percentages in the Information Technology sector for financial reporting purposes may exceed 25%.

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
CoStar Group   4.72%
Dexcom   3.92%
MarketAxess Holdings   3.05%
Monolithic Power Systems   2.76%
Pinterest Class A   2.55%
Microchip Technology   2.36%
BorgWarner   2.31%
HEICO Class A   2.23%
Keysight Technologies   2.23%
Chipotle Mexican Grill   2.22%

 55 

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Closed-Ended Trust   3.19%
Common Stocks   95.35%
Basic Industry*   27.69%
Consumer Discretionary   0.50%
Consumer Staples   7.59%
Energy*   43.17%
Financials   0.52%
Industrials   5.46%
Materials   8.39%
Real Estate Investment Trusts   2.03%
Short-Term Investments   1.45%
Securities Lending Collateral   3.52%
Total Value of Securities   103.51%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (3.52%)
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.01%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

*To monitor compliance with the Portfolio’s concentration guidelines as described in the Portfolio’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, the Basic Industry and Energy sectors (as disclosed herein for financial reporting purposes) are subdivided into a variety of “industries” (in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended). The Basic Industry sector consisted of Agricultural Chemicals, Gold Mining, Metal-Copper, Platinum, and Precious Metals. As of December 31, 2022, such amounts, as a percentage of total net assets, were 6.06%, 5.56%, 8.65%, 3.56%, and 3.86%, respectively. The Energy sector consisted of Energy-Alternative Sources, Oil Component-Exploration & Production, Oil Company-Integrated, Oil Refining & Marketing, Oil & Gas Drilling, Oil- Field Services, and Oil-US Royalty Trusts. As of December 31, 2022, such amounts, as a percentage of total net assets, were 1.24%, 22.98%, 3.95%, 4.58%, 2.48%, 4.26%, and 3.68%, respectively. The percentage in any such single industry will comply with the Portfolio’s concentration policy even if the percentages in the Basic Industry and Energy sectors for financial reporting purposes may exceed 25%.

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
Valero Energy   4.58%
Chesapeake Energy   4.37%
Denbury   4.29%
Schlumberger   4.26%
Newmont   4.09%
Shell   3.95%
Wheaton Precious Metals   3.87%
Freeport-McMoRan   3.68%
Kimbell Royalty Partners   3.68%
Anglo American   3.56%

56  

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks   95.48%
Communication Services   13.12%
Consumer Discretionary   9.13%
Healthcare   7.74%
Industrials   2.11%
Information Technology*   63.38%
Short-Term Investments   4.60%
Securities Lending Collateral   0.15%
Total Value of Securities   100.23%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (0.15%)
Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets   (0.08%)
Total Net Assets   100.00%

*To monitor compliance with the Portfolio's concentration guidelines as described in the Portfolio's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, the Information Technology sector (as disclosed herein for financial reporting purposes) is subdivided into a variety of “industries” (in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended). The Information Technology sector consisted of Commercial Services, Computers, Diversified Financial Services, Electronics, Internet, Office & Business Equipment, Semiconductors, and Software. As of December 31, 2022, such amounts, as a percentage of total net assets, were 2.79%, 8.76%, 2.60%, 4.64%, 3.76%, 2.39%, 23.70%, and 14.74%, respectively. The percentage in any such single industry will comply with the Portfolio's concentration policy even if the percentages in the Information Technology sector for financial reporting purposes may exceed 25%.

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
Microsoft   7.14%
ASML Holding   4.49%
Amazon.com   4.33%
T-Mobile US   4.04%
Apple   3.82%
Amphenol Class A   3.44%
Pinterest Class A   3.28%
VeriSign   3.25%
Microchip Technology   3.14%
Analog Devices   3.10%

 57 

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks   97.14%
Communication Services   1.55%
Consumer Discretionary   13.92%
Consumer Staples   5.48%
Energy   5.85%
Financials   4.49%
Healthcare   21.32%
Industrials   18.76%
Information Technology   23.51%
Materials   1.47%
Real Estate   0.79%
Short-Term Investments   3.01%
Securities Lending Collateral   0.09%
Total Value of Securities   100.24%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (0.09%)
Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets   (0.15%)
Total Net Assets   100.00%

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings   2.85%
Allegro MicroSystems   2.75%
Visteon   2.34%
Red Rock Resorts Class A   2.32%
Marriott Vacations Worldwide   2.25%
Kinsale Capital Group   2.13%
Cactus Class A   2.12%
Paycor HCM   2.00%
Inmode   1.98%
Progyny   1.97%

58  

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks   98.22%
Basic Materials   7.88%
Business Services   5.44%
Capital Goods   10.78%
Consumer Discretionary   5.78%
Consumer Services   2.21%
Consumer Staples   3.19%
Credit Cyclicals   3.11%
Energy   5.33%
Financials   15.52%
Healthcare   13.05%
Media   1.79%
Real Estate Investment Trusts   6.39%
Technology   12.77%
Transportation   3.07%
Utilities   1.91%
Short-Term Investments   1.92%
Total Value of Securities   100.14%
Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets   (0.14%)
Total Net Assets   100.00%

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
Liberty Energy   2.24%
Chesapeake Energy   1.77%
Reliance Steel & Aluminum   1.67%
WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings   1.48%
ExlService Holdings   1.46%
Quanta Services   1.45%
Huntsman   1.43%
Casey's General Stores   1.38%
Primerica   1.38%
Reinsurance Group of America   1.36%

 59 

Consolidated schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy December 31, 2022

   Principal
amount°
  Value (US $)
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.16%                
Fannie Mae REMI`Cs       
Series 2015-18 NS 1.731%
(6.12% minus LIBOR01M,
Cap 6.12%) 4/25/45 Σ, •
  1,076,900  $115,261
Series 2015-37 SB 1.231%
(5.62% minus LIBOR01M,
Cap 5.62%) 6/25/45 Σ, •
  2,271,350   183,012
Series 2016-48 US 1.711%
(6.10% minus LIBOR01M,
Cap 6.10%) 8/25/46 Σ, •
  2,654,113   198,202
Series 2017-33 AI 4.50%
5/25/47 Σ
  1,082,384   167,218
Series 2019-13 IP 5.00%
3/25/49 Σ
  730,527   147,829
Series 4740 SB 1.832%
(6.15% minus LIBOR01M,
Cap 6.15%) 11/15/47 Σ, •
  1,079,533   111,001
        
Total Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(cost $1,550,808)
      922,523
        
Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.82%       
Fannie Mae       
Series 2017-M2 A2 2.759%
2/25/27 •
  1,449,932   1,364,592
Freddie Mac Multifamily
Structured Pass Through
Certificates
       
Series K103 X1 0.758%
11/25/29 •
  2,019,727   71,320
Series K115 X1 1.429%
6/25/30 •
  1,792,693   136,711
FREMF Mortgage Trust       
Series 2016-K60 B 144A 3.543%
12/25/49 #, •
  2,751,000   2,517,132
Series 2018-K73 B 144A 3.854%
2/25/51 #, •
  600,000   544,263
Total Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $5,355,368)
      4,634,018
        
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 8.11%       
Fannie Mae S.F. 15 yr       
2.50% 4/1/36  2,128,466   1,953,122
Fannie Mae S.F. 30 yr       
2.00% 4/1/51  3,938,375   3,215,712
2.00% 10/1/51  3,389,123   2,762,107
2.50% 7/1/50  3,697,392   3,160,296
3.00% 8/1/50  754,412   669,588
3.00% 12/1/51  1,010,060   892,296
3.50% 8/1/48  3,960,228   3,676,673
Fannie Mae S.F. 30 yr       
4.00% 3/1/47  1,848,842   1,770,957
4.50% 9/1/52  1,252,353   1,205,924
5.00% 6/1/52  934,607   921,682
5.00% 9/1/52  1,959,222   1,932,128
5.50% 10/1/52  1,425,214   1,430,042
5.50% 11/1/52  918,427   929,057
5.50% 12/1/52  1,028,911   1,031,673
6.00% 12/1/52  1,105,886   1,122,545
Fannie Mae S.F. 30 yr TBA       
5.50% 1/1/53  1,147,000   1,149,829
Freddie Mac S.F. 30 yr       
2.00% 3/1/52  1,569,553   1,277,996
2.50% 1/1/51  1,094,902   939,219
2.50% 1/1/52  1,530,347   1,299,324
3.00% 2/1/52  3,075,533   2,700,246
3.50% 6/1/47  1,531,718   1,420,560
4.00% 8/1/52  956,907   902,589
4.50% 9/1/52  1,564,107   1,506,991
5.00% 7/1/52  1,175,687   1,159,428
5.50% 9/1/52  1,011,087   1,021,094
5.50% 11/1/52  1,191,418   1,196,686
GNMA II S.F. 30 yr       
3.00% 12/20/51  524,714   468,846
3.50% 6/20/50  3,795,081   3,521,135
5.00% 9/20/52  728,082   721,630
Total Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $49,427,989)
      45,959,375
        
Convertible Bonds — 0.18%       
Liberty Broadband 144A 2.75%
exercise price $857.56,
maturity date 9/30/50 #
  38,000   37,105
Liberty Broadband 144A 1.25%
exercise price $900.01,
maturity date 9/30/50 #
  999,000   969,030
Total Convertible Bonds
(cost $989,126)
      1,006,135
        
Corporate Bonds — 11.06%       
Banking — 2.74%       
Bank of America       
2.676% 6/19/41 µ  290,000   196,127
4.375% 1/27/27 µ, Ψ  45,000   38,224
5.015% 7/22/33 µ  445,000   423,794
6.204% 11/10/28 µ  290,000   299,938
Bank of New York Mellon       
5.802% 10/25/28 µ  179,000   185,417
5.834% 10/25/33 µ  375,000   389,935
Barclays 7.325% 11/2/26 µ  200,000   207,379

60  

       Principal
amount°
      Value (US $)
Corporate Bonds (continued)       
Banking (continued)       
Citigroup       
1.122% 1/28/27 µ  2,500,000  $2,181,382
3.07% 2/24/28 µ  115,000   103,840
5.61% 9/29/26 µ  100,000   100,533
Citizens Bank 6.064%
10/24/25 µ
  750,000   758,993
Credit Suisse Group 144A
6.442% 8/11/28 #, µ
  655,000   597,467
Fifth Third Bancorp       
4.337% 4/25/33 µ  430,000   394,100
6.361% 10/27/28 µ  295,000   304,046
Fifth Third Bank 5.852%
10/27/25 µ
  250,000   252,704
Goldman Sachs Group       
1.542% 9/10/27 µ  570,000   492,415
3.102% 2/24/33 µ  45,000   36,656
Huntington National Bank       
4.552% 5/17/28 µ  255,000   246,442
5.65% 1/10/30  250,000   252,501
JPMorgan Chase & Co.       
1.953% 2/4/32 µ  165,000   126,593
4.851% 7/25/28 µ  490,000   478,448
KeyBank 5.85% 11/15/27  80,000   82,717
KeyCorp 4.789% 6/1/33 *, µ  914,000   865,666
Morgan Stanley       
1.928% 4/28/32 µ  625,000   473,039
2.484% 9/16/36 µ  1,500,000   1,091,085
6.138% 10/16/26 µ  135,000   138,027
6.296% 10/18/28 µ  165,000   170,623
6.342% 10/18/33 µ  110,000   115,610
PNC Financial Services Group       
5.671% 10/28/25 µ  195,000   197,215
6.20% 9/15/27 µ, Ψ  160,000   156,760
State Street       
2.203% 2/7/28 µ  140,000   125,962
5.751% 11/4/26 µ  45,000   46,113
5.82% 11/4/28 µ  30,000   31,035
SVB Financial Group 4.57%
4/29/33 *, µ
  520,000   461,503
Toronto-Dominion Bank 4.108%
6/8/27 *
  495,000   479,290
Truist Financial 6.123%
10/28/33 *, µ
  117,000   123,476
UniCredit 144A 5.459%
6/30/35 #, µ
  1,000,000   814,409
US Bancorp       
2.491% 11/3/36 µ  1,245,000   950,395
5.727% 10/21/26 µ  135,000   137,646
Wells Fargo & Co. 4.808%
7/25/28 µ
  995,000   973,452
       15,500,957
Basic Industry — 0.32%       
Celanese US Holdings 6.05%
3/15/25
  400,000   398,782
Newmont 2.60% 7/15/32 *  75,000   59,912
Sherwin-Williams 2.90% 3/15/52  710,000   445,140
Suzano Austria 2.50% 9/15/28  600,000   505,686
Westlake 3.125% 8/15/51  690,000   427,620
       1,837,140
Brokerage — 0.09%       
Jefferies Financial Group 2.625%
10/15/31
  630,000   482,098
       482,098
Capital Goods — 0.47%       
Aeropuerto Internacional de
Tocumen 144A 4.00%
8/11/41 #
  500,000   412,716
Boeing       
4.875% 5/1/25  393,000   390,345
5.805% 5/1/50  429,000   399,944
Eaton 4.15% 3/15/33  300,000   279,834
Lockheed Martin       
3.90% 6/15/32  145,000   137,076
4.15% 6/15/53  125,000   106,729
Standard Industries 144A
4.375% 7/15/30 #
  1,173,000   958,352
       2,684,996
Communications — 1.66%
AT&T
       
2.25% 2/1/32 *  1,500,000   1,179,625
3.65% 6/1/51  2,653,000   1,880,529
Charter Communications
Operating 3.85% 4/1/61
  1,625,000   945,558
Comcast 1.50% 2/15/31  2,000,000   1,562,032
Crown Castle       
1.05% 7/15/26  490,000   423,960
2.10% 4/1/31  555,000   438,758
Empresa Nacional de
Telecomunicaciones 144A
3.05% 9/14/32 #
  500,000   398,222
Verizon Communications       
1.50% 9/18/30 *  3,000,000   2,339,239
2.875% 11/20/50  135,000   85,220
Warnermedia Holdings 144A
5.141% 3/15/52 #
  175,000   127,895
       9,381,038

 61 

Consolidated schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy

       Principal
amount°
       Value (US $)
Corporate Bonds (continued)       
Consumer Cyclical — 0.77%       
Alibaba Group Holding 2.125%
2/9/31 *
  500,000  $399,286
Amazon.com       
1.50% 6/3/30  654,000   527,016
2.50% 6/3/50  753,000   477,991
3.60% 4/13/32  170,000   156,074
Aptiv 3.10% 12/1/51  595,000   353,935
Carnival 144A 4.00% 8/1/28 #  550,000   449,548
Home Depot 1.875% 9/15/31  1,000,000   801,700
Sands China 2.80% 3/8/27  1,000,000   857,790
VICI Properties 4.95% 2/15/30  370,000   352,709
       4,376,049
Consumer Non-Cyclical — 0.96%       
AbbVie 3.20% 11/21/29  2,000,000   1,807,503
CVS Health       
1.30% 8/21/27  2,000,000   1,696,373
2.70% 8/21/40  655,000   454,968
4.78% 3/25/38  215,000   196,709
GE HealthCare Technologies       
144A 5.60% 11/15/25 #  115,000   115,832
144A 5.65% 11/15/27 #  115,000   116,547
JBS USA LUX 144A 3.00%
2/2/29 #
  225,000   186,708
Nestle Holdings 144A 1.875%
9/14/31 #, *
  1,000,000   807,453
Zoetis 5.40% 11/14/25  65,000   66,369
       5,448,462
Consumer Staples — 0.11%       
COTA Series D 144A 4.896%
10/2/23 #, <<, =
  3,642,397   637,419
       637,419
Electric — 1.28%       
Appalachian Power 4.50%
8/1/32
  540,000   505,092
Berkshire Hathaway Energy
2.85% 5/15/51
  160,000   105,489
Comision Federal de Electricidad 144A
3.875% 7/26/33 #, *
  500,000   380,401
Duke Energy Carolinas
3.95% 11/15/28
  795,000   764,431
Fells Point Funding Trust 144A
3.046% 1/31/27 #
  115,000   104,824
Indianapolis Power & Light 144A
5.65% 12/1/32 #
  170,000   174,892
Nevada Power 5.90% 5/1/53  260,000   278,779
NextEra Energy Capital Holdings
3.00% 1/15/52
  170,000   111,758
NRG Energy
144A 2.00% 12/2/25 #
  1,100,000   982,275
NRG Energy
144A 2.45% 12/2/27 #
  110,000   91,312
Pacific Gas and Electric 3.00%
6/15/28
  1,154,000   999,859
PacifiCorp 5.35% 12/1/53  90,000   89,632
Southern 5.70% 10/15/32  205,000   210,337
Virginia Electric and Power
2.45% 12/15/50
  2,500,000   1,492,599
Vistra Operations 144A 5.125%
5/13/25 #
  1,000,000   979,685
       7,271,365
Energy — 0.47%       
BP Capital Markets America       
2.721% 1/12/32  215,000   179,775
2.939% 6/4/51  555,000   367,965
Diamondback Energy 4.25%
3/15/52
  45,000   33,124
Energy Transfer 5.75% 2/15/33  90,000   88,226
Enterprise Products Operating
3.30% 2/15/53
  670,000   448,698
Galaxy Pipeline Assets Bidco
144A 2.625% 3/31/36 #
  500,000   404,362
Targa Resources Partners 5.00%
1/15/28
  700,000   668,912
Valero Energy 3.65% 12/1/51  645,000   458,321
       2,649,383
Finance Companies — 0.62%       
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC
2.45% 10/29/26
  2,500,000   2,189,345
Air Lease       
2.875% 1/15/32 *  440,000   350,666
4.125% 12/15/26 µ, y  605,000   415,938
5.85% 12/15/27  115,000   115,073
Aviation Capital Group 144A
3.50% 11/1/27 #
  495,000   433,130
       3,504,152
Insurance — 0.37%       
AIA Group 144A 3.375% 4/7/30 #  540,000   475,706
Aon 5.00% 9/12/32  635,000   629,920
Athene Holding       
3.45% 5/15/52  385,000   237,814
3.95% 5/25/51  175,000   118,791
Berkshire Hathaway Finance
3.85% 3/15/52
  555,000   445,314
Humana       
5.75% 3/1/28  125,000   127,862
5.875% 3/1/33  50,000   51,777
       2,087,184

62  

       Principal
amount°
      Value (US $)
Corporate Bonds (continued)       
Natural Gas — 0.11%       
Atmos Energy       
2.85% 2/15/52  150,000  $97,756
5.75% 10/15/52  270,000   283,536
Southern Co. Gas Capital 5.15%
9/15/32
  231,000   227,424
       608,716
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 0.07%       
American Homes 4 Rent 3.625%
4/15/32
  85,000   71,726
Digital Realty Trust       
4.45% 7/15/28  120,000   113,838
5.55% 1/15/28  210,000   211,767
       397,331
Technology — 0.98%       
Apple       
2.40% 8/20/50  878,000   550,126
2.65% 2/8/51  2,000,000   1,328,568
Autodesk 2.40% 12/15/31 *  165,000   132,235
Broadcom 144A 1.95% 2/15/28 #  1,500,000   1,269,532
CDW 3.276% 12/1/28  555,000   476,209
Entegris Escrow 144A 4.75%
4/15/29 #
  150,000   137,093
Iron Mountain 144A 5.25%
7/15/30 #
  290,000   252,664
Iron Mountain Information       
Management Services 144A
5.00% 7/15/32 #
  895,000   744,770
Oracle       
5.80% 11/10/25 *  45,000   46,058
6.15% 11/9/29  95,000   98,832
PayPal Holdings 3.90% 6/1/27  40,000   38,554
Workday       
3.50% 4/1/27  20,000   18,722
3.70% 4/1/29  45,000   41,379
3.80% 4/1/32  465,000   411,772
       5,546,514
Transportation — 0.04%       
Burlington Northern Santa Fe       
2.875% 6/15/52  135,000   90,651
4.45% 1/15/53  145,000   129,643
       220,294
Total Corporate Bonds
(cost $74,763,264)
      62,633,098
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security — 0.00%       
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors
Trust
       
Series 1998-C1 F 6.25%
11/15/26 •
  13,867   13,860
Total Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-
Backed Security
(cost $13,941)
      13,860
        
Sovereign Bonds — 0.14%Δ       
Mexico — 0.07%       
Mexico Government International
Bond
       
5.00% 4/27/51  500,000   407,546
       407,546
Peru — 0.07%       
Peruvian Government
International Bond
3.00% 1/15/34
  500,000   395,452
       395,452
Total Sovereign Bonds
(cost $1,078,165)
      802,998
        
US Treasury Obligations — 13.86%       
US Treasury Bonds       
2.25% 2/15/52  2,460,000   1,711,622
2.375% 2/15/42  5,290,000   4,041,581
2.875% 5/15/52  450,000   360,703
3.00% 2/15/49  1,235,000   1,017,717
4.00% 11/15/52  470,000   470,808
4.375% 2/15/38  2,755,000   2,886,723
4.75% 2/15/37  1,055,000   1,153,371
US Treasury Floating Rate Note
4.60% (USBMMY3M + 0.14%)
10/31/24 •
  22,510,000   22,486,851
US Treasury Notes       
0.125% 4/30/23  9,410,000   9,280,760
2.875% 4/30/29  2,910,000   2,725,795
3.875% 11/30/27 *  205,000   203,911
3.875% 11/30/29  35,000   34,773
4.00% 12/15/25  340,000   337,875
4.00% 10/31/29  370,000   370,202
4.125% 10/31/27  6,555,000   6,579,581
4.125% 11/15/32  2,110,000   2,153,684
4.25% 10/15/25  9,725,000   9,718,922
4.375% 10/31/24  10,985,000   10,954,534
4.50% 11/15/25  1,995,000   2,007,313
Total US Treasury Obligations
(cost $80,659,937)
      78,496,726

 63 

Consolidated schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy

       Number of
shares
      Value (US $)
Common Stocks — 56.65%       
Communication Services — 4.09%       
Alphabet Class A †  64,229  $5,666,925
Deutsche Telekom  389,356   7,768,060
Frontier Communications Parent †  94,176   2,399,604
Tencent Holdings  93,300   3,992,364
T-Mobile US †  24,046   3,366,440
       23,193,393
Consumer Discretionary — 7.42%       
Amazon.com †  28,020   2,353,680
Aptiv †  50,880   4,738,454
Burlington Stores †  20,920   4,241,739
Darden Restaurants  45,896   6,348,794
Ferrari  18,958   4,062,777
H World Group ADR  101,313   4,297,698
JD.com ADR  76,331   4,284,459
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton  4,246   3,090,234
Media Group Holdings Series H
<<, =, †
  31,963   0
Media Group Holdings Series T
<<, =, †
  4,006   0
Skechers USA Class A †  117,737   4,939,067
Subaru  239,331   3,697,376
       42,054,278
Consumer Staples — 4.20%       
Asahi Group Holdings *  52,100   1,635,171
Casey's General Stores  13,923   3,123,625
China Mengniu Dairy †  1,336,313   6,060,571
COTA Series B <<, =, †  26   0
Procter & Gamble  44,895   6,804,286
Reckitt Benckiser Group  88,528   6,158,272
       23,781,925
Energy — 3.84%       
Canadian Natural Resources  133,282   7,401,149
ConocoPhillips  63,277   7,466,686
Schlumberger  30,591   1,635,395
Shell  90,620   2,568,671
TotalEnergies *  42,618   2,675,639
       21,747,540
Financials — 7.39%       
AGNC Investment  430,186   4,452,425
BNP Paribas  90,528   5,160,229
First Republic Bank  36,302   4,424,851
ICICI Bank  326,459   3,515,363
Intercontinental Exchange  34,768   3,566,849
Morgan Stanley  52,640   4,475,453
ORIX  472,697   7,630,361
Prudential  349,601   4,765,380
State Bank of India  522,483   3,875,835
       41,866,746
Healthcare — 9.58%       
Abbott Laboratories  39,329   4,317,931
AstraZeneca  39,780   5,394,964
Bayer  84,466   4,369,384
Eli Lilly & Co.  12,490   4,569,342
Genmab †  15,800   6,689,094
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals †  8,299   5,987,645
Thermo Fisher Scientific  6,798   3,743,591
UnitedHealth Group  15,013   7,959,592
Vertex Pharmaceuticals †  20,592   5,946,558
Zimmer Biomet Holdings  41,286   5,263,965
       54,242,066
Industrials — 6.62%       
Airbus  53,081   6,308,218
Generac Holdings †  5,183   521,721
Ingersoll Rand  80,393   4,200,534
Larsen & Toubro  270,951   6,831,253
Raytheon Technologies  64,352   6,494,404
Thales  34,306   4,381,037
Union Pacific  23,778   4,923,711
Vinci  38,600   3,854,684
       37,515,562
Information Technology — 11.66%       
Ambarella †  56,930   4,681,354
Apple  39,925   5,187,455
Autodesk †  19,028   3,555,762
Check Point Software
Technologies †
  47,018   5,931,791
Intuit  14,283   5,559,229
KLA  7,435   2,803,218
Mastercard Class A  21,873   7,605,898
Microchip Technology  43,139   3,030,515
Microsoft  34,279   8,220,790
NVIDIA  21,288   3,111,028
PayPal Holdings †  47,705   3,397,550
Seagate Technology Holdings  45,380   2,387,442
Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing
  362,450   5,288,960
VeriSign †  25,618   5,262,962
       66,023,954
Materials — 0.50%       
Barrick Gold  164,020   2,817,863
       2,817,863
Utilities — 1.35%       
NTPC  1,598,277   3,215,680

64  

       Number of
shares
      Value (US $)
Common Stocks (continued)       
Utilities (continued)       
RWE  99,129  $4,413,225
       7,628,905
Total Common Stocks
(cost $343,192,957)
      320,872,232
 
Exchange-Traded Funds — 2.80%       
iShares 0-5 Year High Yield
Corporate Bond ETF *
  205,191   8,390,260
Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF *  105,746   7,441,346
Total Exchange-Traded Funds
(cost $16,635,596)
      15,831,606
 
   Troy
Ounces
    
Bullion — 4.66%       
Gold  14,463   26,371,837
Total Bullion
(cost $17,562,017)
      26,371,837
 
   Number of
shares
    
Short-Term Investments — 1.44%       
Money Market Mutual Funds — 1.44%       
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund – Institutional Shares (seven- day effective yield 4.03%)  2,033,971   2,033,971
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio – Class I (seven-day effective yield 4.06%)  2,033,971   2,033,971
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund – Institutional Shares (seven- day effective yield 4.23%)  2,033,971   2,033,971
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Government Portfolio – Institutional Class (seven-day effective yield 4.11%)  2,033,971   2,033,971
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $8,135,884)
      8,135,884
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral—99.88%

(cost $599,365,052)
      565,680,292
Securities Lending Collateral** — 2.44%       
Money Market Mutual Fund — 2.44%       
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
  13,818,320   13,818,320
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $13,818,320)
      13,818,320
Total Value of
Securities—102.32%

(cost $613,183,372)
     $579,498,612■

° Principal amount shown is stated in USD unless noted that the security is denominated in another currency.
Σ Interest only security. An interest only security is the interest only portion of a fixed income security, which is separated and sold individually from the principal portion of the security.
Variable rate investment. Rates reset periodically. Rate shown reflects the rate in effect at December 31, 2022. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread are indicated in their descriptions. The reference rate descriptions (i.e. LIBOR03M, LIBOR06M, etc.) used in this report are identical for different securities, but the underlying reference rates may differ due to the timing of the reset period. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions, or for mortgage-backed securities, are impacted by the individual mortgages which are paying off over time. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their descriptions.
# Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. At December 31, 2022, the aggregate value of Rule 144A securities was $16,120,744, which represents 2.85% of the Portfolio's net assets. See Note 13 in “Notes to financial statements."
µ Fixed to variable rate investment. The rate shown reflects the fixed rate in effect at December 31, 2022. Rate will reset at a future date.
Ψ Perpetual security. Maturity date represents next call date.
* Fully or partially on loan.
<<  Affiliated company. See Note 2 in "Notes to financial statements."
= The value of this security was determined using significant unobservable inputs and is reported as a Level 3 security in the disclosure table located in Note 3 in “Notes to financial statements.”
Δ Securities have been classified by country of risk.
Non-income producing security.
** See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral.

 65 

Consolidated schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy

Includes $17,116,801 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $3,833,114.

The following futures contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2022:1

Futures Contracts Exchange-Traded

Contracts to Buy (Sell)  Notional
Amount
   Notional
Cost
(Proceeds)
   Expiration
Date
  Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
   Value/
Unrealized
Depreciation
   Variation
Margin
Due from
(Due to)
Brokers
 
22    US Treasury 5 yr Notes    $2,374,453     $2,374,322     3/31/23    $131     $     $(1,891)
   US Treasury 10 yr                            
165  Notes   18,528,985    18,580,939   3/22/23       (51,954)   (23,202)
   US Treasury Ultra                            
7  Bonds   940,188    938,053   3/22/23   2,135        (3,500)
Total Futures Contracts       $21,893,314      $2,266   $(51,954)  $(28,593)

The use of futures contracts involves elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The notional amounts presented above represent the Portfolio's total exposure in such contracts, whereas only the variation margin is reflected in the Portfolio's net assets.

1See Note 10 in “Notes to financial statements.”

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

DAC – Designated Activity Company

ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund

FREMF – Freddie Mac Multifamily

GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association

ICE – Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

LIBOR01M – ICE LIBOR USD 1 Month

LIBOR03M – ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month

LIBOR06M – ICE LIBOR USD 6 Month

S.F. – Single Family

TBA – To be announced

USBMMY3M – US Treasury 3 Month Bill Money Market Yield

USD – US Dollar

yr – Year

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


66  

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced

December 31, 2022

       Principal
amount°
      Value (US $)
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.47%       
Fannie Mae REMICs       
Series 2016-36 VB 3.50%
6/25/29
  329,519  $317,838
Series 2016-71 NB 3.00%
10/25/46
  439,925   400,478
Freddie Mac REMICs       
Series 4616 HW 3.00%
6/15/45
  277,203   258,118
Vendee Mortgage Trust       
Series 1997-1 3A 8.293%
12/15/26
  12,139   12,412
Total Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(cost $1,100,063)
      988,846
        
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 8.43%       
Fannie Mae S.F. 15 yr       
2.50% 8/1/35  189,692   174,057
Fannie Mae S.F. 20 yr       
2.00% 5/1/41  235,949   200,942
4.00% 9/1/42  349,553   331,161
Fannie Mae S.F. 30 yr       
2.00% 4/1/51  821,102   670,436
2.50% 1/1/52  513,697   435,726
2.50% 4/1/52  238,364   202,143
3.00% 12/1/51  619,872   547,601
3.00% 2/1/52  781,027   685,475
3.50% 1/1/48  70,412   65,293
3.50% 8/1/50  61,000   56,559
3.50% 8/1/51  461,115   419,957
3.50% 1/1/52  586,878   534,121
3.50% 4/1/52  1,138,000   1,044,788
4.50% 11/1/43  216,049   213,293
4.50% 10/1/44  77,021   75,662
4.50% 5/1/49  197,000   192,304
5.00% 6/1/52  355,950   351,028
5.00% 9/1/52  750,857   740,473
5.50% 10/1/52  546,037   547,888
5.50% 11/1/52  294,297   297,704
5.50% 12/1/52  326,386   327,262
6.50% 10/1/28  23,019   23,571
6.50% 2/1/29  11,509   11,729
6.50% 2/1/32  85,267   89,299
7.00% 7/1/31  18,934   19,787
7.00% 9/1/31  34,050   35,071
7.00% 2/1/32  37,439   38,502
7.00% 3/1/32  17,941   18,804
7.00% 7/1/32  36,465   37,438
7.50% 4/1/31  10,431   10,581
Fannie Mae S.F. 30 yr TBA
5.50% 1/1/53
  242,000   242,597
Freddie Mac S.F. 15 yr
2.00% 12/1/35
  267,239   239,036
Freddie Mac S.F. 20 yr       
2.00% 3/1/41  862,653   734,656
2.50% 2/1/42  359,540   312,660
Freddie Mac S.F. 30 yr       
2.00% 3/1/52  232,029   188,928
2.50% 7/1/50  393,426   337,865
2.50% 1/1/52  1,469,948   1,250,850
3.00% 8/1/51  35,971   31,803
3.00% 12/1/51  1,029,753   904,738
3.00% 2/1/52  1,037,327   910,748
3.50% 6/1/47  670,085   621,456
3.50% 4/1/52  552,029   504,038
4.00% 8/1/52  765,136   721,704
4.50% 9/1/52  684,951   659,939
5.00% 7/1/52  375,553   370,359
5.50% 9/1/52  324,768   328,275
5.50% 11/1/52  429,088   430,851
GNMA II S.F. 30 yr       
3.00% 12/20/51  177,652   158,737
5.00% 9/20/52  232,430   230,370
Total Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
(cost $19,069,726)
      17,578,265
        
Convertible Bonds — 0.05%       
Liberty Broadband 144A 2.75%
exercise price $857.56,
maturity date 9/30/50 #
  4,000   3,906
Liberty Broadband 144A 1.25%
exercise price $900.01,
maturity date 9/30/50 #
  113,000   109,610
Total Convertible Bonds
(cost $111,597)
      113,516
        
Corporate Bonds — 11.27%       
Banking — 1.86%       
Bank of America       
2.482% 9/21/36 µ  400,000   294,823
2.676% 6/19/41 µ  110,000   74,393
4.375% 1/27/27 µ, y  45,000   38,224
6.204% 11/10/28 µ  75,000   77,570
Bank of New York Mellon 5.802%       
10/25/28 µ  36,000   37,291
Citigroup       
5.61% 9/29/26 µ  40,000   40,213
6.25% 8/15/26 µ, y  648,000   630,180
Citizens Bank 6.064% 10/24/25 µ  250,000   252,998

 67 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced

       Principal
amount°
      Value (US $)
Corporate Bonds (continued)       
Banking (continued)       
Fifth Third Bancorp       
4.337% 4/25/33 µ  24,000  $21,996
6.361% 10/27/28 µ  16,000   16,491
Goldman Sachs Group       
1.542% 9/10/27 µ  25,000   21,597
3.102% 2/24/33 µ  375,000   305,468
Huntington National Bank 4.552%
5/17/28 µ
  250,000   241,610
JPMorgan Chase & Co.       
1.953% 2/4/32 µ  60,000   46,034
4.851% 7/25/28 µ  140,000   136,700
5.00% 8/1/24 µ, y  337,000   308,542
KeyBank 5.85% 11/15/27  280,000   289,511
KeyCorp 4.789% 6/1/33 *, µ  42,000   39,779
Morgan Stanley       
2.484% 9/16/36 µ  120,000   87,287
6.138% 10/16/26 µ  50,000   51,121
6.296% 10/18/28 µ  65,000   67,215
6.342% 10/18/33 µ  40,000   42,040
PNC Financial Services Group       
5.671% 10/28/25 µ  75,000   75,852
6.20% 9/15/27 µ, y  60,000   58,785
State Street       
2.203% 2/7/28 µ  50,000   44,986
5.751% 11/4/26 µ  15,000   15,371
5.82% 11/4/28 µ  10,000   10,345
SVB Financial Group 4.57%
4/29/33 *, µ
  70,000   62,125
Toronto-Dominion Bank 4.108%
6/8/27 *
  75,000   72,620
Truist Financial 6.123%
10/28/33 *, µ
  46,000   48,546
US Bancorp 5.727% 10/21/26 µ  50,000   50,980
Wells Fargo & Co.       
2.572% 2/11/31 µ  290,000   240,771
4.808% 7/25/28 µ  75,000   73,376
       3,874,840
Basic Industry — 0.15%       
Celanese US Holdings 6.05%
3/15/25
  155,000   154,528
Newmont 2.60% 7/15/32 *  25,000   19,971
Sherwin-Williams 3.30% 5/15/50  205,000   141,037
       315,536
Brokerage — 0.52%       
Blackstone Holdings Finance
144A 2.00% 1/30/32 #
  325,000   239,544
KKR Group Finance VIII 144A
3.50% 8/25/50 #
  350,000   235,463
LSEGA Financing 144A 2.50%
4/6/31 #, *
  350,000   290,749
National Securities Clearing 144A
1.50% 4/23/25 #
  350,000   324,735
       1,090,491
Capital Goods — 0.52%       
Boeing       
3.25% 2/1/28  25,000   22,747
3.75% 2/1/50  265,000   183,050
Eaton 4.15% 3/15/33  230,000   214,539
Lockheed Martin       
3.90% 6/15/32  215,000   203,251
4.15% 6/15/53  45,000   38,422
Raytheon Technologies 2.25%
7/1/30
  300,000   250,343
Standard Industries 144A 4.375%
7/15/30 #
  219,000   178,925
       1,091,277
Communications — 1.69%       
AT&T 3.50% 9/15/53  520,000   353,306
CCO Holdings 144A 4.25%
1/15/34 #
  470,000   347,800
Charter Communications
Operating 3.85% 4/1/61
  315,000   183,293
Comcast       
3.45% 2/1/50  675,000   492,742
4.25% 10/15/30  450,000   431,667
Crown Castle       
1.05% 7/15/26  110,000   95,175
2.10% 4/1/31  210,000   166,016
Sprint 7.875% 9/15/23  315,000   320,098
T-Mobile USA 3.875% 4/15/30  290,000   263,366
Verizon Communications       
2.875% 11/20/50  50,000   31,563
4.50% 8/10/33  500,000   469,457
Walt Disney 2.75% 9/1/49  500,000   333,001
Warnermedia Holdings 144A
5.141% 3/15/52 #
  65,000   47,504
       3,534,988
Consumer Cyclical — 0.64%       
Amazon.com       
2.50% 6/3/50  80,000   50,783
3.60% 4/13/32  65,000   59,675
Carnival 144A 4.00% 8/1/28 #  105,000   85,823
General Motors Financial 3.70%
5/9/23
  150,000   149,279
Home Depot 3.35% 4/15/50  700,000   517,259
PVH 4.625% 7/10/25  350,000   338,293
VICI Properties 4.95% 2/15/30 *  140,000   133,457
       1,334,569

68  

       Principal
amount°
      Value (US $)
Corporate Bonds (continued)       
Consumer Non-Cyclical — 1.09%       
Coca-Cola 2.25% 1/5/32 *  600,000  $504,936
CVS Health       
4.78% 3/25/38  125,000   114,365
5.05% 3/25/48  180,000   162,474
JBS USA LUX 144A 3.00%
2/2/29 #
  80,000   66,385
Johnson & Johnson 3.40%
1/15/38
  1,000,000   852,780
Merck & Co. 2.75% 12/10/51  250,000   168,258
Nestle Holdings 144A 4.00%
9/24/48 #
  380,000   321,876
Royalty Pharma 3.55% 9/2/50  79,000   50,796
Zoetis 5.40% 11/14/25 *  25,000   25,527
       2,267,397
Electric — 1.19%       
Appalachian Power 4.50% 8/1/32  280,000   261,900
Berkshire Hathaway Energy
2.85% 5/15/51
  260,000   171,420
Commonwealth Edison 2.20%
3/1/30
  350,000   294,210
Duke Energy Carolinas 3.95%
11/15/28
  275,000   264,426
Entergy       
2.80% 6/15/30  235,000   199,032
3.75% 6/15/50  125,000   92,618
Florida Power & Light 3.15%
10/1/49
  425,000   308,191
Indianapolis Power & Light 144A
5.65% 12/1/32 #
  65,000   66,870
Nevada Power 5.90% 5/1/53  100,000   107,223
NextEra Energy Capital Holdings
3.00% 1/15/52
  65,000   42,731
Oglethorpe Power 5.05% 10/1/48  185,000   159,061
Oncor Electric Delivery 2.75%
5/15/30
  450,000   392,958
PacifiCorp 5.35% 12/1/53  35,000   34,857
Southern 5.70% 10/15/32  75,000   76,952
       2,472,449
Energy — 0.50%       
BP Capital Markets America       
2.721% 1/12/32  80,000   66,893
Cheniere Energy Partners 3.25%
1/31/32
  120,000   95,527
Diamondback Energy 4.25%
3/15/52
  15,000   11,041
Energy Transfer 5.75% 2/15/33  35,000   34,310
EQT 6.125% 2/1/25  500,000   501,990
Targa Resources Partners 5.00%
1/15/28
  170,000   162,450
Valero Energy 3.65% 12/1/51  245,000   174,091
       1,046,302
Finance Companies — 0.28%       
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC
6.50% 7/15/25 *
  250,000   253,556
Air Lease       
2.875% 1/15/32 *  160,000   127,515
5.85% 12/15/27  45,000   45,029
Aviation Capital Group 144A
3.50% 11/1/27 #
  190,000   166,252
       592,352
Insurance — 0.57%       
Aon 5.00% 9/12/32  245,000   243,040
Athene Holding       
3.45% 5/15/52  150,000   92,655
3.95% 5/25/51  65,000   44,122
Berkshire Hathaway Finance
3.85% 3/15/52
  210,000   168,497
Humana       
5.75% 3/1/28  46,000   47,053
5.875% 3/1/33  20,000   20,711
Northwestern Mutual Life
Insurance 144A 3.85%
9/30/47 #
  500,000   383,791
UnitedHealth Group 3.05%
5/15/41
  250,000   188,887
       1,188,756
Natural Gas — 0.11%       
Atmos Energy       
2.85% 2/15/52  55,000   35,844
5.75% 10/15/52  105,000   110,264
Southern Co. Gas Capital 5.15%
9/15/32 *
  91,000   89,591
       235,699
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 0.29%       
American Homes 4 Rent 3.625%
4/15/32
  35,000   29,535
Digital Realty Trust       
4.45% 7/15/28  45,000   42,689
5.55% 1/15/28  80,000   80,673
Extra Space Storage 2.35%
3/15/32
  600,000   455,529
       608,426
Technology — 1.67%       
Apple       
2.65% 5/11/50  175,000   116,613
2.95% 9/11/49  500,000   356,422

 69 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced

       Principal
amount°
      Value (US $)
Corporate Bonds (continued)       
Technology (continued)       
Autodesk       
2.40% 12/15/31 *  60,000  $48,085
2.85% 1/15/30  500,000   431,013
CDW 3.276% 12/1/28  35,000   30,031
Entegris Escrow 144A 4.75%
4/15/29 #
  55,000   50,267
Infor 144A 1.75% 7/15/25 #  125,000   113,051
Iron Mountain 144A 5.25%
7/15/30 #
  54,000   47,048
Iron Mountain Information       
Management Services 144A
5.00% 7/15/32 #
  165,000   137,304
Microsoft 3.45% 8/8/36  365,000   324,332
Oracle       
5.80% 11/10/25 *  15,000   15,352
6.15% 11/9/29  35,000   36,412
PayPal Holdings 3.90% 6/1/27  15,000   14,458
ServiceNow 1.40% 9/1/30  435,000   333,762
Thomson Reuters 3.35% 5/15/26  425,000   402,577
TSMC Global 144A 1.75%
4/23/28 #
  600,000   508,429
Visa 2.70% 4/15/40  440,000   335,120
Workday       
3.50% 4/1/27  10,000   9,361
3.70% 4/1/29  15,000   13,793
3.80% 4/1/32  175,000   154,968
       3,478,398
Transportation — 0.19%       
Burlington Northern Santa Fe       
2.875% 6/15/52  50,000   33,575
4.45% 1/15/53  55,000   49,175
Kansas City Southern 2.875%
11/15/29
  350,000   303,112
       385,862
Total Corporate Bonds
(cost $27,591,298)
      23,517,342
        
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 2.87%       
BANK       
Series 2021-BN32 A5 2.643%
4/15/54
  730,000   609,008
Series 2021-BN36 A5 2.47%
9/15/64
  860,000   701,031
Series 2022-BNK39 A4
2.928% 2/15/55
  862,000   727,360
Series 2022-BNK39 B 3.239%
2/15/55 •
  100,000   74,422
Series 2022-BNK39 C 3.27%
2/15/55 •
  45,000   30,667
BANK       
Series 2022-BNK40 A4
3.394% 3/15/64 •
  850,000   746,924
Series 2022-BNK40 B 3.394%
3/15/64 •
  100,000   75,732
Benchmark Mortgage Trust       
Series 2022-B32 A5 3.002%
1/15/55 •
  1,000,000   845,258
Series 2022-B32 B 3.202%
1/15/55 •
  100,000   72,821
Series 2022-B32 C 3.454%
1/15/55 •
  125,000   85,049
Series 2022-B33 A5 3.458%
3/15/55
  900,000   796,277
Series 2022-B33 B 3.615%
3/15/55 •
  50,000   38,754
Series 2022-B33 C 3.615%
3/15/55 •
  50,000   36,046
BMO Mortgage Trust       
Series 2022-C1 A5 3.374%
2/17/55 •
  500,000   433,846
Wells Fargo Commercial       
Mortgage Trust
Series 2021-C61 A4 2.658%
11/15/54
  865,000   703,968
Total Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-
Backed Securities

(cost $7,261,705)
      5,977,163
        
US Treasury Obligations — 16.03%       
US Treasury Bonds       
2.375% 2/15/42  1,470,000   1,123,086
2.875% 5/15/52  75,000   60,117
3.00% 8/15/52  835,000   688,223
4.00% 11/15/52  775,000   776,332
US Treasury Floating Rate Note       
4.60% (USBMMY3M + 0.14%)
10/31/24 •
  1,270,000   1,268,694
US Treasury Notes       
0.125% 4/30/23  9,955,400   9,818,670
0.125% 12/15/23 *  3,195,000   3,060,727
0.375% 4/15/24  4,885,000   4,623,195
1.50% 11/30/24  1,700,000   1,608,957
2.75% 8/15/32  825,000   751,395
3.875% 11/30/27 *  360,000   358,087
3.875% 11/30/29  10,000   9,935
4.125% 10/31/27  875,000   878,281
4.125% 11/15/32  1,765,000   1,801,541
4.25% 10/15/25  5,140,000   5,136,787
4.375% 10/31/24  1,140,000   1,136,838

70  

       Principal
amount°
      Value (US $)
US Treasury Obligations (continued)       
US Treasury Notes
4.50% 11/30/24 *
  340,000  $340,040
Total US Treasury Obligations
(cost $34,256,349)
      33,440,905
        
   Number of
shares
    
Common Stocks — 55.43%       
Communications — 2.73%       
Alphabet Class A †  22,921   2,022,320
Alphabet Class C †  19,477   1,728,194
Take-Two Interactive Software †  18,735   1,950,876
       5,701,390
Consumer Discretionary — 3.63%       
Amazon.com †  25,227   2,119,068
Aptiv †  27,101   2,523,916
AutoZone †  1,189   2,932,288
       7,575,272
Consumer Staples — 2.40%       
Costco Wholesale  4,452   2,032,338
Sysco  38,967   2,979,027
       5,011,365
Energy — 2.20%       
ConocoPhillips  25,460   3,004,280
Schlumberger  29,488   1,576,428
       4,580,708
Financials — 10.39%       
American Express  10,042   1,483,706
Aon Class A  5,939   1,782,531
Artisan Partners Asset
Management Class A
  43,937   1,304,929
Bank of America  40,772   1,350,369
Blackstone  23,154   1,717,795
Charles Schwab  31,009   2,581,809
CME Group  7,453   1,253,297
Discover Financial Services  4,833   472,812
Intercontinental Exchange  10,897   1,117,923
KKR & Co.  46,597   2,163,033
Morgan Stanley  33,872   2,879,797
Progressive  27,457   3,561,448
       21,669,449
Healthcare — 8.81%       
Danaher  11,117   2,950,674
Eli Lilly & Co.  4,077   1,491,530
HCA Healthcare  13,134   3,151,634
UnitedHealth Group  12,822   6,797,968
Vertex Pharmaceuticals †  5,308   1,532,844
Zoetis  16,774   2,458,230
       18,382,880
Industrials — 7.27%       
Airbus ADR  97,297   2,885,829
Deere & Co.  6,166   2,643,734
Equifax  12,016   2,335,430
Raytheon Technologies  15,701   1,584,545
Union Pacific  8,430   1,745,600
United Rentals †  11,181   3,973,951
       15,169,089
Information Technology — 13.35%       
Apple  26,378   3,427,293
Applied Materials  22,342   2,175,664
Intuit  5,089   1,980,741
Mastercard Class A  5,986   2,081,512
Microchip Technology  44,276   3,110,389
Microsoft  38,016   9,116,997
TE Connectivity  27,260   3,129,448
VeriSign †  11,885   2,441,654
Zebra Technologies Class A †  1,543   395,641
       27,859,339
Materials — 2.74%       
Linde  10,505   3,426,521
Sherwin-Williams  9,654   2,291,184
       5,717,705
Utilities — 1.91%       
NextEra Energy  47,565   3,976,434
       3,976,434
Total Common Stocks
(cost $123,418,192)
      115,643,631
        
Exchange-Traded Funds — 3.03%       
iShares 0-5 Year Investment
Grade Corporate Bond ETF*
  45,886   2,196,104
Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF*  58,566   4,121,290
Total Exchange-Traded Funds
(cost $6,693,006)
      6,317,394
        
Short-Term Investments — 2.55%       
Money Market Mutual Funds — 2.55%       
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
  1,332,244   1,332,244
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
  1,332,244   1,332,244

 71 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced

       Number of
shares
      Value (US $)
Short-Term Investments (continued)       
Money Market Mutual Funds (continued)       
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
  1,332,244  $1,332,244
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield 4.11%)
  1,332,244   1,332,244
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $5,328,976)
      5,328,976
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral—100.13%

(cost $224,830,912)
      208,906,038
        
Securities Lending Collateral** — 0.72%       
Money Market Mutual Fund — 0.72%       
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
  1,496,265   1,496,265
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $1,496,265)
      1,496,265
Total Value of Securities—100.85%
(cost $226,327,177)
     $210,402,303■

° Principal amount shown is stated in USD unless noted that the security is denominated in another currency.
# Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. At December 31, 2022, the aggregate value of Rule 144A securities was $3,725,332, which represents 1.79% of the Portfolio's net assets. See Note 13 in “Notes to financial statements."
µ Fixed to variable rate investment. The rate shown reflects the fixed rate in effect at December 31, 2022. Rate will reset at a future date.
Ψ  Perpetual security. Maturity date represents next call date.
* Fully or partially on loan.
Variable rate investment. Rates reset periodically. Rate shown reflects the rate in effect at December 31, 2022. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread are indicated in their descriptions. The reference rate descriptions (i.e. LIBOR03M, LIBOR06M, etc.) used in this report are identical for different securities, but the underlying reference rates may differ due to the timing of the reset period. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions, or for mortgage-backed securities, are impacted by the individual mortgages which are paying off over time. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their descriptions.
Non-income producing security.
** See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral.
Includes $6,998,190 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $5,675,598.

72  

The following futures contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2022:1

Futures Contracts Exchange-Traded

Contracts to Buy (Sell)  Notional
Amount
   Notional
Cost
(Proceeds)
   Expiration
Date
  Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
   Value/
Unrealized
Depreciation
   Variation
Margin
Due from
(Due to)
Brokers
 
57    US Treasury 5 yr Notes     $6,151,992     $6,151,652     3/31/23    $340     $     $(4,899)
   US Treasury 10 yr                            
10  Notes   1,122,968    1,126,117   3/22/23       (3,149)   (1,406)
   US Treasury Ultra                            
3  Bonds   402,938    402,023   3/22/23   915        (1,500)
   US Treasury 10 yr Ultra                            
(18)  Notes   (2,129,062)   (2,131,971)  3/22/23   2,909        1,125 
Total Futures Contracts       $5,547,821      $4,164   $(3,149)  $(6,680)

The use of futures contracts involves elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The notional amounts presented above represent the Portfolio's total exposure in such contracts, whereas only the variation margin is reflected in the Portfolio's net assets.

1See Note 10 in “Notes to financial statements.”

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

DAC – Designated Activity Company

ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund

GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association

ICE – Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

LIBOR03M – ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month

LIBOR06M – ICE LIBOR USD 6 Month

S.F. – Single Family

TBA – To be announced

USBMMY3M – US Treasury 3 Month Bill Money Market Yield

USD – US Dollar

yr – Year

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 73 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
   Value (US $) 
Common Stocks — 95.23% ♦          
Consumer Discretionary — 0.49%          
Spruce Power Holding †   654,518   $601,568 
         601,568 
Consumer Staples — 2.12%          
Darling Ingredients †   42,109    2,635,602 
         2,635,602 
Energy — 88.87%          
Chesapeake Energy *   73,721    6,957,051 
Chord Energy   54,780    7,494,452 
ConocoPhillips   65,272    7,702,096 
Coterra Energy   94,889    2,331,423 
Denbury †   87,768    7,637,571 
Devon Energy   83,100    5,111,481 
Diamondback Energy   9,273    1,268,361 
Enterprise Products Partners   54,728    1,320,039 
EOG Resources   58,811    7,617,201 
EQT   98,837    3,343,656 
Equinor   56,887    2,042,794 
Equitrans Midstream   189,063    1,266,722 
Kimbell Royalty Partners   249,715    4,170,240 
Marathon Petroleum   36,799    4,283,036 
Occidental Petroleum   86,535    5,450,840 
Parex Resources   251,182    3,738,048 
Peabody Energy *, †   57,559    1,520,709 
Schlumberger   116,132    6,208,417 
Shell   304,420    8,560,344 
Sunrun †   71,470    1,716,709 
Tourmaline Oil   113,176    5,710,623 
Unit †   70,714    4,091,512 
Valaris †   77,322    5,228,514 
Valero Energy   43,030    5,458,786 
         110,230,625 
Financials — 0.50%          
Rice Acquisition Class A †   61,237    622,780 
         622,780 
Industrials — 3.25%          
Generac Holdings †   13,597    1,368,674 
Li-Cycle Holdings *, †   263,337    1,253,484 
NuScale Power *, †   137,360    1,409,314 
         4,031,472 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $110,587,026)
        118,122,047 
           
Master Limited Partnerships — 2.02%          
Black Stone Minerals   148,782    2,509,952 
           
Total Master Limited Partnerships
(cost $2,060,899)
        2,509,952 
           
Short-Term Investments — 2.71%          
Money Market Mutual Funds — 2.71%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   839,717$   839,717 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   839,717    839,717 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
   839,717    839,717 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   839,717    839,717 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $3,358,868)
        3,358,868 
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral—99.96%

(cost $116,006,793)
        123,990,867 
           
Securities Lending Collateral** — 1.86%          
Money Market Mutual Fund — 1.86%          
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
   2,302,463    2,302,463 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $2,302,463)
        2,302,463 
Total Value of Securities—101.82%
(cost $118,309,256)
                $126,293,330■ 

Narrow industries are utilized for compliance purposes for concentration whereas broad sectors are used for financial reporting.
Non-income producing security.
* Fully or partially on loan.
** See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral.
Includes $10,672,836 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $8,696,894.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


74  

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
   Value (US $) 
Common Stocks — 99.61% ♦          
Communication Services — 8.98%          
Alphabet Class A †   362,636   $31,995,374 
Alphabet Class C †   55,850    4,955,571 
Electronic Arts   158,952    19,420,755 
         56,371,700 
Consumer Discretionary — 12.92%          
Amazon.com †   353,473    29,691,732 
Booking Holdings †   3,850    7,758,828 
Ferrari *   63,024    13,501,001 
Home Depot   26,372    8,329,860 
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis
Vuitton ADR
   69,320    10,042,388 
NIKE Class B   101,255    11,847,848 
         81,171,657 
Consumer Staples — 3.62%          
Coca-Cola   333,584    21,219,278 
Estee Lauder Class A   6,186    1,534,809 
         22,754,087 
Financials — 4.87%          
Intercontinental Exchange   144,060    14,779,116 
S&P Global   47,261    15,829,599 
         30,608,715 
Healthcare — 10.73%          
Cooper   38,380    12,691,114 
Danaher   36,497    9,687,034 
Intuitive Surgical †   35,759    9,488,651 
UnitedHealth Group   50,587    26,820,216 
Veeva Systems Class A †   15,053    2,429,253 
Zoetis   42,911    6,288,607 
         67,404,875 
Industrials — 10.30%          
CoStar Group †   345,916    26,732,389 
Equifax   18,508    3,597,215 
JB Hunt Transport Services   68,458    11,936,337 
TransUnion   209,139    11,868,638 
Union Pacific   24,645    5,103,240 
Verisk Analytics   30,846    5,441,851 
         64,679,670 
Information Technology — 48.19%          
Adobe †   35,769    12,037,341 
Apple   383,779    49,864,405 
Autodesk †   40,972    7,656,438 
Broadridge Financial Solutions   87,192    11,695,063 
Intuit   37,676    14,664,253 
Microsoft   325,420    78,042,224 
Motorola Solutions   119,427    30,777,532 
NVIDIA   115,156    16,828,898 
PayPal Holdings †   81,586    5,810,555 
Salesforce †   60,577    8,031,904 
VeriSign †   146,520    30,101,069 
Visa Class A *   179,272    37,245,551 
         302,755,233 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $492,560,530)
        625,745,937 
           
Short-Term Investments — 0.34%          
Money Market Mutual Funds — 0.34%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   537,483    537,483 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   537,483    537,483 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
   537,483    537,483 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   537,483    537,483 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $2,149,932)
        2,149,932 
Total Value of Securities—99.95%
(cost $494,710,462)
                $627,895,869■ 

Narrow industries are utilized for compliance purposes for concentration whereas broad sectors are used for financial reporting.
Non-income producing security.
* Fully or partially on loan.
Includes $40,780,181 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $41,710,267.

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

S&P – Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 75 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

December 31, 2022

   Principal
amount°
   Value (US $) 
Convertible Bonds — 1.14%                  
New Cotai 5.00% exercise price
$100.00, maturity date
2/2/27 =
   3,298,686   $7,605,540 
Spirit Airlines 1.00% exercise
price $49.07, maturity date
5/15/26
   1,186,000    960,660 
Total Convertible Bonds
(cost $4,249,792)
        8,566,200 
           
Corporate Bonds — 70.32%          
Automotive — 0.77%          
Ford Motor 4.75% 1/15/43   2,660,000    1,915,327 
Goodyear Tire & Rubber 5.25%
7/15/31
   4,740,000    3,883,198 
         5,798,525 
Banking — 0.43%          
Deutsche Bank 6.00%
10/30/25 µ, ψ
   3,800,000    3,241,672 
         3,241,672 
Basic Industry — 2.92%          
Cerdia Finanz 144A 10.50%
2/15/27 #
   3,160,000    2,651,364 
Chemours 144A 5.75%
11/15/28 #
   4,550,000    4,093,180 
First Quantum Minerals 144A
6.875% 10/15/27 #
   1,941,000    1,825,090 
FMG Resources August 2006          
144A 5.875% 4/15/30 #   3,340,000    3,116,128 
144A 6.125% 4/15/32 #   1,505,000    1,405,738 
Novelis 144A 4.75% 1/30/30 #   6,240,000    5,546,237 
Vibrantz Technologies 144A
9.00% 2/15/30 #
   4,410,000    3,333,786 
         21,971,523 
Capital Goods — 3.36%          
ARD Finance 144A PIK 6.50%
6/30/27 #, >
   1,751,144    1,220,744 
Ardagh Metal Packaging Finance
USA 144A 3.25% 9/1/28 #
   614,000    522,339 
Bombardier 144A 6.00%
2/15/28 #
   2,074,000    1,920,400 
Clydesdale Acquisition Holdings
144A 6.625% 4/15/29 #
   755,000    718,779 
Mauser Packaging Solutions
Holding 144A 5.50% 4/15/24 #
   4,390,000    4,277,648 
Sealed Air 144A 5.00% 4/15/29 #   2,175,000    2,047,643 
TransDigm 5.50% 11/15/27   7,030,000    6,615,792 
Wesco Aircraft Holdings          
144A 8.50% 11/15/24 #   6,782,000    3,357,090 
144A 9.00% 11/15/26 #, *   6,438,000    4,361,745 
144A 13.125% 11/15/27 #   858,000    216,645 
         25,258,825 
Communications — 6.82%          
Altice Financing 144A 5.75%
8/15/29 #
   5,719,000    4,509,076 
Altice France          
144A 5.125% 7/15/29 #   2,375,000    1,784,880 
144A 5.50% 10/15/29 #   1,292,000    987,495 
Altice France Holding          
144A 6.00% 2/15/28 #   10,750,000    6,368,748 
144A 10.50% 5/15/27 #   4,453,000    3,404,986 
Connect Finco 144A 6.75%
10/1/26 #
   6,220,000    5,777,257 
Consolidated Communications          
144A 5.00% 10/1/28 #   1,129,000    834,068 
144A 6.50% 10/1/28 #   6,113,000    4,765,455 
Digicel International Finance          
144A 8.00% 12/31/26 #   1,158,698    512,330 
144A 8.75% 5/25/24 #   4,031,000    3,473,029 
Frontier Communications
Holdings
          
144A 5.00% 5/1/28 #   745,000    651,137 
144A 5.875% 10/15/27 #   3,836,000    3,570,434 
5.875% 11/1/29   1,011,498    783,887 
144A 6.00% 1/15/30 #   805,000    633,433 
144A 6.75% 5/1/29 #, *   3,287,000    2,723,707 
144A 8.75% 5/15/30 #   1,080,000    1,100,190 
Ligado Networks 144A PIK
15.50% 11/1/23 #, >>
   8,927,517    2,911,263 
Northwest Fiber 144A 4.75%
4/30/27 #
   2,743,000    2,416,892 
Sable International Finance 144A
5.75% 9/7/27 #
   875,000    808,719 
Telesat Canada          
144A 5.625% 12/6/26 #   6,406,000    2,954,914 
144A 6.50% 10/15/27 #   1,130,000    328,639 
         51,300,539 
Consumer Goods — 1.64%          
Clydesdale Acquisition Holdings
144A 8.75% 4/15/30 #
   2,415,000    2,071,699 
Kronos Acquisition Holdings
144A 5.00% 12/31/26 #
   2,411,000    2,088,529 
MajorDrive Holdings IV 144A
6.375% 6/1/29 #
   6,450,000    4,821,317 
Pilgrim's Pride 144A 4.25%
4/15/31 #
   3,775,000    3,216,300 

76  

   Principal
amount°
   Value (US $) 
Corporate Bonds (continued)                  
Consumer Goods (continued)          
Scotts Miracle-Gro 4.00% 4/1/31   160,000   $122,466 
         12,320,311 
Energy — 11.41%          
Ascent Resources Utica
Holdings
          
144A 5.875% 6/30/29 #   2,401,000    2,143,925 
144A 7.00% 11/1/26 #   1,898,000    1,844,039 
Bellatrix Exploration          
8.50% 9/11/23 =   1,022,000    0 
12.50% 12/15/23 =   1,113,000    0 
Callon Petroleum          
144A 7.50% 6/15/30 #, *   2,445,000    2,240,353 
144A 8.00% 8/1/28 #   5,090,000    4,858,806 
CNX Midstream Partners 144A
4.75% 4/15/30 #
   545,000    447,971 
CNX Resources 144A
6.00% 1/15/29 #
   6,420,000    5,916,859 
Crestwood Midstream Partners          
144A 5.625% 5/1/27 #   1,636,000    1,524,294 
144A 6.00% 2/1/29 #   850,000    781,112 
EQM Midstream Partners 144A
4.75% 1/15/31 #
   8,299,000    6,800,657 
Genesis Energy          
7.75% 2/1/28   3,335,000    3,075,070 
8.00% 1/15/27   5,255,000    4,970,284 
Hilcorp Energy I          
144A 6.00% 4/15/30 #   5,220,000    4,649,564 
144A 6.00% 2/1/31 #   705,000    610,748 
144A 6.25% 4/15/32 #   2,665,000    2,303,588 
Laredo Petroleum 10.125%
1/15/28 *
   2,876,000    2,809,088 
Mesquite Energy 144A 7.25%
2/15/23 #, ‡
   622,000    10,108 
Murphy Oil 6.375% 7/15/28   8,268,000    7,970,184 
NuStar Logistics          
6.00% 6/1/26   4,126,000    3,980,052 
6.375% 10/1/30   4,170,000    3,863,254 
Occidental Petroleum          
4.20% 3/15/48   255,000    196,259 
4.40% 4/15/46   1,008,000    789,057 
4.40% 8/15/49   1,985,000    1,552,637 
4.50% 7/15/44   1,030,000    825,140 
6.45% 9/15/36   2,225,000    2,274,517 
6.60% 3/15/46   1,850,000    1,907,803 
6.625% 9/1/30   1,680,000    1,739,867 
Southwestern Energy          
5.375% 2/1/29   760,000    705,664 
5.375% 3/15/30   7,590,000    6,936,835 
USA Compression Partners          
6.875% 4/1/26   665,000    638,995 
6.875% 9/1/27   3,885,000    3,638,712 
Weatherford International 144A
8.625% 4/30/30 #
   3,935,000    3,785,837 
         85,791,279 
Financial Services — 3.46%          
AerCap Holdings 5.875%
10/10/79 *, µ
   3,802,000    3,467,082 
Air Lease 4.65% 6/15/26 µ, ψ   2,028,000    1,699,910 
Castlelake Aviation Finance DAC
144A 5.00% 4/15/27 #
   4,590,000    3,999,904 
Compass Group Diversified
Holdings 144A 5.25%
4/15/29 #
   2,531,000    2,169,297 
Credit Suisse Group 144A 9.75%
6/23/27 #, µ, ψ
   4,715,000    4,118,870 
Highlands Holdings Bond Issuer
144A PIK 7.625%
10/15/25 #, >
   4,059,145    3,797,871 
Medline Borrower          
144A 3.875% 4/1/29 #   4,981,000    4,023,378 
144A 5.25% 10/1/29 #, *   884,000    703,713 
Midcap Financial Issuer Trust
144A 6.50% 5/1/28 #
   2,340,000    2,015,828 
         25,995,853 
Healthcare — 5.99%          
Avantor Funding 144A 3.875%
11/1/29 #
   9,835,000    8,271,481 
Bausch Health 144A 6.125%
2/1/27 #
   3,140,000    2,169,363 
Cheplapharm Arzneimittel 144A
5.50% 1/15/28 #
   4,525,000    3,790,954 
CHS          
144A 4.75% 2/15/31 #   3,000,000    2,183,685 
144A 5.25% 5/15/30 #   1,600,000    1,209,316 
Consensus Cloud Solutions          
144A 6.00% 10/15/26 #   1,785,000    1,677,018 
144A 6.50% 10/15/28 #   2,477,000    2,281,487 
Encompass Health          
4.625% 4/1/31   1,495,000    1,287,377 
4.75% 2/1/30   969,000    852,475 
Hadrian Merger Sub 144A 8.50%
5/1/26 #
   509,000    450,569 
ModivCare Escrow Issuer 144A
5.00% 10/1/29 #
   4,672,000    3,945,971 
Organon & Co. 144A 5.125%
4/30/31 #
   6,670,000    5,787,127 
Par Pharmaceutical 144A 7.50%
4/1/27 #, ‡
   2,936,000    2,237,525 

 77 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

   Principal
amount°
   Value (US $) 
Corporate Bonds (continued)                  
Healthcare (continued)          
Tenet Healthcare          
144A 4.375% 1/15/30 #   3,810,000   $3,304,489 
144A 6.125% 10/1/28 #   4,170,000    3,742,283 
US Renal Care 144A 10.625%
7/15/27 #
   8,340,000    1,834,800 
         45,025,920 
Insurance — 3.23%          
Ardonagh Midco 2 144A PIK
11.50% 1/15/27 #, >>
   8,039,978    7,678,179 
HUB International 144A 5.625%
12/1/29 #
   6,605,000    5,777,277 
Jones Deslauriers Insurance
Management 144A 10.50%
12/15/30 #
   3,385,000    3,338,132 
NFP          
144A 6.875% 8/15/28 #   6,907,000    5,708,490 
144A 7.50% 10/1/30 #   1,865,000    1,765,360 
         24,267,438 
Leisure — 5.38%          
Boyd Gaming          
4.75% 12/1/27 *   4,385,000    4,090,503 
144A 4.75% 6/15/31 #   3,900,000    3,397,602 
Carnival          
144A 5.75% 3/1/27 #   5,753,000    4,117,825 
144A 6.00% 5/1/29 #   7,316,000    4,888,968 
144A 7.625% 3/1/26 #   4,148,000    3,295,025 
Royal Caribbean Cruises          
144A 5.375% 7/15/27 #   6,644,000    5,387,958 
144A 5.50% 8/31/26 #   480,000    404,400 
144A 5.50% 4/1/28 #   8,914,000    7,129,596 
Scientific Games Holdings 144A
6.625% 3/1/30 #
   4,515,000    3,819,690 
Scientific Games International
144A 7.25% 11/15/29 #
   4,065,000    3,909,717 
         40,441,284 
Media — 9.00%          
Advantage Sales & Marketing
144A 6.50% 11/15/28 #
   5,940,000    4,538,041 
AMC Networks 4.25% 2/15/29   4,609,000    2,878,632 
Arches Buyer 144A 6.125%
12/1/28 #
   3,964,000    3,186,442 
CCO Holdings          
144A 4.50% 8/15/30 #   2,924,000    2,422,271 
144A 4.75% 2/1/32 #   3,290,000    2,673,931 
144A 6.375% 9/1/29 #   6,850,000    6,450,405 
CMG Media 144A 8.875%
12/15/27 #
   4,286,000    3,232,844 
CSC Holdings                  
144A 4.50% 11/15/31 #   1,754,000    1,220,238 
144A 4.625% 12/1/30 #   7,234,000    4,013,706 
144A 5.00% 11/15/31 #   2,381,000    1,333,360 
144A 5.75% 1/15/30 #   1,372,000    776,820 
Cumulus Media New Holdings
144A 6.75% 7/1/26 #
   4,075,000    3,429,438 
Directv Financing 144A 5.875%
8/15/27 #
   6,662,000    5,972,883 
DISH DBS 144A 5.75%
12/1/28 #
   4,555,000    3,644,000 
Gray Escrow II 144A 5.375%
11/15/31 #
   495,000    357,605 
Gray Television 144A 4.75%
10/15/30 #
   2,215,000    1,605,875 
Nexstar Media 144A 4.75%
11/1/28 #
   4,400,000    3,812,644 
Sirius XM Radio 144A 4.125%
7/1/30 #
   9,080,000    7,513,382 
Stagwell Global 144A 5.625%
8/15/29 #
   4,022,000    3,324,002 
VTR Comunicaciones 144A
4.375% 4/15/29 #
   3,166,000    1,858,933 
VTR Finance 144A 6.375%
7/15/28 #
   2,826,000    1,095,911 
VZ Secured Financing 144A
5.00% 1/15/32 #
   2,805,000    2,284,480 
         67,625,843 
Retail — 3.31%          
Asbury Automotive Group          
4.50% 3/1/28   2,576,930    2,271,989 
144A 4.625% 11/15/29 #   85,000    71,725 
4.75% 3/1/30   4,450,930    3,728,529 
144A 5.00% 2/15/32 #   85,000    70,040 
CP Atlas Buyer 144A 7.00%
12/1/28 #
   1,146,000    852,629 
Lithia Motors          
144A 3.875% 6/1/29 #   1,666,000    1,372,043 
144A 4.375% 1/15/31 #   1,271,000    1,036,348 
LSF9 Atlantis Holdings 144A
7.75% 2/15/26 #
   6,302,000    5,585,526 
Michaels          
144A 5.25% 5/1/28 #   2,801,000    2,256,866 
144A 7.875% 5/1/29 #   2,518,000    1,686,930 
PetSmart 144A 7.75% 2/15/29 #   6,288,000    5,917,432 
         24,850,057 
Services — 4.62%          
Adtalem Global Education 144A
5.50% 3/1/28 #
   4,951,000    4,499,073 

78  

   Principal
amount°
   Value (US $) 
Corporate Bonds (continued)                  
Services (continued)          
Ahern Rentals 144A 7.375%
5/15/23 #
   3,231,000   $3,231,000 
CDW 3.569% 12/1/31   6,715,000    5,545,994 
NESCO Holdings II 144A 5.50%
4/15/29 #
   4,712,000    4,129,125 
Sabre GLBL          
144A 7.375% 9/1/25 #   313,000    301,323 
144A 9.25% 4/15/25 #   756,000    754,395 
Staples          
144A 7.50% 4/15/26 #   4,599,000    3,967,741 
144A 10.75% 4/15/27 #   7,660,000    5,528,069 
United Rentals North America
144A 6.00% 12/15/29 #
   2,915,000    2,902,393 
White Cap Buyer 144A 6.875%
10/15/28 #
   4,435,000    3,843,565 
White Cap Parent 144A PIK
8.25% 3/15/26 #, «
   36,000    31,167 
         34,733,845 
Technology & Electronics — 3.11%          
AthenaHealth Group 144A 6.50%
2/15/30 #
   2,060,000    1,521,943 
CommScope Technologies 144A
6.00% 6/15/25 #
   2,480,000    2,261,909 
Entegris Escrow          
144A 4.75% 4/15/29 #   2,121,000    1,938,493 
144A 5.95% 6/15/30 #   5,825,000    5,379,387 
NCR          
144A 5.00% 10/1/28 #   2,287,000    1,953,474 
144A 5.125% 4/15/29 #   6,521,000    5,465,303 
144A 5.25% 10/1/30 #   782,000    646,429 
144A 6.125% 9/1/29 #   983,000    920,737 
Sensata Technologies 144A
4.00% 4/15/29 #
   3,805,000    3,286,949 
         23,374,624 
Transportation — 2.52%          
Air Canada 144A 3.875%
8/15/26 #
   8,105,000    7,192,642 
American Airlines 144A 5.75%
4/20/29 #
   2,801,832    2,565,808 
Grupo Aeromexico 144A 8.50%
3/17/27 #
   4,490,000    3,971,367 
Seaspan 144A 5.50% 8/1/29 #   6,910,000    5,245,589 
         18,975,406 
Utilities — 2.35%          
Calpine          
144A 4.625% 2/1/29 #   3,295,000    2,832,576 
144A 5.00% 2/1/31 #   370,000    310,988 
144A 5.125% 3/15/28 #, *   5,470,000    4,891,973 
Vistra          
144A 7.00% 12/15/26 #, µ, Ψ   6,710,000    6,115,348 
144A 8.00% 10/15/26 #, µ, Ψ   3,650,000    3,493,312 
         17,644,197 
Total Corporate Bonds
(cost $623,406,153)
        528,617,141 
           
Municipal Bonds — 0.51%          
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico          
Series A1 2.986% 7/1/24^   47,686    44,216 
Series A-1 4.00% 7/1/35   104,086    87,845 
Series A-1 4.00% 7/1/37   110,562    90,729 
GDB Debt Recovery Authority of
Puerto Rico
7.50% 8/20/40
   4,300,407    3,601,591 
Total Municipal Bonds
(cost $4,347,275)
        3,824,381 
           
Loan Agreements — 10.42%          
Advantage Sales & Marketing
Tranche B-1 8.284%
(LIBOR03M + 4.50%)
10/28/27 •
   4,480,499    3,727,914 
Air Canada 8.13% (LIBOR03M +
3.50%) 8/11/28 •
   1,895,238    1,877,865 
Amynta Agency Borrower
Tranche B 1st Lien 8.884%
(LIBOR01M + 4.50%)
2/28/25 •
   8,581,647    8,152,565 
Applied Systems 2nd Lien
11.33% (SOFR03M + 5.75%)
5/9/28 •
   4,121,112    4,110,809 
Ascent Resources Utica
Holdings 2nd Lien 12.941%
(LIBOR03M + 9.00%)
11/1/25 •
   1,233,000    1,305,953 
Clydesdale Acquisition Holdings
Tranche B 8.598% (SOFR01M
+ 3.25%) 4/13/29 •
   698,845    667,632 
CNT Holdings I 2nd Lien
10.489% (SOFR03M + 6.75%)
11/6/28 •
   2,060,000    1,953,566 
CP Atlas Buyer Tranche B
7.884% (LIBOR01M + 3.50%)
11/23/27 •
   4,374,564    3,846,883 
Foresight Energy 12.73%
(LIBOR03M + 8.00%)
6/30/27 •
   1,263,869    1,251,231 
Form Technologies Tranche B
9.199% (LIBOR03M+ 4.75%)
7/22/25 •
   11,882,723    10,357,777 

 79 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

   Principal
amount°
   Value (US $) 
Loan Agreements (continued)          
Heartland Dental 9.323%
(SOFR01M + 5.00%)
4/30/25 •
   3,905,375   $3,690,579 
Hexion Holdings 1st Lien 8.934%
(SOFR03M + 4.50%) 3/3/30 •
   900,475    776,209 
Hexion Holdings 2nd Lien
11.859% (SOFR01M + 7.54%)
3/15/30 •
   3,665,000    2,913,675 
Hunter Douglas Holding BV
Tranche B-1 7.859%
(SOFR03M + 3.50%)
2/26/29 •
   2,068,679    1,831,557 
Jones DesLauriers Insurance
Management 1st Lien 8.812%
(CDOR03M + 4.25%)
3/27/28 •
   5,051,637    3,469,736 
Jones DesLauriers Insurance
Management 1st Lien 8.812%
(CDOR03M + 4.25%)
3/27/28 •
   1,150,602    790,295 
MLN US HoldCo          
11.154% (SOFR03M + 6.7%)
10/18/27 •
   8,256,075    6,687,421 
13.704% (SOFR03M +
9.25%)Tranche B 10/18/27 •
   2,336,000    1,810,400 
Pre Paid Legal Services 2nd Lien
11.384% (LIBOR01M +
7.00%) 12/14/29 •
   2,245,000    2,062,594 
SPX Flow 8.923% (SOFR01M +
4.60%) 4/5/29 •
   4,673,288    4,360,761 
Swf Holdings I 8.753%
(LIBOR03M + 4.00%)
10/6/28 •
   4,229,987    3,477,049 
UKG 2nd Lien 8.998%
(LIBOR03M + 5.25%) 5/3/27 •
   5,615,000    5,186,856 
United PF Holdings 1st Lien
13.23% (LIBOR03M + 8.50%)
12/30/26 •
   663,863    597,477 
West Corporation Tranche B
8.415% (LIBOR03M + 4.00%)
10/10/24 •
   3,687,613    3,395,676 
Total Loan Agreements
(cost $85,949,109)
        78,302,480 
         
   Number of
shares
     
Common Stocks — 2.06%          
Basic Industry — 0.39%          
BIS Industries Holdings =, †   1,604,602    0 
Foresight Energy =   185,516    2,851,374 
Westmoreland Coal =, †   28,632    49,819 
         2,901,193 
Consumer Goods — 0.00%          
ASG Warrant =, †   1,200    0 
         0 
Energy — 0.23%          
KCA Deutag International =, †   26,774    1,722,460 
Sabine Oil & Gas Holdings =, †   263    326 
Vantage Drilling International †   452    6,554 
         1,729,340 
Leisure — 1.11%          
New Cotai =, †   3,072,567    2,833,678 
Studio City International Holdings
ADR †
   924,584    5,510,521 
         8,344,199 
Retail — 0.05%          
True Religion Apparel =, †   23    388,989 
         388,989 
Services — 0.28%          
Laureate Education   217,638    2,093,678 
         2,093,678 
Utilities — 0.00%          
Larchmont Resources =, †   1,007    38,772 
         38,772 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $45,720,743)
        15,496,171 
           
Preferred Stock — 0.02%                  
True Religion Apparel
6.25% =, ω
   24    119,120 
Total Preferred Stock
(cost $392,061)
        119,120 
           
Exchange-Traded Funds — 4.00%          
Invesco Senior Loan ETF*   424,157    8,707,943 
iShares iBoxx High Yield
Corporate Bond ETF*
   290,000    21,352,700 
Total Exchange-Traded Funds
(cost $33,375,159)
        30,060,643 
           
Warrants — 0.01%          
California Resources †   7,744    97,575 
Total Warrants
(cost $673,784)
        97,575 
           
Short-Term Investments — 9.55%          
Money Market Mutual Funds — 9.55%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-
day effective yield 4.03%)
   17,952,264    17,952,264 

80  

   Number of
shares
   Value (US $) 
Short-Term Investments (continued)                  
Money Market Mutual Funds (continued)          
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio
– Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   17,952,264   $17,952,264 
Goldman Sachs Financial
Square Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-
day effective yield 4.23%)
   17,952,264    17,952,264 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   17,952,264    17,952,264 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $71,809,056)
        71,809,056 
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral—98.03%

(cost $869,923,132)
        736,892,767 
           
Securities Lending Collateral** — 4.82%          
Money Market Mutual Fund — 4.82%          
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
   36,258,877    36,258,877 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $36,258,877)
        36,258,877 
Total Value of
Securities—102.85%

(cost $906,182,009)
       $773,151,644■ 

° Principal amount shown is stated in USD unless noted that the security is denominated in another currency.
= The value of this security was determined using significant unobservable inputs and is reported as a Level 3 security in the disclosure table located in Note 3 in “Notes to financial statements.”
µ Fixed to variable rate investment. The rate shown reflects the fixed rate in effect at December 31, 2022. Rate will reset at a future date.
Ψ Perpetual security. Maturity date represents next call date.
# Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. At December 31, 2022, the aggregate value of Rule 144A securities was $438,358,890, which represents 58.31% of the Portfolio's net assets. See Note 13 in “Notes to financial statements."
PIK. 100% of the income received was in the form of cash.
* Fully or partially on loan.
>>  PIK. 100% of the income received was in the form of principal.
Non-income producing security. Security is currently in default.
« PIK. The first payment of cash and/or principal will be made after December 31, 2022.
^ Zero-coupon security. The rate shown is the effective yield at the time of purchase.
Variable rate investment. Rates reset periodically. Rate shown reflects the rate in effect at December 31, 2022. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread are indicated in their descriptions. The reference rate descriptions (i.e. LIBOR03M, LIBOR06M, etc.) used in this report are identical for different securities, but the underlying reference rates may differ due to the timing of the reset period. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions, or for mortgage-backed securities, are impacted by the individual mortgages which are paying off over time. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their descriptions.
Non-income producing security.
ω  Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.
** See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral.
Includes $38,792,042 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $3,636,615.

