-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, PFFukZOiP2uyqwextAP4adNmjgSxRS/jdpEnb3fcR1O4D0FvxnjbugcFzYXV2Ty0 4PCZD4k6sDJQftIKwUygCg== 0000950136-99-001402.txt : 19991102 0000950136-99-001402.hdr.sgml : 19991102 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950136-99-001402 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEF 14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19991221 FILED AS OF DATE: 19991101 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MUNICIPAL PREMIUM INCOME TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000842891 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000] IRS NUMBER: 133498050 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 0531 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEF 14A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-05688 FILM NUMBER: 99738677 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10048 BUSINESS PHONE: 2123922550 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MUNICIPAL PREMIUM INCOME TRUST/MA DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930721 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ALLSTATE MUNICIPAL PREIMIUM INCOME TRUST/MA DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930721 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MUNICIPAL PREMIUM INCOME TRUST/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930721 DEF 14A 1 DEFINITIVE PROXY Schedule 14A Information required in proxy statement. Schedule 14A Information Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Preliminary Additional Materials [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6 (e) (2)) [X] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.149-11 (c) or Section 240.14a-12 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Municipal Premium Income Trust - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) LouAnne McInnis - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement) Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(j) (4) and 0-11. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined. 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: 5) Fee previously paid: [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a) (2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount Previously paid: 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: 3) Filing Party: 4) Date Filed: MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MUNICIPAL PREMIUM INCOME TRUST NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD DECEMBER 21, 1999 The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MUNICIPAL PREMIUM INCOME TRUST (the "Trust"), an unincorporated business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, will be held in the Career Development Room, Sixty-First Floor, Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, on December 21, 1999 at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, for the following purposes: MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON BY ALL SHAREHOLDERS: 1. To elect one (1) Trustee to serve until the year 2002 Annual Meeting or until his successor shall have been elected and qualified; 2. To ratify or reject the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Trust's independent accountants for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2000; and 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. MATTER TO BE VOTED ON ONLY BY PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS: To elect one (1) Trustee, to serve until the year 2002 Annual Meeting or until his successor shall have been elected and qualified. Shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 20, 1999 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. If you cannot be present in person, your management would greatly appreciate your filling in, signing and returning the enclosed proxy promptly in the envelope provided for that purpose. Alternatively, if you are eligible to vote telephonically by touchtone telephone or electronically on the Internet (as discussed in the enclosed Proxy Statement) you may do so in lieu of attending the Meeting in person. In the event that the necessary quorum to transact business or the vote required to approve or reject any proposal is not obtained at the Meeting, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Trust's shares present in person or by proxy at the Meeting. The persons named as proxies will vote in favor of such adjournment those proxies which have been received by the date of the Meeting. BARRY FINK, Secretary October 29, 1999 New York, New York IMPORTANT YOU CAN HELP THE TRUST AVOID THE NECESSITY AND EXPENSE OF SENDING FOLLOW-UP LETTERS TO ENSURE A QUORUM BY PROMPTLY RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO BE PRESENT IN PERSON, PLEASE FILL IN, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN ORDER THAT THE NECESSARY QUORUM MAY BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE TELEPHONICALLY BY TOUCHTONE TELEPHONE OR ELECTRONICALLY ON THE INTERNET BY FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED ON THEIR PROXY CARDS OR ON THE ENCLOSED VOTING INFORMATION CARD. MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MUNICIPAL PREMIUM INCOME TRUST TWO WORLD TRADE CENTER, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048 --------------------- PROXY STATEMENT --------------------- ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS DECEMBER 21, 1999 This statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MUNICIPAL PREMIUM INCOME TRUST (the "Trust") for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Trust to be held on December 21, 1999 (the "Meeting"), and at any adjournments thereof. If the enclosed form of proxy is properly executed and returned in time to be voted at the Meeting, the proxies named therein will vote the shares represented by the proxy in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. Unmarked proxies will be voted for the nominee for election as Trustee to be elected by all shareholders ("Shareholders") and for the nominee for election as Trustee to be elected by only the preferred shareholders ("Preferred Shareholders") and in favor of Proposal 2. A proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by any of the following: written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Trust, execution and