497 1 d497.htm FORM 497 Form 497

THE PAUL REVERE VARIABLE

ANNUITY CONTRACT ACCUMULATION FUND

 

SUPPLEMENT DATED DECEMBER 20, 2004

TO THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DATED APRIL 29, 2004

 

This Supplement provides new and additional information beyond that which is contained in the Statement of Additional Information. Please keep this Supplement and read it together with the Statement of Additional Information.

 

After the section entitled “Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement” on page 33, the following information has been inserted as a new section:

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

The Accumulation Fund has delegated the authority to vote proxies to the Company and has authorized the Company to delegate proxy voting authority to MFSI. MFSI’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures are attached to this Statement of Additional Information as Appendix A (the “Proxy Voting Policy”).

 

Information regarding how the Accumulation Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling collect (423) 755-8913 and on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

After the section entitled “Annuity Payments” on page 36, the following information has been inserted as a new appendix:

 

APPENDIX A

 

MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

September 17, 2003

 

Massachusetts Financial Services Company, MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc. and MFS’ other investment adviser subsidiaries (collectively, “MFS”) have adopted proxy voting policies and procedures, as set forth below, with respect to securities owned by the clients for which MFS serves as investment adviser and has the power to vote proxies, including the registered investment companies included within the MFS Family of Funds (the “MFS Funds”).

 

These policies and procedures include:

 

  A. Voting Guidelines;


  B. Administrative Procedures;

 

  C. Monitoring System;

 

  D. Records Retention; and

 

  E. Reports.

 

  A. VOTING GUIDELINES

 

  1. General Policy; Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

MFS’ policy is that proxy voting decisions are made in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients, and not in the interests of any other party or in MFS’ corporate interests, including interests such as the distribution of MFS Fund shares, administration of 401(k) plans, and institutional relationships.

 

MFS has carefully reviewed matters that in recent years have been presented for shareholder vote by either management or shareholders of public companies. Based on the guiding principle that all votes made by MFS on behalf of its clients must be in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of such clients, MFS has adopted proxy voting guidelines, which are set forth below, that govern how MFS generally plans to vote on specific matters presented for shareholder vote. In all cases, MFS will exercise its discretion to vote these items in accordance with this guiding principle. These underlying guidelines are simply that – guidelines. Each proxy item is considered on a case-by-case basis, in light of all relevant facts and circumstances, and there may be instances in which MFS may vote proxies in a manner different from these guidelines.

 

As a general matter, MFS maintains a consistent voting position with respect to similar proxy proposals made by various issuers. In addition, MFS generally votes consistently on the same matter when securities of an issuer are held by multiple client accounts. However, MFS recognizes that there are gradations in certain types of proposals that might result in different voting positions being taken with respect to the different proxy statements. There also may be situations involving matters presented for shareholder vote that are not clearly governed by the guidelines, such as proposed mergers and acquisitions. Some items that otherwise would be acceptable will be voted against the proponent when it is seeking extremely broad flexibility without offering a valid explanation. MFS reserves the right to override the guidelines with respect to a

 

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particular shareholder vote when such an override is, in MFS’ best judgment, consistent with the guiding principle of voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients.

 

From time to time, MFS receives comments on these guidelines and regarding particular voting issues from its clients. Those comments are reviewed and considered periodically, and these guidelines are reviewed each year with MFS Equity Research Department management, the MFS Proxy Review Group and the MFS Proxy Consultant and are revised as appropriate.

 

These policies and procedures are intended to address any potential material conflicts of interest on the part of MFS or its affiliates that could arise in connection with the voting of proxies on behalf of MFS’ clients. MFS shall be mindful of any and all potential material conflicts of interest that could arise in the voting of these proxies, shall identify, analyze, document and report on any such potential conflicts, and shall ultimately vote these proxies in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of its clients. The MFS Proxy Review Group is responsible for monitoring and reporting on all potential conflicts of interest.

 

  2. MFS’ Policy on Specific Issues

 

Non-Salary Compensation Programs

 

Managements have become increasingly creative and generous with compensation programs involving common stock. The original stock option plans, which called for the optionee to pay the money to exercise the option, are now embellished with no risk benefits such as stock appreciation rights, the use of unexercised options to “buy” stock, and restricted stock at bargain prices.

