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0000887194 cik0000887194:S000007001Member cik0000887194:C000019107Member 2011-11-30 2011-11-30 0000887194 cik0000887194:S000007001Member cik0000887194:C000019106Member 2011-11-30 2011-11-30 0000887194 cik0000887194:S000007001Member cik0000887194:C000054722Member 2011-11-30 2011-11-30 0000887194 cik0000887194:S000007001Member cik0000887194:C000054723Member 2011-11-30 2011-11-30 0000887194 cik0000887194:S000007001Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsMember cik0000887194:C000019103Member 2011-11-30 2011-11-30 0000887194 cik0000887194:S000007001Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsAndSalesMember cik0000887194:C000019103Member 2011-11-30 2011-11-30 0000887194 cik0000887194:S000007001Member cik0000887194:index_Russell_2000_Index_9282007_reflects_no_deduction_for_fees_expenses_or_taxesMember 2011-11-30 2011-11-30 0000887194 cik0000887194:S000007001Member cik0000887194:index_Russell_2000_Index_3312008_reflects_no_deduction_for_fees_expenses_or_taxesMember 2011-11-30 2011-11-30 0000887194 cik0000887194:S000007001Member cik0000887194:index_Russell_2000_Value_Index_9282007_reflects_no_deduction_for_fees_expenses_or_taxesMember 2011-11-30 2011-11-30 0000887194 cik0000887194:S000007001Member cik0000887194:index_Russell_2000_Value_Index_3312008_reflects_no_deduction_for_fees_expenses_or_taxesMember 2011-11-30 2011-11-30 xbrli:pure iso4217:USD A contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase. A CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on Class C shares if they are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase. This amount has been updated from fiscal year amounts to reflect current fees and expenses. For the period from September 27, 2012 through March 31, 2014, Lord Abbett has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and administrative services fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Fund's other expenses to the extent necessary so that the total net annual operating expenses for each class, excluding 12b-1 fees, do not exceed an annual rate of 0.60%. This agreement may be terminated only upon the approval of the Fund's Board of Directors. The table does not show any returns for the Dividend Growth Index because the inception of the Dividend Growth Index was in 2012. A contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase. A CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on Class C shares if they are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase. For the period from September 27, 2012 through March 31, 2014, Lord Abbett has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and administrative services fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Fund's other expenses to the extent necessary so that the total net annual operating expenses for each class, excluding 12b-1 fees, do not exceed an annual rate of 0.63%. This agreement may be terminated only upon the approval of the Fund's Board of Directors. A contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase. A CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on Class C shares if they are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase. These amounts have been updated from fiscal year amounts to reflect current fees and expenses. For the period from September 27, 2012 through March 31, 2014, Lord Abbett has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and administrative services fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Fund's other expenses to the extent necessary so that the total net annual operating expenses for each class, excluding 12b-1 fees, do not exceed an annual rate of 1.10%. This agreement may be terminated only upon the approval of the Fund's Board of Directors. A contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase. A CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on Class C shares if they are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase. These amounts have been restated from fiscal year amounts to reflect current fees and expenses. LORD ABBETT RESEARCH FUND INC 485BPOS false 0000887194 2011-11-30 2012-09-25 2012-09-27 2012-09-27 Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 22.87% of the average value of its portfolio. 0.2287 PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES The Fund invests principally in equity securities of large and mid-sized companies that have a history of increasing dividends and that have the potential for capital appreciation. The Fund’s portfolio management team uses fundamental research and quantitative analysis to select the Fund’s investments, while seeking to maintain an investment portfolio with industry, sector, and capitalization weightings and other portfolio characteristics that generally are similar to those of the S&P 900 10-Year Dividend Growth Index (the “Dividend Growth Index”). The Dividend Growth Index is the exclusive property of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). Under a contract with Lord Abbett, S&P administers, maintains, and calculates the Dividend Growth Index. S&P and its affiliates will have no liability for any errors or omissions in calculating the Dividend Growth Index. The Fund focuses on U.S. large and mid-sized companies that historically have grown their dividends over time, which represent a relatively narrow market segment compared to the broader U.S. equity markets. The Fund also may invest to a lesser extent in foreign companies. Under normal market conditions, the Fund’s investments primarily include the following types of securities and other financial instruments: <ul> <li> Equity securities of large and mid-sized companies. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, and equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures, and limited liability companies. The Fund considers equity securities to include rights offerings and investments that convert into the equity securities described above. </li> <li> Dividend paying securities issued by companies that pay out a portion of their profits to shareholders instead of reinvesting all their profits in their businesses. Although issuers of dividend paying securities may include fast growing companies, they more commonly consist of “value” companies whose securities have the potential for investment return because they are underpriced or undervalued according to certain financial measurements of intrinsic worth or business prospects. </li> </ul> The Fund generally will sell a security when the Fund believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse economic, market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner. FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 68 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”). 