Statement of Additional Information

December 29, 2023

P.O. Box 534437, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4437 (regular mail)

Attention: 534437, 500 Ross Street, 154-0520, Pittsburgh, PA 15262 (overnight courier service)

For a Prospectus, Performance, and Information on Existing Accounts: 800 523-1918
For Dealer Services (Broker/Dealers only): 800 362-7500

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) supplements the information contained in the current prospectus (the “Prospectus”), dated December 29, 2023, as it may be amended from time to time, for each of the municipal bond funds listed above (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).

This SAI should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus. This SAI is not itself a prospectus but is, in its entirety, incorporated by reference into the Prospectus.

The Prospectus may be obtained through our website at delawarefunds.com/literature; by writing or calling your financial advisor; or by contacting the Funds' distributor, Delaware Distributors, L.P. (the “Distributor”), at the above addresses, or by calling the above phone numbers. Please do not send any correspondence to 100 Independence, 610 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2354. The Funds' financial statements, the notes relating thereto, the financial highlights, and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm are incorporated by reference from each Fund's annual report (“Annual Report”) into this SAI. An Annual Report will accompany any request for this SAI. An Annual Report can be obtained, without charge, by calling 800 523-1918.

	Page
Organization and Classification	3
Investment Objectives, Restrictions, and Policies	3
Investment Strategies and Risks	5
Insurance	21
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings Information	23
Management of the Trust	24
Code of Ethics	33
Proxy Voting Policy	33
Investment Manager and Other Service Providers	34
Portfolio Managers	37
Trading Practices and Brokerage	38
Capital Structure	39
Purchasing Shares	40
Investment Plans	46
Determining Offering Price and Net Asset Value	47
Redemption and Exchange	48
Distributions and Taxes	52
Performance Information	60
Financial Statements	60
Principal Holders	61
Appendix A: Description of Ratings	66

Organization and Classification

This SAI describes the Funds, which are series of Delaware Group​® Tax-Free Fund and Voyageur Mutual Funds (individually and collectively, the “Trust”). Each Fund offers Class A and Class C shares (collectively, the “Retail Classes”). Each Fund also offers an Institutional Class (together with the Retail Classes, the “Classes”). All references to “shares” in this SAI refer to all classes of shares of the Funds, except where noted. The Funds' investment manager is Delaware Management Company (the “Manager”), a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (a Delaware statutory trust).

Organization

Delaware Group Tax-Free Fund was originally organized as a Maryland corporation on August 17, 1983. Voyageur Mutual Funds was originally organized as a Minnesota corporation in April 1993. The Trust was reorganized as Delaware statutory trusts on November 1, 1999.

Effective as of the close of business on December 4, 2020, Delaware Tax-Exempt Income Fund, a series of Delaware Group Limited-Term Government Funds, merged into Delaware Tax-Free USA Intermediate Fund and Delaware Tax-Exempt Opportunities Fund, a series of Delaware Group Limited-Term Government Funds, merged into Delaware Tax-Free USA Fund.

Effective as of the close of business on September 15, 2023, Delaware Ivy Municipal Bond Fund, a series of Ivy Funds, merged into Delaware Tax-Free USA Fund, and Delaware Ivy Municipal High Income Fund, a series of Ivy Funds, merged into Delaware National High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund.

Classification

Each Trust is an open-end management investment company.

Each Fund's portfolio of assets is diversified as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The 1940 Act requires a “diversified” fund, with respect to 75% of the value of its total assets, to invest (1) no more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets in the securities of any one issuer and (2) in no more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. This limitation generally requires a diversified fund to invest in securities issued by a minimum of 16 issuers. This limitation cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a “majority” of a Fund's outstanding shares as described below.

Investment Objectives, Restrictions, and Policies

Investment Objectives

Each Fund's investment objective is described in the Prospectus. Each Fund's investment objective is nonfundamental, and may be changed without shareholder approval. However, the Trust's Board of Trustees (“Board”) must approve any changes to nonfundamental investment objectives, and a Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days prior to a material change in the Fund's investment objective.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

Each Fund has adopted the following restrictions that cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a “majority” of the Fund's outstanding shares, which is a vote by the holders of the lesser of: (i) 67% or more of the voting securities present in person or by proxy at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities. The percentage limitations contained in the restrictions and policies set forth herein apply at the time of purchase of securities.

Each Fund shall not:

1. Make investments that will result in the concentration (as that term may be defined in the 1940 Act, any rule or order thereunder, or U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff interpretation thereof) of its investments in the securities of issuers primarily engaged in the same industry, provided that this restriction does not limit the Fund from investing in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or in tax-exempt obligations.

2. Borrow money or issue senior securities, except as the 1940 Act, any rule or order thereunder, or SEC staff interpretation thereof, may permit.

3. Underwrite the securities of other issuers, except that the Fund may engage in transactions involving the acquisition, disposition, or resale of its portfolio securities under circumstances where it may be considered to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).

4. Purchase or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund from investing in issuers which invest, deal, or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, or investing in securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein.

5. Purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving futures contracts and options thereon or investing in securities that are secured by physical commodities.

Investment Objectives, Restrictions, and Policies

6. Make personal loans or loans of its assets to persons who control or are under common control with a Fund, except as the 1940 Act, any rule or order thereunder, or SEC staff interpretation thereof, may permit. This restriction does not prevent a Fund from, among other things, purchasing debt obligations, entering into repurchase agreements, loaning its assets to broker/dealers or institutional investors, or investing in loans, including assignments and participation interests.

Nonfundamental Investment Restrictions

In addition to the fundamental investment policies and investment restrictions described above, and the various general investment policies described in the Prospectus, each Fund will be subject to the following investment restriction, which is considered nonfundamental and may be changed by each Fund's respective Board without shareholder approval: Each Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in securities that it cannot sell or dispose of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value that the Fund has valued the investment.

Except for the Funds' policy with respect to borrowing, any investment restriction or limitation that involves a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be considered to be violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after an acquisition of securities or a utilization of assets and such excess results therefrom.

Concentration Policy. In applying each Fund's concentration policy (i.e., investing more than 25% of its net assets in the securities of issuers primarily engaged in the same industry) described above: (i) utility companies will be divided according to their services, for example, gas, gas transmission, electric, and telephone will each be considered a separate industry; (ii) financial service companies will be classified according to the end users of their services, for example, automobile finance, bank finance, and diversified finance will each be considered a separate industry; and (iii) asset-backed securities will be classified according to the underlying assets securing such securities.

National High-Yield Fund may not invest more than 25% of its net assets in the securities of any industry, although, for purposes of this limitation, tax-exempt securities and United States government obligations are not considered to be part of any industry. The Fund may invest more than 25% of its net assets in industrial development revenue bonds. In addition, it is possible that from time to time the Fund will invest more than 25% of its net assets in a particular segment of the municipal bond market, such as housing, health care, utility, transportation, education or industrial obligations. In such circumstances, economic, business, political or other changes affecting one bond (such as proposed legislation affecting the financing of a project; shortages or price increases of needed materials; or a declining market or need for the project) might also affect other bonds in the same segment, thereby potentially increasing market or credit risk.

Housing Obligations. A Fund may invest, from time to time, more than 25% of its net assets in obligations of public bodies, including state and municipal housing authorities, issued to finance the purchase of single-family mortgage loans or the construction of multifamily housing projects. Economic and political developments, including fluctuations in interest rates, increasing construction and operating costs and reductions in federal housing subsidy programs, may adversely impact on revenues of housing authorities. Furthermore, adverse economic conditions may result in an increasing rate of default of mortgagors on the underlying mortgage loans. In the case of some housing authorities, inability to obtain additional financing also could reduce revenues available to pay existing obligations. Single-family mortgage revenue bonds are subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption at par at any time in whole or in part from the proceeds derived from prepayments of underlying mortgage loans and also from the unused proceeds of the issue within a stated period which may be within a year from the date of issue.

Health Care Obligations. A Fund may invest, from time to time, more than 25% of its net assets in obligations issued by public bodies, including state and municipal authorities, to finance hospital or health care facilities or equipment. The ability of any health care entity or hospital to make payments in amounts sufficient to pay maturing principal and interest obligations is generally subject to, among other things, the capabilities of its management, the confidence of physicians in management, the availability of physicians and trained support staff, changes in the population or economic condition of the service area, the level of and restrictions on federal funding of Medicare and federal and state funding of Medicaid, the demand for services, competition, rates, government regulations and licensing requirements and future economic and other conditions, including any future health care reform.

Utility Obligations. A Fund may invest, from time to time, more than 25% of its net assets in obligations issued by public bodies, including state and municipal utility authorities, to finance the operation or expansion of utilities. Various future economic and other conditions may adversely impact utility entities, including inflation, increases in financing requirements, increases in raw material costs and other operating costs, changes in the demand for services and the effects of environmental and other governmental regulations.

Transportation Obligations. A Fund may invest, from time to time, more than 25% of its net assets in obligations issued by public bodies, including state and municipal authorities, to finance airports and highway, bridge and toll road facilities. The major portion of an airport's gross operating income is generally derived from fees received from signatory airlines pursuant to use agreements which consist of annual payments for airport use, occupancy of certain terminal space, service fees and leases. Airport operating income may therefore be affected by the ability of the airlines to meet their obligations under the use agreements. The air transport industry is experiencing significant variations in earnings and traffic, due to increased competition, excess capacity, increased costs, deregulation, traffic constraints and other factors, and several airlines are experiencing severe financial difficulties. The revenues of issuers which derive their payments from bridge, road or tunnel toll revenues could be adversely affected by competition from toll-free vehicular bridges and roads and alternative modes of transportation. Such revenues could also be adversely affected by a reduction in the availability of fuel to motorists or significant increases in the costs thereof.

Education Obligations. A Fund may invest, from time to time, more than 25% of its net assets in obligations of issuers which are, or which govern the operation of, schools, colleges and universities and whose revenues are derived mainly from tuition, dormitory revenues, grants and endowments. General problems of such issuers include the prospect of a declining percentage of the population consisting of college aged individuals, possible inability to raise tuition and fees sufficiently to cover increased operating costs, the uncertainty of continued receipt of federal grants, state funding and alumni support, and government legislation or regulations which may adversely affect the revenues or costs of such issuers.

Industrial Revenue Obligations. A Fund may invest, from time to time, more than 25% of its net assets in obligations issued by public bodies, including state and municipal authorities, to finance the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving various industrial projects. These projects are usually operated by corporate entities. Issuers are obligated only to pay amounts due on the bonds to the extent that funds are available from the unexpended proceeds of the bonds or receipts or revenues of the issuer under an arrangement between the issuer and the corporate operator of a project. The arrangement may be in the form of a lease, installment sale agreement, conditional sale agreement or loan agreement, but in each case the payments of the issuer are designed to be sufficient to meet the payments of amounts due on the bonds. Regardless of the structure, payment of bonds is solely dependent upon the creditworthiness of the corporate operator of the project and, if applicable, the corporate guarantor. Corporate operators or guarantors may be affected by many factors which may have an adverse impact on the credit quality of the particular company or industry. These include cyclicality of revenues and earnings, regulatory and environmental restrictions, litigation resulting from accidents or deterioration resulting from leveraged buy-outs or takeovers. The bonds may be subject to special or extraordinary redemption provisions which may provide for redemption at par or accredited value, plus, if applicable, a premium.

Other Risks. The exclusion from gross income for purposes of federal income tax for certain housing, health care, utility, transportation, education and industrial revenue bonds depends on compliance with relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). The failure to comply with these provisions could cause the interest on the bonds to become includable in gross income, possibly retroactively to the date of issuance, thereby reducing the value of the bonds, subjecting shareholders to unanticipated tax liabilities and possibly requiring a Fund to sell the bonds at the reduced value. Furthermore, such a failure to meet these ongoing requirements may not enable the holder to accelerate payment of the bond or require the issuer to redeem the bond.

Portfolio Turnover

Portfolio trading will be undertaken principally to accomplish each Fund's respective investment objective. The Funds are free to dispose of portfolio securities at any time, subject to complying with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), and the 1940 Act, when changes in circumstances or conditions make such a move desirable in light of a Fund's respective investment objective. The Funds will not attempt to achieve or be limited to a predetermined rate of portfolio turnover. Such turnover always will be incidental to transactions undertaken with a view to achieving each Fund's respective investment objective.

The portfolio turnover rate tells you the amount of trading activity in a Fund's portfolio. A turnover rate of 100% would occur, for example, if all of a Fund's investments held at the beginning of a year were replaced by the end of the year, or if a single investment was frequently traded. The turnover rate also may be affected by cash requirements from redemptions and repurchases of a Fund's shares. A high rate of portfolio turnover in any year may increase brokerage commissions paid and could generate taxes for shareholders on realized investment gains. In investing to achieve its investment objective, a Fund may hold securities for any period of time.

It is generally anticipated that a Fund's portfolio turnover rate will be less than 100% but it is possible that a Fund's portfolio turnover may exceed 100%.

For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2022 and 2023, the Funds' portfolio turnover rates were as follows:

Investment Strategies and Risks

The Funds' investment objectives, strategies, and risks are described in the Prospectus. Certain additional information is provided below. The following discussion supplements the description of the Funds' investment strategies and risks that are included in the Prospectus. The Funds' investment strategies are nonfundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval.

Tax-Exempt Obligations—Generally

The Funds invest primarily in tax-exempt obligations, often referred to as municipal bonds. The term “Tax-Exempt Obligations” refers to debt obligations issued by or on behalf of a state or that state's counties, municipalities, authorities, agencies, or other subdivisions, as well as by the District of Columbia and United States territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, or the US Virgin Islands. These securities generally pay interest free from federal income tax (except, in certain instances, the alternative minimum tax, which will depend on a shareholder's tax status) and from state personal income taxes, if any, for residents of that state. Generally for all Tax-Exempt Obligations, the issuer pays a fixed, floating or variable rate of interest, and must repay the amount borrowed (the

Investment Strategies and Risks

“principal”) at maturity. Tax-Exempt Obligations are issued to raise money for a variety of public or private purposes, including financing state or local government, specific projects, or public facilities. Tax-Exempt Obligations are classified as general or revenue obligations.

The value of the Tax-Exempt Obligations may be highly sensitive to events affecting the fiscal stability of the municipalities, agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities that issue securities. In particular, economic, legislative, regulatory, or political developments affecting the ability of the issuers to pay interest or repay principal may significantly affect the value of a Fund's investments. These developments can include or arise from, for example, insolvency of an issuer, uncertainties related to the tax status of municipal securities, tax base erosion, state or federal constitutional limits on tax increases or other actions, budget deficits and other financial difficulties, or changes in the credit ratings assigned to municipal issuers.

Securities in which the Funds may invest, including Tax-Exempt Obligations, are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the federal Bankruptcy Code, and laws, if any, which may be enacted by the US Congress or a state's legislature extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations within constitutional limitations. There is also the possibility that, as a result of litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of issuers to meet their obligations for the payment of interest on, and principal of, their Tax-Exempt Obligations may be materially affected.

From time to time, legislation, some of which became law, has been introduced in the US Congress for the purpose of restricting the availability of, or eliminating the federal income tax exemption for, interest on Tax-Exempt Obligations. Additional proposals may be introduced in the future which, if enacted, could affect the availability of Tax-Exempt Obligations for investment by the Funds and the value of each Fund's portfolio. In such event, management of the Funds may discontinue the issuance of shares to new investors and may reevaluate each Fund's investment objective and policies and submit possible changes in the structure of each Fund for shareholder approval.

To the extent that the ratings given by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody's”), Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC (“S&P”), or Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) for Tax-Exempt Obligations may change as a result of changes in such organizations or their rating systems, the Funds will attempt to use comparable ratings as standards for their investments in accordance with the investment policies contained in the Funds' Prospectus and this SAI. The ratings of Moody's, S&P, and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of the Tax-Exempt Obligations, which they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. Although these ratings provide an initial criterion for selection of portfolio investments, the Manager will subject these securities to other evaluative criteria prior to investing in such securities.

General obligation bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns, and regional districts. The proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects, including construction or improvement of schools, highways, and roads. The basic security behind general obligation bonds is the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to the rate or amount of special assessments.

Revenue bonds. The full faith, credit, and taxing power of the issuer do not secure revenue bonds. Instead, the principal security for a revenue bond generally is the net revenue derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or, in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source. Revenue bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects, including: electric, gas, water, and sewer systems; highways, bridges, and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. The principal security behind these bonds may vary. For example, housing finance authorities have a wide range of security, including partially or fully insured mortgages, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or the net revenues from housing or other public projects. Many bonds provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund that may be used to make principal and interest payments. Some authorities have further security in the form of state assurances (although without obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund. As a result, an investment in revenue obligations is subject to greater risk of delay or non-payment if revenue does not accrue as expected or if other conditions are not met for reasons outside the control of a Fund. Conversely, if revenue accrues more quickly than anticipated, a Fund may receive payment before expected and have difficulty reinvesting the proceeds on equally favorable terms.

Derivatives Instruments

The Funds may invest in some or all of the following types of derivatives instruments: futures, options, options on futures contracts, and swaps, all of which are described in more detail in this section of the SAI. Each Fund may invest up to an aggregate of 20% of its net assets in futures, options, swaps, and other taxable investments and securities that are rated below investment grade, except for National High-Yield Fund, which may invest without limit in securities that are rated below investment grade.

Generally, derivatives are financial instruments whose values depend on or are derived from the value of one or more underlying assets, reference rates, indices, or other market factors (a “reference instrument”) and may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies, commodities, or related indices. Derivatives instruments allow a Fund to gain or reduce exposure to the value of a reference instrument without actually owning or selling the instrument.

A Fund may value derivatives instruments at market value, notional value, or full exposure value (i.e., the sum of the notional amount for the contract plus the market value). The manner in which certain securities or other instruments are valued by a Fund may differ from the manner in which those investments are valued by other types of investors.

Exclusion from commodity pool operator definition. The Manager has claimed an exclusion from the definition of “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) with respect to the Funds under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and, therefore, is

not subject to CFTC registration or regulation as a CPO. In addition, the Manager, although registered as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) with the CFTC, provides commodity interest trading advice to the Funds as if the Manager was exempt from CTA registration in reliance on applicable rules of the CFTC.

The terms of the CPO exclusion require a Fund, among other things, to adhere to certain limits on its investments in “commodity interests.” Commodity interests include commodity futures, commodity options, and certain swaps, which in turn include nondeliverable currency forwards, as further described below. Because the Manager intends to comply with the terms of the CPO exclusion with respect to the Funds, each Fund may, in the future, need to adjust its investment strategies, consistent with its investment goal, to limit its investments in these types of instruments. The Funds are not intended as vehicles for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options, or swaps markets. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the Manager's reliance on the CPO exclusion, the Manager's provision of services as an exempt CTA, or the Funds, their respective strategies, or this SAI.

Generally, the exclusion from CPO definition and regulation on which the Manager relies requires a Fund to meet one of the following tests for its commodity interest positions, other than positions entered into for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined in the rules of the CFTC): either (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the Funds' positions in commodity interests may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Funds' portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of the Funds' commodity interest positions, determined at the time the most recent such position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Funds' portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of these trading limitations, a Fund may not be marketed as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options, or swaps markets. If, in the future, a Fund can no longer satisfy these requirements, the Manager would withdraw the notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of a CPO for the Fund, and the Manager would be subject to registration and regulation as a CPO with respect to the Fund, in accordance with CFTC rules that apply to CPOs of registered investment companies. Generally, these rules allow for substituted compliance with CFTC disclosure and shareholder reporting requirements, based on the Manager's compliance with comparable SEC requirements. However, as a result of CFTC regulation, a Fund may incur additional compliance and other expenses.

Developing government regulation of derivatives. The regulation of cleared and uncleared swaps, as well as other derivatives, is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. In addition, the SEC, CFTC, and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits, and the suspension of trading.

It is not possible to predict fully the effects of current or future regulation. However, it is possible that developments in government regulation of various types of derivatives instruments may prevent the Funds from using or limit the Funds' use of these instruments effectively as a part of its investment strategy, and could adversely affect the Funds' ability to achieve its investment objective(s). The Manager will continue to monitor developments in this area. New requirements, even if not directly applicable to a Fund, may increase the cost of the Funds' investments and cost of doing business.

Duration

Most debt obligations provide interest (coupon) payments in addition to a final (par) payment at maturity. Some obligations also have call provisions. Depending on the relative magnitude of these payments and the nature of the call provisions, the market values of debt obligations may respond differently to changes in the level and structure of interest rates. Traditionally, a debt security's term-to-maturity has been used as a proxy for the sensitivity of the security's price to changes in interest rates (which is the interest rate risk or volatility of the security). However, term-to-maturity measures only the time until a debt security provides its final payment, taking no account of the pattern of the security's payments prior to maturity.

Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income security on a present value basis that was developed as a more precise alternative to the concept of term-to-maturity. Duration incorporates a bond's yield, coupon interest payments, final maturity, and call features into one measure. Duration is one of the fundamental tools used by the Manager in the selection of fixed income securities. Duration takes the length of the time intervals between the present time and the time that the interest and principal payments are scheduled or, in the case of a callable bond, expected to be received, and weights them by the present values of the cash to be received at each future point in time. For any fixed income security with interest payments occurring prior to the payment of principal, duration is always less than maturity. In general, all other factors being the same, the lower the stated or coupon rate of interest of a fixed income security, the longer the duration of the security; conversely, the higher the stated or coupon rate of interest of a fixed income security, the shorter the duration of the security.

There are some situations where even the standard duration calculation does not properly reflect the interest rate exposure of a security. For example, floating and variable rate securities often have final maturities of 10 or more years; however, their interest rate exposure corresponds to the frequency of the coupon reset. Another example where the interest rate exposure is not properly captured by duration is the case of mortgage pass-through securities. The stated final maturity of such securities is generally 30 years, but current prepayment rates are more critical in determining the securities' interest rate exposure. In these and other similar situations, the Manager will use sophisticated analytical techniques that incorporate the economic life of a security into the determination of its interest rate exposure.

Futures and Options on Futures

The Funds may enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery of securities or contracts based on securities indices including any index of securities to which a Fund may seek exposure (“futures contracts”) and may purchase and write put and call options to buy or sell futures contracts (“options

Investment Strategies and Risks

on futures contracts”). Each Fund may invest up to an aggregate of 20% of its net assets in futures, options, swaps, and other taxable investments and securities that are rated below investment grade, except for National High-Yield Fund, which may invest without limit in securities that are rated below investment grade.

The Funds may use futures transactions to hedge against market risk and facilitate portfolio management. Futures may be used to attempt to protect against possible declines in the market value of a Fund's portfolio resulting from downward trends in the debt securities markets (generally due to a rise in interest rates), to protect the Fund's unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund's portfolio or to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities. Other transactions may be used by the Funds in the future for hedging purposes as they are developed to the extent deemed appropriate by the Board.

Futures contracts. Generally, a futures contract is a standard binding agreement to buy or sell a specified quantity of an underlying reference instrument, such as a specific security, currency or commodity, at a specified price at a specified later date. A “sale” of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the underlying reference instrument called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A “purchase” of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to acquire the underlying reference instrument called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchase or sale of a futures contract will allow a Fund to increase or decrease its exposure to the underlying reference instrument without having to buy the actual instrument.

The underlying reference instruments to which futures contracts may relate include non-US currencies, interest rates, stock and bond indices, and debt securities, including US government debt obligations. In most cases the contractual obligation under a futures contract may be offset, or “closed out,” before the settlement date so that the parties do not have to make or take delivery. The closing out of a contractual obligation is usually accomplished by buying or selling, as the case may be, an identical, offsetting futures contract. This transaction, which is effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation to make or take delivery of the underlying instrument or asset. Although some futures contracts by their terms require the actual delivery or acquisition of the underlying instrument or asset, some require cash settlement.

Futures contracts may be bought and sold on US and non-US exchanges. Futures contracts in the US have been designed by exchanges that have been designated “contract markets” by the CFTC and must be executed through a futures commission merchant (“FCM”), which is a brokerage firm that is a member of the relevant contract market. Each exchange guarantees performance of the contracts as between the clearing members of the exchange, thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default. Futures contracts may also be entered into on certain exempt markets, including exempt boards of trade and electronic trading facilities, available to certain market participants. Because all transactions in the futures market are made, offset, or fulfilled by an FCM through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded, a Fund will incur brokerage fees when it buys or sells futures contracts.

The Funds generally buy and sell futures contracts only on contract markets (including exchanges or boards of trade) where there appears to be an active market for the futures contracts, but there is no assurance that an active market will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. An active market makes it more likely that futures contracts will be liquid and bought and sold at competitive market prices. In addition, many of the futures contracts available may be relatively new instruments without a significant trading history. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active market will develop or continue to exist.

When a Fund enters into a futures contract, it must deliver to an account controlled by the FCM (that has been selected by the Fund), an amount referred to as “initial margin” that is typically calculated as an amount equal to the volatility in the market value of a contract over a fixed period. Initial margin requirements are determined by the respective exchanges on which the futures contracts are traded and the FCM. Thereafter, a “variation margin” amount may be required to be paid by a Fund or received by the Fund in accordance with margin controls set for such accounts, depending upon changes in the marked-to-market value of the futures contract. The account is marked-to-market daily and the variation margin is monitored by the Manager and the Funds' custodian on a daily basis. When the futures contract is closed out, if a Fund has a loss equal to or greater than the margin amount, the margin amount is paid to the FCM along with any loss in excess of the margin amount. If a Fund has a loss of less than the margin amount, the excess margin is returned to the Fund. If a Fund has a gain, the full margin amount and the amount of the gain are paid to the Fund.

Some futures contracts provide for the delivery of securities that are different than those that are specified in the contract. For a futures contract for delivery of debt securities, on the settlement date of the contract, adjustments to the contract can be made to recognize differences in value arising from the delivery of debt securities with a different interest rate from that of the particular debt securities that were specified in the contract. In some cases, securities called for by a futures contract may not have been issued when the contract was written.

Risks of futures contracts. A Fund's use of futures contracts is subject to the risks associated with derivatives instruments generally. In addition, a purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses to a Fund in excess of the amount that the Fund delivered as initial margin. Because of the relatively low margin deposits required, futures trading involves a high degree of leverage; as a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss, or gain, to a Fund. In addition, if a Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements or close out a futures position, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. Adverse market movements could cause a Fund to experience substantial losses on an investment in a futures contract.

There is a risk of loss by a Fund of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Fund has an open position in a futures contract. The assets of a Fund may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Fund might

be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM's customers. If the FCM does not provide accurate reporting, a Fund is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Fund's assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM's other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty.

A Fund may not be able to properly hedge or effect its strategy when a liquid market is unavailable for the futures contract the Fund wishes to close, which may at times occur. In addition, when futures contracts are used for hedging, there may be an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the underlying reference instrument on which the futures contract is based and movements in the prices of the assets sought to be hedged.

If the Manager's investment judgment about the general direction of market prices or interest or currency exchange rates is incorrect, a Fund's overall performance will be poorer than if it had not entered into a futures contract. For example, if a Fund has purchased futures to hedge against the possibility of an increase in interest rates that would adversely affect the price of bonds held in its portfolio and interest rates instead decrease, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of the bonds which it has hedged. This is because its losses in its futures positions will offset some or all of its gains from the increased value of the bonds.