 81 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

The following foreign currency exchange contracts were outstanding at

December 31, 2022:1

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

Counterparty  Currency to
Receive (Deliver)
      In Exchange For      Settlement
Date
      Unrealized Appreciation 
TD  CAD   (6,430,000)  USD   4,833,565  1/20/23  $84,180 

The use of foreign currency exchange contracts involves elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The foreign currency exchange contract presented above represent the Portfolio's total exposure in such contracts, whereas only the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is reflected in the Portfolio's net assets.

1See Note 10 in “Notes to financial statements.”

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

CDOR03M – 3 Month Canadian Dollar Offered Rate

DAC – Designated Activity Company

ETF – Exchange-Traded Fund

ICE – Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

LIBOR01M – ICE LIBOR USD 1 Month

LIBOR03M – ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month

LIBOR06M – ICE LIBOR USD 6 Month

PIK – Payment-in-kind

SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate

SOFR01M – Secured Overnight Financing Rate 1 Month

SOFR03M – Secured Overnight Financing Rate 3 Month

TD – TD Bank

Summary of currencies:

CAD – Canadian Dollar

USD – US Dollar

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


82  

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity

December 31, 2022

      Number of
shares
     Value (US $)  
Common Stocks – 97.16%Δ        
Australia — 1.46%          
Newcrest Mining   504,226   $7,085,759 
         7,085,759 
Austria — 1.01%          
Mondi   285,809    4,870,228 
         4,870,228 
Brazil — 3.21%          
Banco do Brasil   1,252,618    8,239,675 
MercadoLibre †   8,652    7,321,668 
         15,561,343 
Canada — 5.87%          
Canadian Pacific Railway   125,812    9,380,149 
Dollarama   168,255    9,840,556 
Suncor Energy   289,091    9,170,206 
         28,390,911 
China — 5.15%          
H World Group ADR   256,268    10,870,889 
JD.com ADR   119,442    6,704,280 
SITC International Holdings   1,292,000    2,873,520 
Tencent Holdings   104,700    4,480,177 
         24,928,866 
China/Hong Kong — 6.67%          
China Mengniu Dairy †   1,945,000    8,821,144 
Li Ning   958,500    8,319,620 
Prosus   94,751    6,536,919 
ZTO Express Cayman ADR *   320,383    8,608,691 
         32,286,374 
Denmark — 4.69%          
Ambu Class B *, †   277,330    3,553,056 
AP Moller - Maersk Class A   1,147    2,537,772 
AP Moller - Maersk Class B   1,968    4,425,082 
Genmab †   28,766    12,178,385 
         22,694,295 
France — 13.73%          
Airbus   85,460    10,156,183 
BNP Paribas   155,141    8,843,264 
Capgemini   26,973    4,502,783 
L’Oreal   6,974    2,490,430 
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis
Vuitton
   13,561    9,869,682 
Thales   72,674    9,280,810 
TotalEnergies *   193,417    12,143,085 
Vinci   92,000    9,187,330 
         66,473,567 
Germany — 11.42%          
adidas AG   35,778    4,881,534 
Bayer   171,930    8,893,852 
Deutsche Telekom   538,485    10,743,340 
HeidelbergCement   104,574    5,964,229 
HelloFresh †   174,736    3,840,057 
RWE   237,498    10,573,415 
SAP   44,795    4,621,978 
Siemens   41,371    5,741,184 
         55,259,589 
Hong Kong — 1.82%          
Prudential   647,659    8,828,182 
         8,828,182 
India — 3.59%          
Axis Bank   910,797    10,279,907 
NTPC   3,538,845    7,120,038 
         17,399,945 
Japan — 10.12%          
Asahi Group Holdings   155,100    4,867,852 
Inpex *   696,400    7,407,608 
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone   158,500    4,543,409 
ORIX   396,151    6,394,742 
Seven & i Holdings   206,100    8,888,494 
Subaru   374,023    5,778,205 
Tokio Marine Holdings   515,322    11,102,354 
         48,982,664 
Netherlands — 4.98%          
ASML Holding   8,838    4,766,269 
ING Groep   710,031    8,655,480 
Shell   377,344    10,696,010 
         24,117,759 
Norway — 1.02%          
DNB Bank   248,437    4,931,057 
         4,931,057 
Republic of Korea — 3.70%          
LG   137,342    8,504,236 
Samsung Electronics   213,801    9,384,419 
         17,888,655 
Spain — 1.78%          
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria   1,428,495    8,615,132 
         8,615,132 
Switzerland — 1.90%          
Alcon   109,353    7,496,148 
Roche Holding   5,439    1,708,787 
         9,204,935 

 83 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity

   Number of
shares
     Value (US $)  
Common StocksΔ (continued)        
Taiwan — 1.88%          
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing   622,000   $9,076,377 
         9,076,377 
United Kingdom — 8.32%          
AstraZeneca   41,041    5,565,981 
AstraZeneca ADR   138,835    9,413,013 
Haleon †   1,400,861    5,543,905 
HSBC Holdings   1,674,196    10,437,867 
Reckitt Benckiser Group   133,997    9,321,231 
         40,281,997 
United States — 4.84%          
Schlumberger   200,000    10,692,000 
Seagate Technology Holdings   95,998    5,050,455 
Stellantis   539,909    7,669,338 
         23,411,793 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $496,208,224)
        470,289,428 
           
Short-Term Investments – 0.66%          
Money Market Mutual Funds – 0.66%           
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   797,897    797,897 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   797,897    797,897 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
   797,897    797,897 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   797,897    797,897 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $3,191,588)
        3,191,588 
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral—97.82%

(cost $499,399,812)
        473,481,016 
           
Securities Lending Collateral** – 1.54%          
Money Market Mutual Fund — 1.54%          
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
   7,445,419    7,445,419 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $7,445,419)
        7,445,419 
Total Value of Securities—99.36%
(cost $506,845,231)
       $480,926,435■ 
Δ Securities have been classified by country of risk.
Non-income producing security.
* Fully or partially on loan.
** See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral.
Includes $25,427,392 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $19,180,768.

84  

The following foreign currency exchange contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2022:1

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

Counterparty    Currency to
Receive (Deliver)
    In Exchange For     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
BNYM  CHF (1,548,856)  USD 1,678,837  1/3/23  $3,045   $ 
BNYM  CHF (1,541,520)  USD 1,666,729  1/4/23       (311)
BNYM  KRW (2,147,483,648)  USD 2,867,236  1/3/23       (18,540)
Total Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts          $3,045   $(18,851)

The use of foreign currency exchange contracts involves elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The foreign currency exchange contract presented above represent the Portfolio’s total exposure in such contracts, whereas only the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is reflected in the Portfolio’s net assets.

1See Note 10 in “Notes to financial statements.”

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

AG – Aktiengesellschaft

BNYM – Bank of New York Mellon

Summary of currencies:

CHF – Swiss Franc

KRW – South Korean Won

USD – US Dollar

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 85 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
     Value (US $) 
Common Stocks — 97.95% t        
Communication Services — 7.05%          
Electronic Arts   45,187   $5,520,948 
Pinterest Class A †   484,348    11,759,946 
Shutterstock   86,019    4,534,922 
Trade Desk Class A †   137,438    6,161,345 
ZoomInfo Technologies †   147,817    4,450,770 
         32,427,931 
Consumer Discretionary — 14.69%          
BorgWarner   263,672    10,612,798 
Chipotle Mexican Grill †   7,358    10,209,152 
Floor & Decor Holdings Class A †   71,789    4,998,668 
Levi Strauss & Co. Class A *   342,774    5,319,853 
Lululemon Athletica †   21,501    6,888,490 
National Vision Holdings *, †   175,636    6,807,651 
On Holding Class A †   250,103    4,291,768 
Petco Health & Wellness †   310,930    2,947,616 
Pool   24,596    7,436,109 
Vail Resorts   33,935    8,088,407 
         67,600,512 
Consumer Staples — 1.36%          
Brown-Forman Class B   94,998    6,239,469 
         6,239,469 
Financials — 6.88%          
First Republic Bank   63,210    7,704,667 
Kinsale Capital Group   18,053    4,721,220 
MarketAxess Holdings   50,324    14,034,860 
Pinnacle Financial Partners   70,694    5,188,940 
         31,649,687 
Healthcare — 18.50%          
Agilent Technologies   52,667    7,881,617 
Bio-Techne   92,716    7,684,302 
Dexcom ~, †   159,158    18,023,052 
Edwards Lifesciences †   80,757    6,025,280 
Envista Holdings †   228,811    7,704,066 
Genmab ADR *, †   199,716    8,463,964 
Intuitive Surgical †   34,195    9,073,643 
Repligen †   51,697    8,752,819 
Seagen †   54,285    6,976,165 
West Pharmaceutical Services   19,363    4,557,082 
         85,141,990 
Industrials — 16.13%          
A O Smith   109,755    6,282,376 
Clarivate †   372,163    3,103,839 
Copart †   83,228    5,067,753 
CoStar Group ~, †   281,278    21,737,164 
Fastenal ~   145,696    6,894,335 
Generac Holdings †   45,338    4,563,723 
HEICO Class A   85,518    10,249,332 
IDEX   29,720    6,785,968 
Industrials (continued)          
Lincoln Electric Holdings   19,236    2,779,410 
Trex †   159,631    6,757,180 
         74,221,080 
Information Technology — 32.49%          
Arista Networks †   73,492    8,918,254 
Coherent *, †   199,984    7,019,438 
Crowdstrike Holdings Class A †   54,644    5,753,467 
DocuSign †   125,431    6,951,386 
EngageSmart *, †   124,213    2,186,149 
Five9 †   79,901    5,422,082 
Genpact   98,484    4,561,779 
HubSpot †   5,806    1,678,689 
Keysight Technologies †   59,902    10,247,435 
Littelfuse   22,766    5,013,073 
Marvell Technology   211,089    7,818,737 
Microchip Technology   154,782    10,873,436 
Monolithic Power Systems   35,984    12,724,302 
Novanta †   41,241    5,603,415 
Paycom Software †   31,905    9,900,441 
Teradyne *   111,514    9,740,748 
Trimble †   126,437    6,392,655 
Tyler Technologies †   27,245    8,784,060 
Universal Display   56,537    6,108,257 
Workday Class A †   29,304    4,903,438 
Workiva *, †   67,855    5,697,784 
Zebra Technologies Class A †   12,562    3,221,022 
         149,520,047 
Materials — 0.85%          
Martin Marietta Materials   11,630    3,930,591 
         3,930,591 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $427,247,585)
        450,731,307 
           
Short-Term Investments — 2.21%          
Money Market Mutual Funds — 2.21%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   2,545,258    2,545,258 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   2,545,259    2,545,259 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
   2,545,259    2,545,259 

86  

   Number of
shares
     Value (US $) 
Short-Term Investments (continued)        
Money Market Mutual Funds (continued)          
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   2,545,258   $2,545,258 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $10,181,034)
        10,181,034 
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral—100.16%

(cost $437,428,619)
        460,912,341 
           
Securities Lending Collateral** — 0.04%          
Money Market Mutual Fund — 0.04%          
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
   195,750    195,750 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $195,750)
        195,750 
Total Value of Securities—100.20%
(cost $437,624,369)
       $461,108,091■ 

t Narrow industries are utilized for compliance purposes for concentration whereas broad sectors are used for financial reporting.
Non-income producing security.
* Fully or partially on loan.
~ All or portion of the security has been pledged as collateral for potential options written.
** See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral.
■  Includes $16,635,152 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $16,762,042.

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 87 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
     Value (US $) 
Closed-Ended Trust — 3.19%        
Sprott Physical Uranium Trust †   299,077   $3,496,595 
Total Closed-Ended Trust
(cost $3,680,636)
        3,496,595 
           
Common Stocks — 95.35%          
Basic Industry — 27.69%          
Anglo American   99,622    3,897,976 
CF Industries Holdings   41,526    3,538,015 
ERO Copper †   209,026    2,877,581 
Freeport-McMoRan   106,122    4,032,636 
Hudbay Minerals   505,521    2,562,992 
Kinross Gold *   394,341    1,612,855 
Newmont   94,913    4,479,894 
Nutrien   42,341    3,092,163 
Wheaton Precious Metals *   108,291    4,232,012 
         30,326,124 
Consumer Discretionary — 0.50%          
Spruce Power Holding †   588,606    540,988 
         540,988 
Consumer Staples — 7.59%          
Archer-Daniels-Midland   29,971    2,782,807 
Bunge   31,753    3,167,997 
Darling Ingredients †   37,791    2,365,339 
         8,316,143 
Energy — 43.17%          
Chesapeake Energy *   50,751    4,789,372 
Chord Energy   18,951    2,592,686 
Denbury †   53,979    4,697,253 
EOG Resources   26,970    3,493,154 
EQT   74,911    2,534,239 
Kimbell Royalty Partners   241,447    4,032,165 
Occidental Petroleum   41,343    2,604,196 
Parex Resources   76,008    1,131,138 
Schlumberger   87,316    4,667,913 
Shell   153,596    4,319,147 
Sunrun †   56,734    1,362,751 
Unit †   57,541    3,329,322 
Valaris †   40,100    2,711,562 
Valero Energy   39,545    5,016,679 
         47,281,577 
Financials — 0.52%          
Rice Acquisition Class A †   55,696    566,428 
         566,428 
Industrials — 5.46%          
Arcosa   65,724    3,571,442 
China Metal Recycling Holdings =   1,900,000    0 
Li-Cycle Holdings †   215,956    1,027,951 
NuScale Power *, †   134,390    1,378,841 
         5,978,234 
Materials — 8.39%          
Alcoa   81,649    3,712,580 
Corteva   18,682    1,098,128 
Louisiana-Pacific   27,567    1,631,966 
Pan American Silver   101,893    1,663,099 
Sylvamo   22,299    1,083,508 
         9,189,281 
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 2.03%          
Weyerhaeuser   71,786    2,225,366 
         2,225,366 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $105,813,987)
        104,424,141 
           
Short-Term Investments — 1.45%          
Money Market Mutual Funds — 1.45%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   397,827    397,827 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   397,827    397,827 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
   397,827    397,827 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   397,828    397,828 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $1,591,309)
        1,591,309 
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral—99.99%

(cost $111,085,932)
        109,512,045 
           

88  

   Number of
shares
      Value (US $) 
Securities Lending Collateral** — 3.52%        
Money Market Mutual Fund — 3.52%          
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield 4.31%)
   3,858,940   $3,858,940 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $3,858,940)
        3,858,940 
Total Value of Securities—103.51%
(cost $114,944,872)
       $113,370,985■ 

Non-income producing security.
t Narrow industries are utilized for compliance purposes for concentration whereas broad sectors are used for financial reporting.
* Fully or partially on loan.
= The value of this security was determined using significant unobservable inputs and is reported as a Level 3 security in the disclosure table located in Note 3 in “Notes to financial statements.”
** See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral.
■  Includes $8,496,793 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $4,897,854.

The following foreign currency exchange contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2022:1

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

Counterparty    Currency to
Receive (Deliver)
    In Exchange For   Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
BNYM  CAD (144,392)  USD 106,506  1/3/23   $(137)

The use of foreign currency exchange contracts involves elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The foreign currency exchange contract presented above represent the Portfolio’s total exposure in such contracts, whereas only the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is reflected in the Portfolio’s net assets.

1 See Note 10 in “Notes to financial statements.”

Summary of abbreviations:

BNYM – Bank of New York Mellon

Summary of currencies:

CAD – Canadian Dollar

USD – US Dollar

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 89 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
     Value (US $) 
Common Stocks — 95.48%        
Communication Services — 13.12%          
Alphabet Class A †   116,875   $10,311,881 
Netflix †   36,852    10,866,918 
Pinterest Class A †   611,031    14,835,857 
Take-Two Interactive Software †   48,347    5,034,373 
T-Mobile US †   130,324    18,245,360 
         59,294,389 
Consumer Discretionary — 9.13%          
Amazon.com †   232,973    19,569,732 
Aptiv †   102,005    9,499,726 
Etsy †   74,415    8,913,429 
Luminar Technologies *, †   663,455    3,284,102 
         41,266,989 
Healthcare — 7.74%          
Danaher   43,784    11,621,149 
Edwards Lifesciences †   61,866    4,615,822 
Intuitive Surgical †   17,432    4,625,581 
Ionis Pharmaceuticals †   125,791    4,751,126 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals †   24,174    6,980,968 
West Pharmaceutical Services   10,074    2,370,916 
         34,965,562 
Industrials — 2.11%          
Copart †   44,646    2,718,495 
L3Harris Technologies   32,830    6,835,534 
         9,554,029 
Information Technology — 63.38%          
Ambarella †   120,845    9,937,084 
Amphenol Class A   204,284    15,554,184 
Analog Devices   85,317    13,994,547 
Apple   132,728    17,245,349 
ASML Holding   37,093    20,267,615 
Aspen Technology †   22,289    4,578,161 
Autodesk †   48,399    9,044,321 
Broadcom   4,477    2,503,225 
Cadence Design Systems †   57,642    9,259,611 
CDW   12,719    2,271,359 
Flex †   125,485    2,692,908 
Intuit   29,495    11,480,044 
Keysight Technologies †   15,952    2,728,909 
KLA   32,974    12,432,187 
Mastercard Class A   33,807    11,755,708 
Microchip Technology   202,040    14,193,310 
Micron Technology   214,925    10,741,951 
Microsoft   134,546    32,266,822 
NVIDIA   54,605    7,979,975 
ON Semiconductor †   190,613    11,888,533 
PayPal Holdings †   45,903    3,269,212 
Seagate Technology Holdings *   248,318    13,064,010 
Shift4 Payments Class A †   166,701    9,323,587 
Taiwan Semiconductor          
Manufacturing ADR   42,204    3,143,776 
VeriSign †   71,592    14,707,860 
WNS Holdings ADR †   115,730    9,257,243 
Zebra Technologies Class A †   42,210      10,823,066 
         286,404,557 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $437,548,312)
        431,485,526 
           
Short-Term Investments — 4.60%          
Money Market Mutual Funds — 4.60%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   5,200,068     5,200,068 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
    5,200,068     5,200,068 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
   5,200,067    5,200,067 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   5,200,068    5,200,068 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $20,800,271)
        20,800,271 
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral—100.08%

(cost $458,348,583)
        452,285,797 
           
Securities Lending Collateral** — 0.15%          
Money Market Mutual Fund — 0.15%          
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
   652,255    652,255 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $652,255)
        652,255 
Total Value of Securities—100.23%
(cost $459,000,838)
       $452,938,052■ 

t Narrow industries are utilized for compliance purposes for concentration whereas broad sectors are used for financial reporting.
Non-income producing security.
* Fully or partially on loan.
** See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral.
■  Includes $12,389,802 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $12,111,810.

90  

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 91 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
     Value (US $) 
Common Stocks — 97.14%        
Communication Services — 1.55%          
Iridium Communications †   40,958   $2,105,241 
Nexstar Media Group   5,601    980,343 
         3,085,584 
Consumer Discretionary — 13.92%          
Boot Barn Holdings †   32,963    2,060,847 
Fox Factory Holding †   40,347    3,680,857 
Marriott Vacations Worldwide   33,241    4,473,906 
Monarch Casino & Resort †   48,741    3,747,696 
Red Rock Resorts Class A   115,396    4,616,994 
Texas Roadhouse   42,836    3,895,934 
Visteon †   35,587    4,655,847 
Xometry Class A *, †   17,378    560,093 
         27,692,174 
Consumer Staples — 5.48%          
BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings †   85,545    5,659,657 
Duckhorn Portfolio †   106,372    1,762,584 
MGP Ingredients   22,817    2,427,273 
Sovos Brands †   73,721    1,059,371 
         10,908,885 
Energy — 5.85%          
Cactus Class A   84,095    4,226,615 
Liberty Energy   114,685    1,836,107 
Northern Oil and Gas *   45,316    1,396,639 
SM Energy   60,995    2,124,456 
Weatherford International †   40,205    2,047,238 
         11,631,055 
Financials — 4.49%          
Focus Financial Partners          
Class A †   41,371    1,541,897 
Houlihan Lokey   16,752    1,460,104 
Kinsale Capital Group   16,200    4,236,624 
Seacoast Banking   54,107    1,687,598 
         8,926,223 
Healthcare — 21.32%          
AMN Healthcare Services †   17,987    1,849,423 
Axonics †   33,324    2,083,750 
CareDx †   82,870    945,547 
CryoPort †   136,113    2,361,561 
Cytek Biosciences †   98,835    1,009,105 
Evolent Health Class A †   99,386    2,790,759 
Harmony Biosciences Holdings *, †   65,508    3,609,491 
Inmode †   110,182    3,933,497 
Insmed †   57,685    1,152,546 
Option Care Health †   81,703    2,458,443 
Pacira BioSciences *, †   82,119    3,170,615 
Penumbra †   17,059    3,794,945 
Privia Health Group †   119,649    2,717,229 
Progyny †   125,727    3,916,396 
PTC Therapeutics †   21,338    814,472 
Tandem Diabetes Care †   27,495    1,235,900 
TransMedics Group †   31,370    1,936,156 
Vericel †   100,036    2,634,948 
         42,414,783 
Industrials — 18.76%          
AAON   20,573    1,549,558 
Air Transport Services Group †   102,551    2,664,275 
Casella Waste Systems Class A †   47,067    3,732,884 
CBIZ †   19,113    895,444 
Chart Industries †   11,594    1,335,977 
Clean Harbors †   31,640    3,610,757 
EnerSys   47,938    3,539,742 
Evoqua Water Technologies †   66,291    2,625,124 
Kirby †   47,575    3,061,451 
Kornit Digital †   35,262    809,968 
Parsons †   23,333    1,079,151 
RBC Bearings *, †   14,043    2,939,902 
Saia †   13,492    2,829,003 
Shoals Technologies Group Class A †   136,896    3,377,224 
Valmont Industries   9,867    3,262,721 
         37,313,181 
Information Technology — 23.51%          
Allegro MicroSystems †   181,927    5,461,448 
Belden   19,206    1,380,911 
Box Class A †   100,243    3,120,565 
Calix †   24,634    1,685,705 
CyberArk Software †   29,649    3,843,993 
DoubleVerify Holdings †   96,822    2,126,211 
Five9 †   28,043    1,902,998 
Globant †   19,299    3,245,320 
Instructure Holdings †   83,813    1,964,577 
Jamf Holding *, †   63,855    1,360,111 
Onto Innovation †   18,800    1,280,092 
Paycor HCM †   162,750    3,982,492 
Power Integrations   24,157    1,732,540 
Shift4 Payments Class A †   53,278    2,979,839 
Smartsheet Class A †   75,996    2,991,203 
Sprout Social Class A †   50,903    2,873,983 
Tenable Holdings †   73,190    2,792,198 
Viavi Solutions †   193,923    2,038,131 
         46,762,317 
Materials — 1.47%          
ATI †   97,635    2,915,381 
         2,915,381 
Real Estate — 0.79%          
Ryman Hospitality Properties   19,312    1,579,335 
         1,579,335 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $223,230,740)
        193,228,918 
           

92  

   Number of
shares
      Value (US $) 
Short-Term Investments — 3.01%        
Money Market Mutual Funds — 3.01%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   1,497,032   $1,497,032 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   1,497,032    1,497,032 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
   1,497,032    1,497,032 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   1,497,031    1,497,031 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $5,988,127)
        5,988,127 
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral—100.15%

(cost $229,218,867)
        199,217,045 
           
Securities Lending Collateral** — 0.09%          
Money Market Mutual Fund — 0.09%          
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
   168,219    168,219 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $168,219)
        168,219 
Total Value of Securities—100.24%
(cost $229,387,086)
       $199,385,264■ 

Non-income producing security.
* Fully or partially on loan.
** See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral.
Includes $7,458,683 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $7,482,590.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 93 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
      Value (US $) 
Common Stocks — 98.22%        
Basic Materials — 7.88%          
Beacon Roofing Supply *, †   22,730   $1,199,917 
Boise Cascade   18,704    1,284,404 
Huntsman   82,504    2,267,210 
Kaiser Aluminum   13,369    1,015,509 
Minerals Technologies   26,877    1,631,971 
Reliance Steel & Aluminum   13,070    2,645,891 
Westrock   28,087    987,539 
Worthington Industries   28,716    1,427,472 
         12,459,913 
Business Services — 5.44%          
ABM Industries   24,682    1,096,374 
Aramark   47,829    1,977,251 
ASGN †   16,796    1,368,538 
Casella Waste Systems Class A †   10,140    804,203 
Clean Harbors †   8,913    1,017,152 
WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings †   51,877    2,343,284 
         8,606,802 
Capital Goods — 10.78%          
Ameresco Class A *, †   13,156    751,734 
Barnes Group   9,887    403,884 
Carlisle   4,770    1,124,050 
Federal Signal   18,389    854,537 
Gates Industrial †   34,066    388,693 
Graco   15,379    1,034,392 
Jacobs Solutions   6,731    808,191 
Kadant   3,581    636,093 
KBR   21,920    1,157,376 
Lincoln Electric Holdings   9,786    1,413,979 
MasTec †   14,444    1,232,506 
Oshkosh   12,306    1,085,266 
Quanta Services   16,034    2,284,845 
Regal Rexnord   6,596    791,388 
Tetra Tech   6,403    929,652 
WESCO International †   11,414    1,429,033 
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions   33,946    717,958 
         17,043,577 
Consumer Discretionary — 5.78%          
BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings †   18,680    1,235,869 
Dick’s Sporting Goods   16,962    2,040,359 
Five Below †   11,711    2,071,324 
Malibu Boats Class A †   21,814    1,162,686 
Steven Madden   49,033    1,567,095 
Tractor Supply   4,711    1,059,834 
         9,137,167 
Consumer Services — 2.21%          
Brinker International †   22,723    725,091 
Jack in the Box   7,923    540,586 
Texas Roadhouse   12,763    1,160,795 
Wendy’s   46,914    1,061,664 
         3,488,136 
Consumer Staples — 3.19%          
Casey’s General Stores   9,754    2,188,310 
Helen of Troy †   3,895    431,994 
J & J Snack Foods   8,200    1,227,622 
YETI Holdings †   29,112    1,202,617 
         5,050,543 
Credit Cyclicals — 3.11%          
BorgWarner   30,103    1,211,646 
Dana   37,295    564,273 
KB Home   15,626    497,688 
La-Z-Boy   25,473    581,294 
Taylor Morrison Home †   22,543    684,180 
Toll Brothers   27,780    1,386,778 
         4,925,859 
Energy — 5.33%          
Chesapeake Energy *   29,584    2,791,842 
Diamondback Energy   15,332    2,097,111 
Liberty Energy   220,698    3,533,375 
         8,422,328 
Financials — 15.52%          
Axis Capital Holdings   31,804    1,722,823 
Comerica   18,898    1,263,331 
East West Bancorp   32,072    2,113,545 
Essent Group   33,688    1,309,789 
Hamilton Lane Class A   13,754    878,606 
Kemper   26,338    1,295,830 
NMI Holdings Class A †   32,945    688,550 
Primerica   15,427    2,187,857 
Raymond James Financial   13,634    1,456,793 
Reinsurance Group of America   15,156    2,153,516 
SouthState   17,083    1,304,458 
Stifel Financial   29,364    1,713,977 
Umpqua Holdings   81,053    1,446,796 
Valley National Bancorp   97,680    1,104,761 
Webster Financial   39,124    1,852,130 
Western Alliance Bancorp   15,340    913,650 
WSFS Financial   25,020    1,134,407 
         24,540,819 
Healthcare — 13.05%          
Amicus Therapeutics †   60,890    743,467 
Azenta   15,195    884,653 
Bio-Techne   16,497    1,367,271 
Blueprint Medicines †   16,466    721,376 
Catalent †   20,307    914,018 
Encompass Health   22,590    1,351,108 
Exact Sciences †   12,576    622,638 

94  

   Number of
shares
     Value (US $) 
Common Stocks (continued)        
Healthcare (continued)          
Halozyme Therapeutics †   33,740   $1,919,806 
ICON †   5,826    1,131,701 
Insmed †   34,628    691,867 
Inspire Medical Systems †   6,463    1,627,900 
Ligand Pharmaceuticals †   10,668    712,622 
Natera †   19,790    794,964 
Neurocrine Biosciences †   14,950    1,785,628 
OmniAb †   52,049    187,376 
OmniAb 12.5 =, †   3,816    0 
OmniAb 15 =, †   3,816    0 
QuidelOrtho †   8,519    729,823 
Repligen †   8,065    1,365,485 
Shockwave Medical †   6,644    1,366,073 
Supernus Pharmaceuticals †   28,492    1,016,310 
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical †   15,076    698,471 
         20,632,557 
Media — 1.79%          
IMAX †   41,018    601,324 
Interpublic Group   42,097    1,402,251 
Nexstar Media Group   4,719    825,967 
         2,829,542 
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 6.39%          
Brixmor Property Group   71,319    1,616,802 
Camden Property Trust   12,692    1,419,981 
DiamondRock Hospitality   63,439    519,565 
First Industrial Realty Trust   31,518    1,521,059 
Kite Realty Group Trust   65,593    1,380,733 
Life Storage   14,879    1,465,581 
LXP Industrial Trust   67,931    680,668 
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust   45,482    609,004 
Physicians Realty Trust   61,306    887,098 
         10,100,491 
Technology — 12.77%          
Blackline †   6,003    403,822 
Box Class A †   15,062    468,880 
Coherent †   25,736    903,334 
Dynatrace †   21,210    812,343 
ExlService Holdings †   13,582    2,301,198 
Guidewire Software †   10,366    648,497 
MACOM Technology Solutions          
Holdings †   17,061    1,074,502 
MaxLinear †   28,220    958,069 
ON Semiconductor †   21,029    1,311,579 
Paycom Software †   1,376    426,987 
Procore Technologies †   13,548    639,195 
PTC †   15,627    1,875,865 
Q2 Holdings †   21,312    572,653 
Rapid7 †   11,793    400,726 
Semtech †   16,199    464,749 
Silicon Laboratories †   6,701    909,125 
Smartsheet Class A †   18,482    727,452 
Sprout Social Class A †   7,548    426,160 
SS&C Technologies Holdings   9,488    493,945 
Tyler Technologies †   830    267,600 
Varonis Systems †   27,113    649,085 
WNS Holdings ADR †   21,977    1,757,940 
Yelp †   24,894    680,602 
Ziff Davis †   12,795    1,012,084 
         20,186,392 
Transportation — 3.07%          
Allegiant Travel †   7,100    482,729 
Kirby †   20,886    1,344,014 
Knight-Swift Transportation          
Holdings   29,650    1,553,957 
Werner Enterprises *   36,536    1,470,939 
         4,851,639 
Utilities — 1.91%          
Black Hills *   22,963    1,615,218 
Spire   20,478    1,410,115 
         3,025,333 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $170,787,860)
        155,301,098 
           
Short-Term Investments — 1.92%          
Money Market Mutual Funds — 1.92%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   759,433    759,433 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   759,434    759,434 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
   759,434    759,434 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government Portfolio –
Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   759,433    759,433 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $3,037,734)
        3,037,734 
Total Value of
Securities—100.14%

(cost $173,825,594)
       $158,338,832■ 

 95 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core

* Fully or partially on loan.
Non-income producing security.
= The value of this security was determined using significant unobservable inputs and is reported as a Level 3 security in the disclosure table located in Note 3 in “Notes to financial statements.”
Includes $6,570,947 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $6,781,009.

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


96  

Statements of assets and liabilities

December 31, 2022

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Asset
StrategyΦ
     Delaware Ivy
VIP Balanced
     Delaware Ivy
VIP Energy
     Delaware Ivy
VIP Growth
 
Assets:                    
Investments of unaffiliated issuers, at value*,†  $538,671,036   $208,906,038   $123,990,867  $627,895,869 
Investments of affiliated issuers, at value**   637,419             
Short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities, at value=   13,818,320    1,496,265    2,302,463     
Cash   164,546    33,706    8,922    3,986 
Cash collateral due from broker on futures contracts   485,650    101,090         
Foreign currencies, at valueΔ   73,099             
Bullion at value   26,371,837             
Receivable for securities sold   1,996,282        206,270    1,174,301 
Dividend and interest receivable   1,634,269    594,698    87,690    194,368 
Foreign tax reclaims receivable   189,155    9,951    5,749    6,349 
Receivable for portfolio shares sold   4,435    12,913    191,043    8,086 
Other assets   1,443    681    123    2,256 
Total Assets   584,047,491    211,155,342    126,793,127    629,285,215 
Liabilities:                    
Obligation to return securities lending collateral   13,818,320    1,496,265    2,302,463     
Payable for securities purchased   2,426,413    486,731    77,203     
Accrued capital gains taxes on appreciated securities   477,256             
Other accrued expenses   322,431    155,336    79,325    217,228 
Payable for portfolio shares redeemed   216,993    180,115    199,019    254,405 
Investment management fees payable to affiliates   197,930    126,866    89,784    385,535 
Distribution fees payable to affiliates   122,012    45,309        137,691 
Administration expenses payable to affiliates   64,652    30,489    4,325    79,052 
Variation margin due to broker on future contracts   28,593    6,680         
Total Liabilities   17,674,600    2,527,791    2,752,119    1,073,911 
Total Net Assets  $566,372,891   $208,627,551   $124,041,008   $628,211,304 
 
Net Assets Consist of:                    
Paid-in capital  $606,305,142   $226,715,237   $132,033,018   $424,588,516 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (39,932,251)   (18,087,686)   (7,992,010)   203,622,788 
Total Net Assets  $566,372,891   $208,627,551   $124,041,008   $628,211,304 

 97 

Statements of assets and liabilities

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Asset
StrategyΦ
     Delaware Ivy
VIP Balanced
     Delaware Ivy
VIP Energy
     Delaware Ivy
VIP Growth
 
Net Asset Value                    
                     
Class I:                    
Net assets  $1,010,671   $   $446,884   $ 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par   128,698        88,154     
Net asset value per share  $7.85   $   $5.07   $ 
                     
Class II:                    
Net assets  $565,362,220   $208,627,551   $123,594,124   $628,211,304 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par   71,999,326    44,505,316    24,386,469    78,865,666 
Net asset value per share  $7.85   $4.69   $5.07   $7.97 
                       
                       
*Investments of unaffiliated issuers, at cost  $548,181,173   $224,830,912   $116,006,793   $494,710,462 
**Investments of affiliated issuers, at cost   33,621,862             
Including securities on loan   17,116,801    6,998,190    10,672,836    40,780,181 
=Short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities, at cost   13,818,320    1,496,265    2,302,463     
‡Bullion, at cost   17,562,017             
ΔForeign currencies, at cost   73,014             

ΦConsolidated statements of assets and liabilities

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


98  

   Delaware Ivy
VIP High
Income
   Delaware Ivy
VIP
International
Core Equity
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Mid Cap
Growth
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Natural
Resources
 
Assets:                                    
Investments, at value*,†  $736,892,767   $473,481,016   $460,912,341   $109,512,045 
Short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities, at value=   36,258,877    7,445,419    195,750    3,858,940 
Cash   2,319,202    2,701,378         
Foreign currencies, at valueΔ   439,333    5,787,213         
Dividend and interest receivable   12,614,953    663,713    180,027    44,893 
Receivable for securities sold   1,857,597    6,220,948    990,323    417,518 
Receivable for portfolio shares sold   608,034    1,299    16,616    7,518 
Unrealized appreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts   84,180    3,045         
Foreign tax reclaims receivable   7,602    960,428        19,768 
Prepaid expenses               629 
Reimbursement from affiliates       20,014         
Other assets   2,348        1,185    167 
Total Assets   791,084,893    497,284,473    462,296,242    113,861,478 
Liabilities:                    
Obligation to return securities lending collateral   36,258,877    7,445,419    195,750    3,858,940 
Payable for securities purchased   1,902,516    4,855,791    1,388,727    205,372 
Investment management fees payable to affiliates   394,598    352,051    273,276    80,812 
Payable for portfolio shares redeemed   263,398    229,006    47,246    87,482 
Cash collateral due to brokers   180,000             
Other accrued expenses   163,124    203,606    130,180    99,870 
Distribution fees payable to affiliates   156,755    103,544    3,185     
Administration expenses payable to affiliates   60,290    56,033    64,316    6,578 
Unrealized depreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts       18,851        137 
Total Liabilities   39,379,558    13,264,301    2,102,680    4,339,191 
Total Net Assets  $751,705,335   $484,020,172   $460,193,562   $109,522,287 
                     
Net Assets Consist of:                    
Paid-in capital  $973,465,651   $509,535,554   $380,582,110   $148,515,814 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (221,760,316)   (25,515,382)   79,611,452    (38,993,527)
Total Net Assets  $751,705,335   $484,020,172   $460,193,562   $109,522,287 

 99 

Statements of assets and liabilities

   Delaware Ivy
VIP High
Income
   Delaware Ivy
VIP
International
Core Equity
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Mid Cap
Growth
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Natural
Resources
 
Net Asset Value                                    
                     
Class I:                    
Net assets  $15,093,433   $   $105,163,914   $ 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par   5,344,580        10,954,671     
Net asset value per share  $2.82   $   $9.60   $ 
                     
Class II:                    
Net assets  $736,611,902   $484,020,172   $355,029,648   $109,522,287 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par   261,682,475    34,268,020    37,481,007    22,970,884 
Net asset value per share  $2.81   $14.12   $9.47   $4.77 
 
                    
*Investments, at cost  $869,923,132   $499,399,812   $437,428,619   $111,085,932 
Including securities on loan   38,792,042    25,427,392    16,635,152    8,496,793 
=Short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities, at cost   36,258,877    7,445,419    195,750    3,858,940 
ΔForeign currencies, at cost   438,944    5,845,364         

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


100  

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Science
and
Technology
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Small Cap
Growth
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Smid Cap
Core
 
Assets:                           
Investments, at value*,†  $452,285,797   $199,217,045   $158,338,832 
Short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities, at value=   652,255    168,219     
Cash           2,022 
Dividend and interest receivable   361,338    75,517    136,388 
Receivable for portfolio shares sold   84,682    47,917    27,062 
Foreign tax reclaims receivable   36,270         
Receivable for securities sold       222,111     
Other assets   1,311    878     
Total Assets   453,421,653    199,731,687    158,504,304 
Liabilities:               
Obligation to return securities lending collateral   652,255    168,219     
Investment management fees payable to affiliates   337,412    110,185    116,478 
Payable for portfolio shares redeemed   194,116    59,380    66,240 
Other accrued expenses   189,888    146,880    113,568 
Distribution fees payable to affiliates   98,944    39,832    34,258 
Administration expenses payable to affiliates   57,558    37,229    16,295 
Payable for securities purchased       259,693    46,583 
Total Liabilities   1,530,173    821,418    393,422 
Total Net Assets  $451,891,480   $198,910,269   $158,110,882 
                
Net Assets Consist of:               
Paid-in capital  $436,154,535   $198,738,385   $154,641,353 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   15,736,945    171,884    3,469,529 
Total Net Assets  $451,891,480   $198,910,269   $158,110,882 

 101 

Statements of assets and liabilities

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Science
and
Technology
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Small Cap
Growth
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Smid Cap
Core
 
Net Asset Value                           
                
Class I :               
Net assets  $1,331,366   $17,453,779   $ 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par   75,196    2,857,471     
Net asset value per share  $17.71   $6.11   $ 
                
Class II:               
Net assets  $450,560,114   $181,456,490   $158,110,882 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par   25,816,693    30,063,320    14,198,406 
Net asset value per share  $17.45   $6.04   $11.14 
 
               
*Investments, at cost  $458,348,583   $229,218,867   $173,825,594 
Including securities on loan   12,389,802    7,458,683    6,570,947 
=Short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities, at cost   652,255    168,219     

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


102  

Statements of operations

Year ended December 31, 2022

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Asset
Strategyφ
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Balanced
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Energy
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Growth
 
Investment Income:                                    
Dividends  $6,989,271   $1,982,023   $4,797,708   $5,068,437 
Interest   6,147,389    2,105,107         
Interest - affiliated   153,092             
Securities lending income   46,294    10,491    268,483    38,330 
Foreign tax withheld   (477,861)   (8,137)   (171,147)   (45,013)
    12,858,185    4,089,484    4,895,044    5,061,754 
                     
Expenses:                    
Investment advisory fees   4,331,264    1,595,597    1,014,989    5,163,240 
Distribution expenses — Class II   1,544,296    569,856    297,429    1,844,072 
Accounting and administration expenses   145,634    88,898    49,470    203,053 
Trustees’ fees and expenses   111,760    64,598    19,136    49,839 
Audit and tax fees   49,906    44,863    31,406    32,076 
Custodian fees   43,434    20,929    12,825    14,578 
Reports and statements to shareholders servicing expenses   21,799    12,746    16,109    13,930 
Legal fees   3,915    19,776    10,448    24,404 
Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses   202    300    5,240    22,361 
Registration fees   7    7    7    7 
Other   23,188    31,047    12,280    21,419 
    6,275,405    2,448,617    1,469,339    7,388,979 
Less expenses waived   (883,022)            
Less expenses paid indirectly   (1)            
Total operating expenses   5,392,382    2,448,617    1,469,339    7,388,979 
Net Investment Income (Loss)   7,465,803    1,640,867    3,425,705    (2,327,225)
                     
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):                    
Net realized gain (loss) on:                    
Investments   26,411,151    (3,563,722)   25,614,510    70,668,445 
Foreign currencies   (24,579)       95,938    (1,544)
Foreign currency exchange contracts   (354,355)       (66,222)   1,640 
Futures contracts   (615,677)   (69,543)        
Swap contracts       7,094         
Net realized gain (loss)   25,416,540    (3,626,171)   25,644,226    70,668,541 
                     
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                    
Investments   (107,115,332)   (40,892,673)   10,282,265    (327,274,704)
Affiliated investments   (32,984,443)            
Foreign currencies   (28,605)       42     
Futures contracts   (49,688)   1,015         
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (140,178,068)   (40,891,658)   10,282,307    (327,274,704)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)   (114,761,528)   (44,517,829)   35,926,533    (256,606,163)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(107,295,725)  $(42,876,962)  $39,352,238   $(258,933,388)

φConsolidated statements of operations

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 103 

Statements of operations

   Delaware Ivy
VIP High
Income
   Delaware Ivy
VIP International
Core Equity
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Mid Cap
Growth
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Natural
Resources
 
Investment Income:                                    
Interest  $51,947,593   $   $   $ 
Dividends   3,897,313    15,063,915    2,460,720    3,694,325 
Securities lending income   1,090,139    92,482    32,665    336,058 
Refund of previously paid foreign taxes       2,337,777         
Foreign tax withheld       (1,718,952)   (891)   (52,783)
    56,935,045    15,775,222    2,492,494    3,977,600 
                     
Expenses:                    
Investment advisory fees   4,954,987    4,337,857    4,385,296    969,717 
Distribution expenses — Class II   1,971,733    1,275,840    976,163    285,211 
Accounting and administration expenses   135,843    150,871    168,171    40,308 
Trustees’ fees and expenses   102,232    55,827    73,898    34,118 
Legal fees   49,149    14,840    7,380    13,418 
Audit and tax fees   45,388    34,455    31,435    33,589 
Custodian fees   41,880    76,815    11,113    19,344 
Reports and statements to shareholders servicing expenses   22,550    21,664    19,479    16,610 
Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses   20,649    20,726    18,769    6,098 
Registration fees   7    6    7    7 
Other   35,526    39,651    14,247    6,157 
    7,379,944    6,028,552    5,705,958    1,424,577 
Less expenses waived           (346,147)    
Less expenses paid indirectly   (1)       (1)    
Total operating expenses   7,379,943    6,028,552    5,359,810    1,424,577 
Net Investment Income (Loss)   49,555,102    9,746,670    (2,867,316)   2,553,023 
                     
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):                    
Net realized gain (loss) on:                    
Investments   (35,314,361)   (7,552,485)   56,777,928    13,512,786 
Foreign currencies   (281,539)   (434,170)       96,323 
Foreign currency exchange contracts   285,402    179,734        (136,956)
Options purchased           (181,881)    
Options written           (378,293)    
Net realized gain (loss)   (35,310,498)   (7,806,921)   56,217,754    13,472,153 
                     
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                    
Investments   (139,358,170)   (91,114,545)   (271,434,455)   275,154 
Affiliated investments   24,593,161             
Foreign currencies   (746)   (52,839)       5,171 
Foreign currency exchange contracts   221,233    (15,806)       (137)
Options purchased           68,668     
Options written           524,821     
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (114,544,522)   (91,183,190)   (270,840,966)   280,188 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)   (149,855,020)   (98,990,111)   (214,623,212)   13,752,341 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(100,299,918)  $(89,243,441)  $(217,490,528)  $16,305,364 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


104  

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Science
and
Technology
     Delaware Ivy
VIP Small Cap
Growth
     Delaware Ivy
VIP Smid Cap
Core
 
Investment Income:               
Dividends  $3,707,359   $1,435,484   $2,386,450 
Securities lending income   81,114    377,888    12,212 
Foreign tax withheld   (92,731)        
    3,695,742    1,813,372    2,398,662 
                
Expenses:               
Investment advisory fees   4,501,218    2,731,627    1,396,894 
Distribution expenses — Class II   1,319,841    749,119    410,851 
Accounting and administration expenses   150,933    111,465    70,206 
Trustees’ fees and expenses   52,099    50,474    31,014 
Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses   38,601    9,368    12,131 
Audit and tax fees   31,810    27,681    31,306 
Reports and statements to shareholders servicing expenses   19,613    27,022    13,091 
Legal fees   16,354    11,034    13,373 
Custodian fees   16,279    18,516    21,923 
Registration fees   7    7    6 
Other   61,223    12,946    11,426 
    6,207,978    3,749,259    2,012,221 
Less expenses waived       (135,551)    
Less expenses paid indirectly   (1)   (1)    
Total operating expenses   6,207,977    3,613,707    2,012,221 
Net Investment Income (Loss)   (2,512,235)   (1,800,335)   386,441 
                
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):               
Net realized gain (loss) on:               
Investments   24,169,592    24,627,627    18,660,935 
Foreign currencies   (1,016)        
Foreign currency exchange contracts   196         
Net increase from payment by affiliates1       5,772,824     
Net realized gain (loss)   24,168,772    30,400,451    18,660,935 
                
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:               
Investments   (243,220,609)   (135,463,338)   (46,656,011)
Foreign currencies   (2,306)        
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (243,222,915)   (135,463,338)   (46,656,011)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)   (219,054,143)   (105,062,887)   (27,995,076)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(221,566,378)  $(106,863,222)  $(27,608,635)

1 See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 105 

Statements of changes in net assets

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Asset
Strategyφ
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Balanced
 
   Year ended   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/22       12/31/21 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                    
Net investment income (loss)  $7,465,803   $4,820,768   $1,640,867   $1,753,627 
Net realized gain (loss)   25,416,540    92,334,387    (3,626,171)   86,905,142 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (140,178,068)   (22,017,395)   (40,891,658)   (36,223,075)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (107,295,725)   75,137,760    (42,876,962)   52,435,694 
                     
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings:                    
Class I   (101,290)   (123,895)        
Class II   (57,229,359)   (87,212,714)   (89,099,578)   (25,006,127)
                                 
Return of capital:                    
Class I   (813)            
Class II   (485,567)            
    (57,817,029)   (87,336,609)   (89,099,578)   (25,006,127)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class I   22,114    930,271         
Class II   20,319,480    27,512,423    5,054,309    11,704,935 
                     
                     
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                    
Class I   102,103    123,895         
Class II   57,714,926    87,212,714    89,099,578    25,006,127 
    78,158,623    115,779,303    94,153,887    36,711,062 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class I   (7,197)   (228,661)        
Class II   (90,741,710)   (123,849,978)   (24,816,273)   (136,600,091)
    (90,748,907)   (124,078,639)   (24,816,273)   (136,600,091)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   (12,590,284)   (8,299,336)   69,337,614    (99,889,029)
Net Decrease in Net Assets   (177,703,038)   (20,498,185)   (62,638,926)   (72,459,462)
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   744,075,929    764,574,114    271,266,477    343,725,939 
End of year  $566,372,891   $744,075,929   $208,627,551   $271,266,477 

φ Consolidated statements of changes in net assets

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


106  

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Energy
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Growth
 
   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                                       
Net investment income (loss)  $3,425,705   $897,768   $(2,327,225)  $(4,204,182)
Net realized gain (loss)   25,644,226    10,423,212    70,668,541    184,088,806 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   10,282,307    7,865,868    (327,274,704)   89,386,977 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   39,352,238    19,186,848    (258,933,388)   269,271,601 
                     
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings:                    
Class I   (14,735)   (2,647)        
Class II   (3,623,499)   (1,016,972)   (179,987,618)   (98,262,055)
    (3,638,234)   (1,019,619)   (179,987,618)   (98,262,055)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class I   849,105    126,637         
Class II   92,437,878    50,732,309    47,292,019    103,904,201 
                     
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                    
Class I   14,735    2,647         
Class II   3,623,499    1,016,972    179,987,618    98,262,055 
    96,925,217    51,878,565    227,279,637    202,166,256 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class I   (681,163)   (234,664)        
Class II   (82,062,558)   (39,207,540)   (182,794,509)   (246,709,528)
    (82,743,721)   (39,442,204)   (182,794,509)   (246,709,528)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   14,181,496    12,436,361    44,485,128    (44,543,272)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   49,895,500    30,603,590    (394,435,878)   126,466,274 
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   74,145,508    43,541,918    1,022,647,182    896,180,908 
End of year  $124,041,008   $74,145,508   $628,211,304   $1,022,647,182 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 107 

Statements of changes in net assets

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

   Delaware Ivy
VIP High
Income
   Delaware Ivy
VIP International
Core Equity
 
   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                                    
Net investment income (loss)  $49,555,102   $53,523,791   $9,746,670   $9,839,024 
Net realized gain (loss)   (35,310,498)   (8,915,234)   (7,806,921)   82,070,410 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (114,544,522)   8,375,935    (91,183,190)   (3,179,449)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (100,299,918)   52,984,492    (89,243,441)   88,729,985 
                     
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings:                    
Class I   (1,120,406)   (1,264,115)        
Class II   (51,556,130)   (52,760,331)   (52,574,539)   (6,911,509)
    (52,676,536)   (54,024,446)   (52,574,539)   (6,911,509)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class I   2,138,328    2,988,357         
Class II   72,956,805    115,230,591    33,398,259    30,336,557 
                     
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                    
Class I   1,120,406    1,264,115         
Class II   51,556,130    52,760,331    52,574,539    6,911,509 
    127,771,669    172,243,394    85,972,798    37,248,066 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class I   (3,926,749)   (5,598,142)        
Class II   (130,609,304)   (133,627,810)   (80,660,894)   (147,978,400)
    (134,536,053)   (139,225,952)   (80,660,894)   (147,978,400)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   (6,764,384)   33,017,442    5,311,904    (110,730,334)
Capital contributions1           20,014     
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   (159,740,838)   31,977,488    (136,486,062)   (28,911,858)
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   911,446,173    879,468,685    620,506,234    649,418,092 
End of year  $751,705,335   $911,446,173   $484,020,172   $620,506,234 

1 See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


108  

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Mid Cap
Growth
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Natural
Resources
 
   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                                    
Net investment income (loss)  $(2,867,316)  $(4,941,349)  $2,553,023   $1,650,874 
Net realized gain (loss)   56,217,754    115,551,436    13,472,153    16,212,480 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (270,840,966)   167,074    280,188    2,162,426 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (217,490,528)   110,777,161    16,305,364    20,025,780 
                     
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings:                    
Class I   (27,030,938)   (28,371,842)        
Class II   (83,204,589)   (54,305,125)   (1,937,990)   (1,377,946)
    (110,235,527)   (82,676,967)   (1,937,990)   (1,377,946)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class I   16,860,457    25,638,061         
Class II   57,945,087    102,814,158    46,421,492    20,233,095 
                     
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                    
Class I   27,030,938    28,371,842         
Class II   83,204,589    54,305,125    1,937,990    1,377,946 
    185,041,071    211,129,186    48,359,482    21,611,041 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class I   (65,638,075)   (98,590,857)        
Class II   (62,327,227)   (99,353,586)   (44,058,934)   (24,226,833)
    (127,965,302)   (197,944,443)   (44,058,934)   (24,226,833)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   57,075,769    13,184,743    4,300,548    (2,615,792)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   (270,650,286)   41,284,937    18,667,922    16,032,042 
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   730,843,848    689,558,911    90,854,365    74,822,323 
End of year  $460,193,562   $730,843,848   $109,522,287   $90,854,365 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 109 

Statements of changes in net assets

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Science
and
Technology
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Small Cap
Growth
 
   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                                    
Net investment income (loss)  $(2,512,235)  $(5,548,436)  $(1,800,335)  $(3,677,140)
Net realized gain (loss)   24,168,772    264,466,265    24,627,627    79,559,037 
Net increase from payment by affiliates           5,772,824     
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (243,222,915)   (159,999,164)   (135,463,338)   (55,777,763)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (221,566,378)   98,918,665    (106,863,222)   20,104,134 
                     
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings:                    
Class I   (204,675)   (630,025)   (4,768,113)   (6,960,521)
Class II   (66,445,227)   (201,467,757)   (71,059,344)   (51,658,903)
    (66,649,902)   (202,097,782)   (75,827,457)   (58,619,424)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class I   530,872    1,857,407    3,175,439    5,805,956 
Class II   45,016,503    56,146,004    17,370,652    24,884,660 
                     
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                    
Class I   204,675    630,024    4,768,113    6,960,521 
Class II   66,445,227    201,467,759    71,059,344    51,658,903 
    112,197,277    260,101,194    96,373,548    89,310,040 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class I   (653,015)   (2,164,748)   (22,970,280)   (20,490,747)
Class II   (80,710,910)   (123,849,716)   (129,582,097)   (57,061,025)
    (81,363,925)   (126,014,464)   (152,552,377)   (77,551,772)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   30,833,352    134,086,730    (56,178,829)   11,758,268 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   (257,382,928)   30,907,613    (238,869,508)   (26,757,022)
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   709,274,408    678,366,795    437,779,777    464,536,799 
End of year  $451,891,480   $709,274,408   $198,910,269   $437,779,777 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


110  

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Smid Cap
Core
 
   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                  
Net investment income (loss)  $386,441   $(200,926)
Net realized gain (loss)   18,660,935    36,031,050 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (46,656,011)   1,327,330 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (27,608,635)   37,157,454 
           
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:          
Distributable earnings:          
Class II   (34,590,065)    
    (34,590,065)    
           
Capital Share Transactions:          
Proceeds from shares sold:          
Class II   29,148,495    18,954,835 
           
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:          
Class II   34,590,065     
    63,738,560    18,954,835 
Cost of shares redeemed:          
Class II   (25,188,039)   (57,222,880)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   38,550,521    (38,268,045)
Net Decrease in Net Assets   (23,648,179)   (1,110,591)
           
Net Assets:          
Beginning of year   181,759,061    182,869,652 
End of year  $158,110,882   $181,759,061 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 111 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy Class IΦ

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.20   $10.45   $9.50   $8.29   $9.37 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.12    0.08    0.17    0.20    0.18 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (1.60)   1.01    1.16    1.63    (0.67)
Total from investment operations   (1.48)   1.09    1.33    1.83    (0.49)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.16)   (0.20)   (0.22)   (0.23)   (0.20)
Net realized gain   (0.70)   (1.14)   (0.16)   (0.39)   (0.39)
Return of capital   (0.01)                
Total dividends and distributions   (0.87)   (1.34)   (0.38)   (0.62)   (0.59)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $7.85   $10.20   $10.45   $9.50   $8.29 
                          
Total return2   (14.54%)3   10.72%3    14.16%    22.08%3    (5.20%)3
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $1,011   $14   $4,5   $14  $4,5 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets6   0.66%    0.65%    0.77%    0.77%    0.78% 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived6   0.77%    0.75%    0.77%    0.77%    0.78% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.42%    0.76%    1.83%    2.19%    1.91% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived   1.31%    0.66%    1.83%    2.19%    1.91% 
Portfolio turnover   102%    56%    44%    46%    58% 

Φ Consolidated financial highlights.
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Total return during the period reflects waivers by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
4 Net assets reported in millions.
5 Rounds to less than $500 thousands.
6 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


112  

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy Class IIΦ

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.19   $10.44   $9.50   $8.29   $9.37 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.10    0.07    0.15    0.18    0.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (1.59)   1.00    1.15    1.62    (0.67)
Total from investment operations   (1.49)   1.07    1.30    1.80    (0.51)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.14)   (0.18)   (0.20)   (0.20)   (0.18)
Net realized gain   (0.70)   (1.14)   (0.16)   (0.39)   (0.39)
Return of capital   (0.01)                
Total dividends and distributions   (0.85)   (1.32)   (0.36)   (0.59)   (0.57)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $7.85   $10.19   $10.44   $9.50   $8.29 
                          
Total return2   (14.71%)3    10.44%3    13.88%    21.78%    (5.44%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $565,362   $7434   $7644   $7724   $7534 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets5   0.87%    0.90%    1.02%    1.02%    1.03% 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived5   1.01%    1.01%    1.02%    1.02%    1.03% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.21%    0.64%    1.60%    1.94%    1.65% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived   1.07%    0.53%    1.60%    1.94%    1.65% 
Portfolio turnover   102%    56%    44%    46%    58% 
Φ Consolidated financial highlights.
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Total return during the period reflects waivers by the manager and/or distributor. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
4 Net assets reported in millions.
5 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 113 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced Class II

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.39   $8.71   $8.22   $7.46   $7.95 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.04    0.05    0.09    0.11    0.12 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (1.55)   1.29    0.94    1.44    (0.36)
Total from investment operations   (1.51)   1.34    1.03    1.55    (0.24)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.09)   (0.09)   (0.11)   (0.14)   (0.13)
Net realized gain   (3.10)   (0.57)   (0.43)   (0.65)   (0.12)
Total dividends and distributions   (3.19)   (0.66)   (0.54)   (0.79)   (0.25)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.69   $9.39   $8.71   $8.22   $7.46 
                          
Total return2   (16.11%)   15.97%    14.11%    22.09%    (3.24%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $208,628   $2713   $3443   $3413   $3103 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   1.07%    1.00%    1.02%    1.01%    1.01% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   0.72%    0.51%    1.13%    1.38%    1.55% 
Portfolio turnover   72%    79%    61%    44%    54% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


114  

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy Class I

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $3.48   $2.48   $4.02   $3.88   $5.87 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.15    0.04    0.04    0.03    2 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.61    1.02    (1.52)   0.11    (1.99)
Total from investment operations   1.76    1.06    (1.48)   0.14    (1.99)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.17)   (0.06)   (0.06)        
Total dividends and distributions   (0.17)   (0.06)   (0.06)        
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $5.07   $3.48   $2.48   $4.02   $3.88 
                          
Total return3   50.85%    42.33%    (36.67%)4    3.74%    (33.96%)4 
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $447   $5,6   $5,6   $5,6   $5,6 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets7   0.98%    0.97%    1.06%    1.04%    0.94% 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived7   0.98%    0.97%    1.12%    1.04%    0.94% 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets   3.04%    1.20%    1.89%    0.64%    (0.09%)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets prior to fees waived   3.04%    1.20%    1.83%    0.64%    (0.09%)
Portfolio turnover   85%    119%    54%    21%    37% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
3 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
4 Total return during the period reflects waivers by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
5 Net assets reported in millions.
6 Rounds to less than $500 thousands.
7 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 115 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy Class II

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $3.47   $2.48   $4.00   $3.87   $5.87 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss)1   0.14    0.04    0.04    0.02    (0.02)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.61    1.00    (1.52)   0.11    (1.98)
Total from investment operations   1.75    1.04    (1.48)   0.13    (2.00)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.15)   (0.05)   (0.04)        
Total dividends and distributions   (0.15)   (0.05)   (0.04)        
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $5.07   $3.47   $2.48   $4.00   $3.87 
                          
Total return2   50.42%    42.00%    (36.83%)3    3.48%    (34.14%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $123,594   $744   $444   $424   $394 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets5   1.23%    1.22%    1.31%    1.29%    1.19% 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived5   1.23%    1.22%    1.37%    1.29%    1.19% 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets   2.87%    1.41%    1.62%    0.42%    (0.41%)
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets prior                         
to fees waived   2.87%    1.41%    1.56%    0.42%    (0.41%)
Portfolio turnover   85%    119%    54%    21%    37% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Total return during the period reflects waivers by the manager and/or distributor. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
4 Net assets reported in millions.
5 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


116  

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $14.85   $12.70   $11.33   $11.02   $12.09 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment loss1   (0.03)   (0.06)   (0.02)   (0.01)   2 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (3.97)   3.57    3.03    3.58    0.36 
Total from investment operations   (4.00)   3.51    3.01    3.57    0.36 
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income                   2 
Net realized gain   (2.88)   (1.36)   (1.64)   (3.26)   (1.43)
Total dividends and distributions   (2.88)   (1.36)   (1.64)   (3.26)   (1.43)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $7.97   $14.85   $12.70   $11.33   $11.02 
                          
Total return3   (27.24%)   30.03%    30.55%    36.59%    2.28% 
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $628,211   $1,0234   $8964   $7914   $6694 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets5   1.00%    0.99%    1.01%    1.00%    1.00% 
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets   (0.32%)   (0.42%)   (0.20%)   (0.05%)   (0.02%)
Portfolio turnover   12%    22%    29%    30%    37% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
3 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
4 Net assets reported in millions.
5 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 117 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $3.40   $3.41   $3.48   $3.35   $3.65 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.19    0.21    0.21    0.24    0.23 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.56)   (0.01)   (0.03)   0.13    (0.29)
Total from investment operations   (0.37)   0.20    0.18    0.37    (0.06)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.21)   (0.21)   (0.25)   (0.24)   (0.24)
Total dividends and distributions   (0.21)   (0.21)   (0.25)   (0.24)   (0.24)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $2.82   $3.40   $3.41   $3.48   $3.35 
                          
Total return2   (10.91%)   6.33%    6.30%    11.49%    (1.86%)3 
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $15,093   $194   $204   $274   $444 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets5   0.67%    0.67%    0.69%    0.67%    0.66% 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived5   0.67%    0.67%    0.69%    0.67%    0.66% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   6.40%    6.11%    6.54%    6.82%    6.50% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived   6.40%    6.11%    6.54%    6.82%    6.50% 
Portfolio turnover   61%    54%    52%    35%    42% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Total return during the period reflects waivers by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
4 Net assets reported in millions.
5 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


118  

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class II

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $3.39   $3.40   $3.47   $3.34   $3.64 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.18    0.20    0.20    0.23    0.22 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.56)   2    (0.03)   0.13    (0.29)
Total from investment operations   (0.38)   0.20    0.17    0.36    (0.07)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.20)   (0.21)   (0.24)   (0.23)   (0.23)
Total dividends and distributions   (0.20)   (0.21)   (0.24)   (0.23)   (0.23)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $2.81   $3.39   $3.40   $3.47   $3.34 
                          
Total return3   (11.28%)   6.06%    6.03%    11.19%    (2.11%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $736,612   $8924   $8594   $8594   $8034 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets5   0.92%    0.92%    0.94%    0.92%    0.91% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   6.15%    5.85%    6.28%    6.57%    6.27% 
Portfolio turnover   61%    54%    52%    35%    42% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
3 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
4 Net assets reported in millions.
5 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 119 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $18.47   $16.35   $15.65   $14.66   $18.58 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.28    0.27    0.16    0.29    0.30 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (3.02)   2.04    0.88    2.28    (3.45)
Total from investment operations   (2.74)   2.31    1.04    2.57    (3.15)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.36)   (0.19)   (0.34)   (0.25)   (0.28)
Net realized gain   (1.25)       2   (1.33)   (0.49)
Total dividends and distributions   (1.61)   (0.19)   (0.34)   (1.58)   (0.77)
                          
Capital contributions   2,3                 
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $14.12   $18.47   $16.35   $15.65   $14.66 
                          
Total return4   (14.72%)5,6    14.18%    7.19%    18.69%    (17.81%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $484,020   $6217   $6497   $6997   $6767 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets8   1.18%    1.16%    1.17%    1.16%    1.16% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.91%    1.49%    1.10%    1.93%    1.70% 
Portfolio turnover   63%    81%    82%    69%    51% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
3 See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements.”
4 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
5 Total return for the year ended December 31, 2022 includes the impact of the refund of previously paid foreign taxes. Total return would have been lower by 0.38% excluding refund of previously paid foreign taxes.
6 Total return for the year ended December 31, 2022 includes the impact of the capital contribution, which was not material to the total return.
7 Net assets reported in millions.
8 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


120  

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $17.99   $17.60   $12.77   $11.10   $11.63 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment loss1   (0.04)   (0.09)   (0.04)   (0.02)   (0.02)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (5.45)   2.71    5.89    3.95    0.09 
Total from investment operations   (5.49)   2.62    5.85    3.93    0.07 
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net realized gain   (2.90)   (2.23)   (1.02)   (2.26)   (0.60)
Total dividends and distributions   (2.90)   (2.23)   (1.02)   (2.26)   (0.60)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $9.60   $17.99   $17.60   $12.77   $11.10 
                          
Total return2   (30.62%)   16.65%    49.37%    38.28%    0.20% 
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $105,164   $2123   $2463   $2333   $1843 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.85%    0.85%    0.85%    0.85%    0.85% 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived4   0.92%    0.89%    0.90%    0.90%    0.90% 
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets   (0.38%)   (0.51%)   (0.27%)   (0.20%)   (0.14%)
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets prior to fees waived   (0.45%)   (0.55%)   (0.32%)   (0.25%)   (0.19%)
Portfolio turnover   29%    27%    25%    20%    53% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return during the period reflects waivers by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 121 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class II

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $17.84   $17.48   $12.69   $11.07   $11.61 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment loss1   (0.07)   (0.13)   (0.07)   (0.06)   (0.05)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (5.40)   2.68    5.85    3.94    0.09 
Total from investment operations   (5.47)   2.55    5.78    3.88    0.04 
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net realized gain   (2.90)   (2.19)   (0.99)   (2.26)   (0.58)
Total dividends and distributions   (2.90)   (2.19)   (0.99)   (2.26)   (0.58)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $9.47   $17.84   $17.48   $12.69   $11.07 
                          
Total return2   (30.78%)   16.36%    49.00%    37.94%    (0.06%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $355,030   $5193   $4443   $3153   $2303 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   1.10%    1.10%    1.10%    1.10%    1.10% 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived4   1.17%    1.14%    1.15%    1.15%    1.15% 
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets   (0.61%)   (0.76%)   (0.53%)   (0.45%)   (0.42%)
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets prior to fees waived   (0.68%)   (0.80%)   (0.58%)   (0.50%)   (0.47%)
Portfolio turnover   29%    27%    25%    20%    53% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return during the period reflects waivers by the manager and/or distributor. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


122  

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources Class II

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $4.12   $3.30   $3.84   $3.55   $4.63 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.10    0.07    0.04    0.07    0.03 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.63    0.81    (0.51)   0.26    (1.10)
Total from investment operations   0.73    0.88    (0.47)   0.33    (1.07)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.08)   (0.06)   (0.07)   (0.04)   (0.01)
Total dividends and distributions   (0.08)   (0.06)   (0.07)   (0.04)   (0.01)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.77   $4.12   $3.30   $3.84   $3.55 
                          
Total return2   17.72%    26.68%    (11.99%)   9.46%    (23.23%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $109,522   $913   $753   $883   $883 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   1.25%    1.21%    1.31%    1.24%    1.21% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   2.24%    1.89%    1.40%    1.88%    0.72% 
Portfolio turnover   65%    121%    71%    36%    33% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 123 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology Class I

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $29.81   $36.13   $29.94   $21.91   $27.04 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment loss1   (0.05)   (0.22)   (0.14)   (0.06)   (0.03)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (9.20)   5.56    10.31    10.95    (1.24)
Total from investment operations   (9.25)   5.34    10.17    10.89    (1.27)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net realized gain   (2.85)   (11.66)   (3.98)   (2.86)   (3.86)
Total dividends and distributions   (2.85)   (11.66)   (3.98)   (2.86)   (3.86)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $17.71   $29.81   $36.13   $29.94   $21.91 
                          
Total return2   (31.67%)   15.45%    35.70%    49.86%    (5.00%)3 
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $1,331   $24   $24   $14   $14 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets5   0.92%    0.89%    0.91%    0.90%    0.91% 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived5   0.92%    0.89%    0.91%    0.90%    0.91% 
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets   (0.23%)   (0.57%)   (0.44%)   (0.23%)   (0.11%)
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets prior to fees waived   (0.23%)   (0.57%)   (0.44%)   (0.23%)   (0.11%)
Portfolio turnover   58%   55%    8%    31%    17% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Total return during the period reflects waivers by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
4 Net assets reported in millions.
5 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


124  

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology Class II

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $29.51   $35.87   $29.82   $21.84   $27.04 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment loss1   (0.10)   (0.30)   (0.21)   (0.13)   (0.11)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (9.11)   5.51    10.24    10.90    (1.23)
Total from investment operations   (9.21)   5.21    10.03    10.77    (1.34)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net realized gain   (2.85)   (11.57)   (3.98)   (2.79)   (3.86)
Total dividends and distributions   (2.85)   (11.57)   (3.98)   (2.79)   (3.86)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $17.45   $29.51   $35.87   $29.82   $21.84 
                          
Total return2   (31.83%)   15.17%    35.36%    49.48%    (5.23%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $450,560   $7073   $6763   $5793   $4293 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   1.17%    1.14%    1.16%    1.15%    1.16% 
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets   (0.48%)   (0.79%)   (0.67%)   (0.48%)   (0.38%)
Portfolio turnover   58%    55%    8%    31%    17% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 125 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended   11/2/18
to
 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/181  
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.01   $12.15   $8.80   $7.69   $8.76 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment loss2   (0.03)   (0.07)   (0.04)   (0.05)   3 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.97)   0.55    3.39    1.85    (1.07)
Total from investment operations   (3.00)   0.48    3.35    1.80    (1.07)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income       (0.14)            
Net realized gain   (2.02)   (1.48)       (0.69)    
Total dividends and distributions   (2.02)   (1.62)       (0.69)    
                          
Payment from affiliates   0.124                 
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $6.11   $11.01   $12.15   $8.80   $7.69 
                          
Total return5   (26.61%)6   4.25%    38.01%    23.68%    (12.24%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $17,454   $477   $597   $587   $527 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets8   0.89%    0.89%    0.89%    0.89%    1.05%9 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived8   0.93%    0.90%    0.92%    0.91%    1.07% 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets   (0.34%)   (0.56%)   (0.46%)   (0.60%)   0.15% 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets prior to fees waived   (0.38%)   (0.57%)   (0.49%)   (0.62%)   0.13% 
Portfolio turnover   100%    48%    50%    41%    52% 
1 Date of commencement of operations; ratios have been annualized and total return and portfolio turnover have not been annualized.
2 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
3 Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
4 See Note 2 in "Notes to Financial Statements."
5 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return during the period reflects waivers by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
6 Total return for the year ended December 31, 2022 includes the impact of the payment from affiliates. Total return would have been lower by 1.09% excluding payment from affiliates.
7 Net assets reported in millions.
8 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.
9 Expense ratio based on the period excluding reorganization expenses was 0.89%.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


126  

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class II

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.94   $12.08   $8.77   $7.68   $11.63 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment loss1   (0.04)   (0.10)   (0.06)   (0.07)   (0.06)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.98)   0.56    3.37    1.85    0.03 
Total from investment operations   (3.02)   0.46    3.31    1.78    (0.03)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income       (0.12)           (0.05)
Net realized gain   (2.02)   (1.48)       (0.69)   (3.87)
Total dividends and distributions   (2.02)   (1.60)       (0.69)   (3.92)
                          
Payment from affiliates   0.142                 
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $6.04   $10.94   $12.08   $8.77   $7.68 
                          
Total return3   (26.83%)4   3.99%    37.66%    23.37%    (4.11%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $181,456   $3915   $4065   $3315   $3005 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets6   1.14%    1.14%    1.14%    1.14%    1.16%7 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived6   1.18%    1.15%    1.17%    1.17%    1.18% 
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets   (0.58%)   (0.80%)   (0.71%)   (0.84%)   (0.52%)
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets prior to fees waived   (0.62%)   (0.81%)   (0.74%)   (0.87%)   (0.54%)
Portfolio turnover   100%    48%    50%    41%    52% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 See Note 2 in "Notes to Financial Statements."
3 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return during the period reflects waivers by the manager and/or distributor. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
4 Total return for the year ended December 31, 2022 includes the impact of the payment from affiliates. Total return would have been lower by 1.28% excluding payment from affiliates.
5 Net assets reported in millions.
6 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.
7 Expense ratio based on the period excluding reorganization expenses was 1.14%.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 127 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II

Selected data for each share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
       12/31/22       12/31/21       12/31/20       12/31/19       12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $16.73   $13.85   $13.71   $13.51   $18.32 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss)1   0.03    (0.02)   (0.02)   2    (0.06)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.57)   2.90    0.80    3.12    (1.37)
Total from investment operations   (2.54)   2.88    0.78    3.12    (1.43)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income                   (0.02)
Net realized gain   (3.05)       (0.64)   (2.92)   (3.36)
Total dividends and distributions   (3.05)       (0.64)   (2.92)   (3.38)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $11.14   $16.73   $13.85   $13.71   $13.51 
                          
Total return3   (14.84%)   20.78%    7.03%    24.33%    (10.49%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $158,111   $1824   $1834   $1884   $1754 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets5   1.22%    1.17%    1.20%    1.18%    1.17% 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets   0.24%    (0.10%)   (0.14%)   (0.05%)   (0.34%)
Portfolio turnover   113%    79%    145%    126%    112% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
3 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
4 Net assets reported in millions.
5 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


128  

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

December 31, 2022

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios (Trust) is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and offers 26 portfolios. These financial statements and the related notes pertain to 11 portfolios: Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy, Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced, Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP High Income, Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources, Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology, Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth, and Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core, (each, a Portfolio and collectively, the Portfolios). The Trust is an open-end investment company. Each of the Portfolios (other than Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth, and Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology) are diversified as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act). Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth, and Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology are non-diversified as defined in the 1940 Act.

