May 1, 2002

Securities and Exchange Commission

Judiciary Plaza

450 Fifth Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C.

Re: First Variable Rate Fund for Government Income

SEC File numbers: 002-56809 and 811-02633

In lieu of filing under paragraph (b) or (c) of Section 497, the

above registrant is hereby filing a certification that:

(1) the form of prospectuses and statement of additional information that would have been filed under paragraph (b) or (c) of Section 497 would not have differed from those contained in the most recent registration statement (effective April 30, 2002) or amendment; and

(2) the text of the most recent registration statement (effective

April 30, 2002) has been filed electronically.

If you have questions or require further information, please contact

me at 301-951-4881.

Sincerely,

/s/Susan Walker Bender

Susan Walker Bender

Associate General Counsel