The difference (called the “spread”) between prices in the cash market for the purchase and sale of the underlying reference instrument and the prices in the futures market is subject to fluctuations and distortions due to differences in the nature of those two markets. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to initial deposit and variation margin requirements. Rather than meeting additional variation margin requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions that could distort the normal pricing spread between the cash and futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery of the underlying instrument. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, resulting in pricing distortion. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the margin deposit requirements that apply in the futures market are less onerous than similar margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary price distortions. When such distortions occur, a correct forecast of general trends in the price of an underlying reference instrument by the Manager may still not necessarily result in a profitable transaction.

Futures contracts that are traded on non-US exchanges may not be as liquid as those purchased on CFTC-designated contract markets. In addition, non-US futures contracts may be subject to varied regulatory oversight. The price of any non-US futures contract and, therefore, the potential profit and loss thereon, may be affected by any change in the non-US exchange rate between the time a particular order is placed and the time it is liquidated, offset or exercised.

The CFTC and the various exchanges have established limits referred to as “speculative position limits” on the maximum net long or net short position that any person, such as a Fund, may hold or control in a particular futures contract. Trading limits are also imposed on the maximum number of contracts that any person may trade on a particular trading day. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of these limits and it may impose other sanctions or restrictions. The regulation of futures, as well as other derivatives, is a rapidly changing area of law.

Futures exchanges may also limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in certain futures contract prices during a single trading day. This daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day's settlement price. Once the daily limit has been reached in a futures contract subject to the limit, no more trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movements during a particular trading day and does not limit potential losses because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example, futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of positions and subjecting some holders of futures contracts to substantial losses.

Options on futures contracts. Options on futures contracts trade on the same contract markets as the underlying futures contract. When a fund buys an option, it pays a premium for the right, but does not have the obligation, to purchase (call) or sell (put) a futures contract at a set price (called the exercise price). The purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract, whereby a Fund has the right to purchase or sell, respectively, a particular futures contract, is similar in some respects to the purchase of a call or put option on an individual security or currency. Depending on the premium paid for the option compared to either the price of the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the underlying reference instrument, the option may be less risky than direct ownership of the futures contract or the underlying reference instrument. For example, a fund could purchase a call option on a long futures contract when seeking to hedge against an increase in the market value of the underlying reference instrument, such as appreciation in the value of a non-US currency against the US dollar.

The seller (writer) of an option becomes contractually obligated to take the opposite futures position if the buyer of the option exercises its rights to the futures position specified in the option. In return for the premium paid by the buyer, the seller assumes the risk of taking a possibly adverse futures position. In addition, the seller will be required to post and maintain initial and variation margin with the FCM. One goal of selling (writing) options on futures may be to receive the premium paid by the option buyer.

For more general information about the mechanics of purchasing and writing options, see “Options” below.

Risks of options on futures contracts. A Fund's use of options on futures contracts is subject to the risks related to derivatives instruments generally. In addition, the amount of risk a Fund assumes when it purchases an option on a futures contract is the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. The purchase of an option also entails the risk that changes in the value of the underlying futures contract will not be fully reflected in the value of the option purchased. The seller (writer) of an option on a futures contract is subject to the risk of having to take a possibly adverse futures position if the purchaser of the option exercises its rights. If the seller were required to take such a position, it could bear substantial losses. An option writer has potentially unlimited economic risk because its potential loss, except to the extent offset by the premium received, is equal to the amount the option is “in-the-money” at

Investment Strategies and Risks

the expiration date. A call option is in-the-money if the value of the underlying futures contract exceeds the exercise price of the option. A put option is in-the-money if the exercise price of the option exceeds the value of the underlying futures contract.

High Yield Securities (“Junk bonds”)

Securities rated lower than BBB- by S&P or Baa3 by Moody's or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) are commonly known as junk bonds. Each Fund (except for National High-Yield Fund) may invest up to 20% of its net assets in high yield, high-risk fixed income securities or junk bonds. National High-Yield Fund may invest without limit in high yield, high-risk fixed income securities.

Junk bonds are often considered to be speculative and involve significantly higher risk of default on the payment of principal and interest or are more likely to experience significant price fluctuation due to changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. Market prices of these securities may fluctuate more than higher-rated debt securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty which may follow periods of rising interest rates. Although the market for high yield corporate debt securities has been in existence for many years and has weathered previous economic downturns, the market in recent years has experienced a dramatic increase in the large-scale use of such securities to fund highly leveraged corporate acquisitions and restructurings. Accordingly, past experience may not provide an accurate indication of future performance of the high yield bond market, especially during periods of economic recession. See “Appendix A: Description of Ratings.”

The market for lower-rated securities and debt securities of distressed companies may be less active than that for higher-rated securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which these securities can be sold. If market quotations are not available, these securities will be valued in accordance with procedures established by the Board, including the use of outside pricing services. Judgment plays a greater role in valuing high yield corporate debt securities than is the case for securities for which more external sources for quotations and last-sale information are available. Adverse publicity and changing investor perceptions may affect the ability of outside pricing services used by a Fund to value its portfolio securities and the Fund's ability to dispose of these lower-rated debt securities.

Since the risk of default is higher for lower-quality securities, the Manager's research and credit analysis are an integral part of managing any securities of this type. In considering junk bond investments, the Manager will attempt to identify those issuers of high yielding securities whose financial conditions are adequate to meet future obligations, have improved, or are expected to improve in the future. The Manager's analysis focuses on relative values based on such factors as interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage, earnings prospects, and the experience and managerial strength of the issuer. There can be no assurance that such analysis will prove accurate.

A Fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to pursue litigation or otherwise exercise its rights as security holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it determines this to be in the best interest of shareholders.

Illiquid and Restricted Investments

Each Fund is permitted to invest up to 15% of its respective net assets in illiquid investments. For purposes of a Fund's 15% limitation, illiquid investment means any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to the 1940 Act and applicable rules and regulations thereunder. Illiquid investments, for purposes of this policy, include repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven calendar days.

Each Fund may purchase privately placed debt and other securities whose resale is restricted under applicable securities laws. Each Fund may invest in restricted securities, including securities eligible for resale without registration pursuant to Rule 144A (“Rule 144A Securities”) under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A exempts many privately placed and legally restricted securities from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and permits such securities to be freely traded among certain institutional buyers such as the Funds. Restricted securities may involve some additional risk since they can be resold only in privately negotiated transactions or after registration under applicable securities laws. The registration process may involve delays which would result in a Fund obtaining a less favorable price on a resale.

The Manager is responsible for the day-to-day functions of determining whether or not individual Rule 144A Securities are liquid for purposes of a Fund's limitation on investments in illiquid investments. The Manager considers the following factors in determining the liquidity of a Rule 144A Security: (i) the frequency of trades and trading volume for the security; (ii) whether at least three dealers are willing to purchase or sell the security and the number of potential purchasers; (iii) whether at least two dealers are making a market in the security; and (iv) the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer).

If the Manager determines that a Rule 144A Security which was previously determined to be liquid is no longer liquid and, as a result, a Fund's holdings of illiquid investments exceed its limit on investment in such investments, the Manager will determine what action shall be taken to ensure that the Fund continues to adhere to such limitation.

Inverse Floaters

Each Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in inverse floaters when the underlying bond is tax-exempt. Otherwise, each Fund's investments in taxable instruments and securities rated below investment grade, including inverse floaters on taxable bonds, are limited to 20% of a Fund's respective net assets, except for National High-Yield Fund, which may invest more than 20% of its net assets in securities that are rated below investment grade.

Inverse floaters are instruments with floating or variable interest rates that move in the opposite direction to short-term interest rates or interest rate indices. Certain expenses of an inverse floater program will be deemed to be expenses of a Fund where the Fund has transferred its own municipal bonds to the trust that issues the inverse floater. To the extent that income from the inverse floater offsets these expenses, the additional income will have a positive effect on a Fund's performance. Conversely, to the extent that these expenses exceed income earned from the trust collateral, the shortfall will have a negative effect on performance. Typically, a Fund invests in inverse floaters that permit the holder of the inverse floater to terminate the program in the event the fees and interest expense exceed income earned by the municipal bonds held by the trust. Inverse floaters may be more volatile than other tax-exempt investments.

Investment Companies

Each Fund may invest in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, SEC rules thereunder and exemptions thereto.

With respect to unaffiliated funds in which a Fund may invest, Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act requires that, as determined immediately after a purchase is made, (i) not more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets will be invested in the securities of any one investment company, (ii) not more than 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets will be invested in securities of investment companies as a group, and (iii) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by the Fund. A Fund will limit its investments in unaffiliated funds in accordance with the Section 12(d)(1)(A) limitations set forth above, except to the extent that any rules, regulations or no-action or exemptive relief under the 1940 Act permit the Fund's investments to exceed such limits in unaffiliated underlying funds. To the extent that a Fund invests in another investment company, because other investment companies pay advisory, administrative and service fees that are borne indirectly by investors, such as the Fund, there may be duplication of investment management and other fees.

Each Fund may invest in securities issued by closed-end funds, subject to any of its investment policies. If a Fund invests in shares issued by leveraged closed-end funds, it will face certain risks associated with leveraged investments. Investments in closed-end funds are subject to additional risks. For example, the price of the closed-end fund's shares quoted on an exchange may not reflect the NAV of the securities held by the closed-end fund, and the premium or discount the share prices represent versus NAV may change over time based on a variety of factors, including supply of and demand for the closed-end fund's shares, that are outside the closed-end fund's control or unrelated to the value of the underlying portfolio securities. If a Fund invests in the closed-end fund to gain exposure to the closed-end fund's investments, the lack of correlation between the performance of the closed-end fund's investments and the closed-end fund's share price may compromise or eliminate any such exposure.

To the extent that a Fund invests in an ETF, the market value of the ETF shares may differ from its NAV because the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying securities. Also, ETFs that track particular indices typically will be unable to match the performance of the index exactly due to the ETFs' operating expenses and transaction costs.

Municipal Lease Obligations

Each Fund may invest in municipal lease obligations, primarily through certificates of participation, which represent a proportionate interest in the payments under a specified lease or leases.

Municipal lease obligations generally are issued to support a government's infrastructure by financing or refinancing equipment or property acquisitions or the construction, expansion, or rehabilitation of public facilities. In such transactions, equipment or property is leased to a state or local government, which, in turn, pays lease payments to the lessor consisting of interest and principal payments on the obligations. Municipal lease obligations differ from other municipal securities because each year the lessee's governing body must appropriate (set aside) the money to make the lease payments. If the money is not appropriated, the issuer or the lessee typically can end the lease without penalty. If the lease is cancelled, investors who own the municipal lease obligations may not be paid.

Because annual appropriations are required to make lease payments, municipal lease obligations generally are not subject to constitutional limitations on the issuance of debt, and may allow an issuer to increase government liabilities beyond constitutional debt limits. When faced with increasingly tight budgets, local governments have more discretion to curtail lease payments under a municipal lease obligation than they do to curtail payments on other municipal securities. If not enough money is appropriated to make the lease payments, the leased property may be repossessed as security for holders of the municipal lease obligations. If this happens, there is no assurance that the property's private sector or releasing value will be enough to make all outstanding payments on the municipal lease obligations or that the payments will continue to be tax-free.

While cancellation risk is inherent to municipal lease obligations, the Manager believes that this risk may be reduced, although not eliminated, by its policies on the credit quality of municipal securities in which it may invest.

Options

Each Fund may write (i.e., sell) covered put and call options and purchase call options on the securities in which it may invest and on indices of securities in which it may invest, to the extent such put and call options are available. Each Fund may also purchase put options on indices of securities in which it may invest, to the extent such put options are available. Each Fund may invest up to an aggregate of 20% of its respective net assets in futures, options, swaps, and other taxable investments and securities that are rated below investment grade, except for National High-Yield Fund, which may invest without limit in securities that are rated below investment grade.

Investment Strategies and Risks

The Funds may use put and call transactions to hedge against market risk and facilitate portfolio management. Options may be used to attempt to protect against possible declines in the market value of a Fund's portfolio resulting from downward trends in the debt securities markets (generally due to a rise in interest rates), to protect the Fund's unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Fund's portfolio or to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities. Other transactions may be used by the Funds in the future for hedging purposes as they are developed to the extent deemed appropriate by the Board.

Overview. An option is a contract that gives the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, the right to buy an underlying reference instrument, such as a specified security, currency, index, or other instrument, from the writer of the option (in the case of a call option), or to sell a specified reference instrument to the writer of the option (in the case of a put option) at a designated price during the term of the option. The premium paid by the buyer of an option will reflect, among other things, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price and the volatility of the underlying reference instrument; the remaining term of the option, supply, demand, or interest rates; and/or currency exchange rates. An American style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option period while a European style put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior thereto. Put and call options are traded on national securities exchanges and in the OTC market.

Options traded on national securities exchanges are within the jurisdiction of the SEC or other appropriate national securities regulator, as are securities traded on such exchanges. As a result, many of the protections provided to traders on organized exchanges will be available with respect to such transactions. In particular, all option positions entered into on a national securities exchange in the US are cleared and guaranteed by the Options Clearing Corporation, thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default. Furthermore, a liquid secondary market in options traded on a national securities exchange may be more readily available than in the OTC market, potentially permitting a Fund to liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or expiration, or to limit losses in the event of adverse market movements. There is no assurance, however, that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not temporarily render the capabilities of the Options Clearing Corporation inadequate, and thereby result in the exchange instituting special procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of a Fund's orders to close out open options positions.

Purchasing call and put options. As the buyer of a call option, a Fund has a right to buy the underlying reference instrument (e.g., a currency or security) at the exercise price at any time during the option period (for American style options). A Fund may enter into closing sale transactions with respect to call options, exercise them, or permit them to expire. For example, a Fund may buy call options on underlying reference instruments that it intends to buy with the goal of limiting the risk of a substantial increase in their market price before the purchase is effected. Unless the price of the underlying reference instrument changes sufficiently, a call option purchased by a Fund may expire without any value to the Fund, in which case the Fund would experience a loss to the extent of the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs.

As the buyer of a put option, a Fund has the right to sell the underlying reference instrument at the exercise price at any time during the option period (for American style options). As with a call option, a Fund may enter into closing sale transactions with respect to put options, exercise them or permit them to expire. A Fund may buy a put option on an underlying reference instrument owned by the Fund (a protective put) as a hedging technique in an attempt to protect against an anticipated decline in the market value of the underlying reference instrument. Such hedge protection is provided only during the life of the put option when a Fund, as the buyer of the put option, is able to sell the underlying reference instrument at the put exercise price, regardless of any decline in the underlying instrument's market price. A Fund may also seek to offset a decline in the value of the underlying reference instrument through appreciation in the value of the put option. A put option may also be purchased with the intent of protecting unrealized appreciation of an instrument when the Manager deems it desirable to continue to hold the instrument because of tax or other considerations. The premium paid for the put option and any transaction costs would reduce any short-term capital gain that may be available for distribution when the instrument is eventually sold. Buying put options at a time when the buyer does not own the underlying reference instrument allows the buyer to benefit from a decline in the market price of the underlying reference instrument, which generally increases the value of the put option.

If a put option were not terminated in a closing sale transaction when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying reference instrument remains equal to or greater than the exercise price during the life of the put option, the buyer would not make any gain upon exercise of the option and would experience a loss to the extent of the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. In order for the purchase of a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying reference instrument must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs.

Writing call and put options. Writing options may permit the writer to generate additional income in the form of the premium received for writing the option. The writer of an option may have no control over when the underlying reference instruments must be sold (in the case of a call option) or purchased (in the case of a put option) because the writer may be notified of exercise at any time prior to the expiration of the option (for American style options). Whether or not an option expires unexercised, the writer retains the amount of the premium. Writing “covered” call options means that the writer owns the underlying reference instrument that is subject to the call option. A Fund will write call options on a covered basis only.

If a Fund writes a covered call option, any underlying reference instruments that are held by the Fund and subject to the call option will be earmarked on the books of the Fund as segregated to satisfy its obligations under the option. A Fund will be unable to sell the underlying reference instruments that are subject to the written call option until the Fund either effects a closing transaction with respect to the written call, or otherwise satisfies the conditions for release of the underlying reference instruments from segregation. As the writer of a covered call option, a Fund gives up the potential for capital appreciation above the exercise price of the option should the underlying reference instrument rise in value. If the value of the underlying reference instrument rises above the exercise price of the call option, the reference instrument will likely be “called away,” requiring a Fund to sell the underlying instrument at the exercise price. In that case, a Fund will sell the underlying reference instrument to the option buyer for less than its market value, and the Fund will experience a loss (which will

be offset by the premium received by the Fund as the writer of such option). If a call option expires unexercised, a Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium received. If the market price of the underlying reference instrument decreases, the call option will not be exercised and the Fund will be able to use the amount of the premium received to hedge against the loss in value of the underlying reference instrument. The exercise price of a call option will be chosen based upon the expected price movement of the underlying reference instrument. The exercise price of a call option may be below, equal to (at-the-money), or above the current value of the underlying reference instrument at the time the option is written.

As the writer of a put option, a Fund has a risk of loss should the underlying reference instrument decline in value. If the value of the underlying reference instrument declines below the exercise price of the put option and the put option is exercised, the Fund, as the writer of the put option, will be required to buy the instrument at the exercise price, which will exceed the market value of the underlying reference instrument at that time. A Fund will incur a loss to the extent that the current market value of the underlying reference instrument is less than the exercise price of the put option. However, the loss will be offset in part by the premium received from the buyer of the put. If a put option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium received.

Closing out options (exchange-traded options). As the writer of an option, if a Fund wants to terminate its obligation, the Fund may effect a “closing purchase transaction” by buying an option of the same series as the option previously written. The effect of the purchase is that the clearing corporation will cancel a Fund's position. However, a writer may not effect a closing purchase transaction after being notified of the exercise of an option. Likewise, the buyer of an option may recover all or a portion of the premium that it paid by effecting a “closing sale transaction” by selling an option of the same series as the option previously purchased and receiving a premium on the sale. There is no guarantee that either a closing purchase or a closing sale transaction may be made at a time desired by a Fund. Closing transactions allow a Fund to terminate its positions in written and purchased options. A Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is less than the premium received from writing the original option (in the case of written options) or is more than the premium paid by the Fund to buy the option (in the case of purchased options). For example, increases in the market price of a call option sold by a Fund will generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying reference instrument. As a result, any loss resulting from a closing transaction on a written call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by appreciation of the underlying instrument owned by a Fund.

Over-the-counter (“OTC”) options. Like exchange-traded options, OTC options give the holder the right to buy from the writer, in the case of OTC call options, or sell to the writer, in the case of OTC put options, an underlying reference instrument at a stated exercise price. OTC options, however, differ from exchange-traded options in certain material respects.

OTC options are arranged directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation or exchange. Consequently, there is a risk of nonperformance by the dealer, including because of the dealer's bankruptcy or insolvency. While a Fund uses only counterparties, such as dealers, that meet its credit quality standards, in unusual or extreme market conditions, a counterparty's creditworthiness and ability to perform may deteriorate rapidly, and the availability of suitable replacement counterparties may become limited. Because there is no exchange, pricing is typically done based on information from market makers or other dealers. OTC options are available for a greater variety of underlying reference instruments and in a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than exchange-traded options.

There can be no assurance that a continuous liquid secondary market will exist for any particular OTC option at any specific time. A Fund may be able to realize the value of an OTC option it has purchased only by exercising it or entering into a closing sale transaction with the dealer that issued it. When a Fund writes an OTC option, it generally can close out that option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer with which the Fund originally wrote the option. A Fund may suffer a loss if it is not able to exercise the option (in the case of a purchased option) or enter into a closing sale transaction on a timely basis.

Risks of options. A Fund's options investments involve certain risks, including general risks related to derivatives instruments. There can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and a Fund may have difficulty effecting closing transactions in particular options. Therefore, a Fund would have to exercise the options it purchased in order to realize any profit, thus taking or making delivery of the underlying reference instrument when not desired. A Fund could then incur transaction costs upon the sale of the underlying reference instruments. Similarly, when a Fund cannot effect a closing transaction with respect to a put option it wrote, and the buyer exercises, the Fund would be required to take delivery and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of the underlying reference instruments purchased. If a Fund, as a covered call option writer, is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying reference instrument until the option expires, it delivers the underlying instrument upon exercise, or it segregates enough liquid assets to purchase the underlying reference instrument at the marked-to-market price during the term of the option. When trading options on non-US exchanges or in the OTC market, many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available. For example, there may be no daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over an indefinite period of time.

The effectiveness of an options strategy for hedging depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying reference instruments correlate with price movements in the relevant portion of a Fund's portfolio that is being hedged. In addition, a Fund bears the risk that the prices of its portfolio investments will not move in the same amount as the option it has purchased or sold for hedging purposes, or that there may be a negative correlation that would result in a loss on both the investments and the option. If the Manager is not successful in using options in managing a Fund's investments, the Fund's performance will be worse than if the Manager did not employ such strategies.

Investment Strategies and Risks

Private Activity Bonds

Each Fund may invest without limit in private activity bonds, except that a Fund's investments in these bonds will be limited if such investments, in the aggregate, would cause the Fund to have less than 80% of its net assets invested in municipal securities the income from which is exempt from federal income tax, including the alternative minimum tax (with respect to USA Fund and Intermediate Fund), and applicable state personal income taxes. If a Fund invests in private activity bonds, a portion of that Fund's distributions may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.

Private activity bonds are bonds whose proceeds are used to finance certain nongovernmental activities, and could include some types of industrial revenue bonds such as privately owned sports and convention facilities. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (the “Tax Act”) limits the amount of new “private purpose” bonds that each state may issue and subjects interest income from these bonds to the federal alternative minimum tax. The Tax Act also makes the tax-exempt status of certain bonds depend upon the issuer's compliance with specific requirements after the bonds are issued.

Private activity bonds are a type of municipal bond issued when funds are to be used for a nonessential purpose. Private activities for which tax-exempt bonds may be issued include airports, electric and gas distribution systems, government mass transportation systems, housing bonds, privately owned sports facilities, hazardous waste disposal facilities, solid waste disposal facilities, and student loans. Small issues of industrial development revenue bonds and nonprofit college and hospital bonds are also permitted. The Internal Revenue Code limits the amount of new private activity bonds that each state can issue. The interest on certain private activity bonds, while exempt from regular federal income tax, is a tax preference item for taxpayers when determining their alternative minimum tax under the Internal Revenue Code.

Repurchase Agreements

Each Fund may, from time to time, enter into repurchase agreement transactions which are at least 102% collateralized by US government securities.

Under a repurchase agreement, a Fund agrees to buy securities guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by the US government or its agencies or instrumentalities from a qualified bank or broker/dealer and then to sell the securities back to the bank or broker/dealer on an agreed upon date (generally less than seven days) at a higher price, which reflects currently prevailing short-term interest rates. Entering into repurchase agreements allows a Fund to earn a return on cash in the Fund's portfolio that would otherwise remain uninvested. The bank or broker/dealer must transfer to a Fund's custodian, as collateral, securities with an initial market value of at least 102% of the dollar amount paid by the Fund to the counterparty. The Manager will monitor the value of such collateral daily to determine that the value of the collateral equals or exceeds the repurchase price.

Repurchase agreements may involve risks in the event of default or insolvency of the bank or broker/dealer, including possible delays or restrictions upon a Fund's ability to sell the underlying securities and additional expenses in seeking to enforce the Fund's rights and recover any losses. A Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with parties who meet certain creditworthiness standards, i.e., banks or broker/dealers that the Manager has determined, based on the information available at the time, present no serious risk of becoming involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the time frame contemplated by the repurchase agreement. Although a Fund seeks to limit the credit risk under a repurchase agreement by carefully selecting counterparties and accepting only high-quality collateral, some credit risk remains. The counterparty could default, which may make it necessary for a Fund to incur expenses to liquidate the collateral. In addition, the collateral may decline in value before it can be liquidated by a Fund. A repurchase agreement with more than seven days to maturity may be considered an illiquid investment and may be subject to a Fund's investment restriction on illiquid investments.

Delaware Funds by Macquarie​® (each a “Delaware Fund” and collectively, “Delaware Funds”) have obtained an exemption (the “Order”) from the joint-transaction prohibitions of Section 17(d) of the 1940 Act to allow Delaware Funds jointly to invest cash balances. As part of the Delaware Funds, a Fund may invest cash balances in a joint repurchase agreement in accordance with the terms of the Order and subject generally to the conditions described above.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

National High-Yield Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with banks and securities dealers with respect to not more than 10% of its total assets.

A reverse repurchase agreement is the sale of a security by a Fund and its agreement to repurchase the security at a specified time and price. Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements may be considered borrowings by a Fund; accordingly, the Fund will limit its investments in reverse repurchase agreements, together with any other borrowings, to no more than one-third of its total assets. The use of reverse repurchase agreements by a Fund creates leverage which increases the Fund's investment risk. If the income and gains on securities purchased with the proceeds of reverse repurchase agreements exceed the costs of the agreements, a Fund's earnings or NAV will increase faster than otherwise would be the case; conversely, if the income and gains fail to exceed the costs, earnings or NAV would decline faster than otherwise would be the case.

Securities Lending

Intermediate Fund may loan up to 25% of its assets to qualified broker/dealers or institutional investors for their use relating to short sales or other security transactions.

Intermediate Fund, along with other funds in the Delaware Funds, may lend its securities pursuant to a security lending agreement (“Lending Agreement”) with The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”). At the time a security is loaned, the borrower must post collateral equal to the required percentage of the

market value of the loaned security, including any accrued interest. The required percentage is: (i) 102% with respect to US securities and foreign securities that are denominated and payable in US dollars; and (ii) 105% with respect to foreign securities. With respect to each loan if, on any business day, the aggregate market value of securities collateral plus cash collateral held is less than the aggregate market value of the securities which are the subject of such loan, the borrower will be notified to provide additional collateral by the end of the following business day which, together with the collateral already held, will be not less than the applicable initial collateral requirements for such security loan. If the aggregate market value of securities collateral and cash collateral held with respect to a security loan exceeds the applicable initial collateral requirement, upon request of the borrower, BNY Mellon must return enough collateral to the borrower by the end of the following business day to reduce the value of the remaining collateral to the applicable initial collateral requirement for such security loan. As a result of the foregoing, the value of the collateral held with respect to a loaned security on any particular day may be more or less than the value of the security on loan.

The investment guidelines permit each separate account to hold certain securities that would be considered eligible securities for a money market fund. Cash collateral received is generally invested in government securities; certain obligations issued by government sponsored enterprises; repurchase agreements collateralized by US Treasury securities; certain obligations issued by the central government of any Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country or its agencies, instrumentalities or establishments; certain obligations of supranational organizations, commercial paper, notes, bonds and other debt obligations; certificates of deposit, time deposits and other bank obligations; and asset-backed securities.