Each Portfolio offers Class II shares. Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy, Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP High Income, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology, and Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth also offer Class I shares. The Class I shares do not carry a distribution and service (12b-1) fee and the Class II shares carry a 12b-1 fee. The shares of the Portfolios are sold only to variable life insurance separate accounts and variable annuity separate accounts.

1. Significant Accounting Policies

Each Portfolio follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services — Investment Companies. The following accounting policies are in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) and are consistently followed by the Portfolios.

Security Valuation — Equity securities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), except those traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq), are valued at the last quoted sales price as of the time of the regular close of the New York Stock Exchange on the valuation date. Equity securities and ETFs traded on the Nasdaq are valued in accordance with the Nasdaq Official Closing Price, which may not be the last sales price. If, on a particular day, an equity security or ETF does not trade, the mean between the bid and the ask prices will be used, which approximates fair value. Equity securities listed on a foreign exchange are normally valued at the last quoted sales price on the valuation date. The fair value of bullion is at the last settlement price at the end of each day on the board of trade or exchange upon which they are traded. US government and agency securities are valued at the mean between the bid and the ask prices, which approximates fair value. Other debt securities are valued based upon valuations provided by an independent pricing service or broker and reviewed by management. To the extent current market prices are not available, the pricing service may take into account developments related to the specific security, as well as transactions in comparable securities. Valuations for fixed income securities utilize matrix systems, which reflect such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, and ratings, and are supplemented by dealer and exchange quotations. For asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), commercial mortgage securities, and US government agency mortgage securities, pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which considers prepayment speed, attributes of the collateral, yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type as well as broker/dealer-supplied prices. Foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and the ask prices, which approximates fair value. Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are valued at the daily quoted settlement prices. Exchange-traded options are valued at the last reported sale price or, if no sales are reported, at the mean between the last reported bid and the ask prices, which approximates fair value. Open-end investment companies, other than ETFs, are valued at their published net asset value (NAV). Generally, other securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by each Portfolio's valuation designee, Delaware Management Company (DMC). Subject to the oversight of each portfolio's Board of Trustees (Board), DMC, as valuation designee, has adopted policies and procedures to fair value securities for which market quotations are not readily available consistent with the requirements of Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. In determining whether market quotations are readily available or fair valuation will be used, various factors will be taken into consideration, such as market closures or suspension of trading in a security. Restricted securities and private placements are valued at fair value.

Federal and Foreign Income Taxes — No provision for federal income taxes has been made as each Portfolio intends to continue to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to shareholders. Each Portfolio evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing each Portfolio's tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed each Portfolio's tax positions taken or expected to be taken on each Portfolio's federal income tax returns through the year ended December 31, 2022, and for all open tax years (years ended December 31, 2019-December 31, 2021), and has concluded that


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Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

no provision for federal income tax is required in each Portfolio's financial statements. In regard to foreign taxes only, each Portfolio has open tax years in certain foreign countries in which it invests in that may date back to the inception of each Portfolio. If applicable, each Portfolio recognizes interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other” on the “Statements of operations.” During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Portfolios did not incur any interest or tax penalties.

Class Accounting — Investment income, common expenses, and realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments are allocated to the classes of each Portfolio on the basis of daily net assets of each class. Distribution expenses relating to a specific class are charged directly to that class.

Foreign Currency Transactions — Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the prevailing exchange rates on the valuation date. The value of all assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies is translated daily into US dollars at the exchange rate of such currencies against the US dollar. Transaction gains or losses resulting from changes in exchange rates during the reporting period or upon settlement of the foreign currency transaction are reported in operations for the current period. The Portfolios generally bifurcate that portion of realized gains and losses on investments in debt securities which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices of debt securities. That portion of gains (losses), which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates, is included on the “Statements of operations” under “Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currencies.” For foreign equity securities, the realized gains and losses are included on the “Statements of operations” under “Net realized gain (loss) on investments.” The Portfolios report certain foreign currency related transactions as components of realized gains (losses) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are treated as ordinary income (loss) for federal income tax purposes.

Derivative Financial Instruments - The Portfolio may invest in various derivative financial instruments. These instruments are used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity, index, market, and/or other assets without owning or taking physical custody of securities, commodities and/ or other referenced assets or to manage market, equity, credit, interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, commodity and/or other risks.

Derivative financial instruments may give rise to a form of economic leverage and involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative financial instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the counterparty to the transaction or illiquidity of the instrument. Pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, among other things, the Portfolio must either use derivative financial instruments with embedded leverage in a limited manner or comply with an outer limit on fund leverage risk based on value-at-risk. The Portfolios' successful use of a derivative financial instrument depends on the investment adviser's ability to predict pertinent market movements accurately, which cannot be assured. The use of these instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may limit the amount of appreciation the Portfolio can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. The Portfolios' investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to financial statements.

Segregation and Collateralizations - In certain cases, based on requirements and agreements with certain exchanges and third-party broker- dealers, the Portfolio may deliver or receive collateral in connection with certain investments (e.g., futures contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, options written, securities with extended settlement periods, and swaps). Certain countries require that cash reserves be held while investing in companies incorporated in that country. These cash reserves and cash collateral that has been pledged/received to cover obligations of the Portfolio under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately on the "Statements of assets and liabilities" as cash collateral due to/from broker. Securities collateral pledged for the same purpose, if any, is noted on the "Schedules of investments."

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.

Other — Expenses directly attributable to a Portfolio are charged directly to that Portfolio. Other expenses common to various funds within the Delaware Funds by Macquarie® (Delaware Funds) are generally allocated among such funds on the basis of average net assets. Management fees and certain other expenses are paid monthly. Security transactions are recorded on the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date) for financial reporting purposes. Costs used in calculating realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are those of the specific securities sold. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Income and capital gain distributions from any investment companies (Underlying Funds) in which the Portfolio invests are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Discounts and premiums on debt securities are accreted or amortized to interest income, respectively, over the lives of the respective securities


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using the effective interest method. Premiums on callable debt securities are amortized to interest income to the earliest call date using the effective interest method. Realized gains (losses) on paydowns of asset- and mortgage-backed securities are classified as interest income. Distributions received from investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) are recorded as dividend income on the ex-dividend date, subject to reclassification upon notice of the character of such distributions by the issuer, which are estimated. Foreign dividends are also recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon after the ex-dividend date that the Portfolios are aware of such dividends, net of all tax withholdings, a portion of which may be reclaimable. Withholding taxes and reclaims on foreign dividends and interest have been recorded in accordance with the Portfolios' understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Each Portfolio may pay foreign capital gains taxes on certain foreign securities held, which are reported as components of realized losses for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are treated as ordinary loss for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolios declare and pay dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gain on investments, if any, following the close of the fiscal year. The Portfolios may distribute more frequently, if necessary for tax purposes. Dividends and distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates

In accordance with the terms of its respective investment management agreement, each Portfolio pays DMC, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust and the investment manager, an annual fee which is calculated daily and paid monthly, based on each Portfolio's average daily net assets as follows:

Portfolio   Management Fee (annual rate as a percentage of average daily net assets)
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy1   0.70% of net assets up to $1 billion;
    0.65% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
    0.60% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
0.55% of net assets over $3 billion.
     
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced   0.70% of net assets up to $1 billion;
    0.65% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
0.60% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
0.55% of net assets over $3 billion.
     
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy   0.85% of net assets up to $1 billion;
    0.83% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
0.80% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
0.76% of net assets over $3 billion.
     
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth   0.70% of net assets up to $1 billion;
    0.65% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
0.60% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
0.55% of net assets over $3 billion.
     
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income   0.625% of net assets up to $500 million;
    0.60% of net assets over $500 million and up to $1 billion;
0.55% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $1.5 billion;
0.50% of net assets over $1.5 billion.
     
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity   0.85% of net assets up to $1 billion;
    0.83% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
0.80% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
0.76% of net assets over $3 billion.
     
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth   0.85% of net assets up to $1 billion;
    0.83% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
0.80% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
0.76% of net assets over $3 billion.

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Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

Portfolio   Management Fee (annual rate as a percentage of average daily net assets)
     
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources   0.85% of net assets up to $1 billion;
    0.83% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
0.80% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
0.76% of net assets over $3 billion and up to $5 billion;
0.73% of net assets over $5 billion and up to $10 billion;
0.70% of net assets over $10 billion.
     
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology   0.85% of net assets up to $1 billion;
    0.83% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
0.80% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
0.76% of net assets over $3 billion.
     
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth   0.85% of net assets up to $1 billion;
    0.83% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
0.80% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
0.76% of net assets over $3 billion.
     
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core   0.85% of net assets up to $1 billion;
    0.83% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
0.80% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
0.76% of net assets over $3 billion.
1DMC had contractually agreed to reduce the management fee paid by the Portfolio by an annual rate of 0.15% of average daily net assets through April 30, 2022.

DMC has entered into sub-advisory agreements with the following entities on behalf of the Portfolios:

Each of Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG (MIMAK), Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited (MIMEL), Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited (MIMGL) and Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited (MFMHKL), are a part of Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) and an affiliate of DMC (the Affiliated Sub-Advisors). MAM is the marketing name for certain companies comprising the asset management division of Macquarie Group Limited. DMC and MIMAK are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy and Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced portfolios. In addition, the Manager may also seek fixed income investment advice and recommendations from MIMAK and DMC may also permit MIMAK to execute Portfolio security trades on behalf of DMC and exercise investment discretion for securities in certain markets where DMC believes it will be beneficial to utilize MIMAK's specialized market knowledge.

With respect to Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources, Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology, Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth and Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core, DMC has principal responsibility for the portfolio and may utilize MIMGL and MFMHKL to execute Portfolio security trades on behalf of DMC.

With respect to Delaware Ivy VIP High Income, DMC may seek investment advice and recommendations from MIMAK, MIMEL and MIMGL and may permit each to exercise investment discretion in certain markets where DMC believes it will be beneficial to utilize the specialized market knowledge of each of MIMAK, MIMEL and/or MIMGL.

Pursuant to the terms of the relevant sub-advisory agreement, an investment sub-advisory fee is paid by DMC to each Affiliated Sub-Advisor.

Prior to January 18, 2022 (for Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP High Income, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources, Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology, and Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth), January 31, 2022 (for Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy and Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced) and February 28, 2022 (for Delaware Ivy VIP


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International Core Equity and Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core), the Portfolios had an Accounting Services Agreement with Waddell & Reed Services Company (WRSCO), doing business as WI Services Company (WISC). Under the agreement, WISC acted as the agent in providing bookkeeping and accounting services and assistance to each Portfolio, including maintenance of Portfolio records, pricing of Portfolio shares and preparation of certain shareholder reports. For these services, each Portfolio paid WISC a monthly fee of one-twelfth of the annual fee based on the average net asset levels shown in the following table:

(M - Millions)   Annual Fee Rate
$0 to $10M   $ 0
$10 to $25M   11,496
$25 to $50M   23,100
$50 to $100M   35,496
$100 to $200M   48,396
$200 to $350M   63,204
$350 to $550M   82,500
$550 to $750M   96,300
$750 to $1,000M   121,596
Over $1,000M   148,500

In addition, each Portfolio paid WISC a monthly administrative fee at the annual rate of 0.01%, or one basis point, for the first $1 billion of net assets with no fee charged for net assets in excess of $1 billion. This fee was voluntarily waived by WISC until each Portfolio’s net assets were at least $10 million and is included in “Accounting and administration expenses” on the "Statements of operations.”

Effective January 18, 2022 (for Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP High Income, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources, Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology, and Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth),

January 31, 2022 (for Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy and Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced) and February 28, 2022 (for Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity and Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core), Delaware Investments Fund Services Company (DIFSC), an affiliate of DMC, provides fund accounting and financial administrative oversight services to each Portfolio. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly, based on the aggregate daily net assets of all funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rates: 0.00475% of the first $35 billion; 0.0040% of the next $10 billion; 0.0025% of the next $45 billion; and 0.0015% of aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $90 billion (Total Fee). Each fund in the Delaware Funds pays a minimum of $4,000, which, in aggregate, is subtracted from the Total Fee.

Each fund then pays its portion of the remainder of the Total Fee on a relative NAV basis. These amounts are included on the “Statements of operations” under “Accounting and administration expenses.” From the effective dates mentioned above to December 31, 2022, each Portfolio paid for these services as follows:

Portfolio   Fees
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy     $20,954
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced   11,410
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy   6,288
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth   20,032
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income   26,491
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity   14,006
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth   14,620
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources   6,078
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology   15,401
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth   10,775
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core   6,315

Prior to June 27, 2022, under a Transfer Agency Agreement between the Trust and WISC, each Portfolio reimbursed WISC for certain out-of- pocket costs. Effective June 27, 2022, DIFSC is also the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of the Portfolios. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.0075% of the Portfolios’ average daily net assets. This amount is included on the “Statements of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” From June 27, 2022 through December 31, 2022, each Portfolio paid for these services as follows:


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Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

Portfolio   Fees
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy      $18,108
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced   6,783
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy   3,925
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth   21,265
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income   23,830
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity   14,655
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth   15,026
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources   3,635
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology   15,272
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth   9,550
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core   4,888

Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DIFSC and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNYMIS), effective June 27, 2022, BNYMIS provides certain sub-transfer agency services to each Portfolio. Sub-transfer agency fees are paid by each Portfolio and are also included on the “Statements of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” The fees that are calculated daily and paid as invoices are received on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Pursuant to a distribution agreement and distribution plan, each Portfolio pays Delaware Distributors, L.P. (DDLP), the distributor and an affiliate of DMC, an annual 12b-1 fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class II shares. The fees are calculated daily and paid monthly. Class I shares do not pay 12b-1 fees.

From January 1, 2022, (except as noted below) DMC (through April 29, 2023) and WRSCO (through June 27, 2022) have contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its investment advisory fees and/or pay/reimburse expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest, short sale dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations) as follows:

Portfolio  

Operating expense

limitation as a

percentage of average

daily net assets

Class I Shares

 

Operating expense

limitation as a

percentage of average

daily net assets

Class II Shares

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy   0.62%   0.87%
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth   0.85%   1.10%
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth   0.89%1   1.14%
1Effective April 29, 2022.

Through April 30, 2022, for each Portfolio that offered Class I Shares, the Portfolios' distributor and/or WISC had contractually agreed to reimburse sufficient fees to ensure that the total annual ordinary portfolio operating expenses of the Class I Shares were at all times equal to the total annual ordinary portfolio operating expenses of the Class II Shares less 0.25%, as calculated at the end of each month.

As provided in the investment management agreement, each Portfolio bears a portion of the cost of certain resources shared with DMC, including the cost of internal personnel of DMC and/or its affiliates that provide legal and regulatory reporting services to each Portfolio. These amounts are included on the “Statements of operations” under “Legal fees.” For the year ended December 31, 2022, each Portfolio paid for internal legal and regulatory reporting services provided by DMC and/or its affiliates’ employees as follows:

Portfolio   Fees
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy     $19,360
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced   6,349
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy   3,310
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth   22,124
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income   32,119

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Portfolio   Fees
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity     $13,786
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth   15,383
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources   3,575
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology   17,164
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth   9,989
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core   4,532

Trustees’ fees include expenses accrued by each Portfolio for each Trustee’s retainer and meeting fees. Certain officers of DMC, DIFSC, and DDLP are officers and/or Trustees of the Trust. These officers and Trustees are paid no compensation by the Portfolios.

In addition to the management fees and other expenses of a Portfolio, a Portfolio indirectly bears the investment management fees and other expenses of any Underlying Funds including ETFs in which it invests. The amount of these fees and expenses incurred indirectly by a Portfolio will vary based upon the expense and fee levels of any Underlying Funds and the number of shares that are owned of any Underlying Funds at different times.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, DMC reimbursed the Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth $5,772,824 for losses related to a trade error. These amounts are included in “Net increase from payment by affiliates” in the Statements of Operations. The impact on total return is included in the annual returns for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Cross trades for the year ended December 31, 2022, were executed by the Portfolios pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board designed to ensure compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds of investment companies, or between a fund of an investment company and another entity, that are or could be considered affiliates by virtue of having a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common directors/trustees and/or common officers. At its regularly scheduled meetings, the Board reviews a report related to the Portfolios' compliance with the procedures adopted by the Board. Pursuant to these procedures, for the year ended December 31, 2022, the following Portfolios engaged in Rule 17a-7 securities purchases and securities sales, which resulted in net gains or losses as follows:

  Purchases   Sales   Net realized gain (loss)
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy $1,644,406   $   $
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth 1,373,882    
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core 1,566,441   3,585,251   (39,304)

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Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

A summary of the transactions in affiliated companies during the year ended December 31, 2022 was as follows:

   

Value,

beginning

of period

 

Gross

additions

 

Gross

reductions

 

Net

realized

gain (loss)

on

affiliated

securities

 

Net change in

unrealized

appreciation

(depreciation)

on affiliated

securities

 

Value,

end of

period

  Shares  

Interest

Income

 
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy                                  
Corporate Bond—                                  
0.11%                                  
COTA Series D                                  
144A 4.896%                                  
10/2/23#,=                                  
    $ 637,419   $—   $—   $—   $—   $ 637,419   3,642,397   $ 153,092  
Common Stocks—                                  
0.00%                                  
COTA Series B=,†                                  
             —    —    26    —  
Media Group Holdings                                  
Series H=,†                                  
       —    —    —    —     31,963    —  
Media Group Holdings                                  
Series T=,†                                  
       —        —     4,006    
    $   $—    $—    $—    $—   $       $  
   

Value,

beginning

of period

 

Gross

additions

 

Gross

reductions

 

Net

realized

gain (loss)

on

affiliated

securities

 

Net change in

unrealized

appreciation

(depreciation)

on affiliated

securities

   

Value,

end of

period

  Shares  
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income                                              
Common Stocks—                                              
0.00%                                              
Larchmont Resources*,=,†                                              
    $ 92,197   $   $ (67,778 )   $   $ 14,353     $    
New Cotai*,=,†                                              
      3,929,813                   (1,096,135 )        
    $ 4,022,010   $   $ (67,778 )   $   $ (1,081,782 )   $      
Loan                                              
Agreements—                                              
0.00%                                              
New Cotai LLC                                              
(14.000% Cash                                              
or 14.000% PIK)                                              
    $ 934,937   $ 24,046   $ (984,236 )   $   $ 25,253     $    

 

#Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
=The value of this security was determined using significant unobservable inputs and is reported as a Level 3 security in the disclosure table located in Note 3 in “Notes to financial statements.”


136  

Non-income producing security.
*Issuer is not an affiliated investment of the Portfolio at December 31, 2022.

3. Investments

For the year ended December 31, 2022, each Portfolio made purchases and sales of investment securities other than short-term investments as follows:

Portfolio  Purchases
other than
US government
securities
   Purchases of
US government
securities
   Sales
other than
US government
securities
   Sales of
US government
securities
 
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy  $243,407,862   $338,229,734   $382,602,611   $261,916,777 
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced   53,360,395    100,692,635    62,797,257    121,350,606 
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy   110,241,740        97,451,224     
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth   68,935,257        206,857,708     
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income   435,315,717        450,999,877     
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity   319,067,509        359,768,924     
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth   151,322,341        213,493,440     
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources   76,528,588        70,475,888     
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology   287,136,331        319,765,871     
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth   307,616,075        434,217,285     
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core   187,056,412        182,839,353     

The tax cost of investments and derivatives includes adjustments to net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) which may not necessarily be the final tax cost basis adjustments but which approximate the tax basis unrealized gains and losses that may be realized and distributed to shareholders. At December 31, 2022, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and derivatives for federal income tax purposes for each Portfolio were as follows:

Portfolio  Cost of
investments
and derivatives
   Aggregate
unrealized
appreciation
of investments
and derivatives
   Aggregate
unrealized
depreciation
of investments
and derivatives
   Net unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
of investments
and derivatives
 
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy  $643,420,379   $57,601,700   $(121,364,673)  $(63,762,973)
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced   227,781,565    8,213,255    (24,324,754)   (16,111,499)
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy   118,434,289    14,090,555    (6,231,514)   7,859,041 
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth   494,792,318    161,774,732    (28,671,181)   133,103,551 
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income   907,844,233    6,350,705    (140,495,862)   (134,145,157)
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity   507,886,067    44,645,531    (71,620,969)   (26,975,438)
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth   437,698,363    94,026,359    (70,616,631)   23,409,728 
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources   115,087,075    10,356,931    (12,073,158)   (1,716,227)
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology   459,129,131    56,852,656    (63,043,735)   (6,191,079)
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth   231,524,501    6,626,044    (38,765,281)   (32,139,237)
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core   174,109,957    7,622,785    (23,393,910)   (15,771,125)

US GAAP defines fair value as the price that each Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. A three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements has been established based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the


 137 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

3. Investments (continued)

asset or liability based on the best information available under the circumstances. Each Portfolio's investment in its entirety is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized as follows:

Level 1 -  Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. (Examples: equity securities, open-end investment companies, futures contracts, and exchange-traded options contracts)
Level 2 -  Other observable inputs, including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs. (Examples: debt securities, government securities, swap contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign securities utilizing international fair value pricing, broker-quoted securities, and fair valued securities)
Level 3 -  Significant unobservable inputs, including each Portfolio's own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments. (Examples: broker-quoted securities and fair valued securities)

Level 3 investments are valued using significant unobservable inputs. Each Portfolio may also use an income-based valuation approach in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Valuations may also be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity, and industry. The derived value of a Level 3 investment may not represent the value which is received upon disposition and this could impact the results of operations.

The following tables summarize the valuation of each Portfolio's investments by fair value hierarchy levels as of December 31, 2022:

   Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Securities Assets:                    
Agency Collateralized Mortgage                    
Obligations  $   $922,523   $   $922,523 
Agency Commercial Mortgage-                    
Backed Securities       4,634,018        4,634,018 
Agency Mortgage-Backed                    
Securities       45,959,375        45,959,375 
Bullion       26,371,837        26,371,837 
Common Stocks                    
Communication Services   23,193,393            23,193,393 
Consumer Discretionary   42,054,278        —1    42,054,278 
Consumer Staples   23,781,925        —1    23,781,925 
Energy   21,747,540            21,747,540 
Financials   41,866,746            41,866,746 
Healthcare   54,242,066            54,242,066 
Industrials   37,515,562            37,515,562 
Information Technology   66,023,954            66,023,954 
Materials   2,817,863            2,817,863 

138  

   Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Utilities  $7,628,905   $   $   $7,628,905 
Convertible Bonds       1,006,135        1,006,135 
Corporate Bonds2       61,995,679    637,419    62,633,098 
Exchange-Traded Funds   15,831,606            15,831,606 
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security       13,860        13,860 
Sovereign Bonds       802,998        802,998 
US Treasury Obligations       78,496,726        78,496,726 
Short-Term Investments   8,135,884            8,135,884 
Securities Lending Collateral   13,818,320            13,818,320 
Total Value of Securities  $358,658,042   $220,203,151   $637,419   $579,498,612 
                     
Derivatives3                    
Assets:                    
Futures Contracts  $2,266   $   $   $2,266 
Liabilities:                    
Futures Contracts  $(51,954)  $   $   $(51,954)

1 The security that has been valued at zero on the "Schedules of investments" is considered to be Level 3 investments in this table.

2 Security type is valued across multiple levels. Level 1 investments represent exchange-traded investments, Level 2 investments represent investments with observable inputs or matrix-priced investments, and Level 3 investments represent investments without observable inputs. The amounts attributed to Level 1 investments, Level 2 investments, and Level 3 investments represent the following percentages of the total market value of these security types:

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Corporate Bonds       98.98%   1.02%   100.00%

3 Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument at the year end.

 

   Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced 
   Level 1   Level 2   Total 
Securities            
Assets:            
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  $   $988,846   $988,846 
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities       17,578,265    17,578,265 
Common Stocks   115,643,631        115,643,631 
Convertible Bonds       113,516    113,516 
Corporate Bonds       23,517,342    23,517,342 
Exchange-Traded Funds   6,317,394        6,317,394 
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities       5,977,163    5,977,163 
US Treasury Obligations       33,440,905    33,440,905 
Short-Term Investments   5,328,976        5,328,976 
Securities Lending Collateral   1,496,265        1,496,265 
Total Value of Securities  $128,786,266   $81,616,037   $210,402,303 

 


 139 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

3. Investments (continued)

 

   Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced 
   Level 1   Level 2   Total 
Derivatives1               
Assets:               
Futures Contracts Liabilities:  $4,164   $   $4,164 
Liabilities:               
Futures Contracts  $(3,149)  $   $(3,149)

 

1 Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument at the year end.

 

   Delaware Ivy 
   VIP Energy 
   Level 1 
Securities    
Assets:    
Common Stocks  $118,122,047 
Master Limited Partnerships   2,509,952 
Short-Term Investments   3,358,868 
Securities Lending Collateral   2,302,463 
Total Value of Securities  $126,293,330 

 

   Delaware Ivy 
   VIP Energy 
   Level 1 
Securities    
Assets:    
Common Stocks  $625,745,937 
Short-Term Investments   2,149,932 
Total Value of Securities  $627,895,869 

 

   Delaware Ivy VIP High Income 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Securities                
Assets:                
Common Stocks                    
Basic Industry  $   $   $2,901,1931   $2,901,193 
Consumer Goods           —1     
Energy   6,554        1,722,786    1,729,340 
Leisure   5,510,521    —2,833,678    8,344,199      
Retail           388,989    388,989 
Services   2,093,678            2,093,678 

 


140  

 

   Delaware Ivy VIP High Income 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Utilities  $   $   $38,772   $38,772 
Convertible Bonds2       960,660    7,605,540    8,566,200 
Corporate Bonds       528,617,141    —1    528,617,141 
Exchange-Traded Funds   30,060,643            30,060,643 
Loan Agreements       78,302,480        78,302,480 
Municipal Bonds       3,824,381        3,824,381 
Preferred Stock           119,120    119,120 
Warrants   97,575            97,575 
Short-Term Investments   71,809,056            71,809,056 
Securities Lending Collateral   36,258,877            36,258,877 
Total Value of Securities  $145,836,904   $611,704,662   $15,610,078   $773,151,644 
 
Derivatives3                    
Assets:                    
Foreign Currency Exchange                    
Contracts  $   $84,180   $   $84,180 

1 The security that has been valued at zero on the "Schedules of investments" is considered to be Level 3 investments in this table.

2 Security type is valued across multiple levels. Level 1 investments represent exchange-traded investments, Level 2 investments represent investments with observable inputs or matrix-priced investments, and Level 3 investments represent investments without observable inputs. The amounts attributed to Level 1 investments, Level 2 investments, and Level 3 investments represent the following percentages of the total market value of these security types:

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Convertible Bonds       11.21%   88.79%   100.00%

3 Foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument at the year end.

   Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity 
   Level 1   Level 2   Total 
Securities               
Assets:               
Common Stocks               
Australia  $7,085,759   $   $7,085,759 
Austria   4,870,228        4,870,228 
Brazil   15,561,343        15,561,343 
Canada   28,390,911        28,390,911 
China   24,928,866        24,928,866 
China/Hong Kong   32,286,374        32,286,374 
Denmark   22,694,295        22,694,295 
France   66,473,567        66,473,567 
Germany   55,259,589        55,259,589 
Hong Kong   8,828,182        8,828,182 
India   17,399,945        17,399,945 
Japan   48,982,664        48,982,664 
Netherlands   24,117,759        24,117,759 
Norway   4,931,057        4,931,057 
Republic of Korea       17,888,655    17,888,655 

 141 

 

 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

3. Investments (continued)

   Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity 
   Level 1   Level 2   Total 
Spain  $8,615,132   $   $8,615,132 
Switzerland   9,204,935        9,204,935 
Taiwan   9,076,377        9,076,377 
United Kingdom   40,281,997        40,281,997 
United States   23,411,793        23,411,793 
Short-Term Investments   3,191,588        3,191,588 
Securities Lending Collateral   7,445,419        7,445,419 
Total Value of Securities  $463,037,780   $17,888,655   $480,926,435 
 
Derivatives1               
Assets:               
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts  $   $3,045   $3,045 
Liabilities:               
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts  $   $(18,851)  $(18,851)

1Foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument at the year end.

   Delaware Ivy 
   VIP Mid Cap 
   Growth 
   Level 1 
Securities     
Assets:     
Common Stocks  $450,731,307 
Short-Term Investments   10,181,034 
Securities Lending Collateral   195,750 
Total Value of Securities  $461,108,091 

 

   Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Securities                    
Assets:                    
Closed-Ended Trust  $3,496,595   $   $   $3,496,595 
Common Stocks                    
Basic Industry   30,326,124            30,326,124 
Consumer Discretionary   540,988            540,988 
Consumer Staples   8,316,143            8,316,143 
Energy   47,281,577            47,281,577 
Financials   566,428            566,428 
Industrials   5,978,234        1   5,978,234 
Materials   9,189,281            9,189,281 
Real Estate Investment Trusts   2,225,366            2,225,366 
Short-Term Investments   1,591,309            1,591,309 
Securities Lending Collateral   3,858,940            3,858,940 

142  

   Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Total Value of Securities  $113,370,985   $   $   $113,370,985 
 
Derivatives2                    
Liabilities:                    
Foreign Currency Exchange                    
Contracts  $   $(137)  $   $(137)

1 The security that has been valued at zero on the "Schedules of investments" is considered to be Level 3 investments in this table.

2 Foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument at the year end.

   Delaware Ivy 
   VIP Science 
   and Technology 
   Level 1 
Securities     
Assets:     
Common Stocks  $431,485,526 
Short-Term Investments   20,800,271 
Securities Lending Collateral   652,255 
Total Value of Securities  $452,938,052 

 

   Delaware Ivy 
   VIP Small Cap 
   Growth 
   Level 1 
Securities     
Assets:     
Common Stocks  $193,228,918 
Short-Term Investments   5,988,127 
Securities Lending Collateral   168,219 
Total Value of Securities  $199,385,264 

 

   Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core 
   Level 1   Level 3   Total 
Securities               
Assets:               
Common Stocks               
Basic Materials  $12,459,913   $   $12,459,913 
Business Services   8,606,802        8,606,802 
Capital Goods   17,043,577        17,043,577 
Consumer Discretionary   9,137,167        9,137,167 
Consumer Services   3,488,136        3,488,136 
Consumer Staples   5,050,543        5,050,543 
Credit Cyclicals   4,925,859        4,925,859 

 143 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

3. Investments (continued)

   Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core 
   Level 1   Level 3   Total 
Energy  $8,422,328   $   $8,422,328 
Financials   24,540,819        24,540,819 
Healthcare   20,632,557    1   20,632,557 
Media   2,829,542        2,829,542 
Real Estate Investment Trusts   10,100,491        10,100,491 
Technology   20,186,392        20,186,392 
Transportation   4,851,639        4,851,639 
Utilities   3,025,333        3,025,333 
Short-Term Investments   3,037,734        3,037,734 
Total Value of Securities  $158,338,832   $   $158,338,832 

1The security that has been valued at zero on the "Schedules of investments" is considered to be Level 3 investments in this table.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 investments that had a significant impact to each Portfolio. Each Portfolio’s policy is to recognize transfers into or out of Level 3 investments based on fair value at the beginning of the reporting period.

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when a Portfolio has a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning or end of the period in relation to each Portfolio's net assets. Management has determined not to provide a reconciliation of Level 3 investments as the Level 3 investments were not considered significant to Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy, Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources, and Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core net assets at the beginning or end of the period. Management has determined not to provide additional disclosure on Level 3 inputs since the Level 3 investments were not considered significant to each Portfolio’s net assets at the end of the year. At December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced, Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology, and Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth had no Level 3 investments.


144  

The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value for the Portfolio:

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

   Common Stocks   Convertible Bonds   Preferred Stock   Loan
Agreements
 
Balance as of 12/31/21  $8,861,471   $   $   $31,956,907 
Amortization       20,134        23,329 
Purchases       3,166,425         
Sales               (9,669,558)
Net realized gain (loss)               (2,475,764)
Corporate actions   (67,779)            
Transfers in   83,825        392,061     
Transfers out               (19,598,283)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (992,099)   4,418,981    (272,941)   (236,631)
Balance as of 12/31/22  $7,885,418   $7,605,540   $119,120   $ 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)                    
from Level 3 investments still held as of 12/31/22  $(992,099)  $4,418,981   $(272,941)  $ 

A significant change to the inputs may result in a significant change to the valuation. Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements for the Portfolio is as follows:

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

       Valuation     Input
Assets  Value   Techniques  Unobservable Inputs  Value
Common Stocks  $326   Liquidation approach  Net asset value  N/A
Common Stocks   1,722,460   Market approach  Broker quotes  N/A
Common Stocks   2,851,374   Market approach  Discount for lack of marketability  30%
Common Stocks      Market approach  EV/EBITDA multiple  5.67x
Common Stocks   388,989   Market approach  EV/EBITDA multiple  5.53x
           EV/Revenue multiple  0.49x
Common Stocks   2,922,269   Market approach  Financials  N/A
Convertible Bonds   7,605,540   Market approach  Financials  N/A
Preferred Stocks   119,120   Market approach  EV/EBITDA multiple  5.53x
           EV/Revenue multiple  0.49x

 145 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

4. Dividend and Distribution Information

Income and long-term capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Additionally, distributions from net gains on foreign currency transactions and net short-term gains on sales of investment securities are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

       Long-term         
   Ordinary   capital   Return of     
   income   gains   capital   Total 
Year ended December 31, 2022:                    
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy  $12,218,054   $45,112,595   $486,380   $57,817,029 
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced   9,102,548    79,997,030        89,099,578 
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy   3,638,234            3,638,234 
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth   25,682,094    154,305,524        179,987,618 
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income   52,676,536            52,676,536 
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity   52,574,539            52,574,539 
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth   368,739    109,866,788        110,235,527 
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources   1,937,990            1,937,990 
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology   566,218    66,083,684        66,649,902 
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth   3,135,064    72,692,393        75,827,457 
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core   22,361,140    12,228,925        34,590,065 
 
Year ended December 31, 2021:                    
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy   20,615,996    66,720,613        87,336,609 
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced   4,023,975    20,982,152        25,006,127 
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy   1,019,619            1,019,619 
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth   14,994,886    83,267,169        98,262,055 
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income   54,024,446            54,024,446 
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity   6,911,509            6,911,509 
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth   8,454,387    74,222,580        82,676,967 
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources   1,377,946            1,377,946 
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology   6,940,522    195,157,260        202,097,782 
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth   7,137,533    51,481,891        58,619,424 
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core                

5. Components of Net Assets on a Tax Basis

As of December 31, 2022, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:

   Delaware Ivy         
   VIP Asset   Delaware Ivy   Delaware Ivy 
   Strategy   VIP Balanced   VIP Energy 
Shares of beneficial interest  $606,305,142   $226,715,237   $132,033,018 
Undistributed ordinary income       1,606,530    77,081 
Qualified late year loss deferrals   (561,056)        
Capital loss carryforwards       (3,527,238)   (15,922,908)*
Deferred directors fees   (109,319)   (55,479)   (5,272)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currencies   (39,261,876)   (16,111,499)   7,859,089 
Net assets  $566,372,891   $208,627,551   $124,041,008 

146  

           Delaware Ivy 
       Delaware Ivy   VIP 
   Delaware Ivy   VIP High   International 
   VIP Growth   Income   Core Equity 
Shares of beneficial interest  $424,588,516   $973,465,651   $509,535,554 
Undistributed ordinary income       47,877,209    8,440,790 
Undistributed long-term capital gains   70,650,593         
Capital loss carryforwards       (135,448,556)   (6,823,837)
Deferred directors fees   (131,356)   (44,201)   (65,576)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currencies   133,103,551    (134,144,768)   (27,066,759)
Net assets  $628,211,304   $751,705,335   $484,020,172 

 

           Delaware Ivy 
   Delaware Ivy   Delaware Ivy   VIP Science 
   VIP Mid Cap   VIP Natural   and 
   Growth   Resources   Technology 
Shares of beneficial interest  $380,582,110   $148,515,814   $436,154,535 
Undistributed ordinary income       2,553,282     
Undistributed long-term capital gains   56,224,009        21,977,661 
Capital loss carryforwards       (39,815,139)    
Deferred directors fees   (22,285)   (14,305)   (47,348)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currencies   23,409,728    (1,717,365)   (6,193,368)
Net assets  $460,193,562   $109,522,287   $451,891,480 

 

   Delaware Ivy   Delaware Ivy 
   VIP Small Cap   VIP Smid Cap 
   Growth   Core 
Shares of beneficial interest  $198,738,385   $154,641,353 
Undistributed ordinary income       1,924,513 
Undistributed long-term capital gains   32,374,394    17,341,005 
Deferred directors fees   (63,273)   (24,864)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and foreign currencies   (32,139,237)   (15,771,125)
Net assets  $198,910,269   $158,110,882 

*A portion of the Portfolio's capital loss carryforward is subject to limitation under the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations.

Differences between components of net assets unrealized and tax cost unrealized may arise due to certain foreign currency transactions, foreign capital gains taxes, and amortization of callable bond premiums in accordance with ASU 2017-08.

The differences between book basis and tax basis components of net assets are primarily attributable to tax deferral of losses on wash sales, tax deferral of post-October losses, investments held within the wholly-owned subsidiary, tax treatments of debt restructurings, mark-to-market on foreign currency exchange contracts, mark-to-market on futures, and tax deferral on straddle losses.

For financial reporting purposes, capital accounts are adjusted to reflect the tax character of permanent book/tax differences. Reclassifications are primarily due to tax treatment of gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICS), tax treatment of paydown securities, and tax treatment of partnership securities. Results of operations and net assets were not affected by these reclassifications. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Portfolios recorded the following reclassifications:

   Delaware Ivy   Delaware Ivy   Delaware Ivy 
   VIP Balanced   VIP Energy   VIP Growth 
Paid-in capital  $(216)  $(140)  $(2,395,101)
Total distributable earnings (loss)   216    140    2,395,101 

 147 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

5. Components of Net Assets on a Tax Basis (continued)

   Delaware Ivy   Delaware Ivy   Delaware Ivy 
   VIP High   VIP Mid Cap   VIP Natural 
   Income   Growth   Resources 
Paid-in capital  $(610)  $(2,883,416)  $(384)
Total distributable earnings (loss)   610    2,883,416    384 

 

   Delaware Ivy     
   VIP Science   Delaware Ivy 
   and   VIP Small Cap 
   Technology   Growth 
Paid-in capital  $(2,540,587)  $(1,833,935)
Total distributable earnings (loss)   2,540,587    1,833,935 

For federal income tax purposes, capital loss carryforwards may be carried forward and applied against future capital gains. At December 31, 2022, the Portfolio's utilized the following capital loss carryforwards:

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy  $25,688,481 
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources   13,461,557 

At December 31, 2022, capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains are as follows:

   Loss carryforward character 
   Short-term   Long-term   Total 
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced  $3,527,238   $   $3,527,238 
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy       15,922,908    15,922,908 
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income   13,705,995    121,742,561    135,448,556 
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity   6,823,837        6,823,837 
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources       39,815,139    39,815,139 

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6. Capital Shares

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

   Delaware Ivy                 
   VIP Asset   Delaware Ivy   Delaware Ivy 
   Strategy   VIP Balanced   VIP Energy 
   Year ended     Year ended     Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Shares sold:                              
Class I   2,486    85,603            167,892    40,171 
Class II   2,333,217    2,527,289    831,985    1,285,781    19,735,678    15,999,581 
                               
Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                
Class I   12,694    12,304            2,955    784 
Class II   7,166,681    8,611,365    18,997,778    2,864,489    726,589    302,277 
    9,515,078    11,236,561    19,829,763    4,150,270    20,633,114    16,342,813 
                               
Shares redeemed:                              
Class I   (866)   (20,424)           (130,904)   (73,355)
Class II   (10,414,827)   (11,406,014)   (4,217,111)   (14,723,694)   (17,381,020)   (12,466,804)
    (10,415,693)   (11,426,438)   (4,217,111)   (14,723,694)   (17,511,924)   (12,540,159)
Net increase (decrease)   (900,615)   (189,877)   15,612,652    (10,573,424)   3,121,190    3,802,654 

 

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Growth
     Delaware Ivy VIP High Income     Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Shares sold:                              
Class I           700,806    870,734         
Class II   5,246,613    8,071,554    23,969,927    33,527,630    2,382,458    1,662,612 
                               
Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:           
Class I           393,125    376,393         
Class II   22,330,970    8,105,223    18,153,567    15,740,425    3,768,784    380,829 
    27,577,583    16,176,777    43,217,425    50,515,182    6,151,242    2,043,441 
                               
Shares redeemed:                         
Class I           (1,298,839)   (1,637,633)        
Class II   (17,572,568)   (17,870,523)   (43,537,541)   (39,247,512)   (5,473,984)   (8,183,115)
    (17,572,568)   (17,870,523)   (44,836,380)   (40,885,145)   (5,473,984)   (8,183,115)
Net increase (decrease)   10,005,015    (1,693,746)   (1,618,955)   9,630,037    677,258    (6,139,674)
 149 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

6. Capital Shares (continued)

           Delaware Ivy 
   Delaware Ivy   Delaware Ivy   VIP Science 
   VIP Mid Cap   VIP Natural   and 
   Growth     Resources     Technology 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Shares sold:                              
Class I   1,618,195    1,459,307            24,401    47,856 
Class II   4,953,182    5,831,186    9,791,609    5,419,205    2,109,519    1,478,206 
                               
Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                
Class I   2,801,133    1,802,886            10,777    21,351 
Class II   8,730,807    3,474,127    410,591    358,187    3,543,762    6,875,144 
    18,103,317    12,567,506    10,202,200    5,777,392    5,688,459    8,422,557 
                               
Shares redeemed:                              
Class I   (5,242,549)   (5,429,559)           (32,133)   (55,836)
Class II   (5,289,582)   (5,616,841)   (9,308,663)   (6,370,555)   (3,802,046)   (3,239,331)
    (10,532,131)   (11,046,400)   (9,308,663)   (6,370,555)   (3,834,179)   (3,295,167)
Net increase (decrease)   7,571,186    1,521,106    893,537    (593,163)   1,854,280    5,127,390 

 

   Delaware Ivy   Delaware Ivy 
   VIP Small Cap   VIP Smid Cap 
   Growth     Core 
   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Shares sold:                    
Class I   441,146    478,082         
Class II   2,259,394    2,086,035    2,177,868    1,199,784 
                     
Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:               
Class I   760,465    641,818         
Class II   11,461,185    4,789,218    3,164,690     
    14,922,190    7,995,153    5,342,558    1,199,784 
                     
Shares redeemed:                    
Class I   (2,595,852)   (1,689,541)        
Class II   (19,401,535)   (4,737,495)   (2,009,932)   (3,537,932)
    (21,997,387)   (6,427,036)   (2,009,932)   (3,537,932)
Net increase (decrease)   (7,075,197)   1,568,117    3,332,626    (2,338,148)

7. Basis of consolidation for Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy

Ivy VIP ASF II, Ltd. (the Subsidiary), a Cayman Islands exempted company, was incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary acting as an investment vehicle for Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy (referred to as the Portfolio in this subsection). Ivy VIP ASF III (SBP), LLC (the

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Company), a Delaware limited liability company, was incorporated as a wholly owned company acting as an investment vehicle for the Portfolio. The Subsidiary and the Company act as investment vehicles for the Portfolio, in order to affect certain investments for the Portfolio consistent with the Portfolio’s investment objectives and policies as specified in its prospectus and SAI.

The Portfolio’s investment portfolio has been consolidated and includes the portfolio holdings of the Portfolio, its Subsidiary and the Company. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Portfolio, its Subsidiary and the Company. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated. A subscription agreement was entered into between the Portfolio and its Subsidiary and the Company comprising the entire issued share capital of the Subsidiary and the Company with the intent that the Portfolio will remain the sole shareholder and retain all rights. Under the Articles of Association, shares issued by the Subsidiary and the Company confer upon a shareholder the right to receive notice of, to attend and to vote at general meetings of the Subsidiary and the Company and shall confer upon the shareholder rights in a winding-up or repayment of capital and the right to participate in the profits or assets of the Subsidiary and the Company.

See the table below for details regarding the structure, incorporation and relationship as of December 31, 2022 of the Subsidiary and the Company to the Portfolio.

                 Percentage 
   Date of    Subscription    Portfolio     Subsidiary/     of Portfolio net 
   Incorporation  Agreement  Net Assets   company net assets   assets 
 
Ivy VIP ASF ll, Ltd.  1-31-13  4-10-13  $566,372,891   $26,564,980    4.69%
Ivy VIP ASF lll                     
(SBP),LLC  4-9-13  4-23-13   566,372,891    15,288    0.00%

8. Line of Credit

Each Portfolio, along with certain other funds in the Delaware Funds (Participants), was a participant in a $355,000,000 revolving line of credit (Agreement) intended to be used for temporary or emergency purposes as an additional source of liquidity to fund redemptions of investor shares. Under the Agreement, the Participants were charged an annual commitment fee of 0.15%, which was allocated across the Participants based on a weighted average of the respective net assets of each Participant. The Participants were permitted to borrow up to a maximum of one-third of their net assets under the Agreement. Each Participant was individually, and not jointly, liable for its particular advances, if any, under the line of credit. The line of credit available under the Agreement expired on October 31, 2022.

On October 31, 2022, each Portfolio, along with the other Participants, entered into an amendment to the Agreement for a $355,000,000 revolving line of credit to be used as described above. It operates in substantially the same manner as the original Agreement. Under the amendment to the Agreement, the Participants are charged an annual commitment fee of 0.15%, which is allocated across the Participants based on a weighted average of the respective net assets of each Participant. The line of credit available under the Agreement expires on October 30, 2023.

Each Portfolio had no amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2022, or at any time during the year then ended.

9. Interfund Lending Program

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC (Order), the Ivy Funds and Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios (collectively, the Funds only for purposes of this Note 9) have the ability to lend money to, and borrow money from, each other pursuant to a master interfund lending agreement (Interfund Lending Program). Under the Interfund Lending Program, the Funds may lend or borrow money for temporary purposes directly to or from one another (each, an Interfund Loan), subject to meeting the conditions of the Order. The interest rate to be charged on an Interfund Loan is the average of the overnight repurchase agreement rate and the short-term bank loan rate. This program is in existence but is not currently in use. The Funds made no Interfund Loans under the Interfund Lending Program during the year ended December 31, 2022.

10. Derivatives

US GAAP requires disclosures that enable investors to understand: (1) how and why an entity uses derivatives; (2) how they are accounted for; and (3) how they affect an entity’s results of operations and financial position.

 151 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

10. Derivatives (continued)

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts — Each Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts as a way of managing foreign exchange rate risk. Each Portfolio may enter into these contracts to fix the US dollar value of a security that it has agreed to buy or sell for the period between the date the trade was entered into and the date the security is delivered and paid for. Each Portfolio may also enter into these contracts to hedge the US dollar value of securities it already owns that are denominated in foreign currencies. In addition, each Portfolio may enter into these contracts to facilitate or expedite the settlement of portfolio transactions. The change in value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

The use of foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities, but does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to an unfavorable change in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency change favorably. In addition, each Portfolio could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts. Each Portfolio's maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the value of its currency exchanged with the counterparty. The risk is generally mitigated by having a netting arrangement between each Portfolio and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Portfolios to cover each Portfolio's exposure to the counterparty. Open foreign currency exchange contracts, if any, are disclosed on the "Schedules of investments".

At December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP High Income received $180,000 in cash as collateral for open foreign currency exchange contracts, which is included in “Cash collateral due to brokers” on the “Statements of assets and liabilities.” During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP High Income and Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology used foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge the US dollar value of securities it already owns that are denominated in foreign currencies to increase/ decrease exposure to foreign currencies.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy, Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity and Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources used foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate or expedite the settlement of portfolio transactions.

Futures Contracts — A futures contract is an agreement in which the writer (or seller) of the contract agrees to deliver to the buyer an amount of cash or securities equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a specific security or index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made. The Portfolios may use futures in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Portfolios may invest in futures contracts to hedge its existing portfolio securities against fluctuations in fair value caused by changes in prevailing market interest rates. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Portfolios deposit cash or pledge US government securities to a broker, equal to the minimum “initial margin” requirements of the exchange on which the contract is traded. Subsequent payments are received from the broker or paid to the broker each day, based on the daily fluctuation in the market value of the contract. These receipts or payments are known as “variation margin” and are recorded daily by the Portfolios as unrealized gains or losses until the contracts are closed. When the contracts are closed, the Portfolios record a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Risks of entering into futures contracts include potential imperfect correlation between the futures contracts and the underlying securities and the possibility of an illiquid secondary market for these instruments. When investing in futures, there is reduced counterparty credit risk to the Portfolios because futures are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees against default. Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy posted $485,650 and Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced posted $101,090 cash collateral as margin for open futures contracts, which is included in “Cash collateral due from broker on futures contracts” on the “Statements of assets and liabilities.” Open futures contracts, if any, are disclosed on the "Schedules of investments." During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy and Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced invested in futures contracts to hedge each Portfolio’s existing portfolio securities against fluctuations in value caused by changes in interest rates or market conditions.

Options Contracts — During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth entered into options contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Portfolio may buy or write options contracts for any number of reasons, including without limitation: to manage the Portfolio's exposure to changes in securities prices caused by interest rates or market conditions and foreign

152  

currencies; as an efficient means of adjusting the Portfolio’s overall exposure to certain markets; to protect the value of portfolio securities; and as a cash management tool. The Portfolio may buy or write call or put options on securities, futures, swaps, swaptions, financial indices, and foreign currencies. When the Portfolio buys an option, a premium is paid and an asset is recorded and adjusted on a daily basis to reflect the current market value of the option purchased. When the Portfolio writes an option, a premium is received and a liability is recorded and adjusted on a daily basis to reflect the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is treated as realized gain or loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether the Portfolio has a realized gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the Portfolio. The Portfolio, as writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option. When writing options, the Portfolio is subject to minimal counterparty risk because the counterparty is only obligated to pay premiums and does not bear the market risk of an unfavorable market change. Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth pledged securities collateral valued at $184,800 as collateral for open options contracts. Open options contracts, if any, are disclosed on the "Schedules of investments." During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth used options contracts to facilitate investments in portfolio securities.

Swap Contracts — Each Portfolio may enter into CDS contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. Each Portfolio may enter into CDS contracts in order to hedge against a credit event, to enhance total return or to gain exposure to certain securities or markets. Swap agreements are bilaterally negotiated agreements between a Portfolio and counterparty to exchange or swap investment cash flows, assets, foreign currencies or market-linked returns at specified, future intervals. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market (OTC swaps). If the OTC swap entered is one of the swaps identified by a relevant regulator as a swap that is required to be cleared, then it will be cleared through a third party, known as a central counterparty or derivatives clearing organization (centrally cleared swaps).

Credit Default Swaps. A CDS contract is a risk-transfer instrument through which one party (purchaser of protection) transfers to another party (seller of protection) the financial risk of a credit event (as defined in the CDS agreement), as it relates to a particular reference security or basket of securities (such as an index). In exchange for the protection offered by the seller of protection, the purchaser of protection agrees to pay the seller of protection a periodic amount at a stated rate that is applied to the notional amount of the CDS contract. In addition, an upfront payment may be made or received by the Portfolio in connection with an unwinding or assignment of a CDS contract. Upon the occurrence of a credit event, the seller of protection would pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of the reference security (or basket of securities) to the counterparty. Credit events generally include, among others, bankruptcy, failure to pay, and obligation default.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced entered into CDS contracts as a purchaser of protection. Periodic payments (receipts) on such contracts are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized losses (gains) on swap contracts. Upon payment (receipt), such amounts are recorded as realized losses (gains) on swap contracts. Upfront payments made or received in connection with CDS contracts are amortized over the expected life of the CDS contracts as unrealized losses (gains) on swap contracts. The change in value of CDS contracts is recorded daily as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon a credit event (as defined in the CDS agreement) or the maturity or termination of the agreement. Initial margin and variation margin are posted to central counterparties for centrally cleared CDS basket trades, as determined by the applicable central counterparty.

CDS contracts may involve greater risks than if the Portfolio had invested in the reference obligation directly. CDS contracts are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk, and credit risk. The Portfolio’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk, either as the seller of protection or the buyer of protection, is the fair value of the contract. This risk is mitigated by (1) for bilateral swap contracts, having a netting arrangement between the Portfolio and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Portfolio to cover the Portfolio’s exposure to the counterparty, and (2) for cleared swaps, trading these instruments through a central counterparty. No CDS contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2022.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced used CDS contracts to hedge against credit events.

Swaps Generally. For centrally cleared swaps, payments are received from the broker or paid to the broker each day, based on the daily fluctuation in the market value of the contract. These receipts or payments are known as “variation margin” and are recorded by the Portfolio as unrealized gains or losses until the contracts are closed. When the contracts are closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain or loss equal to the

 153 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

10. Derivatives (continued)

difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The value of open swaps may differ from that which would be realized in the event the Portfolio terminated its position in the contract on a given day. Risks of entering into these contracts include the potential inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contracts. This type of risk is generally limited to the amount of favorable movement in the value of the underlying security, instrument, or basket of instruments, if any, at the day of default. Risks also arise from potential losses from adverse market movements and such losses could exceed the unrealized amounts shown on the “Schedules of investments.”

The effect of derivative instruments on the “Statements of operations” for the year ended December 31, 2022 was as follows:

   Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy 
   Net Realized Gain (Loss) on: 
   Foreign         
   Currency         
   Exchange   Futures     
   Contracts     Contracts     Total 
Currency               
contracts  $(354,355)  $   $(354,355)
Interest rate               
contracts       (615,677)   (615,677)
Total  $(354,355)  $(615,677)  $(970,032)

 

   Net Change in Unrealized 
   Appreciation (Depreciation) on: 
   Futures         
    Contracts    Total 
Interest rate        
contracts  $(49,688)  $(49,688)

 

   Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced 
   Net Realized Gain (Loss) on: 
   Futures   Swap     
   Contracts     Contracts     Total 
Interest rate               
contracts  $(69,543)  $   $(69,543)
Credit               
contracts       7,094    7,094 
Total  $(69,543)  $7,094   $(62,449)

 

   Net Change in Unrealized 
   Appreciation (Depreciation) on: 
   Futures      
   Contracts   Total 
Interest rate        
contracts  $1,015   $1,015 

During the year ended December 31 , 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP High Income, Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity and Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources experienced net realized and unrealized gains or losses attributable to foreign currency exchange contracts, which are disclosed on the “Statements of assets and liabilities” and/or “Statements of operations.”

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth and Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology experienced net realized and unrealized gains or losses attributable to foreign currency holdings, which are disclosed on the “Statements of operations.”

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During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy and Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced experienced net realized and unrealized gains or losses attributable to futures contracts, which are disclosed on the “Statements of assets and liabilities.”

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth experienced net realized and unrealized gains or losses attributable to options contracts, which are disclosed on the “Statements of operations.”

The table below summarizes the average quarterly balance of derivative holdings by each Portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2022:

   Long Derivative Volume 
   Delaware Ivy         
   VIP Asset     Delaware Ivy     Delaware Ivy 
   Strategy   VIP Balanced   VIP Energy 
Foreign currency exchange contracts (average notional value)  $325,784       $105,424 
Futures contracts (average notional value)   8,501,969    4,215,625     

 

   Long Derivative Volume 
   Delaware Ivy VIP High Income    Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity 
Foreign currency exchange contracts (average notional value)  $2,870,233   $1,579,616 

 

   Long Derivative Volume 
           Delaware Ivy 
   Delaware Ivy     Delaware Ivy     VIP Science 
   VIP Mid Cap   VIP Natural   and 
   Growth   Resources   Technology 
Foreign currency exchange contracts (average notional value)  $   $68,338   $133,033 
Options contracts (average notional value)*   2,480         

 

   Short Derivative Volume 
   Delaware Ivy         
   VIP Asset     Delaware Ivy     Delaware Ivy 
   Strategy   VIP Balanced   VIP Energy 
Foreign currency exchange contracts (average notional value)  $1,427,256   $   $122,061 
Futures contracts (average notional value)       1,598,231     
CDS contracts (average notional value)**       701     

 

   Short Derivative Volume
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Growth
     Delaware Ivy VIP High Income     Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity 
Foreign currency exchange contracts               
(average notional value)  $14,004   $6,729,521   $2,593,711 

 

   Short Derivative Volume 
           Delaware Ivy 
   Delaware Ivy     Delaware Ivy     VIP Science 
   VIP Mid Cap   VIP Natural   and 
   Growth   Resources   Technology 
Foreign currency exchange contracts (average notional value)  $   $65,077   $1,453,214 
Options contracts (average notional value)*   462,859         

* Long represents purchased options and short represents written options.

** Long represents buying protection and short represents selling protection.

 155 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

11. Offsetting

Each Portfolio entered into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (ISDA Master Agreement) or a similar agreement with certain of its derivative contract counterparties in order to better define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help each Portfolio mitigate its counterparty risk. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between each Portfolio and a counterparty that governs over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and foreign exchange contracts and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting items and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, each Portfolio may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default (close-out), including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency, or other events.

For financial reporting purposes, each Portfolio does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements on the “Statements of assets and liabilities.” At December 31, 2022, each Portfolio had the following assets and liabilities subject to offsetting provisions:

Offsetting of Financial Assets and Liabilities and Derivative Assets and Liabilities

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income

       Gross Value of     
   Gross Value of     Derivative       
Counterparty  Derivative Asset   Liability   Net Position 
TD Bank  $84,180   $—   $84,180 

 

       Fair Value of       Fair Value of         
       Non-Cash   Cash Collateral   Non-Cash   Cash Collateral     
Counterparty    Net Position     Collateral Received     Received(a)     Collateral Pledged     Pledged     Net Exposure(b) 
TD Bank  $84,180   $—    $(84,180)   $—    $—   $— 

Securities Lending

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Portfolios under master securities lending agreements (each, an MSLA) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Portfolios, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Portfolios can reinvest cash collateral, or, upon an event of default, resell, or re-pledge the collateral (See also Note 12).

As of December 31, 2022, the following table is a summary of the Portfolios' securities lending agreements by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy

           Fair Value of         
   Securities   Cash   Non-Cash   Net     
   Loaned   Collateral   Collateral   Collateral     
Counterparty  at Value     Received     Received    Received(a)     Net Exposure(b) 
Bank of New York Mellon  $17,116,801   $(13,283,687)  $(3,833,114)  $(17,116,801)   $— 
156  
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced                    
           Fair Value of         
   Securities   Cash   Non-Cash   Net     
   Loaned   Collateral   Collateral   Collateral     
Counterparty  at Value     Received     Received     Received(a)     Net Exposure(b) 
Bank of New York Mellon  $6,998,190   $(1,322,592)  $(5,675,598)  $(6,998,190)   $— 

 

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy                    
           Fair Value of         
   Securities   Cash   Non-Cash   Net     
   Loaned   Collateral   Collateral   Collateral     
Counterparty    at Value     Received     Received     Received(a)     Net Exposure(b) 
Bank of New York Mellon  $10,672,836   $(1,975,942)  $(8,696,894)  $(10,672,836)   $— 

 

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth                    
           Fair Value of         
   Securities   Cash   Non-Cash   Net     
   Loaned   Collateral   Collateral   Collateral     
Counterparty  at Value     Received     Received     Received(a)     Net Exposure(b) 
Bank of New York Mellon  $40,780,181   $   $(40,780,181)  $(40,780,181)   $— 

 

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income                    
           Fair Value of         
   Securities   Cash   Non-Cash   Net     
   Loaned   Collateral   Collateral   Collateral     
Counterparty  at Value     Received     Received     Received(a)     Net Exposure(b) 
Bank of New York Mellon  $38,792,042   $(35,155,427)  $(3,636,615)  $(38,792,042)   $— 

 

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity                 
           Fair Value of         
   Securities   Cash   Non-Cash   Net     
   Loaned   Collateral   Collateral   Collateral     
Counterparty  at Value   Received   Received   Received(a)   Net Exposure(b) 
Bank of New York Mellon  $25,427,392   $(6,246,624)  $(19,180,768)  $(25,427,392)   $— 

 

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth                    
           Fair Value of         
   Securities   Cash   Non-Cash   Net     
   Loaned   Collateral   Collateral   Collateral     
Counterparty  at Value     Received     Received     Received(a)     Net Exposure(b) 
Bank of New York Mellon  $16,635,152   $   $(16,635,152)  $(16,635,152)  $— 

 

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources                    
           Fair Value of         
   Securities   Cash   Non-Cash   Net     
   Loaned   Collateral   Collateral   Collateral     
Counterparty  at Value     Received     Received     Received(a)     Net Exposure(b) 
Bank of New York Mellon  $8,496,793   $(3,598,939)  $(4,897,854)  $(8,496,793)   $— 

 

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology                 
           Fair Value of         
   Securities   Cash   Non-Cash   Net     
   Loaned   Collateral   Collateral   Collateral     
Counterparty  at Value     Received     Received     Received(a)     Net Exposure(b) 
Bank of New York Mellon  $12,389,802   $(277,992)  $(12,111,810)  $(12,389,802)   $— 
 157 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

11. Offsetting (continued)

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth

           Fair Value of         
   Securities   Cash   Non-Cash   Net     
   Loaned   Collateral   Collateral   Collateral     
Counterparty  at Value     Received     Received     Received(a)     Net Exposure(b) 
Bank of New York Mellon  $7,458,683    $—    $(7,458,683)   $(7,458,683)   $— 

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core

           Fair Value of         
   Securities   Cash   Non-Cash   Net     
   Loaned   Collateral   Collateral   Collateral     
Counterparty  at Value     Received     Received     Received(a)     Net Exposure(b) 
Bank of New York Mellon  $6,570,947    $—    $(6,570,947)   $(6,570,947)   $— 

(a) The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the derivatives and securities lending transactions as of December 31, 2022, as applicable.

(b) Net exposure represents the receivable (payable) that would be due from (to) the counterparty in the event of default.

12. Securities Lending

Each Portfolio, along with other funds in the Delaware Funds, may lend its securities pursuant to a security lending agreement (Lending Agreement) with The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon). At the time a security is loaned, the borrower must post collateral equal to the required percentage of the market value of the loaned security, including any accrued interest. The required percentage is: (1) 102% with respect to US securities and foreign securities that are denominated and payable in US dollars; and (2) 105% with respect to foreign securities. With respect to each loan, if on any business day the aggregate market value of securities collateral plus cash collateral held is less than the aggregate market value of the securities which are the subject of such loan, the borrower will be notified to provide additional collateral by the end of the following business day, which, together with the collateral already held, will be not less than the applicable initial collateral requirements for such security loan. If the aggregate market value of securities collateral and cash collateral held with respect to a security loan exceeds the applicable initial collateral requirement, upon the request of the borrower, BNY Mellon must return enough collateral to the borrower by the end of the following business day to reduce the value of the remaining collateral to the applicable initial collateral requirement for such security loan. As a result of the foregoing, the value of the collateral held with respect to a loaned security on any particular day, may be more or less than the value of the security on loan. The collateral percentage with respect to the market value of the loaned security is determined by the security lending agent.

Cash collateral received by each Portfolio of the Trust is generally invested in a series of individual separate accounts, each corresponding to a Portfolio. The investment guidelines permit each separate account to hold certain securities that would be considered eligible securities for a money market fund. Cash collateral received is generally invested in government securities; certain obligations issued by government sponsored enterprises; repurchase agreements collateralized by US Treasury securities; obligations issued by the central government of any Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country or its agencies, instrumentalities, or establishments; obligations of supranational organizations; commercial paper, notes, bonds, and other debt obligations; certificates of deposit, time deposits, and other bank obligations; certain money market funds; and asset-backed securities. Each Portfolio can also accept US government securities and letters of credit (non-cash collateral) in connection with securities loans.

In the event of default or bankruptcy by the lending agent, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings. In the event the borrower fails to return loaned securities and the collateral received is insufficient to cover the value of the loaned securities and provided such collateral shortfall is not the result of investment losses, the lending agent has agreed to pay the amount of the shortfall to each Portfolio or, at the discretion of the lending agent, replace the loaned securities. Each Portfolio continues to record dividends or interest, as applicable, on the securities loaned and is subject to changes in value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan. Each Portfolio has the right under the Lending Agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. With respect to security loans collateralized by non-cash collateral, each Portfolio receives loan premiums paid by the borrower. With respect to security loans collateralized

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by cash collateral, the earnings from the collateral investments are shared among each Portfolio, the security lending agent, and the borrower. Each Portfolio records security lending income net of allocations to the security lending agent and the borrower.

Each Portfolio may incur investment losses as a result of investing securities lending collateral. This could occur if an investment in each collateral investment account defaulted or became impaired. Under those circumstances, the value of each Portfolio's cash collateral account may be less than the amount each Portfolio would be required to return to the borrowers of the securities and each Portfolio would be required to make up for this shortfall.

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2022:

   Overnight                 
   and   Under   Between   Over     
Securities Lending Transactions  continuous   30 days   30 & 90 days   90 Days   Total 
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy                         
Money market mutual fund  $13,818,320   $—    $—    $—   $13,818,320 
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced                         
Money market mutual fund   1,496,265                1,496,265 
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy                         
Money market mutual fund   2,302,463                2,302,463 
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income                         
Money market mutual fund   36,258,877                36,258,877 
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity                         
Money market mutual fund   7,445,419                7,445,419 
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth                         
Money market mutual fund   195,750                195,750 
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources                         
Money market mutual fund   3,858,940                3,858,940 
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology                         
Money market mutual fund   652,255                652,255 
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth                         
Money market mutual fund   168,219                168,219 

The following is a summary of each Portfolio’s securities lending positions and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of December 31, 2022:

   Values of securities on loan   Values of non-cash collateral   Values of invested collateral   Total 
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy   $17,116,801    $ 3,833,114   $13,818,320    $17,651,434 
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced   6,998,190    5,675,598    1,496,265    7,171,863 
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy   10,672,836    8,696,894    2,302,463    10,999,357 
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth   40,780,181    41,710,267        41,710,267 
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income   38,792,042    3,636,615    36,258,877    39,895,492 
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity   25,427,392    19,180,768    7,445,419    26,626,187 
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth   16,635,152    16,762,042    195,750    16,957,792 
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources   8,496,793    4,897,854    3,858,940    8,756,794 
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology   12,389,802    12,111,810    652,255    12,764,065 
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth   7,458,683    7,482,590    168,219    7,650,809 
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core   6,570,947    6,781,009        6,781,009 

Investments purchased with cash collateral are presented on the “Schedules of investments” under the caption “Securities Lending Collateral.”

13. Credit and Market Risk

An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 was first detected in China in December 2019 and has now been detected globally. This coronavirus has resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health

 159 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

13. Credit and Market Risk (continued) screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, supply chain disruptions, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious illnesses in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

When interest rates rise, fixed income securities (i.e. debt obligations) generally will decline in value. These declines in value are greater for fixed income securities with longer maturities or durations.

IBOR is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rate (collectively, IBORs) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference LIBOR (or the corresponding IBOR). The abandonment of LIBOR could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference LIBOR. The use of alternative reference rate products may impact investment strategy performance. These risks may also apply with respect to changes in connection with other IBORs, such as the euro overnight index average (EONIA), which are also the subject of recent reform.

Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which the Portfolio invests will cause the NAV of the Portfolio to fluctuate.

Some countries in which the Portfolios may invest require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, if there is deterioration in a country’s balance of payments or for other reasons, a country may impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances abroad.

The securities exchanges of certain foreign markets are substantially smaller, less liquid, and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States. Consequently, acquisition and disposition of securities by the Portfolios may be inhibited. In addition, a significant portion of the aggregate market value of securities listed on the major securities exchanges in emerging markets is held by a smaller number of investors. This may limit the number of shares available for acquisition or disposition by the Portfolios.

Certain Portfolios invest a portion of its assets in high yield fixed income securities, which are securities rated lower than BBB- by S&P and lower than Baa3 by Moody’s, or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Investments in these higher yielding securities are generally accompanied by a greater degree of credit risk than higher-rated securities. Additionally, lower-rated securities may be more susceptible to adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than investment grade securities.