delivery of a later dated proxy to the Secretary of the Trust whether by mail or, as discussed below, by touchtone telephone or the internet (if returned and received in time to be voted), or attendance and voting at the Meeting. Attendance at the Meeting will not in and of itself revoke a proxy. Shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 20, 1999, the record date for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting, are entitled to one vote for each share held and a fractional vote for a fractional share. On October 20, 1999 there were outstanding 23,055,624 Common Shares of beneficial interest and 1,000 Preferred Shares of beneficial interest of the Trust, all with $0.01 par value. No person was known to own as much as 5% of the outstanding shares of the Trust on that date. The percentage ownership of shares of the Trust changes from time to time depending on purchases and sales by Shareholders and the total number of shares outstanding. The cost of soliciting proxies for the Meeting, consisting principally of printing and mailing expenses, will be borne by the Trust. The solicitation of proxies will be by mail, which may be supplemented by solicitation by mail, telephone or otherwise through Trustees, officers of the Trust or officers and regular employees of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. ("MSDW Advisors" or the "Investment Advisor"), Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB ("MSDW Trust"), Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services Company Inc. ("MSDW Services") and/or Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ("DWR"), without special compensation therefor. In addition, the Trust may employ William F. Doring and Co. as proxy solicitor, the cost of which is not expected to exceed $3,000 and will be borne by the Trust. The first mailing of this Proxy Statement is expected to be made on or about October 29, 1999. Shareholders whose shares are registered with MSDW Trust will be able to vote their shares by touchtone telephone or by Internet by following the instructions on the proxy card or on the Voting Information Card accompanying this Proxy Statement. To vote by touchtone telephone, Shareholders can call the toll-free number 1-800-690-6903. To vote by Internet, Shareholders can access the websites www.msdwt.com or www.proxyvote.com. Telephonic and Internet voting with MSDW Trust presently are not available to Shareholders whose shares are held in street name. 2 In certain instances, William F. Doring & Co. and MSDW Trust may call Shareholders to ask if they would be willing to have their votes recorded by telephone. The telephone voting procedure is designed to authenticate Shareholders' identities, to allow Shareholders to authorize the voting of their shares in accordance with their instructions and to confirm that their instructions have been recorded properly. No recommendation will be made as to how a Shareholder should vote on any Proposal other than to refer to the recommendations of the Board. The Trust has been advised by counsel that these procedures are consistent with the requirements of applicable law. Shareholders voting by telephone in this manner will be asked for their social security number or other identifying information and will be given an opportunity to authorize proxies to vote their shares in accordance with their instructions. To ensure that the Shareholders' instructions have been recorded correctly they will receive a confirmation of their instructions in the mail. A special toll-free number will be available in case the information contained in the confirmation is incorrect. Although a Shareholder's vote may be taken by telephone, each Shareholder will receive a copy of this Proxy Statement and may vote by mail using the enclosed proxy card or by touchtone telephone or the Internet as set forth above. The last proxy vote received in time to be voted, whether by proxy card, touchtone telephone or Internet, will be the last vote that is counted and will revoke all previous votes by the Shareholder. With respect to the solicitation of a telephonic vote by William F. Doring & Co., additional expenses would include $7.00 per telephone vote transacted, $3.00 per outbound telephone contact and costs relating to obtaining Shareholders' telephone numbers, which would be borne by the Trust. (1) ELECTION OF TRUSTEES The number of Trustees has currently been fixed by the Trustees, pursuant to the Trust's Declaration of Trust, at eight. There are presently eight Trustees, two of whom are standing for election at this Meeting to serve until the year 2002 Annual Meeting in accordance with the Trust's Declaration of Trust. At the Meeting, one Trustee (Michael Bozic) is to be elected to the Trust's Board of Trustees by the holders of the Common Shares and the Preferred Shares voting together as a single class. Additionally, pursuant to the Declaration of Trust and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the "1940 Act"), one Trustee (Charles A. Fiumefreddo) is to be elected to the Trust's Board of Trustees by the holders of the Preferred Shares voting separately as a single class. Six of the current eight Trustees (Michael Bozic, Edwin J. Garn, Wayne E. Hedien, Manuel H. Johnson, Michael E. Nugent and John L. Schroeder) are "Independent Trustees," that is, Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. The other two current Trustees, Charles A. Fiumefreddo and Philip J. Purcell are "interested persons" (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and MSDW Advisors and thus are not Independent Trustees. The nominees for election as Trustees of the Trust have been proposed by the Trustees now serving or, in the case of the nominees for positions as Independent Trustees, by the Independent Trustees now serving. All of the Trustees previously have been elected by the shareholders of the Trust. The nominees of the Board of Trustees for election as Trustee are listed below. It is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote the shares represented by them for the election of these nominees: Michael Bozic and Charles A. Fiumefreddo. Should any of the nominees become unable or unwilling to accept nomination or election, the persons named in the proxy will exercise their voting power in favor of such person or persons as