0.0575 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0500 0.0100 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0025 0.0100 0.0100 0.0010 0.0000 0.0045 0.0060 0.0050 0.0022 0.0022 0.0022 0.0022 0.0022 0.0022 0.0022 0.0022 0.0122 0.0197 0.0197 0.0107 0.0097 0.0142 0.0157 0.0147 -0.0037 -0.0037 -0.0037 -0.0037 -0.0037 -0.0037 -0.0037 -0.0037 0.0085 0.0160 0.0160 0.0070 0.0060 0.0105 0.0120 0.0110 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleShareholderFees20001 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006998Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpenses20002 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006998Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ 2014-03-31 This amount has been updated from fiscal year amounts to reflect current fees and expenses. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) 50000 Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment) INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund’s investment objective is to seek current income and capital appreciation. PRINCIPAL RISKS As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, which could adversely affect its performance, include: <ul> <li> Investment Strategy Risk: If the Fund’s fundamental research and quantitative analysis fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform its benchmark or other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market. In addition, the Fund’s strategy of focusing on the relatively narrow market segment of dividend paying companies means the Fund will be more exposed to risks associated with that particular market segment than a fund that invests more widely. </li> <li> Equity Risk: Common stocks and other equity securities, as well as equity-like securities such as convertible bonds, may experience significant volatility. Such securities may fall sharply in response to adverse events affecting overall markets, a particular industry or sector, or an individual company’s financial condition. </li> <li> Dividend Risk: Securities of dividend paying companies may become less available for purchase, limiting the Fund’s ability to produce current income and increasing the volatility of the Fund’s returns. At times, the performance of dividend paying companies may lag the performance of other companies or the broader market as a whole. In addition, a company’s dividend payments may vary over time, and there is no guarantee that a company will pay a dividend at all. </li> <li> Large Company Risk: As compared to smaller successful companies, larger companies may be less able to respond quickly to certain market developments and may have slower rates of growth. </li> <li> Mid-Sized Company Risk: Securities of mid-sized companies generally involve greater risks than investments in larger companies. Mid-sized companies may have limited management experience or depth, limited access to capital, or limited products or services, or operate in markets that have not yet been established. Mid-sized company securities tend to be more volatile and less liquid than equity securities of larger companies. </li> <li> Value Investing Risk: The prices of value stocks may lag the stock market for long periods of time if the market fails to recognize the company’s intrinsic worth. </li> <li> Foreign Company Risk: The Fund’s investments in foreign companies and in U.S. companies with economic ties to foreign markets generally involve special risks that can increase the likelihood that the Fund will lose money. For example, as compared with companies organized and operated in the U.S., these companies may be more vulnerable to economic, political, and social instability. In addition, they may be subject to less government supervision. </li> </ul> An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus. As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. PERFORMANCE The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Bar Chart (per calendar year) - Class A Shares* -0.0768 0.2179 0.1672 0.0365 0.1478 0.0303 -0.2729 0.2321 0.1481 -0.0023 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAnnualTotalReturnsBarChart20005 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006998Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact cik0000887194_C000019088Member row primary compact * ~ The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. Performance for the Fund's other share classes will vary due to the different expenses each class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388. The bar chart and table show performance of the Fund during periods when the Fund operated under the name "Lord Abbett Capital Structure Fund" and invested in a mix of equity and fixed income securities. Effective on or about September 27, 2012, the Fund will implement its present dividend-oriented equity strategy. This change is likely to affect the Fund's performance in the future. Best Quarter 0.1247 2003-12-31 Worst Quarter -0.1393 2011-09-30 The year-to-date performance for Class A shares as of June 30, 2012 was 6.67%. 0.0667 2012-06-30 <table style="WIDTH: 97.24%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.88%; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0.88%" cellspacing="0"> <tr valign="bottom"> <td style="WIDTH: 51.08%">   </td> <td style="WIDTH: 2.63%">   </td> <td style="WIDTH: 43.18%" align="right">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td> Best Quarter 4th Q ‘03 +12.47% </td> <td width="3">   </td> <td align="right"> Worst Quarter 3rd Q ’11 -13.93% </td> </tr> </table> * The year-to-date return for Class A shares as of June 30, 2012 was 6.67%. Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2011) The table below shows how the average annual total returns of the Fund compare to the returns of securities indices. The Fund believes that the Dividend Growth Index is a more appropriate index than the 60% S&P 500 Index/40% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, in light of the composition of the Fund’s portfolio following implementation of its dividend oriented equity strategy. Because the Dividend Growth Index more closely reflects the market segment in which the Fund invests, the Fund will remove the 60% S&P 500 Index/40% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index from the performance table in the future. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges as follows: for Class A shares, the current maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%; for Class B shares, the current CDSC of 4.00% for the one-year period and 1.00% for the five-year period; and for Class C shares, the performance shown is at net asset value (“NAV”) because there is no CDSC for Class C shares for any period one year or greater. There are no sales charges for Class F, I, P, R2, and R3 shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares at approximately eight years after purchase. All returns for Class B shares for periods greater than eight years reflect this conversion. The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares. -0.0598 -0.0007 0.0452 -0.0657 -0.0096 0.0367 -0.0359 -0.0039 0.0359 -0.0471 0.0031 0.0460 -0.0078 0.0049 0.0448 0.0011 0.0009 0.0021 0.0148 0.0552 -0.0033 0.0103 0.0506 -0.0041 -0.0026 -0.0036 -0.0030 0.0211 -0.0025 0.0292 -0.0232 0.0469 0.0284 0.0440 0.0170 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAverageAnnualReturnsTransposed20006 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006998Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * column rr_PerformanceMeasureAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ The Fund's average annual total returns include applicable sales charges as follows: for Class A shares, the current maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%; for Class B shares, the current CDSC of 4.00% for the one-year period and 1.00% for the five-year period; and for Class C shares, the performance shown is at net asset value ("NAV") because there is no CDSC for Class C shares for any period one year or greater. There are no sales charges for Class F, I, P, R2, and R3 shares. The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares. The Fund believes that the Dividend Growth Index is a more appropriate index than the 60% S&P 500 Index/40% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, in light of the composition of the Fund's portfolio following implementation of its dividend oriented equity strategy. Because the Dividend Growth Index more closely reflects the market segment in which the Fund invests, the Fund will remove the 60% S&P 500 Index/40% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index from the performance table in the future. (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. 888-522-2388 www.lordabbett.com The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs"). Example The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example takes into account the contractual management fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreement between the Fund and Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”) for the term of the agreement). The example assumes a deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for the one-year, three-year, and five-year periods for Class B shares and for the one-year period for Class C shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately eight years. The expense example for Class B shares for the ten-year period reflects the conversion to Class A shares. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs (including any applicable CDSC) would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares. 657 887 1155 1920 657 887 1155 1920 663 863 1210 2055 163 563 1010 2055 263 563 1010 2250 163 563 1010 2250 72 284 535 1254 72 284 535 1254 61 252 481 1138 61 252 481 1138 107 393 722 1653 107 393 722 1653 122 440 801 1819 122 440 801 1819 112 409 749 1709 112 409 749 1709 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleTransposed20003 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006998Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleNoRedemptionTransposed20004 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006998Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ If Shares Are Redeemed If Shares Are Not Redeemed Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 27.97% of the average value of its portfolio. 0.2797 PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES To pursue its objective, under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of large, seasoned, U.S. and multinational companies. The Fund invests in the full spectrum of large companies, including those with value or growth characteristics. The Fund may invest in U.S. and foreign (which may include emerging market) companies. Foreign companies may be traded on U.S. or non-U.S. securities exchanges and may include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). The Fund’s investments primarily include the following types of securities and other financial instruments: <ul> <li> Equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, and equity interests in trusts (including real estate investment trusts), partnerships, joint ventures, and limited liability companies. The Fund considers equity securities to include rights offerings and investments that convert into the equity securities described above. </li> <li> Large companies having a market capitalization at the time of purchase that falls within the market capitalization range of companies in the Russell 1000® Index. </li> <li> Value companies that portfolio management believes to be underpriced or undervalued according to certain financial measurements of intrinsic worth or business prospects and have the potential for capital appreciation. </li> <li> Growth companies that portfolio management believes exhibit faster-than-average gains in earnings and have the potential to continue profit growth at a high level. </li> </ul> At its discretion and consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund selectively may use derivatives, including futures, forwards, options, and swaps, to hedge against the decline in value of the Fund’s investments and for other risk management purposes, to efficiently gain targeted investment exposure, and to seek to increase the Fund’s investment returns. The Fund generally will sell a security when the Fund believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse economic, market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner. FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 68 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”). 