Certain Portfolios invest in fixed income securities whose value is derived from an underlying pool of mortgages or consumer loans. The value of these securities is sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults, and may be adversely affected by shifts in the market’s perception of the issuers and changes in interest rates. Investors receive principal and interest payments as the underlying mortgages and consumer loans are paid back. Some of these securities are CMOs. CMOs are debt securities issued by US government agencies or by financial institutions and other mortgage lenders, which are collateralized by a pool of mortgages held under an indenture. Prepayment of mortgages may shorten the stated maturity of the obligations and can result in a loss of premium, if any has been paid. Certain of these securities may be stripped (securities which provide only the principal or interest feature of the underlying security). The yield to maturity on an interest-only CMO is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates, but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. A rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on a Portfolios' yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Portfolio may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities even if the securities are rated in the highest rating categories.

Certain Portfolios invest in bank loans and other securities that may subject them to direct indebtedness risk, the risk that the Portfolios will not receive payment of principal, interest, and other amounts due in connection with these investments and will depend primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. Loans that are fully secured offer the Portfolio more protection than unsecured loans in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal, although there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. Some loans or claims may be in default at the time of purchase. Certain of the loans and the other direct indebtedness acquired by the Portfolio may involve revolving credit facilities or other standby financing commitments

160  

that obligate the Portfolio to pay additional cash on a certain date or on demand. These commitments may require each Portfolio to increase its investment in a company at a time when the Portfolio might not otherwise decide to do so (including at a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid). To the extent that each Portfolio is committed to advance additional funds, it will at all times hold and maintain cash or other high grade debt obligations in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments. When a loan agreement is purchased, the Portfolio may pay an assignment fee. On an ongoing basis, the Portfolio may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of a loan agreement. Prepayment penalty fees are received upon the prepayment of a loan agreement by the borrower. Prepayment penalty, facility, commitment, consent, and amendment fees are recorded to income as earned or paid.

As the Portfolio may be required to rely upon another lending institution to collect and pass on to the Portfolio amounts payable with respect to the loan and to enforce the Portfolio's rights under the loan and other direct indebtedness, an insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the lending institution may delay or prevent the Portfolio from receiving such amounts. The highly leveraged nature of many loans may make them especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Investments in such loans and other direct indebtedness may involve additional risk to the Portfolio.

Certain Portfolios invest in certain obligations that may have liquidity protection designed to ensure that the receipt of payments due on the underlying security is timely. Such protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies, or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor through third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction, or through a combination of such approaches. The Portfolios will not pay any additional fees for such credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.

Certain Portfolios may invest in REITs and are subject to the risks associated with that industry. If a Portfolio holds real estate directly or receives rental income directly from real estate holdings, its tax status as a regulated investment company may be jeopardized. There were no direct real estate holdings during the year ended December 31, 2022. The Portfolios' REIT holdings are also affected by interest rate changes, particularly if the REITs they hold use floating rate debt to finance their ongoing operations. The Portfolios also invest in real estate acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, including issuers that invest, deal, or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein. These instruments may include interests in private equity limited partnerships or limited liability companies that hold real estate investments (Real Estate Limited Partnerships). The Portfolios will limit their investments in Real Estate Limited Partnerships to 5% of their total assets at the time of purchase.

Each Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which may include securities with contractual restrictions on resale, securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and other securities which may not be readily marketable. The relative illiquidity of these securities may impair each Portfolio from disposing of them in a timely manner and at a fair price when it is necessary or desirable to do so. While maintaining oversight, the Board has delegated to DMC, the day-to-day functions of determining whether individual securities are liquid for purposes of the Portfolios' limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, which are determined to be liquid, are not subject to the Portfolios' 15% limit on investments in illiquid securities. Rule 144A securities have been identified on the “Schedules of investments.”

14. Contractual Obligations

Each Portfolio enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnifications. Each Portfolio's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, each Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed each Portfolio's existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

15. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU), ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 provide optional temporary financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021. In March 2021, the administrator for LIBOR announced the extension of the publication of a majority of the USD LIBOR settings to June 30, 2023. On December 21, 2022, FASB issued ASU 2022-06 to defer the sunset date of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 848 until December 31, 2024. ASU 2020-04 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications

 161 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

15. Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued) that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024. Management is currently evaluating ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2022-06, but does not believe there will be a material impact.

16. Subsequent Events

Management has determined that no material events or transactions occurred subsequent to December 31, 2022, that would require recognition or disclosure in the Portfolios' financial statements.

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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

To the Board of Trustees of Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios and Shareholders of Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy, Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced, Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP High Income, Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources, Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology, Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth and Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of each of the portfolios listed in the table below (eleven of the portfolios constituting Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Portfolios”) as of December 31, 2022, the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of periods indicated in the table below (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Portfolios as of December 31, 2022, the results of each of their operations, the changes in each of their net assets, and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy(1) Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth(2)
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced(2) Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources(2)
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy(2) Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology(2)
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth(2) Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth(2)
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income(2) Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core(2)
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity(2)  

(1) Consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2022, the related consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the consolidated statements of changes in net assets and the consolidated financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022.

(2) Statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2022, the related statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022.

The financial statements of the Portfolios as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to December 31, 2020 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 12, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Portfolios’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Portfolios’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolios in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agents, portfolio company investees, agent banks and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 23, 2023

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Delaware Funds by Macquarie® since 2010.

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Other Portfolio information (Unaudited)

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Tax Information

All disclosures are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly are subject to change. For any and all items requiring reporting, it is the intention of each Portfolio to report the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, each Portfolio reports distributions paid during the year as follows:

   (A)                 
   Long-Term   (B)             
   Capital   Ordinary   (C)         
   Gains   Income   Return of   Total     
   Distributions   Distributions   Capital   Distributions   (D) 
   (Tax   (Tax   (Tax   (Tax   Qualifying 
   Basis)   Basis)   Basis)   Basis)   Dividends1 
Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy   78.03%   21.13%   0.84%   100.00%   7.03%
Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced   89.78%   10.22%       100.00%   35.96%
Delaware Ivy VIP Energy       100.00%       100.00%   75.59%
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth   85.73%   14.27%       100.00%   21.80%
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income       100.00%       100.00%    
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity       100.00%       100.00%    
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth   99.67%   0.33%       100.00%   100.00%
Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources       100.00%       100.00%   99.42%
Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology   99.15%   0.85%       100.00%   23.86%
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth   95.87%   4.13%       100.00%   47.83%
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core   35.35%   64.65%       100.00%   7.85%

(A), (B) and (C) are based on a percentage of each Portfolio’s total distributions.

1Qualified dividends represent dividends which qualify for corporate dividends received deduction.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, certain dividends paid by the Portfolio, determined to be Qualified Short-Term Capital Gains, may be subject to relief from US withholding for foreign shareholders, as provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004; the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010; and as extended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core has reported maximum distributions of Qualified Short-Term Capital Gains of $1,555,977.

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity intends to pass through foreign tax credits in the maximum amount of $1,179,630. The gross foreign source income earned during the fiscal year 2022 by the Portfolio was $17,246,460. The Portfolio has received a refund of foreign taxes previously reported and passed through in prior years (a “foreign tax redetermination”). Shareholders who claimed foreign tax credits with respect to such foreign taxes previously reported in prior years may also have a foreign tax redetermination and may need to file amended tax returns to account for such taxes refunded to the Portfolio. The amount of tax refunded, and years to which the tax relates, will be available upon request, along with certain other information about the refunded tax. Please consult your tax advisor. The amount reported above has not been reduced for any foreign tax redeterminations.

Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 9-11, 2022

At a meeting held on August 9-11, 2022 (the “Annual Contract Renewal Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Trustees each of whom is not an “interested person” as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Trustees”), approved the renewal of the Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy, Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced, Delaware Ivy VIP Energy, Delaware Ivy VIP Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP High Income, Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity, Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources, Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology, Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core (each, a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”) Investment Management Agreements with Delaware Management Company (“DMC”); and the Sub-Advisory Agreements with Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited (“MIMGL”), Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG (“MIMAK”), Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited (“MIMEL”) and Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited (“MFMHKL” and together with MIMGL, MIMAK and MIMEL, the “Affiliated Sub-Advisers”), as applicable.

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Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in May 2022, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of DMC about these matters. Also, the Board was assisted by the applicable Investment Committee, with each Investment Committee assisting the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Investment Management Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, DMC was guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2022. In considering and approving the Investment Management Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with DMC about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of DMC at each of its quarterly meetings, which included information about, among other things, Fund performance, investment strategies, and expenses. In addition, the Investment Committees confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. In considering information relating to the approval of the Funds’ Investment Management Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Independent Trustees also received information from an independent fund consultant, JDL Consultants, LLC (“JDL”).

The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Investment Management Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreements for a one-year term. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approval.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the advisory services provided to the Funds by DMC under its Investment Management Agreements and the experience of the officers and employees of DMC who provide these services, including each Fund’s portfolio manager(s). The Board’s review included consideration of DMC’s investment process and oversight and research and analysis capabilities, and its ability to attract and retain qualified investment professionals. The Board considered information regarding DMC’s programs for risk management, including investment, operational, liquidity, valuation, and compliance risks. The Board received information with respect to the cybersecurity program and business continuity plans of DMC and its affiliates. The Board also considered non-advisory services that DMC and its affiliates provide to the Delaware Funds, including third party oversight, transfer agent, internal audit, valuation, portfolio trading, and legal and compliance. The Board took into account the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fund that is part of a family of funds managed by an affiliate of Macquarie Group Ltd. (“Macquarie”), the parent company of DMC, and the resources available to DMC as part of Macquarie’s global asset management business.

The Board received and considered various information with respect to the services provided by the Affiliated Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreements and the credentials and experience of the officers and employees of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers who provide these services, including each Fund’s portfolio manager(s). The Board considered the division of responsibilities between DMC and the Affiliated Sub-Advisers and the oversight provided by DMC. The Board considered the expertise of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers with respect to certain asset classes and/or investment styles. The Affiliated Sub-Advisers are part of Macquarie’s global investment platform that has offices and personnel that are located around the world. As a result, the Board noted that DMC had stated that the Affiliated Sub-Advisers can provide research, investment and trading analysis on the markets and economies of various countries in which the Funds may invest, make recommendations regarding securities and assist with security trades, as applicable. The Board took into account that the Sub-Advisory Agreements may benefit the Funds and their shareholders by permitting DMC to use the resources and talents of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers in managing the Funds.

The Board concluded that, overall, it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Funds by DMC and the Affiliated Sub-Advisers.

Investment performance. The Board received and considered information with respect to the investment performance of the Funds, including performance reports and discussions with portfolio managers at meetings of the Board’s Investment Committees throughout the year as well as reports provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, an independent investment company data provider (“Broadridge”), furnished for the Annual Contract Renewal Meeting. The Broadridge reports prepared for each Fund showed its investment performance in comparison to a group of similar funds (the “Performance Universe”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the funds in the Performance Universe. Comparative annualized performance for each Fund was shown for the past 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year or since inception

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Other Portfolio information (Unaudited)

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 9-11, 2022 (continued)

periods, as applicable, ended December 31, 2021. The Board considered that the Funds were managed by Ivy Investment Management Company prior to the acquisition of its parent company, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Transaction”), and that each Fund’s performance prior to the closing of the Transaction on April 30, 2021 is that of its predecessor manager.

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all alternative other funds underlying variable insurance product, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the second quartile and for the 3-year and since inception periods was in the first quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1- and 3-year and since inception periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index for the 1- and 3-year and since inception periods. The Board, however, noted that the Fund changed its investment strategy in November 2021 and that the investment performance of a majority of the current portfolio management team only began as of November 2021. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe during the periods under review. The Board also noted the limited period of performance data available and that it would continue to evaluate the Fund’s performance.

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the and all mixed-asset target allocation growth funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the first quartile and for the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods was in the second quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods. The Board, however, noted that the Fund changed its investment strategy in November 2021 and that the investment performance of the current portfolio management team only began as of November 2021.The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all natural resources funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the first quartile and for the 3-year and since inception periods was in the fourth quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was above and for the 3-year and since inception periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index for the 1- and 3-year and since inception periods. The Board, however, noted that the Fund changed its investment strategy in November 2021 and that the investment performance of the current portfolio management team only began as of November 2021. The Board also noted the limited period of performance data available and would continue to evaluate the Fund’s performance. The Board noted the explanations from DMC concerning the reasons for the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe and its benchmark for the various periods.

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all large-cap growth funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the first quartile and for the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods was in the second quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-year period and underperformed its benchmark index for the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all high yield funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the first quartile, for the 3-year period was in the third quartile and for the since inception period was in second quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year and since inception periods was above the median and for the 3-year period was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-year period and underperformed its benchmark index for the 3-year and since inception periods. The Board, however, noted that the Fund changed its investment strategy in November 2021 and that the investment

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performance of the current portfolio management team only began in November 2021. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe during the periods under review. The Board noted the limited period of performance data available and would continue to evaluate the Fund’s performance.

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all international large-cap core funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, and 10-year periods was in the first quartile and for the 5-year period was in the third quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, and 10-year periods was above the median and for the 5-year period was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-, 3-, and 10-year periods and underperformed its benchmark index for the and 5-year period. The Board, however, noted that the Fund changed its investment strategy in November 2021 and that the investment performance of the current portfolio management team only began in November 2021. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe and benchmark during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all mid-cap growth funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the second quartile and for the 3-year and since inception periods was in the first quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1- and 3-year and since inception periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1- and 3-year and since inception periods. The Board, however, noted that one of the Fund’s three portfolio managers began managing the Fund in October 2016 and another in November 2021. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe and benchmark during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all natural resources funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods was in the third quartile and for the 10-year period was in the fourth quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index for the 1-year period and outperformed its benchmark index for the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods. The Board, however, noted that the Fund changed its investment strategy in November 2021 and that the investment performance of the current portfolio management team only began in November 2021. The Board noted the explanations from DMC concerning the reasons for the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe and its benchmark for the various periods.

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all science and technology funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1- and 3-year and since inception periods was in the third quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1- and 3-year and since inception periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index for the 1- and 3-year and since inception periods. The Board, however, noted that one of the Fund’s two portfolio managers only began managing the Fund in November 2021. The Board noted the explanations from DMC concerning the reasons for the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe and its benchmark for the various periods.

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all small-cap growth funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the third quartile and for the 3-year and since inception periods was in the fourth quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, and since inception periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-year period and underperformed its benchmark index for the 3-year and since inception periods. The Board, however, noted that one of the Fund’s two portfolio managers began managing the Fund in October 2016. The Board noted the explanations from DMC concerning the reasons for the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe and its benchmark for the various periods.

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Other Portfolio information (Unaudited)

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 9-11, 2022 (continued)

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all small-cap core funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1- and 5-year periods was in the third quartile, for the 3-year period was in the fourth quartile and for the 10-year period was in the second quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods was below the median and for the 10-year period was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark for the 1-year period and underperformed its benchmark index for the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods. The Board, however, noted that the Fund changed its investment strategy in November 2021 and that the investment performance of the current portfolio management team only began in November 2021. The Board noted the explanations from DMC concerning the reasons for the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe and its benchmark for the various periods.

Comparative expenses. The Board received and considered expense data for the Funds. Management provided the Board with information on pricing levels and fee structures for each Fund as of its most recently completed fiscal year. The Board also considered on the comparative analysis of contractual management fees and actual total expense ratios of each Fund versus contractual management fees and actual total expense ratios of a group of similar funds as selected by Broadridge (the “Expense Group”). In reviewing comparative costs, each Fund’s contractual management fee and the actual management fee incurred by each Fund were compared with the contractual management fees (assuming all funds were similar in size to each Fund) and actual management fees, taking into account any applicable breakpoints and fee waivers, with a Fund’s expense universe, which is comprised of the Fund, its Expense Group and all other similar funds underlying variable insurance products with similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 structures, excluding outliers (the “Expense Universe”). Each Fund’s total expenses were also compared with those of its Expense Universe.

Delaware Ivy VIP Asset Strategy – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Balanced – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Energy – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Growth – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP High Income – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were below its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Natural Resources – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Science and Technology – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was equal to the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were below its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

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The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by DMC to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Funds. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing registered investment companies compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients, unregistered funds and separately managed accounts.

The Board noted that DMC, and not the Funds, pays the sub-advisory fees to the Affiliated Sub-Advisers and, accordingly, that the retention of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers does not increase the fees and expenses incurred by the Funds.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to DMC under the Investment Management Agreements and to the Affiliated Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

Economies of scale. The Board received and considered information about the potential for DMC to realize economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual Fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders, including the extent to which any economies of scale are reflected in the level of management fees charged. DMC discussed its advisory fee pricing and structure for the Delaware Funds complex, including the current breakpoints. The Board noted that, as of March 31, 2022, the net assets of the Delaware Ivy VIP Growth and Delaware Ivy VIP High Income each exceeded their first breakpoint level and that breakpoints result in a lower advisory fee than would otherwise be the case in the absence of breakpoints, when the asset levels specified in the breakpoints schedule are exceeded. The Board noted that each Fund may also benefit from economies of scale through initial fee setting, fee waivers and expense reimbursements, as well as DMC’s investment in its business, including investments in business infrastructure, technology and cybersecurity.

Management profitability. The Board received and considered the Investment Management Profitability Analysis that addressed the overall profitability of DMC’s business in providing management and other services to each Fund and the Delaware Funds as a whole, including the methodology used by DMC in allocating costs for the purpose of determining profitability. The Board also reviewed a report prepared by JDL regarding DMC’s profitability as compared to certain peer fund complexes and the Independent Trustees discussed DMC’s profitability in such context with representatives from JDL. Based on its review, the Board determined that DMC’s profitability was not excessive in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to each Fund.

Ancillary benefits. The Board received and considered information regarding the extent to which DMC and its affiliates might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations, including the potential for procuring additional business as a result of the prestige and visibility associated with its role as investment manager to the Delaware Funds; the benefits from allocation of fund brokerage to improve trading efficiencies; and the fees that various affiliates received for serving as transfer agent and for overseeing fund accounting and financial administration services to the Delaware Funds. The Board received information from DMC regarding its view of the performance of its affiliates in providing transfer agent and fund accounting and financial administration oversight services and the organizational structure employed to provide these services pursuant to their contracts with the Funds.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Funds and the ongoing commitment of DMC and its affiliates to the Funds, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by DMC and its affiliates were unreasonable.

Conclusion. Based on its review, consideration and evaluation of all factors it believed relevant, including the above-described factors and conclusions, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the continuation of DMC’s Investment Management Agreements and of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers’ Sub-Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year period.

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Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds by Macquarie®

A mutual fund is governed by a Board of Trustees/Directors (“Trustees”), which has oversight responsibility for the management of a fund’s business affairs. Trustees establish procedures and oversee and review the performance of the investment manager, the distributor, and others who perform services for the fund. The independent fund trustees, in particular, are advocates for shareholder interests. Each trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was elected to or appointed to the Board of Trustees, and will continue to serve until his or her retirement or the election of a new trustee in his or her place. The following is a list of the Trustees and Officers with certain background and related information.

          Other
      Number of Principal Directorships
Name, Position(s)   Funds in Fund Occupation(s) Held by Trustee
Address, Held with Length of Time Complex Overseen During the During the
and Birth Year the Trust Served1 by Trustee Past Five Years Past Five Years
Interested Trustee
 
Shawn K. Lytle2 President, President and 126 Macquarie Asset None
100 Independence Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer   Management3  
610 Market Street and Trustee since August 2015   (2015–Present)  
Philadelphia, PA       -Global Head of  
19106-2354   Trustee since   Macquarie Asset  
1970   September 2015   Management Public  
        Investments  
        (2019–Present)  
        -Head of Americas of  
        Macquarie Group  
        (2017–Present)  
Independent Trustees
 
Jerome D. Abernathy Trustee Since January 2019 126 Stonebrook Capital None
100 Independence       Management, LLC  
610 Market Street       (financial  
Philadelphia, PA       technology: macro  
19106-2354       factors and databases)  
1959       -Managing Member  
        (1993-Present)  
 
Ann D. Borowiec Trustee Since March 2015 126 J.P. Morgan Chase & Banco Santander
100 Independence       Co. (1987-2013) International
610 Market Street       -Chief Executive Officer, (2016–2019)
Philadelphia, PA       Private Wealth Santander Bank, N.A.
19106-2354       Management (2011– (2016-2019)
1958       2013)  
 
Joseph W. Chow Trustee Since January 2013 126 Private Investor None
100 Independence       (2011–Present)  
610 Market Street          
Philadelphia, PA          
19106-2354          
1953          
 
H. Jeffrey Dobbs Trustee Since April 20194 126 KPMG LLP TechAccel LLC
100 Independence       (2002-2015) (2015–Present)
610 Market Street       -Global Sector PatientsVoices, Inc.
Philadelphia, PA       Chairman, (2018–Present)
19106-2354       Industrial Manufacturing Valparaiso University
1955       (2010-2015) Board
          (2012-Present)
          Ivy Funds Complex (2019-
          2021)

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          Other
      Number of Principal Directorships
Name, Position(s)   Funds in Fund Occupation(s) Held by Trustee
Address, Held with Length of Time Complex Overseen During the During the
and Birth Year the Trust Served1 by Trustee Past Five Years Past Five Years
 
John A. Fry Trustee Since January 2001 126 Drexel University Federal Reserve
100 Independence       -President Bank of Philadelphia
610 Market Street       (2010–Present) (2020–Present)
Philadelphia, PA         FS Credit Real Estate
19106-2354         Income Trust, Inc.
1960         (2018–Present)
          vTv Therapeutics Inc.
          (2017–Present)
          Community Health
          Systems
          (2004–Present)
          Drexel Morgan & Co.
          (2015–2019)
 
Joseph Harroz, Jr. Trustee Since November 19984 126 University of Oklahoma OU Medicine, Inc.
100 Independence       -President (2020–Present)
610 Market Street       (2020–Present) Big 12 Athletic Conference
Philadelphia, PA       -Interim President (2019-Present)
19106-2354       (2019–2020) Valliance Bank
1967       -Vice President and (2007–Present)
        Dean, College of Law Ivy Funds Complex
        (2010–2019) (1998-2021)
        Brookhaven  
        Investments LLC  
        (commercial  
        enterprises)  
        -Managing Member  
        (2019–Present)  
        St. Clair, LLC  
        (commercial  
        enterprises)  
        -Managing Member  
        (2019–Present)  
 
Sandra A.J. Lawrence Trustee Since April 20194 126 Children’s Mercy Brixmor Property
100 Independence       Hospitals and Clinics Group Inc. (2021-Present)
610 Market Street       (2005–2019) Sera Prognostics Inc.
Philadelphia, PA       -Chief Administrative (biotechnology)
19106-2354       Officer (2021-Present)
1957       (2016–2019) Recology (resource
          recovery) (2021-Present)
          Evergy, Inc., Kansas City
          Power & Light Company,
          KCP&L Greater Missouri
          Operations Company,
          Westar Energy, Inc. and
          Kansas Gas and Electric
          Company (related utility
          companies)
          (2018-Present)
          National Association of
          Corporate Directors
          (2017-Present)
          Ivy Funds Complex
          (2019-2021)
          American Shared Hospital
          Services (medical device)
          (2017-2021)
          Westar Energy (utility)
          (2004-2018)

 171 

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds by Macquarie®

          Other
      Number of Principal Directorships
Name, Position(s)   Funds in Fund Occupation(s) Held by Trustee
Address, Held with Length of Time Complex Overseen During the During the
and Birth Year the Trust Served1 by Trustee Past Five Years Past Five Years
 
Frances A. Trustee Since September 2011 126 Banco Itaú International Florida Chapter of
Sevilla-Sacasa       -Chief Executive Officer National Association of
100 Independence       (2012–2016) Corporate Directors
610 Market Street         (2021-Present)
Philadelphia, PA         Callon Petroleum
19106-2354         Company (2019-Present)
1956         Camden Property Trust
          (2011-Present)
          New Senior Investment
          Group Inc. (2021)
          Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.
          (2018-2019)
 
Thomas K. Whitford Chair and Trustee Trustee since January 126 PNC Financial Services HSBC USA Inc.
100 Independence   2013   Group (1983–2013) (2014–2022)
610 Market Street       -Vice Chairman (2009- HSBC North America
Philadelphia, PA   Chair since January   2013) Holdings Inc.
19106-2354   2023     (2013–2022)
1956         HSBC Finance
          Corporation
          (2013–2018)
 
Christianna Wood Trustee Since January 2019 126 Gore Creek The Merger Fund
100 Independence       Capital, Ltd. (2013–2021),
610 Market Street       -Chief Executive Officer The Merger Fund VL
Philadelphia, PA       and President (2009– (2013–2021),
19106-2354       Present) WCM Alternatives: Event-
1959         Driven Fund (2013–2021),
          and WCM
          Alternatives: Credit Event
          Fund (2017–2021)
          Grange Insurance
          (2013–Present)
          H&R Block Corporation
          (2008–Present)
 
Janet L. Yeomans Trustee Since April 1999 126 3M Company Okabena Company
100 Independence       (1995-2012) (2009–2017)
610 Market Street       -Vice President and  
Philadelphia, PA       Treasurer (2006–2012)  
19106-2354          
1948          
 
Officers          
 
David F. Connor Senior Vice President, Senior Vice President, 126 David F. Connor has None5
100 Independence General Counsel, and since May 2013; General   served in various  
610 Market Street Secretary Counsel since May   capacities at different  
Philadelphia, PA   2015; Secretary since   times at Macquarie  
19106-2354   October 2005   Asset Management.  
1963          
 
Daniel V. Geatens Senior Vice President Senior Vice President 126 Daniel V. Geatens has None5
100 Independence and Treasurer and Treasurer since   served in various  
610 Market Street   October 2007   capacities at different  
Philadelphia, PA       times at Macquarie  
19106-2354       Asset Management.  
1972          
172  
          Other
      Number of Principal Directorships
Name, Position(s)   Funds in Fund Occupation(s) Held by Trustee
Address, Held with Length of Time Complex Overseen During the During the
and Birth Year the Trust Served1 by Trustee Past Five Years Past Five Years
 
Richard Salus Senior Vice President Senior Vice President 126 Richard Salus has None
100 Independence and Chief Financial and Chief Financial   served in various  
610 Market Street Officer Officer since November   capacities at different  
Philadelphia, PA   2006   times at Macquarie  
19106-2354       Asset Management.  
1963          

1 “Length of Time Served” refers to the time since the Trustee or officer began serving one or more of the Trusts in the Delaware Funds complex. 2 Shawn K. Lytle is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he is an executive officer of the Portfolios' investment advisor.

3 Macquarie Asset Management is the marketing name for certain companies comprising the asset management division of Macquarie Group, including the Portfolios' investment advisor, principal underwriter, and transfer agent.

4 Includes time served on the Board of Ivy Funds prior to the date when Ivy Funds joined the Delaware Funds complex.

5 David F. Connor and Daniel V. Geatens serve in similar capacities for the six portfolios of the Optimum Fund Trust, which have the same investment manager, principal underwriter, and transfer agent as the Funds. Mr. Geatens also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Optimum Fund Trust, and he is Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Macquarie Global Infrastructure Total Return Fund Inc., which has the same investment manager as the Funds.

The Statement of Additional Information for the Fund(s) includes additional information about the Trustees and Officers and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 800 523-1918.

 173 

Each Portfolio files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. Each Portfolio’s Form N-PORT, as well as a description of the policies and procedures that each Portfolio uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities, is available without charge (i) upon request, by calling 800 523-1918; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. In addition, a description of the policies and procedures that each Portfolio uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities and the Schedule of Investments included in each Portfolio’s most recent Form N-PORT are available without charge on the Portfolios’ website at delawarefunds.com/vip/literature.

Information (if any) regarding how each Portfolio voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recently disclosed 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (i) through the Portfolios’ website at delawarefunds.com/proxy; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

(2709202)

ANN-VIP1-0223

   


Annual report

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond

Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond

Delaware Ivy VIP Value

Delaware VIP Global Value Equity*

Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities**

December 31, 2022

*Effective July 29, 2022, the name of Delaware Ivy VIP Global Equity Income changed to Delaware VIP Global Value Equity.

**Effective July 29, 2022, the name of Delaware Ivy VIP Securian Real Estate Securities changed to Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities.

  

Table of contents

Portfolio management reviews 1
Performance summaries 16
Disclosure of Portfolio expenses 30
Security type / sector / country allocations and top 10 equity holdings 32
Schedules of investments 39
Statements of assets and liabilities 63
Statements of operations 65
Statements of changes in net assets 67
Financial highlights 71
Notes to financial statements 78
Report of independent registered public accounting firm. 99
Other Portfolio information 100
Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum 105

Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) is the asset management division of Macquarie Group. MAM is a full-service asset manager offering a diverse range of products across public and private markets including fixed income, equities, multi-asset solutions, private credit, infrastructure, renewables, natural assets, real estate, and asset finance. The Public Investments business is a part of MAM and includes the following investment advisers: Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT), Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG, Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited, and Macquarie Investment Management Europe S.A.

Other than Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 ("Macquarie Bank"), any Macquarie Group entity noted in this document is not an authorized deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank. Macquarie Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities. In addition, if this document relates to an investment, (a) the investor is subject to investment risk including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested and (b) none of Macquarie Bank or any other Macquarie Group entity guarantees any particular rate of return on or the performance of the investment, nor do they guarantee repayment of capital in respect of the investment.

The Portfolios are governed by US laws and regulations.

Unless otherwise noted, views expressed herein are current as of December 31, 2022, and subject to change for events occurring after such date.

The Portfolios are not FDIC insured and are not guaranteed. It is possible to lose the principal amount invested.

Advisory services provided by Delaware Management Company, a series of MIMBT, a US registered investment advisor.

The Portfolios are distributed by Delaware Distributors, L.P. (DDLP), an affiliate of MIMBT and Macquarie Group Limited.

All third-party marks cited are the property of their respective owners.

© 2023 Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc.


  

Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide capital growth and appreciation.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity (the "Portfolio") declined, although it outperformed its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index. The Portfolio’s Class II shares declined 17.33%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the benchmark fell 18.11%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity, please see the table on page 16.

Market review

The year 2022 turned out to be a very challenging year for market participants. Contrary to many market declines over the past 40 years, this time, having a strong allocation to fixed income securities failed to cushion the blow of a broad equity sell-off. The reason, of course, was the emergence of a strong inflationary impulse that began in early 2021 and built through June 2022 when the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) crested at a 9% year-over-year change, its highest reading since 1981. Interest rates responded to the rapid rise in inflation, with the 10-year Treasury bond yield rising from approximately 1.50% at the start of the year to a high of over 4.20% by October as market participants required higher yields to account for higher longer-run inflation expectations. The US Federal Reserve acted aggressively to cool economic growth by changing policy with respect to the two tools available to the Fed – higher short-term interest rates and through quantitative tightening whereby the central bank reduces the pace of reinvestment of proceeds from maturing government securities. Fed actions were unprecedented, and frankly late, given the Fed’s position throughout 2021 that inflation was “transitory” in nature and a function of supply disruption from COVID-19. In reality, unprecedented government stimulus (estimated at $5 trillion through the pandemic) in the hands of consumers and businesses did exactly what it was intended to do – to pull the country rapidly out of a situation where greater than 13% of Americans were without jobs. Concerted efforts by the Fed began in March 2022 with a 0.25-percentage-point increase to the federal funds rate followed by another 4.00 percentage points of additional raises throughout 2022.

Sharply higher interest rates, aggressive Fed actions, and less in the way of pent-up demand provided the impetus for the current US economic slowdown we are experiencing. Throughout the first three quarters of 2022, equity markets declined sharply as market participants discounted the inevitable slowdown in corporate profit growth and adjusted the value of future profits to the higher level of interest rates. Expensive growth stocks led the market decline, with the Russell 1000® Growth Index (representative of higher-growth equities) declining more than 29% through the year while value-oriented equities, as represented by the Russell 1000® Value Index, fell by only 8% over the same period. The S&P 500 Index (the Portfolio’s benchmark), made up of both growth and value equities, fell by just over 18% for the year.

As the US equity market has contracted, valuations have moved to more attractive levels. The price paid on forward 12-month earnings on the S&P 500 Index began the year at 20 times earnings but contracted to a low of 15 times earnings by the end of September, a market low for 2022. Today, under the assumption that forward consensus estimates are correct, the S&P 500 Index is trading at just over 17 times earnings. We believe the greatest uncertainty ahead is the effect of a weaker economy on expected forward profits for the market. That said, we believe that the starting point of a 3.5% national unemployment rate, healthy wage growth (particularly at the low end of the job market), and signs of cooling inflation provide some reasons for optimism that the current downturn will be relatively mild.

Within the Portfolio

Sector allocation essentially drove all the positive relative performance, benefiting from the Portfolio’s lower-than-market exposure to consumer discretionary and communication services stocks. As a group, these stocks more than doubled the overall market’s decline for the year. The Portfolio’s overexposure to financials, our largest overweight allocation, also was positive. The relative underweight allocation to energy equities was problematic, however. A combination of modest investments in new supply (following years of subpar returns on capital), post-pandemic demand growth, an unforeseen conflict in Eastern Europe, and low starting-point valuations drove energy to the pole position in terms of performance. Cash provided a modest benefit to portfolio performance during the fiscal year given the decline in index returns.

Individual stock selection overall had little effect on relative performance. Strong gains in consumer discretionary and communication services, where we avoided names like Tesla Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., Comcast Corp., and Charter Communications Inc., were offset by weaker selection decisions within financials and staples. Within financials, exposure to alternative investment managers and our lone investment in a traditional asset manager, Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc., detracted from performance. The fourth-quarter decline in Costco Wholesale Corp. following a weaker monthly sales reading in November drove the negative selection within consumer staples.

The 12-month period was a difficult one for investors. In a market that declined nearly 20%, we had our share of investments that underperformed, including Blackstone Inc., KKR & Co. Inc., Aptiv PLC, Amazon.com Inc., and Alphabet Inc. Yet we also had a group of


 1 

Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity

defensive performers that included AutoZone Inc., The Progressive Corp., Aon PLC, Eli Lilly & Co., Deere & Co., and Linde PLC. Throughout the year, we deliberately carried below-market risk (as measured by standard deviation and beta) during a time of unprecedented inflationary pressures and a Fed that raised short-term borrowing rates at the fastest pace since the early 1980s.

Real uncertainties continue to exist with respect to the outlook on inflation but a structurally tight US labor market and the emergence of resource-thirsty China from strict lockdowns may very well keep the Fed’s 2% inflation target out of reach over the medium term. The Portfolio’s overall risk remains roughly consistent with the broader market.

We added a position in Zebra Technologies Corp. to the Portfolio during the fourth quarter. Zebra Technologies manufactures devices and software that enable companies to track and manage inventories, whether that inventory is at an Amazon fulfillment center, hospital, retailer, or warehouse. Since the company has experienced component supply problems in 2022, the stock’s valuation has compressed substantially and no longer embeds a pandemic premium. We believe Zebra Technologies has the potential to grow 5% to 7% over the long run, and we initiated the Portfolio’s position as a result.

We also re-initiated the Portfolio’s position in Discover Financial Services. We first invested in Discover in early 2020 after the stock corrected during the pandemic. We think the market has already priced a modest recession into the valuation of its shares and, in our view, the company’s single-digit price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple doesn’t fully capture its longer-run earnings potential.

From a sector standpoint, we remain overweight the financials, industrials, and materials sectors, though our weightings are based on company-specific opportunities. Within the financials sector, our heaviest overweight position, we have companies tied to alternative investments, capital markets recovery, insurance brokerage, exchanges (representing a view on market volatility), consumer finance, and property casualty insurance. This is an eclectic mix not tied to a single market factor. Within the industrials and materials sectors, we believe companies with reasonable valuations with exposure to decarbonization, reshoring/domestic capital investment, and commercial aerospace should allow shareholders to participate in more robust growth dynamics over the course of the next economic cycle. We remain more cautious through our underweight positions in the consumer discretionary, information technology, and communications services sectors though some valuations within these sectors have become more attractive and reflective of slowdowns in consumption and advertising. We also continue to hold a modest position in cash that affords us to take advantage of market volatility.


2  

Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide current income consistent with preservation of capital.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond (the "Portfolio") posted a negative return that underperformed its benchmark, the Bloomberg US Corporate Investment Grade Index, which also declined for the period. The Portfolio’s Class II shares declined 15.86% (return reflects all distributions reinvested). During the same period, the benchmark declined 15.76%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond, please see the table on page 18.

Market review

It quickly became apparent as the Portfolio’s fiscal year began in January 2022 that inflation had shifted from being real but transitory to becoming severe and sticky, owing to a combination of labor shortages, low unemployment, high consumer demand, and supply chain shortages.

We foresaw, like many investors, that the US Federal Reserve would react by raising rates. What we did not anticipate was just how fast, steep, and tenacious those increases would be. Investors expected that rates would rise gradually. They were surprised then by the Fed’s pace of hikes that began with a 0.25-percentage-point increase in mid-March followed by a 0.50-percentage-point hike in early May and increases of 0.75 percentage points at the next four meetings before ending the year with a 0.50-percentage-point hike in December. Though the Fed was initially constrained by the need to reduce its balance sheet, by the time it acted, a more aggressive approach seemed necessary.

The Russia-Ukraine war and China’s economic lockdowns to prevent the spread of COVID-19 also surprised investors. Both caused severe disruptions of the global supply chain, putting significant pressure on inflation. The world learned an expensive lesson on just how important Ukraine is to the global supply of agricultural and industrial products. While less surprising, the disruption in the supply of Russian energy was also painful, particularly to European economies that have been reliant on cheap Russian natural gas. The problems in China were unexpected as the spread of the virus began to increase despite the onset of warmer weather. Rather than take a more moderate approach to managing the virus, China reacted with a broad swath of shutdowns that sharply curtailed industrial output.

All three events – the Fed’s aggressive response to inflation, the Russia-Ukraine war, and China’s zero-COVID policy – had a dramatic effect on bond markets during the Portfolio’s fiscal year. Driven primarily by rates and inflation, 2022 was the worst annual performance on record and only the second time in history the Bloomberg US Corporate Investment Grade Index would post back-to-back annual losses – the other time was in 1979-1980. This was attributable mainly to duration, a measure of a portfolio’s sensitivity to higher interest rates, since the longer the duration of a portfolio, the more sensitive it is to interest rates.

There was significant rate volatility throughout the year. When the Fed started to raise rates aggressively, investors began talking of an impending recession. (The federal funds rate was raised 4.25 percentage points in 2022.) As a result, spreads reacted negatively and began to widen. The 10-year Treasury yield rose from 1.51% on December 31, 2021 to 3.88% at year-end 2022, an increase of 237 basis points (or 2.37 percentage points), which sharply stung long-duration credits. While spreads in the investment grade market increased only about 38 basis points over the course of the year, the combination of rising rates and widening spreads was both unusual and painful to investors.

Looking at the relative performance of investment grade versus high yield securities, duration was the key differentiator. High yield performed much better than investment grade, with most of the damage in the investment grade market resulting from duration rather than from widening spreads. Because high yield tends to be a shorter-duration asset class, it held up better. For calendar year 2022, investment grade bonds, as measured by the Bloomberg US Corporate Investment Grade Index, declined 15.76%. High yield bonds, as measured by the Bloomberg US Corporate High-Yield Index, declined 11.19%, just three-quarters of the loss sustained by investment grade bonds.

Although 2022 was another strong year for issuance in the US investment grade corporate bond market, issuance was 20% lower than the previous year. It is noteworthy that 2021 marked the second highest amount of proceeds ever raised in the investment grade market. Some sectors, particularly banking, unexpectedly flooded the market with new issuance in 2022, as companies looked to obtain financing once the Fed began its torrid pace of aggressive rate hikes early in the year.

Even though 2022 was the worst year on record for total returns within the investment grade US corporate bond market, corporate profitability was never higher, with record-setting margins and healthy cash flows. From a fundamental standpoint, this allowed issuers in the US corporate


 3 

Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond

bond market to enter this weakening macroeconomic backdrop with strong balance sheets and liquidity. However, third-quarter results indicated noticeable slowdowns across many sectors while guidance and overall sentiment began to shift more negatively as we headed toward year-end and into 2023.

Within the Portfolio

Yield curve positioning was the main contributor to the Portfolio’s relative performance during the fiscal year. The Portfolio’s underweight to spread duration in the long end of the curve helped performance as higher interest rates drove the price of credits held in the benchmark sharply lower. Similarly, the Portfolio’s slight overweight to the front end of the curve was beneficial to performance as these securities outperformed on a relative basis for the same reason; the shorter the duration, the less of an impact to performance from rates was experienced. The Portfolio benefited from a small allocation to out-of-benchmark investments in high yield securities, which generally outperformed their investment grade counterparts for the fiscal year by virtue of their lower-duration nature. Even though Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond is allowed to invest up to 20% of its assets in high yield securities, it maintained a portfolio allocation that varied throughout the fiscal year.

We think most of the relative performance was attributable to rising rates and higher duration. Still, credit spreads widened meaningfully as well – a phenomenon that we acknowledge is rather rare when rates and spreads widen at the same time. Usually spreads increase in the face of a potential recession and consequently weigh on issuers’ earnings. But this year, rates and spreads moved in the same direction, resulting in the corporate bond market’s worst calendar year total return since its inception.

On a sector basis, banking detracted the most from the Portfolio’s performance. Ironically, the credit quality in the banking industry has generally been pristine, much stronger today than it was during the recession of 2008-2009. The Portfolio underperformed due to a combination of security selection and an underweight allocation to the sector. In an effort to add yield, we invested in subordinated instruments while maintaining the Portfolio’s underweight to the front end of the curve where yields were less attractive, under the assumption that fundamentals were strong, and we thought valuations were attractive relative to other sectors. As the year progressed, the impact of higher rates proved detrimental for such a strategy. Additionally, given the sector’s shorter duration profile, it outperformed the broader Bloomberg US Corporate Investment Grade Index and, as a result, the Portfolio’s underweight also partially detracted from performance. Banking credits that the Portfolio owned included Credit Agricole SA and Bank of America Corp.

The Portfolio also held bonds issued by companies in the electric utility sector. These were typically long duration and given the Portfolio’s overweight positions to longer-dated issues, they detracted from performance. Portfolio holdings in this sector included regulated utility operators Exelon Corp. and Entergy Corp.

Among contributors to performance during the fiscal year, the Portfolio benefited from both security selection and an underweight to consumer non-cyclicals as the sector underperformed given its longer duration profile and the surge in rates over the period. The Portfolio’s underweight to longer-dated issues, especially in the healthcare subsector, as well as its overweight to shorter maturities in subsectors such as food/beverage, given the lack of relative value in this defensive sector, added to performance. Boston Scientific Corp., a medical device manufacturer, and McCormick & Company Inc., a food and beverage company, were among the Portfolio’s holdings in the sector.

In addition, the Portfolio’s out-of-benchmark allocation to risk-free assets, including cash, Treasurys, and short-duration sectors, such as asset-backed securities (ABS) (auto loans), added to performance.

Once higher rates and wider spreads had done material damage to the asset class, we sought to increase the Portfolio’s credit quality. With prices at historic lows, we began buying lower-priced bonds. The asset class experienced some of the lowest dollar prices on securities in the past 30 to 40 years. Consequently, we viewed the decision to buy bonds of high-quality issuers at historically low prices as an attractive opportunity.

At fiscal year end, the Portfolio was positioned with 98% of its assets in investment grade securities and the balance in high yield. Earlier in the fiscal year, the Portfolio had as much as 3.5% in high yield. We also reduced the Portfolio’s BBB-rated allocation within investment grade, having moved up in quality within the asset class.


4  

During the fiscal year, Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond used a small position in options as a way to add incremental performance gains. These options contracts also would have allowed the Portfolio to purchase underlying securities at a price lower than the current market value of the security. The position did not have a material impact on the Portfolio's performance during the fiscal year.

We believe credit fundamentals are likely to weaken over the next several quarters, with the highest risks in industries most exposed to consumer demand and interest rates. The ultimate impact on balance sheets will depend on the extent of earnings deceleration from profit margin erosion. We do not believe that the current spread level of the overall Bloomberg US Corporate Investment Grade Index – at +130 basis points at year end – reflects the risks surrounding current monetary and economic policies or the technical risk around supply issuance that we believe is looming for the beginning of 2023. For this reason, the Portfolio is carrying more cash than usual entering the new year, as we anticipate widening in secondary spreads from an active new-issue calendar and weak fourth-quarter earnings and guidance.

Along with global central banks ratcheting up rates, commercial and retail banks are also aggressively tightening lending conditions. In light of this, we think the next shoe to drop in the global economy could be a series of weaker profits around quarterly earnings announcements. Given our view that spreads should be wider than where they are now, we think spreads could remain range-bound (and not hit the +200-basis-point levels often associated with a full-blown recessionary environment).

Our thesis about spreads remaining range-bound, albeit at wider levels, is predicated on the fact that: (1) corporate fundamentals (broadly speaking) have never been stronger coming into this backdrop of softening demand and tighter lending/monetary conditions, (2) the level of all-in total yields should be supportive of investor inflows, and (3) investors should be mindful of the “Fed put” that could be reinitiated to restore market stability if spread levels were to surpass +200 basis points. Thus, we believe the latter two points could prompt buying and offer a potential snap-back from wider spread levels given the strength of corporate balance sheets.


 5 

Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide growth of capital.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth (the "Portfolio") experienced a negative return but outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index). The Portfolio’s Class II shares declined 17.49%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the benchmark declined 18.36% (net) and 17.96% (gross). For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth, please see the table on page 20.

Market review

The year 2022 may mark one of the greatest paradigm shifts for global markets and economies in recent history. A confluence of events, including fallout from pandemic spending and loose monetary policy, catalyzed what had been years in the making.

Major central bank policy shifts, inflation, changes to global supply chains, the end of cheap Russian energy for Europe, and labor shortages created broad-based asset price declines with few exceptions. Equities fell along with bond markets, which typically provide protection, as investors scrambled to face, what we believe will be, a new reality.

Years of lower interest rates and quantitative easing finally came to an end and manifested in the form of inflation. Perpetuating inflationary pressure, the war in Ukraine drove increases to energy and food prices, particularly in Europe. Responding to the invasion, Western nations implemented sanctions against Russia, effectively preventing Russia from supplying its natural gas, oil, wheat, and other commodities to most of the world. In addition, home prices and wage growth became concerning. Home affordability was historically low and labor shortages along with demographic shifts created a challenging economic scenario for central banks to navigate.

In response, the US Federal Reserve initiated a series of interest rate hikes. Other central banks quickly followed. The US increased rates 4.25 percentage points and the European Central Bank (ECB) increased rates 2.5 percentage points, abandoning negative rate policy. With higher rates, market valuations quickly declined. Extremely high multiples, afforded by longer-duration growth companies through the low-rate environment over the past decade, were hit particularly hard.

China maintained its zero-COVID policy throughout most of the year before opening up in December as the pressure from China’s population and its weakening economy became too great. We believe that this should enable growth to resume in China and ease supply chain disruptions globally.

There were few places for investors to seek refuge during the fiscal year. From an equity sector perspective, energy was the only area of the market in positive territory. Years of underinvestment and supply shortages became a challenge for the world when Russian commodities were cut off. Investment in traditional energy became a focus with the acknowledgment that it will be many years before alternative energy sources replace fossil fuels to a significant degree.

Within the Portfolio

Stock selection in the communication services and consumer discretionary sectors contributed the most to relative performance while stock selection in the consumer staples and information technology sectors detracted from performance. At a country level, the US and Canada contributed the most while Germany was the biggest drag on relative performance.

On an individual stock basis, ConocoPhillips, a US-based integrated energy company, and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., a Canadian energy company primarily focused on exploration and production, were the largest contributors to performance. Both companies had significant growth resulting from higher energy prices. While we are valuation sensitive and trimmed energy positions as these stocks rallied, the Portfolio remains overweight the sector.

The largest detractors from performance were Ambarella Inc. and HelloFresh SE. Ambarella is a US-based semiconductor company with significant sales to the automobile industry. While its shares were up sharply in the fourth quarter in anticipation of a recovery in autos, the industry was hindered most of the year by supply chain disruptions. We continue to think that Ambarella is well positioned to benefit from the increasing use of electronics in motor vehicles.

HelloFresh is a German food-delivery service popular in the US and overseas. The company had benefited from the pandemic as more people opted for food delivery, but despite continued sales growth HelloFresh had to spend more on customer acquisition and marketing expenses.


6  

While we believe it may be able to convert new customers into future sales growth, we thought there are better opportunities in companies with similar growth profiles, particularly in the US, and we exited the Portfolio’s position.

The Portfolio's use of foreign exchange (FX) currency positions had a limited effect during the fiscal year. Overall, derivatives were immaterial to the Portfolio's performance during the fiscal year.


 7 

Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide current income consistent with preservation of capital.

For its fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond (the "Portfolio") posted a negative return that underperformed its benchmark, the Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index, which also declined for the period. The Portfolio’s Class II shares declined 4.20% (return reflects all distributions reinvested). During the same period, the benchmark declined 3.69%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond, please see the table on page 22.

Market review

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022 was notable not just for its human tragedy; it also marked the most substantial use of unconventional economic weapons in response to the conventional weapons of modern warfare. As such, the war in Ukraine had significant economic ramifications, not the least of which was global inflation that climbed to a multidecade high before the year ended.

The war created severe disruptions in the production of Ukrainian agricultural and other commodities. Combined with the economic sanctions imposed on Russia, significant disruptions to global supply chains resulted. Energy and food markets, already confronting shortages and soaring prices stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, were pressured further.

Central banks around the world attempted to control inflation, which was fueled by supply shortages combined with resilient consumer demand. In particular, Europe felt the brunt of rising energy prices because of its heavy reliance on imports from Russia, complicating the mission of the European Central Bank.

Generally during periods of heightened geopolitical risk and increasing volatility, central banks slow or reverse the pace of interest rate hikes, but this past year was an exception, and inflation remained well above their target. The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates and stopped quantitative easing, abandoning the tools that it had previously used to stimulate the economy.

The abrupt rise in interest rates – the US federal funds rate increased from near zero to a range of 4.25% to 4.50% by year end – took a bite out of the interest-rate-sensitive sectors of the economy. Housing felt the burden of higher mortgage rates after enjoying significant appreciation during the pandemic.

Political unrest in China, especially that related to restrictions imposed to control the spread of COVID-19, also contributed to global economic problems. Throughout much of the year, China maintained its aggressive lockdowns of major cities. The zero-COVID policy contributed to ongoing supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressure. In December, China abruptly eased its restrictions, opening the door to a potential surge in demand. That could pose new challenges to central banks early in 2023 as they attempt to bring inflation down to acceptable levels.

The US dollar maintained strength for most of the year while the euro declined below parity with the dollar. The war in Ukraine and central banks’ aggressive anti-inflationary monetary policies combined to cause idiosyncratic stressors to bubble to the surface. For example, an acute financial crisis in the UK related to pension plans led the Bank of England to intervene to stabilize the country’s interest rates even though it had been raising rates to fight inflation.

Against this highly volatile backdrop, credit markets behaved reasonably well in 2022, albeit while sustaining broad losses due largely to the move higher in interest rates. However, higher yields were viewed as an opportunity for many fixed income investors and may have provided important technical support at a time when central banks across most of the developed world were raising short-term rates.

Within the Portfolio

Investors widely expected that the Fed would be active throughout most of the fiscal year. That expectation became reality at the end of March when the Fed began raising rates. Investors then shifted focus to just how much tightening the Fed would do.

In managing the Portfolio, we try to provide rather than take liquidity. Liquidity enables us to take advantage of periods of uncertainty. It provides us with the investment flexibility to take advantage of market opportunities as they arise.

We entered 2022 with an overweight to investment grade corporate credit, which detracted from performance. That was in large part because of our overweight to BBB-rated credit, which underperformed. We were attracted to the higher income provided by BBB-rated bonds. Yield opportunities in shorter-term securities moved materially higher. Meanwhile, we maintained the Portfolio’s overweight to investment grade corporate credit.


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Some key drivers that weighed on performance within investment grade corporate credit included Avolon Holdings Ltd., which leases commercial jet aircraft. Avolon had disappointing financial results and we exited that credit. However, we have maintained exposure to the industry, as we remain constructive on its economic fundamentals.

Exposure to Royalty Pharma PLC, an acquirer of biopharmaceutical royalties, also detracted from performance. It underperformed the benchmark in part because of the longer average maturity of its holdings. However, we do maintain exposure to Royalty Pharma as we see the credit as undervalued at this time.

The Portfolio also had a modest exposure to agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), which detracted from performance based on the mortgage market’s sensitivity to the uncertainties associated with rising interest rates. The rising interest rate environment added to volatility within the MBS market, but we believe that relative to investment grade corporate credit, MBS looks reasonably attractive, and we maintain exposure there.

Yield curve management also detracted from performance. We generally maintained greater interest rate sensitivity in the Portfolio than the overall benchmark.

Out-of-benchmark exposure to asset-backed securities (ABS) detracted as well but was diversified across multiple subsectors, including lease and equipment, floor planning, and high-quality auto segments.

Contributors to the Portfolio’s relative performance included an underweight to government-related non-corporate issuers, as their performance generated negative excess returns. Conversely, the Portfolio’s allocation to high yield bonds outperformed the benchmark return. That came from positive security selection, including exposure to senior secure bonds issued by lower-rated insurance broker USI Inc. We remain comfortable owning the bond as we see a favorable insurance-rate environment continuing into the new year.

The Portfolio also benefited from good security selection in emerging markets relative to the benchmark. This included exposure to higher-quality names within that space. One was a modest allocation to Banco de Credito e Inversiones SA, a Chilean banking company. With commodity prices rising throughout 2022, some exposure to First Quantum Minerals Ltd. benefited performance. We continue to own both emerging market securities.

Key risks and opportunities

Monetary policy in the US remains one of the largest uncertainties as we embark on a new year. Markets continue to price in a lower terminal rate (peak interest rate) than the Fed. That indicates that the Fed is likely to tighten more than investors expect. That divergence will be resolved one way or the other and will be determined largely by the trajectory of inflation, which remains well above the Fed’s 2% target rate. The discrepancy in expectations between investors and the Fed suggests there will likely be more market volatility in the coming months.

We expect credit spreads to widen because of that uncertainty. We could also see a shallow recession in late 2023 or early 2024. However, if we are wrong, the risk most likely would be skewed to the downside – a potentially deeper or longer recession.

We are watching for signs that economic slowing could be occurring more quickly than expected. We believe this would increase the risk of a policy mistake by the Fed, further adding to volatility.

We believe that fixed income still offers attractive yields, which should provide a positive factor as investors look at break-even levels and attractiveness relative to other asset classes. Effectively, a yield of 5% or 6% now on a fixed income fund compared with 1% or 2% in January 2022 could provide a buffer if yield spreads materially widen. Now, you’d have to see interest rates move materially higher before that 6% yield disappears. Accordingly, this reduces the likelihood of negative returns in fixed income assets today compared with 2022.

The Portfolio used derivatives, including interest rate futures and high yield credit default swaps (CDX) to tactically gain access to the high yield asset class. Derivatives detracted less than 50 basis points (half a percentage point) from performance.


 9 

Portfolio management reviews

Delaware Ivy VIP Value

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide capital appreciation.

The portfolio management team for Delaware Ivy VIP Value changed effective December 5, 2022. Please read the latest prospectus, including the supplement dated December 5, 2022, for more information concerning this event.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Value (the "Portfolio") experienced a negative return but outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index. The Portfolio’s Class II shares declined 4.90% (return reflects reinvestment of all dividends). During the same period, the benchmark declined 7.54%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Ivy VIP Value, please see the table on page 24.

Market review

On the heels of three consecutive quarterly losses, US stocks rallied in the fourth quarter of 2022. The broad market S&P 500® Index posted a total return of 7.6% even though it lost ground in December. Investors’ embrace of stocks in October and November seemed to be driven in part by better-than-expected corporate earnings, moderating inflation data, and hopes that the US Federal Reserve might soon slow the pace of interest rate increases. In addition, a consensus view that the Fed would engineer a “soft landing” for the economy and that any recession in 2023 would be mild appeared to take root. Still, stocks were broadly lower for the year. The S&P 500 Index was down -18.1% in 2022. By comparison, the technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite Index fell -33.1%. (Source: FactSet Research Systems.)

The Fed implemented its sixth and seventh interest rate hikes of the year during the fourth quarter, lifting the federal funds rate to a range between 4.25% and 4.50%, its highest level since December 2007. The most recent move, a 0.50-percentage-point increase in mid-December, was a step down from the previous four hikes of 0.75 percentage points each. Following the November rate announcement, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the pace of interest rate increases could slow down in the coming months. Nonetheless, the Fed said it “anticipates that ongoing increases in the target range will be appropriate in order to attain a stance of monetary policy that is sufficiently restrictive to return inflation to 2 percent over time.”

Inflation readings continued to moderate incrementally as year end approached. According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE) rose 5.5% in November from a year earlier, down from a high of 7.0% in June. The Core Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (Core PCE), the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, which excludes food and energy prices, increased 4.7% in November year over year, down from highs of 5.4% in both February and March. The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil ended the year at $81 per barrel, up 7% for the period but down from highs of more than $120 in both March and June. Employment growth slowed for much of the year. Job gains averaged 375,000 per month in 2022 with the lowest monthly reading (223,000) coming in the last month of the year. The unemployment rate ended the year at 3.5%. (Sources: FactSet, US Bureau of Labor Statistics.)

Within the Portfolio

Healthcare, industrials, and energy were the three leading sectors that affected relative performance for the year. Stock selection was the performance driver for the healthcare and industrials sectors while stock selection and allocation effect were positive for the energy sector. The Portfolio’s slight overweight to the energy sector added to performance. The three largest detractors from a sector perspective were financials, materials, and information technology. Stock selection was the primary driver for these three sector detractors. The Portfolio’s average cash position of approximately 2.0% contributed slightly to relative performance. The leading contributors for the Portfolio for the year were Marathon Petroleum Corp., EOG Resources Inc., McKesson Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. The leading detractors were Seagate Technology Holdings PLC, Celanese Corp., Chevron Corp., Capital One Financial Corp., and Liberty Global PLC. Each of these positions was held in the Portfolio through the end of the fiscal year.

The Portfolio slightly outperformed its benchmark during the first quarter of 2022. The healthcare and industrials sectors each added to relative performance along with the consumer discretionary sector. The Portfolio’s weakest-performing relative sectors were financials and information technology.

For the second quarter of 2022, the Portfolio experienced a negative return but outperformed its benchmark, with allocations to the industrials, materials, and energy sectors adding to relative performance. The Portfolio’s strongest relative contributors were in the healthcare sector. The Portfolio’s weakest relative sectors overall were healthcare and consumer staples.


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The Portfolio experienced a negative return, slightly outperforming its benchmark during the third quarter of its fiscal year. The healthcare, consumer discretionary, and energy sectors added to relative performance, while its leading relative contributor came from the energy sector. In fact, energy was the only sector to have an overall positive return in the market.

Although the Portfolio had a positive return in the last quarter of its fiscal year, it slightly underperformed its benchmark. Stock selection contributed modestly to relative returns while sector allocation modestly detracted. At the sector level, stock selection made notable contributions in the communication services, real estate, industrials, and utilities sectors. Negative stock selection results in the healthcare, consumer discretionary, financials, and materials sectors largely offset these, however. In terms of sector allocation, the Portfolio’s underweight in communication services had a positive effect while an underweight in industrials had a negative effect. In addition, the Portfolio’s average cash position of approximately 2.0% detracted from relative performance given the benchmark’s strong, double-digit return at this time.

We believe corporate earnings growth in 2023 could disappoint relative to investors’ expectations. As intended, the Fed’s deliberate moves to slow the economy and bring inflation under control will likely weaken aggregate demand. Since the economic impact of Fed interest rate increases tends to work with a lag, there could be pressure on corporate earnings in 2023 and possibly into 2024. In this environment, we remain focused on mitigating downside exposure while staying attuned to investment opportunities that ongoing market volatility may create.


 11 

Portfolio management reviews

Delaware VIP Global Value Equity
(formerly, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Equity Income)

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware VIP Global Value Equity (the "Portfolio") declined, although it outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI World Index, which also declined. The Portfolio’s Class II shares declined 11.32% (return reflects all distributions reinvested). During the same period, the benchmark declined 18.14% (net) and 17.73% (gross). For complete, annualized performance of Delaware VIP Global Value Equity, please see the table on page 26.

Market review

Central bank rhetoric started to change in late 2021. Nervousness then spread across markets as inflation, liquidity crunches, and higher interest rates, combined with geopolitical tensions and Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, raised investor concerns. Several times during 2022, however, investors breathed a sigh of relief when there appeared to be sufficient consensus expectation that the worst is over and that the US central bank would mutate from a hawk to a dove and would soon lower interest rates again.

The strongly rising inflation rate has resulted in large interest rate increases, particularly in the US, but also in Europe, with both beginning at a historically low level. Although the high inflation level means that higher returns on interest-bearing investments are mostly counterbalanced by price increases, today these investments offer an alternative to buying shares, especially for those who believe that inflation is a passing phenomenon. At the same time, interest rate increases (nominal) mean that price-to-earnings (P/E) multiples in the stock market have fallen. Until the end of 2021, there was a strong belief that interest rates would remain low, and this was reflected in the pricing of certain parts of the stock market, bringing back memories of the bursting of the tech bubble in 2000. But gravity always strikes, and 2022 brought a solid wake-up call for global investors.

Within the Portfolio

The portfolio management team invests with the mindset of long-term business owners. Our research is focused on how well we think a company can deploy its capital and redeploy retained earnings. Therefore, the Portfolio is built bottom-up (stock-by-stock) by selecting company stocks based on quantitative insights and qualitative assessments.

We use a multivariate risk model to identify what we view as potential contributors to and detractors from the Portfolio’s performance against its benchmark. For the year ended December 31, 2022, active country and region weights had an overall positive impact on performance. Despite a negative allocation effect from Germany and Sweden, on balance the allocation to countries and regions contributed to the Portfolio’s return. Denmark, the UK, the US, and overweight positioning in France all had a positive impact. However, the opposite was true for the overweight positioning in Germany, with negative attribution from all four German companies. Germany was the single largest detractor from performance for the fiscal year. There were negative selection effects in the UK, Spain, and Germany, whereas Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, and the US showed positive selection effects.

At the sector level, having no exposure to financials and energy caused the largest drags on performance, with the rest of the Portfolio’s sector allocations yielding a positive result. On balance, the stock selection within the Portfolio also contributed to relative performance. The only negative result was within industrials. The most positive results came from the consumer staples, consumer discretionary, communication services, and information technology sectors. The Portfolio’s relative outperformance came from both allocation and stock selection.

Three of the largest individual contributors to active performance were Novo Nordisk A/S, Merck & Co. Inc., and Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.

Danish world-leading diabetes care company Novo Nordisk posted strong performance and raised its guidance three times in 2022, growing both sales and earnings by double-digit rates, including some tailwind effect from a strong US dollar. The company’s key franchises, diabetes (GLP-1) and obesity care, have strong growth rates and offer what we view as a very attractive combination of large and expanding addressable markets. Novo Nordisk is a leader in both. Obesity care is a big opportunity: globally, more than 760 million people are obese, but today very few are treated. With highly efficient drugs, obesity is becoming a therapeutic area that could play an important role in preventing other severe health implications related to obesity, such as risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Merck & Co., the US-based global healthcare company with a strong franchise in cancer medicine, has surprised the stock market positively several times this year. The latest news from the company also shows successful trials treating pulmonary hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.


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US-based Lamb Weston Holdings, with a strong global footprint within the frozen potato business, is one of three companies that dominate the production and distribution of french fries worldwide. The industry has faced several challenges lately: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on demand and the loss of supply caused by a lower-than-normal-quality potato harvest while operating under a cloud of logistic constraints and higher transportation costs. Recently, Lamb Weston beat expectations by raising prices, improving manufacturing productivity, and selling more french fries than it had the last year. The most recent quarterly reporting shows activity levels well above pre-pandemic levels, and strong pricing activity with limited loss of volume.

Conversely, three of the largest detractors from performance during the year were adidas AG, Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, and Amadeus IT Group SA.

German worldwide sports apparel company adidas’s shares were hurt by a challenging trading environment in China, caused by COVID-19 restrictions and industrywide supply chain disruptions. In 2022, the company lowered its outlook a few times. China is a major driver behind the company’s growth challenges, as China is a profitable market for adidas as well as an important sourcing market. In effect, China’s zero-COVID policy significantly affected adidas and overshadowed its positive attributes as a company. Despite the current challenges, we are still confident that adidas will remain a very strong brand and has the ability to restore profitability relatively fast. We think the underlying profit margin potential is substantially higher for adidas than the current level, driven by operating leverage, higher direct-to-consumer content, and cost reductions after the sale of Reebok. In our opinion, once adidas reduces inventory at mark-down prices it can then sustain higher margins.

We believe the world's leading kidney dialysis company Fresenius Medical Care was in a perfect storm together with its competitors. COVID-19 has reduced the patient population, slowed clinic traffic, and increased patient costs. The industry works on a contract basis, and the final payors and prices for dialysis services have yet to be adjusted higher to reflect inflation. In essence, Fresenius Medical Care must absorb these higher costs until prices are renegotiated. In the management ranks there have been quite a few changes and more than we like. There have been different strategic views within the firm’s executive ranks. Due to these challenges, the stock price has suffered a lot, and we believe that the valuation is now attractive, provided that increased input costs can be passed on.

Amadeus IT Group is the global leader in ticketing software for the airline industry, with a dominant market share. The profits of Amadeus IT Group are driven by the number of tickets sold, not the ticket price, which makes Amadeus a more stable business than its competitors. Global air travel is now recovering after COVID-19. Amadeus IT Group has confirmed an accelerating travel recovery approaching pre-pandemic levels. The US market is already above that level while Asia Pacific and Europe are still below, but in rapid recovery. With the business model of Amadeus IT Group having minimal additional costs associated with issuing more tickets, we expect to see earnings improve rapidly as travel volumes recover.

The Portfolio used foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate the purchase and sale of equities traded on international exchanges. The effect of these contracts on performance was immaterial.


 13 

Portfolio management reviews

Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities
(formerly, Delaware Ivy VIP Securian Real Estate Securities)

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek to provide total return through capital appreciation and current income.

On May 19, 2022, the Board of Trustees of the Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios ("Board") approved the termination of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between Delaware Management Company (the "Manager" or "DMC"), and Securian Asset Management, Inc. as it relates to the Fund. In addition, the Board approved the transition of day-to-day portfolio management responsibilities to the Macquarie Global Listed Real Estate team ("GLRE team"), whose members provide services via DMC and DMC’s affiliated sub-advisors. Accordingly, the Board approved the appointment of the following affiliated sub-advisors of the Manager, Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited ("MIMGL"), Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited ("MIMEL"), and Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited ("MFMHKL"). In addition, the Board approved the appointment of MFMHKL and MIMGL to provide trading and quantitative support, to the Fund. Further, the Board approved a name change of the Fund, with all such changes to take effect on or about July 29, 2022 (the "Effective Date").

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities (the "Portfolio") experienced a negative return, slightly underperforming its benchmark, the FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index. The Portfolio’s Class II shares declined 24.87%. Returns reflect reinvestment of all distributions. During the same period, the benchmark declined 24.37%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities, please see the table on page 28.

Market review

Investors clearly worried as inflation took hold in 2022. With its inflation-fighting credentials in question, the US Federal Reserve began a tightening cycle at the same time the economy began slowing and worries about a recession took hold.

Markets were highly volatile, stocks entered a bear market, and fixed income did not provide a haven as all major asset classes ended in the red for the first half of 2022. Following a big move in rates in the first quarter, Treasury yields continued their rise across the curve, with the 10-year reaching nearly 3.5% in mid-June. They have since pulled back to nearly 2.5% as new signs of peaking inflation, the potential for a Fed pivot, and the prospect of recessionary backdrop have emerged. Spreads widened and, along with higher rates, yields rose to a more attractive level than had been seen in some time. The S&P 500® Index’s total return ended the second quarter of 2022 in bear market territory. The growth-oriented NASDAQ Composite Index’s total return ended the first half of the year down nearly 20%.

Real estate stocks struggled under the same forces as the broader equities market, with the added dread that stagflation may be on the horizon. Amid a constant barrage of higher inflation readings, aggressive Fed action, and plummeting consumer confidence, the sector delivered poor results, with the FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index declining 24.37% for 2022. Returns were almost uniformly negative, leaving few places to hide as investors mulled the end-result of higher rates and lower growth expectations. Not even those property sectors featuring strong inflation-resistant characteristics materially outperformed the index.

Within the Portfolio

Office companies struggled once again under the continued pressure of return to office not materializing as many had expected. Office utilization rates remain stubbornly low and the prospect of significant layoffs in the technology sector has not helped sentiment. The sector, on average, declined 21.79% with few favorable outliers. The Portfolio’s underweighting to office contributed positively toward index-relative results but was constrained by an overweighting to Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. Alexandria is the industry’s bellwether owner of biotech and life science real estate. Despite favorable business fundamentals and attractive growth prospects, Alexandria had disappointing returns during the period.

Amazon’s recent announcement that it would scale back its warehouse expansion spooked the industrial sector. Warehouse owners have enjoyed record occupancy and record rental rate escalations; and by all indication business fundamentals remain very robust. The Portfolio has been underweight industrial owners this year, as we viewed valuations as unsustainably high. This underweight position boosted index-relative performance.

The Portfolio was overweight single-family rental and apartment owners. Rent growth remains strong for single-family rental real estate investment trusts (REITs) as more potential homeowners are being priced out of the housing market. Given the significant spike in mortgage rates and a still solid job market, we think this sector’s positive momentum will continue as demand overwhelms current supply deliveries in most markets. In the multifamily sector, the Portfolio benefited from the privatization of American Campus Communities Inc. The Portfolio was overweight this company as we saw the potential for sizable cash flow growth driven by college students returning to campus post-COVID.


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Net lease REITs were among the sector’s better performers, returning 0.94% on average. Investors looked past this sector’s long-term, low-growth lease structures and instead focused on the “defensive” nature of the companies’ cash flows. Like the bond market, one does not typically favor long-duration cash flows in a period of sharply rising interest rates. In addition, the companies are heavily reliant on highly valued stock prices to raise equity to fund acquisitions. The Portfolio was underweight this sector, and that proved to be a significant detractor from index-relative performance. However, the performance detraction was offset to a degree by an overweighting to Agree Realty Corp. Agree Realty raised equity earlier this year at attractive stock pricing and has put the proceeds to use in an accretive manner.

While the healthcare sector continues to improve post-COVID with occupancies and rental rates improving, headwinds from pressure on payrolls due to labor shortages, and general elevation of overall property expenses persist. These are primarily issues for skilled-nursing facilities and senior housing, whose occupancy recoveries were choppy due first to the COVID-19 Delta variant and later to the Omicron variant. Medical office buildings appear further along in recovery as elective surgeries have resumed, and growing demand from private investors raised market valuations, providing a tailwind.

The Portfolio's use of foreign exchange (FX) currency positions had a limited effect during the fiscal year. Overall, derivatives were immaterial to the Portfolio's performance during the fiscal year.

As we head into 2023, we believe we will still see strength in earnings profiles across our favored sectors, particularly those that have been able to pass on inflation-linked leases to tenants and have tenants that are able to withstand or even benefit from a more challenging economic climate. On a company-specific level, we continued to favor quality companies with strong balance sheets that not only are able to endure rising rates, but can even potentially capitalize on any dislocation in markets that may present itself. Given the extent of the disparity in pricing between listed and direct real estate, we expect to continue seeing movement in valuation across the sector and believe this can present opportunities for investors.

Across the asset class, we continue to monitor the spread between cap rates and interest costs as a guide to where asset values will settle. We tend to favor sectors where rental income is growing at a rate that can sustain cap rate expansion, ensuring relative stability of asset values. We expect to continue to see movements in asset values across all sectors and remain keenly abreast of transactional evidence in the direct market, which will point to the disparity between listed and direct real estate valuations narrowing once again.

Real estate fundamentals remain our primary focus in portfolio construction and security underwriting, as always. Although we consider in economic factors, we allocate our risk budget to stock and sector selection in line with long-term fundamentals and structural trends as opposed to investing for particular macroeconomic events. We will continue to navigate a challenging economic environment of inflationary and recessionary pressures and are enthused by the potential for a return to an environment that favors stock selection.


 15 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on July 16, 1991)  -17.33%  +9.01%  +10.15%  +11.44%
S&P 500® Index  -18.11%  +7.66%  +9.42%  +12.56%

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 17 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, the net expense ratio for Class II shares of the Portfolio was 0.95%, while total operating expenses for Class II shares were 0.99%. The management fee was 0.70%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratios may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratios in the prospectus include acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus. Investments in variable products involve risk.

Risk is increased in a concentrated portfolio since it holds a limited number of securities with each investment having a greater effect on the overall performance.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.


16  

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
S&P 500 Index  $10,000  $32,654
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity — Class II shares  $10,000  $29,536

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the S&P 500 Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of 500 mostly large-cap stocks weighted by market value, and is often used to represent performance of the US stock market.

The US Consumer Price Index, mentioned on page 1, is a measure of inflation that is calculated by the US Department of Labor, representing changes in prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households.

The Russell 1000 Growth Index, mentioned on page 1, measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values

The Russell 1000 Value Index, mentioned on page 1, measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 17 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on July 13, 1987)  -15.86%  -2.54%  +0.37%  +1.21%
Bloomberg US Corporate Investment Grade Index  -15.76%  -2.88%  +0.45%  +1.96%

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 19 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 0.76%. The management fee was 0.47%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

High yielding, non-investment-grade bonds (junk bonds) involve higher risk than investment grade bonds. The high yield secondary market is particularly susceptible to liquidity problems when institutional investors, such as mutual funds and certain other financial institutions, temporarily stop buying bonds for regulatory, financial, or other reasons. In addition, a less liquid secondary market makes it more difficult to obtain precise valuations of the high yield securities.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.


18  

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
Bloomberg US Corporate Investment Grade Index  $10,000  $12,139
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond — Class II shares  $10,000  $11,284

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the Bloomberg US Corporate Investment Grade Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The Bloomberg US Corporate Investment Grade Index is composed of US dollar-denominated, investment grade corporate bonds that are US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered or 144A with registration rights, and issued by industrial, utility, and financial companies. All bonds in the index have at least one year to maturity.