the Board of Trustees may recommend. All of the nominees have consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and to serve if elected. The Trust knows of no reason why any of said nominees would be unable or unwilling to accept nomination or election. The election of the nominee listed above to be elected by all Shareholders requires the approval of a majority of the shares of the Trust represented and 3 entitled to vote at the Meeting (Common Shares and Preferred Shares voting together as a single class). The election of the nominee listed above to be elected by only the Preferred Shareholders requires the approval of a majority of the Preferred Shares of the Trust represented and entitled to vote at the Meeting (voting separately as a single class). Pursuant to the provisions of the Trust's Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are divided into three separate classes, each class having a term of three years. The term of office of one of each of the three classes will expire each year. The Board of Trustees previously determined that any nominee for election as Trustee will stand for election as Trustee and serve as Trustee in one of the three classes of Trustees as follows: Class I -- Messrs. Bozic and Fiumefreddo; Class II -- Messrs. Hedien, Johnson and Schroeder; and Class III -- Messrs. Garn, Nugent and Purcell. Each nominee for Trustee at any Annual Meeting will, if elected, serve a term of up to approximately three years running for the period assigned to that class and terminating at the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders so designated by the Board of Trustees, or any adjournment thereof. As a consequence of this method of election, the replacement of a majority of the Board of Trustees could be delayed for up to two years. In addition, the Board has further determined that one each of the Class I Trustees and the Class II Trustees will be designated to be elected by the Preferred Shareholders voting separately. In this regard, Charles A. Fiumefreddo and Manuel H. Johnson serve as Trustees of the Trust's Board of Trustees on behalf of the Preferred Shareholders, the term of each to expire with his designated Class. In accordance with the above, the Trustees in Class I are standing for election at this Meeting and, if elected, will serve until the year 2002 Annual Meeting or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. As a consequence of this method of election, the replacement of a majority of the Board could be delayed for up to two years. The following information regarding each of the nominees for election as Trustee, and each of the other members of the Board, includes his principal occupations and employment for at least the last five years, his age, shares of the Trust owned, if any, as of October 20, 1999 (shown in parentheses), positions with the Trust, and directorships (or trusteeships) in other companies which file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 92 investment companies, including the Trust, for which MSDW Advisors serves as investment manager or investment adviser (referred to herein as the "Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds"), and the 3 investment companies, TCW/DW Term Trust 2000, TCW/DW Term Trust 2002 and TCW/DW Term Trust 2003, for which MSDW Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSDW Advisors, serves as manager and TCW Funds Management, Inc., serves as investment adviser (referred to herein as the "TCW/DW Term Trusts"). The nominee for Trustee to be elected at the Meeting by all Shareholders is: MICHAEL BOZIC, Trustee since April 1994; age 58; Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, the TCW/DW Term Trusts and Discover Brokerage Index Series; Vice Chairman of Kmart Corporation (since December, 1998); formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture Corporation (November 1995-November 1998); formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (May 1991-July 1995); formerly variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991) of the Sears Merchandise Group of Sears, Roebuck and Co.; Director of Eaglemark Financial Services, Inc. and Weirton Steel Corporation. The nominee for Trustee to be elected at the Meeting by only the Preferred Shareholders is: CHARLES A. FIUMEFREDDO, Trustee since June, 1991; age 66; Chairman, Director or Trustee and Chief Executive Officer of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, the TCW/DW Term Trusts and Discover Brokerage Index Series; formerly, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of MSDW Advisors, 4 MSDW Services and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc. ("MSDW Distributors"), Executive Vice President of DWR, Chairman and Director of MSDW Trust and Director and/or officer of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. ("MSDW") subsidiaries (until June, 1998). The Trustees who are not standing for reelection at the Meeting are: EDWIN JACOB (JAKE) GARN, Trustee since January, 1993; age 67; Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, the TCW/DW Term Trusts and Discover Brokerage Index Series; formerly United States Senator (R-Utah) (1974-1992) and Chairman, Senate Banking Committee (1980-1986); formerly Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah (1971-1974); formerly Astronaut, Space Shuttle Discovery (April 12-19, 1985); Vice Chairman, Huntsman Corporation (chemical company); Director of Franklin Covey (time management systems), BMW Bank of North America, Inc. (industrial loan corporation), United Space Alliance (joint venture between Lockheed Martin and the Boeing Company) and Nuskin Asia Pacific (multilevel marketing), member of the board of various civic and charitable organizations. WAYNE E. HEDIEN, Trustee since September, 1997; age 65; Retired; Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, the TCW/DW Term Trusts and Discover Brokerage Index Series; Director of The PMI Group, Inc. (private mortgage insurance); Trustee and Vice Chairman of The Field Museum of Natural History; formerly associated with the Allstate Companies (1966-1994), most recently as Chairman of The Allstate Corporation (March 1993-December 1994) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Allstate Insurance Company (July 1989-December 1994); director of various other business and