A Fund can also accept US government securities and letters of credit (non-cash collateral) in connection with securities loans. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the lending agent, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings. In the event the borrower fails to return loaned securities and the collateral received is insufficient to cover the value of the loaned securities and provided such collateral shortfall is not the result of investment losses, the lending agent has agreed to pay the amount of the shortfall to a Fund or, at the discretion of the lending agent, replace the loaned securities. A Fund continues to record dividends or interest, as applicable, on the securities loaned and is subject to changes in value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan. A Fund has the right under the Lending Agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. With respect to security loans collateralized by non-cash collateral, a Fund receives loan premiums paid by the borrower. With respect to security loans collateralized by cash collateral, the earnings from the collateral investments are shared among a Fund, the security lending agent, and the borrower. A Fund records security lending income net of allocations to the security lending agent and the borrower.

Swaps

Each Fund may enter into credit default swap (“CDS”) contracts to the extent consistent with its investment objectives and strategies. The aggregate notional amount (typically, the principal amount of the reference security or securities) of a Fund's investments in CDS contracts will be limited to 15% of the Fund's total net assets. Each Fund may invest in inflation, interest rate, and total return swaps to the extent consistent with its investment objectives and strategies. A Fund will only invest in these types of swap transactions when all the reference rates are related to or derived from instruments or markets in which the Fund is otherwise eligible to invest, and subject to the investment limitations on the instruments to which the purchased reference rate relates. The Funds will not be permitted to enter into any swap transaction unless, at the time of entering into such transaction, the unsecured long-term debt of the actual counterparty, combined with any credit enhancements, is rated at least BBB- by S&P or Baa3 by Moody's or is determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Manager. In addition, the Manager will monitor the ongoing creditworthiness of swap counterparties in order to seek to minimize the risk of swaps.

Comprehensive swaps regulation. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related regulatory developments have imposed comprehensive regulatory requirements on swaps and swap market participants. This regulatory framework includes: (1) registration and regulation of swap dealers and major swap participants; (2) requiring central clearing and execution of standardized swaps; (3) imposing margin requirements on swap transactions; (4) regulating and monitoring swap transactions through position limits and large trader reporting requirements; and (5) imposing record keeping and centralized and public reporting requirements, on an anonymous basis. The CFTC is responsible for the regulation of most swaps. The SEC has jurisdiction over a small segment of the market referred to as “security-based swaps,” which includes swaps on single securities or credits, or narrow-based indices of securities or credits.

Uncleared swaps. In an uncleared swap, the swap counterparty is typically a brokerage firm, bank, or other financial institution. A Fund customarily enters into uncleared swaps based on the standard terms and conditions of an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement. ISDA is a voluntary industry association of participants in the over-the-counter derivatives markets that has developed standardized contracts used by such participants that have agreed to be bound by such standardized contracts.

In the event that one party to a swap transaction defaults and the transaction is terminated prior to its scheduled termination date, one of the parties may be required to make an early termination payment to the other. An early termination payment may be payable by either the defaulting or nondefaulting party, depending upon which of them is “in-the-money” with respect to the swap at the time of its termination. Early termination payments may be calculated in various ways, but are intended to approximate the amount the “in-the-money” party would have to pay to replace the swap as of the date of its termination.

During the term of an uncleared swap, a Fund is required to pledge to the swap counterparty, from time to time, an amount of cash and/or other assets, referred to as “variation margin,” that is equal to the total net amount (if any) that would be payable by the Fund to the counterparty if all outstanding swaps between the parties were terminated on the date in question, including any early termination payments. Periodically, changes in the variation margin amount are made to recognize changes in value of the contract resulting from, among other things, interest on the notional value of the contract, market value changes in the underlying investment, and/or dividends paid by the issuer of the underlying instrument. Likewise, the counterparty will be required to pledge cash or other assets to cover its obligations to a Fund. However, the amount pledged may not always be equal to or more than the amount due to the other

Investment Strategies and Risks

party. Therefore, if a counterparty defaults on its obligations to a Fund, the amount pledged by the counterparty and available to the Fund may not be sufficient to cover all the amounts due to the Fund and the Fund may sustain a loss.

Currently, the Funds do not typically provide initial margin in connection with uncleared swaps. However, rules requiring initial margin to be posted by certain market participants for uncleared swaps have been adopted and are being phased in over time. When these rules take effect with respect to the Funds, if a Fund is deemed to have material swaps exposure under applicable swaps regulation, it will be required to post initial margin in addition to variation margin.

Cleared swaps. Certain standardized swaps are subject to mandatory central clearing and exchange trading. The Dodd-Frank Act and implementing rules will ultimately require the clearing and exchange-trading of many swaps. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing will occur on a phased-in basis based on the type of market participant, CFTC approval of contracts for central clearing, and public trading facilities making such cleared swaps available to trade. To date, the CFTC has designated only certain of the most common types of credit default index swaps and interest rate swaps as subject to mandatory clearing and certain public trading facilities have made certain of those cleared swaps available to trade, but it is expected that additional categories of swaps will in the future be designated as subject to mandatory clearing and trade execution requirements. Central clearing is intended to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity, but central clearing does not eliminate these risks and may involve additional costs and risks not involved with uncleared swaps. For more information, see “Risks of cleared swaps” below.

In a cleared swap, a Fund's ultimate counterparty is a central clearinghouse rather than a brokerage firm, bank, or other financial institution. Cleared swaps are submitted for clearing through each party's FCM, which must be a member of the clearinghouse that serves as the central counterparty.

When a Fund enters into a cleared swap, it must deliver to the central counterparty (via the FCM) an amount referred to as “initial margin.” Initial margin requirements are determined by the central counterparty, but an FCM may require additional initial margin above the amount required by the central counterparty. During the term of the swap agreement, a “variation margin” amount may also be required to be paid by the Fund or may be received by the Fund in accordance with margin controls set for such accounts, depending upon changes in the marked-to-market value of the swap agreement. At the conclusion of the term of the swap agreement, if a Fund has a loss equal to or greater than the margin amount, the margin amount is paid to the FCM along with any loss in excess of the margin amount. If a Fund has a loss of less than the margin amount, the excess margin is returned to the Fund. If a Fund has a gain, the full margin amount and the amount of the gain are paid to the Fund.

Recently adopted CFTC rules require the trading and execution of certain cleared swaps on public trading facilities. Trading on an exchange-type system may increase market transparency and liquidity but may require a Fund to incur increased expenses to access the same types of swaps that it has used in the past.

Credit default swaps. The “buyer” of protection in a credit default swap agreement is obligated to pay the “seller” a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement in return for a payment by the “seller” that is contingent upon the occurrence of a credit event with respect to a specific underlying reference debt obligation (whether as a single debt instrument or as part of an index of debt instruments). The contingent payment by the seller generally is the face amount of the debt obligation, in return for the buyer's obligation to make periodic cash payments and deliver in physical form the reference debt obligation or a cash payment equal to the then-current market value of that debt obligation at the time of the credit event. If no credit event occurs, the seller would receive a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the contract, while the buyer would lose the amount of its payments and recover nothing. The buyer is also subject to the risk that the seller will not satisfy its contingent payment obligation, if and when due.

Purchasing protection through a credit default swap may be used to attempt to hedge against a decline in the value of debt security or securities due to a credit event. The seller of protection under a credit default swap receives periodic payments from the buyer but is exposed to the risk that the value of the reference debt obligation declines due to a credit event and that it will have to pay the face amount of the reference obligation to the buyer. Selling protection under a credit default swap may also permit the seller to gain exposure that is similar to owning the reference debt obligation directly. As the seller of protection, a Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total assets, the Fund would be subject to the risk that there would be a credit event and the Fund would have to make a substantial payment in the future.

Generally, a credit event means bankruptcy, failure to timely pay interest or principal, obligation acceleration default, or repudiation or restructuring of the reference debt obligation. There may be disputes between the buyer or seller of a credit default swap agreement or within the swaps market as a whole as to whether or not a credit event has occurred or what the payout should be which could result in litigation. In some instances where there is a dispute in the credit default swap market, a regional Determinations Committee set up by ISDA may make an official binding determination regarding the existence of credit events with respect to the reference debt obligation of a credit default swap agreement or, in the case of a credit default swap on an index, with respect to a component of the index underlying the credit default swap agreement. In the case of a credit default swap on an index, the existence of a credit event is determined according to the index methodology, which may in turn refer to determinations made by ISDA's Determinations Committees with respect to particular components of the index.

ISDA's Determinations Committees are comprised principally of dealers in the OTC derivatives markets which may have a conflicting interest in the determination regarding the existence of a particular credit event. In addition, in the sovereign debt market, a credit default swap agreement may not provide the protection generally anticipated because the government issuer of the sovereign debt instruments may be able to restructure or renegotiate the debt in such a manner as to avoid triggering a credit event. Moreover, (1) sovereign debt obligations may not incorporate common, commercially acceptable provisions, such as collective action clauses, or (2) the negotiated restructuring of the sovereign debt may be deemed non-mandatory on all holders. As a result, the Determinations Committees might then not be able to determine, or may be able to avoid having to determine, that a credit event under the credit default agreement has occurred. For these and other reasons, the buyer of protection in a credit default swap agreement is subject to the risk that certain

occurrences, such as particular restructuring events affecting the value of the underlying reference debt obligation, or the restructuring of sovereign debt, may not be deemed credit events under the credit default swap agreement. Therefore, if the credit default swap was purchased as a hedge or to take advantage of an anticipated increase in the value of credit protection for the underlying reference obligation, it may not provide any hedging benefit or otherwise increase in value as anticipated. Similarly, the seller of protection in a credit default swap agreement is subject to the risk that certain occurrences may be deemed to be credit events under the credit default swap agreement, even if these occurrences do not adversely impact the value or creditworthiness of the underlying reference debt obligation.

Interest rate swaps. An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange interest rate payment obligations. Each party's payment obligation under an interest rate swap is determined by reference to a specified “notional” amount of money. Therefore, interest rate swaps generally do not involve the delivery of securities, other underlying instruments, or principal amounts; rather they entail the exchange of cash payments based on the application of the designated interest rates to the notional amount. Accordingly, barring swap counterparty or FCM default, the risk of loss in an interest rate swap is limited to the net amount of interest payments that a Fund is obligated to make or receive (as applicable), as well as any early termination payment payable by or to the Fund upon early termination of the swap.

By swapping fixed interest rate payments for floating interest rate payments, an interest rate swap can be used to increase or decrease a Fund's exposure to various interest rates, including to hedge interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are generally used to permit the party seeking a floating-rate obligation the opportunity to acquire such obligation at a rate lower than is directly available in the credit markets, while permitting the party desiring a fixed-rate obligation the opportunity to acquire such a fixed-rate obligation, also frequently at a rate lower than is directly available in the credit markets. The success of such a transaction depends in large part on the availability of fixed-rate obligations at interest (or coupon) rates low enough to cover the costs involved. An interest rate swap transaction is affected by changes in interest rates, which, in turn, may affect the prepayment rate of any underlying debt obligations upon which the interest rate swap is based.

Total return swaps. A total return swap (also sometimes referred to as a synthetic equity swap or “contract for difference”) is an agreement between two parties under which the parties agree to make payments to each other so as to replicate the economic consequences that would apply had a purchase or short sale of the underlying reference instrument taken place. For example, one party agrees to pay the other party the total return earned or realized on the notional amount of an underlying equity security and any dividends declared with respect to that equity security. In return the other party makes payments, typically at a floating rate, calculated based on the notional amount.

Risks of swaps generally. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Whether a Fund will be successful in using swap agreements to achieve its investment goal depends on the ability of the Manager to predict correctly which types of investments are likely to produce greater returns. If the Manager, in using swap agreements, is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, interest rates, inflation, currency exchange rates or other applicable factors, the investment performance of a Fund will be less than its performance would have been if it had not used the swap agreements.

The risk of loss to a Fund for swap transactions that are entered into on a net basis depends on which party is obligated to pay the net amount to the other party. If the counterparty is obligated to pay the net amount to a Fund, the risk of loss to the Fund is loss of the entire amount that the Fund is entitled to receive. If a Fund is obligated to pay the net amount, the Fund's risk of loss is generally limited to that net amount. If the swap agreement involves the exchange of the entire principal value of a security, the entire principal value of that security is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. In addition, a Fund's risk of loss also includes any margin at risk in the event of default by the counterparty (in an uncleared swap) or the central counterparty or FCM (in a cleared swap), plus any transaction costs.

Because bilateral swap agreements are structured as two-party contracts and may have terms of greater than seven days, these swaps may be considered to be illiquid and, therefore, subject to a Fund's limitation on investments in illiquid investments. If a swap transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, a Fund may not be able to establish or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses. Participants in the swap markets are not required to make continuous markets in the swap contracts they trade. Participants could refuse to quote prices for swap contracts or quote prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they are prepared to buy and the price at which they are prepared to sell. Some swap agreements entail complex terms and may require a greater degree of subjectivity in their valuation. However, the swap markets have grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of financial institutions acting both as principals and agents, utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap markets have become increasingly liquid. In addition, central clearing and the trading of cleared swaps on public facilities are intended to increase liquidity. The Manager, under the supervision of the Board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Funds' swap transactions.

Rules adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act require centralized reporting of detailed information about many swaps, whether cleared or uncleared. This information is available to regulators and also, to a more limited extent and on an anonymous basis, to the public. Reporting of swap data is intended to result in greater market transparency. This may be beneficial to funds that use swaps in their trading strategies. However, public reporting imposes additional recordkeeping burdens on these funds, and the safeguards established to protect anonymity are not yet tested and may not provide protection of funds' identities as intended.

Investment Strategies and Risks

Certain Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) positions may limit a Fund's ability to use swap agreements in a desired tax strategy. It is possible that developments in the swap markets and/or the laws relating to swap agreements, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect a Fund's ability to benefit from using swap agreements, or could have adverse tax consequences. For more information about potentially changing regulation, see “Developing government regulation of derivatives” above.

Risks of uncleared swaps. Uncleared swaps are not traded on exchanges. As a result, swap participants may not be as protected as participants on organized exchanges. Performance of a swap agreement is the responsibility only of the swap counterparty and not of any exchange or clearinghouse. As a result, a Fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty will be unable or will refuse to perform under such agreement, including because of the counterparty's bankruptcy or insolvency. A Fund risks the loss of the accrued but unpaid amounts under a swap agreement, which could be substantial, in the event of a default, insolvency, or bankruptcy by a swap counterparty. In such an event, a Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the swap agreements, but bankruptcy and insolvency laws could affect the Fund's rights as a creditor. If the counterparty's creditworthiness declines, the value of a swap agreement would likely decline, potentially resulting in losses. The Manager will only approve a swap agreement counterparty for a Fund if the Manager deems the counterparty to be creditworthy under the Fund's counterparty review process. However, in unusual or extreme market conditions, a counterparty's creditworthiness and ability to perform may deteriorate rapidly, and the availability of suitable replacement counterparties may become limited.

Risks of cleared swaps. As noted above, under recent financial reforms, certain types of swaps are, and others eventually are expected to be, required to be cleared through a central counterparty, which may affect counterparty risk and other risks faced by a Fund.

Central clearing is designed to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to uncleared swaps because central clearing interposes the central clearinghouse as the counterparty to each participant's swap, but it does not eliminate those risks completely. There is also a risk of loss by a Fund of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Fund has an open position in a swap contract. The assets of a Fund may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Fund might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM's customers. If the FCM does not provide accurate reporting, a Fund is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Fund's assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM's other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty. Credit risk of cleared swap participants is concentrated in a few clearinghouses, and the consequences of insolvency of a clearinghouse are not clear.

With cleared swaps, a Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable terms as it would be able to negotiate for a bilateral, uncleared swap. In addition, an FCM may unilaterally amend the terms of its agreement with the Fund, which may include the imposition of position limits or additional margin requirements with respect to a Fund's investment in certain types of swaps. Central counterparties and FCMs can require termination of existing cleared swap transactions upon the occurrence of certain events, and can also require increases in margin above the margin that is required at the initiation of the swap agreement. Currently, depending on a number of factors, the margin required under the rules of the clearinghouse and FCM may be in excess of the collateral required to be posted by a Fund to support its obligations under a similar uncleared swap. However, regulators have adopted rules imposing margin requirements on uncleared swaps, which will become effective as to various market participants over time.

Finally, a Fund is subject to the risk that, after entering into a cleared swap, no FCM or central counterparty is willing or able to clear the transaction. In such an event, a Fund may be required to break the trade and make an early termination payment.

Taxable Obligations

The Funds may invest to a limited extent in obligations and instruments, the interest on which is includable in gross income for purposes of federal and state income (or property) taxation. The Funds also may invest in certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, and other time deposits.

Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of US Banks. A Fund may invest in obligations issued by banks and other savings institutions. Investments in bank obligations include obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Such investments in domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks are not covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and may involve risks that are different from investments in securities of domestic branches of US banks. These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions that might affect the payment of principal or interest on the securities held by a Fund. Additionally, these institutions may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of US banks. Bank obligations include the following:

US Government Securities

The Funds may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by the US government or its agencies or instrumentalities.

The Funds may invest in US government securities. US government securities include obligations of, or guaranteed by, the US federal government, its agencies, instrumentalities, or sponsored enterprises. Some US government securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the US government. These include US Treasury obligations and securities issued by Ginnie Mae. A second category of US government securities is those supported by the right of the agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise to borrow from the US government to meet its obligations. These include securities issued by Federal Home Loan Banks.

A third category of US government securities is those supported by only the credit of the issuing agency, instrumentality, or sponsored enterprise. These include securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In the event of a default, an investor like a Fund would only have legal recourse to the issuer, not the US government. Although the US government has provided support for these securities in the past, there can be no assurance that it will do so in the future. The US government has also made available additional guarantees for limited periods to stabilize or restore a market in the wake of an economic, political, or natural crisis. Such guarantees, and the economic opportunities they present, are likely to be temporary and cannot be relied upon by a Fund. Any downgrade of the credit rating of the securities issued by the US government may result in a downgrade of securities issued by its agencies or instrumentalities, including government-sponsored entities.

Variable and Floating Rate Notes

The Funds may invest in variable- and floating-rate demand notes.

Variable-rate master demand notes, in which a Fund may invest, are unsecured demand notes that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary and provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate according to the terms of the instrument. Because master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between a Fund and the issuer, they are not normally traded. Although there is no secondary market in the notes, a Fund may demand payment of principal and accrued interest at any time. Although the notes are not typically rated by credit rating agencies, issuers of variable amount master demand notes (which are normally manufacturing, retail, financial, and other business concerns) must satisfy the same criteria as set forth above for commercial paper. In determining average weighted portfolio maturity, a variable amount master demand note will be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period of time remaining until the principal amount can be recovered from the issuer through demand.

A variable-rate note is one whose terms provide for the adjustment of its interest rate on set dates and which, upon such adjustment, can reasonably be expected to have a market value that approximates its par value. A floating-rate note is one whose terms provide for the adjustment of its interest rate whenever a specified interest rate changes and which, at any time, can reasonably be expected to have a market value that approximates its par value. Such notes are frequently not rated by credit rating agencies; however, unrated variable- and floating-rate notes purchased by a Fund will be determined by the Manager under guidelines established by the Board to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase to rated instruments eligible for purchase under the Fund's investment policies. In making such determinations, the Manager will consider the earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuers of such notes (such issuers include financial, merchandising, bank holding, and other companies) and will continuously monitor their financial condition. Although there may be no active secondary market with respect to a particular variable- or floating-rate note purchased by a Fund, the Fund may resell the note at any time to a third party. The absence of such an active secondary market, however, could make it difficult for a Fund to dispose of the variable- or floating-rate note involved in the event the issuer of the note defaulted on its payment obligations, and the Fund could, for this or other reasons, suffer a loss to the extent of the default. Variable- or floating-rate notes may be secured by bank letters of credit.

If not rated, such instruments must be found by the Manager under guidelines established by the Board, to be of comparable quality to instruments that are rated high quality. A rating may be relied upon only if it is provided by an NRSRO that is not affiliated with the issuer or guarantor of the instruments. See “Appendix A: Description of Ratings” for a description of the rating symbols of S&P and Moody's.

When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Securities

New issues of Tax-Exempt Obligations and other securities are often purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, with delivery and payment for the securities normally taking place 15 to 45 days after the date of the transaction.

Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. In such transactions, instruments are purchased with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous yield or price at the time of the transaction. Delivery of and payment for these securities may take up to a month after the date of the purchase commitment, although in some cases it may take longer. The payment obligation and the interest rates that will be received are each fixed at the time the Fund enters into the commitment and no interest accrues to the Fund until settlement. Thus, it is possible that the market value at the time of settlement could be higher or lower than the purchase price if the general level of interest rates has changed.

Zero Coupon and Payment-In-Kind Bonds

The Funds may invest in zero coupon bonds or payment-in-kind bonds.

Investment Strategies and Risks

The credit risk factors pertaining to lower-rated securities also apply to lower-rated zero coupon, deferred interest, and payment-in-kind bonds. These bonds carry an additional risk in that, unlike bonds that pay interest throughout the period to maturity, a Fund will realize no cash until the cash payment date and, if the issuer defaults, the Fund may obtain no return at all on its investment.

Zero coupon, deferred interest, and payment-in-kind bonds involve additional special considerations. Zero coupon or deferred interest securities are debt obligations that do not entitle the holder to any periodic payments of interest prior to maturity or a specified date when the securities begin paying current interest (the “cash payment date”) and therefore are generally issued and traded at a discount from their face amounts or par values. The discount varies depending on the time remaining until maturity or cash payment date, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security, and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. The discount, in the absence of financial difficulties of the issuer, typically decreases as the final maturity or cash payment date of the security approaches. The market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that pay interest periodically and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than do non-zero coupon or deferred interest securities having similar maturities and credit quality. Current federal income tax law requires that a holder of a zero coupon security report as income each year the portion of the original issue discount on the security that accrues that year, even though the holder receives no cash payments of interest during the year.

Payment-in-kind bonds are securities that pay interest through the issuance of additional bonds. A Fund will be deemed to receive interest over the life of these bonds and be treated as if interest were paid on a current basis for federal income tax purposes, although no cash interest payments are received by the Fund until the cash payment date or until the bonds mature. Accordingly, during periods when a Fund receives no cash interest payments on its zero coupon securities or deferred interest or payment-in-kind bonds, it may be required to dispose of portfolio securities to meet the distribution requirements and these sales may be subject to the risk factors discussed above. A Fund is not limited in the amount of its assets that may be invested in these types of securities.

Cybersecurity Risk

With the increased use of technologies such as the internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform necessary business functions, the Funds and their service providers may have become more susceptible to operational and related risks through breaches in cybersecurity. A cybersecurity incident may refer to intentional or unintentional events that allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause a Fund or Fund service providers (including, but not limited to, the Manager, distributor, fund accountants, custodian, transfer agent, and financial intermediaries) to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. A cybersecurity incident could, among other things, result in the loss or theft of customer data or funds, customers or employees being unable to access electronic systems (denial of services), loss or theft of proprietary information or corporate data, physical damage to a computer or network system, or remediation costs associated with system repairs.

Any of these results could have a substantial adverse impact on a Fund and its shareholders. For example, if a cybersecurity incident results in a denial of service, Fund shareholders could lose access to their electronic accounts and be unable to buy or sell Fund shares for an unknown period of time, and employees could be unable to access electronic systems to perform critical duties for the Fund, such as trading, NAV calculation, shareholder accounting or fulfillment of Fund share purchases and redemptions. Cybersecurity incidents could cause a Fund or Fund service provider to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures, or financial loss of a significant magnitude and could result in allegations that a Fund or Fund service provider violated privacy and other laws.

Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, counterparties with which a Fund engages in transactions, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, and other financial institutions and other parties. Risk management systems and business continuity plans seek to reduce the risks associated with cybersecurity in the event there is a cybersecurity breach, but there are inherent limitations in these systems and plans, including the possibility that certain risks may not have been identified, in large part because different or unknown threats may emerge in the future. Furthermore, the Funds do not control the cybersecurity systems and plans of the issuers of securities in which the Funds invest or the Funds' third party service providers or trading counterparties or any other service providers whose operations may affect the Funds or their shareholders.

As an open-end management investment company, the Trust has delegated its operational activities to third-party service providers, subject to the oversight of the Board. Because the Trust operates its business through third-party service providers, it does not itself have any operational or security systems or infrastructure that are potentially subject to cyber attacks. The third-party service providers that facilitate the Trust's business activities, including, but not limited to, fund management, custody of Trust assets, fund accounting and financial administration, and transfer agent services, could be sources of operational and informational security risk to the Trust and its shareholders, including from breakdowns or failures of the third-party service providers' own systems or capacity constraints. A failure or breach of the operational or security systems or infrastructure of the Trust's third-party service providers could disrupt the Trust's operations, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, and cause losses. Although the Trust and its third-party service providers have business continuity plans and other safeguards in place, the operations of the Trust's third-party service providers may be adversely affected by significant disruption of the service providers' operating systems or physical infrastructure that support the Trust and its shareholders.

The proliferation of new technologies, the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct business, as well as the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists, activists, and others, have significantly increased the information security risks to which the Trust's third-party service providers are subject. The third-party service providers rely on digital technologies, computer and email systems, software, and networks to conduct their business and the business of the Trust. The Trust's third-party service providers have robust information security procedures; however, their technologies may become the target of cyber attacks or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering,

monitoring, misuse, loss, or destruction of the Trust's or its shareholders' confidential and other information, or otherwise disrupt the business operations of the Trust or its third-party service providers. Although to date the Trust has not experienced any material losses relating to cyber attacks or other information security breaches, there can be no assurance that the Trust or its third-party service providers will not suffer such losses in the future.

Disruptions or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Trust's third-party service providers, or cyber attacks or security breaches of the networks, systems, or devices that the Trust's third-party service providers use to service the Trust's operations, could result in financial losses, the inability of Trust shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. The business continuity policies and procedures that the Trust and its third-party service providers have established seek to identify and mitigate the types of risk to which the Trust and its third-party service providers are subject. As with any risk-management system, there are inherent limitations to these business continuity policies and procedures as there may exist, or develop in the future, risks that have not been anticipated or identified.

IBOR Transition Risk

The London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) was a common benchmark interest rate index used to make adjustments to variable-rate loans and was used throughout global banking and financial industries to determine interest rates for a variety of borrowing arrangements and financial instruments (such as debt instruments and derivatives).

The majority of LIBOR rates were phased out at the end of 2021. The most common tenors of USD LIBOR (overnight and 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month) ceased publication as of June 30, 2023. In addition, global regulators have announced that, with limited exceptions, no new LIBOR-based contracts should be entered into after 2021. The United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which regulated LIBOR, will permit the use of synthetic U.S. dollar LIBOR rates for non-U.S. contracts for a limited period of time after June 30, 2023, but any such rates would be considered non-representative of the underlying market.

