EX-1 2 index.htm EVERGREEN EQUITY TRUST

Prospectus, November 12, 2002

Evergreen
Equity Index Funds


Evergreen Market Index Fund
Evergreen Market Index Growth Fund
Evergreen Market Index Value Fund
Class I
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not determined that the information in this prospectus is accurate or complete, nor has it approved or disapproved these securities. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FUND RISK/RETURN SUMMARY:

Overview of Fund Risks
Evergreen Market Index Fund
Evergreen Market Index Growth Fund
Evergreen Market Index Value Fund

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The Funds' Investment Advisor
The Funds' Portfolio Managers
Calculating the Share Price
How to Choose an Evergreen Fund
How to Buy Shares
How to Redeem Shares
Other Services
The Tax Consequences of Investing in the Funds
Fees and Expenses of the Funds
Other Fund Practices

In general,

the Funds included in this prospectus seek to provide investors with investment performance that mirrors that of each Fund's specified market benchmark index.

Fund Summaries Key

Each Fund's summary is organized around the following basic topics and questions:

INVESTMENT GOAL

What is the Fund's financial objective? You can find clarification on how the Fund seeks to achieve its objective by looking at the Fund's strategy and investment policies. The Fund's Board of Trustees can change the investment objective without a shareholder vote.

INVESTMENT STRATEGY

How does the Fund go about trying to meet its goals? What types of investments does it contain? What style of investing and investment philosophy does it follow? Does it have limits on the amount invested in any particular type of security?

RISK FACTORS

What are the specific risks for an investor in the Fund?

PERFORMANCE

How well has the Fund performed in the past year? The past five years? The past ten years?

EXPENSES

How much does it cost to invest in the Fund? What is the difference between sales charges and expenses?

Overview of Fund Risks

Equity Index Funds

typically rely on a combination of the following strategies:

  • investing in securities which are selected to approximate the investment characteristics and performance of each Fund's specified benchmark; and
  • selling a portfolio investment when it is removed from the index which the Fund tracks or when the Fund must meet redemptions.

may be appropriate for investors who:

  • are seeking broad exposure in the stock market.
Each Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality money market instruments in order to protect the value of the Fund in response to adverse economic, political or market conditions. This strategy is inconsistent with each Fund's principal investment strategies and investment goals and, if employed, could result in a lower return and potential loss of market opportunity.

Following this overview, you will find information on each Fund's specific investment strategies and risks.

Risk Factors For All Mutual Funds

Please remember that an investment in a mutual fund is:

  • not guaranteed to achieve its investment goal
  • not a deposit with a bank
  • not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency
  • subject to investment risks, including possible loss of your original investment
Like most investments, your investment in a Fund could fluctuate significantly in value over time and could result in a loss of money.

The following are some of the most important factors that may affect the value of your investment. Other factors may be described in the discussion following this overview:

Stock Market Risk

Your investment in the Fund will be affected by general economic conditions such as prevailing economic growth, inflation and interest rates. When economic growth slows, or interest or inflation rates increase, equity securities tend to decline in value. Such events could also cause companies to decrease the dividends they pay. If these events were to occur, the dividend yield, total return earned on and the value of your investment would likely decline. Even if general economic conditions do not change, the dividend yield, total return earned on and the value of your investment could decline if the particular industries, companies or sectors in which the Fund invests do not perform well.

Market Capitalization Risk

Stocks fall into three broad market capitalization categories--large, medium and small. Investing primarily in one category carries the risk that due to current market conditions that category may be out of favor with investors. If valuations of large capitalization companies appear to be greatly out of proportion to the valuations of small or medium capitalization companies, investors may migrate to the stocks of small- and mid-sized companies causing a Fund that invests in these companies to increase in value more rapidly than a Fund that invests in larger, fully-valued companies. Investing in medium and small capitalization companies may be subject to special risks associated with narrower product lines, more limited financial resources, smaller management groups, and a more limited trading market for their stocks as compared with larger companies. As a result, stocks of small and medium capitalization companies may decline significantly in market downturns.