charitable organizations. DR. MANUEL H. JOHNSON, Trustee since July, 1991; age 50; Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc., a consulting firm; Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C), an international economic commission; Chairman of the Audit Committee and Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, the TCW/DW Term Trusts and Discover Brokerage Index Series; Director of Greenwich Capital Markets Inc. (broker-dealer) and NVR Inc. (home construction); Chairman and Trustee of the Financial Accounting Foundation (oversight organization for the Financial Accounting Standards Board); formerly Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (1986-1990) and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury (1982-1986). MICHAEL E. NUGENT, Trustee since July, 1992; age 63; General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P., private investment partnership; Chairman of the Insurance Committee and Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, the TCW/DW Term Trusts and Discover Brokerage Index Series; formerly Vice President, Bankers Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation (1984-1988); director of various business organizations. PHILIP J. PURCELL, Trustee since April, 1994; age 56; Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of MSDW, DWR and Novus Credit Services Inc.; Director of MSDW Distributors; Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, the TCW/DW Term Trusts and Discover Brokerage Index Series; Director and/or officer of various MSDW subsidiaries. JOHN L. SCHROEDER, Trustee since April 1994; age 69; Retired; Chairman of the Derivatives Committee and Director or Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, the TCW/DW Term Trusts and Discover Brokerage Index Series; Director of Citizens Utilities Company (telecommunications, gas, electric and water utilities company); formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Home Insurance Company (August 1991-September 1995). The executive officers of the Trust are: Mitchell M. Merin, President; Barry Fink, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel; Ronald E. Robison, Vice President; Robert S. Giambrone, Vice President; Joseph J. 5 McAlinden, Vice President and Thomas F. Caloia, Treasurer; and James F. Willison, Vice President; Joseph R. Arcieri, Vice President; Gerard J. Lian, Vice President and Katherine H. Stromberg, Vice President. In addition, Marilyn K. Cranney, Natasha Kassian, Todd Lebo, LouAnne D. McInnis, Carsten Otto and Ruth Rossi serve as Assistant Secretaries of the Trust. Mr. Merin is 46 years old and is currently President and Chief Operating Officer of Asset Management of MSDW (since December 1998), President, Director (since April 1997) and Chief Executive Officer (since June, 1998) of MSDW Advisors and MSDW Services; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the MSDW Distributors (since June 1998), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since June 1998) and Director (since January, 1998) of MSDW Trust, President of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, the TCW/DW Term Trusts and Discover Brokerage Index Series (since May 1999) and Director of various other MSDW subsidiaries. Mr. Fink is 44 years old and is currently Senior Vice President (since March 1997), Secretary and General Counsel (since February 1997) and Director (since July, 1998) of MSDW Advisors and MSDW Services and (since August 1996) Assistant Secretary of DWR; Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds and the TCW/DW Term Trusts (since February 1997) and Discover Brokerage Index Series; he is also Senior Vice President (since March 1997), Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of MSDW Distributors (since February 1997). He was previously First Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of MSDW Advisors and MSDW Services. Mr. Robison is 60 years old and is currently Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer (since September 1998) and Director (since February, 1999) of MSDW Advisors and MSDW Services; prior thereto he was a Managing Director of the TCW Group, Inc. Mr. McAlinden is 56 years old and is currently Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of MSDW Advisors and MSDW Services (since April 1996) and Director of MSDW Trust (since April 1996). He was previously Senior Vice President of MSDW Advisors (June 1995-April 1996) and prior thereto was a Managing Director at Dillon Read. Mr. Giambrone is 45 years old and is currently Senior Vice President of MSDW Advisors, MSDW Services, MSDW Distributors and MSDW Trust (since August 1995) and Director of MSDW Trust (since April 1996). He was formerly a partner of KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP. Mr. Caloia is 53 years old and is currently First Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of MSDW Advisors and MSDW Services. Mr. Willison is 56 years old and is currently Senior Vice President of MSDW Advisors. Mr. Avelar is 41 years old and is currently Senior Vice President of MSDW Advisors. Mr. Page is 53 years old and is currently Senior Vice President of MSDW Advisors. Mr. Arcieri is 51 years old and is currently Vice President of MSDW Advisors. Mr. Lian is 44 years old and is currently Vice President of MSDW Advisors. Ms. Stromberg is 51 years old and is currently Vice President of MSDW Advisors. Other than Messrs. Robison, McAlinden and Giambrone, each of the above officers has been an employee of MSDW Advisors or its affiliated for over five years. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, AND THE COMMITTEES The Board of Trustees currently consists of eight (8) trustees. These same individuals also serve as directors or trustees for all of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, and are referred to in this section as Trustees. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, there are a total of 92 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, comprised of 127 portfolios. As of September 30, 1999, the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds had total net assets of approximately $127.4 billion and more than six million shareholders. Six Trustees (75% of the total number) have no affiliation or business connection with MSDW Advisors or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by MSDW Advisors' parent company, MSDW. These are the "disinterested" or "independent" Trustees. Law and regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties for the Independent Trustees. The Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds seek as Independent Trustees individuals of distinction and experience in 6 business and finance, government service or academia; these are people whose advice and counsel are in demand by others and for whom there is often competition. To accept a position on the Funds' Boards, such individuals may reject other attractive assignments because the Funds make substantial demands on their time. All of the Independent Trustees serve as members of the Audit Committee. In addition, three of the Trustees, including two Independent Trustees, serve as members of the Derivatives Committee and the Insurance Committee. During the calendar year ended December 31, 1998, the Audit Committee, the Derivatives Committee, the Insurance Committee and the Independent Trustees held a combined total of twelve meetings. The Trust does not have any nominating or compensation committees. The Independent Trustees are charged with recommending to the full Board approval of management, advisory and administration contracts, and distribution and underwriting agreements; continually reviewing Fund performance; checking on the pricing of portfolio securities, brokerage commissions, transfer agent costs and performance, and trading among Funds in the same complex; and approving fidelity bond and related insurance coverage and allocations, as well as other matters that arise from time to time. The Audit Committee is charged with recommending to the full Board the engagement or discharge of the Trust's independent accountants; directing investigations into matters within the scope of the independent accountants' duties, including the power to retain outside specialists; reviewing with the independent accountants the audit plan and results of the auditing engagement; approving professional services provided by the independent accountants and other accounting firms prior to the performance of such services; reviewing the independence of the independent accountants; considering the range of audit and non-audit fees; and reviewing the adequacy of the Trust's system of internal controls and preparing and submitting Committee meeting minutes to the Board. The Board of each Fund has formed a Derivatives Committee to approve parameters for and monitor the activities of the Fund with respect to derivative investments, if any, made by the Fund. Finally, the Board of each Fund has formed an Insurance Committee to review and monitor the insurance coverage maintained by the Fund. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1999, the Board of Trustees of the Trust held 6 meetings, and the Audit Committee, the Independent Trustees, the Derivatives Committee and the Insurance Committee of the Trust held 3, 9 , 4 and 3 meetings, respectively. No Trustee attended fewer than 75% of the meetings of the Board of Trustees, the Audit Committee, the Independent Trustees, the Derivatives Committee or the Insurance Committee held while he served in such positions. ADVANTAGES OF HAVING SAME INDIVIDUALS AS INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES FOR ALL MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS The Independent Trustees and the Funds' management believe that having the same Independent Trustees for each of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds avoids the duplication of effort that would arise from having different groups of individuals serving as Independent Trustees for each of the Funds or even of sub-groups of Funds. They believe that having the same individuals serve as Independent Trustees of all the Funds tends to increase their knowledge and expertise regarding matters which affect the Fund complex generally and enhances their ability to negotiate on behalf of each Fund with the Fund's service providers. This arrangement also precludes the possibility of separate groups of Independent Trustees arriving at conflicting decisions regarding operations and management of the Funds and avoids the cost and confusion that would likely ensue. Finally, having the same Independent Trustees serve on all Fund Boards enhances the ability of each Fund to obtain, at modest cost to each separate Fund, the services of Independent Trustees, of the caliber, experience and business acumen of the individuals who serve as Independent Trustees of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds. 7 SHARE OWNERSHIP BY TRUSTEES The Trustees have adopted a policy pursuant to which each Trustee and/or his or her spouse is required to invest at least $25,000 in any of the Funds in the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds complex or Discover Brokerage Index Series on whose boards the Trustee serves. In addition, the policy contemplates that the Trustees will, over time, increase their aggregate investment in the Funds above the $25,000 minimum requirement. The Trustees may allocate their investments among specific Funds in any manner they determine is appropriate based on their individual investment objectives. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, each Trustee is in compliance with the policy. Any future Trustee will be given a one year period following his or her election within which to comply with the foregoing. As of September 30, 1999, the total value of the investments by the Trustees and/or their spouses in shares of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds was approximately $43.4 million. As of the record date for this Meeting, the aggregate number of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust owned by the Trust's officers and Trustees as a group was less than 1 percent of the Trust's shares of beneficial interest outstanding. COMPENSATION OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $800 plus a per meeting fee of $50 for meetings of the Board of Trustees, the Independent Trustees or Committees of the Board of Trustees attended by the Trustee (the Trust pays the Chairman of the Audit Committee an annual fee of $750 and pays the Chairmen of the Derivatives and Insurance Committees additional annual fees of $500). If a Board meeting and a meeting of the Independent Trustees or a Committee meeting, or a meeting of the Independent Trustees and/or more than one Committee meeting, take place on a single day, the Trustees are paid a single meeting fee by the Trust. The Trust also reimburses such Trustees for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. Trustees and officers of the Trust who are or have been employed by the Investment Adviser or an affiliated company receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Trust for their services as Trustee. The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Trust's Independent Trustees by the Trust for the fiscal year ended May 31, 1999. TRUST COMPENSATION