0.0575 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0500 0.0100 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0070 0.0070 0.0070 0.0070 0.0070 0.0070 0.0070 0.0070 0.0035 0.0100 0.0100 0.0010 0.0000 0.0045 0.0060 0.0050 0.0024 0.0024 0.0024 0.0024 0.0024 0.0024 0.0024 0.0024 0.0129 0.0194 0.0194 0.0104 0.0094 0.0139 0.0154 0.0144 -0.0031 -0.0031 -0.0031 -0.0031 -0.0031 -0.0031 -0.0031 -0.0031 0.0098 0.0163 0.0163 0.0073 0.0063 0.0108 0.0123 0.0113 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleShareholderFees20009 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007000Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpenses20010 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007000Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ 2014-03-31 You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) 50000 Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment) INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund’s investment objective is growth of capital and growth of income consistent with reasonable risk. PRINCIPAL RISKS As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, which could adversely affect its performance, include: <ul> <li> Portfolio Management Risk: If the strategies used and securities selected by the Fund’s portfolio management fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market. </li> <li> Equity Risk: Common stocks and other equity securities, as well as equity-like securities such as convertible bonds, may experience significant volatility. Such securities may fall sharply in response to adverse events affecting overall markets, a particular industry or sector, or an individual company’s financial condition. </li> <li> Large Company Risk: As compared to smaller successful companies, larger companies may be less able to respond quickly to certain market developments and may have slower rates of growth. </li> <li> Blend Style Risk: The Fund uses a “blend” strategy to invest in both growth and value stocks, or in stocks with characteristics of both. The prices of growth stocks may fall dramatically if the company fails to meet earnings or revenue projections. The prices of value stocks may lag the stock market for long periods of time if the market fails to recognize the company’s intrinsic worth. </li> <li> Foreign Company Risk: The Fund’s investment exposure to foreign (which may include emerging market) companies generally is subject to the risk that the value of securities issued by foreign companies may be adversely affected by political, economic and social volatility, lack of transparency or inadequate regulatory and accounting standards, inadequate exchange control regulations, foreign taxes, higher transaction and other costs, and delays in settlement. Because the Fund’s limit on foreign securities focuses on where the security is principally traded rather than where the issuer is organized and/or operated, the percentage of the Fund’s assets that is exposed to foreign market risks may exceed the percentage of the Fund’s assets that the Fund considers to represent foreign securities. Emerging market securities generally are more volatile than other foreign securities, and are subject to greater liquidity, regulatory, and political risks. </li> <li> Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are subject to certain risks, including the risk that the value of the derivative may not correlate with the value of the underlying security, rate, or index in the manner anticipated by portfolio management. Derivatives may be more sensitive to changes in economic or market conditions and may become illiquid. Derivatives are subject to leverage risk, which may increase the Fund’s volatility, and counterparty risk, which means that the counterparty may fail to perform its obligations under the derivatives contract. </li> </ul> An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus. As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. PERFORMANCE The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Bar Chart (per calendar year) - Class A Shares* -0.1951 0.3110 0.1189 0.0147 0.1249 0.1029 -0.3122 0.2620 0.1382 -0.0835 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAnnualTotalReturnsBarChart20013 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007000Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact cik0000887194_C000019098Member row primary compact * ~ The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. Performance for the Fund's other share classes will vary due to the different expenses each class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388. Best Quarter 0.1849 2008-12-31 Worst Quarter -0.1990 2008-12-31 The year-to-date return for Class A shares as of June 30, 2012 was 8.44%. 0.0844 2008-12-31 <table style="WIDTH: 97.24%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.88%; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0.88%" cellspacing="0"> <tr valign="bottom"> <td style="WIDTH: 50.51%">   </td> <td style="WIDTH: 2.63%">   </td> <td style="WIDTH: 43.75%" align="right">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td> Best Quarter 2nd Q ’03 +18.49% </td> <td width="3">   </td> <td align="right"> Worst Quarter 4th Q ’08 -19.90% </td> </tr> </table> <table style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.33pc; FONT-SIZE: 0.2mm" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr valign="top"> <td style="WIDTH: 5pt">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td align="right"> * </td> <td width="3">   </td> <td>   </td> <td width="3">   </td> <td colspan="17"> The year-to-date return for Class A shares as of June 30, 2012 was 8.44%. </td> </tr> </table> Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2011) The table below shows how the average annual total returns of the Fund compare to the returns of securities indices. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges as follows: for Class A shares, the current maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%; for Class B shares, the current CDSC of 4.00% for the one-year period and 1.00% for the five-year period; and for Class C shares, the performance shown is at net asset value (“NAV”) because there is no CDSC for Class C shares for any period one year or greater. There are no sales charges for Class F, I, P, R2, and R3 shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares at approximately eight years after purchase. All returns for Class B shares for periods greater than eight years reflect this conversion. The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares. -0.1363 -0.0120 0.0241 -0.1374 -0.0150 0.0207 -0.0873 -0.0101 0.0207 -0.1260 -0.0087 0.0248 -0.0894 -0.0068 0.0238 -0.0811 -0.0251 -0.0804 0.0032 0.0338 -0.0845 -0.0014 0.0294 -0.0859 -0.0278 -0.0849 -0.0289 0.0150 -0.0002 0.0334 -0.0209 0.0211 -0.0025 0.0292 -0.0232 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAverageAnnualReturnsTransposed20014 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007000Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * column rr_PerformanceMeasureAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ The Fund's average annual total returns include applicable sales charges as follows: for Class A shares, the current maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%; for Class B shares, the current CDSC of 4.00% for the one-year period and 1.00% for the five-year period; and for Class C shares, the performance shown is at net asset value ("NAV") because there is no CDSC for Class C shares for any period one year or greater. There are no sales charges for Class F, I, P, R2, and R3 shares. The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares. (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. 888-522-2388 www.lordabbett.com The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs"). Example The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example takes into account the contractual management fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreement between the Fund and Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC for the term of the agreement). The example assumes a deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for the one-year, three-year, and five-year periods for Class B shares and for the one-year period for Class C shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately eight years. The expense example for Class B shares for the ten-year period reflects the conversion to Class A shares. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs (including any applicable CDSC) would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares. 669 916 1199 2003 669 916 1199 2003 666 863 1203 2057 166 563 1003 2057 266 563 1003 2226 166 563 1003 2226 75 284 528 1228 75 284 528 1228 64 252 474 1111 64 252 474 1111 110 393 715 1627 110 393 715 1627 125 440 794 1794 125 440 794 1794 115 409 742 1683 115 409 742 1683 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleTransposed20011 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007000Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleNoRedemptionTransposed20012 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007000Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ If Shares Are Redeemed If Shares Are Not Redeemed Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 121.66% of the average value of its portfolio. 1.2166 PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES Under normal market conditions, the Fund pursues its investment objective by investing at least 65% of its net assets in equity securities of mid-sized companies. The Fund follows a growth style of investing, which means that we favor companies that show the potential for strong revenue and earnings growth. The Fund may invest in U.S. and foreign (which may include emerging market) companies. Foreign companies may be traded on U.S. or non-U.S. securities exchanges and may include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). The Fund’s investments primarily include the following types of securities and other financial instruments: <ul> <li> Equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, and equity interests in trusts (including real estate investment trusts), partnerships, joint ventures, and limited liability companies. The Fund considers equity securities to include rights offerings and investments that convert into the equity securities described above. </li> <li> Mid-sized companies having a market capitalization at the time of purchase that falls within the market capitalization range of companies in the Russell Midcap® Index. </li> <li> Growth companies that portfolio management believes exhibit faster-than-average gains in earnings and have the potential to continue profit growth at a high level. </li> </ul> At its discretion and consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund selectively may use derivatives, including futures, forwards, options, and swaps, to hedge against the decline in value of the Fund’s investments and for other risk management purposes, to efficiently gain targeted investment exposure, and to seek to increase the Fund’s investment returns. The Fund generally will sell a security when the Fund believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse economic, market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner. FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 68 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”). 0.0575 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0500 0.0100 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0035 0.0100 0.0100 0.0010 0.0000 0.0045 0.0060 0.0050 0.0031 0.0031 0.0031 0.0031 0.0031 0.0031 0.0031 0.0031 0.0141 0.0206 0.0206 0.0116 0.0106 0.0151 0.0166 0.0156 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleShareholderFees20017 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006999Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpenses20018 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006999Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ 2014-03-31 You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. These amounts have been updated from fiscal year amounts to reflect current fees and expenses. Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) 50000 Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment) INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund’s investment objective is capital appreciation. PRINCIPAL RISKS As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, which could adversely affect its performance, include: <ul> <li> Portfolio Management Risk: If the strategies used and securities selected by the Fund’s portfolio management fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market. </li> <li> Equity Risk: Common stocks and other equity securities, as well as equity-like securities such as convertible bonds, may experience significant volatility. Such securities may fall sharply in response to adverse events affecting overall markets, a particular industry or sector, or an individual company’s financial condition. </li> <li> Mid-Sized Company Risk: Securities of mid-sized companies generally involve greater risks than investments in larger companies. Mid-sized companies may have limited management experience or depth, limited access to capital, or limited products or services, or operate in markets that have not yet been established. Mid-sized company securities tend to be more volatile and less liquid than equity securities of larger companies. </li> <li> Growth Investing Risk: Growth stocks tend to be more volatile than slower-growing value stocks. The prices of growth stocks may fall dramatically if, for example, the company fails to meet earnings or revenue projections. </li> <li> Foreign Company Risk: The Fund’s investment exposure to foreign (which may include emerging market) companies generally is subject to the risk that the value of securities issued by foreign companies may be adversely affected by political, economic and social volatility, lack of transparency or inadequate regulatory and accounting standards, inadequate exchange control regulations, foreign taxes, higher transaction and other costs, and delays in settlement. Because the Fund’s limit on foreign securities focuses on where the security is principally traded rather than where the issuer is organized and/or operated, the percentage of the Fund’s assets that is exposed to foreign market risks may exceed the percentage of the Fund’s assets that the Fund considers to represent foreign securities. Emerging market securities generally are more volatile than other foreign securities, and are subject to greater liquidity, regulatory, and political risks. </li> <li> Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are subject to certain risks, including the risk that the value of the derivative may not correlate with the value of the underlying security, rate, or index in the manner anticipated by portfolio management. Derivatives may be more sensitive to changes in economic or market conditions and may become illiquid. Derivatives are subject to leverage risk, which may increase the Fund’s volatility, and counterparty risk, which means that the counterparty may fail to perform its obligations under the derivative contract. </li> </ul> An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus. As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. PERFORMANCE The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Bar Chart (per calendar year) - Class A Shares* -0.2525 0.3385 0.1152 0.0417 0.0728 0.2105 -0.3828 0.4537 0.2326 -0.1004 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAnnualTotalReturnsBarChart20021 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006999Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact cik0000887194_C000019093Member row primary compact * ~ The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. Performance for the Fund's other share classes will vary due to the different expenses each class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388. Best Quarter 0.1760 2011-09-30 Worst Quarter -0.2499 2011-09-30 The year-to-date return for Class A shares as of June 30, 2012 was 9.52%. 0.0952 2011-09-30 <table style="WIDTH: 97.24%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.88%; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0.88%" cellspacing="0"> <tr valign="bottom"> <td style="WIDTH: 51.08%">   </td> <td style="WIDTH: 2.63%">   </td> <td style="WIDTH: 43.18%" align="right">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td> Best Quarter 2nd Q ’09 +17.60% </td> <td width="3">   </td> <td align="right"> Worst Quarter 3rd Q ’11 -24.99% </td> </tr> </table> <table style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.33pc; FONT-SIZE: 0.2mm" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr valign="top"> <td style="WIDTH: 5pt">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td align="right"> * </td> <td width="3">   </td> <td>   </td> <td width="3">   </td> <td colspan="17"> The year-to-date return for Class A shares as of June 30, 2012 was 9.52%. </td> </tr> </table> Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2011) The table below shows how the average annual total returns of the Fund compare to the returns of securities indices. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges as follows: for Class A shares, the current maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%; for Class B shares, the current CDSC of 4.00% for the one-year period and 1.00% for the five-year period; and for Class C shares, the performance shown is at net asset value (“NAV”) because there is no CDSC for Class C shares for any period one year or greater. There are no sales charges for Class F, I, P, R2, and R3 shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares at approximately eight years after purchase. All returns for Class B shares for periods greater than eight years reflect this conversion. The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares. -0.1521 0.0256 0.0354 -0.1724 0.0139 0.0276 -0.0728 0.0196 0.0292 -0.1356 0.0297 0.0363 -0.1061 0.0312 0.0350 -0.0988 0.0060 -0.0977 0.0414 0.0450 -0.1018 0.0368 0.0406 -0.1030 0.0013 -0.1018 0.0024 -0.0165 0.0244 0.0529 -0.0011 -0.0155 0.0141 0.0699 -0.0048 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAverageAnnualReturnsTransposed20022 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006999Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * column rr_PerformanceMeasureAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ The Fund's average annual total returns include applicable sales charges as follows: for Class A shares, the current maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%; for Class B shares, the current CDSC of 4.00% for the one-year period and 1.00% for the five-year period; and for Class C shares, the performance shown is at net asset value ("NAV") because there is no CDSC for Class C shares for any period one year or greater. There are no sales charges for Class F, I, P, R2, and R3 shares. The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares. (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. 