The Bloomberg US Corporate High-Yield Index, mentioned on page 3, is composed of US dollar-denominated, non-investment-grade corporate bonds for which the middle rating among Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Fitch, Inc., and Standard & Poor’s is Ba1/BB+/BB+ or below.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 19 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on May 3, 1994)  -17.49%  +5.45%  +6.72%  +7.60%
MSCI ACWI Index (net)  -18.36%  +4.00%  +5.23%  +7.98%
MSCI ACWI Index (gross)  -17.96%  +4.49%  +5.75%  +8.54%

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 21 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, the net expense ratio for Class II shares of the Portfolio was 1.13%, while total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.18%. The management fee was 0.85%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratios may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratios in the prospectus include acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus. Investments in variable products involve risk.

Risk is increased in a concentrated portfolio since it holds a limited number of securities with each investment having a greater effect on the overall performance.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.


20  

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
MSCI ACWI Index (gross)  $10,000  $22,686
MSCI ACWI Index (net)  $10,000  $21,545
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth — Class II shares  $10,000  $20,798

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the MSCI ACWI Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index) represents large- and mid-cap stocks across developed and emerging markets worldwide. The index covers approximately 85% of the global investable equity opportunity set. Index “net” return approximates the minimum possible dividend reinvestment, after deduction of withholding tax at the highest possible rate. Index “gross” return approximates the maximum possible dividend reinvestment.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 21 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on August 23, 2010)  -4.20%  -0.24%  +0.84%  +0.88%
Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index  -3.69%  -0.32%  +0.92%  +0.88%

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 23 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 0.79%. The management fee was 0.50%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

High yielding, non-investment-grade bonds (junk bonds) involve higher risk than investment grade bonds. The high yield secondary market is particularly susceptible to liquidity problems when institutional investors, such as mutual funds and certain other financial institutions, temporarily stop buying bonds for regulatory, financial, or other reasons. In addition, a less liquid secondary market makes it more difficult to obtain precise valuations of the high yield securities.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.


22  

If and when the Portfolio invests in forward foreign currency contracts or use other investments to hedge against currency risks, the Portfolio will be subject to special risks, including counterparty risk.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond — Class II shares  $10,000  $10,920
Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index  $10,000  $10,916

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index is a market value–weighted index of government fixed-rate debt securities and investment grade US and foreign fixed-rate debt securities with average maturities of one to three years.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 23 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Value

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on May 1, 2001)  -4.90%  +8.36%  +8.31%  +10.40%
Russell 1000 Value Index  -7.54%  +5.96%  +6.67%  +10.29%

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 25 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.00%. The management fee was 0.70%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Risk is increased in a concentrated portfolio since it holds a limited number of securities with each investment having a greater effect on the overall performance.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.


24  

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
Delaware Ivy VIP Value — Class II shares  $10,000  $26,891
Russell 1000 Value Index  $10,000  $26,632

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the Russell 1000 Value Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 1000 Value Index measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

The S&P 500 Index, mentioned on page 10, measures the performance of 500 mostly large-cap stocks weighted by market value and is often used to represent performance of the US stock market.

The NASDAQ Composite Index, mentioned on page 10, is a broad-based, market capitalization weighted index that measures all Nasdaq US-and international-based common type stocks listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market and includes more than 2,500 securities.

The Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCE), mentioned on page 10, is a measure of inflation that is calculated by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, representing changes in consumer spending on goods and services. It accounts for about two-thirds of domestic final spending. The “core” PCE excludes food and energy prices.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 25 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware VIP Global Value Equity

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on December 30, 2003)  -11.32%  +2.28%  +3.08%  +7.21%
MSCI World Index (net)  -18.14%  +4.94%  +6.14%  +8.85%
MSCI World Index (gross)  -17.73%  +5.45%  +6.69%  +9.44%

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 27 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.01%. The management fee was 0.70%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.


26  

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
MSCI World Index (gross)  $10,000  $24,640
MSCI World Index (net)  $10,000  $23,357
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity — Class II shares  $10,000  $20,058

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the MSCI World Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The MSCI World Index represents large- and mid-cap stocks across 23 developed market countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float- adjusted market capitalization in each country. Index “net” return approximates the minimum possible dividend reinvestment, after deduction of withholding tax at the highest possible rate. Index “gross” return approximates the maximum possible dividend reinvestment.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 27 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on May 27, 2004)  -24.87%  +1.50%  +4.20%  +6.41%
FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index  -24.37%  -0.11%  +3.68%  +6.53%

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 29 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, the net expense ratio for Class II shares of the Portfolio was 1.21%, while total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.30%. The management fee was 0.90%, and the annual distribution and service (12b-1) fee was 0.25% of average daily net assets. The expense ratios may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratios in the prospectus include acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

REIT investments are subject to many of the risks associated with direct real estate ownership, including changes in economic conditions, credit risk, and interest rate fluctuations.

Investing in the real estate industry includes risks such as declines in real estate value, lack of availability of mortgage funds, overbuilding, extended vacancies, increases in property taxes, changes in zoning laws, costs from cleanup of environmental problems, uninsured damages, variations in rents, and changes in interest rates.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

High yielding, non-investment-grade bonds (junk bonds) involve higher risk than investment grade bonds.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.


28  

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index  $10,000  $18,821
Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities — Class II shares  $10,000  $18,622

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index for the period from December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022.

The FTSE Nareit Equity REITs Index contains all tax-qualified real estate investment trusts (REITs) traded on US exchanges, excluding timber and infrastructure REITs, with more than 50% of total assets in qualifying real estate assets other than mortgages secured by real property that also meet minimum size and liquidity criteria.

The NASDAQ Composite Index, mentioned on page 14, is a broad-based, market capitalization weighted index that measures all Nasdaq US-and international-based common type stocks listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market and includes more than 2,500 securities.

The S&P 500 Index, mentioned on page 14, measures the performance of 500 mostly large-cap stocks weighted by market value and is often used to represent performance of the US stock market.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 29 

Disclosure of Portfolio expenses

For the six-month period from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Portfolio, you incur ongoing costs, which may include management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire six-month period from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.

Actual expenses

The first section of the tables shown, “Actual Portfolio return,” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section of the table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The second section of the tables shown, “Hypothetical 5% return,” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Portfolio's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in each Portfolio and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. As a shareholder of the Portfolio, you do not incur any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. Also, the fees related to the variable annuity investment or the deferred sales charge that could apply have not been included. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. The Portfolios' expenses shown in the tables reflect fee waivers in effect and assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                                     
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,037.20    0.95%  $4.88 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,020.42    0.95%   $4.84 

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                                      
Class II  $1,000.00   $982.10    0.82%   $4.10 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,021.07    0.82%   $4.18 

Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                                         
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,057.30    1.13%   $5.86 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,019.51    1.13%   $5.75 

30  

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                      
Class II      $1,000.00       $996.30        0.83%       $4.18 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,021.02    0.83%   $4.23 

Delaware Ivy VIP Value

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                                      
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,063.50    1.01%   $5.25 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,020.11    1.01%   $5.14 

Delaware VIP Global Value Equity

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

       Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                                
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,039.90    1.11%   $5.71   
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,019.61    1.11%   $5.65 

Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                                      
Class II  $1,000.00   $938.70    1.21%   $5.91 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,019.11    1.21%   $6.16 

*“Expenses Paid During Period” are equal to the relevant Portfolio's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Because actual returns reflect only the most recent six-month period, the returns shown may differ significantly from fiscal year returns.

In addition to the Portfolios' expenses reflected above and on the previous page, each Portfolio also indirectly bears its portion of the fees and expenses of any investment companies (Underlying Funds) in which it invests, including exchange-traded funds. The tables above and on the previous page do not reflect the expenses of any applicable Underlying Funds.


 31 

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks   96.72%
Communication Services   4.90%
Consumer Discretionary   6.35%
Consumer Staples   4.18%
Energy   3.81%
Financials   17.95%
Healthcare   15.33%
Industrials   12.73%
Information Technology   23.36%
Materials   4.78%
Utilities   3.33%
Short-Term Investments   3.41%
Total Value of Securities   100.13%
Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets   (0.13%)
Total Net Assets   100.00%

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
Microsoft   7.62%
UnitedHealth Group   5.68%
NextEra Energy   3.33%
United Rentals   3.33%
Alphabet Class A   3.26%
Progressive   3.00%
Apple   2.86%
Linde   2.85%
Microchip Technology   2.63%
TE Connectivity   2.62%

32  

Security type / sector allocations

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations   0.00%
Convertible Bonds   0.24%
Corporate Bonds   91.07%
Banking   22.63%
Basic Industry   1.20%
Brokerage   2.29%
Capital Goods   6.19%
Communications   8.29%
Consumer Cyclical   6.00%
Consumer Non-Cyclical   7.23%
Electric   7.08%
Energy   4.95%
Finance Companies   2.76%
Industrials   0.08%
Insurance   4.32%
Natural Gas   1.44%
Real Estate Investment Trusts   1.82%
Technology   12.84%
Transportation   1.33%
Utilities   0.62%
Municipal Bonds   0.86%
Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities   1.19%
Sovereign Bonds   0.49%
US Treasury Obligation   0.41%
Short-Term Investments   4.95%
Securities Lending Collateral   0.12%
Total Value of Securities   99.33%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (0.12%)
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.79%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

 33 

Security type / sector and country allocations

Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / country  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks by Country   99.18%
Canada   3.17%
China   5.75%
Denmark   2.07%
France   7.88%
Germany   5.11%
Hong Kong   1.47%
India   5.39%
Israel   1.83%
Italy   1.25%
Japan   4.00%
Netherlands   0.80%
Taiwan   1.64%
United Kingdom   3.57%
United States   55.25%
Short-Term Investments   0.72%
Securities Lending Collateral   0.88%
Total Value of Securities   100.78%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (0.88%)
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.10%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

Common stocks by sector  Percentage
of net assets
Communication Services   7.16%
Consumer Discretionary   12.98%
Consumer Staples   7.34%
Energy   6.76%
Financials   12.93%
Healthcare   16.76%
Industrials   11.59%
Information Technology   20.44%
Materials   0.87%
Utilities   2.35%
Total   99.18%

34  

Security type / sector allocations

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations   0.16%
Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities   11.04%
Agency Mortgage-Backed Security   0.07%
Collateralized Debt Obligations   7.06%
Corporate Bonds   55.15%
Banking   15.00%
Basic Industry   1.09%
Brokerage   0.16%
Capital Goods   4.73%
Communications   4.96%
Consumer Cyclical   4.55%
Consumer Non-Cyclical   4.48%
Electric   2.93%
Energy   4.12%
Finance Companies   0.96%
Insurance   4.17%
Natural Gas   0.35%
Real Estate Investment Trusts   2.72%
Technology   4.73%
Transportation   0.20%
Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities   4.55%
Supranational Banks   0.16%
US Treasury Obligations   20.59%
Securities Lending Collateral   0.81%
Total Value of Securities   99.59%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (0.81%)
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   1.22%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

 35 

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Ivy VIP Value

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks   96.71%
Communication Services   7.50%
Consumer Discretionary   7.43%
Consumer Staples   6.82%
Energy   8.19%
Financials   18.77%
Healthcare   16.07%
Industrials   9.96%
Information Technology   7.79%
Materials   4.76%
Real Estate   4.23%
Utilities   5.19%
Short-Term Investments   3.28%
Total Value of Securities Before Options Written   99.99%
Options Written   (0.01%)
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.02%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
Exxon Mobil   5.23%
Philip Morris International   3.64%
Bank of America   3.53%
AGNC Investment   3.28%
Walmart   3.18%
Raytheon Technologies   3.06%
Allstate   3.05%
Elevance Health   3.02%
CVS Health   2.99%
Marathon Petroleum   2.97%

36  

Security type / sector and country allocations

Delaware VIP Global Value Equity As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / country  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks by Country   98.73%
Denmark   2.71%
France   11.62%
Germany   9.63%
Japan   4.93%
Netherlands   4.94%
Spain   3.79%
Sweden   7.79%
Switzerland   2.75%
United Kingdom   13.89%
United States   36.68%
Exchange-Traded Fund   0.87%
Short-Term Investments   0.19%
Securities Lending Collateral   4.32%
Total Value of Securities   104.11%
Obligation to Return Securities Lending Collateral   (4.32%)
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.21%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

Common stocks by sector  Percentage
of net assets
Communication Services   2.13%
Consumer Discretionary   10.25%
Consumer Staples*   41.83%
Healthcare   20.78%
Industrials   10.47%
Information Technology   9.59%
Materials   3.68%
Total   98.73%

*To monitor compliance with the Portfolio's concentration guidelines as described in the Portfolio's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, the Consumer Staples sector (as disclosed herein for financial reporting purposes) is subdivided into a variety of “industries” (in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended). The Consumer Staples sector consisted of Beverages, Cosmetics/Personal Care, Food, and Household Products/Wares. As of December 31, 2022, such amounts, as a percentage of total net assets were 5.11%, 9.49%, 19.79%, and 7.44%, respectively. The percentage in any such single industry will comply with the Portfolio's concentration policy even if the percentage in the Consumer Staples sector for financial reporting purposes may exceed 25%.


 37 

Security type / sector allocations and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities As of

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different from the sector designations presented in other Portfolio materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications, which may result in the sector designations for one fund being different from another fund's sector designations.

Security type / sector  Percentage
of net assets
Common Stocks   96.87%
Real Estate Operating Companies/Developer   0.34%
REIT Diversified   26.06%
REIT Healthcare   8.82%
REIT Hotel   2.76%
REIT Industrial   14.47%
REIT Multifamily   19.88%
REIT Office   6.49%
REIT Retail   18.05%
Short-Term Investments   2.67%
Total Value of Securities   99.54%
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.46%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

Top 10 equity holdings  Percentage
of net assets
Prologis   8.98%
Public Storage   6.22%
Welltower   5.58%
Equinix   5.17%
VICI Properties   5.03%
Realty Income   4.91%
Alexandria Real Estate Equities   4.73%
Digital Realty Trust   4.52%
Equity Residential   3.76%
Extra Space Storage   3.47%

38  

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
     Value (US $)
Common Stocks — 96.72%      
Communication Services — 4.90%          
Alphabet Class A †   220,557   $19,459,744 
Take-Two Interactive Software †   94,103    9,798,946 
         29,258,690 
Consumer Discretionary — 6.35%          
Amazon.com †   126,439    10,620,876 
Aptiv †   135,705    12,638,207 
AutoZone †   5,938    14,644,177 
         37,903,260 
Consumer Staples — 4.18%          
Costco Wholesale   22,137    10,105,540 
Sysco   194,622    14,878,852 
         24,984,392 
Energy — 3.81%          
ConocoPhillips   127,378    15,030,604 
Schlumberger   144,347    7,716,791 
         22,747,395 
Financials — 17.95%          
American Express   50,162    7,411,436 
Aon Class A   27,108    8,136,195 
Artisan Partners Asset
Management Class A *
   213,116    6,329,545 
Bank of America   204,720    6,780,326 
Blackstone   115,528    8,571,022 
Charles Schwab   154,119    12,831,948 
CME Group   36,094    6,069,567 
Discover Financial Services   24,196    2,367,095 
Intercontinental Exchange   54,037    5,543,656 
KKR & Co.   232,502    10,792,743 
Morgan Stanley   169,888    14,443,878 
Progressive   138,113    17,914,637 
         107,192,048 
Healthcare — 15.33%          
Danaher   55,664    14,774,339 
Eli Lilly & Co.   20,092    7,350,457 
HCA Healthcare   64,767    15,541,489 
UnitedHealth Group   63,975    33,918,266 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals †   26,691    7,707,827 
Zoetis   83,816    12,283,235 
         91,575,613 
Industrials — 12.73%          
Airbus ADR   490,503    14,548,319 
Deere & Co.   30,809    13,209,667 
Equifax   60,661    11,790,072 
Raytheon Technologies   78,971    7,969,753 
Union Pacific   41,902    8,676,647 
United Rentals †   55,900    19,867,978 
         76,062,436 
Information Technology — 23.36%          
Apple   131,276    17,056,691 
Applied Materials   108,243    10,540,703 
Intuit   25,723    10,011,906 
Mastercard Class A   29,507    10,260,469 
Microchip Technology   223,743    15,717,946 
Microsoft   189,872    45,535,103 
TE Connectivity   136,209    15,636,793 
VeriSign †   62,120    12,761,933 
Zebra Technologies Class A †   7,747    1,986,408 
         139,507,952 
Materials — 4.78%          
Linde   52,281    17,053,017 
Sherwin-Williams   48,474    11,504,334 
         28,557,351 
Utilities — 3.33%          
NextEra Energy   237,979    19,895,044 
         19,895,044 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $501,729,211)
        577,684,181 
 
Short-Term Investments — 3.41%          
Money Market Mutual Funds — 3.41%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   5,091,117    5,091,117 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   5,091,117    5,091,117 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
   5,091,116    5,091,116 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   5,091,117    5,091,117 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $20,364,467)
        20,364,467 
Total Value of Securities—100.13%
(cost $522,093,678)
       $598,048,648■ 

Non-income producing security.
* Fully or partially on loan.
Includes $3,782,830 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $3,903,410.

 39 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


40  

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond

December 31, 2022

   Principal
amount°
     Value (US $)
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.00%      
GNMA          
Series 2005-23 IO 1.00% 6/17/45 •   3,717   $0 
Total Agency Collateralized Mortgage
Obligations

(cost $11)
        0 
           
Convertible Bonds — 0.24%          
Liberty Broadband 144A 2.75%
exercise price $857.56,
maturity date 9/30/50 #
   25,000    24,411 
Liberty Broadband 144A 1.25%
exercise price $900.01,
maturity date 9/30/50 #
   689,000    668,330 
Spirit Airlines 1.00% exercise
price $49.07, maturity date
5/15/26
   567,000    459,270 
Total Convertible Bonds
(cost $1,188,890)
        1,152,011 
           
Corporate Bonds — 91.07%          
Banking — 22.63%          
Bank of America          
1.898% 7/23/31 µ   1,325,000    1,019,833 
2.299% 7/21/32 µ   3,225,000    2,491,349 
2.482% 9/21/36 µ   1,820,000    1,341,444 
2.496% 2/13/31 µ   4,000,000    3,259,735 
2.592% 4/29/31 µ   3,675,000    3,001,124 
3.974% 2/7/30 µ   2,500,000    2,275,589 
6.204% 11/10/28 µ   1,215,000    1,256,636 
Bank of New York Mellon          
4.596% 7/26/30 µ   1,555,000    1,504,566 
4.70% 9/20/25 µ, ψ   1,750,000    1,684,603 
5.802% 10/25/28 µ   301,000    311,790 
5.834% 10/25/33 µ   1,065,000    1,107,414 
Barclays          
7.325% 11/2/26 µ   1,695,000    1,757,533 
8.00% 3/15/29 µ, ψ   1,715,000    1,607,813 
Citigroup          
2.572% 6/3/31 µ   4,872,000    3,951,175 
3.50% 5/15/23   2,260,000    2,249,425 
3.52% 10/27/28 µ   1,750,000    1,599,583 
4.412% 3/31/31 µ   2,735,000    2,517,900 
5.61% 9/29/26 µ   2,495,000    2,508,297 
Citizens Bank 6.064%          
10/24/25 µ   2,565,000    2,595,757 
Credit Suisse 1.00% 5/5/23   1,535,000    1,499,606 
Credit Suisse Group          
144A 3.091% 5/14/32 #, µ   1,680,000    1,164,143 
144A 6.442% 8/11/28 #, µ   1,865,000    1,701,185 
144A 9.016% 11/15/33 #, *, µ   625,000    641,656 
Fifth Third Bancorp          
4.337% 4/25/33 µ   689,000    631,476 
6.361% 10/27/28 µ   471,000    485,443 
Fifth Third Bank 5.852%
10/27/25 µ
   1,100,000    1,111,897 
Goldman Sachs Group          
1.542% 9/10/27 µ   920,000    794,775 
2.383% 7/21/32 µ   3,325,000    2,587,925 
3.50% 11/16/26   2,000,000    1,877,545 
3.80% 3/15/30   2,550,000    2,298,270 
4.25% 10/21/25   3,250,000    3,175,271 
Huntington National Bank          
4.552% 5/17/28 µ   573,000    553,771 
5.65% 1/10/30   1,140,000    1,151,405 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.          
2.522% 4/22/31 µ   10,202,000    8,370,696 
3.22% 3/1/25 µ   6,000,000    5,834,334 
3.875% 9/10/24   1,424,000    1,394,846 
3.882% 7/24/38 µ   845,000    704,452 
4.00% 4/1/25 *, µ, ψ   1,650,000    1,416,938 
4.851% 7/25/28 µ   1,900,000    1,855,208 
KeyBank 5.85% 11/15/27   695,000    718,608 
KeyCorp 4.789% 6/1/33 µ   843,000    798,421 
Morgan Stanley          
1.794% 2/13/32 µ   3,525,000    2,657,308 
3.875% 1/27/26   3,850,000    3,731,306 
6.138% 10/16/26 µ   1,135,000    1,160,445 
6.296% 10/18/28 µ   945,000    977,203 
6.342% 10/18/33 µ   2,115,000    2,222,872 
PNC Financial Services Group          
5.671% 10/28/25 µ   1,645,000    1,663,685 
6.20% 9/15/27 µ, ψ   1,440,000    1,410,840 
State Street          
2.203% 2/7/28 µ   1,710,000    1,538,533 
4.164% 8/4/33 µ   2,425,000    2,247,290 
5.751% 11/4/26 µ   375,000    384,274 
5.82% 11/4/28 µ   260,000    268,966 
SVB Financial Group          
4.00% 5/15/26 µ, ψ   1,360,000    899,327 
4.57% 4/29/33 *, µ   1,775,000    1,575,324 
Truist Financial          
4.95% 9/1/25 µ, ψ   1,765,000    1,691,929 
6.123% 10/28/33 *, µ   996,000    1,051,133 
US Bancorp          
2.491% 11/3/36 µ   2,300,000    1,755,749 
4.548% 7/22/28 µ   500,000    489,132 
5.727% 10/21/26 µ   1,165,000    1,187,833 
Wells Fargo & Co.          
2.879% 10/30/30 µ   4,080,000    3,474,289 
4.54% 8/15/26 µ   655,000    642,525 

 41 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond

   Principal
amount°
     Value (US $)
Corporate Bonds (continued)      
Banking (continued)          
Wells Fargo & Co.
4.808% 7/25/28 µ
   1,380,000   $1,350,114 
         111,189,514 
Basic Industry — 1.20%          
Celanese US Holdings          
6.05% 3/15/25   2,025,000    2,018,833 
6.165% 7/15/27   580,000    573,000 
Graphic Packaging International
144A 0.821% 4/15/24 #
   2,480,000    2,322,248 
Mosaic 4.25% 11/15/23   400,000    396,801 
Newmont 2.60% 7/15/32 *   735,000    587,132 
         5,898,014 
Brokerage — 2.29%          
Blackstone Holdings Finance          
144A 1.60% 3/30/31 #   950,000    692,605 
144A 2.00% 1/30/32 #   3,760,000    2,771,338 
Jefferies Financial Group 2.625%
10/15/31
   2,130,000    1,629,950 
KKR Group Finance VIII 144A
3.50% 8/25/50 #
   4,000,000    2,691,008 
National Securities Clearing
144A 1.50% 4/23/25 #
   3,745,000    3,474,661 
         11,259,562 
Capital Goods — 6.19%          
Ashtead Capital 144A 2.45%
8/12/31 #
   605,000    468,481 
Boeing 3.75% 2/1/50   3,375,000    2,331,296 
Eaton 4.15% 3/15/33   4,020,000    3,749,780 
Lennox International 1.35%
8/1/25
   2,750,000    2,491,665 
Lockheed Martin 5.70%
11/15/54
   2,390,000    2,519,807 
Martin Marietta Materials 0.65%
7/15/23
   1,165,000    1,135,206 
Masco 1.50% 2/15/28   2,225,000    1,845,751 
Parker-Hannifin 4.25% 9/15/27   250,000    242,974 
Raytheon Technologies 2.25%
7/1/30
   4,750,000    3,963,761 
Republic Services          
2.30% 3/1/30   3,457,000    2,901,016 
2.375% 3/15/33 *   2,520,000    2,017,053 
Vontier 2.40% 4/1/28   2,973,000    2,386,414 
Waste Connections          
3.50% 5/1/29   3,049,000    2,796,010 
4.20% 1/15/33   1,685,000    1,570,175 
         30,419,389 
Communications — 8.29%          
AMC Networks 4.25% 2/15/29   1,130,000    705,761 
AT&T          
3.50% 6/1/41   2,000,000    1,499,270 
3.50% 9/15/53   2,485,000    1,688,396 
3.55% 9/15/55   942,000    632,779 
3.65% 6/1/51   3,900,000    2,764,442 
CCO Holdings          
144A 4.75% 2/1/32 #, *   1,070,000    869,637 
144A 6.375% 9/1/29 #   470,000    442,583 
Charter Communications
Operating
          
3.85% 4/1/61   2,565,000    1,492,527 
3.90% 6/1/52   1,115,000    704,159 
4.50% 2/1/24   2,306,000    2,279,754 
Comcast          
2.887% 11/1/51   1,446,000    935,213 
3.25% 11/1/39   3,875,000    3,034,161 
3.90% 3/1/38   500,000    432,862 
Crown Castle          
1.05% 7/15/26   2,500,000    2,163,060 
3.15% 7/15/23   175,000    173,079 
3.20% 9/1/24   2,250,000    2,174,101 
4.00% 3/1/27   2,000,000    1,910,799 
Directv Financing 144A 5.875%
8/15/27 #
   1,050,000    941,388 
Discovery Communications
4.00% 9/15/55
   1,710,000    1,033,498 
Omnicom Group 3.65% 11/1/24   1,260,000    1,236,219 
Paramount Global 4.75%
5/15/25
   1,776,000    1,750,043 
T-Mobile USA          
3.30% 2/15/51   425,000    285,488 
3.50% 4/15/25 *   5,555,000    5,347,086 
4.375% 4/15/40   575,000    493,069 
Verizon Communications          
2.65% 11/20/40   1,250,000    848,341 
2.875% 11/20/50   1,540,000    972,135 
4.50% 8/10/33   3,575,000    3,356,617 
VZ Secured Financing 144A
5.00% 1/15/32 #
   705,000    574,174 
         40,740,641 
Consumer Cyclical — 6.00%          
ADT Security 144A 4.875%
7/15/32 #
   969,000    825,204 
Amazon.com          
2.50% 6/3/50   4,610,000    2,926,349 
3.875% 8/22/37   5,677,000    5,052,089 
Aptiv 3.10% 12/1/51   2,058,000    1,224,200 
DR Horton 2.60% 10/15/25   3,080,000    2,870,703 
General Motors Financial
1.25% 1/8/26
   2,125,000    1,873,481 

42  

   Principal
amount°
     Value (US $)
Corporate Bonds (continued)      
Consumer Cyclical (continued)          
General Motors Financial
2.40% 10/15/28
   1,420,000   $1,180,049 
Home Depot          
3.30% 4/15/40   4,500,000    3,601,545 
4.20% 4/1/43   1,670,000    1,469,177 
Levi Strauss & Co. 144A 3.50%
3/1/31 #, *
   225,000    178,873 
Mercedes-Benz Finance North
America 144A 5.25%
11/29/27 #
   1,060,000    1,067,212 
Nissan Motor 144A 3.522%
9/17/25 #
   850,000    790,396 
Nordstrom 2.30% 4/8/24   450,000    422,467 
NVR 3.00% 5/15/30   4,022,000    3,385,477 
Toll Brothers Finance 4.375%
4/15/23
   470,000    467,993 
VICI Properties 4.95% 2/15/30   2,230,000    2,125,786 
         29,461,001 
Consumer Non-Cyclical — 7.23%          
Amgen 2.80% 8/15/41   1,750,000    1,219,170 
Boston Scientific 1.90% 6/1/25   2,000,000    1,868,612 
Bunge Limited Finance 2.75%
5/14/31
   1,725,000    1,420,021 
Clorox 3.90% 5/15/28   4,676,000    4,465,714 
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
144A 0.80% 5/3/24 #
   2,270,000    2,133,131 
CVS Health          
2.70% 8/21/40   1,417,000    984,259 
4.78% 3/25/38   1,105,000    1,010,990 
GE HealthCare Technologies
144A 5.60% 11/15/25 #
   980,000    987,087 
144A 5.65% 11/15/27 #   980,000    993,185 
JBS USA LUX 144A 3.00%
2/2/29 #
   1,560,000    1,294,511 
McCormick & Co.          
0.90% 2/15/26   3,572,000    3,132,803 
3.50% 9/1/23   771,000    763,056 
Merck & Co. 2.75% 12/10/51   2,000,000    1,346,060 
Nestle Holdings          
144A 3.90% 9/24/38 #   2,480,000    2,216,178 
144A 4.00% 9/24/48 #   4,020,000    3,405,107 
Royalty Pharma          
1.20% 9/2/25   3,840,000    3,440,247 
3.30% 9/2/40   325,000    226,707 
3.35% 9/2/51   958,000    594,327 
3.55% 9/2/50   236,000    151,745 
Tenet Healthcare 144A 4.25%
6/1/29 #
   491,000    426,259 
Universal Health Services 1.65%
9/1/26
   2,535,000    2,176,056 
US Foods 144A 4.75% 2/15/29 #   775,000    689,052 
Zoetis 5.40% 11/14/25   565,000    576,904 
         35,521,181 
Electric — 7.08%          
Ameren Illinois 5.90% 12/1/52   485,000    529,862 
Appalachian Power 4.50%
8/1/32
   1,005,000    940,033 
Baltimore Gas and Electric
4.25% 9/15/48
   1,500,000    1,265,482 
Black Hills 1.037% 8/23/24   1,650,000    1,539,800 
CenterPoint Energy 4.25%
11/1/28
   505,000    474,581 
Commonwealth Edison          
2.75% 9/1/51   2,500,000    1,611,292 
3.65% 6/15/46   3,000,000    2,292,255 
Duke Energy Carolinas 3.95%
11/15/28
   853,000    820,201 
Enel Finance International 144A
6.80% 10/14/25 #
   1,500,000    1,541,860 
Entergy 3.75% 6/15/50   3,550,000    2,630,340 
Fells Point Funding Trust 144A
3.046% 1/31/27 #
   1,205,000    1,098,377 
Indianapolis Power & Light 144A
5.65% 12/1/32 #
   1,460,000    1,502,016 
MidAmerican Energy 3.95%
8/1/47
   2,000,000    1,638,841 
National Rural Utilities
Cooperative Finance
          
4.15% 12/15/32   2,230,000    2,066,073 
4.40% 11/1/48   2,000,000    1,676,006 
NextEra Energy Capital Holdings
3.00% 1/15/52
   2,130,000    1,400,256 
Oglethorpe Power 144A 4.50%
4/1/47 #
   1,450,000    1,158,150 
Pacific Gas and Electric 3.00%
6/15/28
   1,771,000    1,534,446 
PacifiCorp 5.35% 12/1/53   810,000    806,686 
Southern California Edison          
3.45% 2/1/52   800,000    572,969 
4.125% 3/1/48   1,275,000    1,023,510 
4.70% 6/1/27   1,255,000    1,230,910 
Union Electric 3.90% 4/1/52   55,000    44,605 
Virginia Electric and Power
4.60% 12/1/48
   1,736,000    1,512,529 
Vistra Operations 144A 5.125%
5/13/25 #
   2,110,000    2,067,135 
WEC Energy Group 5.15%
10/1/27
   770,000    779,638 
Wisconsin Electric Power 4.30%
10/15/48
   1,250,000    1,025,837 
         34,783,690 

 43 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond

   Principal
amount°
     Value (US $)
Corporate Bonds (continued)      
Energy — 4.95%          
BP Capital Markets America
2.939% 6/4/51
   3,295,000   $2,184,586 
Colorado Interstate Gas 144A
4.15% 8/15/26 #
   1,000,000    952,387 
Energy Transfer          
5.00% 5/15/50   580,000    465,966 
5.75% 2/15/33   790,000    774,425 
6.25% 4/15/49   280,000    261,713 
Kinder Morgan          
5.45% 8/1/52   1,740,000    1,570,829 
5.55% 6/1/45   1,000,000    916,491 
Marathon Oil 5.20% 6/1/45   2,830,000    2,434,587 
NuStar Logistics 5.625%
4/28/27
   220,000    206,091 
ONEOK 6.10% 11/15/32   1,775,000    1,780,356 
Plains All American Pipeline
3.60% 11/1/24 *
   1,031,000    997,539 
Sabal Trail Transmission 144A
4.246% 5/1/28 #
   2,500,000    2,321,362 
Targa Resources Partners 5.00%
1/15/28
   2,510,000    2,398,527 
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line          
3.25% 5/15/30   1,225,000    1,065,877 
4.60% 3/15/48   1,000,000    835,906 
Valero Energy 3.65% 12/1/51   3,380,000    2,401,743 
Williams Cos. 4.85% 3/1/48   3,250,000    2,762,209 
         24,330,594 
Finance Companies — 2.76%          
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC          
1.65% 10/29/24   1,375,000    1,269,225 
1.75% 1/30/26   2,182,000    1,922,018 
3.00% 10/29/28   4,075,000    3,421,310 
Air Lease          
2.20% 1/15/27   1,750,000    1,527,446 
2.875% 1/15/32 *   1,850,000    1,474,392 
4.125% 12/15/26 µ, Ψ   1,532,000    1,053,250 
5.85% 12/15/27   990,000    990,628 
Aviation Capital Group          
144A 1.95% 1/30/26 #   754,000    657,210 
144A 3.50% 11/1/27 #   255,000    223,128 
Avolon Holdings Funding 144A
3.25% 2/15/27 #
   540,000    462,843 
Owl Rock Capital 4.00% 3/30/25   575,000    539,687 
         13,541,137 
Industrials — 0.08%          
University of Southern California
3.028% 10/1/39
   500,000    395,867 
         395,867 
Insurance — 4.32%          
Aon          
2.80% 5/15/30   4,900,000    4,190,154 
5.00% 9/12/32   1,225,000    1,215,201 
Athene Global Funding 144A
1.985% 8/19/28 #
   5,885,000    4,745,107 
Berkshire Hathaway Finance
3.85% 3/15/52
   645,000    517,527 
Brighthouse Financial 3.85%
12/22/51
   647,000    410,835 
First American Financial 2.40%
8/15/31
   2,100,000    1,539,898 
Humana          
5.75% 3/1/28   505,000    516,562 
5.875% 3/1/33   415,000    429,747 
Northwestern Mutual Life
Insurance 144A 3.85%
9/30/47 #
   3,000,000    2,302,745 
Principal Life Global Funding II
144A 3.00% 4/18/26 #
   1,000,000    928,900 
UnitedHealth Group          
3.05% 5/15/41   3,685,000    2,784,190 
3.70% 8/15/49   1,000,000    796,455 
4.00% 5/15/29   880,000    842,341 
         21,219,662 
Natural Gas — 1.44%          
Atmos Energy 5.75% 10/15/52   1,735,000    1,821,980 
Sempra Energy 4.875%
10/15/25 µ, Ψ
   1,505,000    1,395,406 
Southern California Gas          
4.30% 1/15/49   2,505,000    2,074,008 
6.35% 11/15/52   1,270,000    1,397,352 
Southern Co. Gas Capital 5.15%
9/15/32
   417,000    410,544 
         7,099,290 
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 1.82%          
American Homes 4 Rent 3.625%
4/15/32
   890,000    751,016 
American Tower Trust #1 Series
13 2A 144A 3.07% 3/15/48 #
   1,500,000    1,491,602 
Digital Realty Trust 5.55%
1/15/28
   1,765,000    1,779,847 
Extra Space Storage          
2.35% 3/15/32   2,892,000    2,195,651 
2.55% 6/1/31   3,485,000    2,734,876 
         8,952,992 
Technology — 12.84%          
Adobe 2.30% 2/1/30   3,417,000    2,921,327 
Alphabet 2.05% 8/15/50   2,756,000    1,623,176 
Apple
2.65% 5/11/50
   675,000    449,792 

44  

   Principal
amount°
     Value (US $)
Corporate Bonds (continued)      
Technology (continued)          
Apple          
2.65% 2/8/51   1,075,000   $714,106 
2.70% 8/5/51   1,125,000    747,058 
Autodesk          
2.40% 12/15/31 *   460,000    368,654 
2.85% 1/15/30   5,231,000    4,509,254 
Broadcom          
144A 3.419% 4/15/33 #   2,500,000    2,011,216 
144A 3.469% 4/15/34 #   1,483,000    1,187,440 
CDW          
2.67% 12/1/26   815,000    725,100 
3.276% 12/1/28   3,590,000    3,080,346 
CoStar Group 144A 2.80%
7/15/30 #
   2,431,000    1,990,817 
Entegris Escrow          
144A 4.75% 4/15/29 #   1,690,000    1,544,579 
144A 5.95% 6/15/30 #   955,000    881,942 
Equinix 2.625% 11/18/24   4,895,000    4,664,971 
Fidelity National Information
Services 1.65% 3/1/28 *
   2,225,000    1,845,651 
Fiserv 3.85% 6/1/25   4,646,000    4,505,267 
Global Payments 2.65% 2/15/25   4,000,000    3,766,539 
Microchip Technology          
0.972% 2/15/24   1,250,000    1,187,570 
0.983% 9/1/24   2,685,000    2,487,868 
Microsoft 2.921% 3/17/52   2,975,000    2,120,200 
NXP 3.875% 6/18/26   2,800,000    2,663,448 
Oracle          
5.80% 11/10/25 *   380,000    388,930 
6.15% 11/9/29   815,000    847,871 
PayPal Holdings          
2.30% 6/1/30   2,110,000    1,738,159 
3.25% 6/1/50   1,100,000    752,497 
3.90% 6/1/27 *   445,000    428,915 
Sensata Technologies 144A
3.75% 2/15/31 #
   1,115,000    918,955 
Texas Instruments          
3.875% 3/15/39   2,994,000    2,650,368 
4.15% 5/15/48   400,000    356,177 
Thomson Reuters 3.35%
5/15/26
   2,760,000    2,614,384 
Visa          
2.70% 4/15/40   4,897,000    3,729,731 
4.30% 12/14/45   415,000    381,067 
VMware 4.50% 5/15/25   1,650,000    1,619,502 
Workday          
3.50% 4/1/27   275,000    257,422 
3.70% 4/1/29   425,000    390,805 
         63,071,104 
Transportation — 1.33%          
Burlington Northern Santa Fe          
2.875% 6/15/52   1,450,000    973,661 
4.55% 9/1/44   1,000,000    909,098 
Delta Air Lines 2020-1 Class AA
Pass Through Trust 2.00%
12/10/29 t
   1,342,628    1,145,398 
Union Pacific 3.55% 8/15/39   1,875,000    1,556,037 
United Airlines 2016-1 Class AA
Pass Through Trust 3.10%
1/7/30 t
   2,171,698    1,957,765 
         6,541,959 
Utilities — 0.62%          
American Water Capital 4.15%
6/1/49
   2,600,000    2,155,443 
Electricite de France 144A 5.25%
1/29/23 #, µ, Ψ
   875,000    873,094 
         3,028,537 
Total Corporate Bonds
(cost $517,574,391)
        447,454,134 
           
Municipal Bonds — 0.86%          
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
(Restructured)
          
Series A-1 2.986% 7/1/24 ^   16,942    15,709 
Series A-1 4.00% 7/1/35   36,981    31,210 
GDB Debt Recovery Authority of
Puerto Rico
7.50% 8/20/40
   1,618,977    1,355,893 
New York City Industrial
Development Agency
(Yankee Stadium Project)
144A 11.00% 3/1/29 #
   2,410,000    2,816,109 
Total Municipal Bonds
(cost $4,001,894)
        4,218,921 
           
Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities — 1.19%          
Enterprise Fleet Financing
Series 2022-2 A2 144A 4.65%
5/21/29 #
   1,605,000    1,582,546 
Ford Credit Floorplan Master
Owner Trust
Series 2019-2 A 3.06%
4/15/26
   1,425,000    1,382,044 
Toyota Auto Loan Extended Note
Trust
Series 2022-1A A 144A 3.82%
4/25/35 #
   1,605,000    1,520,434 

 45 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond

   Principal
amount°
     Value (US $)
Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities (continued)      
Volkswagen Auto Lease Trust
Series 2022-A A3 3.44%
7/21/25
   1,400,000   $1,369,907 
Total Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $6,028,730)
        5,854,931 
           
Sovereign BondsΔ — 0.49%          
Colombia — 0.14%          
Colombia Government
International Bond
3.25% 4/22/32
   925,000    675,664 
         675,664 
Mexico — 0.16%          
Mexico Government International
Bond
3.75% 4/19/71
   1,250,000    781,327 
         781,327 
United States — 0.19%          
Tennessee Valley Authority
2.875% 2/1/27
   1,000,000    947,086 
         947,086 
Total Sovereign Bonds
(cost $3,149,187)
        2,404,077 
           
US Treasury Obligation — 0.41%          
US Treasury Bonds
3.00% 8/15/52
   2,445,000    2,015,215 
Total US Treasury Obligation
(cost $2,123,453)
        2,015,215 
           
           
   Number of
shares
      
Short-Term Investments — 4.95%          
Money Market Mutual Funds — 4.95%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-
day effective yield 4.03%)
   6,077,282    6,077,282 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio
– Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   6,077,282    6,077,282 
Goldman Sachs Financial
Square Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-
day effective yield 4.23%)
   6,077,282    6,077,282 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   6,077,282    6,077,282 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $24,309,128)
        24,309,128 
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral—99.21%
(cost $558,375,684)
        487,408,417 
           
Securities Lending Collateral** — 0.12%          
Money Market Mutual Fund — 0.12%          
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
   627,300    627,300 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $627,300)
        627,300 
Total Value of Securities—99.33%
(cost $559,002,984)
       $488,035,717■ 

° Principal amount shown is stated in USD unless noted that the security is denominated in another currency.
Variable rate investment. Rates reset periodically. Rate shown reflects the rate in effect at December 31, 2022. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread are indicated in their descriptions. The reference rate descriptions (i.e. LIBOR03M, LIBOR06M, etc.) used in this report are identical for different securities, but the underlying reference rates may differ due to the timing of the reset period. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions, or for mortgage-backed securities, are impacted by the individual mortgages which are paying off over time. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their descriptions.
# Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. At December 31, 2022, the aggregate value of Rule 144A securities was $71,233,997, which represents 14.50% of the Portfolio’s net assets. See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements."
µ Fixed to variable rate investment. The rate shown reflects the fixed rate in effect at December 31, 2022. Rate will reset at a future date.
ψ Perpetual security. Maturity date represents next call date.
* Fully or partially on loan.

46  

t Pass Through Agreement. Security represents the contractual right to receive a proportionate amount of underlying payments due to the counterparty pursuant to various agreements related to the rescheduling of obligations and the exchange of certain notes.
^ Zero-coupon security. The rate shown is the effective yield at the time of purchase.
Δ Securities have been classified by country of risk.
** See Note 11 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral and non-cash collateral.
Includes $14,680,075 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $14,477,244.

Summary of abbreviations:

DAC – Designated Activity Company

GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association

ICE – Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

LIBOR03M – ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month

LIBOR06M – ICE LIBOR USD 6 Month

USD – US Dollar

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 47 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
     Value (US $)
Common Stocks – 99.18%Δ      
Canada - 3.17%          
Barrick Gold   59,389   $1,020,303 
Canadian Natural Resources   48,592    2,698,314 
         3,718,617 
China - 5.75%          
China Mengniu Dairy †   483,000    2,190,546 
H World Group ADR   36,682    1,556,050 
JD.com ADR   27,636    1,551,209 
Tencent Holdings   33,800    1,446,323 
         6,744,128 
Denmark - 2.07%          
Genmab †   5,720    2,421,621 
         2,421,621 
France - 7.88%          
Airbus   19,219    2,284,012 
BNP Paribas   32,778    1,868,394 
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis
Vuitton
   1,537    1,118,627 
Thales   12,508    1,597,330 
TotalEnergies *   15,537    975,443 
Vinci   13,976    1,395,675 
         9,239,481 
Germany - 5.11%          
Bayer   30,611    1,583,492 
Deutsche Telekom   140,979    2,812,679 
RWE   35,892    1,597,912 
         5,994,083 
Hong Kong - 1.47%          
Prudential   126,581    1,725,414 
         1,725,414 
India - 5.39%          
ICICI Bank   118,202    1,272,818 
Larsen & Toubro   98,106    2,473,462 
NTPC   578,700    1,164,325 
State Bank of India   189,179    1,403,350 
         6,313,955 
Israel - 1.83%          
Check Point Software
Technologies †
   17,023    2,147,622 
         2,147,622 
Italy - 1.25%          
Ferrari   6,863    1,470,769 
         1,470,769 
Japan - 4.00%          
Asahi Group Holdings   18,800    590,043 
ORIX   171,200    2,763,541 
Subaru   86,500   $1,336,321 
         4,689,905 
Netherlands - 0.80%          
Shell   33,037    936,451 
         936,451 
Taiwan - 1.64%          
Taiwan Semiconductor
Manufacturing
   132,000    1,926,177 
         1,926,177 
United Kingdom - 3.57%          
AstraZeneca   14,405    1,953,606 
Reckitt Benckiser Group   32,054    2,229,772 
         4,183,378 
United States - 55.25%          
Abbott Laboratories   14,239    1,563,300 
AGNC Investment   155,759    1,612,106 
Alphabet Class A †   23,254    2,051,700 
Amazon.com †   10,177    854,868 
Ambarella †   20,613    1,695,007 
Apple   14,457    1,878,398 
Aptiv †   18,422    1,715,641 
Autodesk †   6,889    1,287,347 
Burlington Stores †   7,574    1,535,704 
Casey’s General Stores   5,083    1,140,371 
ConocoPhillips   23,068    2,722,024 
Darden Restaurants   16,658    2,304,301 
Eli Lilly & Co.   4,521    1,653,963 
First Republic Bank   13,145    1,602,244 
Frontier Communications Parent †   34,098    868,817 
Generac Holdings †   1,881    189,341 
Ingersoll Rand   29,107    1,520,841 
Intercontinental Exchange   12,590    1,291,608 
Intuit   5,170    2,012,267 
KLA   2,698    1,017,227 
Mastercard Class A   7,920    2,754,022 
Microchip Technology   15,620    1,097,305 
Microsoft   12,449    2,985,519 
Morgan Stanley   19,059    1,620,396 
NVIDIA   7,708    1,126,447 
PayPal Holdings †   17,388    1,238,373 
Procter & Gamble   16,257    2,463,911 
Raytheon Technologies   23,299    2,351,335 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals †   3,007    2,169,520 
Schlumberger   11,153    596,239 
Seagate Technology Holdings   16,432    864,488 
Skechers USA Class A †   42,630    1,788,329 
Thermo Fisher Scientific   2,460    1,354,697 

48  

   Number of
shares
     Value (US $)
Common StocksΔ (continued)          
United States (continued)          
T-Mobile US †   8,706   $1,218,840 
Union Pacific   8,609    1,782,666 
UnitedHealth Group   5,437    2,882,589 
VeriSign †   9,340    1,918,810 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals †   7,456    2,153,144 
Zimmer Biomet Holdings   14,950    1,906,125 
         64,789,830 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $106,717,508)
        116,301,431 
           
Short-Term Investments – 0.72%          
Money Market Mutual Funds – 0.72%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   212,185    212,185 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   212,185    212,185 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
   212,185    212,185 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   212,184    212,184 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $848,739)
        848,739 
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral-99.90%

(cost $107,566,247)
        117,150,170 
           
Securities Lending Collateral** – 0.88%          
Money Market Mutual Fund - 0.88%          
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
   1,033,379    1,033,379 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $1,033,379)
        1,033,379 
Total Value of Securities-100.78%
(cost $108,599,626)
       $118,183,549■ 

Δ Securities have been classified by country of risk. Aggregate classification by business sector has been presented on page 33 in “Security type / country and sector allocations.”
Non-income producing security.
* Fully or partially on loan.
** See Note 11 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral.
Includes $975,442 of securities loaned.

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR - American Depositary Receipt

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 49 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond

December 31, 2022

   Principal
amount°
     Value (US $)
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.16%      
Freddie Mac REMICs          
Series 4505 PE 2.50%
5/15/44
   248,004   $228,777 
GNMA Series 2012-39 PA 2.00%
3/16/42
   311,166    280,335 
Total Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(cost $561,516)
        509,112 
           
Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 11.04%          
FREMF Mortgage Trust          
Series 2013-K30 C 144A
3.547% 6/25/45 #, •
   1,000,000    984,624 
Series 2013-K31 C 144A
3.627% 7/25/46 #, •
   2,000,000    1,975,849 
Series 2013-K33 B 144A
3.495% 8/25/46 #, •
   1,009,000    990,525 
Series 2013-K33 C 144A
3.495% 8/25/46 #, •
   1,250,000    1,223,756 
Series 2013-K35 B 144A
3.932% 12/25/46 #, •
   1,270,000    1,251,974 
Series 2015-K47 B 144A
3.586% 6/25/48 #, •
   1,170,000    1,109,831 
Series 2015-KF12 B 144A
11.242% (LIBOR01M +
7.10%, Floor 7.10%)
9/25/22 #, •
   626,579    625,409 
Series 2016-K723 B 144A
3.568% 11/25/23 #, •
   3,500,000    3,421,415 
Series 2016-K723 C 144A
3.568% 11/25/23 #, •
   7,370,000    7,165,324 
Series 2017-K724 C 144A
3.498% 12/25/49 #, •
   600,000    582,841 
Series 2017-K728 B 144A
3.651% 11/25/50 #, •
   5,650,000    5,435,103 
Series 2017-K729 B 144A
3.673% 11/25/49 #
   1,900,000    1,812,829 
Series 2017-KF33 B 144A
6.692% (LIBOR01M + 2.55%,
          
Floor 2.55%) 6/25/27 #, •   414,873    406,884 
Series 2017-KF39 B 144A
6.642% (LIBOR01M + 2.50%,
          
Floor 2.50%) 11/25/24 #, •   297,733    292,830 
Series 2017-KF40 B 144A
6.842% (LIBOR01M + 2.70%,
Floor 2.70%) 11/25/27 #, •
   484,433    467,981 
Series 2018-K732 B 144A
4.052% 5/25/25 #, •
   225,000    214,083 
Series 2018-KF46 B 144A
6.092% (LIBOR01M + 1.95%,
Floor 1.95%) 3/25/28 #, •
   490,022    467,959 
FREMF Mortgage Trust          
Series 2018-KF47 B 144A
6.142% (LIBOR01M + 2.00%,
Floor 2.00%) 5/25/25 #, •
   423,985    414,277 
Series 2018-KF48 B 144A
6.192% (LIBOR01M + 2.05%,
Floor 2.05%) 6/25/28 #, •
   266,108    250,037 
Series 2018-KF51 B 144A
5.992% (LIBOR01M + 1.85%,
Floor 1.85%) 8/25/25 #, •
   840,716    818,718 
Series 2019-KF60 B 144A
6.492% (LIBOR01M + 2.35%,
Floor 2.35%) 2/25/26 #, •
   1,125,820    1,050,572 
Series 2019-KF61 B 144A
6.342% (LIBOR01M + 2.20%,
Floor 2.20%) 4/25/29 #, •
   399,169    370,245 
Series 2019-KF68 B 144A
6.342% (LIBOR01M + 2.20%,
Floor 2.20%) 7/25/26 #, •
   702,869    649,431 
Series 2019-KF69 B 144A
6.442% (LIBOR01M + 2.30%,
Floor 2.30%) 8/25/29 #, •
   648,990    606,010 
Series 2019-KF70 B 144A
6.442% (LIBOR01M + 2.30%,
Floor 2.30%) 9/25/29 #, •
   379,124    366,430 
Series 2019-KF73 B 144A
6.592% (LIBOR01M + 2.45%,
Floor 2.45%) 11/25/29 #, •
   984,367    951,001 
Series 2020-KF74 B 144A
6.292% (LIBOR01M + 2.15%,
Floor 2.15%) 1/25/27 #, •
   236,890    230,762 
Series 2020-KF75 B 144A
6.392% (LIBOR01M + 2.25%,
Floor 2.25%) 12/25/29 #, •
   440,930    406,551 
Total Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed
Securities
(cost $35,991,544)
        34,543,251 
           
Agency Mortgage-Backed Security — 0.07%          
Freddie Mac S.F. 20 yr
4.50% 8/1/30
   219,817    218,363 
Total Agency Mortgage-Backed Security
(cost $230,374)
        218,363 
           
Collateralized Debt Obligations — 7.06%          
Benefit Street Partners CLO XX
Series 2020-20A AR 144A
5.249% (LIBOR03M + 1.17%,
Floor 1.17%) 7/15/34 #, •
   2,000,000    1,938,070 
Bethpage Park CLO
Series 2021-1A A 144A
5.209% (LIBOR03M + 1.13%,
Floor 1.13%) 1/15/35 #, •
   600,000    585,227 

50  

   Principal
amount°
  Value (US $)
Collateralized Debt Obligations (continued)      
BlueMountain CLO XXX
Series 2020-30A AR 144A
5.234% (TSFR03M + 1.37%,
Floor 1.37%) 4/15/35 #, •
   1,000,000   $965,008 
Canyon CLO Series 2020-1A AR
144A 5.259% (LIBOR03M +
1.18%, Floor 1.18%)
7/15/34 #, •
   2,200,000    2,138,327 
CIFC Funding Series 2022-2A A1
144A 5.275% (TSFR03M +
1.32%, Floor 1.32%)
4/19/35 #, •
   2,000,000    1,933,430 
Dryden 77 CLO
Series 2020-77A AR 144A
5.795% (LIBOR03M + 1.12%,
Floor 1.12%) 5/20/34 #, •
   1,100,000    1,068,766 
Dryden 83 CLO
Series 2020-83A A 144A
5.414% (LIBOR03M + 1.22%,
Floor 1.22%) 1/18/32 #, •
   1,935,000    1,894,373 
Galaxy XXI CLO
Series 2015-21A AR 144A
5.263% (LIBOR03M + 1.02%)
4/20/31 #, •
   2,000,000    1,964,954 
KKR CLO 41Series 2022-41A A1
144A 5.194% (TSFR03M +
1.33%, Floor 1.33%)
4/15/35 #, •
   2,000,000    1,915,438 
Octagon Investment Partners
48 Series 2020-3A AR 144A
5.393% (LIBOR03M + 1.15%,
Floor 1.15%) 10/20/34 #, •
   2,000,000    1,942,058 
Regatta XIX Funding
Series 2022-1A A1 144A
5.283% (TSFR03M + 1.32%,
Floor 1.32%) 4/20/35 #, •
   2,000,000    1,936,846 
Sound Point CLO XXV
Series 2019-4A A1R 144A
5.34% (TSFR03M + 1.28%,
Floor 1.28%) 4/25/33 #, •
   2,000,000    1,943,460 
Venture 42 CLO
Series 2021-42A A1A 144A
5.209% (LIBOR03M + 1.13%,
Floor 1.13%) 4/15/34 #, •
   415,000    396,027 
Voya CLO Series 2020-3A AR
144A 5.393% (LIBOR03M +
1.15%, Floor 1.15%)
10/20/34 #, •
   1,500,000    1,464,621 
Total Collateralized Debt Obligations
(cost $22,653,936)
        22,086,605 
           
Corporate Bonds — 55.15%          
Banking — 15.00%          
Ally Financial 1.45% 10/2/23   3,060,000    2,967,292 
Bank of America          
0.523% 6/14/24 µ   825,000    805,521 
1.843% 2/4/25 µ   675,000    647,454 
4.00% 1/22/25   1,000,000    979,553 
4.125% 1/22/24   1,000,000    991,808 
4.20% 8/26/24   1,325,000    1,305,356 
Bank of New York Mellon 5.802%
10/25/28 µ
   573,000    593,541 
Barclays 7.325% 11/2/26 µ   315,000    326,621 
Citigroup          
2.014% 1/25/26 µ   1,275,000    1,182,601 
3.07% 2/24/28 µ   215,000    194,136 
3.50% 5/15/23   1,510,000    1,502,934 
5.50% 9/13/25   1,000,000    1,007,161 
5.61% 9/29/26 µ   175,000    175,933 
Citizens Bank 4.119% 5/23/25 µ   1,460,000    1,429,427 
Citizens Bank 6.064%
10/24/25 µ
   525,000    531,295 
Credit Suisse Group 144A
6.442% 8/11/28 #, µ
   340,000    310,136 
Fifth Third Bank 5.852%
10/27/25 µ
   875,000    884,463 
Goldman Sachs Group          
3.85% 7/8/24   1,500,000    1,468,671 
4.25% 10/21/25   2,500,000    2,442,516 
5.069% (SOFR + 0.79%)
12/9/26 •
   1,300,000    1,252,330 
Huntington National Bank          
4.008% 5/16/25 µ   840,000    822,171 
5.65% 1/10/30   250,000    252,501 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.          
0.653% 9/16/24 µ   1,000,000    964,622 
3.875% 9/10/24   847,000    829,659 
4.08% 4/26/26 µ   4,090,000    3,974,675 
4.851% 7/25/28 µ   225,000    219,696 
KeyBank          
4.15% 8/8/25   835,000    816,607 
5.85% 11/15/27   130,000    134,416 
KeyCorp 3.878% 5/23/25 µ   730,000    714,674 
Mizuho Financial Group 0.849%
9/8/24 µ
   1,800,000    1,737,635 
Morgan Stanley          
5.835% (LIBOR03M + 0.79%)
5/31/23 •
   300,000    300,128 
6.138% 10/16/26 µ   5,120,000    5,234,785 
6.296% 10/18/28 µ   325,000    336,075 
National Bank of Canada 2.10%
2/1/23
   1,400,000    1,397,009 
PNC Financial Services Group
5.671% 10/28/25 µ
   310,000    313,521 

 51 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond

   Principal
amount°
     Value (US $)
Corporate Bonds (continued)      
Banking (continued)          
State Street          
5.751% 11/4/26 µ   70,000   $71,731 
5.82% 11/4/28 µ   50,000    51,724 
Svenska Handelsbanken 144A
0.625% 6/30/23 #
   1,500,000    1,467,548 
Toronto-Dominion Bank 4.108%
6/8/27 *
   2,520,000    2,440,022 
US Bancorp          
2.375% 7/22/26   844,000    779,880 
5.727% 10/21/26 µ   215,000    219,214 
Wells Fargo & Co.          
3.908% 4/25/26 µ   2,620,000    2,548,711 
4.808% 7/25/28 µ   310,000    303,287 
         46,929,040 
Basic Industry — 1.09%          
Celanese US Holdings          
6.05% 3/15/25   140,000    139,573 
6.165% 7/15/27   525,000    518,664 
Graphic Packaging International
144A 0.821% 4/15/24 #
   1,350,000    1,264,127 
Mosaic 4.25% 11/15/23   250,000    248,001 
Nucor 3.95% 5/23/25   345,000    337,855 
Nutrien 5.95% 11/7/25   870,000    888,651 
         3,396,871 
Brokerage — 0.16%          
LSEGA Financing 144A 0.65%
4/6/24 #
   540,000    507,189 
         507,189 
Capital Goods — 4.73%          
Avery Dennison 0.85% 8/15/24   375,000    350,132 
Boeing 2.80% 3/1/23   2,250,000    2,241,756 
CNH Industrial Capital 1.95%
7/2/23
   1,550,000    1,523,872 
General Electric 5.012% 1/1/24   364,774    364,183 
Lennox International 1.35%
8/1/25
   2,150,000    1,948,029 
Parker-Hannifin          
3.65% 6/15/24   1,430,000    1,399,994 
4.25% 9/15/27   1,070,000    1,039,930 
Republic Services 0.875%
11/15/25
   1,800,000    1,613,994 
Roper Technologies 1.00%
9/15/25
   1,400,000    1,255,710 
Teledyne Technologies 0.95%
4/1/24
   1,385,000    1,309,059 
Waste Management 0.75%
11/15/25
   1,955,000    1,750,037 
         14,796,696 
Communications — 4.96%          
American Tower          
0.60% 1/15/24   1,300,000    1,239,675 
1.30% 9/15/25   795,000    718,403 
AT&T          
1.70% 3/25/26   1,350,000    1,218,177 
2.95% 7/15/26   1,250,000    1,164,666 
Charter Communications Operating          
4.50% 2/1/24   1,215,000    1,201,171 
4.908% 7/23/25   1,485,000    1,456,886 
Crown Castle 3.15% 7/15/23   400,000    395,610 
Crown Castle Towers 144A          
3.663% 5/15/45 #   950,000    920,283 
Netflix 5.875% 2/15/25   1,250,000    1,267,788 
Omnicom Group 3.65% 11/1/24   700,000    686,788 
Sprint 7.875% 9/15/23   1,721,000    1,748,856 
T-Mobile USA 3.75% 4/15/27   2,000,000    1,886,842 
Warnermedia Holdings 144A
3.638% 3/15/25 #
   1,690,000    1,608,515 
         15,513,660 
Consumer Cyclical — 4.55%          
7-Eleven 144A 0.80% 2/10/24 #   1,000,000    952,045 
Aptiv 2.396% 2/18/25   1,035,000    976,823 
DR Horton 2.60% 10/15/25   625,000    582,529 
Ford Motor Credit          
2.70% 8/10/26   550,000    478,308 
3.375% 11/13/25   1,355,000    1,227,336 
General Motors 4.875% 10/2/23   1,000,000    997,190 
General Motors Financial 1.20%
10/15/24
   825,000    764,306 
GLP Capital 5.375% 11/1/23   280,000    279,483 
Hyundai Capital America 144A
1.25% 9/18/23 #
   800,000    775,557 
Mercedes-Benz Finance North
America 144A 5.25%
11/29/27 #
   200,000    201,361 
MGM Resorts International
5.75% 6/15/25 *
   1,780,000    1,732,538 
Nissan Motor 144A 3.043%
9/15/23 #
   1,250,000    1,225,061 
Nordstrom 2.30% 4/8/24   270,000    253,480 
PVH 4.625% 7/10/25   1,500,000    1,449,829 
VICI Properties 4.95% 2/15/30   595,000    567,194 
Volkswagen Group of America
Finance 144A 0.875%
11/22/23 #
       1,850,000    1,780,133 
         14,243,173 

52  

   Principal
amount°
   Value (US $) 
Corporate Bonds (continued)                  
Consumer Non-Cyclical — 4.48%          
Bayer US Finance II          
144A 2.85% 4/15/25 #   1,260,000   $1,181,290 
144A 3.875% 12/15/23 #   1,400,000    1,380,265 
Darling Ingredients 144A 5.25%
4/15/27 #
   1,647,500    1,588,289 
Diageo Capital 3.50% 9/18/23   1,000,000    990,527 
GE HealthCare Technologies          
144A 5.60% 11/15/25 #   180,000    181,302 
144A 5.65% 11/15/27 #   180,000    182,422 
Keurig Dr Pepper 0.75% 3/15/24   680,000    645,809 
McCormick & Co.          
0.90% 2/15/26   1,025,000    898,971 
3.50% 9/1/23   475,000    470,106 
Novartis Capital 3.00% 11/20/25   1,250,000    1,199,590 
Royalty Pharma          
0.75% 9/2/23   1,800,000    1,744,283 
1.20% 9/2/25   1,647,000    1,475,543 
Tyson Foods 3.95% 8/15/24   2,000,000    1,969,042 
Zoetis 5.40% 11/14/25   105,000    107,212 
         14,014,651 
Electric — 2.93%          
Black Hills 1.037% 8/23/24   1,000,000    933,212 
Duke Energy Carolinas 3.95%
11/15/28
   1,150,000    1,105,781 
Edison International 3.55%
11/15/24
   1,300,000    1,255,918 
Enel Finance International 144A 4.25%
6/15/25 #
   295,000    285,899 
Eversource Energy 2.90%
3/1/27
   225,000    207,489 
Fells Point Funding Trust 144A
3.046% 1/31/27 #
   210,000    191,418 
MidAmerican Energy 3.70%
9/15/23
   1,045,000    1,035,507 
National Rural Utilities
Cooperative Finance 1.875%
2/7/25
   1,350,000    1,267,058 
Virginia Electric and Power
2.75% 3/15/23
   2,515,000    2,504,923 
Vistra Operations 144A 5.125%
5/13/25 #
   385,000    377,179 
         9,164,384 
Energy — 4.12%          
ConocoPhillips 2.40% 3/7/25   1,060,000    1,008,334 
Eastern Energy Gas Holdings
3.55% 11/1/23
   1,235,000    1,219,263 
Enbridge 2.50% 2/14/25   820,000    774,278 
Energy Transfer          
4.25% 4/1/24   1,132,000    1,112,180 
5.55% 2/15/28   1,295,000    1,286,233 
Galaxy Pipeline Assets Bidco
144A 1.75% 9/30/27 #
   1,217,985    1,130,323 
Harvest Operations 144A 1.00%
4/26/24 #
   1,400,000    1,323,371 
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners
3.45% 2/15/23
   1,000,000    997,886 
Occidental Petroleum 5.875%
9/1/25 *
   1,690,000    1,686,635 
Plains All American Pipeline
3.85% 10/15/23
   1,800,000    1,775,251 
Targa Resources Partners 5.00%
1/15/28
   580,000    554,241 
         12,867,995 
Finance Companies — 0.96%          
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC
1.65% 10/29/24
   2,000,000    1,846,146 
Air Lease 5.85% 12/15/27   185,000    185,117 
Aviation Capital Group 144A
4.375% 1/30/24 #
   1,000,000    975,345 
         3,006,608 
Insurance — 4.17%          
Athene Global Funding          
144A 0.914% 8/19/24 #   850,000    780,439 
144A 0.95% 1/8/24 #   1,750,000    1,665,767 
Elevance Health 3.35% 12/1/24   2,000,000    1,940,023 
Humana 5.75% 3/1/28   288,000    294,594 
MassMutual Global Funding II
144A 0.60% 4/12/24 #
   1,900,000    1,794,544 
Met Tower Global Funding 144A
3.70% 6/13/25 #
   1,280,000    1,242,388 
Metropolitan Life Global Funding I
144A 0.90% 6/8/23 #
   1,250,000    1,229,466 
Principal Life Global Funding II
144A 0.75% 4/12/24 #
   800,000    756,032 
Protective Life Global Funding
144A 0.631% 10/13/23 #
   750,000    723,411 
144A 1.618% 4/15/26 #   1,350,000    1,213,770 
Reliance Standard Life Global
Funding II 144A 2.15%
1/21/23 #
   1,400,000    1,397,737 
         13,038,171 
Natural Gas — 0.35%          
Sempra Energy 3.30% 4/1/25   1,145,000    1,098,976 
         1,098,976 
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 2.72%          
American Tower Trust #1 Series
13 2A 144A 3.07% 3/15/48 #
   3,545,000    3,525,152 

 53 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond

   Principal
amount°
   Value (US $) 
Corporate Bonds (continued)          
Real Estate Investment Trusts (continued)          
Digital Realty Trust          
4.45% 7/15/28   190,000   $180,243 
5.55% 1/15/28   335,000    337,818 
SBA Tower Trust          
144A 1.884% 1/15/26 #   1,155,000    1,015,798 
144A 2.836% 1/15/50 #   1,621,000    1,527,820 
Series 3.869 10/08/24 144A
3.869% 10/8/49 #, φ
   2,000,000    1,910,980 
         8,497,811 
Technology — 4.73%          
Apple 3.00% 2/9/24   355,000    348,055 
Baidu 1.72% 4/9/26   379,000    337,594 
Fidelity National Information
Services 4.70% 7/15/27
   1,460,000    1,426,766 
Infor 144A 1.45% 7/15/23 #   877,000    856,663 
Leidos 2.95% 5/15/23   1,870,000    1,855,238 
Microchip Technology 0.983%
9/1/24
   1,850,000    1,714,173 
Oracle 5.80% 11/10/25 *   70,000    71,645 
S&P Global 144A 2.45% 3/1/27 #   740,000    676,930 
Seagate HDD Cayman 4.75%
6/1/23
   650,000    647,478 
Sensata Technologies          
144A 5.00% 10/1/25 #   1,390,000    1,359,880 
144A 5.625% 11/1/24 #   355,000    353,317 
Thomson Reuters 4.30%
11/23/23
   1,269,000    1,260,559 
TSMC Global 144A 1.25%
4/23/26 #, *
   1,500,000    1,345,217 
Workday 3.50% 4/1/27   50,000    46,804 
Xilinx 2.95% 6/1/24   2,575,000    2,506,403 
         14,806,722 
Transportation — 0.20%          
Penske Truck Leasing 144A
4.40% 7/1/27 #
   670,000    636,837 
         636,837 
Total Corporate Bonds
(cost $180,514,773)
        172,518,784 
           
Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities — 4.55%          
BMW Vehicle Lease Trust
Series 2022-1 A3 1.10%
3/25/25
   2,250,000    2,176,739 
Enterprise Fleet Financing
Series 2022-2 A2 144A 4.65%
5/21/29 #
   830,000    818,388 
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust
Series 2022-A B 1.91%
7/15/27
   1,350,000    1,233,639 
Ford Credit Floorplan Master
Owner Trust A
Series 2020-2 A 1.06%
9/15/27
   3,000,000    2,696,020 
GM Financial Automobile
Leasing Trust Series 2022-1 B
2.23% 2/20/26
   1,600,000    1,516,022 
Toyota Lease Owner Trust
Series 2021-B A3 144A 0.42%
10/21/24 #
   1,800,000    1,749,832 
Verizon Master Trust          
Series 2022-2 A 1.53%
7/20/28
   1,500,000    1,401,967 
Series 2022-2 B 1.83%
7/20/28
   1,350,000    1,258,360 
Volkswagen Auto Lease Trust
Series 2022-A A3 3.44%
7/21/25
   1,400,000    1,369,907 
Total Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities
(cost $14,671,606)
        14,220,874 
           
Supranational Banks — 0.16%          
Corp Andina de Fomento
2.375% 5/12/23
   500,000    494,380 
Total Supranational Banks
(cost $499,860)
        494,380 
           
US Treasury Obligations — 20.59%          
US Treasury Floating Rate Note
4.60% (USBMMY3M + 0.14%)
10/31/24 •
   25,260,000    25,234,023 
US Treasury Notes          
2.625% 5/31/27   9,005,000    8,489,674 
4.125% 10/31/27   22,130,000    22,212,987 
4.25% 12/31/24   3,305,000    3,293,768 
4.25% 10/15/25   5,175,000    5,171,766 
Total US Treasury Obligations
(cost $64,203,713)
        64,402,218 
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral—98.78%

(cost $319,327,322)
                308,993,587 

54  

   Number of
shares°
   Value (US $) 
Securities Lending Collateral** — 0.81%                  
Money Market Mutual Fund — 0.81%          
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
   2,533,450   $2,533,450 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $2,533,450)
        2,533,450 
Total Value of Securities—99.59%
(cost $321,860,772)
       $311,527,037 
   
° Principal amount shown is stated in USD unless noted that the security is denominated in another currency.
# Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. At December 31, 2022, the aggregate value of Rule 144A securities was $103,019,282, which represents 32.93% of the Portfolio's net assets. See Note 12 in “Notes to financial statements."
Variable rate investment. Rates reset periodically. Rate shown reflects the rate in effect at December 31, 2022. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread are indicated in their descriptions. The reference rate descriptions (i.e. LIBOR03M, LIBOR06M, etc.) used in this report are identical for different securities, but the underlying reference rates may differ due to the timing of the reset period. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions, or for mortgage-backed securities, are impacted by the individual mortgages which are paying off over time. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their descriptions.
µ Fixed to variable rate investment. The rate shown reflects the fixed rate in effect at December 31, 2022. Rate will reset at a future date.
* Fully or partially on loan.
φ Step coupon bond. Stated rate in effect at December 31, 2022 through maturity date.
** See Note 11 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral and non-cash collateral.
Includes $4,253,945 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $1,910,546.

The following futures contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2022:1

Futures Contracts
Exchange-Traded

    Contracts to Buy (Sell)    Notional
Amount
     Notional
Cost
(Proceeds)
     Expiration
Date
    Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
     Value/
Unrealized
Depreciation
     Variation
Margin
Due from
(Due to)
Brokers
 
160   US Treasury 2 yr Notes    $32,812,500    $32,782,871    3/31/23   $29,629    $—      $(25,000)
(14)  US Treasury 5 yr Notes   (1,511,016)   (1,510,764)  3/31/23   —      (252)   1,203 
   Total Futures Contracts       $31,272,107      $29,629   $(252)  $(23,797)

The use of futures contracts involves elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The notional amounts presented above represent the Portfolio's total exposure in such contracts, whereas only the variation margin is reflected in the Portfolio's net assets.

1See Note 9 in “Notes to financial statements.”