Investment Style Risk

Securities with different characteristics tend to shift in and out of favor depending upon market and economic conditions as well as investor sentiment. A Fund may outperform or underperform other funds that employ a different style. A Fund may also employ a combination of styles that impact its risk characteristics. Examples of different styles include growth and value investing. Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company's earnings growth potential. Growth-oriented funds will typically underperform when value investing is in favor. Value stocks are those which are undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors. Value-oriented funds will typically underperform when growth investing is in favor.

Index Fund Risk

When a Fund invests in order to mirror a specified benchmark index, it is subject to index fund risk. The Fund is not actively managed and invests in securities included in its benchmark index regardless of their investment merit. Therefore, the Fund cannot modify its investment strategy to respond to changes in the economy and may be particularly susceptible to a general decline in the U.S. or global bond market segment relating to the index. Although the Fund’s modeling techniques are intended to produce performance that approximates its benchmark index (before expenses), there can be no assurance that these techniques will reduce “tracking error”, the difference between the Fund’s investment results (before expenses) and the results of the index. Tracking error may arise as a result of brokerage costs, fees and operating expenses.

Market Index Fund

FUND FACTS:

Goal:

  • Price and Yield Performance Comparable to the S&P 500 Index

    • Principal Investment:

  • Equity Securities listed on the S&P 500 Index

    • Class of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:

  • Class I

    • Investment Advisor:

  • Evergreen
    Investment
    Management
    Company, LLC

    • Portfolio Managers:

  • By Team

    • Dividend Payment Schedule:

  • Annually

    • INVESTMENT GOAL

    The Fund seeks investment results that achieve price and yield performance similar to the S&P 500 Index.

    INVESTMENT STRATEGY

    The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the ''Overview of Fund Risks'' on page 1.

    The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in equity securities that represent a composite of the S&P 500 Index. The Fund’s portfolio managers use computer models that closely monitor the composition of the S&P 500 Index. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 common stocks chosen by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services to reflect the industries of the U.S. economy and is often considered a proxy for the stock market in general. To replicate the performance of the S&P 500 Index, the Fund’s portfolio managers use a passive management approach and invest in substantially all of the stocks comprising the S&P 500 Index.

    The Fund intends to sell a portfolio investment when it is removed from the S&P 500 Index.

    RISK FACTORS

    Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the ''Overview of Fund Risks'' on page 1 under the headings:

    • Stock Market Risk
    • Market Capitalization Risk
    • Investment Style Risk
    • Index Fund Risk
    For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk factors, see "Other Fund Practices."

    PERFORMANCE

    Since the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, no performance information is available.

    EXPENSES

    This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and held shares of the Fund. Annual Fund Operating Expenses are estimated based on the Fund's fiscal year ending 5/31/2003.

    You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

    Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
    Management Fees 12b-1 Fees Other Expenses Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver) Total Fund Operating Expenses (After Waiver) 1
    Class I 0.06 % 0.00 % 0.15 % 0.21 % 0.06 %

    1. The Fund's investment advisor has agreed to contractually waive the management fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Fund Operating Expenses so that they do not exceed, in the aggregate, the Fund's Total Fund Operating Expenses (After Waiver) listed above.

    The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment over one- and three-year periods. The example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is for illustration purposes only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and that the Fund's operating expenses are the same as described in the table above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

    Example of Fund Expenses
    After: Class I
    1 year $ 6
    3 years $ 19

    Market Index Growth Fund

    FUND FACTS:

    Goal:

  • Price and Yield Performance Comparable to the Russell 1000® Growth Index

    • Principal Investment:

  • Equity Securities listed on the Russell 1000® Growth Index

    • Class of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:

  • Class I

    • Investment Advisor:

  • Evergreen
    Investment
    Management
    Company, LLC

    • Portfolio Managers:

  • By Team

    • Dividend Payment Schedule:

  • Annually

    • INVESTMENT GOAL

    The Fund seeks investment results that achieve price and yield comparable to the Russell 1000® Growth Index.

    INVESTMENT STRATEGY

    The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the ''Overview of Fund Risks'' on page 1.