888-522-2388 www.lordabbett.com The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs"). Example The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example takes into account the contractual management fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreement between the Fund and Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC for the term of the agreement). The example assumes a deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for the one-year, three-year, and five-year periods for Class B shares and for the one-year period for Class C shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately eight years. The expense example for Class B shares for the ten-year period reflects the conversion to Class A shares. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs (including any applicable CDSC) would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares. 710 996 1302 2169 710 996 1302 2169 709 946 1308 2223 209 646 1108 2223 309 646 1108 2390 209 646 1108 2390 118 368 638 1409 118 368 638 1409 108 337 585 1294 108 337 585 1294 154 477 824 1802 154 477 824 1802 169 523 902 1965 169 523 902 1965 159 493 850 1856 159 493 850 1856 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleTransposed20019 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006999Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleNoRedemptionTransposed20020 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000006999Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ If Shares Are Redeemed If Shares Are Not Redeemed Small-Cap Value Series Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 41.95% of the average value of its portfolio. 0.4195 PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES To pursue its objective, under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of small companies. The Fund invests principally in small U.S. companies that portfolio management believes are undervalued. The Fund may invest in U.S. and foreign (which may include emerging market) companies. Foreign companies may be traded on U.S. or non-U.S. securities exchanges and may include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). The Fund’s investments primarily include the following types of securities and other financial instruments: <ul> <li> Equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, and equity interests in trusts (including real estate investment trusts), partnerships, joint ventures, and limited liability companies. The Fund considers equity securities to include rights offerings and investments that convert into the equity securities described above. </li> <li> Small companies having a market capitalization at the time of purchase that falls within the market capitalization range of companies in the Russell 2000® Index. </li> <li> Value companies that portfolio management believes to be underpriced or undervalued according to certain financial measurements of intrinsic worth or business prospects and have the potential for capital appreciation. </li> </ul> At its discretion and consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund selectively may use derivatives, including futures, forwards, options, and swaps, to hedge against the decline in value of the Fund’s investments and for other risk management purposes, to efficiently gain targeted investment exposure, and to seek to increase the Fund’s investment returns. The Fund generally will sell a security when the Fund believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse economic, market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner. FEES AND EXPENSES This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 68 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”). 0.0575 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0500 0.0100 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0073 0.0073 0.0073 0.0073 0.0073 0.0073 0.0073 0.0073 0.0030 0.0100 0.0100 0.0010 0.0000 0.0045 0.0060 0.0050 0.0020 0.0020 0.0020 0.0020 0.0020 0.0020 0.0020 0.0020 0.0123 0.0193 0.0193 0.0103 0.0093 0.0138 0.0153 0.0143 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleShareholderFees20025 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007001Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpenses20026 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007001Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. These amounts have been restated from fiscal year amounts to reflect current fees and expenses. Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) 50000 Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment) INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The Fund’s investment objective is long-term capital appreciation. PRINCIPAL RISKS As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, which could adversely affect its performance, include: <ul> <li> Portfolio Management Risk: If the strategies used and securities selected by the Fund’s portfolio management fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market. </li> <li> Equity Risk: Common stocks and other equity securities, as well as equity-like securities such as convertible bonds, may experience significant volatility. Such securities may fall sharply in response to adverse events affecting overall markets, a particular industry or sector, or an individual company’s financial condition. </li> <li> Small Company Risk: Securities of small companies generally involve greater risks than investments in larger companies. Small companies may have limited management experience or depth, limited access to capital, or limited products or services, or operate in markets that have not yet been established. Small company securities tend to be more volatile and less liquid than equity securities of larger companies. </li> <li> Value Investing Risk: The prices of value stocks may lag the stock market for long periods of time if the market fails to recognize the company’s intrinsic worth. </li> <li> Foreign Company Risk: The Fund’s investment exposure to foreign (which may include emerging market) companies generally is subject to the risk that the value of securities issued by foreign companies may be adversely affected by political, economic and social volatility, lack of transparency or inadequate regulatory and accounting standards, inadequate exchange control regulations, foreign taxes, higher transaction and other costs, and delays in settlement. Because the Fund’s limit on foreign securities focuses on where the security is principally traded rather than where the issuer is organized and/or operated, the percentage of the Fund’s