 55 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond

Summary of abbreviations:

CLO – Collateralized Loan Obligation

DAC – Designated Activity Company

FREMF – Freddie Mac Multifamily

GNMA – Government National Mortgage Association

ICE – Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate

LIBOR01M – ICE LIBOR USD 1 Month

LIBOR03M – ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month

LIBOR06M – ICE LIBOR USD 6 Month

S&P – Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC

S.F. – Single Family

SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate

TSFR03M – 3 Month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate

USBMMY3M – US Treasury 3 Month Bill Money Market Yield

USD – US Dollar

yr – Year

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


56  

Delaware Ivy VIP Value

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
   Value (US $) 
Common Stocks — 96.71%          
Communication Services — 7.50%          
AT&T   378,700   $6,971,867 
Liberty Global Class C *, †   514,773    10,002,039 
Meta Platforms Class A †   79,700    9,591,098 
         26,565,004 
Consumer Discretionary — 7.43%          
APA   100,500    4,691,340 
AutoZone †   3,531    8,708,082 
Lowe's   27,700    5,518,948 
Target   49,601    7,392,533 
         26,310,903 
Consumer Staples — 6.82%          
Philip Morris International   127,495    12,903,769 
Walmart   79,420    11,260,962 
         24,164,731 
Energy — 8.19%          
Exxon Mobil   167,900    18,519,370 
Marathon Petroleum   90,268    10,506,293 
         29,025,663 
Financials — 18.77%          
AGNC Investment   1,123,918    11,632,551 
Allstate   79,800    10,820,880 
Ameriprise Financial   28,099    8,749,186 
Bank of America   377,000    12,486,240 
Capital One Financial ~   35,817    3,329,548 
Discover Financial Services   29,900    2,925,117 
Synchrony Financial   195,449    6,422,454 
Wells Fargo & Co.   245,475    10,135,663 
         66,501,639 
Healthcare — 16.07%          
CVS Health   113,824    10,607,258 
Elevance Health   20,871    10,706,197 
HCA Healthcare   38,001    9,118,720 
McKesson   27,151    10,184,883 
Regeneron          
Pharmaceuticals †   12,285    8,863,505 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals †   25,862    7,468,428 
         56,948,991 
Industrials — 9.96%          
Lockheed Martin   17,900    8,708,171 
Norfolk Southern   40,487    9,976,806 
Parker-Hannifin   19,800    5,761,800 
Raytheon Technologies   107,318    10,830,533 
         35,277,310 
Information Technology — 7.79%          
Broadcom   18,722    10,468,032 
Fidelity National Information
Services
   49,229    3,340,188 
NXP Semiconductors   32,477    5,132,340 
Seagate Technology
Holdings *
   164,349    8,646,401 
         27,586,961 
Materials — 4.76%          
Celanese   81,700    8,353,008 
LyondellBasell Industries
Class A
   102,500    8,510,575 
         16,863,583 
Real Estate — 4.23%          
CBRE Group Class A †   99,741    7,676,067 
Weyerhaeuser   235,900    7,312,900 
         14,988,967 
Utilities — 5.19%          
American Electric Power   98,800    9,381,060 
Exelon   208,500    9,013,455 
         18,394,515 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $330,327,733)
        342,628,267 
           
Short-Term Investments — 3.28%          
Money Market Mutual Funds — 3.28%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund
– Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.03%)
   2,900,032    2,900,032 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government
Portfolio – Class I (seven-
day effective yield 4.06%)
   2,900,033    2,900,033 
Goldman Sachs Financial
Square Government Fund
– Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.23%)
   2,900,032    2,900,032 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds
Government Portfolio –
Institutional Class (seven-
day effective yield
4.11%)
   2,900,032    2,900,032 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $11,600,129)
        11,600,129 
Total Value of Securities Before
Options Written—99.99%

(cost $341,927,862)
                354,228,396■ 

 57 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Value

   Number of
contracts
   Value (US $) 
Options Written — (0.01%)          
Equity Call Options — (0.01%)          
AutoZone, strike price
$2,500, expiration date
1/20/23, notional amount
$(1,250,000)
   (5)  $(22,125)
Bank of America, strike price
$43, expiration date
2/17/23, notional amount
$(1,612,500)
   (375)   (1,313)
Parker-Hannifin, strike price
$350, expiration date
2/17/23, notional amount
$(1,505,000)
   (43)   (2,150)
Wells Fargo & Co., strike price
$55, expiration date
1/20/23, notional amount
$(1,721,500)
   (313)   (313)
Total Options Written
(premium received $105,430)
                (25,901)
   
* Fully or partially on loan.
Non-income producing security.
~ All or portion of the security has been pledged as collateral for outstanding options written.
Includes $6,092,738 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $6,274,773.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

58  

Delaware VIP Global Value Equity

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
   Value (US $) 
Common Stocks – 98.73%Δ          
Denmark - 2.71%          
Novo Nordisk Class B   45,860   $6,192,301 
         6,192,301 
France - 11.62%          
Air Liquide   59,430    8,422,870 
Danone   124,890    6,581,485 
Orange   491,150    4,879,500 
Sodexo *   69,930    6,698,166 
         26,582,021 
Germany - 9.63%          
adidas AG   45,200    6,167,068 
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co.   112,900    3,694,501 
Knorr-Bremse   72,490    3,960,547 
SAP   79,360    8,188,418 
         22,010,534 
Japan - 4.93%          
Asahi Group Holdings *   72,500    2,275,431 
Kao *   137,000    5,485,637 
Makita   150,100    3,522,615 
         11,283,683 
Netherlands - 4.94%          
Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize   393,280    11,299,280 
         11,299,280 
Spain - 3.79%          
Amadeus IT Group †   166,860    8,671,772 
         8,671,772 
Sweden - 7.79%          
Essity Class B   255,490    6,691,560 
H & M Hennes & Mauritz
Class B *
   398,820    4,289,813 
Securitas Class B *   820,970    6,841,646 
         17,823,019 
Switzerland - 2.75%          
Swatch Group   22,130    6,294,479 
         6,294,479 
United Kingdom - 13.89%          
Diageo   213,010    9,399,423 
Intertek Group   93,940    4,581,364 
Smith & Nephew   616,820    8,273,592 
Unilever   188,280    9,519,114 
         31,773,493 
United States - 36.68%          
Clorox   61,340    8,607,842 
Conagra Brands   77,180    2,986,866 
Henry Schein †   116,800    9,328,816 
Ingredion   72,350    7,085,236 
Kimberly-Clark   61,980    8,413,785 
Lamb Weston Holdings   70,830   $6,329,369 
Merck & Co.   82,120    9,111,214 
Nestle   94,800    10,984,558 
Otis Worldwide   31,640    2,477,728 
Parker-Hannifin   8,880    2,584,080 
Pfizer   107,720    5,519,573 
Roche Holding   17,130    5,381,782 
Visa Class A *   24,410    5,071,422 
         83,882,271 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $252,294,758)
        225,812,853 
           
Exchange-Traded Fund – 0.87%          
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF   5,650    1,985,071 
Total Exchange-Traded Fund
(cost $2,182,005)
        1,985,071 
           
Short-Term Investments – 0.19%          
Money Market Mutual Funds – 0.19%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   107,103    107,103 
Fidelity Investments Money
Market Government Portfolio –
Class I (seven-day effective
yield 4.06%)
   107,102    107,102 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.23%)
   107,102    107,102 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield
4.11%)
   107,103    107,103 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $428,410)
                428,410 
Total Value of Securities Before
Securities Lending Collateral-99.79%

(cost $254,905,173)
        228,226,334 

 59 

Schedules of investments

Delaware VIP Global Value Equity

       Number of
shares
       Value (US $)
Securities Lending Collateral** – 4.32%            
Money Market Mutual Fund - 4.32%            
Dreyfus Institutional Preference
Government Money Market
Fund - Institutional Shares
(seven-day effective yield
4.31%)
   9,882,610     $9,882,610 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(cost $9,882,610)
          9,882,610 
Total Value of Securities-104.11%
(cost $264,787,783)
             $238,108,944■ 
   
Δ Securities have been classified by country of risk. Aggregate classification by business sector has been presented on page 36 in “Security type / country and sector allocations.”
* Fully or partially on loan.
Non-income producing security.
** See Note 11 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional information on securities lending collateral and non-cash collateral.
Includes $16,781,037 of securities loaned for which the counterparty pledged additional non-cash collateral valued at $7,551,767.

Summary of abbreviations:

AG - Aktiengesellschaft

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund

S&P - Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


60  

Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
   Value (US $) 
Common Stocks — 96.87%                  
Real Estate Operating Companies/Developer — 0.34%          
DigitalBridge Group   8,656   $94,697 
         94,697 
REIT Diversified — 26.06%          
American Tower   1,278    270,757 
Digital Realty Trust   12,545    1,257,887 
Equinix   2,197    1,439,101 
Extra Space Storage   6,571    967,120 
Public Storage   6,177    1,730,733 
SBA Communications   677    189,770 
VICI Properties   43,205    1,399,842 
         7,255,210 
REIT Healthcare — 8.82%          
Healthpeak Properties   35,925    900,640 
Welltower   23,710    1,554,190 
         2,454,830 
REIT Hotel — 2.76%          
Apple Hospitality REIT   21,024    331,759 
Ryman Hospitality Properties   3,599    294,326 
Xenia Hotels & Resorts   10,925    143,992 
         770,077 
REIT Industrial — 14.47%          
Americold Realty Trust   16,088    455,451 
First Industrial Realty Trust   9,013    434,967 
Prologis   22,175    2,499,788 
Rexford Industrial Realty   10,518    574,704 
Summit Industrial Income REIT   3,798    63,646 
         4,028,556 
REIT Multifamily — 19.88%          
American Homes 4 Rent Class A   18,385    554,124 
Equity LifeStyle Properties   8,794    568,092 
Equity Residential   17,745    1,046,955 
Essex Property Trust   3,503    742,356 
Independence Realty Trust   15,393    259,526 
Invitation Homes   13,365    396,139 
Mid-America Apartment
Communities
   957    150,239 
Sun Communities   6,331    905,333 
UDR   23,536    911,549 
         5,534,313 
REIT Office — 6.49%          
Alexandria Real Estate Equities   9,050    1,318,313 
Boston Properties   7,258    490,496 
         1,808,809 
REIT Retail — 18.05%          
Agree Realty   8,370    593,684 
Federal Realty Investment Trust   3,855    389,509 
Kimco Realty   34,164    723,594 
Kite Realty Group Trust   26,781    563,740 
NETSTREIT   16,804    308,017 
Realty Income   21,548    1,366,790 
Simon Property Group   6,184    726,496 
Spirit Realty Capital   8,846    353,221 
         5,025,051 
Total Common Stocks
(cost $30,865,484)
        26,971,543 
           
Short-Term Investments — 2.67%          
Money Market Mutual Funds — 2.67%          
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund –
Institutional Shares (seven-day
effective yield 4.03%)
   185,465    185,465 
Fidelity Investments Money Market
Government Portfolio – Class I
(seven-day effective yield 4.06%)
   185,465    185,465 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square
Government Fund – Institutional
Shares (seven-day effective yield
4.23%)
   185,465    185,465 
Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds Government
Portfolio – Institutional Class
(seven-day effective yield 4.11%)
   185,465    185,465 
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $741,860)
        741,860 
Total Value of Securities—99.54%
(cost $31,607,344)
       $27,713,403 

The following foreign currency exchange contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2022:1

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

Counterparty  Currency to
Receive (Deliver)
  In Exchange For  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Depreciation
BNYM  CAD   (23,474)  USD   17,305   1/4/23  $(20)

 61 

Schedules of investments

Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities

The use of foreign currency exchange contracts involves elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The foreign currency exchange contracts presented above represent the Portfolio's total exposure in such contracts, whereas only the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is reflected in the Portfolio's net assets.

1See Note 9 in “Notes to financial statements.”

Summary of abbreviations:

BNYM – Bank of New York Mellon

REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust

Summary of currencies:

CAD – Canadian Dollar

USD – US Dollar

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


62  

Statements of assets and liabilities

December 31, 2022

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Core
Equity
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Corporate
Bond
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Global
Growth
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Limited-
Term Bond
 
Assets:                          
Investments, at value*,†  $598,048,648   $487,408,417   $117,150,170   $308,993,587 
Short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities, at value=       627,300    1,033,379    2,533,450 
Cash               5,198,320 
Cash collateral due from broker on futures contracts               198,256 
Foreign currencies, at valueΔ           195,821     
Dividend and interest receivable   404,394    4,635,579    253,310    2,121,324 
Receivable for portfolio shares sold   1,644    1,300    190    34,597 
Foreign tax reclaims receivable           52,358     
Prepaid expenses       523        186 
Other assets   1,230    1,480    307    600 
Total Assets   598,455,916    492,674,599    118,685,535    319,080,320 
Liabilities:                    
Due to custodian       45,593         
Payable for portfolio shares redeemed   285,692    166,680    85,521    148,131 
Payable for portfolio securities purchased   284,729            3,295,062 
Investment management fees payable to affiliates   258,586    202,977    54,816    134,106 
Other accrued expenses   158,490    156,466    82,848    104,548 
Distribution fees payable to affiliates   130,213    106,830    25,398    3,397 
Administration expenses payable to affiliates   62,340    60,828    13,209    37,452 
Obligation to return securities lending collateral       627,300    1,033,379    2,533,450 
Variation margin due to broker on future contracts               23,797 
Accrued capital gains taxes on appreciated securities           122,493     
Total Liabilities   1,180,050    1,366,674    1,417,664    6,279,943 
Total Net Assets  $597,275,866   $491,307,925   $117,267,871   $312,800,377 
                     
Net Assets Consist of:                    
Paid-in capital  $462,064,387   $582,864,567   $83,849,874   $328,800,653 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   135,211,479    (91,556,642)   33,417,997    (16,000,276)
Total Net Assets  $597,275,866   $491,307,925   $117,267,871   $312,800,377 
Net Asset Value                    
                     
Class II:                    
Net assets  $597,275,866   $491,307,925   $117,267,871   $312,800,377 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par   51,933,531    109,522,931    35,190,208    68,228,668 
Net asset value per share  $11.50   $4.49   $3.33   $4.58 
                                   
*Investments, at cost  $522,093,678   $558,375,684   $107,566,247   $319,327,322 
Including securities on loan   3,782,830    14,680,075    975,442    4,253,945 
=Short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities, at cost       627,300    1,033,379    2,533,450 
ΔForeign currencies, at cost           189,583     

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 63 

Statements of assets and liabilities

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Value
   Delaware VIP
Global
Value Equity
   Delaware VIP
Real Estate
Securities
 
Assets:                       
Investments, at value*,†  $354,228,396   $228,226,334   $27,713,403 
Short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities, at value=       9,882,610     
Cash   4,452         
Dividend and interest receivable   598,943    293,741    116,092 
Foreign tax reclaims receivable   27,542    509,391    169 
Receivable for portfolio shares sold   337    21,487    17,558 
Prepaid expenses   127    255     
Receivable for securities sold           24,377 
Receivable due from Advisor           4,695 
Other assets   719    451     
Total Assets   354,860,516    238,934,269    27,876,294 
Liabilities:               
Options written, at valueΣ   25,901         
Due to custodian       30     
Investment management fees payable to affiliates   213,187    137,814     
Payable for portfolio shares redeemed   120,917    51,348    20,426 
Other accrued expenses   95,239    128,730    10,318 
Distribution fees payable to affiliates   75,976    2,338    186 
Administration expenses payable to affiliates   39,635    26,979    2,936 
Obligation to return securities lending collateral       9,882,610     
Unrealized depreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts           20 
Total Liabilities   570,855    10,229,849    33,886 
Total Net Assets  $354,289,661   $228,704,420   $27,842,408 
                
Net Assets Consist of:               
Paid-in capital  $286,844,675   $249,935,805   $28,631,128 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   67,444,986    (21,231,385)   (788,720)
Total Net Assets  $354,289,661   $228,704,420   $27,842,408 
Net Asset Value               
                
Class II:               
Net assets  $354,289,661   $228,704,420   $27,842,408 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par   63,673,010    51,874,833    4,416,565 
Net asset value per share  $5.56   $4.41   $6.30 
                  
*Investments, at cost  $341,927,862   $254,905,173   $31,607,344 
Including securities on loan   6,092,738    16,781,037     
=Short-term investments held as collateral for loaned securities, at cost       9,882,610     
ΣOptions written, premium received   (105,430)        

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


64  

Statements of operations

Year ended December 31, 2022

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Core
Equity
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Corporate
Bond
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Global
Growth
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Limited-
Term Bond
 
Investment Income:                                      
Dividends    $8,566,758     $296,152     $2,070,897     $18,411 
Securities lending income     1,255      16,666      6,301      43,774 
Interest           17,429,943            7,971,764 
Foreign tax withheld     (35,560)           (163,142)      
      8,532,453      17,742,761      1,914,056      8,033,949 
                             
Expenses:                            
Investment advisory fees     4,561,159      2,596,457      1,081,781      1,685,750 
Distribution expenses — Class II     1,628,985      1,366,556      318,171      842,875 
Accounting and administration expenses     175,620      160,527      62,640      105,544 
Trustees’ fees and expenses     69,306      52,425      24,355      41,865 
Audit and tax fees     32,695      45,695      34,439      45,108 
Custodian fees     29,952      24,423      14,278      8,153 
Legal fees     28,844      14,186      1,552      6,126 
Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses     24,124      20,433      4,350      10,591 
Reports and statements to shareholders servicing expenses     17,693      19,854      14,498      9,804 
Registration fees     7      7      7      7 
Other     17,756      51,351      22,144      10,006 
      6,586,141      4,351,914      1,578,215      2,765,829 
Less expenses waived     (282,062)           (100,878)      
Less waived distribution expenses — Class II     (107,214)           (38,027)      
Total operating expenses     6,196,865      4,351,914      1,439,310      2,765,829 
Net Investment Income (Loss)     2,335,588      13,390,847      474,746      5,268,120 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):                            
Net realized gain (loss) on:                            
Investments     57,011,657      (33,708,999)     24,055,570      (9,736,085)
Foreign currencies                 (10,607)      
Foreign currency exchange contracts                 (36,457)      
Futures contracts                       (1,215,778)
Options written           1,950             
Swap contracts                       136,960 
Net realized gain (loss)     57,011,657      (33,707,049)     24,008,506      (10,814,903)
                             
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                            
Investments1     (186,851,659)     (81,820,354)     (51,897,668)     (10,016,549)
Foreign currencies                 (27,158)      
Futures contracts                       29,377 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     (186,851,659)     (81,820,354)     (51,924,826)     (9,987,172)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)     (129,840,002)     (115,527,403)     (27,916,320)     (20,802,075)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations    $(127,504,414)    $(102,136,556)    $(27,441,574)    $(15,533,955)

1 Includes $96,092 capital gains taxes paid and $122,493 increase in capital gains tax accrued for Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 65 

Statements of operations

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Value
   Delaware VIP Global
Value Equity
  Delaware VIP
Real Estate
Securities
 
Investment Income:                         
Dividends  $8,960,898         $6,354,696        $909,335 
Securities lending income   2,718      69,021     
Foreign tax withheld   (19,051)     (621,507)   (256)
    8,944,565      5,802,210    909,079 
                  
Expenses:                 
Investment advisory fees   2,630,548      1,716,301    268,335 
Distribution expenses — Class II   939,481      612,965    82,820 
Accounting and administration expenses   117,161      89,856    39,705 
Trustees’ fees and expenses   40,260      44,988    14,059 
Audit and tax fees   34,796      33,598    30,660 
Reports and statements to shareholders servicing expenses   13,813      25,940    8,177 
Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses   7,474      24,450    2,185 
Custodian fees   6,426      28,232    3,705 
Legal fees   6,182      15,389    1,267 
Registration fees   7      7    6 
Other   11,815      27,392    6,304 
    3,807,963      2,619,118    457,223 
Less expenses waived             (49,006)
Total operating expenses   3,807,963      2,619,118    408,217 
Net Investment Income (Loss)   5,136,602      3,183,092    500,862 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):                 
Net realized gain (loss) on:                 
Investments   49,395,357      2,577,899    2,648,729 
Foreign currencies         25,693    (5)
Foreign currency exchange contracts         (170,907)   (287)
Options written   624,746           
Net realized gain (loss)   50,020,103      2,432,685    2,648,437 
                  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                 
Investments   (73,838,077)     (38,176,401)   (12,984,121)
Foreign currencies         (29,185)   1 
Foreign currency exchange contracts             (20)
Options written   105,054           
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (73,733,023)     (38,205,586)   (12,984,140)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)   (23,712,920)     (35,772,901)   (10,335,703)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(18,576,318)    $(32,589,809)  $(9,834,841)

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


66  

Statements of changes in net assets

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

   Delaware Ivy VIP
Core Equity
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Corporate Bond
 
   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                  
Net investment income (loss)  $2,335,588   $1,422,057   $13,390,847   $13,574,293 
Net realized gain (loss)   57,011,657    131,044,552    (33,707,049)   15,406,467 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (186,851,659)   57,504,604    (81,820,354)   (33,377,861)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (127,504,414)   189,971,213    (102,136,556)   (4,397,101)
                     
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:
Distributable earnings:                    
Class II   (132,497,095)   (32,448,455)   (29,175,316)   (44,859,981)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class II   103,729,316    11,448,424    44,249,907    159,640,862 
                     
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                    
Class II   132,497,095    32,448,455    29,175,316    44,859,981 
    236,226,411    43,896,879    73,425,223    204,500,843 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class II   (114,008,874)   (203,035,096)   (118,783,168)   (172,078,010)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   122,217,537    (159,138,217)   (45,357,945)   32,422,833 
Net Decrease in Net Assets   (137,783,972)   (1,615,459)   (176,669,817)   (16,834,249)
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   735,059,838    736,675,297    667,977,742    684,811,991 
End of year  $597,275,866   $735,059,838   $491,307,925   $667,977,742 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 67 

Statements of changes in net assets

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

   Delaware Ivy VIP
Global Growth
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Limited-Term Bond
 
   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                    
Net investment income (loss)  $474,746   $686,119   $5,268,120   $4,572,157 
Net realized gain (loss)   24,008,506    18,651,214    (10,814,903)   2,511,437 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (51,924,826)   6,928,975    (9,987,172)   (9,169,615)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (27,441,574)   26,266,308    (15,533,955)   (2,086,021)
                     
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings:                    
Class II   (19,702,418)   (7,648,661)   (7,185,516)   (8,512,000)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class II   3,494,999    3,184,819    40,046,133    76,582,643 
                     
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                    
Class II   19,702,418    7,648,661    7,185,516    8,512,000 
    23,197,417    10,833,480    47,231,649    85,094,643 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class II   (18,458,069)   (25,448,721)   (102,816,836)   (113,364,993)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   4,739,348    (14,615,241)   (55,585,187)   (28,270,350)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   (42,404,644)   4,002,406    (78,304,658)   (38,868,371)
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   159,672,515    155,670,109    391,105,035    429,973,406 
End of year  $117,267,871   $159,672,515   $312,800,377   $391,105,035 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


68  

   Delaware Ivy VIP Value   Delaware VIP
Global Value Equity
 
   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                              
Net investment income (loss)  $5,136,602   $4,999,687   $3,183,092   $6,757,953 
Net realized gain (loss)   50,020,103    105,775,425    2,432,685    65,870,874 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (73,733,023)   15,520,747    (38,205,586)   (22,867,702)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (18,576,318)   126,295,859    (32,589,809)   49,761,125 
                     
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings:                    
Class II   (107,862,773)   (8,558,450)   (68,169,217)   (7,041,544)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class II   89,536,158    13,690,753    25,275,803    18,193,437 
                     
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                    
Class II   107,862,773    8,558,450    68,169,217    7,041,544 
    197,398,931    22,249,203    93,445,020    25,234,981 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class II   (86,414,422)   (235,244,706)   (58,341,351)   (88,834,690)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   110,984,509    (212,995,503)   35,103,669    (63,599,709)
Net Decrease in Net Assets   (15,454,582)   (95,258,094)   (65,655,357)   (20,880,128)
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   369,744,243    465,002,337    294,359,777    315,239,905 
End of year  $354,289,661   $369,744,243   $228,704,420   $294,359,777 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 69 

Statements of changes in net assets

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

   Delaware VIP
Real Estate Securities
 
   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                
Net investment income (loss)  $500,862   $260,655 
Net realized gain (loss)   2,648,437    4,410,047 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (12,984,140)   8,483,264 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (9,834,841)   13,153,966 
           
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:          
Distributable earnings:          
Class II   (4,613,545)   (881,706)
           
Capital Share Transactions:          
Proceeds from shares sold:          
Class II   3,868,818    4,942,031 
           
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:          
Class II   4,613,545    881,706 
    8,482,363    5,823,737 
Cost of shares redeemed:          
Class II   (7,599,015)   (7,785,920)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   883,348    (1,962,183)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   (13,565,038)   10,310,077 
           
Net Assets:          
Beginning of year   41,407,446    31,097,369 
End of year  $27,842,408   $41,407,446 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


70  

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period      $17.69       $14.36       $12.63       $10.80       $12.30 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.05    0.03    0.06    0.06    0.07 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (3.18)   4.01    2.44    3.10    (0.53)
Total from investment operations   (3.13)   4.04    2.50    3.16    (0.46)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.03)   (0.09)   (0.07)   (0.07)   (0.06)
Net realized gain   (3.03)   (0.62)   (0.70)   (1.26)   (0.98)
Total dividends and distributions   (3.06)   (0.71)   (0.77)   (1.33)   (1.04)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $11.50   $17.69   $14.36   $12.63   $10.80 
                          
Total return2   (17.33%)   28.94%    21.52%    31.09%    (4.51%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $597,276   $7353   $7373   $7233   $6263 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.95%    0.95%    0.95%    0.95%    0.95% 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived4   1.01%    0.99%    1.00%    1.00%    1.00% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   0.36%    0.19%    0.51%    0.53%    0.59% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived   0.30%    0.15%    0.46%    0.48%    0.54% 
Portfolio turnover   47%    29%    58%    80%    99% 

1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return during the period shown reflects waivers by the manager and/or distributor. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 71 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period      $5.63       $6.05       $5.60       $5.13       $5.35 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.12    0.11    0.14    0.15    0.14 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (1.00)   (0.17)   0.46    0.47    (0.24)
Total from investment operations   (0.88)   (0.06)   0.60    0.62    (0.10)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.12)   (0.12)   (0.15)   (0.15)   (0.11)
Net realized gain   (0.14)   (0.24)           (0.01)
Total dividends and distributions   (0.26)   (0.36)   (0.15)   (0.15)   (0.12)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.49   $5.63   $6.05   $5.60   $5.13 
                          
Total return2   (15.86%)   (0.85%)   10.97%    12.18%    (1.90%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $491,308   $6683   $6853   $6003   $5443 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.80%    0.76%    0.77%    0.77%    0.77% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   2.45%    1.90%    2.34%    2.73%    2.77% 
Portfolio turnover   67%    85%    95%    66%    63% 

1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


72  

Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period      $4.81       $4.29       $3.58       $8.67       $9.87 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.01    0.02        0.02    0.05 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.87)   0.72    0.72    1.45    (0.58)
Total from investment operations   (0.86)   0.74    0.72    1.47    (0.53)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.03)       (0.01)   (0.06)   (0.05)
Net realized gain   (0.59)   (0.22)       (6.50)   (0.62)
Total dividends and distributions   (0.62)   (0.22)   (0.01)   (6.56)   (0.67)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $3.33   $4.81   $4.29   $3.58   $8.67 
                          
Total return2   (17.49%)   17.86%    20.58%    25.93%    (6.27%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $117,268   $1603   $1563   $1483   $1343 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   1.13%    1.13%    1.13%    1.13%    1.13% 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived4   1.24%    1.18%    1.23%    1.21%    1.18% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   0.37%    0.43%    0.06%    0.41%    0.46% 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets prior to fees waived   0.26%    0.38%    (0.04%)   0.33%    0.41% 
Portfolio turnover   72%    22%    33%    26%    40% 

1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return during the period shown reflects waivers by the manager and/or distributor. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 73 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $4.89   $5.01   $4.95   $4.84   $4.88 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.07    0.05    0.08    0.09    0.09 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.28)   (0.07)   0.12    0.11    (0.05)
Total from investment operations   (0.21)   (0.02)   0.20    0.20    0.04 
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.06)   (0.08)   (0.14)   (0.09)   (0.08)
Net realized gain   (0.04)   (0.02)            
Total dividends and distributions   (0.10)   (0.10)   (0.14)   (0.09)   (0.08)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.58   $4.89   $5.01   $4.95   $4.84 
                          
Total return2   (4.20%)   (0.49%)   4.14%    4.23%    0.78% 
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $312,800   $3913   $4303   $4533   $5423 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.82%    0.79%    0.81%    0.79%    0.79% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.56%    1.05%    1.60%    1.89%    1.91% 
Portfolio turnover   144%    48%    74%    54%    53% 

1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


74  

Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period      $8.24       $6.40       $6.72       $5.69       $6.44 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.09    0.08    0.09    0.11    0.07 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.51)   1.90    (0.05)   1.32    (0.51)
Total from investment operations   (0.42)   1.98    0.04    1.43    (0.44)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.10)   (0.14)   (0.12)   (0.05)   (0.12)
Net realized gain   (2.16)       (0.24)   (0.35)   (0.19)
Total dividends and distributions   (2.26)   (0.14)   (0.36)   (0.40)   (0.31)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $5.56   $8.24   $6.40   $6.72   $5.69 
                          
Total return2   (4.90%)   31.18%    1.98%    26.33%    (7.24%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $354,290   $3703   $4653   $5113   $4463 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   1.01%    1.00%    1.01%    1.00%    1.00% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.37%    1.11%    1.57%    1.81%    1.09% 
Portfolio turnover   72%    41%    63%    62%    56% 

1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 75 

Financial highlights

Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period      $6.89       $6.02       $6.01       $6.89       $8.58 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.06    0.14    0.12    0.16    0.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.85)   0.87    0.03    1.17    (1.07)
Total from investment operations   (0.79)   1.01    0.15    1.33    (0.91)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.23)   (0.14)   (0.14)   (0.22)   (0.14)
Net realized gain   (1.46)           (1.99)   (0.64)
Total dividends and distributions   (1.69)   (0.14)   (0.14)   (2.21)   (0.78)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.41   $6.89   $6.02   $6.01   $6.89 
                          
Total return2   (11.32%)   16.97%    3.15%    23.15%    (11.68%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $228,704   $2943   $3153   $2973   $2843 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   1.07%    1.01%    1.03%    1.02%    1.01% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.30%    2.14%    2.19%    2.52%    2.01% 
Portfolio turnover   47%    109%    73%    39%    93% 

1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


76  

Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18 
Net asset value, beginning of period      $9.77       $6.97       $8.05       $6.60       $7.64 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.11    0.06    0.07    0.17    0.10 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.44)   2.95    (0.46)   1.43    (0.54)
Total from investment operations   (2.33)   3.01    (0.39)   1.60    (0.44)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.07)   (0.08)   (0.12)   (0.12)   (0.11)
Net realized gain   (1.07)   (0.13)   (0.57)   (0.03)   (0.49)
Total dividends and distributions   (1.14)   (0.21)   (0.69)   (0.15)   (0.60)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $6.30   $9.77   $6.97   $8.05   $6.60 
                          
Total return2   (24.87%)   43.68%    (3.13%)   24.43%    (5.57%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $27,842   $413   $313   $353   $343 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   1.23%    1.21%    1.37%    1.26%    1.24% 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived4   1.38%    1.30%    1.46%    1.35%    1.33% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.51%    0.71%    1.06%    1.36%    1.45% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets prior to fees waived   1.36%    0.62%    0.97%    1.27%    1.36% 
Portfolio turnover   59%    57%    72%    54%    71% 

1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle. Total return during the period shown reflects waivers by the manager and/or distributor. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 77 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

December 31, 2022

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios (Trust) is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and offers 26 portfolios. These financial statements and the related notes pertain to 7 portfolios: Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity, Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond, Delaware Ivy VIP Value, Delaware VIP Global Value Equity (formerly, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Equity Income), and Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities (formerly Delaware Ivy VIP Securian Real Estate Securities), (each, a Portfolio and collectively, the Portfolios). The Trust is an open-end investment company. Each of the Portfolios are diversified as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act).

Each Portfolio offers Class II shares. The Class II shares carry a distribution and service (12b-1) fee. The shares of the Portfolios are sold only to variable life insurance separate accounts and variable annuity separate accounts.

1. Significant Accounting Policies

Each Portfolio follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services — Investment Companies. The following accounting policies are in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) and are consistently followed by the Portfolios.

Security Valuation — Equity securities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), except those traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq), are valued at the last quoted sales price as of the time of the regular close of the New York Stock Exchange on the valuation date. Equity securities and ETFs traded on the Nasdaq are valued in accordance with the Nasdaq Official Closing Price, which may not be the last sales price. If, on a particular day, an equity security or ETF does not trade, the mean between the bid and the ask prices will be used, which approximates fair value. Equity securities listed on a foreign exchange are normally valued at the last quoted sales price on the valuation date. US government and agency securities are valued at the mean between the bid and the ask prices, which approximates fair value. Other debt securities are valued based upon valuations provided by an independent pricing service or broker and reviewed by management. To the extent current market prices are not available, the pricing service may take into account developments related to the specific security, as well as transactions in comparable securities. Valuations for fixed income securities utilize matrix systems, which reflect such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, and ratings, and are supplemented by dealer and exchange quotations. For asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), commercial mortgage securities, and US government agency mortgage securities, pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which considers prepayment speed, attributes of the collateral, yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type as well as broker/dealer-supplied prices. Foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and the ask prices, which approximates fair value. Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are valued at the daily quoted settlement prices. Exchange-traded options are valued at the last reported sale price or, if no sales are reported, at the mean between the last reported bid and the ask prices, which approximates fair value. Open-end investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (NAV). Generally, other securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by each Portfolio's valuation designee, Delaware Management Company (DMC). Subject to the oversight of each Trust's Board of Trustees (Board), DMC, as valuation designee, has adopted policies and procedures to fair value securities for which market quotations are not readily available consistent with the requirements of Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. In determining whether market quotations are readily available or fair valuation will be used, various factors will be taken into consideration, such as market closures or suspension of trading in a security. Restricted securities and private placements are valued at fair value.

Federal and Foreign Income Taxes — No provision for federal income taxes has been made as each Portfolio intends to continue to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to shareholders. Each Portfolio evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing each Portfolio's tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed each Portfolio's tax positions taken or expected to be taken on each Portfolio's federal income tax returns through the year ended December 31, 2022, and for all open tax years (years ended December 31, 2019-December 31, 2021), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in each Portfolio's financial statements. In regard to foreign taxes only, each Portfolio has open tax years in certain foreign countries in which it invests in that may date back to the inception of each Portfolio. If applicable, each Portfolio recognizes interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other” on the “Statements of operations.” During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Portfolios did not incur any interest or tax penalties.


78  

Foreign Currency Transactions — Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the prevailing exchange rates on the valuation date. The value of all assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies is translated daily into US dollars at the exchange rate of such currencies against the US dollar. Transaction gains or losses resulting from changes in exchange rates during the reporting period or upon settlement of the foreign currency transaction are reported in operations for the current period. The Portfolios generally bifurcate that portion of realized gains and losses on investments in debt securities which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices of debt securities. That portion of gains (losses), which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates, is included on the “Statements of operations” under “Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currencies.” For foreign equity securities, the realized gains and losses are included on the “Statements of operations” under “Net realized gain (loss) on investments.” The Portfolios report certain foreign currency related transactions as components of realized gains (losses) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are treated as ordinary income (loss) for federal income tax purposes.

Derivative Financial Instruments — The Portfolios may invest in various derivative financial instruments. These instruments are used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity, index, market, and/or other assets without owning or taking physical custody of securities, commodities and/or other referenced assets or to manage market, equity, credit, interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, commodity and/ or other risks. Derivative financial instruments may give rise to a form of economic leverage and involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative financial instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the counterparty to the transaction or illiquidity of the instrument. Pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, among other things, the Portfolios must either use derivative financial instruments with embedded leverage in a limited manner or comply with an outer limit on fund leverage risk based on value-at-risk. The Portfolios' successful use of a derivative financial instrument depends on the investment adviser's ability to predict pertinent market movements accurately, which cannot be assured. The use of these instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may limit the amount of appreciation the Portfolios can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. The Portfolios' investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.

Segregation and Collateralizations — In certain cases, based on requirements and agreements with certain exchanges and third-party broker-dealers, the Portfolios may deliver or receive collateral in connection with certain investments (e.g., futures contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, options written, securities with extended settlement periods, and swaps). Certain countries require that cash reserves be held while investing in companies incorporated in that country. These cash reserves and cash collateral that has been pledged/received to cover obligations of the Portfolios under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately on the "Statements of assets and liabilities" as cash collateral due to/from broker. Securities collateral pledged for the same purpose, if any, is noted on the "Schedules of investments."

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.

Other — Expenses directly attributable to a Portfolio are charged directly to that Portfolio. Other expenses common to various funds within the Delaware Funds by Macquarie® (Delaware Funds) are generally allocated among such funds on the basis of average net assets. Management fees and certain other expenses are paid monthly. Security transactions are recorded on the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date) for financial reporting purposes. Costs used in calculating realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are those of the specific securities sold. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Income and capital gain distributions from any investment companies (Underlying Funds) in which the Portfolio invests are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Discounts and premiums on debt securities are accreted or amortized to interest income, respectively, over the lives of the respective securities using the effective interest method. Premiums on callable debt securities are amortized to interest income to the earliest call date using the effective interest method. Realized gains (losses) on paydowns of asset- and mortgage-backed securities are classified as interest income. Distributions received from investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) are recorded as dividend income on the ex-dividend date, subject to reclassification upon notice of the character of such distributions by the issuer, which are estimated. Foreign dividends are also recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon after the ex-dividend date that the Portfolios are aware of such dividends, net of all tax withholdings, a portion of which may be reclaimable. Withholding taxes and reclaims on foreign dividends and interest have been recorded in accordance with the Portfolios' understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Each Portfolio may pay foreign capital gains taxes on certain foreign securities held, which are reported as components of realized losses for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are treated as ordinary loss for federal income tax purposes. The Portfolios declare and pay dividends from net investment income


 79 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

and distributions from net realized gain on investments, if any, following the close of the fiscal year. The Portfolios may distribute more frequently, if necessary for tax purposes. Dividends and distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates

In accordance with the terms of its respective investment management agreement, each Portfolio pays DMC, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust and the investment manager, an annual fee which is calculated daily and paid monthly, based on each Portfolio's average daily net assets as follows:

Portfolio  Management Fee (annual rate as a percentage of average daily net assets)
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity  0.70% of net assets up to $1 billion;
   0.65% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
   0.60% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
   0.55% of net assets over $3 billion.
    
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond  0.475% of net assets up to $1 billion;
   0.450% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $1.5 billion;
   0.40% of net assets over $1.5 billion.
    
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth  0.85% of net assets up to $1 billion;
   0.83% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
   0.80% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
   0.76% of net assets over $3 billion.
    
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond      0.50% of net assets up to $500 million;
   0.45% of net assets over $500 million and up to $1 billion;
   0.40% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $1.5 billion;
   0.35% of net assets over $1.5 billion.
    
Delaware Ivy VIP Value  0.70% of net assets up to $1 billion;
   0.65% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
   0.60% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
   0.55% of net assets over $3 billion.
    
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity  0.70% of net assets up to $1 billion;
   0.65% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
   0.60% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
   0.55% of net assets over $3 billion.
    
Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities  0.90% of net assets up to $1 billion;
   0.87% of net assets over $1 billion and up to $2 billion;
   0.84% of net assets over $2 billion and up to $3 billion;
   0.80% of net assets over $3 billion.

DMC has entered into sub-advisory agreements with the following entities on behalf of the Portfolios:

Prior to July 29, 2022, under an agreement between DMC and Securian Asset Management, Inc. (Securian AM), Securian AM served as sub-adviser to Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities. The sub-adviser made investment decisions in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions under the supervision of DMC and the oversight of the Board. DMC paid all applicable costs of the sub-adviser. Following July 29, 2022, under agreements between DMC and each of Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited (MFMHKL), Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited (MIMEL) and Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited (MIMGL), each of MFMHKL, MIMEL and MIMGL serves as sub-advisor to Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities, and along with DMC, are responsible for


80  

its day to day management. In addition, each of the Portfolios may use MIMGL and MFMHKL to execute Portfolio security trades. For their services, each of MFMHKL, MIMEL and MIMGL receive a sub-advisory fee from DMC.

Each of Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG (MIMAK), MIMEL, MIMGL, and MFMHKL is an affiliate of DMC and is a part of Macquarie Asset Management (MAM). MAM is the marketing name for certain companies comprising the asset management division of Macquarie Group Limited.

With respect to Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth, and Delaware VIP Global Value Equity, DMC has principal responsibility for the portfolio and may utilize MIMGL and MFMHKL to execute Portfolio security trades on behalf of DMC.

With respect to Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond and Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond, DMC may seek investment advice and recommendations from MIMAK, MIMEL, and MIMGL and may permit each to exercise investment discretion in certain markets where DMC believes it will be beneficial to utilize the specialized market knowledge of each of MIMAK, MIMEL, and/or MIMGL.

Pursuant to the terms of the relevant sub-advisory agreement, an investment sub-advisory fee is paid by DMC to each Affiliated Sub-Advisor.

Prior to January 18, 2022 (for Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Value and Delaware VIP Global Value Equity), January 31, 2022 (for Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond and Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond) and February 28, 2022 (for Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities), the Portfolios had an Accounting Services Agreement with Waddell & Reed Services Company (WRSCO), doing business as WI Services Company (WISC). Under the agreement, WISC acted as the agent in providing bookkeeping and accounting services and assistance to each Portfolio, including maintenance of Portfolio records, pricing of Portfolio shares and preparation of certain shareholder reports. For these services, each Portfolio paid WISC a monthly fee of one-twelfth of the annual fee based on the average net asset levels shown in the following table:

(M - Millions)      Annual Fee Rate 
$0 to $10M  $0 
$10 to $25M   11,496 
$25 to $50M   23,100 
$50 to $100M   35,496 
$100 to $200M   48,396 
$200 to $350M   63,204 
$350 to $550M   82,500 
$550 to $750M   96,300 
$750 to $1,000M   121,596 
Over $1,000M   148,500 

In addition, each Portfolio paid WISC a monthly administrative fee at the annual rate of 0.01%, or one basis point, for the first $1 billion of net assets with no fee charged for net assets in excess of $1 billion. This fee was voluntarily waived by WISC until each Portfolio’s net assets were at least $10 million and is included in “Accounting and administration expenses” on the "Statements of operations.”

Effective January 18, 2022 (for Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Value and Delaware VIP Global Value Equity), January 31, 2022 (for Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond and Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond) and February 28, 2022 (for Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities), Delaware Investments Fund Services Company (DIFSC), an affiliate of DMC, provides fund accounting and financial administrative oversight services to each Portfolio. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly, based on the aggregate daily net assets of all funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rates: 0.00475% of the first $35 billion; 0.0040% of the next $10 billion; 0.0025% of the next $45 billion; and 0.0015% of aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $90 billion (Total Fee). Each fund in the Delaware Funds pays a minimum of $4,000, which, in aggregate, is subtracted from the Total Fee. Each fund then pays its portion of the remainder of the Total Fee on a relative NAV basis. These amounts are included on the “Statements of operations” under “Accounting and administration expenses.” From the effective dates mentioned above to December 31, 2022, each Portfolio paid for these services as follows:

Portfolio      Fees 
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity  $18,272 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond   20,428 

 81 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

Portfolio      Fees 
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth  $6,828 
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond   15,356 
Delaware Ivy VIP Value   11,976 
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity   9,881 
Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities   3,591 

Prior to June 27, 2022, under a Transfer Agency Agreement between the Trust and WISC, each Portfolio reimbursed WISC for certain out-of-pocket costs. Effective June 27, 2022, DIFSC is also the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of the Portfolios. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.0075% of the Portfolios’ average daily net assets. This amount is included on the “Statements of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” From June 27, 2022 through December 31, 2022, each Portfolio paid for these services as follows:

Portfolio      Fees 
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity  $19,455 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond   15,914 
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth   3,682 
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond   10,014 
Delaware Ivy VIP Value   11,435 
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity   7,214 
Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities   949 

Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DIFSC and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNYMIS), effective June 27, 2022, BNYMIS provides certain sub-transfer agency services to each Portfolio. Sub-transfer agency fees are paid by each Portfolio and are also included on the “Statements of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” The fees that are calculated daily and paid as invoices are received on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Pursuant to a distribution agreement and distribution plan, each Portfolio pays DDLP, the distributor and an affiliate of DMC, an annual 12b-1 fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class II shares. The fees are calculated daily and paid monthly.

From January 1, 2022, (except as noted below) DMC (through April 29, 2023) and WRSCO (until June 27, 2022) have contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its investment advisory fees and/or pay/reimburse expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest, short sale dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations) as follows:

Portfolio   Operating expense
limitation as a
percentage of average
daily net assets
Class II Shares
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity   0.95%
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth   1.13%
Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities1   1.21%

1 Effective April 29, 2022. Prior to April 29, 2022, the Portfolio’s investment management fee is being reduced by 0.09% of average daily net assets.

As provided in the investment management agreement, each Portfolio bears a portion of the cost of certain resources shared with DMC, including the cost of internal personnel of DMC and/or its affiliates that provide legal and regulatory reporting services to each Portfolio. These amounts are included on the “Statements of operations” under “Legal fees.” For the year ended December 31, 2022, each Portfolio paid for internal legal and regulatory reporting services provided by DMC and/or its affiliates’ employees as follows:


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Portfolio  Fees 
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity      $19,469 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond   16,371 
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth   3,844 
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond   9,990 
Delaware Ivy VIP Value   11,141 
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity   19,350 
Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities   27,231 

Trustees’ fees include expenses accrued by each Portfolio for each Trustee’s retainer and meeting fees. Certain officers of DMC, DIFSC, and DDLP are officers and/or Trustees of the Trust. These officers and Trustees are paid no compensation by the Portfolios.

In addition to the management fees and other expenses of a Portfolio, a Portfolio indirectly bears the investment management fees and other expenses of any Underlying Funds including ETFs in which it invests. The amount of these fees and expenses incurred indirectly by a Portfolio will vary based upon the expense and fee levels of any Underlying Funds and the number of shares that are owned of any Underlying Funds at different times.

Cross trades for the year ended December 31, 2022, were executed by the Portfolios pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board designed to ensure compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds of investment companies, or between a fund of an investment company and another entity, that are or could be considered affiliates by virtue of having a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common directors/trustees and/or common officers. At its regularly scheduled meetings, the Board reviews a report related to the Portfolios' compliance with the procedures adopted by the Board. Pursuant to these procedures, for the year ended December 31, 2022, the following Portfolios engaged in Rule 17a-7 securities purchases and securities sales, which resulted in net gains or losses as follows:

    Purchases   Sales   Net realized gain (loss)
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth   $—   $1,126,527   $225,645

3. Investments

For the year ended December 31, 2022, each Portfolio made purchases and sales of investment securities other than short-term investments as follows:

Portfolio  Purchases
other than
US government
securities
   Purchases of
US government
securities
   Sales
other than
US government
securities
   Sales of
US government
securities
 
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity      $292,612,939       $       $313,779,660       $ 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond   331,280,868    27,376,931    412,824,151    25,578,414 
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth   91,042,582        104,455,839     
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond   112,523,462    365,122,709    147,944,870    389,670,370 
Delaware Ivy VIP Value   265,716,406        261,623,242     
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity   114,719,170        143,580,561     
Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities   19,569,664        23,227,519     

The tax cost of investments and derivatives includes adjustments to net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) which may not necessarily be the final tax cost basis adjustments but which approximate the tax basis unrealized gains and losses that may be realized and distributed to shareholders. At December 31, 2022, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and derivatives for federal income tax purposes for each Portfolio were as follows:


 83 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

3. Investments (continued)

Portfolio      Cost of
investments
and derivatives
       Aggregate
unrealized
appreciation
of investments
and derivatives
       Aggregate
unrealized
depreciation
of investments
and derivatives
       Net unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
of investments
and derivatives
 
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity  $522,768,870   $95,755,353   $(20,475,575)  $75,279,778 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond   559,055,836    2,325,773    (73,345,892)   (71,020,119)
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth   109,206,929    19,506,586    (10,529,966)   8,976,620 
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond   321,892,097    506,695    (10,842,378)   (10,335,683)
Delaware Ivy VIP Value   341,981,816    46,570,592    (34,349,913)   12,220,679 
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity   265,015,775    9,781,647    (36,688,478)   (26,906,831)
Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities   31,653,374    399,740    (4,339,730)   (3,939,990)

US GAAP defines fair value as the price that each Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. A three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements has been established based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available under the circumstances. Each Portfolio's investment in its entirety is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized as follows:

Level 1 -  Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. (Examples: equity securities, open-end investment companies, futures contracts, and exchange-traded options contracts)
   
Level 2 - Other observable inputs, including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs. (Examples: debt securities, government securities, swap contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign securities utilizing international fair value pricing, broker-quoted securities, and fair valued securities)
   
Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs, including each Portfolio's own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments. (Examples: broker-quoted securities and fair valued securities)

Level 3 investments are valued using significant unobservable inputs. Each Portfolio may also use an income-based valuation approach in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Valuations may also be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity, and industry. The derived value of a Level 3 investment may not represent the value which is received upon disposition and this could impact the results of operations.


84  

The following tables summarize the valuation of each Portfolio's investments by fair value hierarchy levels as of December 31, 2022:

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Core Equity
 
   Level 1 
Securities          
Assets:     
Common Stocks  $577,684,181 
Short-Term Investments   20,364,467 
Total Value of Securities  $598,048,648 

   Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond 
   Level 1   Level 2   Total 
Securities                           
Assets:               
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations  $   $   $ 
Convertible Bonds       1,152,011    1,152,011 
Corporate Bonds       447,454,134    447,454,134 
Municipal Bonds       4,218,921    4,218,921 
Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities       5,854,931    5,854,931 
Sovereign Bonds       2,404,077    2,404,077 
US Treasury Obligation       2,015,215    2,015,215 
Short-Term Investments   24,309,128        24,309,128 
Securities Lending Collateral   627,300        627,300 
Total Value of Securities  $24,936,428   $463,099,289   $488,035,717 

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Global
Growth
 
       Level 1 
Securities     
Assets:     
Common Stocks  $116,301,431 
Short-Term Investments   848,739 
Securities Lending Collateral   1,033,379 
Total Value of Securities  $118,183,549 

   Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond 
   Level 1   Level 2   Total 
Securities               
Assets:               
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations      $       $509,112       $509,112 
Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities       34,543,251    34,543,251 
Agency Mortgage-Backed Security       218,363    218,363 
Collateralized Debt Obligations       22,086,605    22,086,605 
Corporate Bonds       172,518,784    172,518,784 
Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities       14,220,874    14,220,874 
Supranational Banks       494,380    494,380 

 85 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

3. Investments (continued)

   Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond 
       Level 1       Level 2       Total 
US Treasury Obligations  $   $64,402,218   $64,402,218 
Securities Lending Collateral   2,533,450        2,533,450 
Total Value of Securities  $2,533,450   $308,993,587   $311,527,037 
                
Derivatives1               
Assets:               
Futures Contracts  $29,629   $   $29,629 
Liabilities:               
Futures Contracts  $(252)  $   $(252)

1 Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument at the year end.

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Value
 
   Level 1 
Securities         
Assets:     
Common Stocks  $342,628,267 
Short-Term Investments   11,600,129 
Total Value of Securities Before Options Written  $354,228,396 
Liabilities:     
Options Written  $(25,901)
      
   Delaware VIP
Global Value
Equity
 
   Level 1 
Securities     
Assets:     
Common Stocks  $225,812,853 
Exchange-Traded Fund   1,985,071 
Short-Term Investments   428,410 
Securities Lending Collateral   9,882,610 
Total Value of Securities  $238,108,944 

   Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities 
   Level 1   Level 2  Total 
Securities                           
Assets:               
Common Stocks  $26,971,543   $   $26,971,543 
Short-Term Investments   741,860        741,860 
Total Value of Securities  $27,713,403   $   $27,713,403 

86  

   Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities 
       Level 1       Level 2      Total 
Derivatives1               
Assets:               
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts  $   $(20)  $(20)

1 Foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument at the year end.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 investments that had a significant impact to each Portfolio. Each Portfolio’s policy is to recognize transfers into or out of Level 3 investments based on fair value at the beginning of the reporting period.

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when a Portfolio has a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning or end of the period in relation to each Portfolio's net assets. During the year ended December 31, 2022, there were no Level 3 investments.

4. Dividend and Distribution Information

Income and long-term capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Additionally, distributions from net gains on foreign currency transactions and net short-term gains on sales of investment securities are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

   Ordinary
income
     Long-term
capital
gains
      Total 
Year ended December 31, 2022:               
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity  $19,922,101   $112,574,994   $132,497,095 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond   18,101,806    11,073,510    29,175,316 
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth   2,435,130    17,267,288    19,702,418 
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond   5,071,490    2,114,026    7,185,516 
Delaware Ivy VIP Value   37,082,297    70,780,476    107,862,773 
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity   21,825,404    46,343,813    68,169,217 
Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities   2,101,458    2,512,087    4,613,545 
                
Year ended December 31, 2021:               
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity   4,049    28,399    32,448 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond   32,013    12,847    44,860 
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth   89    7,560    7,649 
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond   8,512        8,512 
Delaware Ivy VIP Value   8,558        8,558 
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity   7,042        7,042 
Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities   329    553    882 

 87 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

5. Components of Net Assets on a Tax Basis

As of December 31, 2022, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:

   Delaware Ivy
VIP
Core Equity
     Delaware Ivy
VIP
Corporate Bond
     Delaware Ivy
VIP
Global Growth
 
Shares of beneficial interest  $462,064,387   $582,864,567   $83,849,874 
Undistributed ordinary income   2,255,334    13,223,347    78,885 
Undistributed long-term capital gains   57,751,879        24,558,987 
Capital loss carry forwards       (33,707,576)    
Deferred directors fees   (75,513)   (52,293)   (34,672)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, foreign currencies, and derivatives   75,279,779    (71,020,120)   8,814,797 
Net assets  $597,275,866   $491,307,925   $117,267,871 
                
   Delaware Ivy
VIP
Limited-Term
Bond
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Value
   Delaware VIP
Global Value
Equity
 
Shares of beneficial interest  $328,800,653   $286,844,675   $249,935,805 
Undistributed ordinary income   5,216,736    8,277,768    3,810,692 
Undistributed long-term capital gains       46,986,940    1,900,182 
Capital loss carryforwards   (10,870,955)        
Unamortized organizational costs   (1,191)        
Deferred directors fees   (9,183)   (40,400)   (26,464)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, foreign currencies, and derivatives   (10,335,683)   12,220,678    (26,915,795)
Net assets  $312,800,377   $354,289,661   $228,704,420 
                
   Delaware VIP
Real Estate
Securities
           
Shares of beneficial interest      $28,631,128                   
Undistributed ordinary income   554,395           
Undistributed long-term capital gains   2,601,329           
Deferred directors fees   (4,454)          
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, foreign currencies, and derivatives   (3,939,990)          
Net assets  $27,842,408           

Differences between components of net assets unrealized and tax cost unrealized may arise due to certain foreign currency transactions, foreign capital gains taxes, and amortization of callable bond premiums in accordance with ASU 2017-08.

The differences between book basis and tax basis components of net assets are primarily attributable to tax deferral of losses on wash sales, mark-to-market on foreign currency exchange contracts, tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies (PFICS), mark-to-market on futures, and tax deferral on straddle losses.

For financial reporting purposes, capital accounts are adjusted to reflect the tax character of permanent book/tax differences. Results of operations and net assets were not affected by these reclassifications. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Portfolios had no reclassifications.

At December 31, 2022, capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains are as follows:

   Loss carryforward character      
   Short-term    Long-term    Total 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond      $17,768,478      $15,939,098       $33,707,576 
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond   5,905,522    4,965,433    10,870,955 

88  

6. Capital Shares

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

   Delaware Ivy VIP
Core Equity
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Corporate Bond
   Delaware VIP
Global Value Equity
 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
                                           
Shares sold:                              
Class II   7,334,597    725,598    9,529,153    27,486,227    5,661,424    2,753,932 
                               
Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:
Class II   11,746,196    2,139,397    6,328,702    8,183,440    15,493,004    1,077,479 
    19,080,793    2,864,995    15,857,855    35,669,667    21,154,428    3,831,411 
                               
Shares redeemed:                              
Class II   (8,696,962)   (12,603,405)   (24,951,447)   (30,213,037)   (12,011,799)   (13,470,189)
Net increase (decrease)   10,383,831    (9,738,410)   (9,093,592)   5,456,630    9,142,629    (9,638,778)

   Delaware Ivy VIP
Global Growth
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Limited-Term Bond
   Delaware VIP
Real Estate Securities
 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Shares sold:                              
Class II   956,613    697,690    8,694,870    15,426,726    511,994    599,493 
                               
Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:
Class II   6,062,282    1,757,384    1,555,307    1,730,961    660,966    112,146 
    7,018,895    2,455,074    10,250,177    17,157,687    1,172,960    711,639 
                               
Shares redeemed:                              
Class II   (4,999,033)   (5,540,553)   (22,012,355)   (23,001,819)   (995,485)   (932,336)
Net increase   2,019,862    (3,085,479)   (11,762,178)   (5,844,132)   177,475    (220,697)

   Delaware Ivy VIP Value 
   Year ended 
   12/31/22       12/31/21 
Shares sold:                  
Class II   13,056,901    1,830,507 
           
Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:          
Class II   19,434,734    1,136,610 
    32,491,635    2,967,117 
           
Shares redeemed:          
Class II   (13,697,429)   (30,759,047)
Net increase (decrease)   18,794,206    (27,791,930)

 89 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

7. Line of Credit

Each Portfolio, along with certain other funds in the Delaware Funds (Participants), was a participant in a $355,000,000 revolving line of credit (Agreement) intended to be used for temporary or emergency purposes as an additional source of liquidity to fund redemptions of investor shares. Under the Agreement, the Participants are charged an annual commitment fee of 0.15%, which is allocated across the Participants based on a weighted average of the respective net assets of each Participant. The Participants were permitted to borrow up to a maximum of one-third of their net assets under the Agreement. Each Participant was individually, and not jointly, liable for its particular advances, if any, under the line of credit. The line of credit available under the Agreement expired on October 31, 2022.

On October 31, 2022, each Portfolio, along with the other Participants, entered into an amendment to the Agreement for a $355,000,000 revolving line of credit to be used as described above. It operates in substantially the same manner as the original Agreement. Under the amendment to the Agreement, the Participants are charged an annual commitment fee of 0.15%, which is allocated across the Participants based on a weighted average of the respective net assets of each Participant. The line of credit available under the Agreement expires on October 30, 2023.

Each Portfolio had no amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2022, or at any time during the year then ended.

8. Interfund Lending Program

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC (Order), the Ivy Funds and Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios (collectively, the Funds only for purposes of this Note 8) have the ability to lend money to, and borrow money from, each other pursuant to a master interfund lending agreement (Interfund Lending Program). Under the Interfund Lending Program, the Funds may lend or borrow money for temporary purposes directly to or from one another (each, an Interfund Loan), subject to meeting the conditions of the Order. The interest rate to be charged on an Interfund Loan is the average of the overnight repurchase agreement rate and the short-term bank loan rate. This program is in existence but is not currently in use. The Funds made no Interfund Loans under the Interfund Lending Program during the year ended December 31, 2022.

9. Derivatives

US GAAP requires disclosures that enable investors to understand: (1) how and why an entity uses derivatives; (2) how they are accounted for; and (3) how they affect an entity’s results of operations and financial position.

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts — Each Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts as a way of managing foreign exchange rate risk. Each Portfolio may enter into these contracts to fix the US dollar value of a security that it has agreed to buy or sell for the period between the date the trade was entered into and the date the security is delivered and paid for. Each Portfolio may also enter into these contracts to hedge the US dollar value of securities it already owns that are denominated in foreign currencies. In addition, each Portfolio may enter into these contracts to facilitate or expedite the settlement of portfolio transactions. The change in value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

The use of foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities, but does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to an unfavorable change in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency change favorably. In addition, each Portfolio could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts. Each Portfolio's maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the value of its currency exchanged with the counterparty. The risk is generally mitigated by having a netting arrangement between each Portfolio and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Portfolio to cover each Portfolio's exposure to the counterparty. Open foreign currency exchange contracts, if any, are disclosed on the "Schedules of investments."

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth and Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities used foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate or expedite the settlement of portfolio transactions and Delaware VIP Global Value Equity used foreign currency exchange contracts to fix the US dollar value of a security between trade date and settlement date.


90  

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth and Delaware VIP Global Value Equity experienced net realized and unrealized gains or losses attributable to foreign currency holdings, which are disclosed on the “Statements of operations.”

Futures Contracts — A futures contract is an agreement in which the writer (or seller) of the contract agrees to deliver to the buyer an amount of cash or securities equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a specific security or index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made. The Portfolios may use futures in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Portfolios may invest in futures contracts to hedge its existing portfolio securities against fluctuations in fair value caused by changes in prevailing interest rates or market condition. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Portfolios deposit cash or pledge US government securities to a broker, equal to the minimum “initial margin” requirements of the exchange on which the contract is traded. Subsequent payments are received from the broker or paid to the broker each day, based on the daily fluctuation in the market value of the contract. These receipts or payments are known as “variation margin” and are recorded daily by the Portfolios as unrealized gains or losses until the contracts are closed. When the contracts are closed, the Portfolios record a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Risks of entering into futures contracts include potential imperfect correlation between the futures contracts and the underlying securities and the possibility of an illiquid secondary market for these instruments. When investing in futures, there is reduced counterparty credit risk to the Portfolios because futures are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees against default. Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond posted $198,256 cash collateral as margin for open futures contracts, which is included in “Cash collateral due from broker on futures contracts” on the “Statements of assets and liabilities.” Open futures contracts, if any, are disclosed on the "Schedules of investments."

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond invested in futures contracts to hedge the Portfolio’s existing portfolio securities against fluctuations in value caused by changes in interest rates or market conditions.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy Limited-Term Bond experienced net realized and unrealized gains or losses attributable to futures contracts, which are disclosed on the “Statements of operations.”

Options Contracts — During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond and Delaware Ivy VIP Value entered into options contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Portfolio may buy or write options contracts for any number of reasons, including without limitation: to manage each exposure to changes in securities prices caused by interest rates or market conditions and foreign currencies; as an efficient means of adjusting the Portfolio's overall exposure to certain markets; to protect the value of portfolio securities; and as a cash management tool. The Portfolio may buy or write call or put options on securities, futures, swaps, swaptions, financial indices, and foreign currencies. When the Portfolio buys an option, a premium is paid and an asset is recorded and adjusted on a daily basis to reflect the current market value of the option purchased. When the Portfolio writes an option, a premium is received and a liability is recorded and adjusted on a daily basis to reflect the current market value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Portfolio on the expiration date as realized gains. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is treated as realized gain or loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in determining whether the Portfolio has a realized gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the Portfolio. The Portfolio, as writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option. When writing options, the Portfolio is subject to minimal counterparty risk because the counterparty is only obligated to pay premiums and does not bear the market risk of an unfavorable market change. Delaware Ivy VIP Value pledged securities collateral valued at $21,381 as collateral for open options contracts. Open options contracts, if any, are disclosed on the "Schedules of investments."

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy Corporate Bond and Delaware Ivy VIP Value used options contracts to receive premiums for writing options. Delaware Ivy Corporate Bond also used options contracts to manage the Portfolio's exposure to changes in securities prices caused by interest rates or market conditions and selling put options to purchase the underlying security for the Portfolio at a price lower than the current market value of the security.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy Corporate Bond and Delaware Ivy VIP Value experienced net realized and unrealized gains or losses attributable to options contracts, which are disclosed on the "Statements of operations."

Swap Contracts — Each Portfolio may enter into CDS contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. Each Portfolio may enter into CDS contracts in order to hedge against a credit event, to enhance total return or to gain exposure to certain securities or markets. Swap agreements are bilaterally negotiated agreements between a Portfolio and counterparty to exchange or swap investment cash flows,


 91 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

9. Derivatives (continued)

assets, foreign currencies or market-linked returns at specified, future intervals. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market (OTC swaps). If the OTC swap entered is one of the swaps identified by a relevant regulator as a swap that is required to be cleared, then it will be cleared through a third party, known as a central counterparty or derivatives clearing organization (centrally cleared swaps).

Credit Default Swaps. A CDS contract is a risk-transfer instrument through which one party (purchaser of protection) transfers to another party (seller of protection) the financial risk of a credit event (as defined in the CDS agreement), as it relates to a particular reference security or basket of securities (such as an index). In exchange for the protection offered by the seller of protection, the purchaser of protection agrees to pay the seller of protection a periodic amount at a stated rate that is applied to the notional amount of the CDS contract. In addition, an upfront payment may be made or received by the Portfolio in connection with an unwinding or assignment of a CDS contract. Upon the occurrence of a credit event, the seller of protection would pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of the reference security (or basket of securities) to the counterparty. Credit events generally include, among others, bankruptcy, failure to pay, and obligation default.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond entered into CDS contracts as a seller of protection. Periodic payments (receipts) on such contracts are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized losses (gains) on swap contracts. Upon payment (receipt), such amounts are recorded as realized losses (gains) on swap contracts. Upfront payments made or received in connection with CDS contracts are amortized over the expected life of the CDS contracts as unrealized losses (gains) on swap contracts. The change in value of CDS contracts is recorded daily as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. A realized gain or loss is recorded upon a credit event (as defined in the CDS agreement) or the maturity or termination of the agreement. Initial margin and variation margin are posted to central counterparties for centrally cleared CDS basket trades, as determined by the applicable central counterparty. During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy Limited-Term Bond did not enter into any CDS contracts as a purchaser of protection.

CDS contracts may involve greater risks than if the Portfolio had invested in the reference obligation directly. CDS contracts are subject to general market risk, liquidity risk, counterparty risk, and credit risk. The Portfolio’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk, either as the seller of protection or the buyer of protection, is the fair value of the contract. This risk is mitigated by (1) for bilateral swap contracts, having a netting arrangement between the Portfolio and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Portfolio to cover the Portfolio’s exposure to the counterparty, and (2) for cleared swaps, trading these instruments through a central counterparty. No CDS contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2022.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond used CDS contracts to hedge against credit events.

Swaps Generally. For centrally cleared swaps, payments are received from the broker or paid to the broker each day, based on the daily fluctuation in the market value of the contract. These receipts or payments are known as “variation margin” and are recorded by the Portfolio as unrealized gains or losses until the contracts are closed. When the contracts are closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The value of open swaps may differ from that which would be realized in the event the Portfolio terminated its position in the contract on a given day. Risks of entering into these contracts include the potential inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contracts. This type of risk is generally limited to the amount of favorable movement in the value of the underlying security, instrument, or basket of instruments, if any, at the day of default. Risks also arise from potential losses from adverse market movements and such losses could exceed the unrealized amounts shown on the “Schedules of investments.” The table below summarizes the average quarterly balance of derivative holdings by certain Portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2022:

   Long Derivative Volume
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Corporate Bond
  Delaware Ivy VIP
Global Growth
Foreign currency exchange contracts (average notional value)      $      $112,958 
Options contracts (average notional value)*   1,750     

92  

   Long Derivative Volume
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Limited-Term Bond
  Delaware VIP
Global Value Equity
Foreign currency exchange contracts (average notional value)  $   $337,425 
Futures contracts (average notional value)   27,580,241     
           
   Short Derivative Volume 
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Corporate Bond
  Delaware Ivy VIP
Global Growth
Foreign currency exchange contracts (average notional value)     $      $2,393,914 
Options contracts (average notional value)*   1,749     

   Short Derivative Volume
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Limited-Term Bond
     Delaware Ivy VIP Value    Delaware VIP
Global Value Equity
Foreign currency exchange contracts (average notional value)     $      $      $105,915 
Futures contracts (average notional value)   5,422,739         
Options contracts (average notional value)*       137,352     
CDS contracts (average notional value)**   13,534         

   Short Derivative Volume
   Delaware VIP
Real Estate Securities
Foreign currency exchange contracts (average notional value)  $5,065 

* Long represents purchased options and short represents written options.

** Long represents buying protection and short represents selling protection.

10. Offsetting

Each Portfolio entered into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (ISDA Master Agreement) or a similar agreement with certain of its derivative contract counterparties in order to better define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help each Portfolio mitigate its counterparty risk. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between each Portfolio and a counterparty that governs over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and foreign exchange contracts and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting items and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, each Portfolio may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default (close-out), including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency, or other events.

For financial reporting purposes, each Portfolio does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements on the “Statements of assets and liabilities.”

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Portfolios under master securities lending agreements (each, an MSLA) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Portfolios, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Portfolios can reinvest cash collateral, or, upon an event of default, resell or re-pledge the collateral (see also Note 11).


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Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

10. Offsetting (continued)

As of December 31, 2022, the following table is a summary of the Portfolios' securities lending agreements by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity                    
Counterparty   Securities
Loaned
at Value
    Cash
Collateral
Received
    Fair Value of
Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
    Net
Collateral
Received(a)
    Net Exposure(b)
Bank of New York Mellon   $3,782,830   $—   $(3,782,830)   $(3,782,830)   $—
                     
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond                    
Counterparty   Securities
Loaned
at Value
  Cash
Collateral
Received
  Fair Value of
Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
  Net
Collateral
Received(a)
  Net Exposure(b)
Bank of New York Mellon   $14,680,075   $(202,831)   $(14,477,244)   $(14,680,075)   $—
                     
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth                    
Counterparty   Securities
Loaned
at Value
  Cash
Collateral
Received
  Fair Value of
Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
  Net
Collateral
Received(a)
  Net Exposure(b)
Bank of New York Mellon   $975,442   $(975,442)   $—   $(975,442)   $—
                     
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond                    
Counterparty   Securities
Loaned
at Value
  Cash
Collateral
Received
  Fair Value of
Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
  Net
Collateral
Received(a)
  Net Exposure(b)
Bank of New York Mellon   $4,253,945   $(2,343,399)   $(1,910,546)   $(4,253,945)   $—
                     
Delaware Ivy VIP Value                    
Counterparty   Securities
Loaned
at Value
  Cash
Collateral
Received
  Fair Value of
Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
  Net
Collateral
Received(a)
  Net Exposure(b)
Bank of New York Mellon   $6,092,738   $—   $(6,092,738)   $(6,092,738)   $—
                     
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity                    
Counterparty   Securities
Loaned
at Value
  Cash
Collateral
Received
  Fair Value of
Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
  Net
Collateral
Received(a)
  Net Exposure(b)
Bank of New York Mellon   $16,781,037   $(9,229,270)   $(7,551,767)   $(16,781,037)   $—

(a) The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the derivatives and securities lending transactions as of December 31, 2022, as applicable.

(b) Net exposure represents the receivable (payable) that would be due from (to) the counterparty in the event of default.

11. Securities Lending

Each Portfolio, along with other funds in the Delaware Funds, may lend its securities pursuant to a security lending agreement (Lending Agreement) with The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon). At the time a security is loaned, the borrower must post collateral equal to the


94  

required percentage of the market value of the loaned security, including any accrued interest. The required percentage is: (1) 102% with respect to US securities and foreign securities that are denominated and payable in US dollars; and (2) 105% with respect to foreign securities. With respect to each loan, if on any business day the aggregate market value of securities collateral plus cash collateral held is less than the aggregate market value of the securities which are the subject of such loan, the borrower will be notified to provide additional collateral by the end of the following business day, which, together with the collateral already held, will be not less than the applicable initial collateral requirements for such security loan. If the aggregate market value of securities collateral and cash collateral held with respect to a security loan exceeds the applicable initial collateral requirement, upon the request of the borrower, BNY Mellon must return enough collateral to the borrower by the end of the following business day to reduce the value of the remaining collateral to the applicable initial collateral requirement for such security loan. As a result of the foregoing, the value of the collateral held with respect to a loaned security on any particular day, may be more or less than the value of the security on loan. The collateral percentage with respect to the market value of the loaned security is determined by the security lending agent.

Cash collateral received by each Portfolio of the Trust is generally invested in a series of individual separate accounts, each corresponding to a Portfolio. The investment guidelines permit each separate account to hold certain securities that would be considered eligible securities for a money market fund. Cash collateral received is generally invested in government securities; certain obligations issued by government sponsored enterprises; repurchase agreements collateralized by US Treasury securities; obligations issued by the central government of any Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country or its agencies, instrumentalities, or establishments; obligations of supranational organizations; commercial paper, notes, bonds, and other debt obligations; certificates of deposit, time deposits, and other bank obligations; certain money market funds; and asset-backed securities. Each Portfolio can also accept US government securities and letters of credit (non-cash collateral) in connection with securities loans.

In the event of default or bankruptcy by the lending agent, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings. In the event the borrower fails to return loaned securities and the collateral received is insufficient to cover the value of the loaned securities and provided such collateral shortfall is not the result of investment losses, the lending agent has agreed to pay the amount of the shortfall to each Portfolio or, at the discretion of the lending agent, replace the loaned securities. Each Portfolio continues to record dividends or interest, as applicable, on the securities loaned and is subject to changes in value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan. Each Portfolio has the right under the Lending Agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. With respect to security loans collateralized by non-cash collateral, each Portfolio receives loan premiums paid by the borrower. With respect to security loans collateralized by cash collateral, the earnings from the collateral investments are shared among each Portfolio, the security lending agent, and the borrower. Each Portfolio records security lending income net of allocations to the security lending agent and the borrower.

Each Portfolio may incur investment losses as a result of investing securities lending collateral. This could occur if an investment in each collateral investment account defaulted or became impaired. Under those circumstances, the value of each Portfolio's cash collateral account may be less than the amount each Portfolio would be required to return to the borrowers of the securities and each Portfolio would be required to make up for this shortfall.

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Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

11. Securities Lending (continued)

The following table reflects a breakdown of transactions accounted for as secured borrowings, the gross obligation by the type of collateral pledged, and the remaining contractual maturity of those transactions as of December 31, 2022:

Securities Lending Transactions  Overnight
and
continuous
   Under
30 days
  Between
30 & 90 days
  Over
90 Days
  Total 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond
Money market mutual fund
      $627,300       $—      $—      $—      $627,300 
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth Money
market mutual fund
   1,033,379          1,033,379 
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond
Money market mutual fund
   2,533,450          2,533,450 
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity
Money market mutual fund
   9,882,610          9,882,610 

The following is a summary of each Portfolio’s securities lending positions and related cash and non-cash collateral received as of December 31, 2022:

   Values of securities on loan    Values of non-
cash collateral
    Values of invested collateral    Total
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity  $3,782,830   $3,903,410   $   $3,903,410 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond   14,680,075    14,477,244    627,300    15,104,544 
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth   975,442        1,033,379    1,033,379 
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond   4,253,945    1,910,546    2,533,450    4,443,996 
Delaware Ivy VIP Value   6,092,738    6,274,773        6,274,773 
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity   16,781,037    7,551,767    9,882,610    17,434,377 

Investments purchased with cash collateral are presented on the “Schedules of investments” under the caption “Securities Lending Collateral.”

12. Credit and Market Risk

An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 was first detected in China in December 2019 and has now been detected globally. This coronavirus has resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, supply chain disruptions, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious illnesses in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

When interest rates rise, fixed income securities (i.e. debt obligations) generally will decline in value. These declines in value are greater for fixed income securities with longer maturities or durations.

IBOR is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rate (collectively, IBORs) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference LIBOR (or the corresponding IBOR). The abandonment of LIBOR could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference LIBOR. The use of alternative reference rate products may impact investment strategy performance. These risks may also apply with respect to changes in connection with other IBORs, such as the euro overnight index average (EONIA), which are also the subject of recent reform.

Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which the Portfolio invests will cause the NAV of the Portfolio to fluctuate.

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Some countries in which the Portfolios may invest require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, if there is deterioration in a country’s balance of payments or for other reasons, a country may impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances abroad.

The securities exchanges of certain foreign markets are substantially smaller, less liquid, and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States. Consequently, acquisition and disposition of securities by the Portfolios may be inhibited. In addition, a significant portion of the aggregate market value of securities listed on the major securities exchanges in emerging markets is held by a smaller number of investors. This may limit the number of shares available for acquisition or disposition by the Portfolios.