Over the past several years, various regulators and industry bodies identified alternative reference rates (“ARRs”) to replace LIBOR and assist with the transition to the new ARRs. While the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, there remains uncertainty and risks related to converting certain longer-term securities and transactions to a new ARR. For example, there can be no assurance that the composition or characteristics of any ARRs or financial instruments in which a fund invests that utilize ARRs will be similar to or produce the same value or economic equivalence as LIBOR or that these instruments will have the same volume or liquidity. Additionally, while some instruments tied to LIBOR or a similar rate may include a replacement rate, not all instruments have such fallback provisions, and the effectiveness of such replacement rates remains uncertain. The cessation of LIBOR or similar rates could affect the value and liquidity of investments tied to these rates, especially those that do not include fallback provisions. While it is expected that market participants will amend legacy financial instruments referencing LIBOR to include such fallback provisions to ARRs, there remains uncertainty regarding the willingness and ability of parties to add or amend such fallback provisions in legacy instruments.

Any effects of the transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of ARRs, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses. Furthermore, the risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR and transition to replacement rates may be exacerbated if an orderly transition to an ARR is not completed in a timely manner.

Natural Disaster/Epidemic Risk

Natural or environmental disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and other severe weather-related phenomena generally, and widespread disease, including pandemics and epidemics, have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely impacting individual companies, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of a fund's investments. Given the increasing interdependence among global economies and markets, conditions in one country, market, or region are increasingly likely to adversely affect markets, issuers, and/or foreign exchange rates in other countries. These disruptions could prevent a fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the fund's ability to achieve its investment objective. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of a fund.

Insurance

Financial health of municipal bond insurance companies

A Fund may invest in municipal bonds that are “wrapped” with a municipal bond insurance policy from one of several “monoline” financial guarantors.

During the period of the mid 1990s through mid 2000s, several financial guarantors expanded their business lines to include the writing of insurance policies and credit default swap contracts for structured finance, which includes residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) that contain both sub-prime and prime mortgages and home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”). The structured finance portion of the financial guarantors accounted for about one third of the $2.5 trillion in insured par values.

The national housing slowdown and the widespread decline of home prices that began in 2006 triggered a significant increase in mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures, especially in the sub-prime mortgage sector. The rate of delinquencies and foreclosures greatly exceeded historical averages, especially for sub-prime mortgages and HELOCs that were underwritten in 2006 and 2007 as underwriting standards declined. During the summer and fall of 2007, all

Insurance

but two of the seven “first tier” or AAA-rated financial guarantors began to report sharp increases in their mark-to-market losses associated with the credit default swap contracts for insured RMBS and CDO exposure. The monoline insurers also began to set aside case loss reserves for future expected monetary losses associated with the payment of future claims in their structured finance portfolios. With the rise in delinquencies and weaker performance in mortgage pools, and CDOs with sub-prime exposure, the three rating agencies developed updates of their capital adequacy models for the financial guarantors. Extensive revisions to the capital models were completed in the second half of 2007. The revised capital models projected that future cumulative losses from sub-prime mortgages, HELOCs, and CDOs with sub-prime exposure would eat into the excess capital reserves that are necessary for the monoline insurers to maintain their AAA insurer financial strength rating. All three rating agencies disclosed that several of the monoline insurers would experience capital shortfalls that would require new capital infusions and risk reduction measures or else the insurer financial strength rating for the monoline insurers would be downgraded to below AAA.

In response to the higher loss expectations in structured finance, several of the monoline insurers announced or completed plans to raise additional capital and claims-paying resources. Starting in January 2008, the three rating agencies began to take negative actions against a number of the municipal bond insurers. These actions included actual rating downgrades, assigning negative outlooks, and/or placing the insurer financial strength rating on credit watch for possible downgrade.

During 2008, the rating agencies continued to revise their capital adequacy models to incorporate higher loss assumptions in the insured structured finance portfolios of RMBS and CDOs with mortgage-backed securities exposure. These more severe stress case loss scenarios resulted in additional downgrades for the monoline firms in 2008, with additional downgrades continuing through 2013.

In 2013, several of the monoline firms reached settlements related to insured RMBS, resulting in cash payments. Following the announcement of such settlements, the ratings for each of the firms was upgraded, and their outlook was deemed to be positive.

In 2014, insurers were impacted by the enactment by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico of a law, the Puerto Rico Public Corporation Debt Enforcement and Recovery Act (Recovery Act), that allowed public corporations to defer or restructure their debt obligations. Subsequently in 2014, the ratings agencies adjusted their outlooks on account of exposure to Puerto Rico insurers.

Total municipal bond issuance year-to-date as of November 30, 2023, was $350.3 billion. The amount of bonds sold as insured was $33.3 billion, or 9.5% of total sales.

The Manager anticipates that substantially all of the insured municipal obligations in the Funds' investment portfolios will be covered by either primary insurance or secondary market insurance. Primary insurance is a municipal bond insurance policy that is attached to a municipal bond at the time the bond is first sold in the primary market (“Primary Insurance”). Secondary market insurance is a municipal bond insurance policy that is underwritten for a bond that has been previously issued and sold (“Secondary Market Insurance”). Both Primary Insurance and Secondary Market Insurance are non-cancelable and continue in force so long as the insured security is outstanding and the respective insurer remains in business. Premiums for Secondary Market Insurance, if any, would be paid from a Fund's assets and would reduce the current yield on its investment portfolio by the amount of such premiums.

Insurer financial strength ratings continue to be provided by Moody's and S&P. A Moody's insurer financial strength rating is an opinion of the ability of an insurance company to repay punctually senior policyholder obligations and claims. An insurer with an insured financial strength rating of Aaa is adjudged by Moody's to be of the best quality. In the opinion of Moody's, the policy obligations of an insurance company with an insured financial strength rating of Aaa carry the smallest degree of credit risk and, while the financial strength of these companies is likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the company's fundamentally strong position. An S&P insurer financial strength, financial enhancement rating is an assessment of an operating insurance company's financial capacity to meet obligations under an insurance policy in accordance with its terms. An insurer with an insurer financial strength, financial enhancement rating of AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The capacity of an insurer so rated to honor insurance contracts is adjudged by S&P to be extremely strong and highly likely to remain so over a long period of time.

An insurer financial strength rating by Moody's or S&P does not constitute an opinion on any specific insurance contract in that such an opinion can only be rendered upon the review of the specific insurance contract. Furthermore, an insurer financial strength rating does not take into account deductibles, surrender, or cancellation penalties or the timeliness of payment; nor does it address the ability of a company to meet non-policy obligations (i.e., debt contracts).

The assignment of ratings by Moody's or S&P to debt issues that are fully or partially supported by insurance policies, contracts or guarantees is a separate process from the determination of insurer financial strength ratings. The likelihood of a timely flow of funds from the insurer to the trustee for the bondholders is a likely element in the rating determination for such debt issues.

The following table is a summary snapshot of the insurer financial strength ratings of certain municipal bond insurers that may insure bonds held by a Fund available as of December 18, 2023:

Funds' investment in insured bonds

Source: Moody's, S&P, Fitch

Insurer financial strength ratings for the municipal bond insurers may continue to change. None of Assured Guaranty Corp., Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp., Build America Mutual, Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Co., or National Public Finance Guaranty has any material business relationship with the Funds.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings Information

The Funds have adopted a policy generally prohibiting the disclosure of portfolio holdings information to any person until after 30 calendar days have passed. Each Trust posts a list of its respective Fund's portfolio holdings monthly, with a 30-day lag, on the Funds' website, delawarefunds.com. In addition, on a 10-day lag, we also make available on the website a month-end summary listing of the number of the Funds' securities, country and asset allocations, and top 10 securities and sectors by percentage of holdings for each Fund. This information is available publicly to any and all shareholders free of charge once posted on the website or by calling 800 523-1918.

Other entities, including institutional investors and intermediaries that distribute the Funds' shares, are generally treated similarly and are not provided with the Funds' portfolio holdings in advance of when they are generally available to the public.

The Funds may, from time to time, provide statistical data derived from publicly available information to third parties, such as shareholders, prospective shareholders, financial intermediaries, consultants, and ratings and ranking organizations.

Third-party service providers and affiliated persons of the Funds are provided with the Funds' portfolio holdings only to the extent necessary to perform services under agreements relating to the Funds. In accordance with the policy, third-party service providers who receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information on an ongoing basis are: the Manager's affiliates (Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust, Delaware Investments Fund Services Company, and the Distributor), the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm, the Funds' custodian, the Funds' legal counsel, the Funds' financial printer (DG3), and the Funds' proxy voting service. These entities are obligated to keep such information confidential.

Third-party rating and ranking organizations and consultants who have signed agreements (“Nondisclosure Agreements”) with the Funds or the Manager may receive portfolio holdings information more quickly than the 30-day lag. The Nondisclosure Agreements require that the receiving entity hold the information in the strictest confidence and prohibit the receiving entity from disclosing the information or trading on the information (either in Fund shares or in shares of the Funds' portfolio securities). In addition, the receiving party must agree to provide copies of any research or reports generated using the portfolio holdings information in order to allow for monitoring of use of the information. Neither the Funds, nor the Manager, nor any affiliate, receives any compensation or consideration with respect to these agreements.

To protect the shareholders' interests and to avoid conflicts of interest, Nondisclosure Agreements must be approved by a member of the Manager's Legal Department and Compliance Department and any deviation in the use of the portfolio holdings information by the receiving party must be approved in writing by the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer prior to such use.

The Board will be notified of any substantial changes to the foregoing procedures. The Board also receives an annual report from the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer that, among other things, addresses the operation of the Trust's procedures concerning the disclosure of portfolio holdings information.

Management of the Trust

Trustees and officers

The business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction of its Board of Trustees. Information on the Trust's Trustees and principal officers is provided below. The Trustees serve for indefinite terms until their mandatory retirement, resignation, death, or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” as defined by the 1940 Act are referred to as the “Independent Trustees.”

As of November 30, 2023, the officers and Trustees of the Trust directly owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Class of each Fund.

Management of the Trust

Management of the Trust

The following table shows each Trustee's ownership of shares of the Funds and of shares of all Delaware Funds as of December 31, 2022.

The following table describes the aggregate compensation received by each Trustee from the Trust and the total compensation received from Delaware Funds for which he or she served as a Trustee for the Trust's last fiscal year. Only the Independent Trustees of the Trust receive compensation from the Trust.

Management of the Trust

Common Board of Trustees: The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of its Board. The Trustees also serve on the Boards of all the other investment companies that comprise Delaware Funds. The Trustees believe that having a common Board for all funds in the complex is efficient and enhances the ability of the Board to address its responsibilities to each fund in the complex. The Trustees believe that the common board structure allows the Trustees to leverage their individual expertise and that their judgment is enhanced by being Trustees of all of the funds in the complex.

Size and Composition of Board: The Board is currently comprised of twelve Trustees. Eleven of the twelve are Independent Trustees. The Board is comprised of Trustees with a variety of professional backgrounds and experiences. The Board comprises Trustees with a variety of professional backgrounds. The Board believes that the skill sets of its members are complementary and add to the overall effectiveness of the Board. The Trustees regard diversity as an important consideration in the present composition of the Board and the selection of qualified candidates to fill vacancies on the Board. In order to ensure that Board membership will be refreshed from time to time, the Board has adopted a mandatory retirement age of 75 for Trustees. As a result, a Trustee may serve until December 31 of the calendar year in which such Trustee reaches the age of 75. At the discretion of the other Trustees, active service for a particular Trustee may be extended for a limited period of time beyond a Trustee's normal retirement date.

Qualifications of the Trustees: The Board has concluded that, based on each Trustee's experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees, each Trustee should serve as a Trustee. In reaching its determination the Board, at the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, considers, in light of the Trust's business and structure, the individual's experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills. No one such factor is determinative, but some of the relevant factors that have been considered include: (i) the Trustee's educational background; business, professional training or practice; public service or academic positions; experience from service as a board member (including the Board) or as an executive of investment funds, public companies or significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations, and/or other life experiences; (ii) the ability to work effectively and collegially with other people; (iii) how the Trustee's background and attributes contribute to the overall mix of skills and experience on the Board as a whole; and (iv) the Trustee's willingness and ability to contribute to the Board's oversight and decision-making functions and provide the necessary skills to allow the Board to carry out its responsibilities. In addition to the table above, set forth below is a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications and skills of each Trustee that led the Board to conclude that he or she should serve as a Trustee.

Jerome D. Abernathy — Mr. Abernathy has extensive experience in the investment management industry. He has been the Managing Member of Stonebrook Capital Management, LLC (financial technology: macro factors and databases) since 1993 and has served in various roles including Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner. Prior to that, Mr. Abernathy served as a Managing Director at Guggenheim Investments, Director of Research at Moore Capital Management, and as a trader and researcher at Morgan Stanley. He also has experience as a director of other corporate and not-for-profit boards. Mr. Abernathy received a B.S. in electrical engineering from Howard University and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has served on the Board since January 2019.

Ann D. Borowiec — Ms. Borowiec has extensive experience in the banking, and wealth management industry. She is currently a private investor. She was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Private Wealth Management at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. from 2011 to 2013. During her 25 year career at J.P. Morgan, she served in a variety of senior roles including running the U.S. Private Bank, leading the global marketing team for Private Banking, and running Investor relations for J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Ms. Borowiec began her career in public accounting. She also has experience as a director of other corporate and not-for-profit boards, including, among others, Santander Bank N.A., Banco Santander International and the New Jersey Symphony. Ms. Borowiec holds a B.B.A. from Texas Christian University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University. She has served on the Board since March 2015.

Joseph W. Chow — Mr. Chow has extensive experience in the banking and financial services industry, including investments, risk management and business strategy. Mr. Chow is currently a private investor. He was previously at State Street Bank and Trust Company where he held a number of positions between 1990 and 2011, including Executive Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management, Executive Vice President of Emerging Economies Strategy, and Chief Risk and Corporate Administration Officer. He also has experience as a director of other corporate and not-for-profit boards, including Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. Mr. Chow holds a B.A. degree from Brandeis University and a M.C.P. (city planning) and a M.S in Management (finance) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has served on the Board since January 2013.

H. Jeffrey Dobbs — Mr. Dobbs has extensive experience in the global professional services industry. He is currently a private investor. Mr. Dobbs was the Global Chairman of the Industrial Manufacturing Sector at KPMG LLP from 2010 to 2015, where he was a partner from 2002 to 2015 and also served as the Global Lead Partner for a Fortune 5 global automotive company from 2003 to 2015. In these roles, he was responsible for the quality and client satisfaction of the strategic, operational, risk and compliance services provided to industrial manufacturing clients around the world. Prior to that, Mr. Dobbs was a partner at Arthur Andersen from 1988 to 2002, where he also served as the Kansas City Office Managing Partner. He has experience as a director of other corporate and not-for-profit boards. Mr. Dobbs holds a B.S. in accounting from Valparaiso University and is a retired Certified Public Accountant. He has served on the Board since April 2021. Prior to that, he served on the Board of Trustees of the Ivy Funds from April 2019 to April 2021.

John A. Fry — Mr. Fry has extensive experience in higher education. Having served in senior management for three major institutions of higher learning, he has extensive experience overseeing areas such as finance, investments, risk-management, internal audit, and information technology. He has been the President of Drexel University since 2010. Prior to that he served as President of Franklin & Marshall College from 2002 to 2010, Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2002, and as a management consultant for the higher education and non-profit sectors at Coopers & Lybrand's National Higher Education Consulting Practice from 1990 to 1995 and KPMG Peat Marwick from 1982 to 1990. He also has extensive experience as a director of other corporate and not-for-profit boards, including, among others, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the Kresge Foundation and FS Credit Real Estate Income Trust Inc. Mr. Fry holds a B.A. degree in American Civilization from Lafayette College and an M.B.A. from New York University. He has served on the Board since January 2001.

Joseph Harroz, Jr. — Mr. Harroz has extensive experience in higher education. He has been the President of the University of Oklahoma since 2020. Prior to that he served as the Interim President from 2019 to 2020, Dean of the College of Law from 2010 to 2019, General Counsel from 1997 to 2019 and Vice President of Executive Affairs from 1994 to 1997. Mr. Harroz is a Managing Member of Brookhaven Investments LLC and St. Clair, LLC, each commercial enterprises, since 2019. He also has experience as a director of other corporate and not-for-profit boards, including OU Health, Inc., Big 12 Athletic Conference and Valliance Bank. Mr. Harroz holds a B.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He has been on the Board since April 2021 and prior to that on the Board of Trustees of the Ivy Funds from November 1998 to April 2021, serving as chair of that board for more than a decade.

Sandra A.J. Lawrence — Ms. Lawrence has extensive experience in the healthcare and financial services sectors. She is currently a private investor. Ms. Lawrence was Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President of Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics from 2016 to 2019 and Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President from 2005 to 2016. Prior to that, she was Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Midwest Research Institute (MRI) from 2004 to 2005, Vice President and Administrator of Gateway, Inc. from 1998 to 2000, General Manager of Gateway's Kansas City operation from 1997 to 1998, Director of MRI's Statistics & Economics Center from 1995 to 1997, and President of Stern Brothers (investment bank) from 1992 to 1995. Ms. Lawrence also previously served as interim Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Medical Research, President and Chief Executive Officer of Global Packaging Solutions, Inc., and in various roles in commercial real estate development. She also has extensive experience as a director of other corporate, private, and not-for-profit boards. Ms. Lawrence holds a B.A. from Vassar College, an M.Arch from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. She has served on the Board since April 2021. Prior to that, she served on the Board of Trustees of the Ivy Funds from April 2019 to April 2021.

Frances A. Sevilla-Sacasa — Ms. Sevilla-Sacasa has extensive experience in banking and wealth management. She is currently a private investor and was CEO of Banco Itaú International, Miami, Florida, from April 2012 to December 2016. She served as Executive Advisor to the Dean of the University of Miami School of Business from August 2011 to March 2012, Interim Dean of the University of Miami School of Business from January 2011 to July 2011, President of U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management from July 2007 to December 2008, President and CEO of US Trust Company from early 2007 until June 2007, and President of US Trust Company from November 2005 until June 2007. She previously served in a variety of roles with Citigroup's private banking business, including President of Latin America Private Banking, President of Europe Private Banking, and Head of International Trust Business. She also has experience as a director of other corporate and not-for-profit boards. Ms. Sevilla-Sacasa holds a B.A. from the University of Miami and an M.B.A from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. She has served on the Board since September 2011.

Thomas K. Whitford — Mr. Whitford has extensive experience in the banking and financial services industry. He is currently a private investor. He was the Vice Chairman of PNC Financial Services Group from 2009 to 2013. Prior to that, he held a number of other leadership positions at PNC, including Chairman of National City Bank (responsible for PNC's integration of National City Corporation) from 2008 to 2009, Chief Administrative Officer from 2007 to 2008, Chief Risk Officer from 2002 to 2007, Chief Executive Officer of PNC's Wealth Management business from 1997 to 2001 and other positions from 1983 to 1997. He also has previous experience as a director of other corporate and not-for-profit boards, including among others, HSBC North America Holdings Inc., HSBC Finance Corporation, Longwood Gardens and The Barnes Foundation. Mr. Whitford holds a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Whitford has served on the Board since January 2013 and chair since January 2023.

Christianna Wood — Ms. Wood has extensive portfolio management experience in the institutional investment management industry. She has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gore Creek Capital, Ltd. since 2009. Prior to that she served as the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Z Asset Management (one of the largest independent sponsors of hedge funds) from 2008 to 2009 and as the Senior Investment Officer of Global Equity of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) (the largest public pension plan in the United States) from 2002 to 2008. At CalPERS, in addition to the responsibility for their $150 billion global equity portfolio, Ms. Wood also had oversight responsibilities for CalPERS corporate governance program and ESG strategies. She has extensive experience as a non-executive director of numerous corporate and not-for-profit boards. Ms. Wood received a B.A. in economics from Vassar College and an M.B.A. in finance from New York University. Ms. Wood was a 2018 Harvard University Advanced Leadership Fellow. She has served on the Board since January 2019.

Janet L. Yeomans — Ms. Yeomans has extensive broad-based financial experience, including global financial risk management, investments, and mergers and acquisitions. She is currently a private investor. Ms. Yeomans was previously Vice President and Treasurer of 3M, a multinational conglomerate, from 1995 to 2012 where she was responsible for funding global operations, managing the investment of employee benefit assets and advising the Board on financial related matters. Prior to that, Ms. Yeomans managed the Investment Technology Group at Interactive Data Corporation and was an econometric consultant at Data Resources, Inc. Ms. Yeomans served as an adjunct professor of IT Governance at Temple University's Fox School of Business in 2016. She also has experience as a director of other corporate and not-for-profit boards, including, the Minnesota State Board of Investment, Temple University Hospital and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Ms. Yeomans holds degrees in mathematics and physics from Connecticut College, an M.S. in mathematics from Illinois Institute of Technology, and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. She has served on the Board since April 1999.

Shawn K. Lytle — Mr. Lytle is Head of Equities & Multi-Asset for Macquarie Asset Management (MAM), where he is responsible for overseeing the business, investment teams, and strategies for clients. He also serves as the President of Delaware Funds by Macquarie​® and oversees registered vehicle governance globally across MAM. More broadly, Mr. Lytle serves as Head of Americas for Macquarie Group. Mr. Lytle has more than 30 years of asset management experience. Before joining MAM, he held several management and equity investment roles at UBS Asset Management and various roles at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Mr. Lytle is a member of the Investment Company Institute (ICI) Executive Committee. He is also a board member of

Management of the Trust

OppNet and Philadelphia Financial Scholars, in addition to being the former Chairman of the National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP). Mr. Lytle received a Bachelor of Science in marketing from The McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.

Board Leadership Structure: The Board has overall responsibility for the oversight of the Funds. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Trustee and the Chair of each Committee of the Board is an Independent Trustee. The Board has five standing Committees: Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Equity Investments Committee, Fixed Income, Multi-Asset and Sub-advised Fund Investments Committee, and Committee of Independent Trustees/Directors. The role of the Chair of the Board is to preside at all meetings of the Board, to act as a liaison with service providers, fund officers, legal counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings and to actively develop meeting agendas. The Chair of each Committee performs a similar role with respect to the Committee. The Chair of the Board or the Chair of a Committee may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board or the Committee, respectively, from time to time.

The Board has regular meetings five times a year, and may hold special meetings if required before its next regular meeting. Each Committee meets regularly to conduct the oversight functions delegated to that Committee by the Board and reports its findings to the Board. The Board and each standing Committee conduct annual assessments of their oversight function and structure. The Board has determined that the Board's leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise independent judgment over management and to allocate areas of responsibility among Committees and the full Board to enhance effective oversight.

Audit Committee: This committee monitors accounting and financial reporting policies, practices, and internal controls for the Trust. It also oversees the quality and objectivity of the Trust's financial statements and the independent audit thereof, and acts as a liaison between the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board. The committee currently consists of the following Independent Trustees: Frances Sevilla-Sacasa, Chair; H. Jeffrey Dobbs; and Sandra A. J. Lawrence. The Audit Committee held six meetings during the Trust's last fiscal year.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: This committee is responsible for nominating Trustees and making recommendations to the Board concerning Board composition, committee structure and governance, director education, and governance practices. The committee currently consists of the following Independent Trustees: Ann D. Borowiec, Chair; John A. Fry; Joseph Harroz, Jr.; and Thomas K. Whitford (ex officio). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held six meetings during the Trust's last fiscal year.

The committee will consider shareholder recommendations for nomination to the Board only in the event that there is a vacancy on the Board. Shareholders who wish to submit recommendations for nominations to the Board to fill a vacancy must submit their recommendations in writing to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o Delaware Funds at 100 Independence, 610 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2354. At a minimum, the recommendation should include: the name, address and business, educational and/or other pertinent background of the person being recommended; a statement concerning whether the person is an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act; any other information that the Funds would be required to include in a proxy statement concerning the person if he or she was nominated; and the name and address of the person submitting the recommendation, together with the number of Fund shares held by such person and the period for which the shares have been held. The recommendation also can include any additional information which the person submitting it believes would assist the committee in evaluating the recommendation.

In evaluating nominees, the committee considers, among other things, an individual's background, skills, and experience; whether the individual is an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act; and whether the individual would be deemed an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of applicable SEC rules. The committee also considers whether the individual's background, skills, and experience will complement the background, skills, and

experience of other nominees and will contribute to the diversity of the Board.

Investments Committees: Each of the Investments Committees works to assist the Board in the oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of Fund performance, investment related risks and other related matters, meet with the investment management team representatives of the Funds from time to time to discuss investment performance and investment process and perform such other functions as may be delegated to it from time to time by the Board.

The Equity Investments Committee currently consists of the following Independent Trustees: Joseph W. Chow, Chair; Jerome D. Abernathy; H. Jeffrey Dobbs; and Christianna Wood. The Equity Investments Committee held five meetings during the Trust's last fiscal year.

The Fixed Income, Multi-Asset and Sub-advised Fund Investments Committee consists of the following Independent Trustees: Janet L. Yeomans, Chair; Jerome D. Abernathy; Sandra A.J. Lawrence; and Christianna Wood. The Fixed Income, Multi-Asset and Sub-advised Fund Investments Committee held four meetings during the Trust's last fiscal year.

Committee of Independent Trustees/Directors: This committee oversees the approval process of the Funds' advisory and distribution agreements and arrangements, serves as a liaison between the Board and the Manager and the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer and undertakes other responsibilities. The committee is comprised of all of the Trust's Independent Trustees. The Committee of Independent Trustees held four meetings during the Trust's last fiscal year.

Board Role in Risk Oversight: Investing in general and the operation of a Fund involve a variety of risks, such as investment risk, illiquidity risk, compliance risk, and operational risk, among others. The Board oversees risk as part of its oversight of the Funds. Risk oversight is addressed as part of various regular Board and committee activities. The Board, directly or through its committees, reviews reports from among others, the Manager, sub-advisers, the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer, the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm, counsel, and other parties, as appropriate, regarding risks faced by the Funds and the risk management programs of the Manager and certain service providers. The actual day-to-day risk management with respect to the Funds resides with the Manager and other service providers to the Funds. Although the risk management policies of the Manager and the service providers are

designed to be effective, those policies and their implementation vary among service providers and over time, and there is no guarantee that they will be effective. Not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified or processes and controls developed to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects, and some risks are simply beyond any control of the Funds or the Manager, its affiliates or other service providers.

Code of Ethics

The Trust, the Manager, and the Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics in compliance with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, which govern personal securities transactions. Under the Codes of Ethics, persons subject to the Codes are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds, subject to the requirements set forth in Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and certain other procedures set forth in the applicable Code of Ethics. The Codes of Ethics are on public file with, and are available from, the SEC.

Proxy Voting Policy

The Trust has formally delegated to the Manager the responsibility for making all proxy voting decisions in relation to portfolio securities held by the Funds. If and when proxies need to be voted on behalf of the Funds, the Manager and any Macquarie affiliates advising the Funds (collectively, the “MAM Advisers”) will vote such proxies pursuant to proxy voting policies and procedures adopted by the MAM Advisers (the “Procedures”). The MAM Advisers have established a Proxy Voting Committee (the “Committee”), which is responsible for overseeing the MAM Advisers' proxy voting process for the Funds. One of the main responsibilities of the Committee is to review and approve the Procedures to ensure that the Procedures are designed to allow the MAM Advisers to vote proxies in a manner consistent with the goal of voting in the best interests of the Funds.