assets that is exposed to foreign market risks may exceed the percentage of the Fund’s assets that the Fund considers to represent foreign securities. Emerging market securities generally are more volatile than other foreign securities, and are subject to greater liquidity, regulatory, and political risks. </li> <li> Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are subject to certain risks, including the risk that the value of the derivative may not correlate with the value of the underlying security, rate, or index in the manner anticipated by portfolio management. Derivatives may be more sensitive to changes in economic or market conditions and may become illiquid. Derivatives are subject to leverage risk, which may increase the Fund’s volatility, and counterparty risk, which means that the counterparty may fail to perform its obligations under the derivative contract. </li> </ul> An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus. As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. PERFORMANCE The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Bar Chart (per calendar year) - Class A Shares* -0.1109 0.4494 0.2239 0.1321 0.2042 0.1043 -0.3106 0.2982 0.2623 -0.0461 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAnnualTotalReturnsBarChart20029 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007001Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact cik0000887194_C000019103Member row primary compact * ~ The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. Performance for the Fund's other share classes will vary due to the different expenses each class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388. Best Quarter 0.1973 2011-06-30 Worst Quarter -0.2462 2011-06-30 The year-to-date return for Class A shares as of June 30, 2012 was 2.13%. 0.0213 2011-06-30 <table style="WIDTH: 97.24%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.88%; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0.88%" cellspacing="0"> <tr valign="bottom"> <td style="WIDTH: 51.08%">   </td> <td style="WIDTH: 2.63%">   </td> <td style="WIDTH: 43.18%" align="right">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td> Best Quarter 4th Q ’11 +19.73% </td> <td width="3">   </td> <td align="right"> Worst Quarter 3rd Q ’11 -24.62% </td> </tr> </table> <table style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.33pc; FONT-SIZE: 0.2mm" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr valign="top"> <td style="WIDTH: 5pt">   </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td align="right"> * </td> <td width="3">   </td> <td>   </td> <td width="3">   </td> <td colspan="17"> The year-to-date return for Class A shares as of June 30, 2012 was 2.13%. </td> </tr> </table> Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2011) The table below shows how the average annual total returns of the Fund compare to the returns of securities indices. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges as follows: for Class A shares, the current maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%; for Class B shares, the current CDSC of 4.00% for the one-year period and 1.00% for the five-year period; and for Class C shares, the performance shown is at net asset value (“NAV”) because there is no CDSC for Class C shares for any period one year or greater. There are no sales charges for Class F, I, P, R2, and R3 shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares at approximately eight years after purchase. All returns for Class B shares for periods greater than eight years reflect this conversion. The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares. -0.1010 0.0232 0.0920 -0.1010 0.0176 0.0800 -0.0657 0.0187 0.0772 -0.0907 0.0265 0.0927 -0.0524 0.0283 0.0914 -0.0444 0.0137 -0.0436 0.0384 0.1021 -0.0476 0.0338 0.0972 -0.0490 0.0383 -0.0481 0.0392 -0.0418 0.0015 0.0562 -0.0055 -0.0418 0.0015 0.0562 0.0346 -0.0550 -0.0187 0.0640 -0.0157 -0.0550 -0.0187 0.0640 0.0204 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 2008-03-31 2008-03-31 2008-03-31 2008-03-31 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleAverageAnnualReturnsTransposed20030 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007001Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * column rr_PerformanceMeasureAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ The Fund's average annual total returns include applicable sales charges as follows: for Class A shares, the current maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%; for Class B shares, the current CDSC of 4.00% for the one-year period and 1.00% for the five-year period; and for Class C shares, the performance shown is at net asset value ("NAV") because there is no CDSC for Class C shares for any period one year or greater. There are no sales charges for Class F, I, P, R2, and R3 shares. The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund's returns. The Fund's past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares. (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. 888-522-2388 www.lordabbett.com The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts ("IRAs"). Example The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The example assumes a deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for the one-year, three-year, and five- year periods for Class B shares and for the one-year period for Class C shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately eight years. The expense example for Class B shares for the ten-year period reflects the conversion to Class A shares. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs (including any applicable CDSC) would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares. 693 943 1212 1978 693 943 1212 1978 696 906 1242 2072 196 606 1042 2072 296 606 1042 2254 196 606 1042 2254 105 328 569 1259 105 328 569 1259 95 296 515 1143 95 296 515 1143 140 437 755 1657 140 437 755 1657 156 483 834 1824 156 483 834 1824 146 452 782 1713 146 452 782 1713 ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleTransposed20027 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007001Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ ~ http://lordabbett.com/20120925/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleNoRedemptionTransposed20028 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000887194_S000007001Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~ If Shares Are Redeemed If Shares Are Not Redeemed