AGGREGATE COMPENSATION NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE FROM THE TRUST - --------------------------- -------------- Michael Bozic ............................................. $1,400 Edwin J. Garn ............................................. 1,600 Wayne E. Hedien ........................................... 1,650 Dr. Manual H. Johnson ..................................... 1,600 Michael E. Nuguent ........................................ 1,600 John L. Schroeder ......................................... 1,600
The following table illustrates the compensation paid to the Trust's Independent Trustees for the calendar year ended December 31, 1998 for services to the 90 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds that were in operation at December 31, 1998. 8 CASH COMPENSATION FROM MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
TOTAL CASH COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES TO NAME OF 90 MORGAN STANLEY INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE DEAN WITTER FUNDS - ------------------- ----------------- Michael Bozic ........................................... $120,150 Edwin J. Garn ........................................... 132,450 Wayne E. Hedien ......................................... 132,350 Dr. Manuel H. Johnson ................................... 155,681 Michael E. Nugent ....................................... 159,731 John L. Schroeder ....................................... 160,731
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, 55 of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, including the Trust, have adopted a retirement program under which an Independent Trustee who retires after serving for at least five years (or such lesser period as may be determined by the Board) as an Independent Director or Trustee of any Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund that has adopted the retirement program (each such Fund referred to as an "Adopting Fund" and each such Trustee referred to as an "Eligible Trustee") is entitled to retirement payments upon reaching the eligible retirement age (normally, after attaining age 72). Annual payments are based upon length of service. Currently, upon retirement, each Eligible Trustee is entitled to receive from the Adopting Fund, commencing as of his or her retirement date and continuing for the remainder of his or her life, an annual retirement benefit (the "Regular Benefit") equal to 30.22% of his or her Eligible Compensation plus 0.5036667% of such Eligible Compensation for each full month of service as an Independent Director or Trustee of any Adopting Fund in excess of five years up to a maximum of 60.44% after ten years of service. The foregoing percentages may be changed by the Board.(1) "Eligible Compensation" is one-fifth of the total compensation earned by such Eligible Trustee for service to the Adopting Fund in the five year period prior to the date of the Eligible Trustee's retirement. Benefits under the retirement program are not secured or funded by the Adopting Funds. - ---------- (1) An Eligible Trustee may elect alternate payments of his or her retirement benefits based upon the combined life expectancy of such Eligible Trustee and his or her spouse on the date of such Eligible Trustee's retirement. The amount estimated to be payable under this method, through the remainder of the later of the lives of such Eligible Trustee and spouse, will be the actuarial equivalent of the Regular Benefit. In addition, the Eligible Trustee may elect that the surviving spouse's periodic payment of benefits will be equal to a lower percentage of the periodic amount when both spouses were alive. 9 The following table illustrates the retirement benefits accrued to the Trust's Independent Trustees by the Trust for the fiscal year ended May 31, 1999 and by the 55 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds (including the Trust) for the year ended December 31, 1998, and the estimated retirement benefits for the Trust's Independent Trustees, to commence upon their retirement, from the Trust as of May 31, 1999 and from the 55 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds as of December 31, 1998. RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM THE FUND AND ALL MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
FOR ALL ADOPTING FUNDS --------------------------------- ESTIMATED ANNUAL ESTIMATED RETIREMENT BENEFITS BENEFITS CREDITED ACCRUED AS EXPENSES UPON RETIREMENT(2) YEARS ESTIMATED --------------------- -------------------- OF SERVICE AT PERCENTAGE OF BY ALL FROM FROM ALL RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE BY THE ADOPTING THE ADOPTING NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE (MAXIMUM 10) COMPENSATION TRUST FUNDS TRUST FUNDS - --------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------- ---------- ------- --------- Michael Bozic ................. 10 60.44% $389 $22,377 $937 $52,250 Edwin J. Garn ................. 10 60.44 582 35,225 937 52,250 Wayne E. Hedien ............... 9 51.37 728 41,979 796 44,413 Dr. Manuel H. Johnson ......... 10 60.44 235 14,047 937 52,250 Michael E. Nugent ............. 10 60.44 410 25,336 937 52,250 John L. Schroeder ............. 8 50.37 791 45,117 796 44,343