    The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in equity securities that represent a composite of the Russell 1000® Growth Index. The Fund’s portfolio managers use computer models that closely monitor the composition of the Russell 1000® Growth Index. The Russell 1000® Growth Index is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index measuring the performance with the Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted earnings growth rates. To replicate the performance of the Russell 1000® Growth Index, the Fund’s portfolio managers use a passive management approach and invest in substantially all of the stocks comprising the Russell 1000® Growth Index.

    The Fund intends to sell a portfolio investment when it is removed from the Russell 1000 Growth Index.

    RISK FACTORS

    Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the ''Overview of Fund Risks'' on page 1 under the headings:

    • Stock Market Risk
    • Market Capitalization Risk
    • Investment Style Risk
    • Index Fund Risk
    For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk factors, see "Other Fund Practices."

    PERFORMANCE

    Since the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, no performance information is available.

    EXPENSES

    This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and held shares of the Fund. Annual Fund Operating Expenses are estimated based on the Fund's fiscal year ending 5/31/2003.

    You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

    Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
    Management Fees 12b-1 Fees Other Expenses Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver) Total Fund Operating Expenses (After Waiver) 1
    Class I 0.10 % 0.00 % 0.15 % 0.25 % 0.10 %

    1. The Fund's investment advisor has agreed to contractually waive the management fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Fund Operating Expenses so that they do not exceed, in the aggregate, the Fund's Total Fund Operating Expenses (After Waiver) listed above.

    The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment over one- and three-year periods. The example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is for illustration purposes only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and that the Fund's operating expenses are the same as described in the table above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

    Example of Fund Expenses
    After: Class I
    1 year $ 10
    3 years $ 32

    Market Index Value Fund

    FUND FACTS:

    Goal:

  • Price and Yield Performance Comparable to the Russell 1000® Value Index

    • Principal Investment:

  • Equity Securities listed on the Russell 1000® Value Index

    • Class of Shares Offered in this Prospectus:

  • Class I

    • Investment Advisor:

  • Evergreen
    Investment
    Management
    Company, LLC

    • Portfolio Managers:

  • By Team

    • Dividend Payment Schedule:

  • Annually

    • INVESTMENT GOAL

    The Fund seeks investment results that achieve price and yield comparable to the Russell 1000® Value Index.

    INVESTMENT STRATEGY

    The following supplements the investment strategies discussed in the ''Overview of Fund Risks'' on page 1.

    The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in equity securities that represent a composite of the Russell 1000® Value Index. The Fund’s portfolio managers use computer models that closely monitor the composition of the Russell 1000® Value Index. The Russell 1000® Value Index is a unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index measuring the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with with low price-to-book ratios and low forecasted earnings growth rates. To replicate the performance of the Russell 1000® Value Index, the Fund’s portfolio managers use a passive management approach and invest in substantially all of the stocks comprising the Russell 1000® Value Index.

    The Fund intends to sell a portfolio investment when it is removed from the Russell 1000 Value Index.

    RISK FACTORS

    Your investment in the Fund is subject to the risks discussed in the ''Overview of Fund Risks'' on page 1 under the headings:

    • Stock Market Risk
    • Market Capitalization Risk
    • Investment Style Risk
    • Index Fund Risk
    For further information regarding the Fund's investment strategy and risk factors, see "Other Fund Practices."

    PERFORMANCE

    Since the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus, no performance information is available.

    EXPENSES

    This section describes the fees and expenses you would pay if you bought and held shares of the Fund. Annual Fund Operating Expenses are estimated based on the Fund's fiscal year ending 5/31/2003.

    You pay no shareholder transaction fees.

    Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
    Management Fees 12b-1 Fees Other Expenses Total Fund Operating Expenses (Before Waiver) Total Fund Operating Expenses (After Waiver) 1
    Class I 0.10 % 0.00 % 0.15 % 0.25 % 0.10 %

    1. The Fund's investment advisor has agreed to contractually waive the management fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Fund Operating Expenses so that they do not exceed, in the aggregate, the Fund's Total Fund Operating Expenses (After Waiver) listed above.

    The table below shows the total expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment over one- and three-year periods. The example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in this Fund versus other mutual funds and is for illustration purposes only. The example assumes a 5% average annual return, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions and that the Fund's operating expenses are the same as described in the table above. Your actual costs may be higher or lower.