 

Stock option plans are supposed to reward results rather than tenure, so the use of restricted stock at bargain prices is not favored. In some cases, restricted stock is granted to the recipient at deep discounts to fair market value, sometimes at par value. The holder cannot sell for a period of years, but in the meantime is able to vote and receive dividends. Eventually the restrictions lapse and the stock can be sold.

 

MFS votes against option programs for officers, employees or non-employee directors that do not require an investment by the optionee, that give “free rides” on the stock price, or that permit grants of restricted stock at deep discounts to fair market value. MFS generally votes against stock option plans that involve stock appreciation rights or the use of unexercised options to “buy” stock.

 

MFS opposes plans that provide unduly generous compensation for officers, directors or employees, or could result in excessive dilution to other

 

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shareholders. As a general guideline, MFS votes against stock option plans if all such plans for a particular company involve potential dilution, in the aggregate, of more than 15%.

 

MFS votes in favor of stock option plans for non-employee directors as long as they satisfy the requirements set forth above with respect to stock option plans for employees. Stock option plans that include options for consultants and other third parties not involved in the management of the company generally are opposed by MFS.

 

“Golden Parachutes”

 

From time to time, shareholders of companies have submitted proxy proposals that would require shareholder approval of any severance packages for executive officers that exceed certain predetermined thresholds. MFS votes in favor of such shareholder proposals when they would require shareholder approval of any severance package for an executive officer that exceeds a certain percentage of such officer’s annual compensation. When put to a vote, MFS votes against very large golden parachutes.

 

Anti-Takeover Measures

 

In general, MFS votes against any measure that inhibits capital appreciation in a stock, including a possible takeover and any proposal that protects management from action by shareholders. These types of proposals take many forms, ranging from “poison pills” and “shark repellents” to board classification and super-majority requirements.

 

Reincorporation and Reorganization Proposals

 

When presented with a proposal to reincorporate a company under the laws of a different state, or to effect some other type of corporate reorganization, MFS considers the underlying purpose and ultimate effect of such a proposal in determining whether or not to support such a measure. While MFS generally votes in favor of management proposals that it believes are in the best long-term economic interests of its clients, MFS may oppose such a measure if, for example, the intent or effect would be to create additional inappropriate impediments to possible acquisitions or takeovers.

 

Dilution

 

There are many reasons for issuance of stock and most are legitimate. As noted above under “Non-Salary Compensation Programs”, when a stock option plan (either individually or when aggregated with other plans of the same company) would substantially dilute the existing equity (e.g., by approximately 15% or more), MFS generally votes against the plan. In addition, MFS votes

 

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against proposals where management is asking for authorization to issue common or preferred stock with no reason stated (a “blank check”) because the unexplained authorization could work as a potential anti-takeover device.

 

Confidential Voting

 

MFS votes in favor of proposals to ensure that shareholder voting results are kept confidential. For example, MFS supports proposals that would prevent management from having access to shareholder voting information that is compiled by an independent proxy tabulation firm.

 

Independence of Boards of Directors and Committees Thereof

 

While MFS acknowledges the potential benefits of a company’s inclusion of directors who are “independent” from management, MFS generally opposes shareholder proposals that would require that a majority (or a “super-majority”) of a company’s board be comprised of “independent” directors. Such proposals could inappropriately reduce a company’s ability to engage in certain types of transactions, could result in the exclusion of talented directors who are not deemed “independent”, or could result in the unnecessary addition of additional “independent” directors to a company’s board. However, in view of the special role and responsibilities of various committees of a board of directors, MFS supports proposals that would require that the Audit, Nominating and Compensation Committees be comprised entirely of directors who are deemed “independent” of the company.

 

Independent Auditors

 

Recently, some shareholder groups have submitted proposals to limit the non-audit activities of a company’s audit firm. Some proposals would prohibit the provision of any non-audit services (unless approved in advance by the full board) whereas other proposals would cap non-audit fees so that such fees do not exceed a certain percentage of the audit fees. MFS supports such shareholder proposals that would cap non-audit fees at an amount deemed to be not excessive.

 

Best Practices Standards

 

Best practices standards are rapidly evolving in the corporate governance areas as a result of recent corporate failures, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and revised listing standards on major stock exchanges. MFS generally support these changes. However, many issuers are not publicly registered, are not subject to these enhanced listing standards or are not operating in an environment that is comparable to that in the United States. In reviewing proxy proposals under these circumstances, MFS votes for proposals that enhance standards of corporate governance so long as we believe that — within the circumstances of the environment within which the issuers operate – the proposal is consistent with the best long-term economic interests of our clients.