- ------------------- (2) Based on current levels of compensation. Amount of annual benefits also varies depending on the Trustee's elections described in Footnote (1) above. THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE TRUSTEES NOMINATED FOR ELECTION. THE INVESTMENT MANAGER Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. is the Trust's investment manager pursuant to an investment management agreement. MSDW Advisors maintains its offices at Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. MSDW Advisors, which was incorporated in July, 1992 under the name Dean Witter InterCapital Inc., changed its name to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc. on June 22, 1998. MSDW Advisors is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSDW, a preeminent global financial services firm that maintains leading market positions in each of its three primary businesses--securities, asset management and credit services. MSDW Advisors' wholly owned subsidiary, MSDW Services, serves as the Administrator of the Trust. The address of MSDW Services is the same as that of MSDW Advisors set forth above. The Principal Executive Officer and Directors of MSDW Advisors are Mitchell M. Merin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ronald E. Robison, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer and Barry Fink, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. The principal occupations of Messrs. Merin, Robison and Fink are described above under the section "Election of Trustees." The business address of the Executive Officer and other Directors is Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. MSDW Advisors and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MSDW Services, serve in various investment management, advisory, management and administrative capacities to investment companies and pension plans and other institutional and individual investors. MSDW has its offices at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036. There are various lawsuits pending against MSDW involving material amounts which, in the opinion of management, will be resolved with no material effect on the consolidated financial position of the company. 10 (2) RATIFICATION OR REJECTION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS The Trustees have unanimously selected the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Trust's independent accountants for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2000. Its selection is being submitted for ratification or rejection by Shareholders at the Meeting. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has been the independent accountants for the Trust since its inception, and has no direct or indirect financial interest in the Trust. A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is expected to be present at the Meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate questions of shareholders. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required for ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent accountants for the Trust. THE TRUSTEES UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS RATIFY THE SELECTION OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE TRUST. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION In the event that the necessary quorum to transact business or the vote required to approve or reject any proposal is not obtained at the Meeting, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Trust's shares present in person or by proxy at the Meeting. The persons named as proxies will vote in favor of such adjournment those proxies which have been received by the date of the Meeting. Abstentions and, if applicable, broker "non-votes" will not count as votes in favor of any of the proposals, and broker "non-votes" will not be deemed to be present at the meeting for purposes of determining whether a particular proposal to be voted upon has been approved. Broker "non-votes" are shares held in street name for which the broker indicates that instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or other persons entitled to vote and for which the broker does not have discretionary voting authority. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS Proposals of security holders intended to be presented at the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received no later than July 5, 2000 for inclusion in the proxy statement and proxy for that meeting. The mere submission of a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion in the proxy materials or its presentation at the meeting. Certain rules under the federal securities laws must be met. SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE The following persons are "reporting persons" under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and had not previously filed an "Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities" on Form 3: Mitchell M. Merin, Ronald E. Robison, Joseph J. McAlinden, Edwin J. Garn, Manuel H. Johnson, Michael E. Nugent, Wayne E. Hedien, Barry Fink, James F. Willison. None of the above reporting persons has ever held any shares of the Trust. REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS THE TRUST'S MOST RECENT ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 1999 IS AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST FROM NINA WESSEL AT MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER TRUST FSB, HARBORSIDE FINANCIAL CENTER, PLAZA TWO, JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY 07311 (TELEPHONE 1-800-869-NEWS) (TOLL-FREE). 11 INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS MSDW, MSDW Advisors, DWR, MSDW Services, and certain of their respective Directors, Officers, and employees, including persons who are Trustees or Officers of the Trust, may be deemed to have an interest in certain of the proposals described in this Proxy Statement to the extent that certain of such companies and their affiliates have contractual and other arrangements, described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, pursuant to which they are paid fees by the Trust, and certain of those individuals are compensated for performing services relating to the Trust and may also own shares of MSDW. Such companies and persons may thus be deemed to derive benefits from the approvals by Shareholders of such proposals. OTHER BUSINESS The management knows of no other matters which may be presented at the Meeting. However, if any matters not now known properly come before the Meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the attached form of proxy, or their substitutes, will vote such proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matters. By