    Example of Fund Expenses
    After: Class I
    1 year $ 10
    3 years $ 32

    THE FUNDS' INVESTMENT ADVISOR

    An investment advisor manages a Fund's investments and supervises its daily business affairs. The investment advisor for the Evergreen funds is a subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation (Wachovia), the fourth largest bank holding company in the United States, with over $333.8 billion in consolidated assets as of 9/30/2002. Wachovia is located at 301 South College Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288-0013.

    Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC (EIMC) is the investment advisor to the Funds. EIMC has been managing mutual funds and private accounts since 1932 and manages over $105.6 billion in assets for 102 of the Evergreen funds as of 9/30/2002. EIMC is located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5034.

    The following are the contractual advisory fees for each Fund based on a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets:

    Fund % of the Fund's average daily net assets
    Market Index Fund 0.06 %
    Market Index Growth Fund 0.10 %
    Market Index Value Fund 0.10 %

    THE FUNDS' PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

    Each Fund is managed individually by a team of portfolio management professionals from EIMC’s Global Structured Products team, with team members responsible for various sectors.

    CALCULATING THE SHARE PRICE

    The value of one share of a Fund, also known as the net asset value, or NAV, is calculated at 4 p.m. Eastern time on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open or as of the time the Exchange closes, if earlier. The Fund calculates its share price for each share by adding up its total assets, subtracting all liabilities, then dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding. The NAV of each class of shares is calculated separately. Each security held by a Fund is valued using the most recent market data for that security. If no market data is available for a given security, the Fund will price that security at fair value according to policies established by the Fund's Board of Trustees. Short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or less will be valued on the basis of amortized cost.

    The price per share you pay for a Fund purchase or the amount you receive for a Fund redemption is based on the next price calculated after the order is received and all required information is provided. The value of your account at any given time is the latest share price multiplied by the number of shares you own. Your account balance may change daily because the share price may change daily.

    HOW TO CHOOSE AN EVERGREEN FUND

    When choosing an Evergreen fund, you should:

    • Most importantly, read the prospectus to see if the Fund is suitable for you.
    • Request any additional information you want about the Fund, such as the Statement of Additional Information (SAI) by calling 1.800.343.2898.

    HOW TO BUY SHARES

    The Funds are only offered to certain pension plans having at least $100 million.

    Class I shares are sold without a front-end or deferred sales charge. The minimum initial investment for the Funds is $100 million, which may be waived in certain situations. There is no minimum amount required for subsequent purchases.

    Method Opening an Account Adding to an Account
    By Phone or Wire
    • Call 1.800.847.5397 to set up an account and get wiring instructions.
    • Call your investment professional or call Evergreen funds directly at 1.800.847.5397. 1
    By Exchange
    • Complete an account application and mail to:

      Postal Service Address:

      Evergreen Funds
      P.O. Box 8400
      Boston, MA 02266-8400

      Overnight Address:

      Evergreen Funds
      66 Brooks Drive, Suite 8400
      Braintree, MA 02184-3800

    • You can make an additional investment by exchange from your account in one or more of the Funds by contacting your investment professional. 2
    • You can only exchange shares within the same class of the Funds.
    • There is no sales charge or redemption fee when exchanging funds within any of the Funds.
    • Exchanges between accounts which do not have identical ownership must be made in writing with a signature guarantee. (See "Exceptions: Redemption Requests That Require A Signature Guarantee" on the next page.)

    1. Orders should be placed as early in the day as possible and advance notice of large purchase provided to Evergreen funds at 1.800.847.5397.

    2. Once you have authorized either the telephone exchange or redemption service, anyone with the required account information (including your investment professional) can request a telephone transaction in your account. All calls are recorded and may be monitored for verification, recordkeeping and quality-assurance purposes. The Evergreen funds reserve the right to terminate the exchange privilege of any shareholder who exceeds the listed maximum number of exchanges, as well as to reject any large dollar exchange or purchase if placing it would, in the judgment of the portfolio manager, adversely affect the price of the Fund.

    HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

    We offer you several convenient ways to redeem your shares in any of the Evergreen funds:

    Methods Requirements
    Call Us 1
    • Call your investment professional or call Evergreen funds directly at 1.800.847.5397 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time, on any business day. 2
    • All telephone calls are recorded and may be monitored for your protection. We are not responsible for acting on telephone orders we believe are genuine.
    • See "Exceptions: Redemption Requests That Require a Signature Guarantee" below for requests that must be made in writing with your signature guaranteed.
    Write Us
    • You can mail a redemption request to:

      Postal Service Address:

      Evergreen Funds
      P.O. Box 8400
      Boston, MA 02266-8400

      Overnight Address:

      Evergreen Funds
      66 Brooks Drive, Suite 8400
      Braintree, MA 02184-3800

    • Your letter of instructions must:
      • list the Fund name and the account number
      • indicate the number of shares or dollar value you wish to redeem
      • be signed by the registered owner(s).
    • See "Exceptions: Redemption Requests That Require a Signature Guarantee" below for requests that must be signature guaranteed.
    Redeem Your Shares in Person
    • You may also redeem your shares by contacting your investment professional.
    • A fee may be charged for this service.

    1. Once you have authorized either the telephone exchange or redemption service, anyone with the required account information (including your investment professional) can request a telephone transaction in your account. All calls are recorded and may be monitored for verification, recordkeeping and quality-assurance purposes. The Evergreen funds reserve the right to terminate the exchange privilege of any shareholder who exceeds the listed maximum number of exchanges, as well as to reject any large dollar exchange or purchase if placing it would, in the judgment of the portfolio manager, adversely affect the price of the Fund.

    2. The Fund's shares may be made available through financial service firms which are also investment dealers and which have a service agreement with Evergreen Distributors, Inc. ("EDI"). The Fund has approved the acceptance of purchase and repurchase request orders effective as of the time of their receipt by certain authorized financial intermediaries or their designees. The Evergreen funds reserve the right to adjust the closing time to coincide with an earlier closing of the New York Stock Exchange or due to other unusual circumstances.

    Timing of Proceeds

    Normally, we will send your redemption proceeds on the next business day after we receive your request; however, we reserve the right to wait up to seven business days to redeem any investments made by check and ten business days for investments made by Automated Clearing House transfer.

    Exceptions: Redemption Requests That Require A Signature Guarantee

    To protect you and the Evergreen funds against fraud, certain redemption requests must be made in writing with your signature guaranteed. A signature guarantee can be obtained at most banks and securities dealers. A notary public is not authorized to provide a signature guarantee. The following circumstances require signature guarantees:

    • You want the proceeds transmitted into a bank account not listed on the account.
    • You want the proceeds payable to anyone other than the registered owner(s) of the account.
    • Either your address or the address of your bank account has been changed within 30 days.

    Who Can Provide A Signature Guarantee:

    • Commercial Bank
    • Trust Company
    • Savings Association
    • Credit Union
    • Member of a U.S. stock exchange

    OTHER SERVICES

    Automatic Reinvestment of Distributions

    For the convenience of investors, all dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically reinvested, unless you request otherwise. Distributions can be made by check or electronic transfer through the Automated Clearing House to your bank account. The details of your dividends and other distributions will be included on your statement.

    THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF INVESTING
    IN THE FUNDS

    You may be taxed in two ways:

    • On Fund distributions (dividends and capital gains).
    • On any profit you make when you sell any or all of your shares.

    Fund Distributions

    A mutual fund passes along to all of its shareholders the net income or profits it receives from its investments. The shareholders of the fund then pay any taxes due, whether they receive these distributions in cash or elect to have them reinvested. The Funds will distribute two types of taxable income to you:

    • Dividends. To the extent that regular dividends are derived from investment income that is not tax-exempt, or from short-term capital gains, you will have to include them in your federal taxable income. Each Fund pays an annual dividend from the dividends, interest and other income on the securities in which it invests.
    • Capital Gains. When a mutual fund sells a security it owns for a profit, the result is a capital gain. The Funds generally distribute capital gains, if any, at least once a year, near the end of the calendar year. Short-term capital gains reflect securities held by the Fund for a year or less and are considered ordinary income just like dividends. Profits on securities held longer than 12 months are considered long-term capital gains and are taxed at a special tax rate (20% for most taxpayers).