 

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Foreign Issuers – Share Blocking

 

In accordance with local law or business practices, many foreign companies prevent the sales of shares that have been voted for a certain period beginning prior to the shareholder meeting and ending on the day following the meeting (“share blocking”). Depending on the country in which a company is domiciled, the blocking period may begin a stated number of days prior to the meeting (e.g., one, three or five days) or on a date established by the company. While practices vary, in many countries the block period can be continued for a longer period if the shareholder meeting is adjourned and postponed to a later date. Similarly, practices vary widely as to the ability of a shareholder to have the “block” restriction lifted early (e.g., in some countries shares generally can be “unblocked” up to two days prior to the meeting whereas in other countries the removal of the block appears to be discretionary with the issuer’s transfer agent). Due to these restrictions, MFS must balance the benefits to its clients of voting proxies against the potentially serious portfolio management consequences of a reduced flexibility to sell the underlying shares at the most advantageous time. For companies in countries with potentially long block periods, the disadvantage of being unable to sell the stock regardless of changing conditions generally outweighs the advantages of voting at the shareholder meeting for routine items. Accordingly, MFS generally will not vote those proxies in the absence of an unusual, significant vote. Conversely, for companies domiciled in countries with very short block periods, MFS generally will continue to cast votes in accordance with these policies and procedures.

 

Social Issues

 

There are many groups advocating social change, and many have chosen the publicly-held corporation as a vehicle for their agenda. Common among these are resolutions requiring the corporation to refrain from investing or conducting business in certain countries, to adhere to some list of goals or principles (e.g., environmental standards) or to report on various activities. MFS votes against such proposals unless their shareholder-oriented benefits will outweigh any costs or disruptions to the business, including those that use corporate resources to further a particular social objective outside the business of the company or when no discernible shareholder economic advantage is evident.

 

The laws of various states may regulate how the interests of certain clients subject to those laws are voted. For example, the General Laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts prohibit the investment of state funds, including retirement system assets, in the following types of investments: (i) financial institutions which directly or through any subsidiary have outstanding loans to any individual or corporation engaged in manufacturing, distribution or sale of

 

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firearms, munitions, rubber or plastic bullets, tear gas, armored vehicles or military aircraft for use or deployment in any activity in Northern Ireland; or (ii) any stocks, securities or obligations of any company so engaged.

 

Because of these statutory restrictions, it is necessary when voting proxies for securities held in Massachusetts public pension accounts to support the purpose of this legislation. Thus, on issues relating to these or similar state law questions, it may be necessary to cast ballots differently for these portfolios than MFS might normally do for other accounts.

 

  B. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

 

  1. MFS Proxy Review Group

 

The administration of these policies and procedures is overseen by the MFS Proxy Review Group, which includes senior MFS Legal Department officers and MFS’ Proxy Consultant. The MFS Proxy Review Group:

 

  a. Reviews these policies and procedures at least annually and recommends any amendments considered to be necessary or advisable;

 

  b. Determines whether any material conflicts of interest exist with respect to instances in which (i) MFS seeks to override these guidelines and (ii) votes not clearly governed by these guidelines; and

 

  c. Considers special proxy issues as they may arise from time to time.

 

The current MFS Proxy Consultant is an independent proxy consultant who performs these services exclusively for MFS.

 

  2. Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

The MFS Proxy Review Group is responsible for monitoring potential material conflicts of interest on the part of MFS or its affiliates that could arise in connection with the voting of proxies on behalf of MFS’ clients. Any attempt to influence MFS’ voting on a particular proxy matter should be reported to the MFS Proxy Review Group. The MFS Proxy Consultant will assist the MFS Proxy Review Group in carrying out these responsibilities.