In order to facilitate the actual process of voting proxies, the MAM Advisers have contracted with proxy advisory firms to analyze proxy statements on behalf of the Funds and the MAM Advisers' other clients and provide the MAM Advisers with research recommendations on upcoming proxy votes in accordance with the Procedures. The Committee is responsible for overseeing the proxy advisory firms' services. If a proxy has been voted for the Funds, the proxy advisory firm will create a record of the vote. By no later than August 31 of each year, information (if any) regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recently disclosed 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (i) through the Funds' website at

http://www.delawarefunds.com/proxy; and (ii) on the Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov.

When determining whether to invest in a particular company, one of the factors the MAM Advisers may consider is the quality and depth of the company's management. As a result, the MAM Advisers believe that recommendations of management on any issue (particularly routine issues) should be given a fair amount of weight in determining how proxy issues should be voted. Thus, on many issues, the MAM Advisers' votes are cast in accordance with the recommendations of the company's management. However, the MAM Advisers may vote against management's position when it runs counter to the MAM Advisers' specific Proxy Voting Guidelines (the “Guidelines”), and the MAM Advisers will also vote against management's recommendation when the MAM Advisers believe such position is not in the best interests of the Funds.

As stated above, the Procedures also list specific Guidelines on how to vote proxies on behalf of the Funds. Some examples of the Guidelines are as follows: (i) generally vote for shareholder proposals asking that a majority or more of directors be independent; (ii) generally vote for management or shareholder proposals to reduce supermajority vote requirements, taking into account: ownership structure; quorum requirements; and vote requirements; (iii) votes on mergers and acquisitions should be considered on a case-by-case basis; (iv) generally vote re-incorporation proposals on a case-by-case basis; (v) votes with respect to equity-based compensation plans are generally determined on a case-by-case basis; (vi) generally vote for proposals requesting that a company report on its policies, initiatives, oversight mechanisms, and ethical standards related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, unless the company already provides similar reports through other means or the company has formally committed to the implementation of a reporting program based on Global Reporting Initiative guidelines or a similar standard; and (vii) generally vote for management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.

Because the Trust has delegated proxy voting to the Manager, the Funds are not expected to encounter any conflict of interest issues regarding proxy voting and therefore does not have procedures regarding this matter. However, there is a section in the Procedures that addresses the possibility of conflicts of interest. Most of the proxies which the MAM Advisers receive on behalf of their clients are voted in accordance with the Procedures. Since the Procedures are pre-determined by the Committee, application of the Procedures by the MAM Advisers' portfolio management teams when voting proxies after reviewing the proxy and research provided by the proxy advisory firms should in most instances adequately address any potential conflicts of interest. If the MAM Advisers become aware of a conflict of interest in an upcoming proxy vote, the proxy vote will generally be referred to the Committee or the Committee's delegates for review. If the portfolio management team for such proxy intends to vote in accordance with the proxy advisory firm's recommendation pursuant to the Procedures, then no further action is needed to be taken by the Committee. If the portfolio management team is considering voting a proxy contrary to the proxy advisory firm's research recommendation under the Procedures, the Committee or its delegates will assess the proposed vote to determine if it is reasonable. The Committee or its delegates will also assess whether any business or other material relationships between the MAM Advisers and a portfolio company (unrelated to the ownership of the portfolio company's securities) could have influenced an inconsistent vote on that company's proxy. If the Committee or its delegates determines that the proposed proxy vote is unreasonable or unduly influenced by a conflict, the portfolio management team will be required to vote the proxy in accordance with the proxy advisory firm's research recommendation or abstain from voting.

Investment Manager and Other Service Providers

Investment Manager

The Manager, located at 100 Independence, 610 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2354, furnishes investment management services to the Funds, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board. The Manager also provides investment management services to all of the other Delaware Funds. Affiliates of the Manager also manage other investment accounts. While investment decisions for the Funds are made independently from those of the other funds and accounts, investment decisions for such other funds and accounts may be made at the same time as investment decisions for the Funds. The Manager pays the salaries of all Trustees, officers, and employees who are affiliated with both the Manager and the Trust. In the course of discharging its non-portfolio management duties under the advisory contract, the Manager may delegate to affiliates.

Together, the Manager and the other subsidiaries of Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc. (“MMHI”) manage, as of September 30, 2023, approximately $173.7 billion in assets, including mutual funds, separate accounts, and other investment vehicles. The Manager is a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (a Delaware statutory trust), which is a subsidiary of MMHI. MMHI is a subsidiary, and subject to the ultimate control, of Macquarie Group Limited (“Macquarie”). Macquarie is a Sydney, Australia-headquartered global provider of banking, financial, advisory, investment and funds management services. “Macquarie Asset Management” is the marketing name for certain companies comprising the asset management division of Macquarie Group Limited.

The Manager and its affiliates own the name “Delaware Group​®.” Under certain circumstances, including the termination of the relevant Trust's advisory relationship with the Manager or its distribution relationship with the Distributor, the Manager, and its affiliates could cause the relevant Trust to remove the words “Delaware Group” from its name.

The Investment Management Agreement for each Fund (each an “Investment Management Agreement”) may be renewed each year only so long as such renewal and continuance are specifically approved at least annually by its Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund, and only if the terms of, and the renewal thereof, have been approved by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees of the applicable Trust who are not parties thereto or interested persons of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Each Investment Management Agreement is terminable without penalty on 60 days' notice by the Trustees of the Trust or by the Manager. Each Investment Management Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

As compensation for the services rendered under each Investment Management Agreement, the Funds shall pay the Manager an annual management fee as a percentage of average daily net assets equal to:

During the last three fiscal years, the Funds paid the following investment management fees to the Manager:

Except for those expenses borne by the Manager under the Investment Management Agreements, and the Distributor under the Distribution Agreement, each Fund is responsible for all of its own expenses. Among others, such expenses include each Fund's proportionate share of certain administrative

expenses; investment management fees; transfer and dividend disbursing fees and costs; accounting services; custodian expenses; federal and state securities registration fees; proxy costs; and the costs of preparing prospectuses and reports sent to shareholders.

Distributor

The Distributor, Delaware Distributors, L.P., located at 100 Independence, 610 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2354, serves as the national distributor of the Funds' shares under a Distribution Agreement dated May 15, 2003, as amended and restated January 4, 2010, and further amended and restated on February 25, 2016. The Distributor is an affiliate of the Manager and bears all of the costs of promotion and distribution, except for payments by the Retail Classes under their respective Rule 12b-1 Plans. The Distributor is an indirect subsidiary of MMHI and, therefore, of Macquarie. The Distributor has agreed to use its best efforts to sell shares of the Funds. See the Prospectus for information on how to invest in the Funds. Shares of the Funds are offered on a continuous basis by the Distributor and may be purchased through authorized investment dealers or directly by contacting the Distributor or the Trust. The Distributor also serves as the national distributor for the Delaware Funds. The Board annually reviews fees paid to the Distributor.

During the Funds' last three fiscal years, the Distributor received net commissions from each Fund on behalf of its Class A shares, after reallowances to dealers, as follows:

During the Funds' last three fiscal years, the Distributor received, in the aggregate, limited contingent deferred sales charge (“Limited CDSC”) payments with respect to Class A shares and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) payments with respect to Class C shares as follows:

Investment Manager and Other Service Providers

Transfer Agent

Delaware Investments Fund Services Company (“DIFSC”), an affiliate of the Manager, is located at 100 Independence, 610 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2354, and serves as the Funds' shareholder servicing, dividend disbursing, and transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) pursuant to a Shareholder Services Agreement. The Transfer Agent is an indirect subsidiary of MMHI and, therefore, of Macquarie. The Transfer Agent also acts as shareholder servicing, dividend disbursing, and transfer agent for the other Delaware Funds. The Transfer Agent is paid a fee by the Funds for providing these services consisting of an asset-based fee and certain out-of-pocket expenses. The Transfer Agent will bill, and the Funds will pay, such compensation monthly. Omnibus and networking fees charged by financial intermediaries and subtransfer agency fees are passed on to and paid directly by the Funds. The Transfer Agent's compensation is fixed each year and approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees.

Each Fund has authorized, in addition to the Transfer Agent, one or more brokers to accept purchase and redemption orders on its behalf. Such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on behalf of each Fund. For purposes of pricing, each Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker's authorized designee, accepts the order.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNYMIS”) provides subtransfer agency services to the Funds. In connection with these services, BNYMIS administers the overnight investment of cash pending investment in the Funds or payment of redemptions. The proceeds of this investment program are used to offset the Funds' transfer agency expenses.

Fund Accountants

The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”), 240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10286-0001, provides fund accounting and financial administration services to the Funds. Those services include performing functions related to calculating the Funds' NAVs and providing financial reporting information, regulatory compliance testing, and other related accounting services. For these services, the Funds pay BNY Mellon an asset-based fee, subject to certain fee minimums plus certain out-of-pocket expenses and transactional charges. DIFSC provides fund accounting and financial administration oversight services to the Funds. Those services include overseeing the Funds' pricing process, the calculation and payment of fund expenses, and financial reporting in shareholder reports, registration statements, and other regulatory filings. DIFSC also manages the process for the payment of dividends and distributions and the dissemination of Fund NAVs and performance data. For these services, the Funds pay DIFSC an asset-based fee, subject to certain fee minimums, plus certain out-of-pocket expenses, and transactional charges. The fees payable to BNY Mellon and DIFSC under the service agreements described above will be allocated among all funds in the Delaware Funds on a relative NAV basis.

During the past three fiscal years, the Funds paid the following amounts to BNY Mellon for fund accounting and financial administration services:

The fees for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 do not reflect the results of the mergers of Delaware Tax-Exempt Opportunities Fund into Delaware Tax-Free USA Fund or Delaware Tax-Exempt Income Fund into Delaware Tax-Free USA Intermediate Fund, both effective as of the close of business on December 4, 2020.

During the past three fiscal years, the Funds paid the following amounts to DIFSC for fund accounting and financial administration oversight services:

The fees for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 do not reflect the results of the mergers of Delaware Tax-Exempt Opportunities Fund into Delaware Tax-Free USA Fund or Delaware Tax-Exempt Income Fund into Delaware Tax-Free USA Intermediate Fund, both effective as of the close of business on December 4, 2020.

Securities Lending Agent

The Board has approved each Fund's participation in a securities lending program. Under the securities lending program, BNY Mellon serves as the Funds' securities lending agent (“Securities Lending Agent”).

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, the Funds did not earn income or pay any fees and/or compensation pursuant to the Lending Agreement between the Trusts with respect to the Funds and the Securities Lending Agent.

Custodian

BNY Mellon is the custodian of each Fund's securities and cash. As custodian for the Funds, BNY Mellon maintains a separate account or accounts for each Fund; receives, holds, and releases portfolio securities on account of each Fund; receives and disburses money on behalf of each Fund; and collects and receives income and other payments and distributions on account of each Fund's portfolio securities.

Legal Counsel

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP serves as the Trust's legal counsel.

Portfolio Managers

Other Accounts Managed

The following chart lists certain information about types of other accounts for which each portfolio manager is primarily responsible as of August 31, 2023 unless otherwise noted. Any accounts managed in a personal capacity appear under “Other Accounts” along with the other accounts managed on a professional basis.

Description of Material Conflicts of Interest

Individual portfolio managers may perform investment management services for other funds or accounts similar to those provided to the Funds and the investment action for each such other fund or account and the Funds may differ. For example, an account or fund may be selling a security, while another account or fund may be purchasing or holding the same security. As a result, transactions executed for one fund or account may adversely affect the value of securities held by another fund, account, or a Fund. Additionally, the management of multiple funds or accounts and a Fund may give rise to potential conflicts of interest, as a portfolio manager must allocate time and effort to multiple funds or accounts and the Funds. A portfolio manager may discover an investment opportunity that may be suitable for more than one account or fund. The investment opportunity may be limited, however, so that all funds or accounts for which the investment would be suitable may not be able to participate. The Manager has adopted procedures designed to allocate investments fairly across multiple funds and accounts.

Some of the accounts managed by a portfolio manager as set forth in the table above may have performance-based fees. This compensation structure presents a potential conflict of interest because a portfolio manager has an incentive to manage these accounts so as to enhance their performance, to the possible detriment of other accounts for which the Manager does not receive a performance-based fee.

A portfolio manager's management of personal accounts also may present certain conflicts of interest. While the Manager's Code of Ethics is designed to address these potential conflicts, there is no guarantee that it will do so.

Compensation Structure

Each portfolio manager's compensation consists of the following:

Portfolio Managers

Base Salary — Each named portfolio manager receives a fixed base salary. Salaries are determined by a comparison to industry data prepared by third parties to ensure that portfolio manager salaries are in line with salaries paid at peer investment advisory firms.

Bonus — An objective component is added to the bonus for each manager that is reflective of account performance relative to an appropriate peer group or database. The following paragraph describes the structure of the non-guaranteed bonus.

Each portfolio manager is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus, which is based on quantitative and qualitative factors. There is one pool for bonus payments for the fixed income department. The pool is allotted based on subjective factors and objective factors. The amount of the pool for bonus payments is determined by assets managed (including investment companies, insurance product-related accounts and other separate accounts), management fees and related expenses (including fund waiver expenses) for registered investment companies, pooled vehicles, and managed separate accounts. For investment companies, each manager is compensated according to the Funds' Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (formerly, Lipper Inc.) (“Broadridge”) or Morningstar peer group percentile ranking on a 1-, 3-, and 5-year basis, with longer term performance more heavily weighted. For managed separate accounts the portfolio managers are compensated according to the composite percentile ranking against the eVestment Alliance database (or similar sources of relative performance data) on a one-, three-, and five-year basis, with longer term performance more heavily weighted; composite performance relative to the benchmark is also evaluated for the same time periods. Incentives reach maximum potential at the top 25th-30th percentile. The remaining portion of the bonus is discretionary as determined by Macquarie Asset Management and takes into account subjective factors.

For new and recently transitioned portfolio managers, the compensation may be weighted more heavily towards a portfolio manager's actual contribution and ability to influence performance, rather than longer-term performance. Management intends to move the compensation structure towards longer-term performance for these portfolio managers over time.

Portfolio managers participate in retention programs, including a MAM notional investment plan (the “MAM Notional Investment Plan”) and the Macquarie Group Employee Retained Equity Plan, for alignment of interest purposes.

MAM Notional Investment Plan — A portion of a portfolio manager's retained profit share may be notionally exposed to the return of certain funds within the MAM Funds pursuant to the terms of the MAM Notional Investment Plan. The retained amount will vest in equal tranches over a period ranging from four to five years after the date of investment (depending on the level of the employee).

Macquarie Group Employee Retained Equity Plan — A portion of a portfolio manager's retained profit share may be invested in the Macquarie Group Employee Retained Equity Plan (“MEREP”), which is used to deliver remuneration in the form of Macquarie equity. The main type of award currently being offered under the MEREP is units comprising a beneficial interest in a Macquarie share held in a trust for the employee, subject to the vesting and forfeiture provisions of the MEREP. Subject to vesting conditions, vesting and release of the shares occurs in a period ranging from four to five years after the date of investment (depending on the level of the employee).

Other Compensation — Portfolio managers may also participate in benefit plans and programs available generally to all similarly situated employees.

Ownership of Fund Shares

As of August 31, 2023, the portfolio managers did not own shares of any Fund.

Trading Practices and Brokerage

The Manager selects broker/dealers to execute transactions on behalf of the Funds for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities on the basis of its judgment of their professional capability to provide the service. The primary consideration in selecting broker/dealers is to seek those broker/dealers who will provide best execution for the Funds. Best execution refers to many factors, including the price paid or received for a security, the commission charged, the promptness and reliability of execution, the confidentiality and placement accorded the order, and other factors affecting the overall benefit obtained by the account on the transaction. Some trades are made on a net basis where the Funds either buy securities directly from the dealer or sell them to the dealer. In these instances, there is no direct commission charged but there is a spread (the difference between the buy and sell price), which is the economic equivalent of a commission. When a commission is paid, the Funds pay reasonable brokerage commission rates based upon the professional knowledge of the Manager's trading department as to rates paid and charged for similar transactions throughout the securities industry. In some instances, a Fund pays a minimal share transaction cost when the transaction presents no difficulty.

During the past three fiscal years, the Funds did not pay any brokerage commissions.

Subject to applicable requirements, such as seeking best execution and Rule 12b-1(h) under the 1940 Act, the Manager may allocate out of all commission business generated by all of the funds and accounts under its management, brokerage business to broker/dealers who provide brokerage and research services. These services may include providing advice, either directly or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; furnishing of analyses and reports concerning issuers, securities, or industries; providing information on economic factors and trends; assisting in determining portfolio strategy; providing computer software used in security analysis; and providing portfolio performance evaluation and technical market analyses. Such services are used by the Manager in connection with its investment decision-making process with respect to one or more mutual funds and separate accounts managed by it, and may not be used, or used exclusively, with respect to the mutual fund or separate account generating the brokerage.

As provided in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Funds' Investment Management Agreement, higher commissions are permitted to be paid to broker/dealers who provide brokerage and research services than to broker/dealers who do not provide such services, if such higher commissions are deemed reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. Although transactions directed to broker/dealers who provide such brokerage and research services may result in the Funds paying higher commissions, the Manager believes that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. In some instances, services may be provided to the Manager that constitute in some part brokerage and research services used by the Manager in connection with its investment decision-making process and constitute in some part services used by the Manager in connection with administrative or other functions not related to its investment decision-making process. In such cases, the Manager will make a good faith allocation of brokerage and research services and will pay out of its own resources for services used by the Manager in connection with administrative or other functions not related to its investment decision-making process. In addition, so long as a Fund is not disadvantaged, other than the potential for additional commissions/equivalents, portfolio transactions that generate commissions or their equivalent can be allocated to broker/dealers that provide services directly or indirectly to a Fund and/or to other Delaware Funds. Subject to best execution, commissions/equivalents allocated to brokers providing such services may or may not be generated by the funds receiving the service. In such instances, the commissions/equivalents would be used for the advantage of a Fund or other funds and not for the advantage of the Manager.

During the last fiscal year, the Funds did not engage in any portfolio transactions resulting in brokerage commissions directed to brokers for brokerage and research services.

As of August 31, 2023, the Funds did not hold securities of their regular broker/dealers, as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act, or such broker/dealers' parents.

The Manager may place a combined order for two or more accounts or funds engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security if, in its judgment, joint execution is in the best interest of each participant and will meet the requirement to seek best execution. Transactions involving commingled orders are allocated in a manner deemed equitable to each account or fund. When a combined order is executed in a series of transactions at different prices, each account participating in the order may be allocated an average price obtained from the executing broker. It is believed that the ability of the accounts to participate in volume transactions will generally be beneficial to the accounts and funds. Although it is recognized that, in some cases, the joint execution of orders could adversely affect the price or volume of the security that a particular account or fund may obtain, it is the opinion of the Manager and the Board that the advantages of combined orders outweigh the possible disadvantages of separate transactions.

Consistent with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules, and subject to seeking best execution, the Manager may place orders with broker/dealers that have agreed to defray certain Fund expenses, such as custodian fees.

Each Fund has the authority to participate in a commission recapture program. Under the program and subject to seeking best execution (as described in the first paragraph of this section), a Fund may direct certain security trades to brokers who have agreed to rebate a portion of the related brokerage commission to the Fund in cash. Any such commission rebates will be included as a realized gain on securities in the appropriate financial statements of a Fund. The Manager and its affiliates have previously acted, and may in the future act, as an investment manager to mutual funds or separate accounts affiliated with the administrator of the commission recapture program. In addition, affiliates of the administrator act as consultants in helping institutional clients choose investment managers and may also participate in other types of businesses and provide other services in the investment management industry.

Capital Structure

Capitalization

The Trust currently has authorized, and allocated to each Class of each Fund, an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value. All shares are, when issued in accordance with the Trust's registration statement (as amended from time to time), governing instruments and applicable law, fully paid, and nonassessable. Shareholders do not have preemptive rights. All shares of a Fund represent an undivided proportionate interest in the assets of the Fund. Shareholders of the Funds' Institutional Class may not vote on any matter that affects the Retail Classes' Distribution Plans under Rule 12b-1. Similarly, as a general matter, shareholders of the Retail Classes may vote only on matters affecting their respective Class, including the Retail Classes' Rule 12b-1 Plans that relate to the Class of shares that they hold. However, a Fund's Class C shares may vote on any proposal to increase materially the fees to be paid by the Fund under the Rule 12b-1 Plan relating to its Class A shares. Except for the foregoing, each share Class has the same voting and other rights and preferences as the other Classes of a Fund. General expenses of each Fund will be allocated on a pro rata basis to the classes according to asset size, except that expenses of the Retail Classes' Rule 12b-1 Plans will be allocated solely to those classes.

On September 25, 2014, all remaining Class B shares of the Funds were converted to Class A shares of their corresponding Fund.

Effective as of the close of business on December 4, 2020, Delaware Tax-Exempt Income Fund, a series of Delaware Group Limited-Term Government Funds, merged into Delaware Tax-Free USA Intermediate Fund and Delaware Tax-Exempt Opportunities Fund, a series of Delaware Group Limited-Term Government Funds, merged into Delaware Tax-Free USA Fund.

Effective as of the close of business on September 15, 2023, Delaware Ivy Municipal Bond Fund, a series of Ivy Funds, merged into Delaware Tax-Free USA Fund, and Delaware Ivy Municipal High Income Fund, a series of Ivy Funds, merged into Delaware National High-Yield Municipal Bond Fund.

Capital Structure

Noncumulative Voting

The Trust's shares have noncumulative voting rights, meaning that the holders of more than 50% of the shares of the Trust voting for the election of Trustees can elect all of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in such event, the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any Trustees.

Purchasing Shares

General Information

Shares of the Funds are offered on a continuous basis by the Distributor and may be purchased through authorized financial intermediaries or directly by contacting the Trust. The Trust reserves the right to suspend sales of Fund shares, and reject any order for the purchase of Fund shares if, in the opinion of management, such rejection is in a Fund's best interest. The minimum initial investment generally is $1,000 for Class A shares and Class C shares. Subsequent purchases of such Classes generally must be at least $100. The initial and subsequent investment minimums for Class A shares will be waived for purchases by officers, Trustees, and employees of any Delaware Fund, the Manager, or any of the Manager's affiliates if the purchases are made pursuant to a payroll deduction program. There are no minimum purchase requirements for Institutional Class shares (except those purchased through an automatic investment plan), but certain eligibility requirements must be met.

You may purchase only up to $250,000 of Class C shares of each Fund at one time. Orders that exceed $250,000 or more will be rejected. An investor should keep in mind that reduced front-end sales charges apply to investments of $100,000 or more in Class A shares, and that Class A shares are subject to lower annual Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses than Class C shares and generally are not subject to a CDSC.

Financial intermediaries are responsible for transmitting orders promptly. Each Fund reserves the right to reject any order for the purchase of its shares if in the opinion of management such rejection is in the Fund's best interest. If a purchase is canceled because your check is returned unpaid, you are responsible for any loss incurred. Each Fund can redeem shares from your account(s) to reimburse itself for any loss, and you may be restricted from making future purchases in any Delaware Fund. Each Fund reserves the right to reject purchase orders paid by third-party checks or checks that are not drawn on a domestic branch of a US financial institution. If a check drawn on a foreign financial institution is accepted, you may be subject to additional bank charges for clearance and currency conversion.

Each Fund also reserves the right, following shareholder notification, to charge a service fee on accounts that, as a result of redemption, have remained below the minimum stated account balance for a period of three or more consecutive months. Holders of such accounts may be notified of their insufficient account balance and advised that they have until the end of the current calendar quarter to raise their balance to the stated minimum. If the account has not reached the minimum balance requirement by that time, the Funds may charge a $9 fee for that quarter and each subsequent calendar quarter until the account is brought up to the minimum balance. No fees will be charged without proper notice, and no CDSC will apply to such assessments.

In addition, each Fund reserves the right, upon 60 days' written notice, to involuntarily redeem accounts that remain under the minimum initial purchase amount as a result of redemptions. An investor making the minimum initial investment may be subject to involuntary redemption without the imposition of a CDSC or Limited CDSC if he or she redeems any portion of his or her account.

Minimum purchase and minimum balance requirements do not apply to accounts participating in advisory or asset-allocation programs covered by financial intermediaries. Certain accounts held in omnibus or programs covered by certain intermediaries may be opened with less than the minimum stated account balance and may maintain balances that are below the minimum stated account balance without incurring a service fee or being subject to involuntary redemption.

FINRA has adopted amendments to its Conduct Rules, relating to investment company sales charges. The Trust and the Distributor intend to operate in compliance with these rules.

Certificates representing shares purchased are not ordinarily issued. Certificates were previously issued for Class A shares of the Funds. However, purchases not involving the issuance of certificates are confirmed to the investor and credited to the shareholder's account on the books maintained by the Transfer Agent. The investor will have the same rights of ownership with respect to such shares as if certificates had been issued. An investor will be permitted to obtain a certificate in certain limited circumstances that are approved by an appropriate officer of the Funds. No charge is assessed by the Trust for any certificate issued. The Funds do not intend to issue replacement certificates for lost or stolen certificates, except in certain limited circumstances that are approved by an appropriate officer of the Funds. In those circumstances, a shareholder may be subject to fees for replacement of a lost or stolen certificate, under certain conditions, including the cost of obtaining a bond covering the lost or stolen certificate. Please contact the applicable Trust for further information. Investors who hold certificates representing any of their shares may only redeem those shares by written request. The investor's certificate(s) must accompany such request.

Contact your financial intermediary for specific information regarding the availability and suitability of various account options described throughout this SAI. Contact your financial intermediary for specific information with respect to the financial intermediary's policies regarding minimum purchase and minimum balance requirements and involuntary redemption, which may differ from what is described throughout this SAI.

Comparison of Share Classes

The alternative purchase arrangements of Class A shares and Class C shares permit investors to choose the method of purchasing shares that is most suitable for their needs given the amount of their purchase, the length of time they expect to hold their shares and other relevant circumstances. Investors should determine whether, given their particular circumstances, it is more advantageous to purchase Class A shares and incur a front-end sales charge and annual Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to a maximum of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares of each Fund, or to purchase Class C shares and have the entire initial purchase amount invested in a Fund with the investment thereafter subject to a CDSC and annual Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses. Class C shares are subject to a CDSC if the shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Class C shares are subject to annual Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses of up to a maximum of 1.00% of average daily net assets of the Class, 0.25% of which is a service fee to be paid to the Distributor, dealers, or others for providing personal service and/or maintaining shareholder accounts. Class C shares that automatically convert to Class A shares at the end of approximately 8 years after purchase will be subject to Class A shares' annual Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses.

The higher Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses on Class C shares will be offset to the extent a return is realized on the additional money initially invested upon the purchase of such shares. However, there can be no assurance as to the return, if any, that will be realized on such additional money. In addition, the effect of any return earned on such additional money will diminish over time.