Certain Portfolios invest a portion of its assets in high yield fixed income securities, which are securities rated lower than BBB- by S&P and lower than Baa3 by Moody’s, or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Investments in these higher yielding securities are generally accompanied by a greater degree of credit risk than higher-rated securities. Additionally, lower-rated securities may be more susceptible to adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than investment grade securities.

Certain Portfolios invest in fixed income securities whose value is derived from an underlying pool of mortgages or consumer loans. The value of these securities is sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults, and may be adversely affected by shifts in the market’s perception of the issuers and changes in interest rates. Investors receive principal and interest payments as the underlying mortgages and consumer loans are paid back. Some of these securities are CMOs. CMOs are debt securities issued by US government agencies or by financial institutions and other mortgage lenders, which are collateralized by a pool of mortgages held under an indenture. Prepayment of mortgages may shorten the stated maturity of the obligations and can result in a loss of premium, if any has been paid. Certain of these securities may be stripped (securities which provide only the principal or interest feature of the underlying security). The yield to maturity on an interest-only CMO is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates, but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. A rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on a Portfolios' yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Portfolio may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities even if the securities are rated in the highest rating categories.

Certain Portfolios invest in bank loans and other securities that may subject them to direct indebtedness risk, the risk that the Portfolios will not receive payment of principal, interest, and other amounts due in connection with these investments and will depend primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. Loans that are fully secured offer the Portfolio more protection than unsecured loans in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal, although there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. Some loans or claims may be in default at the time of purchase. Certain of the loans and the other direct indebtedness acquired by the Portfolio may involve revolving credit facilities or other standby financing commitments that obligate the Portfolio to pay additional cash on a certain date or on demand. These commitments may require each Portfolio to increase its investment in a company at a time when the Portfolio might not otherwise decide to do so (including at a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid). To the extent that each Portfolio is committed to advance additional funds, it will at all times hold and maintain cash or other high grade debt obligations in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments. When a loan agreement is purchased, the Portfolio may pay an assignment fee. On an ongoing basis, the Portfolio may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of a loan agreement. Prepayment penalty fees are received upon the prepayment of a loan agreement by the borrower. Prepayment penalty, facility, commitment, consent, and amendment fees are recorded to income as earned or paid.

As the Portfolio may be required to rely upon another lending institution to collect and pass on to the Portfolio amounts payable with respect to the loan and to enforce the Portfolio's rights under the loan and other direct indebtedness, an insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the lending institution may delay or prevent the Portfolio from receiving such amounts. The highly leveraged nature of many loans may make them especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Investments in such loans and other direct indebtedness may involve additional risk to the Portfolio.

Certain Portfolios invest in certain obligations that may have liquidity protection designed to ensure that the receipt of payments due on the underlying security is timely. Such protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies, or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor through third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction, or through a combination of such approaches. The Portfolios will not pay any additional fees for such credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.

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Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

12. Credit and Market Risk (continued)

Certain Portfolios may invest in REITs and are subject to the risks associated with that industry. If a Portfolio holds real estate directly or receives rental income directly from real estate holdings, its tax status as a regulated investment company may be jeopardized. There were no direct real estate holdings during the year ended December 31, 2022. The Portfolios' REIT holdings are also affected by interest rate changes, particularly if the REITs they hold use floating rate debt to finance their ongoing operations. The Portfolios also invest in real estate acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, including issuers that invest, deal, or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein. These instruments may include interests in private equity limited partnerships or limited liability companies that hold real estate investments (Real Estate Limited Partnerships). The Portfolios will limit their investments in Real Estate Limited Partnerships to 5% of their total assets at the time of purchase.

Each Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which may include securities with contractual restrictions on resale, securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and other securities which may not be readily marketable. The relative illiquidity of these securities may impair each Portfolio from disposing of them in a timely manner and at a fair price when it is necessary or desirable to do so. While maintaining oversight, the Board has delegated to DMC, the day-to-day functions of determining whether individual securities are liquid for purposes of the Portfolios' limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, which are determined to be liquid, are not subject to the Portfolios' 15% limit on investments in illiquid securities. Rule 144A securities have been identified on the “Schedules of investments.”

13. Contractual Obligations

Each Portfolio enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnifications. Each Portfolio's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, each Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed each Portfolio's existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

14. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU), ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 provide optional temporary financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021. In March 2021, the administrator for LIBOR announced the extension of the publication of a majority of the USD LIBOR settings to June 30, 2023. On December 21, 2022, FASB issued ASU 2022-06 to defer the sunset date of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 848 until December 31, 2024. ASU 2020-04 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024. Management is currently evaluating ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2022-06, but does not believe there will be a material impact.

15. Subsequent Events

Management has determined that no material events or transactions occurred subsequent to December 31, 2022, that would require recognition or disclosure in the Portfolios' financial statements.

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Report of independent
registered public accounting firm

To the Board of Trustees of Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios and Shareholders of Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity, Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond, Delaware Ivy VIP Value, Delaware VIP Global Value Equity and Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity, Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth, Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond, Delaware Ivy VIP Value, Delaware VIP Global Value Equity and Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities (seven of the portfolios constituting Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Portfolios”) as of December 31, 2022, the related statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Portfolios as of December 31, 2022, the results of each of their operations for the year December 31, 2022, and the changes in each of their net assets and each of the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The financial statements of the Portfolios as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to December 31, 2020 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 12, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Portfolios’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Portfolios’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolios in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agents and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 23, 2023

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Delaware Funds by Macquarie® since 2010.

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Other Portfolio information (Unaudited)

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Tax Information

All disclosures are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly are subject to change. For any and all items requiring reporting, it is the intention of the Portfolio to report the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Portfolios report distributions paid during the year as follows:

      (A)
Long-Term
Capital Gains
Distributions
(Tax Basis)
     (B)
Ordinary
Income
Distributions
(Tax Basis)
     Total
Distributions
(Tax Basis)
     (C)
Qualifying
Dividends1
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity  84.96%  15.04%  100.00%  39.17%
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond  37.96%  62.04%  100.00% 
Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth  87.64%  12.36%  100.00%  37.74%
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond  29.42%  70.58%  100.00% 
Delaware Ivy VIP Value  65.62%  34.38%  100.00%  19.17%
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity  67.98%  32.02%  100.00%  13.27%
Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities  54.45%  45.55%  100.00% 
 

(A) and (B) are based on a percentage of the Portfolio’s total distributions.

(C) is based on the Portfolio’s ordinary income distributions.

1Qualified dividends represent dividends which qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, certain dividends paid by each Portfolio determined to be Qualified Short-Term Capital Gains may be subject to relief from US withholding for foreign shareholders, as provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, and by the Tax Relief Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creations Act of 2010, and as extended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, each Portfolio reported maximum distributions of Qualified Short-Term Capital Gains as follows:

   Qualified
Short-Term
Capital Gains
Delaware Ivy VIP Value        $3,164,456 
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity   845,463 

Each Portfolio intends to pass through foreign tax credits in the maximum amount and the gross foreign source income earned during the fiscal year 2022 by each Portfolio was as follows:

   Foreign Tax Credits  Gross Foreign Source Income Earned
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity  $294,263  $4,264,574

Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 9-11, 2022

At a meeting held on August 9-11, 2022 (the “Annual Contract Renewal Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Trustees each of whom is not an “interested person” as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Trustees”), approved the renewal of the Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity; Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond; Delaware VIP Global Value Equity (formerly, Delaware Ivy VIP Global Equity Income); Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth; Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond; Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities (formerly, Delaware Ivy VIP Securian Real Estate Securities); and Delaware Ivy VIP Value (each, a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”) Investment Management Agreements with Delaware Management Company (“DMC”); and the Sub-Advisory Agreements with Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited (“MIMGL”), Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG (“MIMAK”), Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited (“MIMEL”), and Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited (“MFMHKL” and together with MIMGL, MIMAK, and MIMEL, the “Affiliated Sub-Advisers”).

Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in May 2022, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of DMC about these matters. Also, the Board was assisted by the applicable Investment Committee, with each Investment

100  

Committee assisting the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, DMC was guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2022. In considering and approving the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with DMC about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of DMC at each of its quarterly meetings, which included information about, among other things, Fund performance, investment strategies, and expenses. In addition, the Investment Committees confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. In considering information relating to the approval of the Funds’ Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Independent Trustees also received information from an independent fund consultant, JDL Consultants, LLC (“JDL”).

The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements for a one-year term. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approval.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the advisory services provided to the Funds by DMC under its Investment Management Agreement and the experience of the officers and employees of DMC who provide these services, including each Fund’s portfolio manager(s). The Board’s review included consideration of DMC’s investment process and oversight and research and analysis capabilities, and its ability to attract and retain qualified investment professionals. The Board considered information regarding DMC’s programs for risk management, including investment, operational, liquidity, valuation, and compliance risks. The Board received information with respect to the cybersecurity program and business continuity plans of DMC and its affiliates. The Board also considered non-advisory services that DMC and its affiliates provide to the Delaware Funds, including third party oversight, transfer agent, internal audit, valuation, portfolio trading, and legal and compliance. The Board took into account the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fund that is part of a family of funds managed by an affiliate of Macquarie Group Ltd. (“Macquarie”), the parent company of DMC, and the resources available to DMC as part of Macquarie’s global asset management business.

The Board received and considered various information with respect to the services provided by the Affiliated Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreements and the credentials and experience of the officers and employees of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers who provide these services, including each Fund’s co-portfolio manager(s). The Board considered the division of responsibilities between DMC and the Affiliated Sub-Advisers and the oversight provided by DMC. The Board considered the expertise of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers with respect to certain asset classes and/or investment styles. The Affiliated Sub-Advisers are part of Macquarie’s global investment platform that has offices and personnel that are located around the world. As a result, the Board noted that DMC had stated that the Affiliated Sub-Advisers can provide research, investment and trading analysis on the markets and economies of various countries in which the Funds may invest, make recommendations regarding securities and assist with security trades, as applicable. The Board took into account that the Sub-Advisory Agreements may benefit the Funds and their shareholders by permitting DMC to use the resources and talents of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers in managing the Funds.

The Board concluded that, overall, it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Funds by DMC and the Affiliated Sub-Advisers.

Investment performance. The Board received and considered information with respect to the investment performance of the Funds, including performance reports and discussions with portfolio managers at meetings of the Board’s Investment Committees throughout the year as well as reports provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, an independent investment company data provider (“Broadridge”), furnished for the Annual Contract Renewal Meeting. The Broadridge reports prepared for each Fund showed its investment performance in comparison to a group of similar funds (the “Performance Universe”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the funds in the Performance Universe. Comparative annualized performance for each Fund was shown for the past 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year or since inception periods, as applicable, ended December 31, 2021. The Board considered that the Funds were managed by Ivy Investment Management

 101 

Other Portfolio information (Unaudited)

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 9-11, 2022 (continued)

Company prior to the acquisition of its parent company, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Transaction”), and that each Fund’s performance prior to the closing of the Transaction on April 30, 2021 is that of its predecessor manager.

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all large-cap core funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods was in the first quartile and for the 10-year period was in the second quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods and underperformed its benchmark index for the 10-year period. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe and benchmark during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all A-rated corporate debt funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1- and 10-year periods was in the third quartile and for the 3- and 5-year periods was in the first quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1- and 10-year periods was below the median and for the 3- and 5-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-year period and underperformed its benchmark for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The Board, however, noted that the Fund changed its investment strategy in April 2018 to focus on corporate bonds and then also changed its investment strategy in November 2021 and that the investment performance of the current portfolio management team only began as of November 2021.

Delaware VIP Global Value Equity – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all equity income funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was in the fourth quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The Board, however, noted that the Fund changed its investment strategy and objective in April 2018 to invest primarily in equity securities that are issued by companies of any size located largely in developed markets around the world and then also changed its investment strategy in November 2021 and that the investment performance of the current portfolio management team only began as of November 2021. The Board noted the explanations from DMC concerning the reasons for the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe and its benchmark for the various periods.

Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all global large-cap growth funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the second quartile and for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was in the fourth quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was above the median and for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 5-year period and underperformed its benchmark for the 1-, 3- and 10-year periods. The Board, however, noted that the investment performance of the current portfolio management team only began as of November 2021. The Board noted the explanations from DMC concerning the reasons for the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe and its benchmark for the various periods.

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all short-intermediate investment-grade debt funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods was in the third quartile and for the 10-year period was in the fourth quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods and underperformed its benchmark for the 1-year period. The Board, however, noted that the Fund changed its investment strategy in November 2021 and that the investment performance of the current portfolio management team only began

102  

as of November 2021. The Board noted the explanations from DMC and concerning the reasons for the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe and its benchmark for the various periods.

Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all real estate funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was in the second quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe and benchmark during the periods under review. The Board, however, noted that the Fund’s current portfolio management team, which is comprised of personnel from DMC and its Affiliated Sub-Advisers, began as of July 29, 2022 upon the termination of the sub-advisory agreement with Securian Asset Management.

Delaware Ivy VIP Value – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all multi-cap value funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the first quartile and for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was in the second quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods and slightly underperformed its benchmark index for the 10-year period. The Board noted that the Fund was performing in line with its Performance Universe and benchmark during the periods under review.

Comparative expenses. The Board received and considered expense data for the Funds. Management provided the Board with information on pricing levels and fee structures for each Fund as of its most recently completed fiscal year. The Board also considered on the comparative analysis of contractual management fees and actual total expense ratios of each Fund versus contractual management fees and actual total expense ratios of a group of similar funds as selected by Broadridge (the “Expense Group”). In reviewing comparative costs, each Fund’s contractual management fee and the actual management fee incurred by each Fund were compared with the contractual management fees (assuming all funds were similar in size to each Fund) and actual management fees, taking into account any applicable breakpoints and fee waivers, with a Fund’s expense universe, which is comprised of the Fund, its Expense Group and all other similar underlying variable insurance product funds with similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 structures, excluding outliers (the “Expense Universe”). Each Fund’s total expenses were also compared with those of its Expense Universe.

Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware VIP Global Value Equity – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Global Growth – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was slightly above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were slightly above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were slightly above its Expense Group average.

Delaware VIP Real Estate Securities – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Value – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by DMC to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Funds. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly

 103 

Other Portfolio information (Unaudited)

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 9-11, 2022 (continued)

greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing registered investment companies compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients, unregistered funds and separately managed accounts.

The Board noted that DMC, and not the Funds, pays the sub-advisory fees to the Affiliated Sub-Advisers and, accordingly, that the retention of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers does not increase the fees and expenses incurred by the Funds.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to DMC under the Investment Management Agreement and to the Affiliated Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

Economies of scale. The Board received and considered information about the potential for DMC to realize economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual Fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders, including the extent to which any economies of scale are reflected in the level of management fees charged. DMC discussed its advisory fee pricing and structure for the Delaware Funds complex, including the current breakpoints. The Board noted that each Fund may also benefit from economies of scale through initial fee setting, fee waivers and expense reimbursements, as well as DMC’s investment in its business, including investments in business infrastructure, technology and cybersecurity.

Management profitability. The Board received and considered the Investment Management Profitability Analysis that addressed the overall profitability of DMC’s business in providing management and other services to each Fund and the Delaware Funds as a whole, including the methodology used by DMC in allocating costs for the purpose of determining profitability. The Board also reviewed a report prepared by JDL regarding DMC’s profitability as compared to certain peer fund complexes and the Independent Trustees discussed DMC’s profitability in such context with representatives from JDL. Based on its review, the Board determined that DMC’s profitability was not excessive in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to each Fund.

Ancillary benefits. The Board received and considered information regarding the extent to which DMC and its affiliates might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations, including the potential for procuring additional business as a result of the prestige and visibility associated with its role as investment manager to the Delaware Funds; the benefits from allocation of fund brokerage to improve trading efficiencies; and the fees that various affiliates received for serving as transfer agent and for overseeing fund accounting and financial administration services to the Delaware Funds. The Board received information from DMC regarding its view of the performance of its affiliates in providing transfer agent and fund accounting and financial administration oversight services and the organizational structure employed to provide these services pursuant to their contracts with the Funds.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Funds and the ongoing commitment of DMC and its affiliates to the Funds, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by DMC and its affiliates were unreasonable.

Conclusion. Based on its review, consideration and evaluation of all factors it believed relevant, including the above-described factors and conclusions, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the continuation of DMC’s Investment Management Agreement and of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers’ Sub-Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year period.

104  

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds by Macquarie®

A mutual fund is governed by a Board of Trustees/Directors (“Trustees”), which has oversight responsibility for the management of a fund’s business affairs. Trustees establish procedures and oversee and review the performance of the investment manager, the distributor, and others who perform services for the fund. The independent fund trustees, in particular, are advocates for shareholder interests. Each trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was elected to or appointed to the Board of Trustees, and will continue to serve until his or her retirement or the election of a new trustee in his or her place. The following is a list of the Trustees and Officers with certain background and related information.

Name,
Address,
and Birth Year
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Length of Time
Served1
  Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Trustee
  Principal
Occupation(s)
During the
Past Five Years
  Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the
Past Five Years
Interested Trustee                    
Shawn K. Lytle2
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1970
     President,
Chief Executive Officer,
and Trustee
     President and
Chief Executive Officer
since August 2015
Trustee since
September 2015
     126      Macquarie Asset
Management3
(2015–Present)
-Global Head of
Macquarie Asset
Management Public
Investments
(2019–Present)
-Head of Americas of
Macquarie Group
(2017–Present)
     None
Independent Trustees                    
Jerome D. Abernathy
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1959
  Trustee   Since January 2019   126   Stonebrook Capital
Management, LLC
(financial
technology: macro
factors and databases)
-Managing Member
(1993-Present)
  None
Ann D. Borowiec
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1958
  Trustee   Since March 2015   126   J.P. Morgan Chase &
Co. (1987-2013)
-Chief Executive Officer,
Private Wealth
Management (2011–
2013)
  Banco Santander
International
(2016–2019)
Santander Bank, N.A.
(2016-2019)
Joseph W. Chow
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1953
  Trustee   Since January 2013   126   Private Investor
(2011–Present)
  None
H. Jeffrey Dobbs
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1955
  Trustee   Since April 20194   126   KPMG LLP
(2002-2015)
-Global Sector
Chairman,
Industrial Manufacturing
(2010-2015)
  TechAccel LLC
(2015–Present)
PatientsVoices, Inc.
(2018–Present)
Valparaiso University
Board
(2012-Present)
Ivy Funds Complex
(2019-2021)

 105 

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds by Macquarie®

Name,
Address,
and Birth Year
     Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
     Length of Time
Served1
     Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Trustee
     Principal
Occupation(s)
During the
Past Five Years
     Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the
Past Five Years
John A. Fry
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1960
  Trustee   Since January 2001   126   Drexel University
-President
(2010–Present)
  Federal Reserve
Bank of Philadelphia
(2020–Present)
FS Credit Real Estate
Income Trust, Inc.
(2018–Present)
vTv Therapeutics Inc.
(2017–Present)
Community Health
Systems
(2004–Present)
Drexel Morgan & Co.
(2015–2019)
Joseph Harroz, Jr.
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1967
  Trustee   Since November 19984   126   University of Oklahoma
-President
(2020–Present)
-Interim President
(2019–2020)
-Vice President and
Dean, College of Law
(2010–2019)
Brookhaven
Investments LLC
(commercial
enterprises)
-Managing Member
(2019–Present)
St. Clair, LLC
(commercial
enterprises)
-Managing Member
(2019–Present)
  OU Medicine, Inc.
(2020–Present)
Big 12 Athletic Conference
(2019-Present)
Valliance Bank
(2007–Present)
Ivy Funds Complex
(1998-2021)
Sandra A.J. Lawrence
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1957
  Trustee   Since April 20194   126   Children’s Mercy
Hospitals and Clinics
(2005–2019)
-Chief Administrative
Officer
(2016–2019)
  Brixmor Property
Group Inc. (2021-Present)
Sera Prognostics Inc.
(biotechnology)
(2021-Present)
Recology (resource
recovery) (2021-Present)
Evergy, Inc., Kansas City
Power & Light Company,
KCP&L Greater Missouri
Operations Company,
Westar Energy, Inc. and
Kansas Gas and Electric
Company (related utility
companies)
(2018-Present)
National Association of
Corporate Directors
(2017-Present)
Ivy Funds Complex
(2019-2021)
American Shared Hospital
Services (medical device)
(2017-2021)
Westar Energy (utility)
(2004-2018)

106  

Name,
Address,
and Birth Year
     Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
     Length of Time
Served1
     Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Trustee
     Principal
Occupation(s)
During the
Past Five Years
     Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the
Past Five Years
Frances A.
Sevilla-Sacasa
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1956
  Trustee   Since September 2011   126   Banco Itaú International
-Chief Executive Officer
(2012–2016)
  Florida Chapter of
National Association of
Corporate Directors
(2021-Present)
Callon Petroleum
Company (2019-Present)
Camden Property Trust
(2011-Present)
New Senior Investment
Group Inc. (2021)
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.
(2018-2019)
Thomas K. Whitford
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1956
  Chair and Trustee   Trustee since January
2013
Chair since January
2023
  126   PNC Financial Services
Group (1983–2013)
-Vice Chairman (2009-
2013)
  HSBC USA Inc.
(2014–2022)
HSBC North America
Holdings Inc.
(2013–2022)
HSBC Finance
Corporation
(2013–2018)
Christianna Wood
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1959
  Trustee   Since January 2019   126   Gore Creek
Capital, Ltd.
-Chief Executive Officer
and President (2009–
Present)
  The Merger Fund
(2013–2021),
The Merger Fund VL
(2013–2021),
WCM Alternatives: Event-
Driven Fund (2013–2021),
and WCM
Alternatives: Credit Event
Fund (2017–2021)
Grange Insurance
(2013–Present)
H&R Block Corporation
(2008–Present)
Janet L. Yeomans
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1948
  Trustee   Since April 1999   126   3M Company
(1995-2012)
-Vice President and
Treasurer (2006–2012)
  Okabena Company
(2009–2017)
Officers                    
David F. Connor
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1963
  Senior Vice President,
General Counsel, and
Secretary
  Senior Vice President,
since May 2013; General
Counsel since May
2015; Secretary since
October 2005
  126   David F. Connor has
served in various
capacities at different
times at Macquarie
Asset Management.
  None5
Daniel V. Geatens
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1972
  Senior Vice President
and Treasurer
  Senior Vice President
and Treasurer since
October 2007
  126   Daniel V. Geatens has
served in various
capacities at different
times at Macquarie
Asset Management.
  None5

 107 

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds by Macquarie®

Name,
Address,
and Birth Year
     Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
     Length of Time
Served1
     Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Trustee
     Principal
Occupation(s)
During the
Past Five Years
     Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the
Past Five Years
Richard Salus
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1963
  Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer
  Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer since November
2006
  126   Richard Salus has
served in various
capacities at different
times at Macquarie
Asset Management.
  None

1 “Length of Time Served” refers to the time since the Trustee or officer began serving one or more of the Trusts in the Delaware Funds complex.

2 Shawn K. Lytle is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he is an executive officer of the Portfolios' investment advisor.

3 Macquarie Asset Management is the marketing name for certain companies comprising the asset management division of Macquarie Group, including the Portfolios' investment advisor, principal underwriter, and transfer agent.

4 Includes time served on the Board of Ivy Funds prior to the date when Ivy Funds joined the Delaware Funds complex.

5 David F. Connor and Daniel V. Geatens serve in similar capacities for the six portfolios of the Optimum Fund Trust, which have the same investment manager, principal underwriter, and transfer agent as the Funds. Mr. Geatens also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Optimum Fund Trust, and he is Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Macquarie Global Infrastructure Total Return Fund Inc., which has the same investment manager as the Funds.

The Statement of Additional Information for the Fund(s) includes additional information about the Trustees and Officers and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 800 523-1918.


108  

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Each Portfolio files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. Each Portfolio’s Form N-PORT, as well as a description of the policies and procedures that each Portfolio uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities, is available without charge (i) upon request, by calling 800 523-1918; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. In addition, a description of the policies and procedures that each Portfolio uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities and the Schedule of Investments included in each Portfolio’s most recent Form N-PORT are available without charge on the Portfolios’ website at delawarefunds.com/vip/literature.

Information (if any) regarding how each Portfolio voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recently disclosed 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (i) through the Portfolios’ website at delawarefunds.com/proxy; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

(2715369)

ANN-VIP2-0223

   


   

Annual report

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate — Managed Volatility

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive — Managed Volatility

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative — Managed Volatility

December 31, 2022


  

Table of contents

Portfolio management review 1
Performance summaries 3
Disclosure of Portfolio expenses 26
Security type 28
Schedules of investments 29
Statements of assets and liabilities 37
Statements of operations 39
Statements of changes in net assets 41
Financial highlights 45
Notes to financial statements. 53
Report of independent registered public accounting firm 75
Other Portfolio information 76
Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum 82

Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) is the asset management division of Macquarie Group. MAM is a full-service asset manager offering a diverse range of products across public and private markets including fixed income, equities, multi-asset solutions, private credit, infrastructure, renewables, natural assets, real estate, and asset finance. The Public Investments business is a part of MAM and includes the following investment advisers: Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT), Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG, Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited, and Macquarie Investment Management Europe S.A.

Other than Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (“Macquarie Bank”), any Macquarie Group entity noted in this document is not an authorized deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank. Macquarie Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities. In addition, if this document relates to an investment, (a) the investor is subject to investment risk including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested and (b) none of Macquarie Bank or any other Macquarie Group entity guarantees any particular rate of return on or the performance of the investment, nor do they guarantee repayment of capital in respect of the investment.

The Portfolios are governed by US laws and regulations.

Unless otherwise noted, views expressed herein are current as of December 31, 2022, and subject to change for events occurring after such date.

The Portfolios are not FDIC insured and are not guaranteed. It is possible to lose the principal amount invested.

Advisory services provided by Delaware Management Company, a series of MIMBT, a US registered investment advisor.

The Portfolios are distributed by Delaware Distributors, L.P. (DDLP), an affiliate of MIMBT and Macquarie Group Limited.

All third-party marks cited are the property of their respective owners.

© 2023 Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc.


  

Portfolio management review

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

The investment objective of Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive is to seek to provide growth of capital consistent with a more aggressive level of risk as compared to the other Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Portfolios.

The investment objective of Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative is to seek to provide total return consistent with a conservative level of risk as compared to the other Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Portfolios.

The investment objective of Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate is to seek to provide total return consistent with a moderate level of risk compared to the other Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Portfolios.

The investment objective of Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive is to seek to provide growth of capital, but also to seek income consistent with a moderately aggressive level of risk as compared to the other Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Portfolios.

The investment objective of Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative is to seek to provide total return consistent with a moderately conservative level of risk as compared to the other Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Portfolios.

The investment objective of Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility is to seek to provide total return consistent with a moderate level of risk as compared to the other Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Managed Volatility Portfolios, while seeking to manage volatility of investment return.

The investment objective of Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility is to seek to provide growth of capital, but also to seek income consistent with a moderately aggressive level of risk as compared to the other Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Managed Volatility Portfolios, while seeking to manage volatility of investment return.

The investment objective of Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility is to seek to provide total return consistent with a moderately conservative level of risk compared to the other Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Managed Volatility Portfolios, while seeking to manage volatility of investment return.

Market review

In January 2022, at the beginning of the Portfolios’ fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the US Federal Reserve was engaged in frequent and serious discussions about raising interest rates. Investors reacted by selling bonds, pushing yields higher and equity prices lower. Further downward pressure on equities resulted as Russia built up troops along the Ukraine border. The following month, Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting unprecedented sanctions including a freeze on Russian central bank reserves, an oil embargo, and a trading ban on Russian financial stocks. Equities sold off globally while commodity prices soared. Government bonds were briefly in demand as a short-term haven, but quickly resumed their downward trend.

Tighter central bank monetary policy characterized the rest of the fiscal year, with the Fed leading the way. Beginning in March, in an effort to bring inflation under control, the Fed raised the federal funds rate seven times, including four 0.75-percentage-point increases at the June, July, September, and November meetings of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). As a result, the target short-term interest rate rose from a range of zero to 0.25% in January 2022 to a range of 4.25% to 4.50% by the end of the fiscal year.

Other central banks, including the Bank of England and the European Central Bank (ECB), also took repeated steps to tighten monetary policy in their jurisdictions. Meanwhile, equities and bonds posted historically poor performance throughout the period in the face of brutal headwinds and unrelenting negative news. The challenges confronting investors included soaring inflation, consequent aggressive monetary tightening, ongoing supply-chain problems, China’s zero-COVID-policy-related lockdowns, the Russia-Ukraine war, and soaring energy prices. Higher energy prices and oil and gas supply disruptions hit Europe hardest as Russia cut off gas to several European Union (EU) countries. In turn, the Group of Seven (G7) nations and later the EU implemented an oil embargo.

Among major central banks, only the Bank of Japan maintained ultra-loose monetary policy as it attempted to keep Japanese yields stable by buying bonds. However, that led to a weakening of the Japanese yen, which fell to a 20-year low.

Markets rallied briefly in July 2022 when a near-term turnaround in inflation seemed possible. Despite investors’ concern about economic growth slowing, stocks appreciated along with other risk-asset classes, including corporate, high yield, convertible, and emerging market bonds. A key reason for this appreciation was the decline in yields on US and euro-zone government bonds, leading to significant price gains. However,


 1 

Portfolio management review

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

the tide turned again in mid-August and the bear market returned for most asset classes as hope for an inflation slowdown was dashed. Central banks reaffirmed their intentions to continue aggressive tightening of monetary policy. Recession fears mounted and the energy crisis worsened as Russia announced it was shutting down a gas pipeline for maintenance. German bond yields rose sharply, and the euro fell below parity with the US dollar for the first time in 20 years.

The picture worsened further in September 2022, with heavy losses among virtually all asset classes. Energy prices continued to fall while the European inflation rate reached double-digit levels and central banks planned further interest rate hikes. In November, the markets staged a brief recovery. An anticipated interest rate hike of 0.75 percentage points at the beginning of the month was followed by poorer economic data and slightly declining inflation rates, fueling hope that rate hikes would soon slow down. Against this backdrop, both equities and bonds rose strongly. Thanks to sharply falling risk premiums, investment grade corporate and emerging market government bonds performed particularly well. The US dollar weakened, and the price of oil fell due to weaker demand. China relaxed its zero-COVID policy somewhat, but record-high infections led to new restrictions, resulting in protests and somewhat deteriorating market sentiment toward the end of the month.

Instead of a much-hoped-for year-end rally, equities and bonds suffered significant losses in December. Global inflation rates fell slightly and, as expected, the major central banks raised key interest rates, albeit by smaller amounts than before (the Fed and the ECB each raised rates by 0.50 percentage points). However, the ECB indicated that significantly higher interest rates were still needed, causing yields to rise sharply and prices to fall. In Europe, bonds lost much more than stocks, while the reverse occurred in the US, as tech stocks slipped again. China surprised many by ending its zero-COVID policy, and Japan slightly tightened its monetary policy, which helped firm up the yen. Meanwhile, the US dollar lost some ground.

Within the Portfolios

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the performance of the Portfolios relative to their respective benchmarks varied, reflecting the mix of returns in the underlying funds during the fiscal year and their allocation weightings. For complete, annualized performance for each Portfolio, see “Portfolio summaries.”

In general, global/international equities and fixed income contributed to performance, while US equities detracted from performance. Within US equities, large- and mid-cap growth weighed on results while large-cap value helped alleviate some of the underperformance. Within global/ international equities, global value equities contributed positively while international core equities performed virtually in line with the international equity benchmark. Within fixed income, limited-term bonds helped performance while corporate investment grade bonds detracted from results given their longer-duration exposure in a rising interest rate environment. During the measurement period, we undertook modest changes in the weightings of the Portfolios’ underlying funds to manage exposures commensurate with the Portfolios’ investment objectives.


2  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on March 4, 2008)  -16.72%  +4.65%  +6.22%  +8.55%
Current Blended Benchmark*  -16.50%  +4.45%  +5.90%  +8.71%

*The Blended Benchmark is computed using a combination of 55% Russell 3000® Index + 30% MSCI EAFE Index + 15% Bloomberg US Credit Index.

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 4 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.02%. The management fee was 0.00%. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.


 3 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
Russell 3000 Index  $10,000  $36,279
Current Blended Benchmark  $10,000  $23,057
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive — Class II shares  $10,000  $22,714
MSCI EAFE Index (gross)  $10,000  $16,543
Bloomberg US Credit Index  $10,000  $11,973

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012, through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the current blended benchmark consisting of 55% Russell 3000 Index + 30% MSCI EAFE Index + 15% Bloomberg US Credit Index, as well as each of the individual indices, for the period from December 31, 2012, through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 US companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable US equity market.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index represents large- and mid-cap stocks across 21 developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

The Bloomberg US Credit Index measures the total return performance of nonconvertible, investment grade domestic corporate bonds and SEC-registered foreign issues. All bonds in the index have at least one year to maturity.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


4  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on March 13, 2008)  -14.09%  +2.17%  +3.70%  +4.97%
Current Blended Benchmark*  -13.74%  +2.27%  +4.15%  +5.87%

*The Blended Benchmark is computed using a combination of 35% Russell 3000 Index + 35% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 20% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index + 10% MSCI EAFE Index.

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 6 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 0.92%. The management fee was 0.00%. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.


 5 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
Russell 3000 Index  $10,000  $36,279
Current Blended Benchmark  $10,000  $17,698
MSCI EAFE Index (gross)  $10,000  $16,543
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative — Class II shares  $10,000  $16,241
Bloomberg US Credit Index  $10,000  $11,973
Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index  $10,000  $10,916

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012, through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the current blended benchmark consisting of 35% Russell 3000 Index + 35% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 20% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index + 10% MSCI EAFE Index, as well as each of the individual indices, for the period from December 31, 2012, through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 US companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable US equity market.

The Bloomberg US Credit Index measures the total return performance of nonconvertible, investment grade domestic corporate bonds and SEC-registered foreign issues. All bonds in the index have at least one year to maturity.

The Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index is a market value–weighted index of government fixed-rate debt securities and investment grade US and foreign fixed-rate debt securities with average maturities of one to three years.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index represents large- and mid-cap stocks across 21 developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.


6  

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 7 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on March 4, 2008)  -15.26%  +3.57%  +4.91%  +6.68%
Current Blended Benchmark*  -15.08%  +3.43%  +5.08%  +7.33%

*The Blended Benchmark is computed using a combination of 45% Russell 3000 Index + 25% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 20% MSCI EAFE Index + 10% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index.

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 9 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 0.94%. The management fee was 0.00%. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus. Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.


8  

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
Russell 3000 Index  $10,000  $36,279
Current Blended Benchmark  $10,000  $20,283
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate — Class II shares  $10,000  $19,092
MSCI EAFE Index (gross)  $10,000  $16,543
Bloomberg US Credit Index  $10,000  $11,973
Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index  $10,000  $10,916

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012, through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the current blended benchmark consisting of 45% Russell 3000 Index + 25% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 20% MSCI EAFE Index + 10% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index, as well as each of the individual indices, for the period from December 31, 2012, through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 US companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable US equity market.

The Bloomberg US Credit Index measures the total return performance of nonconvertible, investment grade domestic corporate bonds and SEC-registered foreign issues. All bonds in the index have at least one year to maturity.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index represents large- and mid-cap stocks across 21 developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

The Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index is a market value–weighted index of government fixed-rate debt securities and investment grade US and foreign fixed-rate debt securities with average maturities of one to three years.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.


 9 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


10  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on March 4, 2008)  -15.90%  +4.21%  +5.53%  +7.55%
Current Blended Benchmark*  -15.79%  +3.96%  +5.51%  +8.03%

*The Blended Benchmark is computed using a combination of 50% Russell 3000 Index + 25% MSCI EAFE Index + 20% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 5% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index.

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 12 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 0.97%. The management fee was 0.00%. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.


 11 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
Russell 3000 Index  $10,000  $36,279
Current Blended Benchmark  $10,000  $21,645
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive — Class II shares  $10,000  $20,697
MSCI EAFE Index (gross)  $10,000  $16,543
Bloomberg US Credit Index  $10,000  $11,973
Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index  $10,000  $10,916

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012, through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the current blended benchmark consisting of 50% Russell 3000 Index + 25% MSCI EAFE Index + 20% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 5% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index, as well as each of the individual indices, for the period from December 31, 2012, through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 US companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable US equity market.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index represents large- and mid-cap stocks across 21 developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

The Bloomberg US Credit Index measures the total return performance of nonconvertible, investment grade domestic corporate bonds and SEC-registered foreign issues. All bonds in the index have at least one year to maturity.

The Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index is a market value–weighted index of government fixed-rate debt securities and investment grade US and foreign fixed-rate debt securities with average maturities of one to three years.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.


12  

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 13 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  10 year
Class II shares (commenced operations on March 12, 2008)  -14.71%  +2.85%  +4.35%  +5.84%
Current Blended Benchmark*  -14.40%  +1.84%  +4.20%  +6.29%

*The Blended Benchmark is computed using a combination of 40% Russell 3000 Index + 30% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 15% MSCI EAFE Index + 15% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index.

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 15 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 0.92%. The management fee was 0.00%. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus. Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.


14  

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
Russell 3000 Index  $10,000  $36,279
Current Blended Benchmark  $10,000  $23,057
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative — Class II shares  $10,000  $17,648
MSCI EAFE Index (gross)  $10,000  $16,543
Bloomberg US Credit Index  $10,000  $11,973
Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index  $10,000  $10,916

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative Class II shares for the period from December 31, 2012, through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the current blended benchmark consisting of 40% Russell 3000 Index + 30% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 15% MSCI EAFE Index + 15% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index, as well as each individual indices, for the period from December 31, 2012, through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 US companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable US equity market.

The Bloomberg US Credit Index measures the total return performance of nonconvertible, investment grade domestic corporate bonds and SEC-registered foreign issues. All bonds in the index have at least one year to maturity.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index represents large- and mid-cap stocks across 21 developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

The Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index is a market value–weighted index of government fixed-rate debt securities and investment grade US and foreign fixed-rate debt securities with average maturities of one to three years.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.


 15 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


16  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  Lifetime
Class II shares (commenced operations on August 1, 2013)  -13.22%  +2.26%  +3.79%  +4.76%
Current Blended Benchmark*  -15.08%  +3.43%  +5.08%  +6.71%**

*The Blended Benchmark is computed using a combination of 45% Russell 3000 Index + 25% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 20% MSCI EAFE Index + 10% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index.

** The benchmark lifetime return is as of the month end prior to the Portfolio’s inception date.

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 18 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.10%. The management fee was 0.19%. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.


 17 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period August 1, 2013 (inception date) through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
Russell 3000 Index  $10,000  $25,778
Current Blended Benchmark  $10,000  $18,311
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility — Class II shares  $10,000  $15,498
MSCI EAFE Index (gross)  $10,000  $15,241
Bloomberg US Credit Index  $10,000  $12,420
Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index  $10,000  $10,891

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility Class II shares for the period from August 1, 2013, through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the current blended benchmark consisting of 45% Russell 3000 Index + 25% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 20% MSCI EAFE Index + 10% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index, as well as each of the individual indices, for the period from August 1, 2013, through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 US companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable US equity market.

The Bloomberg US Credit Index measures the total return performance of nonconvertible, investment grade domestic corporate bonds and SEC-registered foreign issues. All bonds in the index have at least one year to maturity.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index represents large- and mid-cap stocks across 21 developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

The Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index is a market value–weighted index of government fixed-rate debt securities and investment grade US and foreign fixed-rate debt securities with average maturities of one to three years.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.


18  

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 19 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  Lifetime
Class II shares (commenced operations on August 1, 2013)  -14.00%  +2.83%  +4.32%  +5.36%
Current Blended Benchmark*  -15.79%  +3.96%  +5.51%  +7.27%**

*The Blended Benchmark is computed using a combination of 50% Russell 3000 Index + 25% MSCI EAFE Index + 20% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 5% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index.

** The benchmark lifetime return is as of the month end prior to the Portfolio’s inception date.

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 21 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.17%. The management fee was 0.20%. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.


20  

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period August 1, 2013 (inception date) through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
Russell 3000 Index  $10,000  $25,778
Current Blended Benchmark  $10,000  $19,218
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility — Class II shares  $10,000  $16,344
MSCI EAFE Index (gross)  $10,000  $15,241
Bloomberg US Credit Index  $10,000  $12,420
Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index  $10,000  $10,891

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility Class II shares for the period from August 1, 2013, through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the current blended benchmark consisting of 50% Russell 3000 Index + 25% MSCI EAFE Index + 20% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 5% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index, as well as each of the individual indices, for the period from August 1, 2013, through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 US companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable US equity market.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index represents large- and mid-cap stocks across 21 developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

The Bloomberg US Credit Index measures the total return performance of nonconvertible, investment grade domestic corporate bonds and SEC-registered foreign issues. All bonds in the index have at least one year to maturity.

The Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index is a market value–weighted index of government fixed-rate debt securities and investment grade US and foreign fixed-rate debt securities with average maturities of one to three years.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.


 21 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


22  

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Carefully consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Portfolio’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/vip/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

Portfolio and benchmark performance  Average annual total returns through December 31, 2022
   1 year  3 year  5 year  Lifetime
Class II shares (commenced operations on August 1, 2013)  -12.71%  +1.94%  +3.40%  +4.08%
Current Blended Benchmark*  -14.40%  +1.84%  +4.20%  +5.81%**

*The Blended Benchmark is computed using a combination of 40% Russell 3000 Index + 30% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 15% MSCI EAFE Index + 15% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index.

** The benchmark lifetime return is as of the month end prior to the Portfolio’s inception date.

Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions. Please see page 24 for a description of the index.

As described in the Portfolio’s most recent prospectus, total operating expenses for Class II shares were 1.11%. The management fee was 0.20%. The expense ratio may differ from the expense ratios in the “Financial highlights” since they are based on different time periods and the expense ratio in the prospectus includes acquired fund fees and expenses, if any. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements” for additional details. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratio.

Total returns may reflect waivers and/or expense reimbursements for some or all periods shown. If applicable, performance would have been lower without such waivers and reimbursements.

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios are not available for direct investment except for issuers of variable insurance product contracts. They are available only through the purchase of certain variable insurance products.

Earnings from a variable annuity or variable life investment compound tax-free until withdrawal, and as a result, no adjustments were made for income taxes.

Performance data do not reflect insurance fees related to a variable annuity or variable life investment or the deferred sales charge that would apply to certain withdrawals of investments held for fewer than eight years. Performance shown here would have been reduced if such fees were included and the expense limitation removed. For more information about fees, consult your variable annuity or variable life prospectus.

Investments in variable products involve risk.

Fixed income securities and bond funds can lose value, and investors can lose principal, as interest rates rise. They also may be affected by economic conditions that hinder an issuer’s ability to make interest and principal payments on its debt. This includes prepayment risk, the risk that the principal of a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity, at the time when interest rates are lower than what the bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

International investments entail risks including fluctuation in currency values, differences in accounting principles, or economic or political instability. Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility, lower trading volume, and higher risk of market closures. In many emerging markets, there is substantially less publicly available information and the available information may be incomplete or misleading. Legal claims are generally more difficult to pursue.

IBOR risk is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or similar rates (such as EONIA) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference these rates. The abandonment of these rates and transition to alternative rates could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference them and could affect investment strategy performance.


 23 

Performance summaries (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility

The disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics, or similar events could prevent the Portfolio from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective and the value of the Portfolio’s investments.

Please read both the contract and underlying prospectus for specific details regarding the product’s risk profile.

Performance of a $10,000 investment

For the period August 1, 2013 (inception date) through December 31, 2022

     Starting value  Ending value
Russell 3000 Index  $10,000  $25,778
Current Blended Benchmark  $10,000  $16,938
MSCI EAFE Index (gross)  $10,000  $15,241
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility — Class II shares  $10,000  $14,578
Bloomberg US Credit Index  $10,000  $12,420
Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index  $10,000  $10,891

The graph shows a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility Class II shares for the period from August 1, 2013, through December 31, 2022.

The graph also shows a $10,000 investment in the current blended benchmark consisting of 40% Russell 3000 Index + 30% Bloomberg US Credit Index + 15% MSCI EAFE Index + 15% Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index, as well as each of the individual indices, for the period from August 1, 2013, through December 31, 2022.

The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 US companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable US equity market.

The Bloomberg US Credit Index measures the total return performance of nonconvertible, investment grade domestic corporate bonds and SEC-registered foreign issues. All bonds in the index have at least one year to maturity.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index represents large- and mid-cap stocks across 21 developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

The Bloomberg 1-3 Year US Government/Credit Index is a market value–weighted index of government fixed-rate debt securities and investment grade US and foreign fixed-rate debt securities with average maturities of one to three years.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.


24  

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.


 25 

Disclosure of Portfolio expenses

For the six-month period from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Portfolio, you incur ongoing costs, which may include management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire six-month period from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.

Actual expenses

The first section of the tables shown, “Actual Portfolio return,” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section of the table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The second section of the tables shown, “Hypothetical 5% return,” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in each Portfolio and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. As a shareholder of the Portfolio, you do not incur any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange fees, but shareholders of other funds may incur such costs. Also, the fees related to the variable annuity investment or the deferred sales charge that could apply have not been included. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. The Portfolios’ expenses shown in the tables reflect fee waivers in effect and assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                    
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,030.60    0.30%  $1.54 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II      $1,000.00       $1,023.69        0.30%      $1.53 

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                    
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,011.60    0.22%        $1.12 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II      $1,000.00       $1,024.10        0.22%      $1.12 

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                    
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,022.10    0.08%       $0.41 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II      $1,000.00       $1,024.80        0.08%      $0.41 

26  

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                    
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,027.10    0.07%       $0.36 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II      $1,000.00       $1,024.85        0.07%      $0.36 

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                    
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,015.90    0.27%  $1.37 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II      $1,000.00       $1,023.84        0.27%           $1.38 

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                    
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,016.60    0.27%  $1.37 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II      $1,000.00       $1,023.84        0.27%           $1.38 

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                    
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,020.40    0.41%  $2.09 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II      $1,000.00       $1,023.14        0.41%           $2.09 

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility
Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

   Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/22
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/22
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
  Expenses
Paid
During
Period
7/1/22 to
12/31/22*
Actual Portfolio return                    
Class II  $1,000.00   $1,009.60    0.66%  $3.34 
Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)
Class II      $1,000.00       $1,021.88        0.66%           $3.36 

*”Expenses Paid During Period” are equal to the relevant Portfolio’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Because actual returns reflect only the most recent six-month period, the returns shown may differ significantly from fiscal year returns.

In addition to the Portfolios’ expenses reflected above and on the previous page, each Portfolio also indirectly bears its portion of the fees and expenses of any investment companies (Underlying Funds) in which it invests. The tables above and on the previous page do not reflect the expenses of any Underlying Funds.


(continues)27 

Security type

As of December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive

Security type  Percentage
of net assets
Affiliated Mutual Funds   99.86%
Short-Term Investments   0.26%
Total Value of Securities   100.12%
Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets   (0.12)%
Total Net Assets   100.00%
      
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative     
      
Security type  Percentage
of net assets
Affiliated Mutual Funds   99.83%
Short-Term Investments   0.25%
Total Value of Securities   100.08%
Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets   (0.08)%
Total Net Assets   100.00%
      
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate     
      
Security type  Percentage
of net assets
Affiliated Mutual Funds   99.79%
Short-Term Investments   0.25%
Total Value of Securities   100.04%
Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets   (0.04)%
Total Net Assets   100.00%
      
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive     
      
Security type  Percentage
of net assets
Affiliated Mutual Funds   99.79%
Short-Term Investments   0.25%
Total Value of Securities   100.04%
Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets   (0.04)%
Total Net Assets   100.00%
      
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative     
      
Security type  Percentage
of net assets
Affiliated Mutual Funds   99.83%
Short-Term Investments   0.25%
Total Value of Securities   100.08%
Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets   (0.08)%
Total Net Assets   100.00%
      
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility     
      
Security type  Percentage
of net assets
Affiliated Mutual Funds   97.73%
Short-Term Investments   2.00%
Total Value of Securities   99.73%
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.27%
Total Net Assets   100.00%
      
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility     
      
Security type  Percentage
of net assets
Affiliated Mutual Funds   97.80%
Short-Term Investments   2.00%
Total Value of Securities   99.80%
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.20%
Total Net Assets   100.00%
      
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility     
      
Security type  Percentage
of net assets
Affiliated Mutual Funds   97.84%
Short-Term Investments   2.00%
Total Value of Securities   99.84%
Receivables and Other Assets Net of Liabilities   0.16%
Total Net Assets   100.00%

28  

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
    Value (US $)
Affiliated Mutual Funds — 99.86%<<               
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II  722,567  $8,309,520
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II  1,084,115   4,867,678
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II  979,628   7,807,635
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I  48,561   136,941
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II  629,170   8,927,923
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II  649,679   2,975,531
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth  Class I  363,450   3,489,119
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I  92,760   566,767
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II  75,455   840,566
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II  1,429,202   7,946,363
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II  1,748,257   7,709,813
Total Affiliated Mutual Funds
(cost $70,374,146)
      53,577,856
        
Short-Term Investments — 0.26%       
Money Market Mutual Funds — 0.26%       
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.03%)  34,330   34,330
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio – Class I (seven-day effective yield 4.06%)  34,330   34,330
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.23%)  34,330   34,330
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Government  Portfolio – Institutional Class (seven-day effective yield 4.11%)  34,331   34,331
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $137,321)
      137,321
Total Value of Securities—100.12%
(cost $70,511,467)
     $53,715,177

<< Affiliated company. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 29 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative

December 31, 2022

       Number of
shares
      Value (US $)
Affiliated Mutual Funds — 99.83%<<       
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II  734,448  $8,446,149
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II  5,290,298   23,753,438
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II  959,401   7,646,428
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I  381,212   1,075,018
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II  308,789   4,381,713
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II  4,723,503   21,633,645
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I  363,258   3,487,273
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I  93,008   568,281
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II  89,088   992,441
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II  1,399,697   7,782,313
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II  980,929   4,325,899
Total Affiliated Mutual Funds
(cost $106,252,043)
      84,092,598
        
Short-Term Investments — 0.25%       
Money Market Mutual Funds — 0.25%       
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.03%)  52,055   52,055
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio – Class I (seven-day effective yield 4.06%)  52,055   52,055
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.23%)  52,055   52,055
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Government Portfolio – Institutional Class (seven-day effective yield 4.11%)      52,055   52,055
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $208,220)
      208,220
Total Value of Securities—100.08%
(cost $106,460,263)
     $84,300,818

<< Affiliated company. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


30  

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate

December 31, 2022

     Number of
shares
      Value (US $)
Affiliated Mutual Funds — 99.79%<<      
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II  5,161,069  $59,352,293
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II  19,316,208   86,729,772
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II  6,896,819   54,967,647
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I  1,275,463   3,596,805
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II  3,579,521   50,793,405
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II  15,863,733   72,655,898
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I  2,577,592   24,744,881
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I  663,123   4,051,684
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II  576,099   6,417,745
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II  10,061,958   55,944,488
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II  10,288,223   45,371,063
Total Affiliated Mutual Funds
(cost $596,196,928)
      464,625,681
        
Short-Term Investments — 0.25%       
Money Market Mutual Funds — 0.25%       
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.03%)  290,016   290,016
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio – Class I (seven-day effective yield 4.06%)  290,016   290,016
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.23%)  290,016   290,016
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Government Portfolio – Institutional Class (seven-day effective yield 4.11%)  290,016   290,016
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $1,160,064)
      1,160,064
Total Value of Securities—100.04%
(cost $597,356,992)
             $465,785,745

<< Affiliated company. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 31 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
  Value (US $)
Affiliated Mutual Funds — 99.79%<<               
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II  6,944,733  $79,864,427
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II  17,453,091   78,364,378
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II  9,354,411   74,554,657
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I  1,033,554   2,914,623
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II  5,491,240   77,920,695
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II  13,064,191   59,833,995
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I  3,483,868   33,445,130
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I  895,185   5,469,580
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II  749,835   8,353,165
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II  13,647,416   75,879,634
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II  15,469,419   68,220,136
Total Affiliated Mutual Funds
(cost $732,143,221)
      564,820,420
        
Short-Term Investments — 0.25%       
Money Market Mutual Funds — 0.25%       
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.03%)  351,947   351,947
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio – Class I (seven-day effective yield 4.06%)  351,947   351,947
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.23%)  351,947   351,947
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Government Portfolio – Institutional Class (seven-day effective yield 4.11%)  351,948   351,948
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $1,407,789)
      1,407,789
Total Value of Securities—100.04%
(cost $733,551,010)
     $566,228,209

<< Affiliated company. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


32  

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
      Value (US $)
Affiliated Mutual Funds — 99.83%<<       
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II  1,366,695  $15,716,991
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II  7,197,629   32,317,356
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II  1,808,278   14,411,974
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I  501,021   1,412,879
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II  783,446   11,117,098
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II  6,220,765   28,491,106
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I  679,489   6,523,096
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I  174,107   1,063,792
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II  158,424   1,764,846
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II  2,638,142   14,668,067
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II  2,328,223   10,267,465
Total Affiliated Mutual Funds
(cost $175,394,855)
      137,754,670
        
Short-Term Investments — 0.25%       
Money Market Mutual Funds — 0.25%       
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.03%)  86,075   86,075
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio – Class I (seven-day effective yield 4.06%)  86,074   86,074
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.23%)  86,075   86,075
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Government Portfolio – Institutional Class (seven-day effective yield 4.11%)  86,075   86,075
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $344,299)
      344,299
Total Value of Securities—100.08%
(cost $175,739,154)
              $138,098,969

<< Affiliated company. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements.”

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 33 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
  Value (US $)
Affiliated Mutual Funds — 97.73%<<               
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II  4,730,673  $54,402,743
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II  17,710,084   79,518,275
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II  6,322,975   50,394,112
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I  1,161,742   3,276,111
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II  3,280,956   46,556,770
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II  14,523,774   66,518,884
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I  2,362,058   22,675,757
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I  598,362   3,655,995
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II  526,654   5,866,926
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II  9,224,769   51,289,718
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II  9,422,905   41,555,010
Total Affiliated Mutual Funds
(cost $547,633,916)
      425,710,301
        
Short-Term Investments — 2.00%       
Money Market Mutual Funds — 2.00%       
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.03%)  2,175,227  $2,175,227
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio – Class I (seven-day effective yield 4.06%)  2,175,227   2,175,227
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.23%)  2,175,227   2,175,227
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Government Portfolio – Institutional Class (seven-day effective yield 4.11%)  2,175,227   2,175,227
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $8,700,908)
      8,700,908
Total Value of Securities—99.73%
(cost $556,334,824)
     $434,411,209

<< Affiliated company. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements.”

The following futures contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2022:1

Futures Contracts
Exchange-Traded

     Contracts to Buy (Sell)    Notional
Amount
     Notional
Cost
(Proceeds)
     Expiration
Date
    Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
      Variation
Margin
Due from
(Due to)
Brokers
(10)  E-Mini Russell 2000 Index  $(885,450)  $(916,949)  3/17/23  $31,499   $3,100
(122)  E-Mini S&P 500 Index   (23,552,100)   (24,383,509)  3/17/23   831,409    65,575
Total Futures Contracts       $(25,300,458)     $862,908   $68,675

The use of futures contracts involves elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The notional amounts presented above represent the Portfolio’s total exposure in such contracts, whereas only the variation margin is reflected in the Portfolio’s net assets.

1See Note 8 in “Notes to financial statements.”

Summary of abbreviations:

S&P – Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


34  

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility

December 31, 2022

   Number of
shares
      Value (US $)
Affiliated Mutual Funds — 97.80%<<       
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II  930,040  $10,695,462
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II  2,336,820   10,492,320
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II  1,252,067   9,978,977
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I  136,942   386,176
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II  735,301   10,433,923
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II  1,751,432   8,021,556
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I  465,077   4,464,741
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I  118,828   726,038
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II  99,671   1,110,331
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II  1,826,671   10,156,292
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II  2,070,345   9,130,221
Total Affiliated Mutual Funds
(cost $98,913,502)
      75,596,037
        
        
Short-Term Investments — 2.00%       
Money Market Mutual Funds — 2.00%       
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.03%)  386,583  $386,583
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio – Class I (seven-day effective yield 4.06%)  386,583   386,583
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.23%)  386,583   386,583
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Government Portfolio – Institutional Class (seven-day effective yield 4.11%)  386,583   386,583
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $1,546,332)
      1,546,332
Total Value of Securities—99.80%
(cost $100,459,834)
             $77,142,369

<< Affiliated company. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements.”

The following futures contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2022:1

Futures Contracts
Exchange-Traded

   Contracts to Buy (Sell)     Notional
Amount
      Notional
Cost
(Proceeds)
      Expiration
Date
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
      Variation
Margin
Due from
(Due to)
Brokers
(1)  E-Mini Russell 2000 Index  $(88,545)  $(91,695)  3/17/23  $3,150   $310
(21)  E-Mini S&P 500 Index   (4,054,050)   (4,197,161)  3/17/23   143,111    11,288
Total Futures Contracts       $(4,288,856)     $146,261   $11,598

The use of futures contracts involves elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The notional amounts presented above represent the Portfolio’s total exposure in such contracts, whereas only the variation margin is reflected in the Portfolio’s net assets.

1See Note 8 in “Notes to financial statements.”

Summary of abbreviations:

S&P – Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 35 

Schedules of investments

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility

December 31, 2022

   Number
of shares
  Value (US $)
Affiliated Mutual Funds — 97.84%<<               
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II   293,331  $3,373,303
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II   1,545,312   6,938,449
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II  388,182   3,093,813
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I   106,586   300,573
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II   168,098   2,385,312
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II   1,336,344   6,120,455
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I   145,807   1,399,749
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I   37,415   228,609
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II   33,892   377,552
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II  566,332   3,148,804
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II   499,614   2,203,298
Total Affiliated Mutual Funds
(cost $39,099,283)
      29,569,917
        
Short-Term Investments — 2.00%       
Money Market Mutual Funds — 2.00%       
BlackRock Liquidity FedFund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.03%)    150,881  $150,881
Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio – Class I (seven-day effective yield 4.06%)    150,880   150,880
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.23%)     150,880   150,880
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Government Portfolio – Institutional Class (seven-day effective yield 4.11%)     150,881   150,881
Total Short-Term Investments
(cost $603,522)
      603,522
Total Value of Securities—99.84%
(cost $39,702,805)
     $30,173,439

<< Affiliated company. See Note 2 in “Notes to financial statements.”

The following futures contracts were outstanding at December 31, 2022:1

Futures Contracts Exchange-Traded

   Contracts to Buy (Sell)     Notional
Amount
      Notional
Cost
(Proceeds)
      Expiration
Date
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
      Variation
Margin
Due from
(Due to)
Brokers
(1)  E-Mini Russell 2000 Index  $(88,545)  $(91,695)  3/17/23  $3,150   $310
(9)  E-Mini S&P 500 Index   (1,737,450)   (1,798,783)  3/17/23   61,333    4,838
Total Futures Contracts       $(1,890,478)     $64,483   $5,148

The use of futures contracts involves elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The notional amounts presented above represent the Portfolio’s total exposure in such contracts, whereas only the variation margin is reflected in the Portfolio’s net assets.

1See Note 8 in “Notes to financial statements.”

Summary of abbreviations:

S&P – Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


36  

Statements of assets and liabilities

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

December 31, 2022

     Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Aggressive
      Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Conservative
      Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderate
      Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderately
Aggressive
Assets:                    
Investments, at value*  $137,321   $208,220   $1,160,064   $1,407,789 
Investments of affiliated issuers, at value**   53,577,856    84,092,598    464,625,681    564,820,420 
Dividends receivable   444    701    3,869    4,700 
Receivable for portfolio shares sold   377    1    129    38 
Receivable for securities sold       84,506    247,743    83,459 
Total Assets   53,715,998    84,386,026    466,037,486    566,316,406 
Liabilities:                    
Other accrued expenses   55,527    58,528    134,227    168,777 
Administration expenses payable to affiliates   5,153    8,490    55,783    68,131 
Payable for portfolio shares redeemed   2,930    82,737    252,090    84,924 
Total Liabilities   63,610    149,755    442,100    321,832 
Total Net Assets  $53,652,388   $84,236,271   $465,595,386   $565,994,574 
                     
Net Assets Consist of:                    
Paid-in capital  $58,370,174   $94,550,188   $511,302,636   $617,021,503 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (4,717,786)   (10,313,917)   (45,707,250)   (51,026,929)
Total Net Assets  $53,652,388   $84,236,271   $465,595,386   $565,994,574 
Net Asset Value                    
                     
Class II:                    
Net assets  $53,652,388   $84,236,271   $465,595,386   $565,994,574 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par   13,188,151    19,981,251    113,605,108    136,498,995 
Net asset value per share  $4.07   $4.22   $4.10   $4.15 
                       
*Investments, at cost  $137,321   $208,220   $1,160,064   $1,407,789 
**Investments of affiliated issuers, at cost   70,374,146    106,252,043    596,196,928    732,143,221 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 37 

Statements of assets and liabilities

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

      Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderately
Conservative
      Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderate –
Managed
Volatility
      Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderately
Aggressive –
Managed
Volatility
      Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderately
Conservative –
Managed
Volatility
Assets:                    
Investments, at value*  $344,299   $8,700,908   $1,546,332   $603,522 
Investments of affiliated issuers, at value**   137,754,670    425,710,301    75,596,037    29,569,917 
Cash collateral due from broker on futures contracts       1,351,200    228,400    101,200 
Receivable for portfolio shares sold   15,018    4,140         
Dividends receivable   1,143    28,735    5,127    2,018 
Receivable for securities sold           46,922     
Variation margin due from broker on futures contracts       68,675    11,598    5,148 
Total Assets   138,115,130    435,863,959    77,434,416    30,281,805 
Liabilities:                    
Other accrued expenses   103,904    81,237    48,939    44,430 
Administration expenses payable to affiliates   17,901    59,854    7,385    5,509 
Payable for portfolio shares redeemed   3,238    67,189    64,682    2,459 
Payable for securities purchased               2,413 
Investment management fees payable to affiliates       74,249    13,335    5,277 
Total Liabilities   125,043    282,529    134,341    60,088 
Total Net Assets  $137,990,087   $435,581,430   $77,300,075   $30,221,717 
                     
Net Assets Consist of:                    
Paid-in capital  $153,031,231   $475,330,298   $83,209,221   $34,442,768 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (15,041,144)   (39,748,868)   (5,909,146)   (4,221,051)
Total Net Assets  $137,990,087   $435,581,430   $77,300,075   $30,221,717 
Net Asset Value                    
                     
Class II:                    
Net assets  $137,990,087   $435,581,430   $77,300,075   $30,221,717 
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par   33,031,476    100,665,625    16,283,748    8,915,458 
Net asset value per share  $4.18   $4.33   $4.75   $3.39 
                       
*Investments, at cost  $344,299   $8,700,908   $1,546,332   $603,522 
**Investments of affiliated issuers, at cost   175,394,855    547,633,916    98,913,502    39,099,283 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


38  

Statements of operations

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Year ended December 31, 2022

       Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Aggressive
      Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Conservative
      Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderate
      Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Aggressive
Investment Income:                      
Dividends from affiliated funds        $847,877                $1,469,357               $7,819,267              $9,290,969      
Dividends     8,370      13,455      73,001      88,549 
      856,247      1,482,812      7,892,268      9,379,518 
                             
Expenses:                            
Accounting and administration expenses     41,613      49,199      143,372      168,389 
Audit and tax fees     23,679      25,123      22,175      25,039 
Reports and statements to shareholders                            
servicing expenses     13,962      13,212      11,580      35,022 
Trustees’ fees and expenses     13,310      17,826      42,999      58,038 
Custodian fees     11,681      7,783      42,345      9,380 
Legal fees     8,600      8,313      5,169      14,404 
Dividend disbursing and transfer agent                            
fees and expenses     3,233      4,453      25,073      31,875 
Registration fees     6      6      6      6 
Other     9,994      12,328      34,997      42,032 
Total operating expenses     126,078      138,243      327,716      384,185 
Net Investment Income (Loss)     730,169      1,344,569      7,564,552      8,995,333 
                             
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):                            
Net realized gain (loss) on:                            
Affiliated investments     950,859      692,008      5,358,601      7,199,308 
Capital gain received from investments in affiliated funds     10,446,732      9,912,252      73,298,639      100,464,990 
Net realized gain (loss)     11,397,591      10,604,260      78,657,240      107,664,298 
                             
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                            
Affiliated investments     (24,141,867)     (27,145,808)     (180,279,220)     (236,925,647)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)     (12,744,276)     (16,541,548)     (101,621,980)     (129,261,349)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations    $(12,014,107)    $(15,196,979)    $(94,057,428)    $(120,266,016)

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 39 

Statements of operations

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

       Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Conservative
      Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderate –
Managed Volatility
     Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Aggressive –
Managed Volatility
      Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Conservative –
Managed Volatility
Investment Income:                        
Dividends from affiliated funds         $2,378,169                   $6,685,372              $1,204,867                 $510,051      
Dividends     21,798      237,484      42,735      17,603 
      2,399,967      6,922,856      1,247,602      527,654 
                             
Expenses:                            
Investment advisory fees           918,235      169,513      68,200 
Accounting and administration expenses     71,705      141,980      47,627      40,112 
Legal fees     55,826      2,022      8,332      7,698 
Custodian fees     45,964      3,808      11,393      9,468 
Reports and statements to shareholders servicing expenses     40,582      13,494      11,509      12,213 
Audit and tax fees     22,678      23,044      23,829      24,058 
Trustees’ fees and expenses     13,408      52,551      14,836      8,950 
Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses     5,887      9,277      4,355      1,028 
Registration fees     6      6      6      6 
Other     11,418      44,335      9,164      8,963 
Total operating expenses     267,474      1,208,752      300,564      180,696 
Net Investment Income (Loss)     2,132,493      5,714,104      947,038      346,958 
                             
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):                            
Net realized gain (loss) on:                            
Affiliated investments     1,403,122      5,898,509      1,902,648      271,242 
Capital gain received from investments in affiliated funds     19,145,324      62,272,793      13,122,286      4,066,210 
Futures contracts           7,109,716      1,286,551      556,898 
Net realized gain (loss)     20,548,446      75,281,018      16,311,485      4,894,350 
                             
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                            
Affiliated investments     (49,466,726)     (151,811,119)     (31,478,309)     (10,321,916)
Futures contracts           1,338,945      234,164      103,417 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     (49,466,726)     (150,472,174)     (31,244,145)     (10,218,499)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)     (28,918,280)     (75,191,156)     (14,932,660)     (5,324,149)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations    $(26,785,787)    $(69,477,052)    $(13,985,622)    $(4,977,191)

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


40  

Statements of changes in net assets

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Aggressive
  Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Conservative
   Year ended   Year ended 
        12/31/22        12/31/21        12/31/22        12/31/21 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                    
Net investment income (loss)  $730,169   $1,157,545   $1,344,569   $2,571,374 
Net realized gain (loss)   11,397,591    4,917,252    10,604,260    7,375,060 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (24,141,867)   6,197,406    (27,145,808)   793,342 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (12,014,107)   12,272,203    (15,196,979)   10,739,776 
                     
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings:                    
Class II   (6,081,792)   (4,618,734)   (9,920,864)   (6,783,293)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class II   1,236,646    1,153,807    2,994,346    7,733,715 
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                    
Class II   6,081,792    4,618,734    9,920,864    6,783,294 
    7,318,438    5,772,541    12,915,210    14,517,009 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class II   (9,528,375)   (7,370,711)   (13,546,107)   (20,260,961)
Decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions   (2,209,937)   (1,598,170)   (630,897)   (5,743,952)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   (20,305,836)   6,055,299    (25,748,740)   (1,787,469)
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   73,958,224    67,902,925    109,985,011    111,772,480 
End of year  $53,652,388   $73,958,224   $84,236,271   $109,985,011 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 41 

Statements of changes in net assets

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderate
  Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Aggressive
       Year ended            Year ended      
   12/31/22     12/31/21  12/31/22     12/31/21
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                    
Net investment income (loss)  $7,564,552   $13,338,108   $8,995,333   $14,987,324 
Net realized gain (loss)   78,657,240    48,889,770    107,664,298    63,712,517 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (180,279,220)   26,962,268    (236,925,647)   45,803,323 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (94,057,428)   89,190,146    (120,266,016)   124,503,164 
                     
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings:                    
Class II   (62,270,198)   (42,760,246)   (78,642,243)   (53,200,274)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class II   1,889,732    1,792,123    3,808,521    4,843,743 
                     
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and                    
distributions:                    
Class II   62,270,198    42,760,246    78,642,243    53,200,274 
    64,159,930    44,552,369    82,450,764    58,044,017 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class II   (77,015,239)   (112,412,891)   (94,266,630)   (151,624,005)
Decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions   (12,855,309)   (67,860,522)   (11,815,866)   (93,579,988)
Net Decrease in Net Assets   (169,182,935)   (21,430,622)   (210,724,125)   (22,277,098)
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   634,778,321    656,208,943    776,718,699    798,995,797 
End of year  $465,595,386   $634,778,321   $565,994,574   $776,718,699 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


42  

  Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Conservative
  Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderate –
Managed Volatility
   Year ended  Year ended
   12/31/22  12/31/21  12/31/22  12/31/21
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                                    
Net investment income (loss)  $2,132,493   $4,175,492   $5,714,104   $13,678,694 
Net realized gain (loss)   20,548,446    13,216,767    75,281,018    82,280,739 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (49,466,726)   5,064,263    (150,472,174)   (2,411,822)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (26,785,787)   22,456,522    (69,477,052)   93,547,611 
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings:                    
Class II   (17,346,896)   (12,482,859)   (95,792,163)   (21,326,753)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class II   355,804    2,783,081    14,043,254    17,825,120 
                     
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                    
Class II   17,346,896    12,482,859    95,792,163    21,326,753 
    17,702,700    15,265,940    109,835,417    39,151,873 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class II   (23,039,255)   (32,902,562)   (38,808,203)   (310,117,607)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   (5,336,555)   (17,636,622)   71,027,214    (270,965,734)
Net Decrease in Net Assets   (49,469,238)   (7,662,959)   (94,242,001)   (198,744,876)
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   187,459,325    195,122,284    529,823,431    728,568,307 
End of year  $137,990,087   $187,459,325   $435,581,430   $529,823,431 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 43 

Statements of changes in net assets

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Aggressive –
Managed Volatility
  Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Conservative –
Managed Volatility
   Year ended  Year ended
   12/31/22  12/31/21  12/31/22  12/31/21
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:                                    
Net investment income (loss)  $947,038   $1,580,586   $346,958   $1,709,313 
Net realized gain (loss)   16,311,485    6,480,584    4,894,350    10,233,959 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (31,244,145)   6,022,229    (10,218,499)   (2,703,178)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (13,985,622)   14,083,399    (4,977,191)   9,240,094 
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings:                    
Class II   (8,050,737)   (2,885,945)   (11,995,385)   (3,230,225)
                     
Capital Share Transactions:                    
Proceeds from shares sold:                    
Class II   2,070,590    3,343,305    2,289,664    6,191,666 
Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:                    
Class II   8,050,737    2,885,945    11,995,385    3,230,225 
    10,121,327    6,229,250    14,285,049    9,421,891 
Cost of shares redeemed:                    
Class II   (12,569,340)   (11,700,491)   (7,078,676)   (61,135,361)
Increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions   (2,448,013)   (5,471,241)   7,206,373    (51,713,470)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   (24,484,372)   5,726,213    (9,766,203)   (45,703,601)
                     
Net Assets:                    
Beginning of year   101,784,447    96,058,234    39,987,920    85,691,521 
End of year  $77,300,075   $101,784,447   $30,221,717   $39,987,920 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


44  

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended
       12/31/22      12/31/21      12/31/20      12/31/19      12/31/18
Net asset value, beginning of period  $5.47   $4.92   $5.00   $4.60   $5.16 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.05    0.08    0.09    0.07    0.13 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.97)   0.82    0.52    0.92    (0.32)
Total from investment operations   (0.92)   0.90    0.61    0.99    (0.19)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.09)   (0.09)   (0.07)   (0.14)   (0.09)
Net realized gain   (0.39)   (0.26)   (0.62)   (0.45)   (0.28)
Total dividends and distributions   (0.48)   (0.35)   (0.69)   (0.59)   (0.37)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.07   $5.47   $4.92   $5.00   $4.60 
                          
Total return2   (16.72%)   18.93%    15.70%    23.24%    (4.27%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $53,652   $743   $683   $663   $593 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.21%    0.07%    0.12%    0.09%    0.09% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.24%    1.62%    1.91%    1.41%    2.49% 
Portfolio turnover   30%    18%    21%    18%    51% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 45 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended
   12/31/22  12/31/21  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18
Net asset value, beginning of period      $5.50        $5.31       $5.15       $4.83       $5.16 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.07    0.13    0.10    0.09    0.10 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.84)   0.39    0.49    0.59    (0.20)
Total from investment operations   (0.77)   0.52    0.59    0.68    (0.10)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.13)   (0.10)   (0.09)   (0.10)   (0.06)
Net realized gain   (0.38)   (0.23)   (0.34)   (0.26)   (0.17)
Total dividends and distributions   (0.51)   (0.33)   (0.43)   (0.36)   (0.23)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.22   $5.50   $5.31   $5.15   $4.83 
                          
Total return2   (14.09%)   10.18%    12.67%    14.66%    (1.93%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $84,236   $1103   $1123   $993   $943 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.15%    0.06%    0.08%    0.07%    0.07% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.44%    2.32%    2.02%    1.71%    1.89% 
Portfolio turnover   29%    27%    41%    31%    39% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


46  

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended
   12/31/22  12/31/21  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18
Net asset value, beginning of period      $5.51       $5.15       $5.19       $4.89       $5.40 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.07    0.11    0.10    0.08    0.12 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.91)   0.61    0.51    0.79    (0.31)
Total from investment operations   (0.84)   0.72    0.61    0.87    (0.19)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.12)   (0.11)   (0.09)   (0.14)   (0.08)
Net realized gain   (0.45)   (0.25)   (0.56)   (0.43)   (0.24)
Total dividends and distributions   (0.57)   (0.36)   (0.65)   (0.57)   (0.32)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.10   $5.51   $5.15   $5.19   $4.89 
                          
Total return2   (15.26%)   14.66%    14.35%    19.05%    (3.90%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $465,595   $6353   $6563   $6803   $7033 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.06%    0.03%    0.04%    0.04%    0.03% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.46%   2.05%    2.05%    1.62%    2.26% 
Portfolio turnover   28%    18%    21%    17%    36% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 47 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended
       12/31/22      12/31/21  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18
Net asset value, beginning of period  $5.66   $5.18       $5.32       $4.98       $5.59 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.06    0.10    0.10    0.08    0.13 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.96)   0.75    0.52    0.92    (0.37)
Total from investment operations   (0.90)   0.85    0.62    1.00    (0.24)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.12)   (0.10)   (0.09)   (0.15)   (0.10)
Net realized gain   (0.49)   (0.27)   (0.67)   (0.51)   (0.27)
Total dividends and distributions   (0.61)   (0.37)   (0.76)   (0.66)   (0.37)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.15   $5.66   $5.18   $5.32   $4.98 
                          
Total return2   (15.90%)   16.88%    15.12%    21.40%    (4.71%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $565,995   $7773   $7993   $8293   $8383 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.06%    0.03%    0.04%   0.03%    0.03% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.43%    1.88%    2.02%    1.56%    2.35% 
Portfolio turnover   28%   17%    20%   19%    39% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


48  

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended
   12/31/22      12/31/21      12/31/20      12/31/19      12/31/18
Net asset value, beginning of period  $5.53   $5.26   $5.22   $4.90   $5.32 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.06    0.12    0.10    0.08    0.11 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.87)   0.51    0.50    0.70    (0.24)
Total from investment operations   (0.81)   0.63    0.60    0.78    (0.13)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.13)   (0.11)   (0.10)   (0.12)   (0.07)
Net realized gain   (0.41)   (0.25)   (0.46)   (0.34)   (0.22)
Total dividends and distributions   (0.54)   (0.36)   (0.56)   (0.46)   (0.29)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.18   $5.53   $5.26   $5.22   $4.90 
                          
Total return2   (14.71%)   12.37%    13.52%    16.85%    (2.67%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $137,990   $1873   $1953   $2023   $2053 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.17%    0.04%    0.06%    0.05%    0.05% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.39%    2.17%    2.09%    1.67%   2.07% 
Portfolio turnover   31%    20%    25%    18%    34% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 49 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended
       12/31/22      12/31/21      12/31/20      12/31/19      12/31/18
Net asset value, beginning of period  $6.33   $5.77   $5.84   $5.33   $5.78 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.06    0.11    0.10    0.08    0.11 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.89)   0.62    0.34    0.82    (0.33)
Total from investment operations   (0.83)   0.73    0.44    0.90    (0.22)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.17)   (0.10)   (0.08)   (0.11)   (0.06)
Net realized gain   (1.00)   (0.07)   (0.43)   (0.28)   (0.17)
Total dividends and distributions   (1.17)   (0.17)   (0.51)   (0.39)   (0.23)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.33   $6.33   $5.77   $5.84   $5.33 
                          
Total return2   (13.22%)   12.99%    9.07%    17.32%    (4.00%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $435,581   $5303   $7293   $7073   $6063 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.26%    0.22%    0.23%    0.23%    0.23% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.24%    1.87%    1.78%    1.39%    2.00% 
Portfolio turnover   32%    19%    42%    9%    28%
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


50  

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended
   12/31/22  12/31/21  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18
Net asset value, beginning of period  $6.11   $5.46   $5.63   $5.15   $5.66 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.06    0.09    0.09    0.07    0.11 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.91)   0.73    0.33    0.88    (0.37)
Total from investment operations   (0.85)   0.82    0.42    0.95    (0.26)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.10)   (0.09)   (0.07)   (0.12)   (0.07)
Net realized gain   (0.41)   (0.08)   (0.52)   (0.35)   (0.18)
Total dividends and distributions   (0.51)   (0.17)   (0.59)   (0.47)   (0.25)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $4.75   $6.11   $5.46   $5.63   $5.15 
                          
Total return2   (14.00%)   15.24%   9.71%    19.29%    (4.75%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $77,300   $1023   $963   $933   $843 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.35%    0.26%   0.29%    0.27%    0.27% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.12%    1.58%    1.68%    1.32%    2.04% 
Portfolio turnover   44%   18%    41%   16%    37% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


 51 

Financial highlights

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility Class II

Selected data for the share of the Portfolio outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

   Year ended
   12/31/22  12/31/21  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18
Net asset value, beginning of period      $6.02       $5.64        $5.58       $5.19       $5.55 
                          
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.04    0.12    0.09    0.08    0.10 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.79)   0.47    0.39    0.66    (0.24)
Total from investment operations   (0.75)   0.59    0.48    0.74    (0.14)
                          
Less dividends and distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.27)   (0.09)   (0.08)   (0.10)   (0.05)
Net realized gain   (1.61)   (0.12)   (0.34)   (0.25)   (0.17)
Total dividends and distributions   (1.88)   (0.21)   (0.42)   (0.35)   (0.22)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $3.39   $6.02   $5.64   $5.58   $5.19 
                          
Total return2   (12.71%)   10.72%    9.61%    14.89%    (2.90%)
                          
Ratios and supplemental data:                         
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)  $30,222   $403   $863   $803   $733 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4   0.53%    0.26%   0.30%    0.27%    0.29% 
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets   1.02%    2.06%    1.77%    1.45%   1.79% 
Portfolio turnover   43%    24%    45%    14%    28% 
1 Calculated using average shares outstanding.
2 Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return does not include fees, charges, or expenses imposed by the variable annuity and life insurance contracts for which Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios serves as an underlying investment vehicle.
3 Net assets reported in millions.
4 Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Portfolio invests.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.