 

In cases where proxies are voted in accordance with these policies and guidelines, no conflict of interest will be deemed to exist. In cases where (i) MFS is considering overriding these policies and guidelines, or (ii) matters presented for vote are not clearly governed by these policies and guidelines, the MFS Proxy Review Group and the MFS Proxy Consultant will follow these procedures:

 

  a. Compare the name of the issuer of such proxy against a list of significant current and potential (i) distributors of MFS Fund shares, (ii) retirement plans administered by MFS, and (iii) MFS institutional clients (the “MFS Significant Client List”);

 

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  b. If the name of the issuer does not appear on the MFS Significant Client List, then no material conflict of interest will be deemed to exist, and the proxy will be voted as otherwise determined by the MFS Proxy Review Group;

 

  c. If the name of the issuer appears on the MFS Significant Client List, then the MFS Proxy Review Group will carefully evaluate the proposed votes in order to ensure that the proxy ultimately is voted in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients, and not in MFS’ corporate interests; and

 

  d. For all potential material conflicts of interest identified under clause (c) above, the MFS Proxy Review Group will document: the name of the issuer, the issuer’s relationship to MFS, the analysis of the matters submitted for proxy vote, and the basis for the determination that the votes ultimately were cast in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients, and not in MFS’ corporate interests.

 

The MFS Proxy Review Group is responsible for creating and maintaining the MFS Significant Client List, in consultation with MFS’ distribution, retirement plan administration and institutional business units. The MFS Significant Client List will be reviewed and updated as necessary, but no less frequently than quarterly.

 

  3. Gathering Proxies

 

Nearly all proxies received by MFS originate at Automatic Data Processing Corp. (“ADP”). ADP and issuers send proxies and related material directly to the record holders of the shares beneficially owned by MFS’ clients, usually to the client’s custodian or, less commonly, to the client itself. Each client’s custodian is responsible for forwarding all proxy solicitation materials to MFS (except in the case of certain institutional clients for which MFS does not vote proxies). This material will include proxy cards, reflecting the proper shareholdings of Funds and of clients on the record dates for such shareholder meetings, and proxy statements, the issuer’s explanation of the items to be voted upon.

 

MFS, on behalf of itself and the Funds, has entered into an agreement with an independent proxy administration firm, Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (the “Proxy Administrator”), pursuant to which the Proxy Administrator performs

 

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various proxy vote processing and recordkeeping functions for MFS’ Fund and institutional client accounts. The Proxy Administrator does not make recommendations to MFS as to how to vote any particular item. The Proxy Administrator receives proxy statements and proxy cards directly from various custodians, logs these materials into its database and matches upcoming meetings with MFS Fund and client portfolio holdings, which are input into the Proxy Administrator’s system by an MFS holdings datafeed. Through the use of the Proxy Administrator system, ballots and proxy material summaries for the upcoming shareholders’ meetings of over 10,000 corporations are available on-line to certain MFS employees, the MFS Proxy Consultant and the MFS Proxy Review Group and most proxies can be voted electronically. In addition to receiving the hard copies of materials relating to meetings of shareholders of issuers whose securities are held by the Funds and/or clients, the ballots and proxy statements can be printed from the Proxy Administrator’s system and forwarded for review.

 

  4. Analyzing Proxies

 

After input into the Proxy Administrator system, proxies which are deemed to be completely routine (e.g., those involving only uncontested elections of directors, appointments of auditors, and/or employee stock purchase plans)1 are automatically voted in favor by the Proxy Administrator without being sent to either the MFS Proxy Consultant or the MFS Proxy Review Group for further review. Proxies that pertain only to merger and acquisition proposals are forwarded initially to an appropriate MFS portfolio manager or research analyst for his or her recommendation. All proxies that are reviewed by either the MFS Proxy Consultant or a portfolio manager or analyst are then forwarded with the corresponding recommendation to the MFS Proxy Review Group.2

 

Recommendations with respect to voting on non-routine issues are generally made by the MFS Proxy Consultant in accordance with the policies summarized under “Voting Guidelines,” and all other relevant materials. His or her recommendation as to how each proxy proposal should be voted is indicated on copies of proxy cards, including his or her rationale on significant items. These cards are then forwarded to the MFS Proxy Review Group.


1 Proxies for foreign companies often contain significantly more voting items than those of U.S. companies. Many of these items on foreign proxies involve repetitive, non-controversial matters that are mandated by local law. Accordingly, there is an expanded list of items that are deemed routine (and therefore automatically voted in favor) for foreign issuers, including the following: (i) receiving financial statements or other reports from the board; (ii) approval of declarations of dividends; (iii) appointment of shareholders to sign board meeting minutes; (iv) the discharge of management and supervisory boards; and (v) approval of share repurchase programs.
2 From time to time, due to travel schedules and other commitments, an appropriate portfolio manager or research analyst is not available to provide a recommendation on a merger or acquisition proposal. If such a recommendation cannot be obtained within a few business days prior to the shareholder meeting, the MFS Proxy Review Group will determine the vote in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of its clients.