For the distribution and related services provided to, and the expenses borne on behalf of, the Funds, the Distributor and others will be paid, in the case of Class A shares, from the proceeds of the front-end sales charge and Rule 12b-1 Plan fees; in the case of Class C shares, from the proceeds of the Rule 12b-1 Plan fees and, if applicable, the CDSC incurred upon redemption. Financial intermediaries may receive different compensation for selling the Retail Classes. Investors should understand that the purpose and function of the respective Rule 12b-1 Plans and the CDSC applicable to Class C shares are the same as those of the Rule 12b-1 Plan and the front-end sales charge applicable to Class A shares in that such fees and charges are used to finance the distribution of the respective Classes. See “Plans under Rule 12b-1 for the Retail Classes” below.

Dividends, if any, paid on the Retail Classes and Institutional Class shares will be calculated in the same manner, at the same time and on the same day and will be in the same amount, except that the additional amount of Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses relating to the Retail Classes will be borne exclusively by such shares. See “Determining Offering Price and Net Asset Value” for more information.

Class A Shares: Purchases of $100,000 or more of Class A shares at the offering price carry reduced front-end sales charges as shown in the table in the Prospectus, and may include a series of purchases over a 13-month period under a letter of intent signed by the purchaser. See “Special Purchase Features — Class A shares” below for more information on ways in which investors can avail themselves of reduced front-end sales charges and other purchase features.

From time to time, upon written notice to dealers, the Distributor may hold special promotions for specified periods during which the Distributor may re-allow to dealers up to the full amount of the front-end sales charge. The Distributor should be contacted for further information on these requirements as well as the basis and circumstances upon which the additional commission will be paid.

Share Class Exchanges

If you wish to transfer your investment between share classes within the same Fund or between different funds, we generally will process your request as an exchange of the shares you currently hold for shares in the new class or fund. Below is more information about how sales charges are handled for various scenarios.

Exchanges of shares for the same Fund generally will be tax-free for federal income tax purposes. You should consult with your tax advisor regarding the state and local tax consequences of such an exchange of Fund shares.

Such exchange privileges is subject to termination and may be amended from time to time.

Exchanging Class A shares for Institutional Class shares

Class A shares purchased by accounts participating (or intending to participate) in certain programs sponsored by and/or controlled by financial intermediaries (“Programs”) may be exchanged by the financial intermediary on behalf of the shareholder for Institutional Class shares of another fund under certain circumstances, depending on such Program's eligibility to purchase Institutional Class shares of that fund. Such exchange will be on the basis of the NAVs per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee, or other charge.

Holders of Class A shares that were sold without a front-end sales load but for which the Distributor has paid a commission to a financial intermediary are generally not eligible for this exchange privilege until the applicable CDSC period has expired. The applicable CDSC period is generally 18 months after the purchase of such Class A shares, but please see the “Choosing a share class” section of the Prospectus for the CDSC period that applies to your Fund.

Exchanging Class C shares for Class A shares or Institutional Class shares

Class C shares purchased by accounts participating (or intending to participate) in certain Programs may be exchanged by the financial intermediary on behalf of the shareholder for either Class A shares or Institutional Class shares of a Fund under certain circumstances, depending on such Program's eligibility to purchase either Class A shares or Institutional Class shares of a Fund. Such exchange will be on the basis of the NAVs per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee, or other charge.

Purchasing Shares

Holders of Class C shares that are subject to a CDSC are generally not eligible for this exchange privilege until the applicable CDSC period has expired. The applicable CDSC period is generally one year after the purchase of such Class C shares.

Exchanging Institutional Class shares for Class A shares

If a shareholder of Institutional Class shares has ceased his or her participation in a Program, or the financial intermediary has determined to utilize Class A shares in the Program or the shareholder transfers to a Program that utilizes Class A shares, the financial intermediary may exchange all such Institutional Class shares for Class A shares of a Fund. Such exchange will be on the basis of the relative NAVs of the shares, without imposition of any sales load, fee, or other charge.

Dealer's Commission

For initial purchases of Class A shares of $250,000 or more, a dealer's commission may be paid by the Distributor to financial intermediaries through whom such purchases are effected.

In determining a financial intermediary's eligibility for the dealer's commission, purchases of Class A shares of other Delaware Funds to which a Limited CDSC applies (see “Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A Shares Purchased at Net Asset Value” under “Redemption and Exchange” below) may be aggregated with those of the Class A shares of another Fund. Financial intermediaries also may be eligible for a dealer's commission in connection with certain purchases made under a letter of intent or pursuant to an investor's right of accumulation. Financial intermediaries should contact the Distributor concerning the applicability and calculation of the dealer's commission in the case of combined purchases.

An exchange from other Delaware Funds will not qualify for payment of the dealer's commission, unless a dealer's commission or similar payment has not been previously paid on the assets being exchanged. The schedule and program for payment of the dealer's commission are subject to change or termination at any time by the Distributor at its discretion.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge — Class C shares

Class C shares are purchased without a front-end sales charge. Class C shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase may be subject to a CDSC of 1.00%. CDSCs are charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject to the CDSC. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the NAV at the time of purchase of the shares being redeemed or the NAV of those shares at the time of redemption. No CDSC will be imposed on increases in NAV above the initial purchase price, nor will a CDSC be assessed on redemptions of shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. For purposes of this formula, the “net asset value at the time of purchase” will be the NAV at purchase of Class C shares, even if those shares are later exchanged for shares of another Delaware Fund. In the event of an exchange of the shares, the “net asset value of such shares at the time of redemption” will be the NAV of the shares that were acquired in the exchange. See the Prospectus for a list of the instances in which the CDSC is waived.

Approximately 8 years after purchase, the investor's Class C shares will be eligible to automatically convert to Class A shares of the same Fund. See “Automatic Conversion of Class C Shares” below. Such conversion will constitute a tax-free exchange for federal income tax purposes. Investors are reminded that the Class A shares to which Class C shares will convert are subject to Class A shares' ongoing annual Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses.

In determining whether a CDSC applies to a redemption of Class C shares, it will be assumed that shares held for more than 12 months are redeemed first followed by shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions, and finally by shares held for 12 months or less.

Automatic Conversion of Class C shares

Class C shares held for eight years after purchase are eligible for automatic conversion into Class A shares of the same Fund. Conversions of Class C shares into Class A shares will generally occur monthly during the calendar year, on the 18th day or next business day of each month (each, a “Conversion Date”). If the eighth anniversary after a purchase of Class C shares falls on a Conversion Date, an investor's Class C shares will be converted on that date. If the eighth anniversary occurs between Conversion Dates, an investor's Class C shares will be converted on the next Conversion Date after such anniversary.

The automatic conversion of Class C to Class A shares will be on the basis of the NAV per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. Class C shares of a Fund acquired through a reinvestment of dividends will convert to Class A shares of the Fund pro rata with Class C shares of that Fund not acquired through dividend reinvestment. All such automatic conversions of Class C shares will constitute tax-free exchanges for federal income tax purposes.

For shareholders investing in Class C shares through retirement plans, omnibus accounts, and in certain other instances, a Fund and its agents may not have transparency into how long a shareholder has held Class C shares for purposes of determining whether such Class C shares are eligible for automatic conversion into Class A shares. In these circumstances, a Fund will not be able to automatically convert Class C shares into Class A shares as described above. In order to determine eligibility for conversion in these circumstances, it is the responsibility of the shareholder or their financial intermediary to notify the Fund that the shareholder is eligible for the conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares, and the shareholder or their financial intermediary may be required to maintain and provide the Fund with records that substantiate the holding period of Class C shares.

In addition, a financial intermediary may sponsor and/or control accounts, programs or platforms that impose a different conversion schedule or eligibility requirements in regards to the conversion of Class C shares into Class A shares. In these cases, certain Class C shareholders may not be eligible to convert

to Class A shares as described above. However, these Class C shareholders may be permitted to exchange their Class C shares for Class A shares pursuant to the terms of the financial intermediary's conversion policy. Financial intermediaries will be responsible for making such exchanges in those circumstances. Please consult with your financial intermediary if you have any questions regarding the conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares.

Level Sales Charges Alternative — Class C shares

Class C shares may be purchased at NAV without a front-end sales charge and, as a result, the full amount of the investor's purchase payment will be invested in Fund shares. The Distributor currently compensates financial intermediaries for selling Class C shares at the time of purchase from its own assets in an amount equal to no more than 1.00% of the dollar amount purchased. As discussed below, Class C shares are subject to annual Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses and, as discussed above, if redeemed within 12 months of purchase, a CDSC.

Proceeds from the CDSC and the annual Rule 12b-1 Plan fees are paid to the Distributor and others for providing distribution and related services, and bearing related expenses, in connection with the sale of Class C shares. These payments support the compensation paid to financial intermediaries for selling Class C shares. Payments to the Distributor and others under the Class C Rule 12b-1 Plan may be in an amount equal to no more than 1.00% annually.

Holders of Class C shares who exercise the exchange privilege described below will continue to be subject to the CDSC schedule for Class C shares as described in this SAI. See “Redemption and Exchange” below.

Plans under Rule 12b-1 for the Retail Classes

Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, each Trust has adopted a plan for each of the Retail Classes (the “Plans”). Each Plan permits a Fund to pay for certain distribution, promotional, and related expenses involved in the marketing of only the class of shares to which the Plan applies. The Plans do not apply to the Institutional Class shares. Such shares are not included in calculating the Plans' fees, and the Plans are not used to assist in the distribution and marketing of the Funds' Institutional Class shares. Shareholders of the Institutional Class may not vote on matters affecting the Plans.

The Plans permit each Fund, pursuant to its Distribution Agreement, to pay out of the assets of the Retail Classes monthly fees to the Distributor for its services and expenses in distributing and promoting sales of shares of such classes. These expenses include, among other things: preparing and distributing advertisements, sales literature, and prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes; compensating sales and marketing personnel; holding special promotions for specified periods of time; and paying distribution and maintenance fees to financial intermediaries and others. In connection with the promotion of shares of the Retail Classes, the Distributor may, from time to time, pay to participate in dealer-sponsored seminars and conferences, and reimburse dealers for expenses incurred in connection with preapproved seminars, conferences, and advertising. The Distributor may pay or allow additional promotional incentives to dealers as part of preapproved sales contests and/or to dealers who provide extra training and information concerning the Retail Classes and increase sales of the Retail Classes.

The Plans do not limit fees to amounts actually expended by the Distributor. It is therefore possible that the Distributor may realize a profit in any particular year. However, the Distributor currently expects that its distribution expenses will likely equal or exceed payments to it under the Plans. The Distributor may, however, incur additional expenses and make additional payments to dealers from its own resources to promote the distribution of shares of the Retail Classes. The monthly fees paid to the Distributor under the Plans are subject to the review and approval of the Trust's Independent Trustees, who may reduce the fees or terminate the Plans at any time.

All of the distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor and others, such as financial intermediaries, in excess of the amount paid on behalf of the Retail Classes, would be borne by such persons without any reimbursement from such Retail Classes. Consistent with the requirements of Rule 12b-1(h) under the 1940 Act and subject to seeking best execution, a Fund may, from time to time, buy or sell portfolio securities from, or to, firms that receive payments under the Plans.

From time to time, the Distributor may pay additional amounts from its own resources to dealers for aid in distribution or for aid in providing administrative services to shareholders.

The Plans and the Distribution Agreements, as amended, have all been approved by each Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans and the Distribution Agreements, by a vote cast in person at a meeting duly called for the purpose of voting on the Plans and such Distribution Agreements. Continuation of the Plans and the Distribution Agreements, as amended, must be approved annually by the Board in the same manner as specified above.

Each year, the Board must determine that continuation of the Plans is in the best interest of shareholders of the Retail Classes and that there is a reasonable likelihood of each Plan providing a benefit to its respective Retail Class. The Plans and the Distribution Agreements, as amended, may be terminated with respect to a Retail Class at any time without penalty by a majority of Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans and the Distribution Agreements, or by a majority vote of the relevant Retail Class's outstanding voting securities. Any amendment materially increasing the percentage payable under the Plans must likewise be approved by a majority vote of the relevant Retail Class's outstanding voting securities, as well as by a majority vote of Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans or Distribution Agreements. With respect to a Fund's Class A Plan, any material increase in the maximum percentage payable thereunder must also be approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund's Class C shares. Also, any other material amendment to the Plans must be approved by a majority vote of the applicable Board, including a majority of Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans or Distribution Agreements. In addition, in order for the Plans to remain

Purchasing Shares

effective, the selection and nomination of Independent Trustees must be effected by the Trustees who are Independent Trustees and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans or Distribution Agreements. Persons authorized to make payments under the Plans must provide written reports at least quarterly to the applicable Board for its review.

USA Fund's Board has determined that the annual fee payable on a monthly basis for the Fund's Class A shares, pursuant to its Plan, will be equal to the sum of: (i) the amount obtained by multiplying 0.25% by the average daily net assets represented by Class A shares of the Fund that were acquired by shareholders on or after June 1, 1992, and (ii) the amount obtained by multiplying 0.10% by the average daily net assets represented by Class A shares of the Fund that were acquired before June 1, 1992. While this is the method for calculating Class A shares' Rule 12b-1 expense, such expense is a Class expense so that all shareholders of Class A shares of the Fund, regardless of when they purchased their shares, will bear Rule 12b-1 expenses at the same rate per share. As Class A shares of the Fund are sold on or after June 1, 1992, the initial rate of at least 0.10% will increase over time. Thus, as the proportion of Class A shares purchased on or after June 1, 1992 to Class A shares outstanding prior to June 1, 1992 increases, the expenses attributable to payments under the Plan relating to Class A shares will also increase but will not exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets. While this describes the current basis for calculating the fees that will be payable under the Plan with respect to USA Fund's Class A shares, the Plan permits a full 0.25% on all Class A shares' assets to be paid at any time following appropriate Board approval.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, the Rule 12b-1 payments for the USA Fund's Class A shares and Class C shares were: $1,265,471 and $75,974, respectively. Such amounts were used for the following purposes:

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, the Rule 12b-1 payments for Intermediate Fund's Class A shares and Class C shares were: $1,088,591 and $60,084, respectively. Such amounts were used for the following purposes:

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, the Rule 12b-1 payments for National High-Yield Fund's Class A shares and Class C shares were: $742,694 and $448,592, respectively. Such amounts were used for the following purposes:

Special Purchase Features — Class A shares

Letter of Intent: The reduced front-end sales charges described above with respect to Class A shares are also applicable to the aggregate amount of purchases made by any such purchaser within a 13-month period pursuant to a written letter of intent signed by the purchaser, and not legally binding on the signer or the Trust, which provides for the holding in escrow by the Transfer Agent or financial intermediary of 5.00% of the total amount of Class A shares intended to be purchased until such purchase is completed within the 13-month period. The minimum initial purchase amount to establish a letter of intent is $1,000. The Funds do not accept retroactive letters of intent. The 13-month period begins on the date of the earliest purchase. If the intended investment is not completed, the Transfer Agent or financial intermediary may surrender an appropriate number of the escrowed shares for redemption in order to realize the difference between the front-end sales charge on Class A shares purchased at the reduced rate and the front-end sales charges otherwise applicable. Such purchasers may include the values (at offering price at the level designated in their letter of intent) of all their shares of the Funds and of any class of any of the other Delaware Funds previously purchased or acquired as the result of a merger or reorganization of a predecessor fund (as applicable) and still held as of the date of their letter of intent toward the completion of such letter, except as described below. Those purchasers cannot include shares that did not carry a front-end sales charge, CDSC, or Limited CDSC, unless the purchaser acquired those shares through an exchange from a Delaware Fund that did carry a front-end sales charge, CDSC, or Limited CDSC or as the result of a merger or reorganization of a predecessor fund (as applicable) that did carry a front-end sales charge, CDSC, or Limited CDSC. For purposes of satisfying an investor's obligation under a letter of intent, Class C shares of the Funds and the corresponding classes of shares of other Delaware Funds that offer such shares may be aggregated with Class A shares of the Funds. Your financial intermediary may have different procedures for administering this feature.

Combined Purchases Privilege: When you determine the availability of the reduced front-end sales charges on Class A shares, you can combine your holdings or purchases of Class A and all other classes of Delaware Funds. Your financial intermediary may have different procedures for administering this feature.

The privilege also extends to all purchases made at one time by any of the following:

To ensure that you receive available reduced front-end sales charges, you must advise your broker-dealer or your financial intermediary of all eligible accounts and shares that can be aggregated with your own accounts for right of accumulation purposes as well as your desire to enter into a letter of intent (if applicable). If you or your broker dealer or financial intermediary do not let the Funds know that you are eligible for a waiver or reduction, you may not receive a reduction to the front-end sales charges to which you may be eligible. The Fund or your broker-dealer or financial intermediary may also ask you to provide account records, statements or other information related to all eligible accounts.

Right of Accumulation: In determining the availability of the reduced front-end sales charge on Class A shares, you can combine your holdings or purchases of Class A and all other classes of Delaware Funds. If, for example, any such purchaser has previously purchased and still holds Class A shares of a Fund and/or shares of any other of the classes described in the previous sentence with a value of $90,000 and subsequently purchases $10,000 at offering price of additional Class A shares of a Fund, the charge applicable to the $10,000 purchase would currently be 3.50% (2.00% for Intermediate Fund). For the purpose of this calculation, the shares presently held shall be valued at the public offering price that would have been in effect had the shares been purchased simultaneously with the current purchase. Investors should refer to the table of sales charges for Class A shares in the Prospectus to determine the applicability of the right of accumulation to their particular circumstances. Your financial intermediary may have different procedures for administering this feature.

Right of Reinvestment Privilege: Holders of Class A shares of the Funds (and of the Institutional Class shares of the Funds holding shares that were acquired through an exchange from one of the other Delaware Funds offered with a front-end sales charge) who redeem such shares have up to 90 days from the date of redemption to reinvest all or part of their redemption proceeds in the same Class of the Funds or in the same Class of any of the other Delaware Funds. In the case of Class A shares, the reinvestment will not be assessed a front-end sales charge. The reinvestment will be subject to applicable eligibility and minimum purchase requirements and must be in states where shares of such other funds may be sold. This reinvestment privilege does not extend to Class A shares where the redemption of the shares triggered the payment of a Limited CDSC. Automatic transactions (including, for example, automatic purchases, withdrawals and payroll deductions) and ongoing retirement plan contributions are not eligible for investment without a sales

Purchasing Shares

charge. Persons investing redemption proceeds from direct investments in Delaware Funds offered without a front-end sales charge will be required to pay the applicable sales charge when purchasing Class A shares. The reinvestment privilege does not extend to a redemption of Class C shares. You or your financial intermediary must notify us at the time you purchase shares if you are eligible for any of these programs.

Any such reinvestment cannot exceed the redemption proceeds (plus any amount necessary to purchase a full share). The reinvestment will be made at the NAV next determined after receipt of remittance.

Any reinvestment directed to a Delaware Fund in which the investor does not then have an account will be treated like all other initial purchases of such Fund's shares. Consequently, an investor should obtain and read carefully the prospectus for the Delaware Fund in which the investment is intended to be made before investing or sending money. The prospectus contains more complete information about the Delaware Fund, including charges and expenses.

Investors should consult their financial intermediaries or the Transfer Agent, which also serves as the Funds' shareholder servicing agent, about the applicability of the Class A Limited CDSC in connection with the features described above.

Investment Plans

Reinvestment Plan

Unless otherwise designated by shareholders in writing, dividends and distributions, if any, will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the respective Fund Class in which an investor has an account (based on the NAV in effect on the reinvestment date) and will be credited to the shareholder's account on that date.

Reinvestment of Dividends in other Delaware Funds

Subject to applicable eligibility and minimum initial purchase requirements and the limitations set forth below, shareholders may be able to automatically reinvest dividends and/or distributions in any of the other Delaware Funds, including the Funds, in states where their shares may be sold. However, if you received shares as the result of a transaction involving a predecessor fund, you may not be able to reinvest your dividends at the current time. Such investments will be at NAV at the close of business on the reinvestment date without any front-end sales charge or service fee. The shareholder must notify the Transfer Agent in writing and must have established an account in the fund into which the dividends and/or distributions are to be invested. Any reinvestment directed to a fund in which the investor does not then have an account will be treated like all other initial purchases of the fund's shares. Consequently, an investor should obtain and read carefully the prospectus for the fund in which the investment is intended to be made before investing or sending money. The prospectus contains more complete information about the fund, including charges and expenses.

Subject to the following limitations, dividends and/or distributions from other Delaware Funds may be invested in shares of the Funds, provided an account has been established. Dividends from Class A shares may only be directed to other Class A shares, dividends from Class C shares may only be directed to other Class C shares, and dividends from Institutional Class shares may only be directed to other Institutional Class shares.

Compensation to Financial Intermediaries — Dividend and Capital Gains

Dividends and capital gains on Class C shares may be reinvested at NAV, however the Distributor will not compensate the financial intermediaries on the shares resulting from the dividends or capital gains at the time of reinvestment. Shares resulting from dividends and capital gains must age 12 months following the reinvestment date, and Rule 12b-1 Plan fees will be paid to the financial intermediary in the 13th month following the reinvestment date.

Investing by Exchange

If you have an investment in another Delaware Fund, you may be able to exchange part or all of your investment into shares of the Funds. If you received shares as the result of a transaction involving a predecessor fund, you may not be able to exchange shares of the predecessor fund into other Delaware Funds at the current time. If you wish to open an account by exchange, call the Delaware Funds by Macquarie Service Center at 800 523-1918 for more information. All exchanges are subject to the eligibility and minimum purchase requirements and any additional limitations set forth in the Funds' Prospectus. See “Redemption and Exchange” below for more complete information concerning your exchange privileges.

Investing by Electronic Fund Transfer

Direct Deposit Purchase Plan: Investors may arrange for the Funds to accept direct deposits for investment through an agent bank, preauthorized government, or private recurring payments. This method of investment assures the timely credit to the shareholder's account of payments such as social security, veterans' pension or compensation benefits, federal salaries, railroad retirement benefits, private payroll checks, dividends, and disability or pension fund benefits. It also eliminates the possibility and inconvenience of lost, stolen, and delayed checks. If you participate in a direct deposit purchase plan for an account held directly with the Funds' transfer agent and also hold shares of Delaware Funds other than directly with us, generally those holdings will not be aggregated with the assets held with us for purposes of determining rights of accumulation in connection with direct deposit purchases.

Automatic Investing Plan: Shareholders may make automatic investments by authorizing, in advance, monthly or quarterly payments directly from their checking accounts for deposit into their Fund accounts. This type of investment will be handled in either of the following ways: (i) if the shareholder's bank is a

member of the National Automated Clearing House Association (“NACHA”), the amount of the periodic investment will be electronically deducted from his or her checking account by Electronic Fund Transfer (“EFT”) and such checking account will reflect a debit although no check is required to initiate the transaction; or (ii) if the shareholder's bank is not a member of NACHA, deductions will be made by preauthorized checks, known as Depository Transfer Checks. Should the shareholder's bank become a member of NACHA in the future, his or her investments would be handled electronically through EFT. If you participate in an automatic investment program for an account held directly with the Funds' transfer agent and also hold shares of Delaware Funds other than directly with us, generally those holdings will not be aggregated with the assets held with us for purposes of determining rights of accumulation in connection with automatic investment program purchases.

Minimum Initial/Subsequent Investments by Electronic Fund Transfer: Initial investments under the direct deposit purchase plan and the automatic investing plan must be for $250 or more and subsequent investments under such plans must be for $25 or more. An investor wishing to take advantage of either service must complete an authorization form. Either service can be discontinued by the shareholder at any time without penalty by giving written notice.

Direct Deposit Purchase by Mail

Shareholders may authorize a third party, such as a bank or employer, to make investments directly to their Fund accounts. The Funds will accept these investments, such as bank-by-phone, annuity payments, and payroll allotments, by mail directly from the third party. Investors should contact their employers or financial institutions who in turn should contact the Trust for proper instructions.

On Demand Service

You or your financial intermediary may request purchases of Fund shares by phone using the on demand service. When you authorize the Funds to accept such requests from you or your financial intermediary, funds will be withdrawn (for share purchases) from your predesignated bank account. Your request will be processed the same day if you call prior to 4:00pm Eastern time. There is a $25 minimum and $100,000 maximum limit for on demand service transactions.

It may take up to four Business Days for the transactions to be completed. A “Business Day” is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for business. You can initiate this service by completing an Account Services form. If your name and address are not identical to the name and address on your Fund account, you must have your Medallion Signature Guarantee. The Funds do not charge a fee for this service; however, your bank may charge a fee.

Systematic Exchange Option

Shareholders can use the systematic exchange option to invest in the Funds through regular liquidations of shares in their accounts in other Delaware Funds, subject to certain limitations. Shareholders may elect to invest in one or more of the other Delaware Funds through the systematic exchange option. If, in connection with the election of the systematic exchange option, you wish to open a new account to receive the automatic investment, such new account must meet the minimum initial purchase requirements described in the prospectus of the fund that you select. All investments under this option are exchanges and are therefore subject to the same conditions and limitations as other exchanges noted above.

Under this automatic exchange program, shareholders can authorize regular monthly investments (minimum of $100 per fund, unless you received shares as the result of a transaction involving a predecessor fund, in which case there will be no minimum) to be liquidated from their account and invested automatically into other Delaware Funds, subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in the Prospectus. The investment will be made on the 20th day of each month (or, if the fund selected is not open that day, the next Business Day) at the public offering price or NAV, as applicable, of the fund selected on the date of investment. No investment will be made for any month if the value of the shareholder's account is less than the amount specified for investment.

Periodic investment through the systematic exchange option does not ensure profits or protect against losses in a declining market. The price of the fund into which investments are made could fluctuate. Since this program involves continuous investment regardless of such fluctuating value, investors selecting this option should consider their financial ability to continue to participate in the program through periods of low fund share prices. This program involves automatic exchanges between two or more fund accounts and is treated as a purchase of shares of the fund into which investments are made through the program. Shareholders can terminate their participation in the systematic exchange option at any time by giving written notice to the fund from which exchanges are made.

Determining Offering Price and Net Asset Value

Orders for purchases and redemptions of Class A shares are effected at the offering price next calculated after receipt of the order by the Funds, their agent, or certain other authorized persons. Orders for purchases and redemptions of all of the Funds' other share classes are effected at the NAV per share next calculated after receipt of the order by the Funds, their agent, or certain other authorized persons. See “Distributor” under “Investment Manager and Other Service Providers” above. Financial intermediaries are responsible for transmitting orders promptly.

The offering price for Class A shares consists of the NAV per share plus any applicable sales charges. Offering price and NAV are computed as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, which is normally 4:00pm, Eastern time, on days when the NYSE is open for business. The NYSE is scheduled to be open Monday through Friday throughout the year except for days when the following holidays are observed: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,

Determining Offering Price and Net Asset Value

President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The time by which purchase and redemption orders must be effected in order to receive a Business Day's NAV and the time at which such orders are processed and shares are priced may change in case of an emergency declared by the SEC or, if regular trading on the NYSE is stopped, at a time other than the regularly scheduled close of the NYSE. When the NYSE is closed, the Funds will generally be closed, pricing calculations will not be made, and purchase and redemption orders will not be processed until the Funds' next Business Day. See “Calculating share price” and “How to redeem shares” in the Prospectus.