52  

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

December 31, 2022

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios (Trust) is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and offers 26 portfolios. These financial statements and the related notes pertain to 8 portfolios: Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive, and Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative (collectively, the “Pathfinder Portfolios”), Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility, and Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility (collectively, the “Managed Volatility Portfolios”) (each, a Portfolio and collectively, the Portfolios). The Trust is an open-end investment company. Each of the Portfolios are diversified as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act).

Each Portfolio offers Class II shares. The shares of the Portfolios are sold only to variable life insurance separate accounts and variable annuity separate accounts.

1. Significant Accounting Policies

Each Portfolio follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services — Investment Companies. The following accounting policies are in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) and are consistently followed by the Portfolios.

Security Valuation — Open-end investment companies, other than exchange-traded funds are valued at their published net asset value (NAV). Futures contracts are valued at the daily quoted settlement prices. Generally, other securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by each Portfolio’s valuation designee, Delaware Management Company (DMC). Subject to the oversight of each Portfolio’s Board of Trustees (Board), DMC, as valuation designee, has adopted policies and procedures to fair value securities for which market quotations are not readily available consistent with the requirements of Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. In determining whether market quotations are readily available or fair valuation will be used, various factors will be taken into consideration, such as market closures or suspension of trading in a security. Restricted securities and private placements are valued at fair value.

Federal and Foreign Income Taxes — No provision for federal income taxes has been made as each Portfolio intends to continue to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to shareholders. Each Portfolio evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing each Portfolio’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed each Portfolio’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on each Portfolio’s federal income tax returns through the year ended December 31, 2022, and for all open tax years (years ended December 31, 2019-December 31, 2021), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in each Portfolio’s financial statements. In regard to foreign taxes only, each Portfolio has open tax years in certain foreign countries in which it invests in that may date back to the inception of each Portfolio. If applicable, each Portfolio recognizes interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other” on the “Statements of operations.” During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Portfolios did not incur any interest or tax penalties.

Underlying Funds — Each Portfolio may invest in other investment companies (Underlying Funds) to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Underlying Funds in which each Portfolio may invest include exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Each Portfolio will indirectly bear the investment management fees and other expenses of the Underlying Funds.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Each Portfolio may invest in various derivative financial instruments. These instruments are used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity, index, market, and/or other assets without owning or taking physical custody of securities, commodities and/or other referenced assets or to manage market, equity, credit, interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, commodity and/ or other risks. Derivative financial instruments may give rise to a form of economic leverage and involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative financial instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the counterparty to the transaction or illiquidity of the instrument. Pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, among other things, each Portfolio must either use derivative financial instruments with embedded leverage in a limited manner or comply with an outer limit on fund leverage risk based on value-at-risk. Each Portfolio’s successful use of a derivative financial instrument depends on the investment adviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements accurately, which cannot be assured. The use of these instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may limit the


 53 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

amount of appreciation the Portfolios can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. Each Portfolio’s investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.

Segregation and Collateralizations — In certain cases, based on requirements and agreements with certain exchanges and third-party broker-dealers, each Portfolio may deliver collateral in connection with certain investments (e.g., futures contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, options written, securities with extended settlement periods, and swaps). Certain countries require that cash reserves be held while investing in companies incorporated in that country. These cash reserves and cash collateral that has been pledged/received to cover obligations of each Portfolio under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately on the “Statement of assets and liabilities” as cash collateral due to/from broker. Securities collateral pledged for the same purpose, if any, is noted on the “Schedule of investments.”

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.

Other — Expenses directly attributable to a Portfolio are charged directly to that Portfolio. Other expenses common to various funds within the Delaware Funds by Macquarie® (Delaware Funds) are generally allocated among such funds on the basis of average net assets. Management fees and certain other expenses are paid monthly. Security transactions are recorded on the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date) for financial reporting purposes. Costs used in calculating realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are those of the specific securities sold. Income and capital gain distributions from any Underlying Funds in which a Portfolio invests are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Each Portfolio declares net investment income and distributions from net realized gain on investments, if any, following the close of the fiscal year. Each Portfolio may distribute more frequently, if necessary for tax purposes. Dividends and distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates

In accordance with the terms of its respective investment management agreement, each Portfolio (other than the Pathfinder Portfolios) pays DMC, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust and the investment manager, an annual fee which is calculated daily and paid monthly, based on each Portfolio’s average daily net assets as follows:

Portfolio       Management Fee (annual rate as a percentage of average daily net assets)
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate –    
Managed Volatility   0.20% of net assets up to $500 million;
    0.17% of net assets over $500 million and up to $1 billion;
    0.15% of net assets over $1 billion.
     
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately    
Aggressive – Managed Volatility   0.20% of net assets up to $500 million;
    0.17% of net assets over $500 million and up to $1 billion;
    0.15% of net assets over $1 billion.
     
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately    
Conservative – Managed Volatility   0.20% of net assets up to $500 million;
    0.17% of net assets over $500 million and up to $1 billion;
    0.15% of net assets over $1 billion.

The Pathfinder Portfolios pay no management fees.

DMC uses all of the management fee it receives from the Managed Volatility Portfolios to pay Securian Asset Management Inc. (“Securian”). Accordingly, Securian receives a fee based on the average daily net assets of the Managed Volatility Portfolios.

DMC has entered into sub-advisory agreements with the following entities on behalf of the Portfolios:


54  

Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG (MIMAK) is a part of Macquarie Asset Management (MAM). MAM is the marketing name for certain companies comprising the asset management division of Macquarie Group Limited. With respect to the Portfolios for which MIMAK serves as a sub-advisor, DMC has principal responsibility for all investment advisory services and may seek investment advice and recommendations from MIMAK and DMC may also permit MIMAK to execute Portfolio security trades on behalf of DMC and exercise investment discretion for securities in certain markets where DMC believes it will be beneficial to utilize MIMAK’s specialized market knowledge.

Securian serves as sub-advisor to the Managed Volatility Portfolios. The sub-advisor makes investment decisions in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions under the supervision of DMC and the Board. DMC pays all applicable costs of the sub-advisor.

Prior to February 28, 2022, the Portfolios had an Accounting Services Agreement with Waddell & Reed Services Company (WRSCO), doing business as WI Services Company (WISC). Under the agreement, WISC acted as the agent in providing bookkeeping and accounting services and assistance to each Portfolio, including maintenance of Portfolio records, pricing of Portfolio shares and preparation of certain shareholder reports. For these services, each Portfolio paid WISC a monthly fee of one-twelfth of the annual fee based on the average net asset levels shown in the following table:

(M - Millions)  Annual Fee Rate
$0 to $10M  $0
$10 to $25M   5,748
$25 to $50M   11,550
$50 to $100M   17,748
$100 to $200M   24,198
$200 to $350M   31,602
$350 to $550M   41,250
$550 to $750M   48,150
$750 to $1,000M   60,798
Over $1,000M   74,250

In addition, each Portfolio paid WISC a monthly administrative fee at the annual rate of 0.01%, or one basis point, for the first $1 billion of net assets with no fee charged for net assets in excess of $1 billion. This fee was voluntarily waived by WISC until each Portfolio’s net assets were at least $10 million and is included in “Accounting and administration expenses” on the “Statements of operations.”

Effective February 28, 2022, Delaware Investments Fund Services Company (DIFSC), an affiliate of DMC, provides fund accounting and financial administrative oversight services to each Portfolio. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly, based on the aggregate daily net assets of all funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rates: 0.00475% of the first $35 billion; 0.0040% of the next $10 billion; 0.0025% of the next $45 billion; and 0.0015% of aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $90 billion (Total Fee). Each fund in the Delaware Funds pays a minimum of $4,000, which, in aggregate, is subtracted from the Total Fee. Each fund then pays its portion of the remainder of the Total Fee on a relative NAV basis. These amounts are included on the “Statements of operations” under “Accounting and administration expenses.” From February 28, 2022 to December 31, 2022, each Portfolio paid for these services as follows:

Portfolio  Fees
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive  $4,082
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative   3,642
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate   14,822
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive   15,579
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative   6,568
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility   10,785
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility   4,608
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility   4,162

Prior to June 27, 2022, under a Transfer Agency Agreement between the Trust and WISC, each Portfolio reimbursed WISC for certain out-of-pocket costs. Effective June 27, 2022, DIFSC is also the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of the Portfolios. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.0075% of the Portfolios’ average daily net assets. This amount is


 55 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued) included on the “Statements of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” From June 27, 2022 through December 31, 2022, each Portfolio paid for these services as follows:

Portfolio  Fees
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive  $1,720
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative   2,774
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate   18,070
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive   18,306
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative   4,508
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility   10,915
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility   2,499
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility   1,026

Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DIFSC and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNYMIS), effective June 27, 2022, BNYMIS provides certain sub-transfer agency services to each Portfolio. Sub-transfer agency fees are paid by each Portfolio and are also included on the “Statements of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” The fees that are calculated daily and paid as invoices are received on a monthly or quarterly basis.

As provided in the investment management agreement, each Portfolio bears a portion of the cost of certain resources shared with DMC, including the cost of internal personnel of DMC and/or its affiliates that provide legal and regulatory reporting services to each Portfolio. These amounts are included on the “Statements of operations” under “Legal fees.” For the year ended December 31, 2022, each Portfolio paid for internal legal and regulatory reporting services provided by DMC and/or its affiliates’ employees as follows:

Portfolio  Fees
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive  $1,791
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative   2,779
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate   15,355
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive   18,704
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative   4,581
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility   13,468
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility   2,540
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility   981

Trustees’ fees include expenses accrued by each Portfolio for each Trustee’s retainer and meeting fees. Certain officers of DMC, DIFSC, and DDLP are officers and/or Trustees of the Trust. These officers and Trustees are paid no compensation by the Portfolios.

In addition to the management fees and other expenses of a Portfolio, a Portfolio indirectly bears the investment management fees and other expenses of any Underlying Funds in which it invests. The amount of these fees and expenses incurred indirectly by a Portfolio will vary based upon the expense and fee levels of any Underlying Funds and the number of shares that are owned of any Underlying Funds at different times.

A summary of the transactions in affiliated companies during the year ended December 31, 2022 was as follows:


56  

      Value,
beginning
of period
  Gross
additions
  Gross
reductions
  Net
realized
gain (loss)
on
affiliated
fund
  Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
on affiliated fund
  Value,
end of
period
  Shares  Income
distributions
  Capital gain
distributions
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive                               
Affiliated Mutual Funds—99.86%                                
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II                               
   $9,178,872   $4,571,374   $1,989,417   $270,896   $(3,722,205)  $8,309,520    722,567   $19,944   $1,778,585 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II                               
    7,186,240    738,600    1,686,369    (106,245)   (1,264,548)   4,867,678    1,084,115    139,996    159,664 
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II                               
    14,498,685    3,031,568    4,061,772    407,542    (6,068,388)   7,807,635    979,628        2,258,228 
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I                               
    184,761    17,925    36,441    (1,941)   (27,363)   136,941    48,561    10,262     
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II                          
    11,908,221    1,667,121    2,022,036    (11,681)   (2,613,702)   8,927,923    629,170    219,402    755,517 
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II                               
    3,671,127    509,701    995,487    (34,578)   (175,232)   2,975,531    649,679    41,032    23,081 
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I                               
    7,150,999    1,163,089    1,922,141    340,198    (3,243,026)   3,489,119    363,450        922,116 
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I                               
    1,702,929    213,010    846,522    (173,622)   (329,028)   566,767    92,760        161,405 
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II                               
    444,429    898,801    249,413    1,821    (255,072)   840,566    75,455        152,347 
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II                               
    7,858,869    4,819,677    1,866,107    117,166    (2,983,242)   7,946,363    1,429,202    111,594    2,316,641 
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II                               
    9,985,397    2,867,470    1,824,296    141,303    (3,460,061)   7,709,813    1,748,257    305,647    1,919,148 
Total  $73,770,529   $20,498,336   $17,500,001   $950,859   $(24,141,867)  $53,577,856        $847,877   $10,446,732 

 57 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

   Value,
beginning
of period
  Gross
additions
  Gross
reductions
  Net
realized
gain (loss)
on
affiliated
fund
  Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
on affiliated fund
  Value,
end of
period
  Shares  Income
distributions
  Capital gain
distributions
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative                              
Affiliated Mutual Funds—99.83%                              
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II                              
   $8,080,468   $5,844,564   $2,069,383   $212,806   $(3,622,306)  $8,446,149    734,448   $20,655   $1,842,002 
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II                              
    31,506,244    3,520,637    5,004,701    (142,311)   (6,126,431)   23,753,438    5,290,298    666,824    760,510 
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II                              
    14,240,107    3,751,005    4,733,946    403,606    (6,014,344)   7,646,428    959,401        2,297,003 
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I                              
    1,373,629    167,041    242,737    (5,877)   (217,038)   1,075,018    381,212    78,854     
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II                          
    5,899,916    1,122,454    1,307,128    (268)   (1,333,261)   4,381,713    308,789    115,073    396,257 
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II                              
    27,291,863    2,851,498    6,894,599    (217,276)   (1,397,841)   21,633,645    4,723,503    321,087    180,612 
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I                              
    7,444,303    1,489,905    2,567,733    314,705    (3,193,907)   3,487,273    363,258        899,946 
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I                              
    1,518,356    246,765    732,267    (155,272)   (309,301)   568,281    93,008        155,926 
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II                              
    132,117    1,285,078    207,708    3,684    (220,730)   992,441    89,088        143,482 
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II                              
    7,233,782    5,843,241    2,558,638    214,256    (2,950,328)   7,782,313    1,399,697    107,791    2,237,702 
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II                              
    4,946,484    2,013,209    937,428    63,955    (1,760,321)   4,325,899    980,929    159,073    998,812 
Total  $109,667,269   $28,135,397   $27,256,268   $692,008   $(27,145,808)  $84,092,598        $1,469,357   $9,912,252 

58  

    Value,
beginning
of period
   Gross
additions
   Gross
reductions
   Net
realized
gain (loss)
on
affiliated
fund
   Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
on affiliated fund
   Value,
end of
period
   Shares   Income
distributions
   Capital gain
distributions
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate
Affiliated Mutual Funds—99.79%
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II                                 
   $62,752,681   $35,266,504   $14,184,772   $1,693,127   $(26,175,247)  $59,352,293    5,161,069   $144,661     $12,900,362  
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II                                 
    121,848,884    9,709,594    21,237,729    (962,288)   (22,628,689)   86,729,772    19,316,208    2,446,890     2,790,668  
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II                                 
    103,399,554    21,814,558    30,038,972    3,300,130    (43,507,623)   54,967,647    6,896,819         16,165,515  
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I                                 
    4,760,134    398,389    799,629    (67,847)   (694,242)   3,596,805    1,275,463    269,103      
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II                                 
    68,143,283    8,359,999    10,641,959    110,715    (15,178,633)   50,793,405    3,579,521    1,272,046     4,380,325  
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II                                 
    94,578,066    7,149,921    23,581,754    (921,468)   (4,568,867)   72,655,898    15,863,733    1,096,172     616,597  
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I                                 
    52,183,853    8,389,025    15,210,625    2,046,470    (22,663,842)   24,744,881    2,577,592         6,473,626  
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I                                 
    11,687,167    1,475,417    5,643,704    (1,238,671)   (2,228,525)   4,051,684    663,123         1,127,513  
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II                                 
    2,288,653    7,433,102    1,596,351    24,702    (1,732,361)   6,417,745    576,099         1,070,293  
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II                                 
    54,635,744    36,015,009    14,478,959    1,132,615    (21,359,921)   55,944,488    10,061,958    794,767     16,499,046  
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II                                 
    57,145,854    16,618,324    9,092,961    241,116    (19,541,270)   45,371,063    10,288,223    1,795,628     11,274,694  
Total  $633,423,873   $152,629,842   $146,507,415   $5,358,601   $(180,279,220)  $464,625,681        $7,819,267   $ 73,298,639  

 59 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

    Value,
beginning
of period
   Gross
additions
   Gross
reductions
   Net
realized
gain (loss)
on
affiliated fund
   Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
on affiliated fund
   Value,
end of
period
   Shares   Income
distributions
   Capital gain
distributions
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive
Affiliated Mutual Funds—99.79%
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II                                 
   $86,663,258   $45,217,484   $18,741,557   $2,213,098   $(35,487,856)  $79,864,427    6,944,733   $194,825   $ 17,373,804  
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II                                 
    112,350,661    9,805,077    22,127,394    (1,267,788)   (20,396,178)   78,364,378    17,453,091    2,238,174     2,552,629  
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II                                 
    139,532,663    28,550,865    38,928,703    4,197,596    (58,797,764)   74,554,657    9,354,411         21,964,865  
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I                                 
    3,884,486    355,420    701,417    (70,458)   (553,408)   2,914,623    1,033,554    220,081      
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II                                 
    104,254,774    12,745,021    15,960,288    102,190    (23,221,002)   77,920,695    5,491,240    1,947,694     6,706,934  
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II                                 
    77,180,123    6,858,066    19,756,687    (768,509)   (3,678,998)   59,833,995    13,064,191    881,408     495,792  
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I                                 
    69,505,260    11,431,311    19,556,394    2,442,245    (30,377,292)   33,445,130    3,483,868         8,841,727  
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I                                 
    16,091,801    1,990,852    7,845,522    (1,627,090)   (3,140,461)   5,469,580    895,185         1,542,982  
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II                                 
    3,734,944    9,245,973    2,250,310    26,441    (2,403,883)   8,353,165    749,835         1,458,635  
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II                                 
    74,739,751    47,540,638    18,905,188    1,559,012    (29,054,579)   75,879,634    13,647,416    1,078,153     22,382,053  
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II                                 
    87,433,224    24,490,672    14,282,105    392,571    (29,814,226)   68,220,136    15,469,419    2,730,634     17,145,569  
Total  $775,370,945   $198,231,379   $179,055,565   $7,199,308   $(236,925,647)  $564,820,420        $9,290,969   $ 100,464,990  

60  

    Value,
beginning
of period
   Gross
additions
   Gross
reductions
   Net
realized
gain (loss)
on
affiliated
fund
   Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
on affiliated fund
   Value,
end of
period
   Shares   Income
distributions
   Capital gain
distributions
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative                             
Affiliated Mutual Funds—99.83%                             
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II                             
   $16,110,082   $10,223,878   $4,139,100   $508,085   $(6,985,954)  $15,716,991    1,366,695   $38,766     $3,457,001  
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II                             
    44,726,603    4,476,132    8,125,680    (332,286)   (8,427,413)   32,317,356    7,197,629    921,876     1,051,395  
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II                             
    27,330,486    6,123,612    8,312,166    817,195    (11,547,153)   14,411,974    1,808,278         4,367,341  
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I                             
    1,868,743    203,344    361,744    (26,645)   (270,819)   1,412,879    501,021    104,692      
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II                             
    15,052,572    2,325,122    2,900,919    23,076    (3,382,753)   11,117,098    783,446    288,585     993,750  
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II                             
    37,128,370    3,400,054    9,879,605    (335,913)   (1,821,800)   28,491,106    6,220,765    425,665     239,436  
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I                             
    14,014,280    2,619,358    4,607,829    605,837    (6,108,550)   6,523,096    679,489         1,736,753  
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I                             
    3,012,381    435,867    1,477,344    (313,239)   (593,873)   1,063,792    174,107         300,692  
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II                             
    449,419    2,190,974    445,928    7,761    (437,380)   1,764,846    158,424         276,189  
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II                             
    14,197,909    10,614,293    4,937,315    440,732    (5,647,552)   14,668,067    2,638,142    204,705     4,249,606  
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II                             
    12,622,418    4,337,380    2,457,373    8,519    (4,243,479)   10,267,465    2,328,223    393,880     2,473,161  
Total  $186,513,263   $46,950,014   $47,645,003   $1,403,122   $(49,466,726)  $137,754,670        $2,378,169   $ 19,145,324  

 61 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

    Value,
beginning
of period
   Gross
additions
   Gross
reductions
   Net
realized
gain (loss)
on
affiliated
fund
   Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
on affiliated fund
   Value,
end of
period
   Shares   Income
distributions
   Capital gain
distributions
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility                      
Affiliated Mutual Funds—97.73%                            
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II                            
   $50,867,788   $37,799,489   $14,067,362   $1,659,253   $(21,856,425)  $54,402,743    4,730,673   $121,348     $10,821,363  
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II                            
    98,434,004    20,389,850    19,451,539    (204,912)   (19,649,128)   79,518,275    17,710,084    2,094,380     2,388,632  
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II                            
    84,004,437    30,898,540    30,676,804    2,444,654    (36,276,715)   50,394,112    6,322,975         13,927,542  
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I                            
    3,844,919    683,982    618,349    (28,574)   (605,867)   3,276,111    1,161,742    226,369      
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II                            
    55,040,198    16,877,128    12,866,246    563,953    (13,058,263)   46,556,770    3,280,956    1,099,356     3,785,660  
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II                            
    76,306,200    14,619,066    19,777,335    (504,516)   (4,124,531)   66,518,884    14,523,774    945,496     531,841  
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I                            
    42,363,309    12,918,254    15,529,921    1,898,597    (18,974,482)   22,675,757    2,362,058         5,519,604  
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I                            
    9,381,799    1,973,830    4,845,670    (1,075,587)   (1,778,377)   3,655,995    598,362         948,697  
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II                            
    1,840,875    6,843,156    1,414,642    34,590    (1,437,053)   5,866,926    526,654         885,507  
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II                            
    44,236,648    38,233,494    14,387,808    1,108,405    (17,901,021)   51,289,718    9,224,769    667,105     13,848,845  
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II                            
    45,987,441    20,853,262    9,139,082    2,646    (16,149,257)   41,555,010    9,422,905    1,531,318     9,615,102  
Total  $512,307,618   $202,090,051   $142,774,758   $5,898,509   $(151,811,119)  $425,710,301        $6,685,372   $ 62,272,793  

62  

    Value,
beginning
of period
   Gross
additions
   Gross
reductions
   Net
realized
gain (loss)
on affiliated fund
   Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
on affiliated fund
   Value,
end of
period
   Shares   Income
distributions
   Capital gain
distributions
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility                   
Affiliated Mutual Funds—97.80%                             
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II                             
   $11,007,679   $7,729,564   $3,763,995   $481,641   $(4,759,427)  $10,695,462    930,040   $25,496     $2,273,629  
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II                             
    14,266,341    3,408,156    4,370,840    (107,430)   (2,703,907)   10,492,320    2,336,820    293,938     335,235  
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II                             
    17,719,222    6,625,742    7,194,018    550,305    (7,722,274)   9,978,977    1,252,067         2,979,134  
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I                             
    493,316    103,032    130,419    (2,762)   (76,991)   386,176    136,942    28,141      
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II                             
    13,249,590    4,146,129    3,996,999    132,979    (3,097,776)   10,433,923    735,301    257,351     886,194  
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II                             
    9,800,936    2,649,990    3,851,427    (81,010)   (496,933)   8,021,556    1,751,431    115,175     64,786  
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I                             
    8,832,526    2,839,202    3,613,249    433,096    (4,026,834)   4,464,741    465,077         1,178,822  
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I                             
    2,046,124    455,049    1,165,673    (250,686)   (358,776)   726,038    118,828         202,287  
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II                             
    474,748    1,348,660    414,616    7,299    (305,760)   1,110,331    99,671         185,483  
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II                             
    9,496,135    8,373,876    4,257,286    468,362    (3,924,795)   10,156,292    1,826,671    136,243     2,828,351  
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II                             
    11,110,153    4,964,590    3,210,540    270,854    (4,004,836)   9,130,221    2,070,345    348,523     2,188,365  
Total  $98,496,770   $42,643,990   $35,969,062   $1,902,648   $(31,478,309)  $75,596,037        $1,204,867   $ 13,122,286  

 63 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

    Value,
beginning
of period
   Gross
additions
   Gross
reductions
   Net
realized
gain (loss)
on affiliated fund
   Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
on affiliated fund
   Value,
end of
period
   Shares   Income
distributions
   Capital gain
distributions
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility
Affiliated Mutual Funds—97.84%
Delaware Ivy VIP Core Equity Class II
   $3,384,033   $2,689,241   $1,371,968   $161,256   $(1,489,259)  $3,373,303    293,331   $8,101     $722,433  
Delaware Ivy VIP Corporate Bond Class II
    9,326,207    1,974,356    2,507,121    (106,468)   (1,748,525)   6,938,449    1,545,312    195,244     222,674  
Delaware Ivy VIP Growth Class II
    5,777,567    2,207,632    2,660,801    136,803    (2,367,388)   3,093,813    388,182         922,126  
Delaware Ivy VIP High Income Class I
    389,266    69,655    95,198    (3,679)   (59,471)   300,573    106,586    22,402      
Delaware Ivy VIP International Core Equity Class II
    3,125,553    1,032,578    1,073,390    19,377    (718,806)   2,385,312    168,098    61,316     211,144  
Delaware Ivy VIP Limited-Term Bond Class II
    7,713,598    1,423,566    2,555,137    (64,479)   (397,093)   6,120,455    1,336,344    93,360     52,515  
Delaware Ivy VIP Mid Cap Growth Class I
    2,946,158    898,001    1,308,415    142,512    (1,278,507)   1,399,749    145,807         363,875  
Delaware Ivy VIP Small Cap Growth Class I
    613,637    137,035    337,389    (87,076)   (97,598)   228,609    37,415         62,608  
Delaware Ivy VIP Smid Cap Core Class II
    92,226    496,464    122,003    3,700    (92,835)   377,552    33,892         58,359  
Delaware Ivy VIP Value Class II
    2,971,031    2,650,143    1,370,461    84,674    (1,186,583)   3,148,804    566,332    43,958     912,557  
Delaware VIP Global Value Equity Class II
    2,599,111    1,223,926    718,510    (15,378)   (885,851)   2,203,298    499,614    85,670     537,919  
Total  $38,938,387   $14,802,597   $14,120,393   $271,242   $(10,321,916)  $29,569,917        $510,051   $ 4,066,210  

3. Investments

For the year ended December 31, 2022, each Portfolio made purchases and sales of investment securities other than short-term investments as follows:

Portfolio      Purchases
other than
US government
securities
     Sales
other than
US government
securities
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive  $20,498,336   $17,500,001 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative   28,135,397    27,256,268 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate   152,629,842    146,507,415 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive   198,231,379    179,055,565 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative   46,950,014    47,645,003 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility   202,090,051    142,774,758 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility   42,643,990    35,969,062 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility   14,802,597    14,120,393 

64  

The tax cost of investments and derivatives includes adjustments to net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) which may not necessarily be the final tax cost basis adjustments but which approximate the tax basis unrealized gains and losses that may be realized and distributed to shareholders. At December 31, 2022, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and derivatives for federal income tax purposes for each Portfolio were as follows:

Portfolio    Cost of
investments
and derivatives
     Aggregate
unrealized
appreciation
of investments
and derivatives
     Aggregate
unrealized
depreciation
of investments
and derivatives
     Net unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
of investments
and derivatives
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive  $70,568,628   $16,796,291   $(33,649,742)  $(16,853,451)
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative   106,532,230        (22,231,412)   (22,231,412)
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate   597,656,556    131,571,247    (263,442,058)   (131,870,811)
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive   734,045,810        (167,817,601)   (167,817,601)
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative   175,850,723    344,299    (38,096,053)   (37,751,754)
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility   557,594,227        (122,320,110)   (122,320,110)
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility   100,678,809    23,171,204    (46,561,383)   (23,390,179)
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility   39,795,232        (9,557,310)   (9,557,310)

US GAAP defines fair value as the price that each Portfolio would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. A three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements has been established based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available under the circumstances. Each Portfolio’s investment in its entirety is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized as follows:

Level 1 –  Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. (Examples: equity securities, open-end investment companies, futures contracts, and exchange-traded options contracts)
Level 2 –  Other observable inputs, including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs. (Examples: debt securities, government securities, swap contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign securities utilizing international fair value pricing, broker-quoted securities, and fair valued securities)
Level 3 –  Significant unobservable inputs, including each Portfolio’s own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments. (Examples: broker-quoted securities and fair valued securities)

Level 3 investments are valued using significant unobservable inputs. Each Portfolio may also use an income-based valuation approach in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Valuations may also be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity, and industry. The derived value of a Level 3 investment may not represent the value which is received upon disposition and this could impact the results of operations.


 65 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

3. Investments (continued)

The following tables summarize the valuation of each Portfolio’s investments by fair value hierarchy levels as of December 31, 2022:

    Delaware Ivy
VIP Pathfinder
Aggressive
   Level 1
Securities      
Assets:      
Affiliated Mutual Funds    $53,577,856 
Short-Term Investments     137,321 
Total Value of Securities    $53,715,177 
        
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Pathfinder
Conservative
   Level 1
Securities       
Assets:       
Affiliated Mutual Funds    $84,092,598 
Short-Term Investments     208,220 
Total Value of Securities    $84,300,818 
        
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Pathfinder
Moderate
   Level 1
Securities       
Assets:       
Affiliated Mutual Funds     $464,625,681  
Short-Term Investments     1,160,064 
Total Value of Securities    $465,785,745 
        
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Pathfinder
Moderately
Aggressive
   Level 1
Securities       
Assets:       
Affiliated Mutual Funds    $564,820,420 
Short-Term Investments     1,407,789 
Total Value of Securities    $566,228,209 

66  

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Pathfinder
Moderately
Conservative
   Level 1
Securities      
Assets:      
Affiliated Mutual Funds    $137,754,670 
Short-Term Investments     344,299 
Total Value of Securities    $138,098,969 
        
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Pathfinder
Moderate –
Managed
Volatility
   Level 1
Securities       
Assets:       
Affiliated Mutual Funds    $425,710,301 
Short-Term Investments     8,700,908 
Total Value of Securities    $434,411,209 
        
Derivatives1       
Assets:       
Futures Contracts    $862,908 
1 Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument at the year end.
       
   Delaware Ivy
VIP Pathfinder
Moderately
Aggressive –
Managed
Volatility
   Level 1
Securities      
Assets:      
Affiliated Mutual Funds    $75,596,037 
Short-Term Investments     1,546,332 
Total Value of Securities    $77,142,369 
        
Derivatives1       
Assets:       
Futures Contracts    $146,261 
1 Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument at the year end.

 67 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

3. Investments (continued)

   Delaware Ivy
VIP Pathfinder
Moderately
Conservative –
Managed
Volatility
   Level 1
Securities      
Assets:      
Affiliated Mutual Funds    $29,569,917 
Short-Term Investments     603,522 
Total Value of Securities    $30,173,439 
        
Derivatives1       
Assets:       
Futures Contracts    $64,483 
1 Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument at the year end.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 investments. Each Portfolio’s policy is to recognize transfers into or out of Level 3 investments based on fair value at the beginning of the reporting period.

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when a Portfolio has a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning or end of the year in relation to each Portfolio’s net assets. During the year ended December 31, 2022, there were no Level 3 investments.


68  

4. Dividend and Distribution Information

Income and long-term capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Additionally, distributions from net short-term gains on sales of investment securities are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:

     Ordinary
income
     Long-term
capital
gains
     Total 
Year ended December 31, 2022:            
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive  $1,498,412   $4,583,380   $6,081,792 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative   3,030,303    6,890,561    9,920,864 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate   14,728,256    47,541,942    62,270,198 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive   16,658,209    61,984,034    78,642,243 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative   4,480,748    12,866,148    17,346,896 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility   15,103,477    80,688,686    95,792,163 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility   1,613,342    6,437,395    8,050,737 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility   2,172,241    9,823,144    11,995,385 
                
Year ended December 31, 2021:               
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive   1,596,762    3,021,972    4,618,734 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative   3,023,122    3,760,172    6,783,294 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate   16,714,721    26,045,525    42,760,246 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive   20,765,959    32,434,315    53,200,274 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative   5,195,138    7,287,721    12,482,859 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility   12,123,096    9,203,657    21,326,753 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility   1,487,007    1,398,938    2,885,945 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility   1,532,015    1,698,210    3,230,225 

5. Components of Net Assets on a Tax Basis

As of December 31, 2022, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follows:

   Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Aggressive
     Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Conservative
     Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderate
     Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderately
Aggressive
 
Shares of beneficial interest  $58,370,174   $94,550,188   $511,302,636   $617,021,503 
Undistributed ordinary income   3,448,289    3,728,937    26,623,290    35,423,677 
Undistributed long-term capital gains   8,692,462    8,194,288    59,580,314    81,414,730 
Other temporary differences   (5,086)   (5,730)   (40,043)   (47,735)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and derivatives   (16,853,451)   (22,231,412)   (131,870,811)   (167,817,601)
Net assets  $53,652,388   $84,236,271   $465,595,386   $565,994,574 

 69 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

5. Components of Net Assets on a Tax Basis (continued)

   Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderately
Conservative
     Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderate –
Managed
Volatility
     Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderately
Aggressive –
Managed
Volatility
     Delaware Ivy
VIP
Pathfinder
Moderately
Conservative –
Managed
Volatility
 
Shares of beneficial interest  $153,031,231   $475,330,298   $83,209,221   $34,442,768 
Undistributed ordinary income   7,053,028    26,680,113    5,221,597    1,775,825 
Undistributed long-term capital gains   15,670,388    55,912,692    12,271,395    3,572,113 
Other temporary differences   (12,806)   (21,563)   (11,959)   (11,679)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and derivatives   (37,751,754)   (122,320,110)   (23,390,179)   (9,557,310)
Net assets  $137,990,087   $435,581,430   $77,300,075   $30,221,717 

The differences between book basis and tax basis components of net assets are primarily attributable to tax deferral of losses on wash sales, deferred directors fees, unamortized organizational costs, and mark-to-market of futures contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, capital accounts are adjusted to reflect the tax character of permanent book/tax differences. Reclassifications are primarily due to capital gain distributions from underlying regulated investment companies. Results of operations and net assets were not affected by these reclassifications. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Portfolios had no reclassifications.

6. Capital Shares

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Aggressive
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Conservative
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderate
 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Shares sold:                              
Class II   278,057    218,691    668,715    1,422,907    435,677    334,618 
                               
Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:
Class II   1,497,978    918,548    2,339,827    1,303,477    15,187,853    8,317,981 
    1,776,035    1,137,239    3,008,542    2,726,384    15,623,530    8,652,599 
                               
Shares redeemed:
Class II   (2,118,183)   (1,420,014)   (3,018,788)   (3,765,450)   (17,135,328)   (21,048,827)
Net decrease   (342,148)   (282,775)   (10,246)   (1,039,066)   (1,511,798)   (12,396,228)

70  

   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Aggressive
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Conservative
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderate –
Managed Volatility
 
   Year ended   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Shares sold:                              
Class II   896,493    880,297    78,272    516,151    2,885,467    2,920,413 
                               
Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:
Class II   18,995,711    10,160,868    4,130,213    2,403,138    22,122,901    3,584,931 
    19,892,204    11,041,165    4,208,485    2,919,289    25,008,368    6,505,344 
                               
Shares redeemed:                              
Class II   (20,729,425)   (27,863,242)   (5,072,321)   (6,094,096)   (8,036,060)   (49,187,824)
Net increase (decrease)   (837,221)   (16,822,077)   (863,836)   (3,174,807)   16,972,308    (42,682,480)

   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Aggressive –
Managed Volatility
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Conservative –
Managed Volatility
 
   Year ended   Year ended 
   12/31/22   12/31/21   12/31/22   12/31/21 
Shares sold:                    
Class II   390,290    571,261    595,866    1,065,285 
                     
Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:
Class II   1,698,468    506,555    3,517,708    566,786 
    2,088,758    1,077,816    4,113,574    1,632,071 
                     
Shares redeemed:                    
Class II   (2,473,446)   (2,011,409)   (1,842,890)   (10,182,770)
Net increase (decrease)   (384,688)   (933,593)   2,270,684    (8,550,699)

7. Interfund Lending Program

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC (Order), the Ivy Funds and Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios (collectively, the Funds only for purposes of this Note 7) have the ability to lend money to, and borrow money from, each other pursuant to a master interfund lending agreement (Interfund Lending Program). Under the Interfund Lending Program, the Funds may lend or borrow money for temporary purposes directly to or from one another (each, an Interfund Loan), subject to meeting the conditions of the Order. The interest rate to be charged on an Interfund Loan is the average of the overnight repurchase agreement rate and the short-term bank loan rate. This program is in existence but is not currently in use. The Funds made no Interfund Loans under the Interfund Lending Program during the year ended December 31, 2022.


 71 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

8. Derivatives

US GAAP requires disclosures that enable investors to understand: (1) how and why an entity uses derivatives; (2) how they are accounted for; and (3) how they affect an entity’s results of operations and financial position.

Futures Contracts — A futures contract is an agreement in which the writer (or seller) of the contract agrees to deliver to the buyer an amount of cash or securities equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a specific security or index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made. The Portfolios may use futures in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Portfolios may invest in futures contracts to hedge its existing portfolio securities against fluctuations in fair value caused by changes in prevailing market interest rates. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Portfolios deposit cash or pledge US government securities to a broker, equal to the minimum “initial margin” requirements of the exchange on which the contract is traded. Subsequent payments are received from the broker or paid to the broker each day, based on the daily fluctuation in the market value of the contract. These receipts or payments are known as “variation margin” and are recorded daily by the Portfolios as unrealized gains or losses until the contracts are closed. When the contracts are closed, the Portfolios record a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Risks of entering into futures contracts include potential imperfect correlation between the futures contracts and the underlying securities and the possibility of an illiquid secondary market for these instruments. When investing in futures, there is reduced counterparty credit risk to the Portfolios because futures are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees against default. The Managed Volatility Portfolios posted cash collateral as margin for open futures contracts, which is disclosed on the “Statements of assets and liabilities” under “Cash collateral due from broker on futures contracts.” Open futures contracts, if any, are disclosed on the “Schedules of investments.”

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Managed Volatility Portfolios invested in futures contracts to hedge the Portfolios’ existing portfolio securities against fluctuations in value caused by changes in interest rates or market conditions.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Managed Volatility Portfolios experienced net realized and unrealized gains or losses attributable to futures contracts, which are disclosed on the “Statements of operations.”

The table below summarizes the average quarterly balance of derivative holdings by each Portfolio during the year ended December 31, 2022:

   Short Derivative Volume
   Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderate –
Managed Volatility
  Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Aggressive –
Managed Volatility
  Delaware Ivy VIP
Pathfinder Moderately
Conservative –
Managed Volatility
Futures contracts (average notional value)  $(44,592,727)     $(8,036,503)     $(3,463,545)   

9. Securities Lending

Each Portfolio, along with other funds in the Delaware Funds, may lend its securities pursuant to a security lending agreement (Lending Agreement) with The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon). At the time a security is loaned, the borrower must post collateral equal to the required percentage of the market value of the loaned security, including any accrued interest. The required percentage is: (1) 102% with respect to US securities and foreign securities that are denominated and payable in US dollars; and (2) 105% with respect to foreign securities. With respect to each loan, if on any business day the aggregate market value of securities collateral plus cash collateral held is less than the aggregate market value of the securities which are the subject of such loan, the borrower will be notified to provide additional collateral by the end of the following business day, which, together with the collateral already held, will be not less than the applicable initial collateral requirements for such security loan. If the aggregate market value of securities collateral and cash collateral held with respect to a security loan exceeds the applicable initial collateral requirement, upon the request of the borrower, BNY Mellon must return enough collateral to the borrower by the end of the following business day to reduce the value of the remaining collateral to the applicable initial collateral requirement for such security loan. As a result of the foregoing, the value of the collateral held with respect to a loaned security on any particular day, may be more or less than the value of the security on loan. The collateral percentage with respect to the market value of the loaned security is determined by the security lending agent.


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Cash collateral received by each Portfolio of the Trust is generally invested in a series of individual separate accounts, each corresponding to a Portfolio. The investment guidelines permit each separate account to hold certain securities that would be considered eligible securities for a money market fund. Cash collateral received is generally invested in government securities; certain obligations issued by government sponsored enterprises; repurchase agreements collateralized by US Treasury securities; obligations issued by the central government of any Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country or its agencies, instrumentalities, or establishments; obligations of supranational organizations; commercial paper, notes, bonds, and other debt obligations; certificates of deposit, time deposits, and other bank obligations; certain money market funds; and asset-backed securities. Each Portfolio can also accept US government securities and letters of credit (non-cash collateral) in connection with securities loans.

In the event of default or bankruptcy by the lending agent, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings. In the event the borrower fails to return loaned securities and the collateral received is insufficient to cover the value of the loaned securities and provided such collateral shortfall is not the result of investment losses, the lending agent has agreed to pay the amount of the shortfall to each Portfolio or, at the discretion of the lending agent, replace the loaned securities. Each Portfolio continues to record dividends or interest, as applicable, on the securities loaned and is subject to changes in value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan. Each Portfolio has the right under the Lending Agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. With respect to security loans collateralized by non-cash collateral, each Portfolio receives loan premiums paid by the borrower. With respect to security loans collateralized by cash collateral, the earnings from the collateral investments are shared among each Portfolio, the security lending agent, and the borrower. Each Portfolio records security lending income net of allocations to the security lending agent and the borrower.

Each Portfolio may incur investment losses as a result of investing securities lending collateral. This could occur if an investment in each collateral investment account defaulted or became impaired. Under those circumstances, the value of each Portfolio’s cash collateral account may be less than the amount each Portfolio would be required to return to the borrowers of the securities and each Portfolio would be required to make up for this shortfall.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Portfolios had no securities out on loan.

10. Credit and Market Risk

An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 was first detected in China in December 2019 and has now been detected globally. This coronavirus has resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, supply chain disruptions, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious illnesses in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

Because each Portfolio invests substantially all of its assets in Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios mutual funds, the risks associated with investing in the Portfolios are closely related to the risks associated with the securities and other investments held by the Underlying Funds.

Certain Underlying Funds may hold high-yield or non-investment-grade bonds, that may be subject to a greater degree of credit risk. Credit risk relates to the ability of the issuer to meet interest or principal payments or both as they become due. The Underlying Funds may acquire securities in default and are not obligated to dispose of securities whose issuers subsequently default and are not obligated to dispose of securities whose issuers subsequently default.

In the normal course of business, the Underlying Funds may invest in securities and enter into transactions where risks exist due to fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of the issuer of a security to meet all its obligations (issuer credit risk). The value of securities held by the Underlying Funds may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the issuers whose securities are owned by the Underlying Funds; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency and interest rate and price fluctuations. Similar to issuer credit risk, the Underlying Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity with which the Underlying Funds have unsettled or open transactions may fail to or be unable to


 73 

Notes to financial statements

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

10. Credit and Market Risk (continued)

perform on its commitments. The Underlying Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that they believe have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Underlying Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties.

Certain Underlying Funds may enter into financial instrument transactions (such as swaps, futures, options and other derivatives) that may have off-balance sheet market risk. Off-balance sheet market risk exists when the maximum potential loss on a particular financial instrument is greater than the value of such financial instrument.

If an Underlying Fund invests directly in foreign currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, foreign currencies, or in financial derivatives that provide exposure to foreign currencies, it will be subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the base currency of the Underlying Funds, or, in the case of hedging positions, that the Underlying Fund’s base currency will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad.

IBOR is the risk that changes related to the use of the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rate (collectively, IBORs) could have adverse impacts on financial instruments that reference LIBOR (or the corresponding IBOR). The abandonment of LIBOR could affect the value and liquidity of instruments that reference LIBOR. The use of alternative reference rate products may impact investment strategy performance. These risks may also apply with respect to changes in connection with other IBORs, such as the euro overnight index average (EONIA), which are also the subject of recent reform.

11. Contractual Obligations

Each Portfolio enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnifications. Each Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, each Portfolio has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed each Portfolio’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

12. Subsequent Events

Management has determined that no material events or transactions occurred subsequent to December 31, 2022, that would require recognition or disclosure in the Portfolios’ financial statements.


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Report of independent registered public accounting firm

To the Board of Trustees of Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios and Shareholders of Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate — Managed Volatility, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive — Managed Volatility and Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative — Managed Volatility

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate — Managed Volatility, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive — Managed Volatility and Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative — Managed Volatility (eight of the portfolios constituting Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Portfolios”) as of December 31, 2022, the related statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Portfolios as of December 31, 2022, the results of each of their operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the changes in each of their net assets and each of the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2022 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The financial statements of the Portfolios as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to December 31, 2020 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 12, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Portfolios’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Portfolios’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolios in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2022 by correspondence with the transfer agents and brokers. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 23, 2023

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Delaware Funds by Macquarie® since 2010.


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Other Portfolio information (Unaudited)

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Tax Information

All disclosures are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly are subject to change. For any and all items requiring reporting, it is the intention of each Portfolio to report the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, each Portfolio reports distributions paid during the year as follows:

   (A)
Long-Term
Capital Gains
Distributions
(Tax Basis)
  (B)
Ordinary
Income
Distributions
(Tax Basis)
  Total
Distributions
(Tax Basis)
  (C)
Qualifying
Dividends1
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive   75.36%     24.64%     100.00%     26.42%  
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative   69.46%   30.54%   100.00%   12.35%
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate   76.35%   23.65%   100.00%   19.81%
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive   78.82%   21.18%   100.00%   24.89%
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative   74.17%   25.83%   100.00%   16.73%
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility   84.23%   15.77%   100.00%   21.94%
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility   79.96%   20.04%   100.00%   29.90%
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility   81.89%   18.11%   100.00%   15.67%
 

(A) and (B) are based on a percentage of each Portfolio’s total distributions.

(C) is based on each Portfolio’s ordinary income distributions.

1Qualified dividends represent dividends which qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, certain dividends paid by each Portfolio, determined to be Qualified Short-Term Capital Gains, may be subject to relief from US withholding for foreign shareholders, as provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004; the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010; and as extended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Portfolios have reported maximum distributions of Qualified Short-Term Capital Gains as follows:

   Qualified
Short-Term
Capital Gains
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive  $111,809 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative   172,174 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate   1,550,727 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive   1,899,519 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative   463,006 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility   5,996,422 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility   1,065,362 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility   485,171 

Each Portfolio intends to pass through foreign tax credits in the maximum amount and the gross foreign source income earned during the fiscal year 2022 by each Portfolio was as follows:

   Foreign Tax Credits      Gross Foreign Source Income Earned
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive     $32,552               $340,685            
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative   17,010    178,115 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate   189,932    1,986,075 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive   289,858    3,032,337 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative   42,400    444,355 
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility   163,099    1,706,979 

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   Foreign Tax Credits  Gross Foreign Source Income Earned
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility      $37,672             $395,005         
Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility   9,110    95,327 

Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 9-11, 2022

At a meeting held on August 9-11, 2022 (the “Annual Contract Renewal Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Trustees each of whom is not an “interested person” as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Trustees”), approved the renewal of the Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility and Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility (each, a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”) Investment Management Agreements with Delaware Management Company (“DMC”); and the Sub-Advisory Agreements with Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG (“MIMAK” or the “Affiliated Sub-Adviser”) and with Securian Asset Management, Inc. (“Securian” and together with the Affiliated Sub-Adviser, the “Sub-Advisers”), as applicable.

Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in May 2022, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of DMC about these matters. Also, the Board was assisted by the applicable Investment Committee, with each Investment Committee assisting the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Investment Management Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, DMC was guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2022. In considering and approving the Investment Management Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with DMC about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of DMC at each of its quarterly meetings, which included information about, among other things, Fund performance, investment strategies, and expenses. In addition, the Investment Committees confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. In considering information relating to the approval of the Funds’ Investment Management Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Independent Trustees also received information from an independent fund consultant, JDL Consultants, LLC (“JDL”).

The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Investment Management Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreements for a one-year term. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approval.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the advisory services provided to the Funds by DMC under its Investment Management Agreements and the experience of the officers and employees of DMC who provide these services, including each Fund’s portfolio manager. The Board’s review included consideration of DMC’s investment process and oversight and research and analysis capabilities, and its ability to attract and retain qualified investment professionals. The Board considered information regarding DMC’s programs for risk management, including investment, operational, liquidity, valuation, and compliance risks. The Board received information with respect to the cybersecurity program and business continuity plans of DMC and its affiliates. The Board also considered non-advisory services that DMC and its affiliates provide to the Delaware Funds, including third party oversight, transfer agent, internal audit, valuation, portfolio trading, and legal and compliance. The Board took into account the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fund that is part of a family of funds managed by an affiliate of Macquarie Group Ltd. (“Macquarie”), the parent company of DMC, and the resources available to DMC as part of Macquarie’s global asset management business.


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Other Portfolio information (Unaudited)

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 9-11, 2022 (continued)

The Board received and considered various information with respect to the services provided by the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreements and the credentials and experience of the officers and employees of the Sub-Advisers who provide these services, including each Fund’s MIMAK portfolio managers. The Board considered the division of responsibilities between DMC and the Sub-Advisers and the oversight provided by DMC. The Board considered the expertise of the Sub-Advisers with respect to certain asset classes and/or investment styles. The Affiliated Sub-Adviser is part of Macquarie’s global investment platform that has offices and personnel that are located around the world. As a result, the Board noted that DMC had stated that the Affiliated Sub-Adviser can provide research, investment and trading analysis on the markets and economies of various countries in which the Funds may invest, make recommendations regarding securities and assist with security trades, as applicable. The Board took into account that the Sub-Advisory Agreements may benefit the Funds and their shareholders by permitting DMC to use the resources and talents of the Sub-Advisers in managing the Funds.

The Board concluded that, overall, it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Funds by DMC and the Sub-Advisers.

Investment performance. The Board received and considered information with respect to the investment performance of the Funds, including performance reports and discussions with portfolio managers at meetings of the Board’s Investment Committees throughout the year as well as reports provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, an independent investment company data provider (“Broadridge”), furnished for the Annual Contract Renewal Meeting. The Broadridge reports prepared for each Fund showed its investment performance in comparison to a group of similar funds (the “Performance Universe”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the funds in the Performance Universe. Comparative annualized performance for each Fund was shown for the past 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year and since inception periods, as applicable, ended December 31, 2021. The Board considered that the Funds were managed by Ivy Investment Management Company prior to the acquisition of its parent company, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Transaction”), and that each Fund’s performance prior to the closing of the Transaction on April 30, 2021 is that of its predecessor manager.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all mixed-asset target allocation growth funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was in the first quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1- and 5-year periods and underperformed its benchmark index for the 3- and 10-year periods. The Board, however, noted that one of the Fund’s portfolio managers began managing the Fund in October 2016 and the Fund’s other two portfolio managers only began managing the Fund in November 2021. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe and benchmark during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund, the Expense Group, and all other mixed-asset target allocation moderate funds of funds underlying variable insurance products, excluding outliers. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was in the first quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-year period and underperformed its benchmark index for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The Board, however, noted that one of the Fund’s portfolio managers began managing the Fund in October 2016 and the Fund’s other two portfolio managers only began managing the Fund in November 2021. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all mixed-asset target allocation moderate funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods was in the first quartile and for the 10-year period was in the second quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-year period and underperformed its benchmark index for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The Board, however, noted that one of


78  

the Fund’s portfolio managers began managing the Fund in October 2016 and the Fund’s other two portfolio managers only began managing the Fund in November 2021. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all mixed-asset target allocation moderate funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1- and 3-year periods was in the second quartile and for the 5-year period was in the first quartile and for the 10-year period was in the third quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods was above the median and for the 10-year period was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-year period and underperformed its benchmark index for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The Board, however, noted that one of the Fund’s portfolio managers began managing the Fund in October 2016 and the Fund’s other two portfolio managers only began managing the Fund in November 2021. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all mixed-asset target allocation conservative funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was in the first quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1-year period and underperformed its benchmark index for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods. The Board, however, noted that one of the Fund’s portfolio managers began managing the Fund in October 2016 and the Fund’s other two portfolio managers only began managing the Fund in November 2021. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all mixed-asset target allocation moderate funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the first quartile, for the 3- and 5-year periods was in the second quartile and for the since inception period was in the third quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3- and 5-year periods was above the median and for the since inception period was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index for the 1-, 3- and 5-year and since inception periods. The Board, however, noted that one of the Fund’s portfolio managers began managing the Fund in October 2016 and the Fund’s other two portfolio managers only began managing the Fund in November 2021. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all mixed-asset target allocation moderate funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods was in the first quartile and for the since inception period in the second quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-, 3- and 5-year and since inception periods was above the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund slightly outperformed it benchmark index for the 1-year period and underperformed its benchmark index for the 3- and 5-year and since inception periods. The Board, however, noted that one of the Fund’s portfolio managers began managing the Fund in October 2016 and the Fund’s other two portfolio managers only began managing the Fund in November 2021. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe during the periods under review.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility – The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all mixed-asset target allocation moderate funds underlying variable insurance products, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the second quartile, for the 3- and 5-year periods was in the third quartile, and for the since inception period was in the fourth quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was above the median and for the 3- and 5-year and since inception periods was below the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index for the 1-, 3- and 5-year and since inception periods. The Board, however, noted that one of the Fund’s portfolio managers began managing the Fund in October 2016 and the Fund’s other two portfolio managers only began managing the Fund in November 2021.


 79 

Other Portfolio information (Unaudited)

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 9-11, 2022 (continued)

The Board noted the explanations from DMC and the Sub-Advisers concerning the reasons for the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe and its benchmark for the various periods.

Comparative expenses. The Board received and considered expense data for the Funds. Management provided the Board with information on pricing levels and fee structures for each Fund as of its most recently completed fiscal year. The Board also considered on the comparative analysis of contractual management fees and actual total expense ratios of each Fund versus contractual management fees and actual total expense ratios of a group of similar funds as selected by Broadridge (the “Expense Group”). In reviewing comparative costs, each Fund’s contractual management fee and the actual management fee incurred by each Fund were compared with the contractual management fees (assuming all funds were similar in size to each Fund) and actual management fees, taking into account any applicable breakpoints and fee waivers, with a Fund’s expense universe, which is comprised of the Fund, its Expense Group and all other similar funds underlying variable insurance products with similar 12b-1/non-12b-1 structures, excluding outliers (the “Expense Universe”). Each Fund’s total expenses were also compared with those of its Expense Universe.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Aggressive – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was below the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was below the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was below the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was below the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Conservative – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was below the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate – Managed Volatility – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Aggressive – Managed Volatility – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderately Conservative – Managed Volatility – The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was above the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by DMC to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Funds. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing registered investment companies compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients, unregistered funds and separately managed accounts.

The Board noted that DMC, and not the Funds, pays the sub-advisory fees to the Sub-Advisers and, accordingly, that the retention of the Sub-Advisers does not increase the fees and expenses incurred by the Funds.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to DMC under the Investment Management Agreements and to the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

Economies of scale. The Board received and considered information about the potential for DMC to realize economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual Fund level, and the extent to which


80  

potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders, including the extent to which any economies of scale are reflected in the level of management fees charged. DMC discussed its advisory fee pricing and structure for the Delaware Funds complex, including the current breakpoints. The Board noted that, as of March 31, 2022, Delaware Ivy VIP Pathfinder Moderate—Managed Volatility’s net assets exceeded its first breakpoint level and that breakpoints result in a lower advisory fee than would otherwise be the case in the absence of breakpoints, when the asset levels specified in the breakpoints schedule are exceeded. The Board noted that each Fund may also benefit from economies of scale through initial fee setting, fee waivers and expense reimbursements, as well as DMC’s investment in its business, including investments in business infrastructure, technology and cybersecurity.

Management profitability. The Board received and considered the Investment Management Profitability Analysis that addressed the overall profitability of DMC’s business in providing management and other services to each Fund and the Delaware Funds as a whole, including the methodology used by DMC in allocating costs for the purpose of determining profitability. The Board also reviewed a report prepared by JDL regarding DMC’s profitability as compared to certain peer fund complexes and the Independent Trustees discussed DMC’s profitability in such context with representatives from JDL. Based on its review, the Board determined that DMC’s profitability was not excessive in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to each Fund.

Ancillary benefits. The Board received and considered information regarding the extent to which DMC and its affiliates might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations, including the potential for procuring additional business as a result of the prestige and visibility associated with its role as investment manager to the Delaware Funds; the benefits from allocation of fund brokerage to improve trading efficiencies; and the fees that various affiliates received for serving as transfer agent and for overseeing fund accounting and financial administration services to the Delaware Funds. The Board received information from DMC regarding its view of the performance of its affiliates in providing transfer agent and fund accounting and financial administration oversight services and the organizational structure employed to provide these services pursuant to their contracts with the Funds.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Funds and the ongoing commitment of DMC and its affiliates to the Funds, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by DMC and its affiliates were unreasonable.

Conclusion. Based on its review, consideration and evaluation of all factors it believed relevant, including the above-described factors and conclusions, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the continuation of DMC’s Investment Management Agreements and of the Sub-Advisers’ Sub-Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year period.


 81 

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds by Macquarie®

A mutual fund is governed by a Board of Trustees/Directors (“Trustees”), which has oversight responsibility for the management of a fund’s business affairs. Trustees establish procedures and oversee and review the performance of the investment manager, the distributor, and others who perform services for the fund. The independent fund trustees, in particular, are advocates for shareholder interests. Each trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was elected to or appointed to the Board of Trustees, and will continue to serve until his or her retirement or the election of a new trustee in his or her place. The following is a list of the Trustees and Officers with certain background and related information.

Name,
Address,
and Birth Year
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Length of Time
Served1
  Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Trustee
  Principal
Occupation(s)
During the
Past Five Years
  Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the
Past Five Years
Interested Trustee
                
Shawn K. Lytle2
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1970
  President, Chief Executive Officer, and Trustee  President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2015 Trustee since September 2015  126  Macquarie Asset Management3 (2015–Present) -Global Head of Macquarie Asset Management Public Investments (2019–Present) -Head of Americas of Macquarie Group (2017–Present)  None
                
Independent Trustees
                
Jerome D. Abernathy
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1959
  Trustee  Since January 2019  126  Stonebrook Capital Management, LLC (financial technology: macro factors and databases) -Managing Member (1993-Present)  None
                
Ann D. Borowiec
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1958
  Trustee  Since March 2015  126  J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (1987-2013) -Chief Executive Officer, Private Wealth Management (2011– 2013)  Banco Santander International (2016–2019) Santander Bank, N.A. (2016-2019)
                
Joseph W. Chow
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1953
  Trustee  Since January 2013  126  Private Investor (2011–Present)  None
                
H. Jeffrey Dobbs
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1955
  Trustee  Since April 20194  126  KPMG LLP (2002-2015) -Global Sector Chairman, Industrial Manufacturing (2010-2015)  TechAccel LLC (2015–Present) PatientsVoices, Inc. (2018–Present) Valparaiso University Board (2012-Present) Ivy Funds Complex (2019- 2021)

82  

Name,
Address,
and Birth Year
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Length of Time
Served1
  Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Trustee
  Principal
Occupation(s)
During the
Past Five Years
  Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the
Past Five Years
                     
John A. Fry
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1960
  Trustee   Since January 2001   126   Drexel University -President (2010–Present)   Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (2020–Present) FS Credit Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. (2018–Present) vTv Therapeutics Inc. (2017–Present) Community Health Systems (2004–Present) Drexel Morgan & Co. (2015–2019)
                     
Joseph Harroz, Jr.
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1967
  Trustee   Since November 19984   126   University of Oklahoma -President (2020–Present) -Interim President (2019–2020) -Vice President and Dean, College of Law (2010–2019) Brookhaven Investments LLC (commercial enterprises) -Managing Member (2019–Present) St. Clair, LLC (commercial enterprises) -Managing Member (2019–Present)   OU Medicine, Inc. (2020–Present) Big 12 Athletic Conference (2019-Present) Valliance Bank (2007–Present) Ivy Funds Complex (1998-2021)
                     
Sandra A.J. Lawrence
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354 1957
  Trustee   Since April 20194   126   Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics (2005–2019) -Chief Administrative Officer (2016–2019)   Brixmor Property Group Inc. (2021-Present) Sera Prognostics Inc. (biotechnology) (2021-Present) Recology (resource recovery) (2021-Present) Evergy, Inc., Kansas City Power & Light Company, KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, Westar Energy, Inc. and Kansas Gas and Electric Company (related utility companies) (2018-Present) National Association of Corporate Directors (2017-Present) Ivy Funds Complex (2019-2021) American Shared Hospital Services (medical device) (2017-2021) Westar Energy (utility) (2004-2018)

 83 

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds by Macquarie®

Name,
Address,
and Birth Year
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Length of Time
Served1
  Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Trustee
  Principal
Occupation(s)
During the
Past Five Years
  Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the
Past Five Years
                
Frances A. Sevilla-Sacasa
100 Independence
610 Market Street Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1956
  Trustee  Since September 2011  126  Banco Itaú International -Chief Executive Officer (2012–2016)  Florida Chapter of National Association of Corporate Directors (2021-Present) Callon Petroleum Company (2019-Present) Camden Property Trust (2011-Present) New Senior Investment Group Inc. (2021) Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (2018-2019)
                
Thomas K. Whitford
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1956
  Chair and Trustee  Trustee since January 2013   Chair since January 2023  126  PNC Financial Services Group (1983–2013) -Vice Chairman (2009- 2013)  HSBC USA Inc. (2014–2022) HSBC North America Holdings Inc. (2013–2022) HSBC Finance Corporation (2013–2018)
                
Christianna Wood
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1959
  Trustee  Since January 2019  126  Gore Creek Capital, Ltd. -Chief Executive Officer and President (2009– Present)  The Merger Fund (2013–2021), The Merger Fund VL (2013–2021), WCM Alternatives: Event- Driven Fund (2013–2021), and WCM Alternatives: Credit Event Fund (2017–2021) Grange Insurance (2013–Present) H&R Block Corporation (2008–Present)
                
Janet L. Yeomans
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1948
  Trustee  Since April 1999  126  3M Company (1995-2012) -Vice President and Treasurer (2006–2012)  Okabena Company (2009–2017)
                
Officers
                
David F. Connor
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1963
  Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary  Senior Vice President, since May 2013; General Counsel since May 2015; Secretary since October 2005  126  David F. Connor has served in various capacities at different times at Macquarie Asset Management.  None5
                
Daniel V. Geatens
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1972
  Senior Vice President and Treasurer  Senior Vice President and Treasurer since October 2007  126  Daniel V. Geatens has served in various capacities at different times at Macquarie Asset Management.  None5

84  

Name,
Address,
and Birth Year
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Length of Time
Served1
  Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Trustee
  Principal
Occupation(s)
During the
Past Five Years
  Other
Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the
Past Five Years
                
Richard Salus
100 Independence
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
19106-2354
1963
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since November 2006  126  Richard Salus has served in various capacities at different times at Macquarie Asset Management.  None

1 “Length of Time Served” refers to the time since the Trustee or officer began serving one or more of the Trusts in the Delaware Funds complex.
2 Shawn K. Lytle is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he is an executive officer of the Portfolios’ investment advisor.
3 Macquarie Asset Management is the marketing name for certain companies comprising the asset management division of Macquarie Group, including the Portfolios’ investment advisor, principal underwriter, and transfer agent.
4 Includes time served on the Board of Ivy Funds prior to the date when Ivy Funds joined the Delaware Funds complex.
5 David F. Connor and Daniel V. Geatens serve in similar capacities for the six portfolios of the Optimum Fund Trust, which have the same investment manager, principal underwriter, and transfer agent as the Funds. Mr. Geatens also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Optimum Fund Trust, and he is Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Macquarie Global Infrastructure Total Return Fund Inc., which has the same investment manager as the Funds.

The Statement of Additional Information for the Fund(s) includes additional information about the Trustees and Officers and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 800 523-1918.


 85 

Each Portfolio files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. Each Portfolio’s Form N-PORT, as well as a description of the policies and procedures that each Portfolio uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities, is available without charge (i) upon request, by calling 800 523-1918; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. In addition, a description of the policies and procedures that each Portfolio uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities and the Schedule of Investments included in each Portfolio’s most recent Form N-PORT are available without charge on the Portfolios’ website at delawarefunds.com/vip/literature.

Information (if any) regarding how each Portfolio voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recently disclosed 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (i) through the Portfolios’ website at delawarefunds.com/proxy; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

(2718725)
ANN-VIP-PF-0223

   


Item 2. Code of Ethics

The registrant 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 individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. A copy of the registrant’s Code of Business Ethics has been posted on the Delaware Funds by Macquarie® Internet Web site at www.delawarefunds.com. Any amendments to the Code of Business Ethics, and information on any waiver from its provisions granted by the registrant, will also be posted on this Web site within five business days of such amendment or waiver and will remain on the Web site for at least 12 months.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that certain members of the registrant’s Audit Committee are audit committee financial experts, as defined below. For purposes of this item, an “audit committee financial expert” is a person who has the following attributes:

a.       An understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements;

b.       The ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals, and reserves;

c.       Experience preparing, auditing, analyzing, or evaluating financial statements that present a 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 registrant’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities;

d.       An understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and

e.       An understanding of audit committee functions.

An “audit committee financial expert” shall have acquired such attributes through:

a.       Education and experience as a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, or auditor or experience in one or more positions that involve the performance of similar functions;

b.       Experience actively supervising a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, auditor, or person performing similar functions;

c.       Experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing, or evaluation of financial statements; or

d.       Other relevant experience.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has also determined that each member of the registrant’s Audit Committee is independent. In order to be “independent” for purposes of this item, the Audit Committee member may not: (i) other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Board of Trustees or any committee thereof, accept directly or indirectly any consulting,


   


advisory or other compensatory fee from the issuer; or (ii) be an “interested person” of the registrant as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

The names of the audit committee financial experts on the registrant’s Audit Committee are set forth below:

H. Jeffrey Dobbs

Sandra A.J. Lawrence

Frances Sevilla-Sacasa, Chair

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

(a) Audit fees.

The aggregate fees billed for services provided to the registrant by its independent auditors for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and for services normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $734,485 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

The aggregate fees billed for services provided to the registrant by its independent auditors for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and for services normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $743,661 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

(b) Audit-related fees.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $2,050,189 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These audit-related services were as follows: year-end audit procedures; group reporting and subsidiary statutory audits.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. These audit-related services were related to the review of Form N-1A.

(c) Tax fees.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant were $155,942 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C)


   


of Regulation S-X was 0%. These tax-related services were as follows: review of income tax returns and review of annual excise distribution calculations.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant were $0 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. These tax-related services were related to the review of the registrant’s tax returns.

(d) All other fees.

The aggregate fees billed for all services provided by the independent auditors to the registrant other than those set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

The aggregate fees billed for all services other than those set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Item provided by the registrant’s independent auditors to the registrant’s adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%.

The aggregate fees billed for all services provided by the independent auditors to the registrant other than those set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

(e) The registrant’s Audit Committee has established pre-approval policies and procedures as permitted by Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(B) of Regulation S-X (the “Pre-Approval Policy”) with respect to services provided by the registrant’s independent auditors. Pursuant to the Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the services set forth in the table below with respect to the registrant up to the specified fee limits. Certain fee limits are based on aggregate fees to the registrant and other registrants within the Delaware Funds by Macquarie®.

Service Range of Fees
Audit Services  
Statutory audits or financial audits for new Funds up to $50,000 per Fund
Services associated with SEC registration statements (e.g., Form N-1A, Form N-14, etc.), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., comfort letters for closed-end Fund offerings, consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters up to $10,000 per Fund
Consultations by Fund management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some up to $25,000 in the aggregate

   


consultations may be considered “audit-related services” rather than “audit services”)  
Audit-Related Services  
Consultations by Fund management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and /or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be considered “audit services” rather than “audit-related services”) up to $25,000 in the aggregate
Tax Services  
U.S. federal, state and local and international tax planning and advice (e.g., consulting on statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, evaluation of Funds’ tax compliance function, etc.) up to $25,000 in the aggregate
U.S. federal, state and local tax compliance (e.g., excise distribution reviews, etc.) up to $5,000 per Fund
Review of federal, state, local and international income, franchise and other tax returns up to $5,000 per Fund

Under the Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee has also pre-approved the services set forth in the table below with respect to the registrant’s investment adviser and other entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provide ongoing services to the registrant (the “Control Affiliates”) up to the specified fee limit. This fee limit is based on aggregate fees to the investment adviser and its Control Affiliates.

Service Range of Fees
Non-Audit Services  
Services associated with periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters up to $10,000 in the aggregate

The Pre-Approval Policy requires the registrant’s independent auditors to report to the Audit Committee at each of its regular meetings regarding all services initiated since the last such report was rendered, including those services authorized by the Pre-Approval Policy.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services rendered to the registrant and to its investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser were $9,044,000 and $58,131 for the registrant’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

(h) In connection with its selection of the independent auditors, the registrant’s Audit Committee has considered the independent auditors’ provision of non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser that were not required to be pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X. The Audit Committee has determined that the independent auditors’ provision of these services is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence.

(i) Not applicable.


   


(j) Not applicable.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments

(a)       Included as part of report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

(b)       Divestment of securities in accordance with Section 13(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Not applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, 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 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)) and provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant in its reports or statements filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the period covered by the report to stockholders included


   


herein that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 13. Exhibits

(a)(1) Code of Ethics

Not applicable.

(2) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

(3) Written solicitations to purchase securities pursuant to Rule 23c-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Not applicable.

(b)Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.906CERT.

   


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.

IVY VARIABLE INSURANCE PORTFOLIOS

/s/SHAWN K. LYTLE  
By: Shawn K. Lytle
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 9, 2023  

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.

/s/SHAWN K. LYTLE  
By: Shawn K. Lytle
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 9, 2023  

/s/RICHARD SALUS  
By: Richard Salus
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: March 9, 2023