 

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As a general matter, portfolio managers and investment analysts are consulted and involved in developing MFS’ substantive proxy voting guidelines, but have little or no involvement in or knowledge of proxy proposals or voting positions taken by MFS. This is designed to promote consistency in the application of MFS’ voting guidelines, to promote consistency in voting on the same or similar issues (for the same or for multiple issuers) across all client accounts, and to minimize or remove the potential that proxy solicitors, issuers, and third parties might attempt to exert influence on the vote or might create a conflict of interest that is not in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of our clients. In limited, specific instances (e.g., mergers), the MFS Proxy Consultant or the MFS Proxy Review Group may consult with or seek recommendations from portfolio managers or analysts. The MFS Proxy Review Group would ultimately determine the manner in which all proxies are voted.

 

As noted above, MFS reserves the right to override the guidelines when such an override is, in MFS’ best judgment, consistent with the guiding principle of voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of MFS’ clients. Any such override of the guidelines shall be examined, explained and reported in accordance with the procedures set forth in these policies.

 

  5. Voting Proxies

 

After the proxy card copies are reviewed, they are voted electronically through the Proxy Administrator’s system. In accordance with its contract with MFS, the Proxy Administrator also generates a variety of reports for the MFS Proxy Consultant and the MFS Proxy Review Group, and makes available on-line various other types of information so that the MFS Proxy Review Group and the MFS Proxy Consultant may monitor the votes cast by the Proxy Administrator on behalf of MFS’ clients.

 

  C. MONITORING SYSTEM

 

It is the responsibility of the Proxy Administrator and MFS’ Proxy Consultant to monitor the proxy voting process. As noted above, when proxy materials for clients are received, they are forwarded to the Proxy Administrator and are input into the Proxy Administrator’s system. Additionally, through an interface with the portfolio holdings database of MFS, the Proxy Administrator matches a list of all MFS Funds and clients who hold shares of a company’s stock and the number of shares held on the record date with the Proxy Administrator’s listing of any upcoming shareholder’s meeting of that company.

 

When the Proxy Administrator’s system “tickler” shows that the date of a shareholders’ meeting is approaching, a Proxy Administrator representative

 

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checks that the vote for MFS Funds and clients holding that security has been recorded in the computer system. If a proxy card has not been received from the client’s custodian, the Proxy Administrator calls the custodian requesting that the materials be forward immediately. If it is not possible to receive the proxy card from the custodian in time to be voted at the meeting, MFS may instruct the custodian to cast the vote in the manner specified and to mail the proxy directly to the issuer.

 

  D. RECORDS RETENTION

 

MFS will retain copies of these policies and procedures in effect from time to time and will retain all proxy voting reports submitted to the Board of Trustees and Board of Managers of the MFS Funds for a period of six years. Proxy solicitation materials, including electronic versions of the proxy cards completed by the MFS Proxy Consultant and the MFS Proxy Review Group, together with their respective notes and comments, are maintained in an electronic format by the Proxy Administrator and are accessible on-line by the MFS Proxy Consultant and the MFS Proxy Review Group. All proxy voting materials and supporting documentation, including records generated by the Proxy Administrator’s system as to proxies processed, the dates when proxies were received and returned, and the votes on each company’s proxy issues, are retained for six years.

 

  E. REPORTS

 

MFS Funds

 

Periodically, MFS will report the results of its voting to the Board of Trustees and Board of Managers of the MFS Funds. These reports will include: (i) a listing of how votes were cast; (ii) a review of situations where MFS did not vote in accordance with the guidelines and the rationale therefor; (iii) a review of the procedures used by MFS to identify material conflicts of interest; and (iv) a review of these policies and the guidelines and, as necessary or appropriate, any proposed modifications thereto to reflect new developments in corporate governance and other issues. Based on these reviews, the Trustees and Managers of the MFS Funds will consider possible modifications to these policies to the extent necessary or advisable.

 

All MFS Advisory Clients

 

At any time, a report can be printed by MFS for each client who has requested that MFS furnish a record of votes cast. The report specifies the proxy issues which have been voted for the client during the year and the position taken with respect to each issue.

 

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Generally, MFS will not divulge actual voting practices to any party other than the client or its representatives (unless required by applicable law) because we consider that information to be confidential and proprietary to the client.

 

PLEASE RETAIN THIS SUPPLEMENT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

 

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