The NAV per share for each share class of each Fund is calculated by subtracting the liabilities of each class from its total assets and dividing the resulting number by the number of shares outstanding for that class. In determining each Fund's total net assets, equity securities, except those traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (Nasdaq), are valued at the last quoted sales price as of the time of the regular close of the NYSE on the valuation date. Securities traded on the Nasdaq are valued in accordance with the Nasdaq Official Closing Price, which may not be the last sales price. If, on a particular day, an equity security does not trade, then the mean between the bid and ask prices will be used, which approximates fair value. Debt securities and credit default swap (“CDS”) contracts are valued based upon valuations provided by an independent pricing service or broker/counterparty and reviewed by management. To the extent current market prices are not available, the pricing service may take into account developments related to the specific security, as well as transactions in comparable securities. US government and agency securities are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices, which approximates fair value. Valuations for fixed income securities utilize matrix systems, which reflect such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, and ratings, and are supplemented by dealer and exchange quotations. For asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and US government agency mortgage-backed securities, pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which considers prepayment speed, attributes of the collateral, yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type as well as broker/dealer-supplied prices. Swap prices are derived using daily swap curves and models that incorporate a number of market data factors, such as discounted cash flows, trades, and values of the underlying reference instruments. Open-end investment company securities are valued at net asset value per share, as reported by the underlying investment company. Forward foreign currency contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices, which approximates fair value. Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are valued at the daily quoted settlement prices. Exchange-traded options are valued at the last reported sale price or, if no sales are reported, at the mean between the last reported bid and ask prices, which approximates fair value. Generally, other securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Manager under the oversight of the Board. In determining whether market quotations are readily available or fair valuation will be used, various factors will be taken into consideration, such as market closures or suspension of trading in a security. On behalf of a Fund, the Manager may use fair value pricing more frequently for securities traded primarily in non-US markets because, among other things, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities, generally as of 4:00pm Eastern time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, government actions or pronouncements, aftermarket trading, or news events may have occurred in the interim. To account for this, the Manager (on behalf of the Funds) may frequently value foreign securities using fair value prices based on third-party vendor modeling tools (international fair value pricing). Foreign securities and the prices of foreign securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated to US dollars at the mean between the bid and offer quotations of such currencies based on rates in effect as of the close of the NYSE.

Use of a pricing service has been approved by the Board. Prices provided by a pricing service take into account appropriate factors such as institutional trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. Subject to the foregoing, securities for which market quotations are not readily available and other assets are valued at fair value by the Manager as determined in good faith and pursuant to procedures approved by the Board.

Each Class of a Fund will bear, pro rata, all of the common expenses of that Fund. The NAVs of all outstanding shares of each Class of a Fund will be computed on a pro rata basis for each outstanding share based on the proportionate participation in that Fund represented by the value of shares of that Class. All income earned and expenses incurred by a Fund, will be borne on a pro rata basis by each outstanding share of a Class, based on each Class's percentage in that Fund represented by the value of shares of such Classes, except that Institutional Class shares will not incur any of the expenses under the Trust's Rule 12b-1 Plans, while the Retail Classes will bear the Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses payable under their respective Plans. Due to the specific distribution expenses and other costs that will be allocable to each Class, the NAV of each Class of a Fund will vary.

Redemption and Exchange

General Information

You can redeem or exchange your shares in a number of different ways that are described below. Your shares will be redeemed or exchanged at a price based on the NAV next determined after a Fund receives your request in good order, subject, in the case of a redemption, to any applicable CDSC or Limited CDSC. For example, redemption or exchange requests received in good order after the time the offering price and NAV of shares are determined will be processed on the next Business Day. See “How to redeem shares” in the Prospectus. A shareholder submitting a redemption request may indicate that he or she wishes to receive redemption proceeds of a specific dollar amount. In the case of such a request, a Fund will redeem the number of shares necessary to deduct the applicable CDSC in the case of Class C shares, and, if applicable, the Limited CDSC in the case of Class A shares and tender to the shareholder the requested amount, assuming the shareholder holds enough shares in his or her account for the redemption to be processed in this manner. Otherwise,

the amount tendered to the shareholder upon redemption will be reduced by the amount of the applicable CDSC or Limited CDSC. Redemption proceeds will be distributed promptly, as described below, but not later than seven days after receipt of a redemption request.

Except as noted below, for a redemption request to be in “good order,” you must provide the name of the Delaware Fund, your account number, account registration, and the total number of shares or dollar amount of the transaction. For exchange requests, you must also provide the name of the Delaware Fund in which you want to invest the proceeds. Exchange instructions and redemption requests must be signed by the record owner(s) exactly as the shares are registered. You may request a redemption or an exchange by calling the Delaware Funds by Macquarie Service Center at 800 523-1918. The Funds may suspend, terminate, or amend the terms of the exchange privilege upon 60 days' written notice to shareholders.

Orders for the repurchase of Fund shares that are submitted to the Delaware Fund prior to the close of its Business Day will be executed at the NAV per share computed that day (subject to the applicable CDSC or Limited CDSC), if the repurchase order was received by the financial intermediary from the shareholder prior to the time the offering price and NAV are determined on such day. The financial intermediary has the responsibility of transmitting orders to the Delaware Fund promptly. Such repurchase is then settled as an ordinary transaction with the financial intermediary (who may make a charge to the shareholder for this service) delivering the shares repurchased.

Payment for shares redeemed will ordinarily be mailed the next Business Day, but in no case later than seven days, after receipt of a redemption request in good order by either the Funds or certain other authorized persons (see “Distributor” under “Investment Manager and Other Service Providers”); provided, however, that each commitment to mail or wire redemption proceeds by a certain time, as described below, is modified by the qualifications described in the next paragraph.

The Funds will process written and telephone redemption requests to the extent that the purchase orders for the shares being redeemed have already settled. The Funds will honor redemption requests as to shares for which a check was tendered as payment, but the Funds will not mail or wire the proceeds until they are reasonably satisfied that the purchase check has cleared, which may take up to 15 calendar days from the purchase date. You can avoid this potential delay if you purchase shares by wiring Federal funds. Each Fund reserves the right to reject a written or telephone redemption request or delay payment of redemption proceeds if there has been a recent change to the shareholder's address of record.

If a shareholder has been credited with a purchase by a check that is subsequently returned unpaid for insufficient funds or for any other reason, the Funds will automatically redeem from the shareholder's account the shares purchased by the check plus any dividends earned thereon. Shareholders may be responsible for any losses to the Funds or to the Distributor.

In case of a suspension of the determination of the NAV because the NYSE is closed for reasons other than weekends or holidays, or trading thereon is restricted or an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Funds of securities owned by them is not reasonably practical, or it is not reasonably practical for a Fund to fairly value its assets, or in the event that the SEC has provided for such suspension for the protection of shareholders, the Funds may postpone payment or suspend the right of redemption or repurchase. In such cases, the shareholder may withdraw the request for redemption or leave it standing as a request for redemption at the NAV next determined after the suspension has been terminated.

Payment for shares redeemed or repurchased may be made either in cash or in kind, or partly in cash and partly in kind. Any portfolio securities paid or distributed in kind would be valued as described in “Determining Offering Price and Net Asset Value” above. Subsequent sale by an investor receiving a distribution in kind could result in the payment of brokerage commissions. However, the Trust has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to which each Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1.00% of the NAV of such Fund during any 90-day period for any one shareholder.

The value of each Fund's investments is subject to changing market prices. Thus, a shareholder redeeming shares of the Funds may sustain either a gain or loss, depending upon the price paid and the price received for such shares.

Certain redemptions of Class A shares purchased at NAV may result in the imposition of a Limited CDSC. See “Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for Certain Redemptions of Class A shares Purchased at Net Asset Value” below. Class C shares are subject to CDSCs as described under “Contingent Deferred Sales Charge — Class C shares” under “Purchasing Shares” above and in the Prospectus. Except for the applicable CDSC or Limited CDSC and, with respect to the expedited payment by wire described below for which, in the case of the Retail Classes, there may be a bank wiring cost, neither the Funds nor the Distributor charge a fee for redemptions or repurchases, but such fees could be charged at any time in the future.

Holders of Class C shares that exchange their shares (“Original Shares”) for shares of other Delaware Funds (in each case, “New Shares”) in a permitted exchange will not be subject to a CDSC that might otherwise be due upon redemption of the Original Shares. However, such shareholders will continue to be subject to the CDSC and any CDSC assessed upon redemption of the New Shares will be charged by the Fund from which the Original Shares were exchanged. In the case of Class C shares, shareholders will also continue to be subject to the automatic conversion schedule of the Original Shares as described in this SAI. In an exchange of Class C shares, a Fund's CDSC schedule may be higher than the CDSC schedule relating to the New Shares acquired as a result of the exchange. For purposes of computing the CDSC that may be payable upon a disposition of the New Shares, the period of time that an investor held the Original Shares is added to the period of time that an investor held the New Shares. With respect to Class C shares, the automatic conversion schedule of the Original Shares may be longer than that of the New Shares. Consequently, an investment in New Shares by exchange may subject an investor to the higher Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to Class C shares for a longer period of time than if the investment in New Shares were made directly.

Redemption and Exchange

You may exchange all or part of your investment in one or more Delaware Funds for shares of other Delaware Funds. Please keep in mind, however, that under most circumstances you may exchange between like classes of shares only. Class C shares acquired by exchange will continue to carry the automatic conversion schedule of the fund from which the exchange is made. The holding period of Class C shares acquired by exchange will be added to that of the shares that were exchanged for purposes of determining the time of the automatic conversion to Class A shares of a Fund.  You will pay any applicable sales charge on your new shares unless eligible to purchase shares at NAV. To open an account by exchange, call your financial intermediary or the Delaware Funds by Macquarie Service Center at 800 523-1918.

Permissible exchanges into Class A shares of the Funds will be made without a front-end sales charge, except for exchanges of shares that were not previously subject to a front-end sales charge (unless such shares were acquired through the reinvestment of dividends). Permissible exchanges into Class C shares will be made without the imposition of a CDSC by the Delaware Fund from which the exchange is being made at the time of the exchange.

Each Fund also reserves the right to refuse the purchase side of an exchange request by any person, or group if, in the Manager's judgment, the Fund would be unable to invest effectively in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, or would otherwise potentially be adversely affected. A shareholder's purchase exchanges may be restricted or refused if a Fund receives or anticipates simultaneous orders affecting significant portions of the Fund's assets.

The Funds discourage purchases by market timers and purchase orders (including the purchase side of exchange orders) by shareholders identified as market timers may be rejected. The Funds will consider anyone who follows a pattern deemed market timing in any Delaware Fund to be a market timer. Your ability to use the Funds' exchange privilege may be limited if you are identified as a market timer. If you are identified as a market timer, we will execute the redemption side of your exchange order but may refuse the purchase side of your exchange order. See the Funds' Prospectus for more information on their market timing policies.

Contact your financial intermediary for specific information regarding the availability and suitability of various account options described throughout this SAI.

Written Redemption

You can write to the Funds (at P.O. Box 534437, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4437 by regular mail or Delaware Funds by Macquarie Service Center, Attention: 534437, 500 Ross Street, 154-0520, Pittsburgh, PA 15262 by overnight courier service) to redeem some or all of your shares. The request must be signed by all owners of the account. For redemptions of more than $100,000, or when the proceeds are not sent to the shareholder(s) at the address of record, the Funds require a signature by all owners of the account and a Medallion Signature Guarantee for each owner. A Medallion Signature Guarantee can be obtained from a commercial bank, a trust company, or a member of a Securities Transfer Association Medallion Program (“STAMP”). Each Fund reserves the right to reject a signature guarantee supplied by an eligible institution based on its creditworthiness. The Funds may require further documentation from corporations, executors, administrators, trustees, or guardians.

Payment is normally mailed the next Business Day after receipt of your redemption request. If your Class A or Institutional Class shares are in certificate form, the certificate(s) must accompany your request and also be in good order. Certificates generally are no longer issued.

Written Exchange

You may also write to the Funds (at P.O. Box 534437, Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4437 by regular mail or Delaware Funds by Macquarie Service Center, Attention: 534437, 500 Ross Street, 154-0520, Pittsburgh, PA 15262 by overnight courier service) to request an exchange of any or all of your shares into another Delaware Fund, subject to the same conditions and limitations as other exchanges noted above.

Telephonic Redemption and Exchange

To get the added convenience of the telephone redemption and exchange methods, you must have the Transfer Agent hold your shares (without charge) for you. If you hold your Class A or Institutional Class shares in certificate form, you may redeem or exchange only by written request and you must return your certificates.

Telephone Redemption: The “Check to Your Address of Record” service and the “Telephone Exchange” service, both of which are described below, are automatically provided unless you notify the Funds in which you have your account in writing that you do not wish to have such services available with respect to your account. Each Fund reserves the right to modify, terminate, or suspend these procedures upon 60 days' written notice to shareholders. It may be difficult to reach the Funds by telephone during periods when market or economic conditions lead to an unusually large volume of telephone requests.

The Funds and their Transfer Agent are not responsible for any shareholder loss incurred in acting upon written or telephone instructions for redemption or exchange of Fund shares that are reasonably believed to be genuine. With respect to such telephone transactions, a Fund will follow reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine (including verification of personal identification). Also, shareholders should verify their trade confirmations immediately upon receipt. Telephone instructions received by a Fund are generally recorded, and a written confirmation will be provided for all purchase, exchange, and redemption transactions initiated by telephone. By exchanging shares by telephone, you are acknowledging prior receipt of a prospectus for the Delaware Fund into which your shares are being exchanged.

Telephone Redemption — Check to Your Address of Record: The Telephone Redemption feature is a quick and easy method to redeem shares. You or your financial intermediary (where applicable) can have redemption proceeds of $100,000 or less mailed to you at your address of record. Checks will be payable to the shareholder(s) of record. Payment is normally mailed the next Business Day after receipt of the redemption request. This service is only available to individual, joint, and individual fiduciary-type accounts.

Telephone Redemption — Proceeds to Your Bank: Redemption proceeds of $1,000 or more can be transferred to your predesignated bank account by wire or by check. You should authorize this service when you open your account. If you change your predesignated bank account, you must complete an authorization form and have your Medallion Signature Guarantee. For your protection, your authorization must be on file. If you request a wire, your funds will normally be sent the next Business Day. If the proceeds are wired to the shareholder's account at a bank that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System, there could be a delay in the crediting of the funds to the shareholder's bank account. A bank wire fee may be deducted from Fund Class redemption proceeds. If you ask for a check, it will normally be mailed the next Business Day after receipt of your redemption request to your predesignated bank account. There are no separate fees for this redemption method, but mailing a check may delay the time it takes to have your redemption proceeds credited to your predesignated bank account. Call the Delaware Funds by Macquarie Service Center at 800 523-1918 prior to the time the offering price and NAV are determined, as noted above.

Telephone Exchange: The telephone exchange feature is a convenient and efficient way to adjust your investment holdings as your liquidity requirements and investment objectives change. You or your financial intermediary can exchange your shares into other Delaware Funds under the same registration, subject to the same conditions and limitations as other exchanges noted above. As with the written exchange service, telephone exchanges are subject to the requirements of the Funds, as described above. Telephone exchanges may be subject to limitations as to amount or frequency.

The telephone exchange privilege is intended as a convenience to shareholders and is not intended to be a vehicle to speculate on short-term swings in the securities market through frequent transactions into and out of the Delaware Funds. Telephone exchanges may be subject to limitations as to amount or frequency. The Transfer Agent and each Fund reserve the right to record exchange instructions received by telephone and to reject exchange requests at any time in the future.

On Demand Service

You or your financial intermediary may request redemptions of Fund Class shares by phone using the on demand service. When you authorize the Funds to accept such requests from you or your financial intermediary, funds will be deposited to your predesignated bank account. Your request will be processed the same day if you call prior to 4:00pm Eastern time. There is a $25 minimum and $100,000 maximum limit for on demand service transactions. For more information, see “On Demand Service” under “Investment Plans” above.

Systematic Withdrawal Plans

Shareholders who own or purchase $5,000 or more of shares at the offering price, or NAV, as applicable, for which certificates have not been issued may establish a systematic withdrawal plan for monthly withdrawals of $25 or more, or quarterly withdrawals of $75 or more, although the Funds do not recommend any specific amount of withdrawal. This is particularly useful to shareholders living on fixed incomes, since it can provide them with a stable supplemental amount. Shares purchased with the initial investment and through reinvestment of cash dividends and realized securities profits distributions will be credited to the shareholder's account and sufficient full and fractional shares will be redeemed at the NAV calculated on the third Business Day preceding the mailing date.

Checks are dated either the 1st or the 15th of the month, as selected by the shareholder (unless such date falls on a holiday or a weekend), and are normally mailed within two Business Days. Both ordinary income dividends and realized securities profits distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Class at NAV. This plan is not recommended for all investors and should be started only after careful consideration of its operation and effect upon the investor's savings and investment program. To the extent that withdrawal payments from the plan exceed any dividends and/or realized securities profits distributions paid on shares held under the plan, the withdrawal payments will represent a return of capital, and the share balance may in time be depleted, particularly in a declining market. Shareholders should not purchase additional shares while participating in a systematic withdrawal plan.

The sale of shares for withdrawal payments constitutes a taxable event and a shareholder may incur a capital gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. This gain or loss may be long term or short term depending on the holding period for the specific shares liquidated.

Withdrawals under this plan made concurrently with the purchases of additional shares may be disadvantageous to the shareholder. Purchases of Class A shares through a periodic investment program in the Funds must be terminated before a systematic withdrawal plan with respect to such shares can take effect, except if the shareholder is investing in Delaware Funds that do not carry a sales charge. Redemptions of Class A shares pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan may be subject to a Limited CDSC if the purchase was made at NAV and a dealer's commission has been paid on that purchase. The applicable Limited CDSC for Class A shares and CDSC for Class C shares redeemed via a systematic withdrawal plan will be waived if the annual amount withdrawn in each year is less than 12% of the account balance on the date that the plan was established. If the annual amount withdrawn in any year exceeds 12% of the account balance on the date that the systematic withdrawal plan was established, all redemptions under the plan will be subject to the applicable CDSC, including an assessment for previously redeemed amounts under the plan. Whether a waiver of the CDSC is available or not, the first shares to be redeemed for each systematic withdrawal plan payment will be those not subject to a CDSC because they have either satisfied the required holding period or were acquired through the reinvestment of distributions. See the Prospectus for more information about the waiver of CDSCs.

Redemption and Exchange

An investor wishing to start a systematic withdrawal plan must complete an authorization form. If the recipient of systematic withdrawal plan payments is other than the registered shareholder, the shareholder's signature on this authorization must be guaranteed. Each signature guarantee must be supplied by an eligible guarantor institution. The Funds reserve the right to reject a signature guarantee supplied by an eligible institution based on its creditworthiness. This plan may be terminated by the shareholder or the Transfer Agent at any time by giving written notice.

Systematic withdrawal plan payments are normally made by check. In the alternative, you may elect to have your payments transferred from your Fund account to your predesignated bank account through the on demand service. Your funds will normally be credited to your bank account up to four Business Days after the payment date. There are no separate fees for this redemption method. It may take up to four Business Days for the transactions to be completed. You can initiate this service by completing an Account Services form. If your name and address are not identical to the name and address on your Fund account, you must have your Medallion Signature Guarantee. The Funds do not charge a fee for this service; however, your bank may charge a fee.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charges for Certain Redemptions of Class A shares Purchased at Net Asset Value

For purchases of $250,000 or more, a Limited CDSC of 1.00% (0.75% for Intermediate Fund) will be imposed on certain redemptions of Class A shares (or shares into which such Class A shares are exchanged) if such shares are redeemed during the first 18 months (12 months for Intermediate Fund) after the purchase, if such purchases were made at NAV and triggered the payment by the Distributor of the dealer's commission described above in “Dealer's Commission” under “Purchasing Shares.”

The Limited CDSC will be paid to the Distributor and will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) the NAV at the time of purchase of the Class A shares being redeemed; or (ii) the NAV of such Class A shares at the time of redemption. For purposes of this formula, the “NAV at the time of purchase” will be the NAV at purchase of the Class A shares even if those shares are later exchanged for shares of another Delaware Fund and, in the event of an exchange of Class A shares, the “NAV of such shares at the time of redemption” will be the NAV of the shares acquired in the exchange.

Redemptions of such Class A shares held for more than the holding period, as set forth in the Prospectus, will not be subject to the Limited CDSC and an exchange of such Class A shares into another Delaware Fund will not trigger the imposition of the Limited CDSC at the time of such exchange. The period a shareholder owns shares into which Class A shares are exchanged will count toward satisfying the holding period. The Limited CDSC is assessed if such holding period is not satisfied irrespective of whether the redemption triggering its payment is of Class A shares of the Funds or Class A shares acquired in the exchange.

In determining whether a Limited CDSC is payable, it will be assumed that shares not subject to the Limited CDSC are the first redeemed followed by other shares held for the longest period of time. The Limited CDSC will not be imposed upon shares representing reinvested dividends or capital gains distributions, or upon amounts representing share appreciation.

Waivers of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

Please see the Prospectus for instances in which the Limited CDSC applicable to Class A shares and the CDSC applicable to Class C shares may be waived. The Limited CDSC applicable to Class A shares and the CDSC applicable to Class C shares are waived in instances such as a qualified distribution or due to death of the account holder/joint account holder. The qualified distribution waiver age is 70.5 and there is no CDSC death waiver time period. However, the CDSC death waiver only applies to shares purchased prior to the death of the account owner/joint account owner.

Distributions and Taxes

Distributions

The following supplements the information in the Prospectus.

The policy of the Trust is to distribute substantially all of each Fund's net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, in the amount and at the times that will allow a Fund to avoid incurring any material amounts of federal income or excise taxes.

Each Class of shares of a Fund will share proportionately in its investment income and expenses, except that each Retail Class alone will incur distribution fees under its respective Rule 12b-1 Plan.

All dividends and any capital gains distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the same Class of the Fund at NAV, unless otherwise designated in writing that such dividends and/or distributions be paid in cash.

Any check in payment of dividends or other distributions that cannot be delivered by the US Postal Service or that remains uncashed for a period of more than one year may be reinvested in the shareholder's account at the then-current NAV and the dividend option may be changed from cash to reinvest. A Fund may deduct from a shareholder's account the costs of the Fund's efforts to locate the shareholder if the shareholder's mail is returned by the US Postal Service or the Fund is otherwise unable to locate the shareholder or verify the shareholder's mailing address. These costs may include a percentage of the account when a search company charges a percentage fee in exchange for their location services.

Taxes

The following is a summary of certain additional tax considerations generally affecting a Fund (sometimes referred to as “the Fund”) and its shareholders that are not described in the Prospectus. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.

This “Distributions and Taxes” section is based on the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.

This is for general information only and not tax advice. All investors should consult their own tax advisors as to the federal, state, local, and foreign tax provisions applicable to them.

Taxation of the Fund. The Fund has elected and intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (sometimes referred to as a “regulated investment company,” “RIC” or “fund”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. If the Fund so qualifies, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income (that is, generally, taxable interest, dividends, net short-term capital gains, and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes to shareholders.

In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund must satisfy the following requirements:

In some circumstances, the character and timing of income realized by the Fund for purposes of the Income Requirement or the identification of the issuer for purposes of the Asset Diversification Test is uncertain under current law with respect to a particular investment, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to such type of investment may adversely affect the Fund's ability to satisfy these requirements. See, “Tax Treatment of Fund Transactions” below with respect to the application of these requirements to certain types of investments. In other circumstances, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio holdings in order to meet the Income Requirement, Distribution Requirement, or Asset Diversification Test, which may have a negative impact on the Fund's income and performance.

The Fund may use “equalization accounting” (in lieu of making some cash distributions) in determining the portion of its income and gains that has been distributed. If the Fund uses equalization accounting, it will allocate a portion of its undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gain to redemptions of Fund shares and will correspondingly reduce the amount of such income and gains that it distributes in cash. If the IRS determines that the Fund's allocation is improper and that the Fund has under-distributed its income and gain for any taxable year, the Fund may be liable for federal income and/or excise tax. If, as a result of such adjustment, the Fund fails to satisfy the Distribution Requirement, the Fund will not qualify that year as a regulated investment company the effect of which is described in the following paragraph.

If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at the corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders, and the dividends would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would thus have a negative impact on the Fund's income and performance. Subject to savings provisions for certain failures to satisfy the Income Requirement or Asset Diversification Test, which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it is possible that the Fund will not qualify as a regulated investment company in any given tax year. Even if such savings provisions apply, the Fund may be subject to a monetary sanction of $50,000 or more. Moreover, the Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company if it determines such a course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.

Portfolio turnover. For investors that hold their Fund shares in a taxable account, a high portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes. This is because a fund with a high turnover rate is likely to accelerate the recognition of capital gains and more of such gains are likely to be taxable as short-term rather than long-term capital gains in contrast to a comparable fund with a low turnover rate. Any such higher taxes would reduce the Fund's after-tax performance. See,

Distributions and Taxes

“Taxation of Fund Distributions - Distributions of capital gains” below. For non-US investors, any such acceleration of the recognition of capital gains that results in more short-term and less long-term capital gains being recognized by the Fund may cause such investors to be subject to increased US withholding taxes. See, “Non-US Investors — Capital gain dividends” and “— Interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends” below.

Capital loss carryovers. The capital losses of the Fund, if any, do not flow through to shareholders. Rather, the Fund may use its capital losses, subject to applicable limitations, to offset its capital gains without being required to pay taxes on or distribute to shareholders such gains that are offset by the losses. If the Fund has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess (if any) of the Fund's net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund's next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund's net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund's next taxable year. Any such net capital losses of the Fund that are not used to offset capital gains may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce any future capital gains realized by the Fund in succeeding taxable years.

The amount of capital losses that can be carried forward and used in any single year is subject to an annual limitation if there is a more than 50% “change in ownership” of the Fund. An ownership change generally results when shareholders owning 5% or more of the Fund increase their aggregate holdings by more than 50% over a 3-year look-back period. An ownership change could result in capital loss carryovers being used at a slower rate, thereby reducing the Fund's ability to offset capital gains with those losses. An increase in the amount of taxable gains distributed to the Fund's shareholders could result from an ownership change. The Fund undertakes no obligation to avoid or prevent an ownership change, which can occur in the normal course of shareholder purchases and redemptions or as a result of engaging in a tax-free reorganization with another fund. Moreover, because of circumstances beyond the Fund's control, there can be no assurance that the Fund will not experience, or has not already experienced, an ownership change. Additionally, if the Fund engages in a tax-free reorganization with another fund, the effect of these and other rules not discussed herein may be to disallow or postpone the use by the Fund of its capital loss carryovers (including any current year losses and built-in losses when realized) to offset its own gains or those of the other fund, or vice versa, thereby reducing the tax benefits Fund shareholders would otherwise have enjoyed from use of such capital loss carryovers.