Order of the Board of Trustees BARRY FINK Secretary 12 MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MUNICIPAL PREMIUM INCOME TRUST PROXY THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES The undersigned hereby appoints Ronald E. Robison, Barry Fink, and Joseph J. McAlinden, or any of them, proxies, each with the power of substitution, to vote on behalf of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Municipal Premium Income Trust on December 21, 1999, at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, and at any adjournment thereof, on the proposals set forth in the Notice of Meeting dated October 29, 1999 as follows: (Continued on reverse side) THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE TRUSTEE AND FOR PROPOSAL 2 SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF AND AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. IMPORTANT--THIS PROXY MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED ON THE REVERSE SIDE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THE EXAMPLE USING [X] BLACK OR BLUE INK COMMON SHARES TO VOTE BY MAIL, PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS CARD YOU ALSO MAY VOTE A PROXY BY TOUCH-TONE PHONE OR BY INTERNET (SEE ENCLOSED VOTING INFORMATION CARD FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS) TO VOTE A PROXY BY PHONE, call Toll-Free: 1-800-690-6903 TO VOTE A PROXY BY INTERNET, visit our Website(s): WWW.MSDWT.COM or WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM FOR ALL FOR WITHHOLD EXCEPT [ ] [ ] [ ] 1. Election of one (1) Trustee: 01. Michael Bozic FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN [ ] [ ] [ ] 2. Ratification of appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants. IF YOU WISH TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ANY PARTICULAR NOMINEE, MARK THE "FOR ALL EXCEPT" BOX AND STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME. Please make sure to sign and date this Proxy using black or blue ink. Date ----------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholder sign in the box above - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Co-Owner (if any) sign in the box above PLEASE FOLD AND DETACH AT PERFORATION ALONG DOTTED LINES MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MUNICIPAL PREMIUM INCOME TRUST - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT USE ONE OF THESE THREE EASY WAYS TO VOTE YOUR PROXY 1. BY MAIL. PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ABOVE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE. 2. BY INTERNET. HAVE YOUR PROXY CARD AT HAND. GO TO THE "VOTE YOUR PROXY HERE" LINK ON THE WEBSITE WWW.MSDWT.COM OR WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM. ENTER YOUR 12-DIGIT CONTROL NUMBER LOCATED ON THE PROXY CARD AND FOLLOW THE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS. 3. BY TELEPHONE. HAVE YOUR PROXY CARD AT HAND. CALL 1-800-690-6903 ON A TOUCH-TONE PHONE. ENTER YOUR 12-DIGIT CONTROL NUMBER LOCATED ON THE PROXY CARD AND FOLLOW THE SIMPLE RECORDED INSTRUCTIONS. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRX 097 MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MUNICIPAL PREMIUM INCOME TRUST PROXY THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES The undersigned hereby appoints Ronald E. Robison, Barry Fink, and Joseph J. McAlinden, or any of them, proxies, each with the power of substitution, to vote on behalf of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Municipal Premium Income Trust on December 21, 1999, at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, and at any adjournment thereof, on the proposals set forth in the Notice of Meeting dated October 29, 1999 as follows: (Continued on reverse side) THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE TRUSTEES AND FOR PROPOSAL 2 SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF AND AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. IMPORTANT--THIS PROXY MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED ON THE REVERSE SIDE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THE EXAMPLE USING [X] BLACK OR BLUE INK PREFERRED SHARES TO VOTE BY MAIL, PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS CARD YOU ALSO MAY VOTE A PROXY BY TOUCH-TONE PHONE OR BY INTERNET (SEE ENCLOSED VOTING INFORMATION CARD FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS) TO VOTE A PROXY BY PHONE, call Toll-Free: 1-800-690-6903 TO VOTE A PROXY BY INTERNET, visit our Website(s): WWW.MSDWT.COM or WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM FOR ALL FOR WITHHOLD EXCEPT [ ] [ ] [ ] 1. Election of one (1) Trustee: 01. Michael Bozic FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN [ ] [ ] [ ] 2. Ratification of appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants. IF YOU WISH TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ANY PARTICULAR NOMINEE, MARK THE "FOR ALL EXCEPT" BOX AND STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME. Election of one (1) Preferred Trustee: FOR WITHHOLD 02. Charles A. Fiumefreddo [ ] [ ] Please make sure to sign and date this Proxy using black or blue ink. Date ----------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholder sign in the box above - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Co-Owner (if any) sign in the box above - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE FOLD AND DETACH AT PERFORATION ALONG DOTTED LINES MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER MUNICIPAL PREMIUM INCOME TRUST - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT USE ONE OF THESE THREE EASY WAYS TO VOTE YOUR PROXY 1. BY MAIL. PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ABOVE PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE. 2. BY INTERNET. HAVE YOUR PROXY CARD AT HAND. GO TO THE "VOTE YOUR PROXY HERE" LINK ON THE WEBSITE WWW.MSDWT.COM OR WWW.PROXYVOTE.COM. ENTER YOUR 12-DIGIT CONTROL NUMBER LOCATED ON THE PROXY CARD AND FOLLOW THE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS. 3. BY TELEPHONE. HAVE YOUR PROXY CARD AT HAND. CALL 1-800-690-6903 ON A TOUCH-TONE PHONE. ENTER YOUR 12-DIGIT CONTROL NUMBER LOCATED ON THE PROXY CARD AND FOLLOW THE SIMPLE RECORDED INSTRUCTIONS. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRX00119 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----