    Dividend and Capital Gain Reinvestment

    Unless you choose otherwise on the account application, all dividend and capital gain payments will be reinvested to buy additional shares. Distribution checks that are returned and distribution checks that are uncashed when the shareholder has failed to respond to mailings from the shareholder servicing agent will automatically be reinvested to buy additional shares. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks. We will send you a statement each January with the federal tax status of dividends and distributions paid by the Fund during the previous calendar year.

    Profits You Realize When You Redeem Shares

    When you sell shares in a mutual fund, whether by redeeming or exchanging, you have created a taxable event. You must report any gain or loss on your tax return unless the transaction was entered into by a tax-deferred retirement plan. Investments in money market funds typically do not generate capital gains. It is your responsibility to keep accurate records of your mutual fund transactions. You will need this information when you file your income tax return, since you must report any capital gain or loss you incur when you sell shares. Remember, an exchange is a purchase and a sale for tax purposes.

    Tax Reporting

    Evergreen Service Company, LLC provides you and the IRS with a tax statement of your dividend and capital gains distributions for each calendar year on Form 1099 DIV. Proceeds from a sale are reported on Form 1099B. You must report these on your tax return. You could pay a penalty if you neglect to report them.

    Evergreen Service Company, LLC will send you a tax information guide each year during tax season, which may include a cost basis statement detailing the gain or loss on taxable transactions you had during the year. Please consult your own tax advisor for further information regarding the federal, state and local tax consequences of an investment in the Funds.

    FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUNDS

    Every mutual fund has fees and expenses that are assessed either directly or indirectly. This section describes each of those fees.

    Management Fee

    The management fee pays for the normal expenses of managing the Fund, including portfolio manager salaries, research costs, corporate overhead expenses and related expenses.

    Other Expenses

    Other expenses include miscellaneous fees from affiliated and outside service providers. These may include legal, audit, custodial and safekeeping fees, the printing and mailing of reports and statements, automatic reinvestment of distributions and other conveniences for which the shareholder pays no transaction fees.

    Total Fund Operating Expenses

    The total cost of running the Fund is called the expense ratio. As a shareholder, you are not charged these fees directly; instead they are taken out before the Fund’s NAV is calculated, and are expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The effect of these fees is reflected in the performance results for that share class. Because these fees are not charged directly to your account, investors should examine them closely in the prospectus, especially when comparing one fund with another fund in the same investment category. There are three things to remember about expense ratios: (i) your total return in the Fund is reduced in direct proportion to the fees; (ii) expense ratios can vary greatly between funds and fund families, from under 0.25% to over 3.00%; and (iii) the Fund’s investment advisor may waive a portion of the Fund’s expenses for a period of time, reducing its expense ratio.

    OTHER FUND PRACTICES

    Please consult the SAI for more information regarding these and other investment practices used by the Funds, including risks.

    Evergreen Funds



    Institutional Money Market Funds
  • Cash Management Money Market Fund
  • Institutional 100% Treasury Money Market Fund
  • Institutional Money Market Fund
  • Institutional Municipal Money Market Fund
  • Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund
  • Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund
  • Prime Cash Management Money Market Fund


    • Money Market Funds
  • California Municipal Money Market Fund
  • Florida Municipal Money Market Fund
  • Money Market Fund
  • Municipal Money Market Fund
  • New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund
  • New York Municipal Money Market Fund
  • Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
  • Treasury Money Market Fund
  • U.S. Government Money Market Fund


    • State Municipal Bond Funds
  • Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund
  • Evergreen Offit California Municipal Bond Fund
  • Evergreen Offit New York Municipal Bond Fund
  • Florida High Income Municipal Bond Fund
  • Florida Municipal Bond Fund
  • Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
  • Maryland Municipal Bond Fund
  • New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund
  • North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
  • Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund
  • South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
  • Virginia Municipal Bond Fund


    • National Municipal Bond Funds
  • Evergreen Offit National Municipal Bond Fund
  • High Grade Municipal Bond Fund
  • High Income Municipal Bond Fund
  • Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
  • Municipal Bond Fund
  • Short-Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund


    • Short and Intermediate Term Bond Funds
  • Adjustable Rate Fund
  • Limited Duration Fund
  • Short Intermediate Bond Fund


    • Intermediate and Long Term Bond Funds
  • Core Bond Fund
  • Diversified Bond Fund
  • Evergreen Offit High Yield Fund
  • Evergreen Offit Mortgage Securities Fund
  • Evergreen Offit U.S. Government Securities Fund
  • Fixed Income Fund II
  • High Yield Bond Fund
  • Mortgage Securities Fund
  • Select High Yield Bond Fund
  • Strategic Income Fund
  • U.S. Government Fund


    • Balanced Funds
  • Asset Allocation Fund
  • Balanced Fund
  • Foundation Fund
  • Select Balanced Fund
  • Tax Strategic Foundation Fund


    • Domestic Equity Funds I
  • Aggressive Growth Fund
  • Capital Growth Fund
  • Core Equity Fund
  • Emerging Growth Fund
  • Evergreen Fund
  • Growth Fund
  • Large Company Growth Fund
  • Masters Fund
  • Omega Fund
  • Premier 20 Fund
  • Select Small Cap Growth Fund
  • Select Strategic Growth Fund
  • Special Equity Fund
  • Stock Selector Fund
  • Tax Strategic Equity Fund


    • Domestic Equity Funds II
  • Blue Chip Fund
  • Equity Income Fund
  • Equity Index Fund
  • Growth and Income Fund
  • Small Cap Value Fund
  • Special Values Fund
  • Strategic Value Fund
  • Value Fund


    • Sector Funds
  • Health Care Fund
  • Technology Fund
  • Utility and Telecommunications Fund


    • Global and International Funds
  • Emerging Markets Growth Fund
  • Evergreen Offit Emerging Markets Bond Fund
  • Global Leaders Fund
  • Global Opportunities Fund
  • International Bond Fund
  • International Growth Fund
  • Precious Metals Fund


    • Shareholder Services

    Call 1-800-847-5397

    Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time to

    • buy, redeem or exchange Fund shares
    • order applications
    • get assistance with your account


    Information Line for Hearing and Speech Impaired (TTY/TDD)

    Call 1.800.343.2888

    Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time



    Write us a letter
  • Evergreen Funds
  • P.O. Box 8400
  • Boston, MA 02266-8400
    • to buy, redeem or exchange Fund shares
    • to change the registration on your account
    • for general correspondence


    For express, registered or certified mail
  • Evergreen Funds
  • 66 Brooks Drive, Suite 8400
  • Braintree, MA 02184-3800


    • Visit us on-line
  • EvergreenInvestments.com


    • Regular communications you will receive
    Account Statements — You will receive quarterly statements for each Fund you invest in. Please review and promptly notify Evergreen funds of any inaccuracies.

    Confirmation Notices — A confirmation of your transaction is sent within five days. Please review and promptly notify Evergreen funds of any inaccuracies.

    Annual and Semi-annual Reports — You will receive a detailed financial report on each Fund you invest in twice a year.

    Tax Forms — Each January you will receive any Fund tax information you need to complete your tax returns as well as the Evergreen Tax Information Guide.

    For More Information About the Evergreen Equity Index Funds, Ask for:

    The Statement of Additional Information (SAI), which contains more detailed information about the policies and procedures of the Funds. The SAI has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its contents are legally considered to be part of this prospectus.

    For questions, other information, or to request a copy, without charge, of any of the documents, call 1.800.343.2898 or ask your investment professional. We will mail material within three business days. In addition, any of these documents, with the exception of the SAI, may be downloaded off our website at EvergreenInvestments.com.

    Information about these Funds (including the SAI) is also available on the SEC's Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of this material may be obtained, for a duplication fee, by writing the SEC Public Reference Section, Washington D.C. 20549-0102, or by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. This material can also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. For more information about the operation of the Public Reference Room, call the SEC at 1.202.942.8090.

  • Evergreen mutual funds are distributed by Evergreen Distributor, Inc.,
  • 90 Park Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016.
    • 563882 (11/02)

    SEC File No.: 811-08413
  • Evergreen Investments
  • 200 Berkeley Street
  • Boston, MA 02116-5034