Deferral of late year losses. The Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund's taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Fund distributions for any calendar year (see, “Taxation of Fund Distributions — Distributions of capital gains” below). A “qualified late year loss” includes:

(i) any net capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, or, if there is no such loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (“post-October capital losses”), and

(ii) the sum of (1) the excess, if any, of (a) specified losses incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) specified gains incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) ordinary losses incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) the ordinary income incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year.

The terms “specified losses” and “specified gains” mean ordinary losses and gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property (including the termination of a position with respect to such property), foreign currency losses and gains, and losses and gains resulting from holding stock in a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for which a mark-to-market election is in effect. The terms “ordinary losses” and “ordinary income” mean other ordinary losses and income that are not described in the preceding sentence.

Undistributed capital gains. The Fund may retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain for each taxable year. The Fund currently intends to distribute net capital gains. If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the corporate income tax rate. If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

Federal excise tax. To avoid a 4% nondeductible excise tax, the Fund must distribute by December 31 of each year an amount equal to at least: (1) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (that is, the excess of the gains from sales or exchanges of capital assets over the losses from such sales or exchanges) for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year, and (3) any prior year undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income. The Fund may elect to defer to the following year any net ordinary loss incurred for the portion of the calendar year that is after the beginning of the Fund's taxable year. Also, the Fund will defer any “specified gain” or “specified loss” that would be properly taken into account for the portion of the calendar year after October 31. Any net ordinary loss, specified gain, or specified loss deferred shall be treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Generally, the Fund intends to make sufficient distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid any material liability for federal income and excise tax, but can give no assurances that all or a portion of such liability will be avoided. In addition, under certain circumstances, temporary timing or permanent differences in the realization of income and expense for book and tax purposes can result in the Fund having to pay an excise tax.

Taxation of Fund Distributions. The Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain for each taxable year. Distributions by the Fund will be treated in the manner described below regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund (or of another fund). The Fund will send you information annually as to the federal income tax consequences of distributions made (or deemed made) during the year.

Distributions of net investment income. The Fund receives ordinary income generally in the form of dividends and/or interest on its investments. The Fund may also recognize ordinary income from other sources, including, but not limited to, certain gains on foreign currency-related transactions. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, constitutes the Fund's net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. If you are a taxable investor, distributions of net investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's earnings and profits. None of the dividends paid by the Fund are anticipated to qualify as qualified dividend income subject to reduced rates of taxation in the case of noncorporate shareholders.

Distributions of capital gains. The Fund may derive capital gain and loss in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Distributions derived from the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions paid from the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have held your shares in the Fund. Any net short-term or long-term capital gain realized by the Fund (net of any capital loss carryovers) generally will be distributed once each year and may be distributed more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Fund.

Returns of capital. Distributions by the Fund that are not paid from earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder's tax basis in their shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of the shares. Thus, the portion of a distribution that constitutes a return of capital will decrease the shareholder's tax basis in their Fund shares (but not below zero), and will result in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the shareholder for tax purposes on the later sale of Fund shares. Return of capital distributions can occur for a number of reasons including, among others, the Fund over-estimates the income to be received from certain investments such as those classified as partnerships or equity real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).

Impact of realized but undistributed income and gains, and net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities. At the time of your purchase of shares, the Fund's NAV may reflect undistributed income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities held by the Fund. A subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable, and would be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. The Fund may be able to reduce the amount of such distributions from capital gains by utilizing its capital loss carryovers, if any.

Tax credit bonds. If the Fund holds, directly or indirectly, one or more “tax credit bonds” (including build America bonds, clean renewable energy bonds and qualified tax credit bonds) on one or more applicable dates during a taxable year, the Fund may elect to permit its shareholders to claim a tax credit on their income tax returns equal to each shareholder's proportionate share of tax credits from the applicable bonds that otherwise would be allowed to the Fund. In such a case, shareholders must include in gross income (as interest) their proportionate share of the income attributable to their proportionate share of those offsetting tax credits. A shareholder's ability to claim a tax credit associated with one or more tax credit bonds may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. Under 2017 legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the build America bonds, clean renewable energy bonds and certain other qualified bonds may no longer be issued after December 31, 2017. Even if the Fund is eligible to pass through tax credits to shareholders, the Fund may choose not to do so.

US government securities. Income earned on certain US government obligations is exempt from state and local personal income taxes if earned directly by you. States also grant tax-free status to dividends paid to you from interest earned on direct obligations of the US government, subject in some states to minimum investment or reporting requirements that must be met by the Fund. Income on investments by the Fund in certain other obligations, such as repurchase agreements collateralized by US government obligations, commercial paper and federal agency-backed obligations (e.g., Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae obligations), generally does not qualify for tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporations.

Dividends declared in December and paid in January. Ordinarily, shareholders are required to take distributions by the Fund into account in the year in which the distributions are made. However, dividends declared in October, November, or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month will be deemed to have been received by the shareholders (and made by the Fund) on December 31 of such calendar year if such dividends are actually paid in January of the following year. Shareholders will be advised annually as to the US federal income tax consequences of distributions made (or deemed made) during the year in accordance with the guidance that has been provided by the IRS.

Medicare tax. A 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on net investment income earned by certain individuals, estates and trusts. “Net investment income,” for these purposes, means investment income, including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares, reduced by the deductions properly allocable to such income. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the shareholder's net investment income or (2) the amount by which the shareholder's modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). Net investment income does not include exempt-interest dividends. This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.

Taxation of Fund Distributions — Tax Exempt Interest. The Fund intends to qualify each year to pay exempt-interest dividends by satisfying the requirement that at the close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year at least 50% of the Fund's total assets consists of municipal securities, which are exempt from federal income tax.

Exempt-interest dividends. Distributions from the Fund will constitute exempt-interest dividends to the extent of the Fund's tax-exempt interest income (net of allocable expenses and amortized bond premium). Exempt-interest dividends distributed to shareholders of the Fund are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes. However, shareholders required to file a federal income tax return will be required to report the receipt of exempt-interest

Distributions and Taxes

dividends on their returns. Moreover, while exempt-interest dividends are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, they may be subject to alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) in certain circumstances and may have other collateral tax consequences as discussed below.

Distributions of ordinary income and capital gains. Any gain or loss from the sale or other disposition of a tax-exempt security generally is treated as either long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending upon its holding period, and is fully taxable. However, gain recognized from the sale or other disposition of a tax-exempt security purchased after April 30, 1993, will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the accrued market discount on such security. Distributions by the Fund of ordinary income and capital gains will be taxable to shareholders as discussed above under “Taxation of Fund Distributions.”

Alternative minimum tax - private activity bonds. AMT is imposed in addition to, but only to the extent it exceeds, the regular tax and is computed at a maximum rate of 28% for non-corporate taxpayers on the excess of the taxpayer's alternative minimum taxable income (“AMTI”) over an exemption amount. Exempt-interest dividends derived from certain “private activity” municipal securities issued after August 7, 1986 generally will constitute an item of tax preference includable in AMTI for non-corporate taxpayers. However, tax-exempt interest on private activity bonds issued in 2009 and 2010 is not an item of tax preference for purposes of the AMT. Consistent with its stated investment objective, the Fund intends to limit its investments in private activity bonds subject to the AMT to no more than 20% of its total assets in any given year.

Effect on taxation of social security benefits; denial of interest deduction; “substantial users.” Exempt-interest dividends must be taken into account in computing the portion, if any, of social security or railroad retirement benefits that must be included in an individual shareholder's gross income subject to federal income tax. Further, a shareholder of the Fund is denied a deduction for interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry shares of the Fund. Moreover, a shareholder who is (or is related to) a “substantial user” of a facility financed by industrial development bonds held by the Fund will likely be subject to tax on dividends paid by the Fund which are derived from interest on such bonds. Receipt of exempt-interest dividends may result in other collateral federal income tax consequences to certain taxpayers, including financial institutions, property and casualty insurance companies and foreign corporations engaged in a trade or business in the United States.

Exemption from state tax. To the extent that exempt-interest dividends are derived from interest on obligations of a state or its political subdivisions, or from interest on qualifying US territorial obligations (including qualifying obligations of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Guam), they also may be exempt from that state's personal income taxes. Most states do not grant tax-free treatment to interest on state and municipal securities of other states.

Failure of a municipal security to qualify to pay exempt-interest. Failure of the issuer of a tax-exempt security to comply with certain legal or contractual requirements relating to a municipal security could cause interest on the municipal security, as well as Fund distributions derived from this interest, to become taxable, perhaps retroactively to the date the municipal security was issued. In such a case, the Fund may be required to report to the IRS and send to shareholders amended Forms 1099 for a prior taxable year in order to report additional taxable income. This, in turn, could require shareholders to file amended federal and state income tax returns for such prior year to report and pay tax and interest on their pro rata share of the additional amount of taxable income.

Sales, Exchanges, and Redemptions of Fund Shares. Sales, exchanges and redemptions (including redemptions in kind) of Fund shares are taxable transactions for federal and state income tax purposes. If you redeem your Fund shares, the IRS requires you to report any gain or loss on your redemption. If you held your shares as a capital asset, the gain or loss that you realize will be a capital gain or loss and will be long-term or short-term, generally depending on how long you have held your shares. Any redemption fees you incur on shares redeemed will decrease the amount of any capital gain (or increase any capital loss) you realize on the sale. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.

Tax basis information. The Fund is required to report to you and the IRS annually on Form 1099-B the cost basis of shares purchased or acquired on or after January 1, 2012 where the cost basis of the shares is known by the Fund (referred to as “covered shares”) and that are disposed of after that date. However, cost basis reporting is not required for certain shareholders, including shareholders investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account.

When required to report cost basis, the Fund will calculate it using the Fund's default method, unless you instruct the Fund to use a different calculation method. For additional information regarding the Fund's available cost basis reporting methods, including its default method, please contact the Fund. If you hold your Fund shares through a broker (or other nominee), please contact that broker (nominee) with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account.

The IRS permits the use of several methods to determine the cost basis of mutual fund shares. The method used will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing share prices, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund does not recommend any particular method of determining cost basis, and the use of other methods may result in more favorable tax consequences for some shareholders. It is important that you consult with your tax advisor to determine which method is best for you and then notify the Fund if you intend to utilize a method other than the Fund's default method for covered shares. If you do not notify the Fund of your elected cost basis method upon the initial purchase into your account, the default method will be applied to your covered shares.

The Fund will compute and report the cost basis of your Fund shares sold or exchanged by taking into account all of the applicable adjustments to cost basis and holding periods as required by the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations for purposes of reporting these amounts to you and the IRS.

However the Fund is not required to, and in many cases the Fund does not possess the information to, take all possible basis, holding period or other adjustments into account in reporting cost basis information to you. Therefore, shareholders should carefully review the cost basis information provided by the Fund.

Please refer to the Fund's website at delawarefunds.com for additional information.

Wash sales. All or a portion of any loss that you realize on a redemption of your Fund shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other shares in the Fund (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before or after your share redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new shares.

Redemptions at a loss within six months of purchase. Any loss incurred on a redemption or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributed to you by the Fund on those shares. Any loss incurred on the redemption or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends paid to you with respect to your Fund shares, and any remaining loss will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributed to you by the Fund on those shares. However, this rule does not apply to any loss incurred on a redemption or exchange of shares of a tax-free money market fund or other fund that declares exempt-interest dividends daily and distributes them at least monthly for which your holding period began after December 22, 2010.

Deferral of basis. If a shareholder (a) incurs a sales load in acquiring shares of the Fund, (b) disposes of such shares less than 91 days after they are acquired, and (c) subsequently acquires shares of the Fund or another fund by January 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the disposition of the original shares occurred at a reduced sales load pursuant to a right to reinvest at such reduced sales load acquired in connection with the acquisition of the shares disposed of, then the sales load on the shares disposed of (to the extent of the reduction in the sales load on the shares subsequently acquired) shall not be taken into account in determining gain or loss on the shares disposed of, but shall be treated as incurred on the acquisition of the shares subsequently acquired. The wash sale rules may also limit the amount of loss that may be taken into account on disposition after such adjustment.

Conversion of shares into shares of the same Fund. The conversion or exchange of shares of one class into another class of the same Fund is not taxable for federal income tax purposes. Thus, the following transactions generally will be tax-free for federal income tax purposes:

However, shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the state and local tax consequences of a conversion or exchange of shares.

Reportable transactions. Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund's shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Tax Treatment of Fund Transactions. Set forth below is a general description of the tax treatment of certain types of securities, investment techniques and transactions that may apply to a fund and, in turn, affect the amount, character and timing of dividends and distributions payable by the fund to its shareholders. This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion above under “Investment Strategies and Risks” for a detailed description of the various types of securities and investment techniques that apply to the Fund.

In general. In general, gain or loss recognized by a fund on the sale or other disposition of portfolio investments will be a capital gain or loss. Such capital gain and loss may be long-term or short-term depending, in general, upon the length of time a particular investment position is maintained and, in some cases, upon the nature of the transaction. Property held for more than one year generally will be eligible for long-term capital gain or loss treatment. The application of certain rules described below may serve to alter the manner in which the holding period for a security is determined or may otherwise affect the characterization as long-term or short-term, and also the timing of the realization and/or character, of certain gains or losses.

Certain fixed income investments. Gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by a fund at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount that accrued during the period of time the fund held the debt obligation unless the fund made a current inclusion election to accrue market discount into income as it accrues. If a fund purchases a debt obligation (such as a zero coupon security or payment-in-kind security) that was originally issued at a discount, the fund generally is required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount that accrues during such year. Therefore, a fund's investment in such securities may cause the fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on the securities. To generate cash to satisfy those distribution requirements, a fund may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of fund shares.

Distributions and Taxes

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present tax issues for a fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent a fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when a fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a fund in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company.

Options, futures, forward contracts, swap agreements, and hedging transactions. In general, option premiums received by a fund are not immediately included in the income of the fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If an option written by a fund is exercised and the fund sells or delivers the underlying stock, the fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the fund minus (b) the fund's basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the fund generally will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased. The gain or loss with respect to any termination of a fund's obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option and related sale or delivery of the underlying stock generally will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the fund (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a fund expires unexercised, the fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.

The tax treatment of certain futures contracts entered into by a fund as well as listed non-equity options written or purchased by the fund on US exchanges (including options on futures contracts, broad-based equity indices and debt securities) may be governed by section 1256 of the Internal Revenue Code (“section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, any section 1256 contracts held by a fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Internal Revenue Code) are “marked to market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable. Section 1256 contracts do not include any interest rate swap, currency swap, basis swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, commodity swap, equity swap, equity index swap, credit default swap, or similar agreement.

In addition to the special rules described above in respect of options and futures transactions, a fund's transactions in other derivatives instruments (including options, forward contracts and swap agreements) as well as its other hedging, short sale, or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including the constructive sale, notional principal contract, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a fund are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the fund, defer losses to the fund, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the fund's securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders. Moreover, because the tax rules applicable to derivatives instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid a fund-level tax.

Certain of a fund's investments in derivatives and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and the fund's transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a fund's book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company. If a fund's book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution of any such excess will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the fund's remaining earnings and profits (including current earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income, reduced by related deductions), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient's basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset.

Securities lending. While securities are loaned out by a fund, the fund generally will receive from the borrower amounts equal to any dividends or interest paid on the borrowed securities. For federal income tax purposes, payments made “in lieu of” dividends are not considered dividend income. These distributions will neither qualify for the reduced rate of taxation for individuals on qualified dividends nor the 50% dividends-received deduction for corporations. Also, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits to shareholders. Additionally, in the case of a fund with a strategy of investing in tax-exempt securities, any payments made “in lieu of” tax-exempt interest will be considered taxable income to the fund, and thus, to the investors, even though such interest may be tax-exempt when paid to the borrower.

Investments in securities of uncertain tax character. A fund may invest in securities the US federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such securities differs from the tax treatment expected by a fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the fund, requiring the fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code.

Backup Withholding. By law, the Fund may be required to withhold a portion of your taxable dividends and sales proceeds unless you:

The Fund also must withhold if the IRS instructs it to do so. When withholding is required, the amount will be 24% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder's US federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting. The special US tax certification requirements applicable to non-US investors to avoid backup withholding are described under the “Non-US Investors” heading below.

Non-US Investors. Non-US investors (shareholders who, as to the US, are nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates, foreign corporations, or foreign partnerships) may be subject to US withholding and estate tax and are subject to special US tax certification requirements. Non-US investors should consult their tax advisors about the applicability of US tax withholding and the use of the appropriate forms to certify their status.

In general. The US imposes a flat 30% withholding tax (or a withholding tax at a lower treaty rate) on US source dividends, including on income dividends paid to you by the Fund, subject to certain exemptions described below. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from US withholding at the source, any dividends and distributions of income and capital gains, including the proceeds from the sale of your Fund shares, will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a US person.

Capital gain dividends. In general, capital gain dividends reported by the Fund to shareholders as paid from its net long-term capital gains, other than long-term capital gains realized on the disposition of US real property interests, are not subject to US withholding tax unless you are a nonresident alien individual present in the US for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year.

Exempt-interest dividends. In general, exempt-interest dividends reported by the Fund to shareholders as paid from net tax-exempt income are not subject to US withholding tax.

Interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends. Generally, dividends reported by the Fund to shareholders as interest-related dividends and paid from its qualified net interest income from US sources are not subject to US withholding tax. “Qualified interest income” includes, in general, US source (1) bank deposit interest, (2) short-term original discount, (3) interest (including original issue discount, market discount, or acquisition discount) on an obligation that is in registered form, unless it is earned on an obligation issued by a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is a 10-percent shareholder or is contingent interest, and (4) any interest-related dividend from another regulated investment company. Similarly, short-term capital gain dividends reported by the Fund to shareholders as paid from its net short-term capital gains, other than short-term capital gains realized on the disposition of certain US real property interests, are not subject to US withholding tax unless you were a nonresident alien individual present in the US for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year. The Fund reserves the right to not report interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends. Additionally, the Fund's reporting of interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends may not be passed through to shareholders by intermediaries who have assumed tax reporting responsibilities for this income in managed or omnibus accounts due to systems limitations or operational constraints.

Net investment income from dividends on stock and foreign source interest income continue to be subject to withholding tax; foreign tax credits. Ordinary dividends paid by the Fund to non-US investors on the income earned on portfolio investments in (i) the stock of domestic and foreign corporations and (ii) the debt of foreign issuers continue to be subject to US withholding tax. Foreign shareholders may be subject to US withholding tax at a rate of 30% on the income resulting from an election to pass through foreign tax credits to shareholders, but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction with respect to the withholding tax for the foreign tax treated as having been paid by them.

Income effectively connected with a US trade or business. If the income from the Fund is effectively connected with a US trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and any gains realized upon the sale or redemption of shares of the Fund will be subject to US federal income tax at the rates applicable to US citizens or domestic corporations and require the filing of a nonresident US income tax return.

US estate tax. Transfers by gift of shares of the Fund by a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to US federal gift tax. An individual who, at the time of death, is a non-US shareholder will nevertheless be subject to US federal estate tax with respect to Fund shares at the graduated rates applicable to US citizens and residents, unless a treaty exemption applies. If a treaty exemption is available, a decedent's estate may nonetheless need to file a US estate tax return to claim the exemption in order to obtain a US federal transfer certificate. The transfer certificate will identify the property (i.e., Fund shares) as to which the US federal estate tax lien has been released. In the absence of a treaty, there is a $13,000 statutory estate tax credit (equivalent to US situs assets with a value of $60,000). For estates with US situs assets of not more than $60,000, the Fund may accept, in lieu of a transfer certificate, an affidavit from an appropriate individual evidencing that decedent's US situs assets are below this threshold amount.

US tax certification rules. Special US tax certification requirements may apply to non-US shareholders both to avoid US backup withholding imposed at a rate of 24% and to obtain the benefits of any treaty between the US and the shareholder's country of residence. In general, if you are a non-US shareholder, you must provide a Form W-8 BEN (or other applicable Form W-8) to establish that you are not a US person, to claim that you are the beneficial owner of the income and, if applicable, to claim a reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding as a resident of a country with which the US has an income tax treaty. A Form W-8 BEN provided without a US taxpayer identification number will remain in effect for a period beginning on the date signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year unless an earlier change of circumstances makes the information on the form incorrect. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding.

Distributions and Taxes

The tax consequences to a non-US shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described herein. Non-US shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund, including the applicability of foreign tax.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”). Under FATCA, the Fund will be required to withhold a 30% tax on income dividends made by the Fund to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions (“FFI”) or nonfinancial foreign entities (“NFFE”). After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which can be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). The FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by US persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial US persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reporting information relating to them. The US Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (“IGA”) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with a number of other foreign countries with respect to one or more alternative approaches to implement FATCA; an entity in one of those countries may be required to comply with the terms of an IGA instead of US Treasury regulations.

An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding if it is deemed compliant or by becoming a “participating FFI,” which requires the FFI to enter into a US tax compliance agreement with the IRS under section 1471(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (“FFI agreement”) under which it agrees to verify, report and disclose certain of its US accountholders and meet certain other specified requirements. The FFI will either report the specified information about the US accounts to the IRS, or, to the government of the FFI's country of residence (pursuant to the terms and conditions of applicable law and an applicable IGA entered into between the US and the FFI's country of residence), which will, in turn, report the specified information to the IRS. An FFI that is resident in a country that has entered into an IGA with the US to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the FFI shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from the Fund can avoid the FATCA withholding tax generally by certifying that it does not have any substantial US owners or by providing the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial US owner. The NFFE will report the information to the Fund or other applicable withholding agent, which will, in turn, report the information to the IRS.

Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by US Treasury regulations, IGAs, and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that invests in the Fund will need to provide the Fund with documentation properly certifying the entity's status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. Non-US investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the impact of these requirements on their investment in the Fund. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the US tax certification rules to avoid backup withholding described above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these requirements to their own situation.

Effect of Future Legislation; Local Tax Considerations. The foregoing general discussion of US federal income tax consequences is based on the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. Rules of state and local taxation of ordinary income, qualified dividend income, and capital gain dividends may differ from the rules for US federal income taxation described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local, and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder's particular situation. Non-US shareholders may be subject to US tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in the Fund.

Performance Information

To obtain the Funds' most current performance information, please call 800 523-1918 or visit our website at delawarefunds.com/performance.

Performance quotations represent the Funds' past performance and should not be considered as representative of future results. The Funds will calculate their performance in accordance with the requirements of the rules and regulations under the 1940 Act, or any other applicable US securities laws, as they may be revised from time to time by the SEC.

Financial Statements

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), which is located at 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust and, in its capacity as such, audits the annual financial statements contained in each Fund's Annual Report. The Funds' Statements of Assets and Liabilities, Schedules of Investments, Statements of Operations, Statements of Changes in Net Assets, Financial Highlights, and Notes to Financial Statements, as well as the report of PwC, the independent registered public accounting firm, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, are included in each Fund's Annual Report to shareholders. The financial statements and Financial Highlights, the notes relating thereto and the report of PwC listed above are incorporated by reference from the Annual Report into this SAI.

Principal Holders

As of November 30, 2023, the Manager believes the following shareholders held of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of the Funds. The Manager does not have knowledge of beneficial owners.

Principal Holders

Principal Holders

Appendix A — Description of Ratings

Moody's

The following describe characteristics of the global long-term (original maturity of 1 year or more) bond ratings provided by Moody's:

Aaa: Judged to be obligations of the highest quality, they are subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

Aa: Judged to be obligations of high quality, they are subject to very low credit risk. Together with the Aaa group, they make up what are generally known as high-grade bonds.

A: Judged to be upper-medium-grade obligations, they are subject to low credit risk.

Baa: Judged to be medium-grade obligations, subject to moderate credit risk, they may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba: Judged to be speculative obligations, they are subject to substantial credit risk.

B: Considered to be speculative obligations, they are subject to high credit risk.

Caa: Judged to be speculative obligations of poor standing, they are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca: Viewed as highly speculative obligations, they are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C: Viewed as the lowest rated obligations, they are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal and interest.

For all categories from Aa through Caa, Moody's also supplies numerical indicators (1, 2, and 3) to rating categories. The modifier 1 indicates that the security is in the higher end of its rating category, the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking, and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking toward the lower end of the category.

Standard and Poor's

The following describe characteristics of the long-term (original maturity of 1 year or more) bond ratings provided by Standard and Poor's:

AAA: These are the highest rated obligations. The capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

AA: These also qualify as high-grade obligations. They have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and they differ from AAA issues only in small degree.

A: These are regarded as upper-medium-grade obligations. They have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.

BBB: These are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity in this regard. This group is the lowest that qualifies for commercial bank investment.

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C: These obligations range from speculative to significantly speculative with respect to the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and C the highest.

D: These obligations are in default, and payment of principal and/or interest is likely in arrears.

The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

Fitch

AAA: Judged to be highest credit quality; obligor has exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

AA: Judged to be very high credit quality; obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong. Because bonds rated in the AAA and AA categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated F-1+.

A: Judged to be high credit quality; obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than higher-rated bonds.

BBB: Judged to be satisfactory credit quality; obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered adequate. Unfavorable changes in economic conditions and circumstances are more likely to adversely affect these bonds and impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for higher-rated bonds.

BB, B, CCC, CC, C: These are not investment grade; predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to repay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation for bond issues not in default. BB is the least speculative. C is the most speculative.

Moody's

P-1: Judged to have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-2: Judged to have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3: Judged to have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

Standard and Poor's

A-1: These are the highest rated obligations. The capacity of the obligor to pay interest and repay principal is strong. The addition of a plus sign (+) would indicate a very strong capacity.

A-2: These obligations are somewhat susceptible to changing economic conditions. The obligor has a satisfactory capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

A-3: These obligations are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changing economic conditions, which could lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

B: These obligations are vulnerable to nonpayment and are significantly speculative, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments.

C: These obligations are vulnerable to nonpayment, but the obligor must rely on favorable economic conditions to meet its financial commitment.

D: These obligations are in default, and payment of principal and/or interest is likely in arrears.

Fitch

F-1+: Exceptionally strong quality

F-1: Very strong quality

F-2: Good credit quality

F-3: Fair quality

F-S: Weak credit quality

Moody's

Moody's ratings for state and municipal notes and other short-term (up to 3 years) obligations are designated Municipal Investment Grade (MIG).

MIG 1: Indicates superior quality, enjoying the excellent protection of established cash flows, liquidity support, and broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2: Indicates strong credit quality with ample margins of protection, although not as large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3: Indicates acceptable credit quality, with narrow liquidity and cash-flow protection and less well-established market access for refinancing.

SG: Indicates speculative credit quality with questionable margins of protection.

Standard and Poor's

The following describe characteristics of U.S. municipal short-term (original maturity of 3 years or less) note ratings provided by Standard and Poor's:

SP-1: Indicates a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2: Indicates a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.

SP-3: Indicates a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Fitch

F-1+: Exceptionally strong quality

F-1: Very strong quality

Appendix A — Description of Ratings

F-2: Good credit quality

F-3: Fair quality

F-S: Weak credit quality